Quest for San Juan cruiser

[Mpstan]

My admiral and I live near Bellingham WA, are 6 or so years from retiring, and would like to explore the inside passage, Desolation Sound, AK eventually. Maybe with a Trawler; we aren't sure. We both work a lot and could not use a trawler enough to justify the cost. So, we are thinking a "bridge" boat. 35K is our budget.

We would have long weekends and some vacation time. We would want to cruise the San Juan's, or cross Rosario safely and go to Victoria. Mostly just the two of us.

Is a Sundancer 260 too small for described use? Some experience, had a 22 ft Glastron once..... would a 280 be more Seaworthy? Looking for advice, thank you!

 

[wyrman]

We took our 06 260 to the San Juan's twice.
The second time we crossed Haro Strait to Victoria.
We had zero problems, and very much enjoyed both trips.
I don't know about the inside passage though for that boat.

 

[northern]

My cousin has a single engine fiberglass fishing boat 27 feet LOA so maybe 23 at the water line. They have gone from San Juans to Prince Rupert. A boat that size is OK just watch the weather and go fast when you can and plan shelter locations.
We first had a 28 foot LWL and went from Victoria to the end of Vancouver Island.
Be prepared to sit for a few days in places until the weather clears. We have been to Alaska in our boat. We got a cruiser so we could go fast when we needed. A trawler at 7 knots can take you a long time in a 50 miles crossing a cruiser at 15 to 20 knots gets you out of danger a lot quicker. Fuel is more but less than the cost of a funeral.
With our 28 footer it had upper and lower helms so we could be separate when we wanted. Small boats have limited potable water refrigerator space so we tended to have to go to marinas ever 4th day for water, shower and fuel.

 

[Mpstan]

When we retire we hope to afford something along the lines of a Helmsman 38E Pilothouse, or a 31' Ranger Tug, or something in between. I've no doubt of their seaworthiness and I know they would be fine under most Inside Passage conditions.

Until then........ time and speed will be more important. Hence the goals of the bridge boat.
Getting back to the Sundancer models (260, 280, 300)........ I want comfortable for a couple, might overnight in it but would be equally possible we might go to a Marina and stay on shore....... I want to have some confidence that I wont get in trouble on the way to Vancouver Island...... so striking a balance between seaworthiness and overkill/excessive expense...... hoping to hear more experiences from others up here...

Thank you for the responses thusfar!

 

[wyrman]

We've stayed for a week at a time on our old boat, the 260da.
We were fine, just had to fill the water and fuel occasionally.
The head was pretty small though, I couldn't stand up in it, and I'm 5'11".
We had it in rough water several times, and it took it very well.

 

[northern]

You will be fine in small boat as long as you watch the weather and currents. We crossed from Sidney to Sucia area a few weeks ago. Waves and current made for rough ride waves were 4+ feet. There was one 26 or so foot boat out at the same time. They made it but had water spraying over the top of the boat. Do not be in a hurry and cross open areas fast when you can. Have a look at Aft cabin SeaRays or any other type of boat as you get more room. Ranger Tugs are nice and can go fast but are small, good for a couple but if you have guests it get crowded. When you do a crossing make sure all items are stowed and secured as you will not have any time during a rough crossing. A loose propane or gas can will do a lot of damage in rough water. We put all loose things in the galley in the sinks and anything in the cabins that could fall on the floor and anything in the helm or open areas we tie down or have strapped down. A small BBQ flying from side to side can do a lot of damage. A loose cooler with ice in it is like a rock and will move.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Is a Sundancer 260 too small for described use? Some experience, had a 22 ft Glastron once..... would a 280 be more Seaworthy? Looking for advice, thank you!

Mp, just about any boat will withstand more rough water than the skipper and crew, so keep that in mind when you're boat shopping.

My advice to people looking for a "first boat" is always this: Buy your second boat first.

As an example of that, many people go out and buy a boat that they think will meet their needs, be big enough to do what they want and they fall in love with it. Then, after a year or two they find it's (a) not long enough, (b) not wide enough (c) doesn't have proper sleeping arrangements for two people who sleep in separate beds at home (d) isn't fast enough for what they want and (e) you fill in here whatever else you don't like about it.

So now they want to trade their first boat in and end up buying their second boat, which they should have bought in the first place. Trading in a boat you've only owned a couple of years almost always costs a TON of money.

So, do your due diligence. Spend plenty of time looking at a variety of boats until you start to zero in on a design you like. Picture yourselves and a couple of guests on board and imagine how the sleeping and seating arrangements will work for you.

Then, take your time looking at boats of that type to find just that perfect boat. You live in Bham, but don't just look to Seattle for your boat. Look down the coast, in Portland, and don't overlook the Great Lakes region. That's where my boat came from and, while it was expensive to get it here, the boats there tend to be in great shape because they have short seasons and often are stored inside in the winter.

Good luck.

 

[Mpstan]

I know it's borderline heresy but here's a 26ft boat that is in our price range with a new Volvo power plant: It's a Regal:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/20.../Canada?refSource=browse listing#.W1fxwdJKhaQ

No radar arch; doesn't come with radar....... thoughts on a 26 Regal vs 260?

 

[techmitch]

You have a nice budget. First thought without research, that boat is way over priced.

 

[velooce]

I know of 36' four winns of great value that is offered at Silver Seas Yacht Sales 206-508-4458

 

[Mpstan]

Trying to stay within our budget, we are now thinking a trailerable boat within the towing capacity of our present vehicle which is 6500 lbs (Lexus 470-GX). 260s are very marginal, so we are focusing on 240s like this one:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/20...er-3226645/West-Vancouver/Canada#.W1zDEHNlAwB

Thoughts?

 

[northern]

There are a lot of State Parks in the San Juans that are tent places with marine access. We have met a few people that boat and tent. Problem is there are few places with docks so you need to buoy and dinghy to shore and if the buoys are full you need to anchor. Not too sure if I would anchor a bot without being on it.