We looked at this just listed C&C Landfall 48 in Newport Beach, CA. These are fairly rare as only 24 were built. We liked the raised deckhouse that provided great visibility and where you could monitor radar/chartplotter and be in out of the elements. But we didn't like the rear cockpit where we couldn't figure out how we could give it shade. And looking at the lack of a lazarette & deck space aft for ease of boarding and having a place to hang out at anchor.
Then we went to Long Beach and San Pedro CA. to look at the next 2 yachts. This next one was an all original Celestial 48 center cockpit which we immediately fell in love with. This boat had the layout and space that we were looking for. We did not like the teak decks but they were in good shape for now. The owner of the last 15 years hasn't really done anything and it looked like it would take a lot of money and time to get her back to the condition we needed but at the price she could be bought for in comparison to what a yacht this size would cost today it was a tempting prospect.
The next boat the broker we were with exclaimed it would be the best he was saving for last. It was a Spindrift 43 in the rare center cockpit layout. If you have herd anything about the docks in the 9 square mile Wilmington section of the Los Angeles Harbor Region where this boat was located you will know it can only be described as a final resting place for broken dreams. After walking out through a sea of tied up derelict boats we came across the one shining light in this harbour. We were impressed with the overall condition we found this yacht to be in. and was even able to talk with it's owner. But after really spending time aboard this impressive double ender we knew it wasn't the boat for us.
We called it a day after traveling 4 hours round trip to look at 4 sailboats including a Morgan 41 that we immediately dismissed we needed to stop for a bite to eat and to talk over what we had seen. We stopped in Laguna Beach at The Cliff restaurant where dining on the Pacific Ocean were able to see the entire Catalina Island in the distance 27 miles away but it looked so close you could swim to it that night. We eat and watched the sun set before driving back to San Diego.
The next day we were surprised to see a new listing for a boat we had looked at two of before and I was planning to go to see another one in San Carlos, Mexico in a week. We liked the layout but the one we had seen a few weeks earlier in Marina Del Rey, CA although being in Bristol original condition with a good price was not equipped for offshore cruising.
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| California Boat in Excellent Condition but no cruising equipment. |
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| Irwin in San Carlos Mexico was loaded with cruising equipment. |
We immediately called the broker representing this boat excited to see a cruise equipped Irwin 38 (40.1' LOA) center cockpit. This would save a 22 hour roundtrip drive and the boat would be here in San Diego saving a $5K transportation expense, so we went to look at it. As a bonus the owner was there to talk with about the boat's equipment and history.
This boat was in great condition and we were instantly reminded how we loved the light, bright, well organised interior. The boat had a new cockpit enclosure, solar , etc. But we came off the boat instantly knowing we had been spoiled looking at 44' to 48' yachts and the safe living space they provided. Also we were not so sure how a 20k lb. boat with a 7K lb. keel would hold up in the open ocean after being saddled with all the food, equipment and gear we plan to have with us. We knew as soon as we got home we needed to take these Irwin's off our list.
So we end this 2 week period exactly where we started without the prospect of a boat. But the more we look, the more educated we become. And we know the right one will present itself at the right time.
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