In case you are new around these parts, we are pretty familiar with boat ownership. In fact, this is our fourth vessel we’ve owned since beginning this sailing adventure years ago! Like many boat owners, we started small and worked our way up to larger boats with more complex systems aboard. This 2005 Beneteau 423 provides a 3-cabin layout and is ready to live aboard.

Our first boats were Catalina 22’s for the first couple years of sailing. Then around the beginning of 2020, we purchased a 1983 Catalina 30 Tall Rig. We enjoyed this boat so much and really were settling into the idea of using it for the Loop, at least to start out.

Of course, what does any boat owner do when not sailing? Look at other boats, of course! Chris was snooping around the sailboat market and happened upon this 2005 Beneteau 423 for sale in Virginia. It had 3 cabins and was very well outfitted with many of the systems we were lacking and wanting from our beloved Catalina 30.

While we could certainly make the Catalina 30 work and invest in further upgrades (beyond what we already have done), it still was lacking in individual cabins for all of us to have some semblance of privacy. As we looked at our options and simultaneously crunching budget numbers, we came to the conclusion that purchasing a newer boat outfitted with these much wanted features would make the most sense in the long run.

Similar to the housing market a the time, the sailboat market is somewhat inflated and a bit bonkers to navigate. If you find a boat that is worth looking at you don’t want to wait. Three cabin boats are also in high demand, which heightened our urgency. So, in July of 2022, we packed the car and all four of us drove to Deltaville, Virginia to check out this possible future boat.

It didn’t take long for us to realize that this boat really was a great fit for us. Unfortunately, it was on the hard (on land) and we weren’t able to take it out for a sail and really stretch her legs out on the water. Eventually, when we returned home, we submitted an offer and it was accepted! The next part of the process was going through a marine survey, which is basically and inspection of all parts of the vessel, including putting her in the water to make sure everything was in working order.

The survey was a success and we finalized the purchase of the boat in mid August. I like to joke that it’s a big birthday present! 🤣 Later in October, Alison and I took a week to bring some items from the Catalina 30, and give the new boat a proper shakedown. After spending time exploring the systems and a calm anchorage, we returned home extremely excited about our new home on the water!