$5K is not bad for a Catalina 27. I wouldn’t sail one to Fiji (though it can and has been done), but it isn’t bad and there is a lot of exploring that can be done without getting out into the middle of an ocean.
Diesel is better, sure. So is a bigger, nicer boat. But a $5K Catalina and a couple thousand in pocket change, and a fishing rod or two, is all you need for a few months of stupendous cruising (if you are alone and don’t mind anchoring and rowing to shore).
Boats go up in cost exponentially, however. A 30 foot decent boat will be $20K. A 34 will be 60K. A 40 will be 130K. And so on. (or you could buy a $1M 35 if you want).
We have a Crown 28 and love it. Old, sturdy, well maintained, the motor is almost as old as I am, and we have a grand time without going broke.
