We recently interviewed clients Barry and Robyn Costa who bought a Belize 43 in 2006. They have been sailing this boat from Fountaine Pajot’s commissioning port in La Rochelle, France back to Australia. Below is their advice for others who might be considering picking up their own boat ex factory…

Q: What do you think it would cost to sail back to Australia if you just made essential stops for fuel and provisions and minimal sightseeing?
A: Budget AUD$3000/month if doing the tourist thing (marinas, sightseeing ,motor sailing ,wine etc) but approx $1000 - $1500 if going express! Also depends on your taste in wine, food preferences and crew numbers! A quick trip needs to allow for a Shakedown. Chasing/sticking to weather patterns and seasons can have a big effect on timing. ie. leave for Canaries before early October, don’t get to Caribbean before early December and avoid the South Pacific cyclone season.

Q: Are you enjoying the trip and what are the negatives?
A: Seeing the world - its people, culture, sights and history – is undoubtedly one of the major positives, as well as the incredible lifestyle we are enjoying. Negatives include the minimal sailing we have been doing in the Med due to the gales, lack of time, and the unexpected expenses that always crop up.

Q: How do you rate the Belize 43 as a live-aboard vessel?
A: The Belize 43 is a good cruising size for 4 – 5 pax, and passages with minimum 3 pax is okay. Bigger is always better for rough conditions, making speed, larger payload and all round comfort, but bigger can cause hassles with marina spaces. It’s always a compromise between cost and size.

Q: If you did this trip in a monohull, would the passages have been more comfortable?
A: Only if it was more than 60ft. There is no substitute for waterline length regardless of type. (Robyn got the shakes just watching monos sway at anchor and in marinas!)

Q: Would you recommend this buying process to other clients?
A: If they like their sailing, want the experience, have the time and want to tour – they could be put off if it is a rushed delivery.

Q: What would we have done differently?
A: We would have planned for a longer trip with more time in Eastern Med – and also made time to understand seasons a bit better. Would also opt for a Parasail over a spinnaker.

Q: Any advice on equipment?
A: Gennaker is a must have, the factory layout of instruments needs to determined beforehand to allow space and we’d also choose bigger engines for when we are motoring on just one.