I have a C&C 27 that I have raced for about 25 years, if considering the C&C 30 check the deck with a moisture meter, prone to balsa core moisture, also the 30's need about 10+ knots to get going, the Atomic 4's are pretty smooth running engine, 6:1 compression could use a turbo.

The smaller trailerable boat would probably be a better boat to learn on, is there a club near there with a small 3 ton crane for dry sail boats?

I think that smaller boats would be easier to sell later, if you decide to move up.

That doesn't seem right ;)

Buy is OK, if the boat is more geared for beginners. Trailerable 20-25 ft is a nice range, big cockpit instead of big cabin, optimally geared towards day sailing. Buy the big boat after gaining a good degree of experience. Sailing classes (ASA or US Sailing) are smart to do. Renting is smart if that option is available in the OP’s area. Here they rent Catalina 14.2 dinghies and Capri 22 keelboats. Rental boats usually have very basic sail controls, usually in mediocre to bad condition from my experience. Still, it’s a viable option. Sailing/yacht clubs are definitely worthwhile. Ride on other peoples’ boats as rail meat (at first) to gain some experience and see what different boats are like. Maybe get you hooked on racing. Who knows? :D

The Buffalo, sitting on the rail, helps keep the boat flat in a fresh breeze. Not sure about it’s agility to shift sides during a tack or gybe.

Seahawk and others,

Here's the deal. The lady friend has been my friend for the past 30 years. She and her Dad have a very close relationship and their hobby for the past 40+ years has been sailing. Actually it would be closer to 50 years, but that would be "tellin' on her age". Her Dad was a previous Commodore at the local yacht club back in the 70's. He was a National Champion in the past sailing a Catalina 22. He's actually nearly as tall as I am at 6'4" but considerably leaner. I'm relying on their combined 80-100 years of sailing experience to help me get into this hobby and out of my old one.......you see, I spent 40+ years in a hobby with my Dad and since he passed away last year I've found the hobby just isn't nearly as enjoyable without him. For that matter, I lost 4 of my family members in the last 2 years. Without the lady friend helping me grieve the loss of my family, I'd probably be in a very dark place right now. So far, she and her Dad have steered me away from anything Hunter or Macgregor. I've done a lot of research and just trying to narrow down the field of boats to look at, particularly given:

1) My physical size
2) The size of the local lake (33,000 acres, roughly 16 miles by 7 miles average depth of 11 feet)
3) Typical seasonal wind conditions of the lake----very rarely a LOT of wind
4) Facilities/repair shops on the lake pretty much non existent makes hauling out and launching a boat that can't be done with a trailer would require a contractor with a crane at $1500 out and $1500 back in.....and unless I found such a boat with a trailer or borrowed one to take the boat off site to put on the hard...
5) Prefer a boat with enough cabin that I could at least get in out of the sun, my bowels at the moment are at least controllable with strategic planning, but a place for at least a portable head would be nice (and you know how them lady friends are).
6) 5 above plus maybe spend a night on just to chill out.

I'm not looking for a $10,000 boat, my budget is about half of that. And if it all doesn't work out, no big loss. Not going to pout about it and wonder why the hell I even attempted the hobby. I'm going into this with a very positive attitude. As for the C&C 30 I looked at, it's had a bottom job in the last 2 or 3 years, it's already in the water and at a great location on the lake. Short of the prop falling off, I don't see myself taking it out of the water for another 2 years at least. Short of starting to sink at the slip I'd see no reason to take it out of the water. Now down the road, should I decide to get out of the boat, I would think a prospective buyer would be hesitant to pay for a survey that required at least a $1500 haul out on their dime.

Tomorrow I will travel to a boat yard and look around at the offerings. Meanwhile, I appreciate those that have made suggestions on particular boats.

SCaddle, it sounds like you’ll want a Bimini to provide shade in the cockpit area, either already installed on the boat or easily added after purchase. Once again, good hunting!

110%.

Enjoy.

275 lbs of "rail meat".... LOL!

Enjoy it SC :)!

For sure shade in the cockpit adds to the comfort and makes longer sailing days less tiring, less sunburn too.

I got very spoiled with the sheltered cockpit on our 45' tri Tevake that we added in N Z.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1567460445.jpg

Good for shallow water less that 3' draft board up. but at 27' wide not going to be trailer ing it around much.
Tho we did transport it about 40 miles overland in N Z . But that's another story.

SCaddy, keep us in on your hunt. There seems to be a wide range of sailing experence here and its fun being part of your quest.

Cheers Richard

Absolutely would desire a Bimini top on the boat, for that matter, the C&C had one but the fabric was supposedly "toasty".

I have not sailed on one but a S2 7.9 could work for you.

Good luck with the hunt.

Just keep in mind even a 'ready to go' boat needs something. It might not seem like it now but you need decent sails, once they are blown out they not only dont move the boat well they amplify several bad traits of the boats. Boiled down, get something you can enjoy and learn on. If $1500 turns you off think long and hard about any boat.

deleted

Note: an atomic 4 can have a bad rap. They are so simple. Cheap to run.

Yes. Gas can explode. Run the blower. The discount on an a4 is huge.

Good luck!

As a novice....I keep chiming in :)!

The 30' Morgan I sailed on (mebbe 75 times)
....pointed like a bird dawg....I almost bought it a couple of times....then came to my senses :)

....as posted...if yer concerned about a 1500 charge to get her on the hill...hmmm.

The bigger the boat .... (Break Out Another Thousand)....you have been warned....twice ;)

But do it and enjoy....eyes wide open.

The CATALINA 30................

Hss more room than most 30 footers because the diesel engine is mounted amidships allowing for a huge quarter berth. Catalina produced over 7,500 of these since the early 70's and have been very popular for inland and coastal sailing.

Bob
Catalina 30
Breezin II
Lake Lanier, GAhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1567510855.jpg

^^^^ Oh yeah :)....

I could see that in Green Cove Springs too ;)....

"....as posted...if yer concerned about a 1500 charge to get her on the hill...hmmm."

$1500 to get her out of the water
$XXXX to get her "to the hill" wherever that might be
$XXXX to get her "off the hill"
$1500 to get her back in the water

With regard to the $5,000 (initial investment) 1974 C&C 30:

Would you guys be willing to pay $3,000+ for a tow truck to get a $5,000 vehicle to the shop in order to get a PPI?

Would you guys be willing to pay $3,000+ for the home inspection of a $5,000
30 x 10 mobile home?

Green Cove Springs??????

I used to live aboard my Coronado 35 sailboat at Green Cove Springs, Florida at the old Navy docks! The great secret about that location is the DO-IT-YOURSELF Yard and that is one of the best places to find a bargain on a boat. I was there back in the mid-1980's when the marina was fairly new. Today, areas around the docks have shoaled in and its tough for deep keeled boats to get and out for the lift. Back in my days, they has a cool little restaurant and the place was managed by a young couple. I was there last year checking the place out and along side the road leading to one of the many long concrete docks was a Space Shuttle long fuel pod the shuttle attached to. The one that lost its foam coating! Interesting place.

Bob

Daddle, keep shopping around. Many dealers in the southeast (check out SNUG HARBOR BOATS in Buford, GA - brokerage listing). What lake are you on in Mississippi? Stick with a freshwater boat to avoid corrosion issues. Hauling a boat out for a SURVEY (not so much called a PPI) is not that costly considering the overall investment. You have to watch for osmotic blistering as this condition in older boats is more prevalent in freshwater. The Atomic Four is a great engine, but its gas and the more modern diesel is preferred. Over the long haul your always better off getting the best boat for the money, but condition is obviously very critical as it can cost lots of money for maintenance, repair and upkeep. The key here in buying a sailboat is the SURVEY. I do not know how many SURVEYORS are in Mississippi, but do your due diligence and research for a good reputable SURVEYOR and keep emotions in check! That C&C might look pretty in the water but a 1974 model? New sails, standing and running rigging, a failing Atomic Four, beat interior, etc, etc, etc, can be costly for you in the long run.

Just remember the old saying, "the best days of boat ownership is the day you buy it and the day you sell it"!

You decided to be a sailor and that decision you will never regret, but tread lightly when it comes to buying a used sailboat. Take your time here and look around. Its not costly to haul a boat from Georgia or other surrounding states.

I speak from 50 years of sailing experience and boat ownership

Helsen 22
Herreshoff Friendship Sloop
Columbia T23
Catalina 25 (2)
Hunter 25
Coronado 35
Catalina 30

Bob