Taking the plunge-getting another sailboat!
 

I think. When we moved to Texas in 2000, I sold my Hunter 376 that was only a couple of years old. I lived on the boat for a couple of years, so that offset the financial pain I experienced with the depreciation. I kept my membership in the San Diego Yacht Club, and am now looking at getting another boat again after being back 8 months.

I'm pretty much set on a Capri 30, which was a racer built by Catalina in the 80's. They really got the lines right on this one, IMO. In essence, it's a day sailer with some creature comforts-we could spend the night on it, and probably will from time to time. The owner has kept it up pretty nicely, other than he only does the varnish every 2 years, and it is past due. But, it's got VHF, stereo, head and a sink below. He redid the upholstery and the teak/holly sole last year.

Up top, wind and speed instruments,10HP 4 stroke with electric start that's 2 years old. It's got an Autohelm pilot and he rebuilt the hydraulic backstay last year.

The one main, a chute, and 3 headsails (100, 135 & 150) are the sail inventory. All in all, a sound boat that is ready to go. I'm going to probably pull the trigger on giving him a deposit and taking a sea trial to make sure I like it. A great light air boat that will do well on San Diego Bay. It's got a cool name I can live with (bad luck to change) and the price is right too! Some pics:


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Neat boat. I'm shopping too, lots of deals out there.

I just sold my Hunter 433. Will probably miss it too much next spring.

Nice boat, Ed. I always liked the lines of the Capris. I know you'll enjoy it. :)

Nice Ed - I like the 30 - great lines - great light air boat that won't get you into too much trouble and with an outboard even better! More of a day sailor though as long as you know that going in. I just got my new to me boat hauled yesterday for a survey and bottomjob

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1234967639.jpg

That's exactly what it is and very simple with minimal "systems". If the motor blows, just toss it overboard! :eek:

I've gone the exact opposite from before; I wanted new, fairly big and all the latest toys. Now, I'm living on the cheap-trying to get to retirement sooner rather than later. Just like driving a "beater" 911 rather than a 997! ;)

What did you get?? Definitely not much of a sailer, based on the bottom. :D

That's a great boat. One comment on the price. It will be impossible to lowball the price far enough. Boat prices have dropped off a cliff in the last year or two and are going to drop more. Sales prices, that is, asking prices don't necessarily reflect the market.

My wife is a business manager for a large company that makes widgets that are used in the boat industry. She's pretty in touch with the whole market. 18 months ago the manufacturers were telling her that the under 30 foot market had dried up - as in no sales at all and manufacturers shutting down. The big boats were still selling. Since October they've been telling her that the entire market is gone - it just vanished. There is virtually no sales activity because no one is buying anything, new or used.

So, with that said, negotiate hard, lower your price and lower it again, buy that baby and sail off into the sunset. I will be insanely envious.

I just sold my San Juan 24 sailboat and bought this - Bertram 28. Less than 1/2 of what it would have been a few years ago...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1234976555.jpg

Ed, do you sail out of San Diego harbor, or is there some place closer to where you live? Ever since I was stationed at 32nd St NS back in the early 70's, my dream was to live in SD and have a sailboat. I've had a few sailboats, but the combo is on my wish list. :)

I've always had by boats on San Diego bay. The SDYC is on Shelter Island which makes it ideal for a bay sail, or a pop out to the ocean. I'm only 40 minutes away.

Ed:

I have never heard of a Capri 30 before reading your post. I love Catalina Sailboats. That Capri looks like a very nice boat indeed. The lines are sleek and I like the minimalist design. As long as she has a head and sink, you should be set.

I am curious as to how many people (family) could sleep on a Capri 30? Would it be reasonable to bring 4 or 5 for a couple nights at Catalina Island (assuming everyone is comfortable not having his or her own quarters)?

Gosh Ed, I wish you the best of luck with this endeavor. I sure appreciate your desire to own a sailboat again now that you are in SD.

Owning Ruby and a Capri 30 is far, far, from living modestly. To me, you are livin the dream!

Enjoy Ed!

Mike

Ed, I've never owned a Catalina, but I've been aboard plenty of them. What I like is the availablity of parts, a following of fellow owners and the company is still in business. I've never seen a Capri 30 though and I'm struck by its' wide beam, very nice.

Enjoy sailing brother.

I miss my sailboat many times. I don't miss the money going into that black hole though. My wife gets PO'd because every time I see a sailboat on TV or in a movie, I say (now she says it for me) "I used to have a boat once" in which she replies but now you have a Porsche.

I figure the best thing would be to have friends with a boat that I could help out (maintenance and such) on whenever I could.

That CAPRI 30 looks like it is in very good condition.
Having a sail boat is good for the soul IMO

If you are in San Diego, a boat would seem like an obvious choice, amongst all the other objects one could own in the world.
Here is my 29.6 ' Dragon
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You are not alone http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1234998848.jpg

Yep, the old hole in the water syndrome. One of the reasons this boat is so attractive is that it is pretty darn cheap, and there isn't a lot of upkeep needed. It really is a simple boat. I just get pangs of guilt even thinking about this with things so screwed up. Things are really, really slow in my business world right now.

Congrats Ed! She looks sweet.
I say go for it.

Cut hay when the sun is shining; so if business is slow...... go sailing!
I love to see people enjoying life, why not?

I agree with your advice. If I was forced into "retirement", I'd have something to do besides work on the car!

Ed that thing looks "Buck". Have you had a survey done? Despite the condition, I would. Money well spent~

17 years ago, I bought a sailboat that was fairly similar to a Laser 19, though it wasn't a laser. It was wide, and it had a transom and a 5 hp British Seagull on the back. I sailed it up and down the intercoastal waterway in Vero Beach, Florida. It was a great time, and I wish I had it today.

Good luck!

N!

If she passed a sea trial, I'll do the survey.

I hear you Ed - things are slow with our business too - Figured I could go 9 miles off - and open up a casino or something -

Nice boat Ed.
I sail a Catalina 30 (1988 Mark II) and although the Capri and the Catalina 30 only share deck hardware, fittings and electronics, the Capri is strictly race and designed for speed. We have several Capri 25's here that are beamy and slick sailors. They give the "J" boats stiff competition during racing events. Nice vessel, but your going to miss that Hunter 37 if your thinking of cruising and over-nighting.

Catalina builds excellent boats and I always felt a notch or two above Hunter (no offense of course). The Capri line has a big following in the racing community, parts are readily available, great factory support and proud pedigree. She looks like a beautiful ship. Congrads.

Fair winds

Bob
"Breezin II"
Lake Lanier, GA

No delusions of grandeur.....it's a day sailer with a couple of amenities. If we spend the night on it, it will be at the comfortable San Diego Yacht Club, which has a LOT of amenities to make up for the simplicity here. :cool:

Nice! I almost bought a thunderbird a few years ago, but found some bad rot along the seams. There are two moored beside each other down the road... one is beautifyul and one is a complete dog. They're one of those designs that can look DRASTICALLY different with different colors and details. The brightwork on yours really draws the eye "up", looks way better than ones where the cabin & splash guards are painted to match the topsides.

I wouldn't worry about that, I think there's a provision for every family in America to own a sailboat, in the new "stimulus" plan...just save your receipts and you'll be reimbursed:D

BTW, I love the lines on that Capri!!!



Please don't banish me to PARF Island...

Here's a good site I just discovered that helps you keep track of ship traffic - I thought it was cool enough to share

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/

The Thunder bird has the Cruising House on it, makes it a little more fun for a few.
When I bought it was in Lake Washington (Seattle) water to the top of the bunks !! And full of Mushrooms !
Took it home gutted it, Keel off, decks and house thrown away
Started a new.
I bought the blue prints from the T. Bird club so it is still in racing form and legit even with the cruising house
Makes a race boat real comfortable with heater stove,and all

Hey Bob, I think that there's a Capri 22 still sitting on the bottom of Lanier. A few years back, my friend broached during a race and it swamped and sank.

Sign of the times for many sailors.......................

In the restroom at our marina is a list that was posted last week for several boats that are up for auction. All brands, all sizes. Apparently the owners gave them up maybe because of high dock payments no longer affordable or priority from being down on their luck and out of work. In my 45+ years of sailing I have never experienced anything like this.

If you look at Craigslist - Atlanta - Boat - "sailboats", some very decent 25-30 foot sailboats are going for next to nothing! Incredible buys.

My wife and I said that if all hell broke loose with the economy and our jobs, we would leave it all behind, take the Catalina and haul it to Savannah and cruise the ICW for a year!!!! In a crazy way, I actually welcome that..........

before I ever give up my boat, they will have to pry my dead cold hands from the wheel!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Bob

Funny Bob - my wife and I talked about that same exact exit strategy. It's the same way around here

Bob, how dry is Lanier nowadays?

Lanier has come up to 1057 feet amsl (full pool is 1071 ft). Danger for me, where I cannot get safely out into the lake from the marina is 1054 ft. or so. We have one major marina with a do-it-youself-yard where you could pull out for transport that can accomodate a boat like mine with a draft of 3'10" (winged keel), but requires a depth at 1057 ft. CLOSE!!!!!!!!!

We have had some good rains in north Georgia but the drainage basin for the lake is small. It has to rain north of Lanier for any benefit to the lake. Last year was horrible!!! It appears though we are doing better and good spring rains could take us to 1060 ft. or higher. The severe drought area is moving north-northeast away from Lanier.

Worst scenario, if folks in dire straits had to escape to their boats in this economic climate the ICW could be a real nightmare; marina's gouging on prices, cities and counties charging higher fees for mooring and the waterway jammed.....crazy to think what could be.

Nice Boats Guys! Congrats!

While I have navigated the world's oceans in large vessels and was a master helmsman, I am planning on taking a sailing course locally... What sailboat recommendations would you give me for the following:

I am not interested in speed, prefer something built strong almost tank like.

Thinking 25-30ft good for over nighting...

1 man operation on sails....

swing keel / trailer-able....

PS- Any of you guys frequent Sailnet.com?

I would truly think the swing keel though...in design a great idea...they seem to accumulate problems when you need them the most jmohttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1235069446.jpg

Bill, I will assume your sailing is inland or coastwise? I owned two Catalina 25's over the years and they are easy to singlehand, were shoal draft, had the amenities you are seeking for overnighting, which would include a "pop-top" that provide an extra 6-10 inches of headroom, head, galley, quarter berth (for storage) and even a shore power package. These vessels are outboard powered (go for 10-15 hp) if your coastal cruising. A swing keel model was available.

The Catalina 25 is a very popular boat with probably over 3,000 hulls built since the late 70's. The 1980's models are to me the best because they are rich in teak inside and out, are excellent sailors and very trailerable. You'll find the 25 a very stable vessel; however, the limits of where you want to go is up to: 1) ballz and 2)seamanship skill!

Unless you have a "mast lift" system on a larger vessel (over 25) the 25 footer is all you need for a trailerable vessel thats not too hard to rig. The newer boats are pricey and many use the water ballast system. So many great manufacturers are gone but research these brands (Cal, Ericson, Pearson, O'Day and Hunter), as they are still around, were workhorses, are excellent values and great sailors. Your not going to find many swing keeled models over 25 but shoal draft boats (3-4') are not that tough to launch. Figure a very decent mid-80's Catalina 25 with trailer under 10K. Great buys on the market now.

Check out the Catalinaowners.com website for everything on the Catalina line.

Good luck
Bob

I agree with Bob. 25' is pretty much your trailerable limit. Other brands to look at in addition to Catalina are Cal, O'Day, S2, Precision, Beneteau.

Interesting tidbit on the economy, the SDYC is still quoting about a 2 year wait for slips in the 30' range. Larger slips are out to 5 years. That could change overnight, literally, but all is well there. Most public marinas have slips in the $10-12/foot range-although I suppose that is negotiable.

I have an O'Day 26, with shoal keel and we trailer it. We've sailed L. Michigan and all over Puget Sound. We love it. Lake Fly-Er in this photo.

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nice looking boat. :)