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here is a bunch of crazy's out laser sailing.

You guys are a bad influence!!!!

Sail boats, spoons, motorcycles, tablets.... all toys I can't afford!

had a 18' Hobie cat that was a PITA to set up but once you got it in the water we could pass power boats!

Would love to get a 16' Hobie some day.

That 17' O'Day looks like a lot of fun too.

Sailed a bunch of things over the years, and had a Laser and some windsurfers. Now have a Hobie Getaway. Sailed O'Day's years ago, and they were nice, comfortable boats.

If you want to have fun, an O'Day is a great way to start. If you want a little bit faster but wetter fun, the Getaway is great and can carry a bunch of people.

If you want to race, try a Laser for one person or a Hobie 16 for 2. I'm a catamaran fan, but they don't go to weather as well as single hulls, so if you're just starting out, that may be a disadvantage unless you become addicted to speed....

Or try out a Getaway or Laser or any of a bunch of different types/sizes of boats at the Bitter End in the British Virgin Islands....this video got me through the long Chicago winter (the sailing starts about 45 seconds in).... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE1Nln_7-8Q

I spend as much time as I can on the water, cant get enough.

If you can get out on a few boats with someone that can sail, figure out what works where you are.

To me there isnt much better than relaxing while playing with small boats.

http://muvvachicken.com/images/Maine...i-DSCN0168.jpg

This is probably some of the best advise - I also recommend that people go find a yacht club and post a "willing to crew" ad on the board - great way to get "introduced"


Obviously - I would not recommend a 9' dingy to take 2-3 people out sailing. But it works great to teach the basics of sailing...

I started out in a Sabot. Then an ElToro.

At age 14, I did my first TransPac (Newport Beach to Honolulu). Lied about my age. 4 races later, was still lying; had to be 18 to be legal.

These are the last 15 years boats. I think at last count I wason number 22.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304451590.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304451636.jpg
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Sailing can be Zen like. There can never be too much wind. A picture of me sailing my first short board in 25 knott winds ( @ 1996 ) off the coast of the Dominican Republic. She's only 9 foot.

You're probably better off starting with something that will allow you to sit down while being able to float in a dead calm.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304451812.jpg

Your friend must have gotten a lemon.[QUOTE]

Thanks for all the wonderful advice! I looked at the DaySailer today and I have a few questions for the experts. The hull was patched rather crudely behind the keel (which makes me think it was grounded); the lines are aged (as befits a '72 boat), do they dry rot? Sun damage?; pulling the two 4" plugs in the deck (just behind the cuddy), the "bilge" had at least 3" of water in it. The owner cleaned out the drain (the plug was out), but it was slimy in there. Texas has had heavy rain, but how does the water get in?; the sails look in good shape; the shrouds were new last year; the mast and boom look straight although weathered. Rudder looks OK, the boat pveral has the finish weathered and checked, but looks salvageable to me. The forestay has started to fray, which was solved by putting electrical tape around it. The owner is asking $1095; I was thinking of offering $700 as a starting point? Run away, or minor issues?

Are you looking for a project? In my experience you either sail a boat or work on it, seldom both in the same season. Fiberglass/epoxy work isnt hard but it sure eats into sailing season. For a first boat I would get one that's ready to go, but realize none are, so you can sail more than sweat/sand/paint.

I dont know your market but around here you can get a good/decent one for ~1k.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/2333520456.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/boa/2358241524.html

I think you can do better for 1k...

Do it.....get some lessons.....ASA do a good starter course.
I did mine on my 40th birthday. You will not regret it.


Neil

Bingo! Get something simple and inexpensive, and easy to deal with off-season. Get a feel for sailing, THEN work on your requirements for a longer term boat. Biggest mistake is to try NOW to gauge what you'll want in a boat long-term. You may learn that you HATE overnighting... then again you may find you LOVE week-long trips. You may learn you want modest accomodations, but something you can race in. Who knows? Best way you'll ever learn THAT is by following this excellent advice:

Most clubs have weekly evening races, and there are ALWAYS boats that need/want more crew. It's a great way to learn from people who have been sailing for years, and also a great way to get on LOTS of different boats. I learned more in 2 years of crewing than I did from my sailing lessons or 8+ years of puttering around on my own. Crewing is a great, great way to go.
I had a Finn for a couple years, replaced it with a 420. Fun, fast boats but I found they tired me out pretty quick. They are SO light that they bounce around A LOT, and react VERY fast to wind, waves. Fun, but a bit too frantic for tootin' around.

My Hobie 16 is similar in some ways (quick, agile), but I find it much more pleasant to sail for 2-3 hours than the Finn or 420. In those boats, I was always being banged, bruised and tossed around. In the Hobie, being up on one pontoon is like riding on air suspension. Much, much more comfortable and VERY fast (right until you pitchpole it)

Having said that, I am always surprised to hear something like this:
You must be a better sailor than me! I found catamarans hard to get used to, tricky to maneuver (especially downwind) and LOTS of trouble when things went wrong... not very forgiving. Righting a capsized a Hobie is a hellova lot more trouble than a lazer. Great boats, but I always thought it would be like trying to learn to ride a bike on a unicycle.





Ha! I just went from a Chrysler 22 to a Hobie 16! I loved my Chrysler... a great weekender and easily the "biggest" of the 22's I tried. Just wasn't using it anymore, and the Hobie 16 is a simpler boat for me to deal with.

Looking at one of these now too: (18' McVay Minuet)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304471587.jpg

When I was a small child my parents raced Hobie 16's in Northern Indiana and used to take my brother and I on sailing adventures when it was too windy to water ski. Last year we were taking a break from skiing and started discussing Hobie's and other sailboats.

Two weeks later I found a great deal on a Hobie 16 on Craigslist and in three days we were on Lake Norman without a clue how to sail or really setup the boat. After some trial and error we have gotten it almost figured out and I have found some great sailing sites on the net.

I agree that that sailing can be zen like and is a completely different experience than a powerboat. I love having both as the best sailing days are the worst for skiing and vice versa. I am looking forward to getting some serious sailing in this summer as gas for the Sea Ray is going to suck. Go out and try some different boats, look into sailing clubs and see if you can get rides on different boats. I am a speed freak and love having the Hobie singing in the wind flying a hull. We have gotten it down to 18 mins to set the boat up from the trailer. Here is a pic from one of the mountain lakes we like to sail on.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304472970.jpg

Daniel, do you find the mast float helps when the boat goes over? I pitchpoled mine last summer with my dad on board, and we had a hell of a time. Thought about getting the float.

Hmm, cannot really answer that one as we have yet to dump it. From what I read on Hobiecat.com it does but you have to make sure the mast is watertight. We did have some really close calls last year turning with the wind but my lightning fast reflexes on the mainsheet saved our ass. This spring we are going to dump it on purpose a few times to see what happens (when the water warms up and we have the Sea Ray for backup). I am sailing with my mother in law and she gets nervous when we really start cooking--usually she will let the jib out and dump the air off the main sail and we slow down.

The Hobie is a 1985 that was garage kept most of it's life and I was at the right place at the right time. We plan to get the trapeze for it this summer.

I like this one better than the Oday

sailboat - 1977 Boston Whaler Harpoon 5.2

Hey JJone20. That boat sounds like a project. Not well kept. There weren't many positives in your report. A boat of that type would like a nice fitting cover over the cockpit while stored.
I agree with the comment there are boats you sail, and boats you work on. Well you have to work on all of them. Some let you get some sailing fun also.
I think I would keep looking. Don't think that one is going anywhere. Maybe a little time shopping will save you a lot of time working on the boat.
Have you checked Craig's list? Stop in at sailing /yacht clubs for boats for sail.
Its kind of like buying a P-car. some want a car that is ready to go, others love the challenge/satisfaction of doing a rebuild.
The process of shopping can help you sort out what you want, then find it.
Happy hunting
Richard

Not really my thing. I prefer the dinghy.

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