Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinP73
The plan is to spend a year or two here in SoCal cruising the coastal waters learning and then sailing up the coast to Washington State and making Puget Sound my home waters.
I've been watching Craigslist and ebay and think that something around 25' to 32' sounds about right for size, use, and budget.
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Kevin,
I would suggest you take the two years learning the sport and get on as many boats as you can in that time frame to see how each boat sails, the amenities, room in the cockpit, easy of rigging, sailing, etc. The only way to know if a boat is going to be good for you is to spend time on it. There are a lot of great boats in the size range you are looking at but a lot of dogs as well so get on as many as you can.
About 6 mos. before you are ready to move to Washington State make up your short list and decide which boats fit your current needs and ability and will still fit five years in the future. Buy the boat take the balance of your time fitting it out to your liking, adding electronics and upgrades, etc. Sail it around So. Cal to learn it's nuances and where everything is and how it works. No two boats are the same or sail the same. So it takes a little bit of time to understand it.
When you are comfortably and ready head up the coast.
Oh and make sure your wife, girlfriend, friend whoever also knows how to sail the boat where the safety gear is where the pumps are the radio how they all work, etc. From an enjoyment stand point you don't want to be the guy working all the time while everybody else is relaxing sipping Martini's that's no fun. From a safety stand point if you become incapacitated or you need to fix something you need someone to take the helm, make a mayday call, etc. The sea is unforgiving and will take you away in the blink of and eye.
Best of luck