Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinP73
At the moment my plans are such,
I will be sailing alone (learning) most of the time with occasional guests. max of three with no sailing experience and probably only a little desire to learn. No sleep overs intended when guests on board, day sailing only.
Sailing will be in protected waters with the intentions of going off shore as ability increases.
Ultimate goal will be to end up in the PNW (Puget Sound) but will either trailer it up or sell it here and buy another when I get there.
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You aren't going to want to go very far off shore in any of the smallish learning boats you are likely to acquire. Off shore is a whole 'nother world from sailing inshore in a bay or other protected area.
Keel boats, cats and dagger boards all sail differently and while there is some overlap in the skill sets I'd stick to a small keel boat w/ a fractional rig. If you are athletic and don't mind going swimming a lot a dagger board boat or cat can be a ball but they are not for everyone
As for trailering a 24' keel boat is very trailer-able w/ a 1/2 ton truck or capable SUV like a 4 Runner but is really too much boat for a beginner, especially when you add the fact that you will need crew in addition to everything else.
Forget the cabins and all that other stuff you will likely never use it other than for storage, while you can sleep in a 22 it is very spartan and few do so regularly.
I'd look for a 17-20' keel boat, these are small enough to sail alone or w/ 1 or 2 crew, a small cuddy cabin for storing stuff, like extra clothes for when the weather changes as it often does. These boats will be very wet in even moderate conditions so the extra clothes are really going to be appreciated.
I'd also look for a used but well maintained boat as a cost effective way to get into the sport.
Never forget the old saying,
'A boat owners happiest 2 days are the day he buys his boat and the day he sells it'
The idea of taking some on-water lessons is a very good one, you will at least have a better appreciation for what it's all about, many have fantasies about sailing that are far from the reality