Sailboats

[notfarnow]

One of the best tips made so far here: Crew on a boat. It's great if you know someone who races, but if not call a local club and say you're looking to crew. Most clubs have weekly races, and many boats are always looking for crew, and are very welcoming to strangers. No experience necessary, sometimes they want someone to work the winches or even just to act as "moveable ballast".


A few reasons to crew:
-If you sign up for weekly races, they generally go out in all weather conditions, so you learn to deal with a boat in less than ideal weather.
-Racing in particular offers a steep learning curve, you'll learn a lot about setting sails, reading the weather, rigging the boat etc... and you'll learn FAST, usually with a very enthusiastic bunch. It's almost the equivalent to being in the backseat at a DE!
-You'll be exposed to a lot of boats, and will quickly get a sense for what style, size and age suits you. Buying a boat can be expensive, and lots of folks go through 2-3 before they find a good "fit"
-Many boats are bought & sold at clubs without being advertised. You can buy with a little more confidence.

I sailed dinghies for years, and 3 years ago bought a Chrysler 22 trailerable sailboat. It was made in '73, and it is tough as nails... like someone else mentioned, a lot of the boats made before the oil crisis were very, very well built. Age isn't as important as condition.

Finding the right size is key:
-You want a boat that you won't feel cramped in, so you'll have to have a sense of how much time you'll really spend aboard. Overnight? Weekends? Weeks at a time?
-You don't want a boat that's so big you're not comfortable handing it alone. For me, a 22' boat has been ideal... I can rig it up in 10 minutes flat, so I can enjoy a 30 minute sail. However, now that my wife has started taking lessons, I'm starting to look at 26-30' boats.

[notfarnow]

FWIW, I vote for Catalina. I crew on a 30 every week, and it is a great sturdy boat that is easy to handle. Lots of room for a 30' boat.

Cal sailboats are nice too... and they're plentiful in California. I sailed across the gulf of Maine last summer with a friend on his Cal 9.2. I was very impressed... very fast & comfortable boat. I've always had a soft spot for the Cal 25 too... such a 60's design.

[alf]

Originally posted by notfarnow
One of the best tips made so far here: Crew on a boat. It's great if you know someone who races, but if not call a local club and say you're looking to crew. Most clubs have weekly races, and many boats are always looking for crew, and are very welcoming to strangers. No experience necessary, sometimes they want someone to work the winches or even just to act as "moveable ballast".

I did that for a Summer with my classmates. Good times but i came away deciding that boat ownership is not my cup of tea.

[jdlowery]

Lots of good tips guys, thanks. Keep them coming. I'm waiting to go to a good boat show to check some out in person. I will need to do plenty of research before a purchase.

[VincentVega]

Cal25 owner here, nice little boat.

Best advice I can give is to meet some folks and crew on as many different boats as possible. Figure out if speed/performance or cruising/stability is more your style. A floating camper is much different than a J105, event though they might be similar size.

I found a solid cheap Cal25 for a first boat. I plan to upgrade sometime soon, but only after figuring out what I really want out of a boat.

[1973911s]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
The happiest two days of your life are the day that you buy your boat, and the day that you sell your boat.

-Wayne

I never thought this was true tell I sold my boat, I live by this saying.

Michael

[bryanthompson]

Is river sailing something that sane people do? I think it could be fun to sail down the Mississippi. I've only sailed on <15' boats, but have been thinking about buying another.

[RoninLB]

I've only noticed from scant info jet drive motor boats as being doable on rivers.

[coldstart]

Boating is very similar to P-car ownership. A boat is a hole in the water in which you throw time, money and effort into.

But they are extremely enjoyable to use (different than to OWN) in most cirumstances. I love sailing and I have been sailing every summer since I was 5. It is a great sport and a fantastic way to relax. I would love to buy a boat but I'm not even close to being able to afford one.

My parents have an extremely well-maintained CS36. An excellent, excellent boat but expensive to purchase. Highly recommend most CS or Catalina boats. My grandparents bought a Hughes 38 which is one of the worst boats around. Avoid them....

[Sunroof]

As a Catalina 30 (Mark II) owner and sailor for over 30+ years I can tell you that its not a hobby or a sport, but a passion and a way of life. I used to sail in San Fransisco bay back in the 60's on my uncles fabulous Herreshoff sloop and sailing in the bay really requires a well found boat to handle the conditions. The bay is one of the best places to sail on the west coast and your selection should be fin keeled, sloop rigged, inboard diesel and excellent to weather. The Catalina 30 which is the most popular 30 footer in the states (6,890 hulls produced) has proved itself to be an excellent coastwise sailor, but I would not venture too far off shore unless you have the experience and the scrot to handle it! Dollar for dollar the 30 Catalina is a fantastic value, has a tremendous support network (go to Catalinaowners.com website), parts availability and a HUGE fleet in the bay area. With the popularity of the Catalina 30, your investment will pay back in re-sale. Below the 30 has great amenenties and can be a comfortable liveaboard. By the way, if you finance, the interest is all deductible..............

Of course if your considering blue water, well then its apples and oranges and BIG $$$$$. Tayana, Lord Nelson, Valiant, Swann, Hinckley, Island Packet, Westsail are but a few that although many are no longer are in production will provide the seagoing character blue water cruisers seek. BUT, you will pay high for the cost of admission unless you are great at boatwork and have the patience and resources to complete a restoration.

Like a Porsche, a sailboat does need TLC and maintenance but if sailing becomes a passion for you as it is for so many of us, for me my 911 goes first before sailboat!! On my desk... "I do not live to sail, but I sail in order that I may live".....

Check yachtworld.com and boattrader.com for a good start on boat models, prices and locations.

Fair Winds

Bob
73.5T
1988 Catalina 30 "Breezin II"

[gatotom]

Wayne, not everyone believes that line.

The happiest day was buying my boat and the sad day is leaving it to go back to work.

I look at it as a cheap condo on the water and when it is 100 outside, on the water its maybe 80 at best, aahhhh, life is good.



this is a 1980 36' C&C bristol condition, a joy to sail.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
Is river sailing something that sane people do? I think it could be fun to sail down the Mississippi. I've only sailed on <15' boats, but have been thinking about buying another.

Depends on the river & the boat. For river sailing, a swing keel is often preferable, and there aren't many boats over 26' with swing keels (Tanzer or Chrysler 26 come to mind). Still a good size boat; you could go out for a week or so... but not something you'd want to live in for a summer.

My boat only draws 20", so I can go pretty much anywhere. My friend's MacGregor 22 only draws 16"; it can literally be pulled up on a beach. Great for exploring coves, camping and being a pirate.

I sail exclusively on the river (Saint John & Kennebecasis). I can play in some pretty strong winds, and can sail 120 miles without ever being further than a good swim to shore. I'll only go out in the bay in OTHER people's boats.

[JeremyD]

Go to your local yacht club. Not the one where people are in sport blazers, the one where there is always someone in the back of the lot, fixing a boat. Post your name and address on the bullitin board saying you are interested in crewing and learning. You'll get a call.

Go from there. Start small - you learn the feel of the boat first. Then go from there. I started out in dingys - spent several summers crewing on bigger boats including Sweden 34's J-35's.

Respect Mother Nature- always.

I also recommend you do some reading. Joshua Slocum - around the world alone, and Sir Francis Chichester's Books.

[notfarnow]

JeremyD,
Pretty boat! Is that a Paceship?

Also, I see it has a roller furler... what brand? Going to buy one this winter and am leaning towards CDI

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by notfarnow
JeremyD,
Pretty boat! Is that a Paceship?

Also, I see it has a roller furler... what brand? Going to buy one this winter and am leaning towards CDI

San Juan 24

Roller Furler is a Harken

[notfarnow]

Can only find 2 pictures of my Chrysler 22 on this computer:

At the mooring:


Getting fresh paint 2 years ago... had some work done to the deck and a bit of osmosis work below the waterline. Spendy

[tfmcmahon]

Try yachtworld.com for an idea of how many boats are for sale.You can get a pretty good idea of cost vs. size.Program in location and any other pertinent info.Have fun and take the ideas mentioned here on safety seriously.I am actively looking myself for the eastern shore of Maryland.Any P-car guys around Annapolis or Oxford looking for a good deck ape?

[Ford-o-phobic]

What i say is buy a crapload of lasers. They are soo fun. I just got one after racing bigger fixed keel boats, and they are so different. They make you a better sailer all around. Just my 2 cents.

[charlesbahn]

Boozin', Cruizin', and Snoozin' aboard RAVEN:

With the 50 mile drive to and from the boat in the Porsche, and then a weekend or more on the boat with the mate, it just doesn't get any better.

[charlesbahn]

And sailing at its best:


Unfortunately this is about 1 minute before capsize, since I stupidly cleated the main sheet.