My wife and I are currently sailing a 1995 Macgregor 26 swing keel. I won't go into all the reasons we chose that particular boat (trailerability was a strict requirement), but one factor was that we saw it as a "starter" boat. My wife had never sailed before so we decided to get something at the low end of the cost scale in case she decided she didn't like it.
Fortunately, she likes it very much and we're now starting to look ahead to a boat that will be comfortable to spend more time on. At that point trailerability will also no longer be a requirement. So I'm starting to think ahead (i.e., dream about) what that boat might be. We're thinking of something in the 28 to 34 foot range, but most likely toward the bottom of that range, due to cost.
Boats in that range that have caught my eye are Catalina, C&C, Gulf, Pearson, and Tanzer. So: Sell me on a Catalina. Why would a Catalina be a good choice for us? Which one?
Background: We're in the Vancouver, BC area. We sail mainly on Harrison Lake or Indian Arm at the moment, but plan to venture out to the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, and so on. Nothing more adventurous than that is in the plan at this point.
Fortunately, she likes it very much and we're now starting to look ahead to a boat that will be comfortable to spend more time on. At that point trailerability will also no longer be a requirement. So I'm starting to think ahead (i.e., dream about) what that boat might be. We're thinking of something in the 28 to 34 foot range, but most likely toward the bottom of that range, due to cost.
Boats in that range that have caught my eye are Catalina, C&C, Gulf, Pearson, and Tanzer. So: Sell me on a Catalina. Why would a Catalina be a good choice for us? Which one?
Background: We're in the Vancouver, BC area. We sail mainly on Harrison Lake or Indian Arm at the moment, but plan to venture out to the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, and so on. Nothing more adventurous than that is in the plan at this point.