I AM NEW TO SAILING , I WANT TO PURCHASE A SMALL STABILE , DRY ,SIMPLE MAIN SAIL / JIB SAILBOAT TO LEARN ON , I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND WILL SAIL ON THE LONG ISLAND SOUND , THIS MUST BE A TRAILOR BOAT , I WAS LOOKING AT A AMERICAN 14. 6 can you RECCOMEND ANY SIMILAR MODELS TO FIT MY NEEDS THANK YOU ELLIOT BLKDOG2000@gmail.com , PH: 5165285010
Small Sailboat For A Beginner
- Thread starter ELLIOT
- Start date
I don't think you could go wrong with a Rhodes 19. The one with the fixed keel would be best but there is a centerboard version too. Learn about it here:
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=27
Other boats like the American 14.6 could be JY, Puffer, Lightning, Flying Dutchman, or 420. I wouldn't consider these to be dry or stable boats. There are many others but all of these are mostly readily available in the area.
You can search in sailboat data.com by length with a class name and come up with pages of boats.
Check out the SA
isplacement for the Flying Dutchman. Holy Schmidts!
You'll want a high ratio for the relatively light wind in the Sound and especially in the harbors where you are likely to sail. These aren't really boats for a beginner to take out in open water( on a windy day.)
Give that Rhodes a look.
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=27
Other boats like the American 14.6 could be JY, Puffer, Lightning, Flying Dutchman, or 420. I wouldn't consider these to be dry or stable boats. There are many others but all of these are mostly readily available in the area.
You can search in sailboat data.com by length with a class name and come up with pages of boats.
Check out the SA
isplacement for the Flying Dutchman. Holy Schmidts! You'll want a high ratio for the relatively light wind in the Sound and especially in the harbors where you are likely to sail. These aren't really boats for a beginner to take out in open water( on a windy day.)
Give that Rhodes a look.
I'd like to add the O'DAY Javelin (14') to the list. They were built from 1962 to 1986 and there are still a lot of them around. !4' long and 5'8" wide with a 49# steel centerboard (A few have been built in the late 1990's with a stainless-steel CB).
RHODES 19 is a great boat ,but the keel model is not easy to trailer, the centerboard vesion is fine. I have really enjoyed my 16'9" O'DAY Day Sailer, a larger version of the Javelin with a small cuddy. She is a good sailing boat and trailers fairly easy.
RHODES 19 is a great boat ,but the keel model is not easy to trailer, the centerboard vesion is fine. I have really enjoyed my 16'9" O'DAY Day Sailer, a larger version of the Javelin with a small cuddy. She is a good sailing boat and trailers fairly easy.
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Hello Elliot & welcome to the SBO forums,
Lots of choices as mentioned. If you do not spend a bushel of twenty dollar bills on a first boat you can't go too far wrong. Keel/centerboard models will allow for shallow ramp launching & hauling out. They do require an extra bit of work to sail and load onto the trailer.
The Precision boats (18 & 21 especially) have cabins to keep your belongings out of the weather. The 18 is a boat I've owned and enjoyed. It is a bit tall when on the trailer, but not difficult to rig, launch, and retrieve.
If you are interested in a classic boat the Celebrity Class sailboats are distinctive! Some used Celebrity Class boats are available on Long Island from time to time. The boat is just under 20 feet long, large cockpit, covered storage in the bow and stern, easily trailerable at 800 pounds (hull & rigging), plus easy for two to set up the mast & reasonable for one with some practice and thought.
A small outboard motor would be a great addition to nearly any trailerable boat for those loss of wind situations and for docking.
Enjoy your search!
Lots of choices as mentioned. If you do not spend a bushel of twenty dollar bills on a first boat you can't go too far wrong. Keel/centerboard models will allow for shallow ramp launching & hauling out. They do require an extra bit of work to sail and load onto the trailer.
The Precision boats (18 & 21 especially) have cabins to keep your belongings out of the weather. The 18 is a boat I've owned and enjoyed. It is a bit tall when on the trailer, but not difficult to rig, launch, and retrieve.
If you are interested in a classic boat the Celebrity Class sailboats are distinctive! Some used Celebrity Class boats are available on Long Island from time to time. The boat is just under 20 feet long, large cockpit, covered storage in the bow and stern, easily trailerable at 800 pounds (hull & rigging), plus easy for two to set up the mast & reasonable for one with some practice and thought.
A small outboard motor would be a great addition to nearly any trailerable boat for those loss of wind situations and for docking.
Enjoy your search!
Welcome to sailing Elliot!
The guy in my neighboring slip has a Hunter 170, which seems just about right for what you're asking. Catalina makes a similarly sized daysailer, an 18 foot. There are a bunch of other choices in that range.
I'm a little confused by the word "stability" here. 14 footers will capsize, no doubt; smaller boats will nearly always get their stability from the weight of the person sailing it. These 17-18 foot boats are probably more "stable" (i.e., less prone to react immediately to helm mistakes or being over powered), but they can capsize as well. Nevertheless, they are pretty easy to trailer compared to a ballasted boat like a Precision 18. The better sailor you become, the more "stable" your little boat becomes, as you become more proficient at handling diverse conditions and winds (or by knowing when to pack it in). For example, I capsize my son's sunfish more than he does. To his everlasting enjoyment.
The guy in my neighboring slip has a Hunter 170, which seems just about right for what you're asking. Catalina makes a similarly sized daysailer, an 18 foot. There are a bunch of other choices in that range.
I'm a little confused by the word "stability" here. 14 footers will capsize, no doubt; smaller boats will nearly always get their stability from the weight of the person sailing it. These 17-18 foot boats are probably more "stable" (i.e., less prone to react immediately to helm mistakes or being over powered), but they can capsize as well. Nevertheless, they are pretty easy to trailer compared to a ballasted boat like a Precision 18. The better sailor you become, the more "stable" your little boat becomes, as you become more proficient at handling diverse conditions and winds (or by knowing when to pack it in). For example, I capsize my son's sunfish more than he does. To his everlasting enjoyment.
Don't get to hung up on specific models for your first boat. Check the local Craig's list. You will want something that is ready to sail. Decent sails, rigging, trailer, etc. You do not want to by a boat as a beginner and immediately need to work on it or spend lots of money.
Elliot, I've got a beautiful Boston Whaler Harpoon 4.6 I could sell you. Designed to be the trainer. http://www.ruach.net/BWH46.html That's not my website, by the way, but lots of good info on the Harpoon sailboats. PM me for details if you want.
starter boat
I had a rhodes 19 keel model in the 60`s This is a proven boat solid sailer but the disadvantage is you cannot launch this boat off most ramps Its not really a trailer sailer There are centerboard model Rhodes 19`s that you can launch off a ramp not the same thing. If you make a mistake you can capsize it As a beginner a keel boat is the way to go but you are going to have to find a seasonal mooring or slip for it. and paint the bottom. A lot more bucks. The choice is yours
I had a rhodes 19 keel model in the 60`s This is a proven boat solid sailer but the disadvantage is you cannot launch this boat off most ramps Its not really a trailer sailer There are centerboard model Rhodes 19`s that you can launch off a ramp not the same thing. If you make a mistake you can capsize it As a beginner a keel boat is the way to go but you are going to have to find a seasonal mooring or slip for it. and paint the bottom. A lot more bucks. The choice is yours
HI BRIAN , PLEASE SEND ME SOME PHOTOS OF YOUR HARPOON 4.6 and where you are located , and does your 4.6 HAVE A MOTOR , TRAILER AND COVER THANKS ELLIOT BLKDOG2000@gmail.com PH: 5165285010
Elliot,
there isn't a boat out there that ksn't loved and hated by knowledgable people with good reasons. That said, what are you intents with it? Do you plan on "swimming" much? Do you have a honey you want to romance? Do you have a good size tow vehicle? What is the airborn velocity of an unladen swallow? Lots to cosider. I suggest picking up a copy of The Complete Trailer Sailor by Brian Gilbert. Lots of great info on the subject but most important (at this point) is the section in the back. Lots of info kn boats from 15 to 28 feet. It can help you find what you like, what you hate and what you never knew you couldn't live without.
Don
there isn't a boat out there that ksn't loved and hated by knowledgable people with good reasons. That said, what are you intents with it? Do you plan on "swimming" much? Do you have a honey you want to romance? Do you have a good size tow vehicle? What is the airborn velocity of an unladen swallow? Lots to cosider. I suggest picking up a copy of The Complete Trailer Sailor by Brian Gilbert. Lots of great info on the subject but most important (at this point) is the section in the back. Lots of info kn boats from 15 to 28 feet. It can help you find what you like, what you hate and what you never knew you couldn't live without.
Don
Don't get hung up on specific models
Here's a second to Tim's post:
Having said that, if you come across an O'Day Daysailer like what Sunbird22358 mentioned, I think that would be a good comparison boat. It looks like the one in his post with the red/white/and blue spinnaker. It is quite stable, fractional rigged (easier to tack), has a centerboard for easy beaching, a cuddy to keep the picnic lunch dry or as a place to stow clothing when going to weather, and is a lot of boat that, due to it's age, won't break the bank.
I don't know how much room there is but one might be able to do an overnight on it using a sleeping bag on each side of the centerboard and a boom tent. How's that for a possible pocket cruiser? And sailing with two people on board is not a crowd.
The Falcon 16 is slightly shorter but very similar and has a cuddy. Not as many around.
Since you're talking trailer and sailing on Long Island Sound, consider that a steel trailer, if it is dunked in salt water, tends to rust and they aren't that cheap. A galvanized trailer can still rust and will last longer but costs more. Launching with a crane costs but will help protect the trailer. If the boat is left in the water then it needs bottom paint.
Here's a second to Tim's post:
There are so many trade-offs to consider in buying a boat like what you're looking for and your list proves it. And I'm sure the list isn't all-inclusive, either.
Having said that, if you come across an O'Day Daysailer like what Sunbird22358 mentioned, I think that would be a good comparison boat. It looks like the one in his post with the red/white/and blue spinnaker. It is quite stable, fractional rigged (easier to tack), has a centerboard for easy beaching, a cuddy to keep the picnic lunch dry or as a place to stow clothing when going to weather, and is a lot of boat that, due to it's age, won't break the bank.
I don't know how much room there is but one might be able to do an overnight on it using a sleeping bag on each side of the centerboard and a boom tent. How's that for a possible pocket cruiser? And sailing with two people on board is not a crowd.
The Falcon 16 is slightly shorter but very similar and has a cuddy. Not as many around.
Since you're talking trailer and sailing on Long Island Sound, consider that a steel trailer, if it is dunked in salt water, tends to rust and they aren't that cheap. A galvanized trailer can still rust and will last longer but costs more. Launching with a crane costs but will help protect the trailer. If the boat is left in the water then it needs bottom paint.
Hehe.
I just purchased a Wayfarer and am working on it now. I can't speak to the handling of the boat yet but one reason that I went that way is the large community of sailors that use it. Always helps if you are new to the passion to have people to share it with and help you learn.
The last time I checked, it was about 20 kt for the European variety. May as well also ask what is the hydrostatic pressure on a fish swimbladder at 5000 m depth?