I am looking for a 18 o 19 feet pocket cruiser with a skoal draft my budget is about 5000.00 any sugestions?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Are hunters boats are good boats for beginners...
- Thread starter aldogo
- Start date
with that kind of money you could get a nice Hunter, Catalina, or even a Compact...think cheap and do a lot of shopping.......
What was recommended to me when I was looking for a first boat was a Catalina 22, because they built so many of them it is relatively easy to find one that's still in decent shape for not much money. Take some time and look and don't necessarily settle for the first one (unless you know you got lucky on the first try). Read up on trouble spots for boats in general and whichever model in particular you decide on. The swing keel on the C22 got me out of a lot trouble after I ran aground. [My bigger H27 taught me to pay closer attention to the chart and where the water is. 
]
Regardless, there are a lot of boats in the size and price range you are looking at, you have lots of choices.
]Regardless, there are a lot of boats in the size and price range you are looking at, you have lots of choices.
Just about any boat you pick up in the 20 to 25' range at that price will be an excellent choice for a beginner. In that size everything is manageable (price, complexity, sailabilty...). My H22 was in the water year round for 5 yrs (I'm lucky that way) but when i had to do work up the mast, it was just about as easy to step, as my beach cat. You can't go wrong with a Catalina or Hunter as there is a lot of help on the SBO forum, from people who have been there.
It seems that the progression I see people do, is go from a sunfish -> beach cat -> H or C 22 -> 27' to 30' range and beyond.
Good luck on your hunting and ask questions. The people here are very helpful.
It seems that the progression I see people do, is go from a sunfish -> beach cat -> H or C 22 -> 27' to 30' range and beyond.
Good luck on your hunting and ask questions. The people here are very helpful.
The answer is yes but I think if you go by boat sizes rather than brands you may find a better suited boat. I find that boats from 22' to 25' are better suited for novices as smaller boats may not be as forgiving and larger boats will entail a heavier investment which would be better postponed until you gain some experience and better know what you want.
Aldogo,
The one question, do you already own a sailboat looking at the referenced MacGregor. The reason I ask, Benny pointed out what many would overlook. The 18-19 length boats are more tender but with proper training from a friend, instructior, etc., that can be overcome. Also be concerned about a deep fixed keel boat.
Once, I had sold a trailer to an elderly gentleman with a Minuete 18 daysailor with a fixed keel. The buyer refused to purchase an extension as he was giving it to a relative in Annapolis. The owner was 85. The keel itself was about 6 feet long from the hull; thus the water line was deeper with the hull. Since they were filming What About Bob at the private club, I was told to hurry to off load that boat, thus no extension of any kind. I drove back fast enough to try and jerk it off the trailer. My car came to a stop with the water about 5 inches above the drivers door. I left the engine on so no water would come up thru the exhaust into the engine and put the car in park with emergency brake on. It was an Impala with all braking on the rear. I dove out of the window into the water and swam back and started trying to jiggle that darn boat off. I then Heard "CAR 54 YOU ARE SINKING." When I turned around, my car was floating backwards into the lake with engine running and at that point the boat came off the trailer as the trailer was in deeper water. I watched the front end dive like a submarine with engine running. The motor gasped it's last breath before dying out and someone yelled out "Dive Dive Dive. Needless to say, I pulled the car out and opened the door to let water out and saw a 20 lb stripper fish swim out. A few months later with everything falling apart inside the car, my daughter age 8 at the time looked at me and said, Dad, we need a new car. I guess she was embarraresed and from then on, larger and four wheel vehichles was a must not to mention equipment to carry if I ever attempted another launch like that above. The only thing I now wish, the film crew actually filmed that launch and wanted to put it in the movie but I said no due to being embarrassed. I regret that decision and I lived up to my nickname, Crazy Dave
The one question, do you already own a sailboat looking at the referenced MacGregor. The reason I ask, Benny pointed out what many would overlook. The 18-19 length boats are more tender but with proper training from a friend, instructior, etc., that can be overcome. Also be concerned about a deep fixed keel boat.
Once, I had sold a trailer to an elderly gentleman with a Minuete 18 daysailor with a fixed keel. The buyer refused to purchase an extension as he was giving it to a relative in Annapolis. The owner was 85. The keel itself was about 6 feet long from the hull; thus the water line was deeper with the hull. Since they were filming What About Bob at the private club, I was told to hurry to off load that boat, thus no extension of any kind. I drove back fast enough to try and jerk it off the trailer. My car came to a stop with the water about 5 inches above the drivers door. I left the engine on so no water would come up thru the exhaust into the engine and put the car in park with emergency brake on. It was an Impala with all braking on the rear. I dove out of the window into the water and swam back and started trying to jiggle that darn boat off. I then Heard "CAR 54 YOU ARE SINKING." When I turned around, my car was floating backwards into the lake with engine running and at that point the boat came off the trailer as the trailer was in deeper water. I watched the front end dive like a submarine with engine running. The motor gasped it's last breath before dying out and someone yelled out "Dive Dive Dive. Needless to say, I pulled the car out and opened the door to let water out and saw a 20 lb stripper fish swim out. A few months later with everything falling apart inside the car, my daughter age 8 at the time looked at me and said, Dad, we need a new car. I guess she was embarraresed and from then on, larger and four wheel vehichles was a must not to mention equipment to carry if I ever attempted another launch like that above. The only thing I now wish, the film crew actually filmed that launch and wanted to put it in the movie but I said no due to being embarrassed. I regret that decision and I lived up to my nickname, Crazy Dave
As usual, my vote is for a Precision. Bought one with a trailer $3000.00, sold 3 years later for $2500. Great first learning boat for us. Current P23 is our 2nd Learning boat
I would also consider an O'Day 240 which won Sail Magazine's Boat of the Year Award. There might even be one on the O'Day Owner's.com 'for sale' list. Did not check.
One question I asked if the fellow who posted originally if he had a boat already based on his bio which included MacGregor 26X. I would tend to think he would know what to look for. He specifically asked about 18-19; yet, he has not responded back to let us know if he had owned or currently owns a boat. There are many some cabin style or daysailor. It would be nice if he would let us know more before this thread becomes too lengthy.
Thank You for all your opinions...
I will look for a pocket crusier, in the 19 to 23 feet, I think I will go for the Catalina 22 sinces seems that is a more commercial boat and I am worry about the parts and are easie to find a used one in internet.
Thank you.
I will look for a pocket crusier, in the 19 to 23 feet, I think I will go for the Catalina 22 sinces seems that is a more commercial boat and I am worry about the parts and are easie to find a used one in internet.
Thank you.
BORING!!! It's hard to imagine such plain vanilla as the Cat22 a "pocket cruiser." It's a trailer sailer that people buy b/c "everyone else" does, etc. Have some fun! Geeze--I worry about getting parts?? Really? C'mon!
aldogo
You never answered my question. Do you currently own a boat i.e. MacGregor 26X? There is a difference between an 18/19 vs. 22. Ok, if you are looking for a good trailer to really easily launch that Catalina 22 swing keel, consider the Sport 22 trailer made by Road King trailers or trailer sailor. I remember that trailer being designed as I put my two cents worth in when designed by Ron but now deceased as it will fit the hull of any swing keel C 22 trailer.
Before you buy, I suggest a survey on any used boat unless you know what you are looking for. Look at the keel uphaul wire, winch, winch attachment, thru hull where the winch cable goes thru and the keel brackets that hold the keel in place in the survey
You never answered my question. Do you currently own a boat i.e. MacGregor 26X? There is a difference between an 18/19 vs. 22. Ok, if you are looking for a good trailer to really easily launch that Catalina 22 swing keel, consider the Sport 22 trailer made by Road King trailers or trailer sailor. I remember that trailer being designed as I put my two cents worth in when designed by Ron but now deceased as it will fit the hull of any swing keel C 22 trailer.
Before you buy, I suggest a survey on any used boat unless you know what you are looking for. Look at the keel uphaul wire, winch, winch attachment, thru hull where the winch cable goes thru and the keel brackets that hold the keel in place in the survey