Age and boat ownership

[Brian D]

Thought this might be entertaining. At least a few of you will drive this quickly off topic, but what the hay!

How old were you when YOU bought your first boat?
What boat?
How old were you when YOU bought the boat you always wanted?
What boat?

Me, well...
I was 52
Lancer 27PS (current boat)
Still waiting for the boat I always wanted
That would be a Catalina 36 or Union 36 or Pacific Seacraft 34

 

[pateco]

First boat I think I was 12. I bartered yard work with an older lady down the street for a fiberglass Optimus style pram she had deteriorating in her back yard. Here's a picture of my brother and I sailing it on our local lake.

I still haven't bought the one I always wanted.

 

[BlowMeAway]

16 years old,
1970-ish Scorpion 14.
58 years old,
Purchased Hunter H30C.
Would really like a Bene 473, but not likely to happen. Best sailboat I’ve chartered in the BVI.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

First sailboat was what is now commonly called a Laser when I was 13.


After a few more, bought the boat I thought I wanted 7 years ago. But there will always be something better, prettier, bigger, faster, etc... which made me realize it's not the boat. It's the journey.

 

[danm1]

First boat purchased (not with parents) International 420 at age 21. Most recent, Hunter 34 at 67. One I've always wanted, changes with the breeze.

 

[lillia28]

I was 49 when I bought a Macgregor Venture 2-22. I launched it for the first time on Sept 7 2001. I didn't get any more sailing in that year.
In 2009 I started looking for an O'Day 25, started to really like O' Day 28, stumbled over a Mariner 28, and that was that. Now on my second M 28. Still the perfect boat for me.

 

[Rick486]

Laser, 15.
No real answer to "Boat always wanted".... Changes as the years go by.
First was Pearson 39 yawl Silverheels. 1981.
Boat I always wanted now is Maxine, Hunter 44DS 2009.
Depends on circumstances.
Next boat I always wanted is TBD.

 

[smokey73]

San Juan 21 when I was about 24 years old.
Now have Hunter 40.5 bought at age 62
What boat I always wanted ? TBD but I like what I have right now!

 

[One Life]

52 yo
Catalina 22 (current)
Still working to see if the sea really is calling, but looking for something in the 33 to 36 foot range.

 

[tjar]

Got the itch in my 20's and took lessons for three years, but only got to sail OPB's.
Finally bought a Mac 26D at 53 years.
At 58 bought the Hunter 35.5. Great boat, but the admiral says we need a bigger one.

 

[BlowMeAway]

I was 49 when I bought a Macgregor Venture 2-22. I launched it for the first time on Sept 7 2001. I didn't get any more sailing in that year.

So, I’m just curious, not being well informed, did you have to avoid sailing after 911...or was there a legal issue with boat craft in that area that was insurmountable? We will always remember!

 

[Rick D]

How old were you when YOU bought your first boat? 13
What boat? Sunfish knock-off.
How old were you when YOU bought the boat you always wanted? 24
What boat? Thunderbird 26'
The boat of my dreams was always the next one I got. From that 26 to my O'Day 27 to my 28 Columbia to my 32 Hunter and now my 40.5 Hunter. I have had this one the longest. The T-Bird I had for 15 years; the 40.5 I have had for 19 years at age 74.

 

[kloudie1]

I was 30 when I purchased a new Spirit 23.. bought the Hunter 34 when I was 43.. I still enjoy the 34 a lot.. I will be 70 next month.. I doubt I'll change boats.. but if I did, it would be to go to a vertical rising keel like the Seaward 32.. Those really make sense here in the land of thin water.

 

[justsomeguy]

I prefer not to think of my age, TYVM.
That said, I bought my forever boat this year.

 

[Michael Davis]

Does paying for a couple of sheets of plywood count as buying a boat? Paper route bought the ply, dad did the build. Sabot age 9.
Having great fun with the current boat, Bene First 38, bought when I was 72.

 

[LeslieTroyer]

Late 60’s — year I bought my first boat not my age!! . An El-Toro. I was in Jr Hi.

 

[BrianRobin]

Bought my first boat, a San Juan 24, when I was 53, bought my forever boat, Oceanis 351 last year on my 60th birthday.

 

[Daveinet]

First sailboat was a Hobie 14 at age 24. At that time, it was the boat I really wanted. I only stopped wanting it after having a family that could not all sail on the boat at the same time. My current boat I bought at age 52 - the RL 24

I still haven't bought the one I always wanted.

Re-occurring theme. My dream boat would be an F-22 or larger Farrier designs. I also have a dream to design a larger class trailerable cat - something in the 27 to 35 ft range with movable pontoons and a full cabin.

 

[Will Gilmore]

I have owned three sailboats, an opti, a hobie 18 (19-40 y.o., sailed her 19-30 y.o.), mariner 19 (the only boat I ever bought myself, 53 y.o.).
Been designing my ultimate boat for 50 years. Almost have her done. 50' built of steel, designed to never leave her for more than a taxi ride around some new port. I wish to build her myself.
- Will (Dragonfly, "my future boat's tender")

 

[Michael Davis]

I wish to build her myself.

Hi Will
Have you built boats before? I've only done plywood ones myself. Met a fella this summer that did a 3/4 Spray out of aluminium. Took him 8 years so it's time to get started.