After reading many books, web-sites, magazines, and forums, it appears that I have been able to locate three boats that appear to meet my criteria. Being a first time sailor, I welcome any comments or suggestions on the boats that I have listed. FYI: I'm 6'2 in height and not looking for a project boat! 30’Islander Bahama SL $16K(some agruge that this is the slowest of the three, but solid) 30’Catalina $17K 28’Sabre $ $ 19K Alternate: 27’ S2 Performance Cruiser $ 18K
30' Islander Bahama SL v. Catalina 30 v. 28 Sabre
- Thread starter lliversjr
- Start date
- Status
All Are a good price...
In no particular sequence, this is all I know: You don't give the year of production, but... 1.The Sabre is a customized/production boat. 2.The Hunter is a productioon boat. 3.The Islander is a upper end production boat. 4.The Catalina is a production boat. All are good, but the choice is yours to make...
In no particular sequence, this is all I know: You don't give the year of production, but... 1.The Sabre is a customized/production boat. 2.The Hunter is a productioon boat. 3.The Islander is a upper end production boat. 4.The Catalina is a production boat. All are good, but the choice is yours to make...
You have a ford, chevy, nash, and plymouth.
Which one do you like best? They are all good but not wonderful. Do you think that you will trade for something different in a few years? If so, then by for future resale value. If not, then just buy what pleases you best.
Which one do you like best? They are all good but not wonderful. Do you think that you will trade for something different in a few years? If so, then by for future resale value. If not, then just buy what pleases you best.
catalinas and islanders
I narrowed my search last year to C30's and Islander 30's. I ended up going with '90 C30 mk II...more are available and the resale value is good. getting parts is easy too. I got tired of looking at basketcase boats. I did prefer the islander interior though...good luck
I narrowed my search last year to C30's and Islander 30's. I ended up going with '90 C30 mk II...more are available and the resale value is good. getting parts is easy too. I got tired of looking at basketcase boats. I did prefer the islander interior though...good luck
thanks for taking time to help me make a very important decision, and yes resale value is important, given that most seasoned sailors upgrade the lenght of their boat 1981 30’ Islander Bahama SL $16K 1982 30’ Catalina $17K 1979 28’ Sabre $ $ 19K Alternate: 1986 27’ S2 Performance Cruiser $ 18K
There is always the very real posibility that you
find a boat that pleases you and suits your needs in every way. In that case you can grow old together. There are more than a few boat owners here that have had the same boat for thirty years.
find a boat that pleases you and suits your needs in every way. In that case you can grow old together. There are more than a few boat owners here that have had the same boat for thirty years.
In looking at your list, I was intrigued by
the choices of smaller boats for more money. One of our C34 members wrote this many years ago: "We were comparing the C34 to a Tartan 34 and a Sabre 34 - all were the same vintage and in equally good condition. The C34 was $50K, the Tartan was $65K and the Sabre was $80K. Even to my untutored eye the Tartan and the Sabre were superior boats from the point of view of fit and finish - the question became was superior fit and finish worth all that extra money. Our brokers advice was that the C34 would be a "lot of boat for the money" and would hold its resale value at least as well as the other two. We took his advice and find that, 6 years later, we could probably sell Air Goddess for more than we paid for it and do so very quickly if needed. I don't know how the Tartan and the Sabre have fared in the used boat market but I could not be happier with what has transpired with the Catalina. Plus we have enjoyed the ownership experience - what more could we ask???" Your wallet, your choice.
I do agree that it's what YOU like the best, all other things considered.
the choices of smaller boats for more money. One of our C34 members wrote this many years ago: "We were comparing the C34 to a Tartan 34 and a Sabre 34 - all were the same vintage and in equally good condition. The C34 was $50K, the Tartan was $65K and the Sabre was $80K. Even to my untutored eye the Tartan and the Sabre were superior boats from the point of view of fit and finish - the question became was superior fit and finish worth all that extra money. Our brokers advice was that the C34 would be a "lot of boat for the money" and would hold its resale value at least as well as the other two. We took his advice and find that, 6 years later, we could probably sell Air Goddess for more than we paid for it and do so very quickly if needed. I don't know how the Tartan and the Sabre have fared in the used boat market but I could not be happier with what has transpired with the Catalina. Plus we have enjoyed the ownership experience - what more could we ask???" Your wallet, your choice.
I do agree that it's what YOU like the best, all other things considered.
more boats out there
Hello, I am by no means an expert on boat design or construction. I do know that over the past 5 years I have looked at many boats in the 27' - 36' range (first when I was buying a 28-32 boat, later when I was buying a 33-36' boat). I can state that for my intended use (day sails, weekend trips, 1 week trip a year), there really isn't much difference between C&C, Catalina, Newport, O'day, Sabre, S2, Tartan, Islander, Ericson, etc. IMHO, there are some boats that are not as good as others. I looked a few Irwin boats - the 32 to 34 Citation boats, and I did not like them. They all had major interior leaks, and seems to be of flimsy construction. I know that their owners do like them, but I didn't. I had the same feelings for mid 80's Hunter models. I looked at a number of Hunter 30 and 34 models and decided that I didn't like them. Again, their owners like them, but I didn't. My main comment is that you should look at a lot more boats. From my experience, O'day and Newport seem to be real value boats. When I was looking for Catalina 30 type boats (2004), decent mid 80 Catalina 30's were going to 20-25K. I bought a very nice Newport 28 for 15K. In 2006 when I was looking for Catalina 34 type boats, decent models of those were (and still are) selling for close to $50K. I bought an O'day 35 for $33k. My O'day wasn't in the greatest shape, but the main problems were cosmetic only. Good luck, Barry
Hello, I am by no means an expert on boat design or construction. I do know that over the past 5 years I have looked at many boats in the 27' - 36' range (first when I was buying a 28-32 boat, later when I was buying a 33-36' boat). I can state that for my intended use (day sails, weekend trips, 1 week trip a year), there really isn't much difference between C&C, Catalina, Newport, O'day, Sabre, S2, Tartan, Islander, Ericson, etc. IMHO, there are some boats that are not as good as others. I looked a few Irwin boats - the 32 to 34 Citation boats, and I did not like them. They all had major interior leaks, and seems to be of flimsy construction. I know that their owners do like them, but I didn't. I had the same feelings for mid 80's Hunter models. I looked at a number of Hunter 30 and 34 models and decided that I didn't like them. Again, their owners like them, but I didn't. My main comment is that you should look at a lot more boats. From my experience, O'day and Newport seem to be real value boats. When I was looking for Catalina 30 type boats (2004), decent mid 80 Catalina 30's were going to 20-25K. I bought a very nice Newport 28 for 15K. In 2006 when I was looking for Catalina 34 type boats, decent models of those were (and still are) selling for close to $50K. I bought an O'day 35 for $33k. My O'day wasn't in the greatest shape, but the main problems were cosmetic only. Good luck, Barry
I used to have a Catalina 30
Great boat, roomy inside, fun to sail and the list goes on and on. I dont know much about the other boats but given a choice, I would buy the Catalina 30. I also owned a Catalina 25 which too was a great boat. Dont be too swayed away by the term 'production boat'. Catalina has sold more 30's than anyone else. There just might be a good reason for it. Tony B
Great boat, roomy inside, fun to sail and the list goes on and on. I dont know much about the other boats but given a choice, I would buy the Catalina 30. I also owned a Catalina 25 which too was a great boat. Dont be too swayed away by the term 'production boat'. Catalina has sold more 30's than anyone else. There just might be a good reason for it. Tony B
Sabre is know as a good boat.
Like Ross is saying the boat should meet your needs and be ship shape. I have own a few boats in my day (Catalina and Hunter), but not a Sabre. I prefer newer boat and a newer Sabre is not in price range; but the word on the street is they are first class boats. That is not the word on the street for some other manufactures! Bottom line, older boat, I would look closely at the Sabre!
Like Ross is saying the boat should meet your needs and be ship shape. I have own a few boats in my day (Catalina and Hunter), but not a Sabre. I prefer newer boat and a newer Sabre is not in price range; but the word on the street is they are first class boats. That is not the word on the street for some other manufactures! Bottom line, older boat, I would look closely at the Sabre!
With older boats..
With older boats it's generally condition over brand. With brand new boats is generally higher build quality over lower build quality or higher price over lower price. Build quality is NOT always VISIBLE to the untrained eye and much of the expense in higher quality construction is not readily seen. Things such as tabbed bulkheads (fiberglassed into the boat instead of free floating and screwed) add considerable time and labor to do correctly, a solid stainless steel rudder shaft is much more expensive than one made of hollow stainless pipe, lamination schedules (how many layers of glass in the hull & where), stringers, a solid fiberglass keel stub (where the keel bolts on vs. a keel stub laminated with plywood.... on and on.. In the age range you are talking about I'd buy the boat that is the cleanest, best equipped and needs the least amount of work, regardless of brand, as all the boats will be fine provided you can fit into the v-berth at 6'2". Sure, the Sabre is a considerably better constructed vessel than a Catalina or an Islander but if the Sabre has been neglected and the Catalina and Islander have not then don't buy the Sabre! Just because the original build quality was better does not mean the boat is in better shape today.. I think your re-sale will be better in the future on the Sabre or the Catalina..
With older boats it's generally condition over brand. With brand new boats is generally higher build quality over lower build quality or higher price over lower price. Build quality is NOT always VISIBLE to the untrained eye and much of the expense in higher quality construction is not readily seen. Things such as tabbed bulkheads (fiberglassed into the boat instead of free floating and screwed) add considerable time and labor to do correctly, a solid stainless steel rudder shaft is much more expensive than one made of hollow stainless pipe, lamination schedules (how many layers of glass in the hull & where), stringers, a solid fiberglass keel stub (where the keel bolts on vs. a keel stub laminated with plywood.... on and on.. In the age range you are talking about I'd buy the boat that is the cleanest, best equipped and needs the least amount of work, regardless of brand, as all the boats will be fine provided you can fit into the v-berth at 6'2". Sure, the Sabre is a considerably better constructed vessel than a Catalina or an Islander but if the Sabre has been neglected and the Catalina and Islander have not then don't buy the Sabre! Just because the original build quality was better does not mean the boat is in better shape today.. I think your re-sale will be better in the future on the Sabre or the Catalina..
Catalina 30
I guess that I would be considered partial because I currently have a Catalina 30. Mine is a 1990 Catalina 30 MKII. I love the boat. It sails well, motors okay, and has a lot of room inside. I have more room in it than some 34 foot boats. The catalina has a smaller head but that is okay with me for what I am doing. The V berth is okay in it. The rear quarterberth would be okay for short people and children (if they are sleeping under the floor of the cockpit area. All in all I am really happy with my boat. I have had a few issues but it was nothing major. I have put the boat through the riggers a few times (had it out in high winds today and it did fine).
I guess that I would be considered partial because I currently have a Catalina 30. Mine is a 1990 Catalina 30 MKII. I love the boat. It sails well, motors okay, and has a lot of room inside. I have more room in it than some 34 foot boats. The catalina has a smaller head but that is okay with me for what I am doing. The V berth is okay in it. The rear quarterberth would be okay for short people and children (if they are sleeping under the floor of the cockpit area. All in all I am really happy with my boat. I have had a few issues but it was nothing major. I have put the boat through the riggers a few times (had it out in high winds today and it did fine).
I have been told recently that some boats are very poorly finished in the
concealed spaces. Reach into small spaces and GENTLY feel for rough fiberglass. It seems that some builders don't concern themselves with "smooth" where it doesn't show. It is a measure of their attention to quality in places that most owners don't have to enter.
concealed spaces. Reach into small spaces and GENTLY feel for rough fiberglass. It seems that some builders don't concern themselves with "smooth" where it doesn't show. It is a measure of their attention to quality in places that most owners don't have to enter.
Bad O, you wrote,
I have put the boat through the riggers a few times (had it out in high winds today and it did fine). Did you mean you put it through the "rigors". Riggers repair your boat after you put it through the rigors. ;D
I have put the boat through the riggers a few times (had it out in high winds today and it did fine). Did you mean you put it through the "rigors". Riggers repair your boat after you put it through the rigors. ;D
Yeah....Saber is good, but.........
It is a 28 foot boat. Look at the difference in size in the other boats. The Catalina 30 is the biggest of all of the boats that he spoke of. The design of the Catalina 30 is why so many have been sold. It is a HUGE 30 foot boat. The other thing that would favor the Catalina 30 is the number of spare parts that is available. There is pretty good support for the Catalina 30. The re-sale is also pretty good. Sorry about the typo earlier.
It is a 28 foot boat. Look at the difference in size in the other boats. The Catalina 30 is the biggest of all of the boats that he spoke of. The design of the Catalina 30 is why so many have been sold. It is a HUGE 30 foot boat. The other thing that would favor the Catalina 30 is the number of spare parts that is available. There is pretty good support for the Catalina 30. The re-sale is also pretty good. Sorry about the typo earlier.
Get out and look at some boats
On paper I thought I liked O'day 28;s, in person it felt too small and I decided to go with a 30+ footer. However I didn't want too big a boat either (<=33 feet).
After seeing some boats and even having one deal fall through on survey *N30 with wet decks) we put our thoughts on paper and discussed "must haves" and then ended up looking at S2 9.2A's. (Which, by the way I suggest you consider if you can find one in good shape.)
Long story short were planning on taking a loan anyway and the difference between a $10K and $20K per month versus the time to work on a "project boat" was an easy decision (something like $70/month over 12 years at 8%). So we bought the best S2 9.2A we could find...and still ended up fixing some things ourselves (in this case cutless bearing, engine alignment...etc...).
So I suggest you buy a boat with the features you want in the best condition you can find, but realistically it will be a 20+ year old boat and nigh every boat on the market will have its projects. That is why new boats are 5X the cost.
By the way, the old owner of my boat is sailing on a new absolutely loaded C42 ...which came with the autopilot wires reversed (turned port instead of starboard), an icebox that froze up (lines unisulated)...and a number of other "projects" for about $250K.
On paper I thought I liked O'day 28;s, in person it felt too small and I decided to go with a 30+ footer. However I didn't want too big a boat either (<=33 feet).
After seeing some boats and even having one deal fall through on survey *N30 with wet decks) we put our thoughts on paper and discussed "must haves" and then ended up looking at S2 9.2A's. (Which, by the way I suggest you consider if you can find one in good shape.)
Long story short were planning on taking a loan anyway and the difference between a $10K and $20K per month versus the time to work on a "project boat" was an easy decision (something like $70/month over 12 years at 8%). So we bought the best S2 9.2A we could find...and still ended up fixing some things ourselves (in this case cutless bearing, engine alignment...etc...).
So I suggest you buy a boat with the features you want in the best condition you can find, but realistically it will be a 20+ year old boat and nigh every boat on the market will have its projects. That is why new boats are 5X the cost.
By the way, the old owner of my boat is sailing on a new absolutely loaded C42 ...which came with the autopilot wires reversed (turned port instead of starboard), an icebox that froze up (lines unisulated)...and a number of other "projects" for about $250K.
- Status