A big step down in size

Merlin Clark · Apr 20, 2013

I think the Precision is a great choice Mike!

anchorclanker · Apr 20, 2013

In all the traits your looking for, a water ballasted boat such as Mac or Hunter might be a good choice. For their size they are quite light empty of water ballast, often less than 2000 pounds, yet nearly 3000 ballasted.

Everything is a compromise in a boat, but its not a bad one in a 26-27 foot sailboat if your wanting to trailer it long distances. You can haul most of them on a lighter single axle trailer, and launch them in very shallow water. And being so light, you wont need an F350 to pull it, almost any small suv should do fine.

onecoolair · Apr 20, 2013

Must fit in Garage

mdsdurango said:
Third, or fourth post on this forum with much gratitude to all for your good advice.
I started out asking about the O'Day 272LE that I was enamored with and looking to find a just reason to buy. Well - do to the advice I recieved on this site and much more time in front of a computer screen on a plethera of other sites and manufacturers sites I am finding myself now enamored with a cabined 18 footer; The Precision 18.
Here is my new reasoning and requirements;
1) Trailerable. Easy to tow (even for days if I want to). Easy to rig. I don't want to leave the boat in the water unless anchored or temporarily slipped. Dry store mast up a possibility. Garage storage in winter is a real plus.
2) Cabined. I want to be able to throw anchor and spend a night, or two in relative comfort.
3) Fun. You know what I am talking about here. Quick, Agile, Responsive, Stable.
4) Handsome. Yes - I want a pretty boat.
5) Single handed sailing. I'm not likely to have a partner much less a crowd.

So - any comments on the Precision?
Any other suggestions?
Budget is up to (but less is always better) $25,000.00 absolute max including a strong and confident trailer. Yes, I am considering new....

Thanks again!
Mike

Mike.....Good choice !

THECUSCUS · Apr 20, 2013

Check these out.

http://www.norseboat.com/Swiss_army_knife_of_sailboats!.html

watercolors II · Apr 20, 2013

Budget way too big.

Under 21 feet set your budget at $5000.00. Used old 18 footer will be nice and work just like a $25000.00 one, maybe even better because it will come with more stuff. Invest the other 20000.00 and when you retire and move up to that bigger boat you’ll have over $25000 instead of maybe $12500.00 if you use that kind of budget.

A 18 foot Precision would be a perfect boat. The Catalina Capri 18 and Hunter makes an 18 footer that are just like the Precision.

TLW · Apr 20, 2013

I was a PRECISION dealer in the 80's & 90s and I remain a big fan. The boats are very well made with superior glasswork. The Porter brothers were builders of the highest integrity. The entire operation was first class. I could go on for pages with proof of the quality. All that being said, the P-18 has such a short waterline that it is not very quick. Both the P-21 and P-23 are excellent boats and still very trailerable, easy to raise mast yourself, roomy, and decent sailing boats. I would not hesitate to buy one on the used market. They are not very complex - that is, not a lot of "systems" going on. Just well-built, functional, attractive, dependable boats.

rgranger · Apr 21, 2013

Sounds like you have really thought this through. The only reason I went to a bigger boat is because I have a wife and four kids who all have taken to sailing with me. It is a lot harder to maintain, tow, rig etc. So if you will mostly be by yourself or with one other, I think you have settled on the right set of compromises.

... just free advice and worth even less....

Merlin Clark · Apr 21, 2013

A wise man told me once to look at any boat/car/etc with a logical eye first and if it passes the technical requirements see if it is a "second looker".
When you're walking away do you naturally stop, turn around, and look at her again just because she causes you joy?
That's the right boat.
I like traditional styled boats and the Montgomerys fit that bill and they are now building one called the "Sage 17" that has been getting great reviews. Same designer/builder, Jerry Montgomery, with a few more tricks and tweaks that the earlier designs http://www.sagemarine.us/
International Marine also builds some fine trailer sailors http://imsailboats.com/

c_witch · Apr 21, 2013

Ownership is not entirely new to me. My final boat needs to be small enough to barley notice when being towed, big enough to sleep in for two or three nights, strong enough to be in blue water.

Hi,

I'd think real hard about anything under 22 feet given your above comments. Even there your gonna be hunched over in the cabin. I have plenty of room on my boat except standing head room

. I also wouldn't want to be out in any large close running swells or waves in her either.

c_witch

rgranger · Apr 22, 2013

I think the Com-Pacs also fit your list of criterion... and they now have one with a pilot house that has near standing headroom. I've seen one of these pilot house version at a marina in Oriental NC. It was cute. And there is a "regular" compac at my home port. It is surprisingly roomy inside.

Here is a link

http://www.com-pacyachts.com/

Crazy Dave Condon · Apr 23, 2013

rgranger,

I believe the pilot house version of the compac was a rebuilt into a pilot house and if so, I know who did that and that was a job well done. The compacs are good for coastal cruisers but due to the winds on inland lakes being flaky like they are, I would suggest a different route. I use to sell them at Smith Mt. Lake many moons ago and that was a continuing comment from the owners.

crazy dave condon

Sumner · Apr 23, 2013

c_witch said:
Ownership is not entirely new to me. My final boat needs to be small enough to barley notice when being towed, big enough to sleep in for two or three nights, strong enough to be in blue water.

Hi,

I'd think real hard about anything under 22 feet given your above comments. Even there your gonna be hunched over in the cabin. I have plenty of room on my boat except standing head room . I also wouldn't want to be out in any large close running swells or waves in her either.

c_witch

I agree.

If one is talking about towing around to sail different locals and wants to possibly have another person with them a boat under 20 feet is going to be mighty small unless you really only want to take 1-2 day trips in known weather. For us going to a new destination 1-3 days is just the start of a trip on a new body of water. Some people handle being in a small boat well and some don't so the boat's size might also influence who is going to go with you.

Also interested in why you have ruled out water ballast boats when you can have a 26 foot boat that is about as light on the trailer as the boats your are looking at and will rig in about the same amount of time and handle similar conditions and be quite a bit faster on the water. The boats you are looking at have PHRF ratings in the 260's and above where a longer boat will be in the lower 200's.

I'd be very careful about putting down money on a new boat without being really convinced that it is the boat for you. As previously mentioned you will loose a lot if it isn't. If you want to go the small boat route maybe consider something like a Venture 17 that you could buy cheap and see how the size fits you. You can get ones ready to sail for under $1500 and I've seen one that was totally redone go for about $3300. If after a season or so you like it then try and find the one you want for the future. Have the prior boats you have owned been sailboats and how did you use them?

If new sailing places are on the horizon I'd want a boat that is light on the trailer, roomy, easy and fast to launch and rig, swig keel and shallow draft. We have something like that now and would buy the same all over again for our needs.

The boats you are looking at are really nice boats, but I question if they are the right boat for your needs,

Sum
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kenn · Apr 23, 2013

We still enjoy our 19 foot boat. We are seeking something larger, for bigger adventures and maybe that winter down south, but I have no intention of selling our Sandpiper... it's just too much fun for the tiny price.

I agree that buying a used small boat is a great idea. You can get a heck of alot of small boat and all the stuff for under $5k, and it's easy to sell if you do want to go larger.

Some are suggesting that an 18 might be too small. If your primary goal is cruising - staying out for a week or longer - then larger might be better. If you're going to do alot of day and weekend sailing, as well as some weekends out and maybe a few longer outings of up to a week, a small boat is workable, and they can be alot more fun to sail than something bigger.

It depends alot on your area. Take note of what the locals sail and ask them why they like it.

walt · Apr 23, 2013

My opinion is that all this information is not complicated enough and you need at least one more opinion..

That is to throw in the variable of your age and having multiple sailboats. When folks are younger, they happily sail smaller boats and as time goes on, the size of the boat gradually increases. I’ll take a guess on this but the size of the boat might peak on average at about 60. At some time later, for whatever reason, the big boat doesn’t get used and then someone might downsize. Note there is an inverse relationship for the pet dog vs. boat size. As the boat gets larger, the dog tends to get smaller.

So.. I think since your still working for a while, get the Montgomery or the Precision you were looking at. Then when you retire (and being responsible with your savings), get a larger boat along with the larger vehicle to tow it and possibly a small dog. Or get the larger boat and leave it in a marina in California and visit the boat – like a second home/cabin. During this time, stash the smaller boat. After a few years, sell the larger boat and you already have the smaller boat..

Sumner · Apr 23, 2013

walt said:
..... Or get the larger boat and leave it in a marina in California and visit the boat – like a second home/cabin. During this time, stash the smaller boat. After a few years, sell the larger boat and you already have the smaller boat..

Or current situation except the big boat is in Florida. We love the west and we will continue living in the Mountain West, but Florida has a lot more boating options than CA and a lot less people on the roads although I'm sure some will disagree with this

.

I'm pretty sure our Mac will be the first and last boat we might own with the Endeavour in the middle. Even right now not getting it in the water it is like a small apartment in Florida and we are enjoying living on her even up on stands.

I don't question buying the Montgomery or Precision, just buying a new one,

Sum

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