Beginner Boat Question

[HarryB]

I've never sailed and want to give it a try, but know very little about boats at this point. I wish to keep expenses to a minimum and don't have much storage room. I live near the Tennessee River in northern Alabama, and my initial sailing would be on that river. I seldom see any sailboats in our area, so I don't have anyone local to talk with.

There are two low cost options that appear feasible at the moment:

1) A small sailboat that is for sale at a marina about an hour's drive away for $250. It is listed as a Monarch 14' daysailer and needs a rudder and some "gooseneck" work. I really can't find anything about this boat online, although I was told by the owner that it is a great boat for a beginner. Here is a link to a picture of the boat - it's the one with the white sail: http://www.sailbrownscreek.com/DSC05030.JPG

2) A PDR (Puddle Duck Racer - http://www.pdracer.com/ ) which one builds from wood and should not cost much more than $300.

I'm concerned about the boat staying afloat when I tip it over, and I have read that the PDR can be built to be very buoyant, but I don't know about the Monarch.

Does anyone have a suggestion about which one might be the better option for me?

Thank You,
Harry

 

[Joe]

My advice is to not worry about buying a boat. Start looking for a sailing school. Get some experience in a properly rigged sailboat with someone who can give you proper instruction.

After a bit of experience you'll realize that although the monarch boat may seem like a bargain...replacing the rudder and "gooseneck work" will cost you more than the price of the boat.

I did a little search and found this yacht club on wheeler lake that offers crewing opportunites for beginners, as well as experienced sailors. Look for something like this... or try local colleges and recreation departments. If you associate yourself with other sailors you'll find the opportunity to sail and eventually acquire a decent boat for personal use.
http://www.wheeleryachtclub.com/newsevents/crewingopportunities.html

I wouldn't consider that other thing, period.

 

[Hugh4753]

Take a sailing course BEFORE you buy a boat. The other suggestion about crewing for other folks is good too. Once you meet sailing folks you'll get good ideas and insights and probably find somebody whose got a boat for sale that you'll know something about.

 

[higgs]

Sailing class is a good idea.

If you ignore that advice, be ready to do some swimming as you learn your way around the Monarch. Just as important is knowing how to right it once you are in the water.

 

[Snotter]

Harry,
There are numerous sailboats for rent by a fellow named Chuck Tuck in Decatur, AL. You can also take lessons from the same guy. The name of the Marina is the Riverwalk.

If you ever get down to Bay-Hill, I am the last sailboat beside the barges.

 

[Franklin]

I don't think the Tenn River is all that great of a place to learn to sail. It can be either very rough (wind blowing down the river against the current) or not much wind (blocked by the trees). Try finding a lake someplace.

 

[Snotter]

The channel may be too narow in Decatur but the rest of Joe Wheeler Lake is an awesome place to sail.

 

[HarryB]

Despite the suggestions to take some type of sailing classes first, I have decided not to do so. Here are some of my reasons, in no particular order:

1) As I noted in my question, I wish to keep expenses to a minimum, and sailing classes cost money that I could spend on my boat or equipment.

2) I do not do well in class settings. If I had gone through the modern school system I would have been given some type of learning disability label because I am such a slow learner.

3) I am a loner and enjoy tinkering by myself, learning new things. This is especially enjoyable when I have a good reference material to guide me. I purchased the book, "Learn to Sail" by Dennis Conner for $0.50 which appears to have more than enough material to guide me.

4) I am leaning toward building the Puddle Duck Racer. The idea of building my first sailboat is intriguing and I can probably get all of the parts from my local Home Depot. Besides, the guys who build and sail those little boats sure seem to be having a lot of fun. They also seem to be very willing to help since there are many websites and discussion groups dealing with the construction and sailing of the PDR.

Cheers,
Harry

 

[HarryB]

Harry,

If you ever get down to Bay-Hill, I am the last sailboat beside the barges.

I live in Decatur and haven't heard of Bay-Hill. A google search suggested a "Bay Hill Marina", located just west of the water treatment plant. Is that the place where you keep your boat?

There is a new looking boat ramp just east of the water treatment plant. I assume that if I launch from there I will able to sail in the more open areas of the river.

Cheers,
Harry