I am looking for suggestions for what would be the best small boat to sail on SF Bay. It has to be somewhat small in the 22-26 foot range. Some cosiderations have been the Catalina 22, Hunter 23, and maybe the Mac 25 or 26S. Out of those what would you recommend?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
D
David
I am looking for suggestions for what would be the best small boat to sail on SF Bay. It has to be somewhat small in the 22-26 foot range. Some cosiderations have been the Catalina 22, Hunter 23, and maybe the Mac 25 or 26S. Out of those what would you recommend?
Personally any of the smaller Cape Dorys, CD19'Typhoon', CD22'Weekender' and my favorite boat the Cape Dory 25. For ease of handling(all can be single handed), great rough water and heavy weather boats...and they LOOK great. And are built STRONG. However, they rarely win races in light airs. ;( Just my opinion
Personally any of the smaller Cape Dorys, CD19'Typhoon', CD22'Weekender' and my favorite boat the Cape Dory 25. For ease of handling(all can be single handed), great rough water and heavy weather boats...and they LOOK great. And are built STRONG. However, they rarely win races in light airs. ;( Just my opinion
Tender boats
You've listed boats that might be consdered pretty tender in a blow. IIRC, there are pretty good winds in SF Bay. You might want a boat that is a little less tender. A Hunter 25 or Catalina 25 might be a little more comfortable in the wind. Another option to consider might be a Hunter 25.5 with a fin keel. Boat is pretty fast, but dry due to the high topsides. There is some initial tenderness but it settles into a nice groove as the speed picks up. The 25.5 is much bigger than the other boats in her size class. Available with either an outboard or a one lung inboard. A poptop increases cabin headroom by about 12", but if the boom vang is needed, then the poptop needs to come down. Sailplan on the 25.5 favors wind less that 15 knots, but reefing the main is easy and sailing with a reefed main and a 110 jib is good to around 25 knots before its necessary to reduce jib to a blade. She does seem to pound a little in heavier conditions, but the ride is pretty good. A couple other considerations might be the O'Day 25 or 26. Both are good sailers. And stretching the envelope a little is the Catalina 27. Numbers of these are available in the magnitude that even Carl Sagan would appreciate. Not particularly tender, but pretty fast. With this boats popularity come a lot of options and owner support. Hunter 27 is also pretty good, but a heavy boat. This mnight be better suited to the conditions in the open bay areas, but IMO is far from the performance of the other boats mentioned above. The standard inboard might be a little underpowered in heavier conditions or bucking the wind and tide. If you're interested in pure performance, then a J-boat such as a J-24 might be fun. They're very tender, but in a completely different performance category than the above recommendations. In the end, it has to be your personal choice (what appeals to you), sailing priorities (cruising, day sailing, performance day sailing or racing) and skills (can you handle what you get?) that decide what is best for you.
You've listed boats that might be consdered pretty tender in a blow. IIRC, there are pretty good winds in SF Bay. You might want a boat that is a little less tender. A Hunter 25 or Catalina 25 might be a little more comfortable in the wind. Another option to consider might be a Hunter 25.5 with a fin keel. Boat is pretty fast, but dry due to the high topsides. There is some initial tenderness but it settles into a nice groove as the speed picks up. The 25.5 is much bigger than the other boats in her size class. Available with either an outboard or a one lung inboard. A poptop increases cabin headroom by about 12", but if the boom vang is needed, then the poptop needs to come down. Sailplan on the 25.5 favors wind less that 15 knots, but reefing the main is easy and sailing with a reefed main and a 110 jib is good to around 25 knots before its necessary to reduce jib to a blade. She does seem to pound a little in heavier conditions, but the ride is pretty good. A couple other considerations might be the O'Day 25 or 26. Both are good sailers. And stretching the envelope a little is the Catalina 27. Numbers of these are available in the magnitude that even Carl Sagan would appreciate. Not particularly tender, but pretty fast. With this boats popularity come a lot of options and owner support. Hunter 27 is also pretty good, but a heavy boat. This mnight be better suited to the conditions in the open bay areas, but IMO is far from the performance of the other boats mentioned above. The standard inboard might be a little underpowered in heavier conditions or bucking the wind and tide. If you're interested in pure performance, then a J-boat such as a J-24 might be fun. They're very tender, but in a completely different performance category than the above recommendations. In the end, it has to be your personal choice (what appeals to you), sailing priorities (cruising, day sailing, performance day sailing or racing) and skills (can you handle what you get?) that decide what is best for you.
Tender boats
You've listed boats that might be consdered pretty tender in a blow. IIRC, there are pretty good winds in SF Bay. You might want a boat that is a little less tender. A Hunter 25 or Catalina 25 might be a little more comfortable in the wind. Another option to consider might be a Hunter 25.5 with a fin keel. Boat is pretty fast, but dry due to the high topsides. There is some initial tenderness but it settles into a nice groove as the speed picks up. The 25.5 is much bigger than the other boats in her size class. Available with either an outboard or a one lung inboard. A poptop increases cabin headroom by about 12", but if the boom vang is needed, then the poptop needs to come down. Sailplan on the 25.5 favors wind less that 15 knots, but reefing the main is easy and sailing with a reefed main and a 110 jib is good to around 25 knots before its necessary to reduce jib to a blade. She does seem to pound a little in heavier conditions, but the ride is pretty good. A couple other considerations might be the O'Day 25 or 26. Both are good sailers. And stretching the envelope a little is the Catalina 27. Numbers of these are available in the magnitude that even Carl Sagan would appreciate. Not particularly tender, but pretty fast. With this boats popularity come a lot of options and owner support. Hunter 27 is also pretty good, but a heavy boat. This mnight be better suited to the conditions in the open bay areas, but IMO is far from the performance of the other boats mentioned above. The standard inboard might be a little underpowered in heavier conditions or bucking the wind and tide. If you're interested in pure performance, then a J-boat such as a J-24 might be fun. They're very tender, but in a completely different performance category than the above recommendations. In the end, it has to be your personal choice (what appeals to you), sailing priorities (cruising, day sailing, performance day sailing or racing) and skills (can you handle what you get?) that decide what is best for you.
You've listed boats that might be consdered pretty tender in a blow. IIRC, there are pretty good winds in SF Bay. You might want a boat that is a little less tender. A Hunter 25 or Catalina 25 might be a little more comfortable in the wind. Another option to consider might be a Hunter 25.5 with a fin keel. Boat is pretty fast, but dry due to the high topsides. There is some initial tenderness but it settles into a nice groove as the speed picks up. The 25.5 is much bigger than the other boats in her size class. Available with either an outboard or a one lung inboard. A poptop increases cabin headroom by about 12", but if the boom vang is needed, then the poptop needs to come down. Sailplan on the 25.5 favors wind less that 15 knots, but reefing the main is easy and sailing with a reefed main and a 110 jib is good to around 25 knots before its necessary to reduce jib to a blade. She does seem to pound a little in heavier conditions, but the ride is pretty good. A couple other considerations might be the O'Day 25 or 26. Both are good sailers. And stretching the envelope a little is the Catalina 27. Numbers of these are available in the magnitude that even Carl Sagan would appreciate. Not particularly tender, but pretty fast. With this boats popularity come a lot of options and owner support. Hunter 27 is also pretty good, but a heavy boat. This mnight be better suited to the conditions in the open bay areas, but IMO is far from the performance of the other boats mentioned above. The standard inboard might be a little underpowered in heavier conditions or bucking the wind and tide. If you're interested in pure performance, then a J-boat such as a J-24 might be fun. They're very tender, but in a completely different performance category than the above recommendations. In the end, it has to be your personal choice (what appeals to you), sailing priorities (cruising, day sailing, performance day sailing or racing) and skills (can you handle what you get?) that decide what is best for you.
P
PaulK
Lots of options
You could also try looking for a Thunderbird. They were designed specifically for SFO Bay's wind & wave conditions.
You could also try looking for a Thunderbird. They were designed specifically for SFO Bay's wind & wave conditions.
P
PaulK
Lots of options
You could also try looking for a Thunderbird. They were designed specifically for SFO Bay's wind & wave conditions.
You could also try looking for a Thunderbird. They were designed specifically for SFO Bay's wind & wave conditions.
Not mentioned yet
Depending on how old you want the boat to be, the Ericsons from the late 70s and early 80s are very well built boats that have excellent sailing qualities. The 23, 25, and 25+, as well as the larger models, have been popular among Bay sailors, and will generally outperform similarly sized boats in the same price range.
Depending on how old you want the boat to be, the Ericsons from the late 70s and early 80s are very well built boats that have excellent sailing qualities. The 23, 25, and 25+, as well as the larger models, have been popular among Bay sailors, and will generally outperform similarly sized boats in the same price range.
Not mentioned yet
Depending on how old you want the boat to be, the Ericsons from the late 70s and early 80s are very well built boats that have excellent sailing qualities. The 23, 25, and 25+, as well as the larger models, have been popular among Bay sailors, and will generally outperform similarly sized boats in the same price range.
Depending on how old you want the boat to be, the Ericsons from the late 70s and early 80s are very well built boats that have excellent sailing qualities. The 23, 25, and 25+, as well as the larger models, have been popular among Bay sailors, and will generally outperform similarly sized boats in the same price range.
Coronado25
Never sailed that water, but a friend said he raced on them there (not that they are fast or roomy.) Its an older boat thats cheap and sturdy, and probably suited for the area.
Never sailed that water, but a friend said he raced on them there (not that they are fast or roomy.) Its an older boat thats cheap and sturdy, and probably suited for the area.
Coronado25
Never sailed that water, but a friend said he raced on them there (not that they are fast or roomy.) Its an older boat thats cheap and sturdy, and probably suited for the area.
Never sailed that water, but a friend said he raced on them there (not that they are fast or roomy.) Its an older boat thats cheap and sturdy, and probably suited for the area.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.