When I first started paying attention to size (of sailboats), or more specifically length of boats people owned was when I saw this man who sailed a 26ft most of his life till retirement. He then went out and purchased a 40ft and he and his wife sailed into extended vacation. Then the boat sold at a loss within a year and he never sailed again. The dream some said was better than reality.
Then I noticed guys buying bigger and bigger boats till they quit sailing. It seemed if bigger was better and better was more expensive then that would come later in life.
But then, there was this sailor who in the years leading up to retirement built his own 40 something footer. Retired and sailed it for a year and it was up for sale. He then purchased a 30 and he and his wife loved it.
I asked why? Wasent he going to wrong way? What I found out was under 33 Ft boats are comfortable and can be more easily single hand sailed.
I asked another man who "down sized" about why, and he told me "I could not wait to be in a new 44ft, then after I got it, maneuvered it out to sea and wondered why I ever got rid of my 30. Nothing worse than being in the wrong sized boat." Thought I would like 40, but just didn't.
Another man once told me he or his wife had developed minor medical problems over the years and the smaller boat was easier to handle if the other had an "off day" and would prefer to not be on deck it could be operated "single handed".
Would love to hear from others and their thoughts on the subject.
Then I noticed guys buying bigger and bigger boats till they quit sailing. It seemed if bigger was better and better was more expensive then that would come later in life.
But then, there was this sailor who in the years leading up to retirement built his own 40 something footer. Retired and sailed it for a year and it was up for sale. He then purchased a 30 and he and his wife loved it.
I asked why? Wasent he going to wrong way? What I found out was under 33 Ft boats are comfortable and can be more easily single hand sailed.
I asked another man who "down sized" about why, and he told me "I could not wait to be in a new 44ft, then after I got it, maneuvered it out to sea and wondered why I ever got rid of my 30. Nothing worse than being in the wrong sized boat." Thought I would like 40, but just didn't.
Another man once told me he or his wife had developed minor medical problems over the years and the smaller boat was easier to handle if the other had an "off day" and would prefer to not be on deck it could be operated "single handed".
Would love to hear from others and their thoughts on the subject.