Buying first boat

[david juhl]

My wife and I are in the market for our first boat. We live close to the water and are thinking of buying a trailerable boat, as we dont want to pay for moorage year around.

So far after looking around on the net and talking with a few people I have come to the conclusion that we dont have alot of choice if we buy new (22-26 ft). Macgregor, Hunter, Precision, or Martin.

I've sailed a little with a friend that has a J-35, and think I would want a boat that has better performance so I can race a little, as well as daysail and camp with it too. Although the Macgregor and Hunter seem to be nice boats, they seem more of a motor sailer. I'm just not sure if I'll be happy sailing one of them for long.

I would be interested to hear what you can recommend. What type of boat, why, good points and bad. Should I go new as we planned, or look at used? If we go used it opens up more possibilities (most of which I dont know aboutO and is definitely cheaper, but there is something to be said for buying new. What do you think?

Thanks,
Dave Juhl
Anacortes, WA 98221

 

[SailMML]

I recommend looking at a Com-pac 23 if you want a trailerable boat. Very well built. Not exactly a speed demon but very sure footed. The company is great too. I called today and the owner took my order for some replacement parts. Can't beat that.

 

[relston]

The last trailerable I had was Hunter 25. It rigged, loaded and trailered well but in the water was a different story. The short keel allowed the boat to drift or handle sluggishly as compared to the other deep keel boats i've sailed. We sail Lake Erie so that didn't help performance.

 

[DeniseO30]

I had a bought a hunter 23 about 5 yrs ago and loved it although I sold it 11 months later. I had been looking for a 30ish boat even though I wasn't experianced at sailing my own boat. But, I listened to others and went smaller. I wish I hadn't! If I knew what I know now I would have bought a 30+ ft boat sooner! Anyway, Unless you really really love the idea of a trailer sailer, stepping and unstepping the mast, loading and unloading gear, food, etc. you may loose interest in sailing long before you get allot of use out of said trailer sailer. I belong to a Yacht club so the costs are pretty low to keep my boat on a mooring.
Denise
Oday 30,

 

[John]

What is your reason for wanting to buy a new boat, vs used?

 

[Stu Jackson]

You're in the boat capital of the PNW

I am sure that there are many folks down at the numerous docks in your wonderful little town who will be more than glad to discuss this with you in person.

Given your neck of the woods, you have two choices:

trailer sail: and go all around the islands by car with your boat

bigger "real" boat: with all that water around you and all the adventures they offer, to say nothing of all of us who wish we could live and sail there, and remembering that in sailing "the journey IS the destination" you have a great opportunity to get a good used boat of a reasonable starter size, like say 25, 28 or even 30 feet with some lessons, and have a wonderful time.

We had a Catalina 22 for only a few years before we moved up. We sailed the Bay, the Delta and lakes, but having a real boat you can just hop on and go, especially given your territory, is just too good to miss.

We never bought new, and that would be a very poor investment, these days, but almost any day. Although, if some folks didn't buy new, we'd never have a resupply of used, would we...

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

David
Before buying anything, I'd suggest you take whatever your budget limit is and look at used boats in that range - this is obviously a great time to buy any boat, new or used but doing some searching will really help fix your objectives. New might sound attractive but there are also downsides to new - it isn't a car which means all new boats have some issues as well as the need to properly outfit it with electronics, canvas and other stuff included in a used boat's price. Even new still requires cleaning and waxing. On the other hand, many dealers are almost "giving away" new boats so shop carefully.

The term "motor sailer" has different connotations depending on who uses the term so be careful with that one - don't be afraid to ask to test sail some different boats before making any commitment.

 

[Ron20324]

A Beneteau 235 is a good boat, marine head, can be trailered, and they have a great web site. I sold mine only because of a sweet deal on a B323. It is nice to have a new boat, and I think since you have the Mrs, you'd appreciate a new one. You can set up the way you want it- not what somebody else wanted. Trailerable is nice for those who want/need one, but it was so nice to be able to stand upright and have hot water- right from the faucet!

 

[Ray T]

When you narrow down to the type of boat you want check the PHRF handicaps. They will give you an indication of how fast a boat is compared to other boats. The lower the number the faster the boat.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Think larger, mooring, used ...

With the cruising grounds you have available, my recommendation would be a larger boat (27' to 30') with a keel and more substantial rigging (I know, there are plenty of smaller 22' to 26' boat that fit that criteria) for more security in open water and more comfort (especially for your wife). You'll want headroom and an enclosed head, possibly with a shower. A mooring should be far cheaper than a slip, depending on availability at your home port. Used boats would give more selection, and many are very nice, with options included. You should easily be able to find boats that are up to 30 years old that can be in excellent condition if maintained well. The savings you will get by selecting a used boat will easily allow you to get a larger, faster, more comfortable yacht and keep it on a mooring for several years. I would bet that if you find that you love sailing, you will soon be looking for more room to extend your cruising adventures farther and with more comfort. The advantage of starting with a used boat is that the maintenance and upgrades that you will soon start to do will rapidly increase your knowledge to the point where the choice for your future boat will become more clear as you quickly become more knowledgable regarding details of rigging and performance characteristics, etc. In my opinion, you become more intimate about your preferences as you spend time working on maintenance and upgrading. This 'benefit' is often missed when you own a new boat and have relatively few concerns.

BTW, your wife will probably become quickly disenchanted with spending time rigging and de-rigging a trailerable boat. If you have kids, forget it ... they won't have any patience for that nonsense!

 

[Scott]

"Although the Macgregor and Hunter seem to be nice boats, they seem more of a motor sailer. I'm just not sure if I'll be happy sailing one of them for long."

Don's right, "The term "motor sailer" has different connotations depending on who uses the term so be careful with that one"

Yea, that kind of gets my shorts in knot. Me thinks you need a little more experience on your friends boat, ask him the difference between a "motor sailer" and an auxiliary sailboat.

 

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that you'll get a lot more use out of the boat if it is kept in a slip or on a mooring than if you have to launch and rig it each time you want to go out. I have a large trailerable boat, but keep it on a mooring, and use it much more than I would if I had to launch and retrieve it each time.

 

[Steve Dion]

Do you have a vehicle to launch a boat on a steep ramp? This is another expense that you need to consider along with the storage of a boat (can you store it at home?).

Everytime you want to you a trailered vessel you have 45 min or an hour to step the mast and rig her up and then you need to take it down.... Lots of parts can get damaged during these processes.

You can also get a larger boat and have it stored in the yard during your off season.

 

[david juhl]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. For those of you who were offended by the motorsailer comment, my appologies. I'm kind of new and have alot to learn.

 

[SamLust]

It's OK, your terminology was close. A "Motorsailer" is a sailboat designed to sail with the assistance of the engine. Call it cheaper motoring due to the wind assist, or faster sailing with the engine assist. "Power Sailer" is a good term applied to boats like the late model MacGregors, the new Hunter "Edge 28", and older boats like the Lancer 27 Power sailer. When their compromises are understood they have their place.

What people have failed to mention is "Dry Sailing". The boat is stored at the marina on the trailer all rigged up and ready to go. There are a number of people who do just that at a marina near me. Back the trailer into the water and you're off.

For a performance trailerable you might look at Precision. They make a very nice good performing boat. I've always been impressed with them out on the water.

 

[Jenni]

You may want to look into the 80's Mac classics. The 26 D and 26S. These are both nice trailerable sailboats. I have a 26D and I haul it around with my Sebring. The New Macs have a much nicer cabin than the classic but I understand that the sail performance is somwhat effected by having that giant 50Hp on the back. If you are doing alot of crusing though you may find you wind up motoring alot of the time anyway.

As to setting up the mast from trailoring it takes about 20min for 2 people to set up the mast on a 26D. There is a winch kit avalible that lets you easily raise the mast by yourself.

 

[Benny]

David if you are considering a trailerable boat by all means arrange to keep it at a marina on its trailer with the mast up. Boats that are designed to trailer with relative ease are usually not designed for performance, they either have swing keels or centerboards or are water ballasted to be able to shed the ballast weight for trailering. Unless you intend to have a trailerable boat for the ability of transporting it to different venues the time and effort spent in trailering, dealing with ramp congestions, raising and lowering the mast and set up and launching and retreiving can seriously cut down on the enjoyment time. I personally think mooring or dockage fees offer great value towards enjoyment in general of the boat and the sport. I once had a boat that in 5 years I paid almost twice in dockage fees more than I paid for the boat. The convenience of getting there on the spur of the moment and being in the water underway made it worthwhile. You may find better value and enjoyment in a used boat at a mooring than in a brand new boat in a trailer. Food for thought in your decision making. Good luck.

 

[sand sailor]

first boat???

mine advice is to look into a boat you can grow into not out of,then find what comfort level your at on the boat alone cause sometimes you are going to go at it alone intentionally or not.
next dont be afraid to look at much older boats (mine is a '68) they were built tougher back then and you wont be afraid of scratching it or breaking it = more time enjoying.
the older hunters or macgregors we're pretty good boats. i"ve worked on several and the owners have a lot of fun playing not worrying about them.
I single hand my 27' santana most often even with crew on board and yes it sits on a trailer when not sailing.
last saturday went out alone launched in the dark sailed out of the marina anchored for the night sailed all day sunday hauled it out tucked it in its yard and went home happy so no matter what anyone else says you have to be comfortable enough with the boat to handle it all by yourself or have a capable crew .
good luck

 

[Hugh4753]

I'm onboard with the guys who say get a bigger boat. My first boat was a 35.5 bought because the folks I talked to said get a bigger boat. Actually took a guy out sailing with me yesterday who I'd encouraged to get at least a 27-30 footer but he got a Catalina 22, nice boat but after sailing with us yesterday he said, I've gotta get a bigger boat.

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

Buying new -VS- used? New can be much more expensive than you realize. Buy the boat, then there are all the toys you want on it. GPS, Charts, Dodger, Bimini, Auto Pilot, a new anchor or something different than a danforth, a spinnaker, dingy, and davits. ect.ect.ect.

When you buy used the previous owner has already spent the money on the toys, and took the depreciation of the new boat purchase. It took me almost 2 years to find the one I have now. It had all the toys I wanted on a boat, at a reasonable price. Don't be in a hurry to spend the money, take your time, be ready to travel several hundred miles from home, and the boat you truly want will show up. Don't be afraid to walk away if you don't get the price you are looking for. Good Luck