That's what happened to the guy who bought my B235 and became my slip-neighbor. After a weekend on my 32 he bought a C30. This, just after he went from MD to CT to buy a spanking new trailer that ended up he didn't even tow the 23 anywhere with.
Buying first boat
- Thread starter david juhl
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IMHO,I bought a used 1989 Mac 26D on a trailer and loaded with goodies like extra sails, jibs and Bimini from the PO. Cost under $6000. Insurance is $156. She looks great, sails great and everyone gives use compliments on her condition.
Bottom line, you can sell a $6000 boat easier than a $60,000 +- if you don't like it or if the little mate gives you grief. My mate loves to sail and is good at stepping the mast and prepping for launch. I got lucky!
I go with the guys that say crew with everyone you can, take your mate and see what fits.
Bottom line, you can sell a $6000 boat easier than a $60,000 +- if you don't like it or if the little mate gives you grief. My mate loves to sail and is good at stepping the mast and prepping for launch. I got lucky!
I go with the guys that say crew with everyone you can, take your mate and see what fits.
First of all Anacortes is a great location, I sail from Point Roberts, second of all you say you are close to the water? How close? Can you leave the mast up and just tow over to the ramp without worry of overhead wires/obstructions? I used to trailer and now slip, it is expensive but the Missus insists on it. The only difference between trailering and slipping is the mast raising itself, all the other stuff is done wether you trailer or slip, still takes us 1/2 an hour to get everything ready to get under way from a slip. The slip just provides us a destination to visit/hang out when we wish.
We also bought new, next time if ever it will be used. I had to aquire every little extra at a great cost and do not wish to do it again.
I have a MacGregor 26M and it gets us all over the San Juans easily and comfortably, it is a great first/starter boat to learn in and has easy and good resale potential.
We have Macgregor regattas in Blaine every year if you wish to race in the same class, but do not be too quick to assume you won't like a powersailer, they are plenty of fun and the Macgregor has way more interior space than anything else in the 26' range. Also do not assume you will need a better performer as a sailboat, learn to sail first then decide, the hybrid powersailer motors at twice the speed of a standard sailboat and when you start to explore the San Juans you will motor exclusively, the winds, weather, currents and tides are not always in your favour so don't think you are going to sail everywhere. You will only daysail, as we do, any travel to the islands will entail motoring unti you arrive at your destination with a dinghy in tow. When I first looked at the MacGregor my impression was that it is not a real sailboat and I turned my nose up at it. Now after six seasons of sailing it I have come to like it a lot and appreciate the hybrid qualities of it. The Mac is very well suited to venue you are sailing in and there are plenty used ones available in your area, check them out with the missus.
We also bought new, next time if ever it will be used. I had to aquire every little extra at a great cost and do not wish to do it again.
I have a MacGregor 26M and it gets us all over the San Juans easily and comfortably, it is a great first/starter boat to learn in and has easy and good resale potential.
We have Macgregor regattas in Blaine every year if you wish to race in the same class, but do not be too quick to assume you won't like a powersailer, they are plenty of fun and the Macgregor has way more interior space than anything else in the 26' range. Also do not assume you will need a better performer as a sailboat, learn to sail first then decide, the hybrid powersailer motors at twice the speed of a standard sailboat and when you start to explore the San Juans you will motor exclusively, the winds, weather, currents and tides are not always in your favour so don't think you are going to sail everywhere. You will only daysail, as we do, any travel to the islands will entail motoring unti you arrive at your destination with a dinghy in tow. When I first looked at the MacGregor my impression was that it is not a real sailboat and I turned my nose up at it. Now after six seasons of sailing it I have come to like it a lot and appreciate the hybrid qualities of it. The Mac is very well suited to venue you are sailing in and there are plenty used ones available in your area, check them out with the missus.
First, I don't think you need a "bigger boat". I had lots of fun with my Mac 22, and my Cal25. I've recently downsized from Catalina 36 to Crown 28. You don't need a big boat to have fun.
If you're looking for a fast boat, don't look at a Mac (or even a Hunter). They are severely compromise boats - they have a sail, and will move when you put them up. But don't expect to overtake anyone. If you can get a Martin 24 on a trailer, THAT is a fast boat! But it has a deep keel, so would be hard to trailer.
If you're into daysailing, how about a wetfoo.... errr. hotfoot20? They have a keel that cranks up vertically into the cabin, and they go like smoked okum. Of course, if you REALLY want some speed, try a Martin 243...
As someone else mentioned: look at PHRF ratings - they will give a fairly good idea how fast a boat is.
druid
If you're looking for a fast boat, don't look at a Mac (or even a Hunter). They are severely compromise boats - they have a sail, and will move when you put them up. But don't expect to overtake anyone. If you can get a Martin 24 on a trailer, THAT is a fast boat! But it has a deep keel, so would be hard to trailer.
If you're into daysailing, how about a wetfoo.... errr. hotfoot20? They have a keel that cranks up vertically into the cabin, and they go like smoked okum. Of course, if you REALLY want some speed, try a Martin 243...
As someone else mentioned: look at PHRF ratings - they will give a fairly good idea how fast a boat is.
druid
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