Family Daysailor - 350lbs or less

[slatemen]

Hi all,

I need advice.

I am looking to purchase a lightweight family daysailer roomy enough for up to 2 adults and 2 (small) kids but less than about 350lbs in weight. Given these needs, I obviously need something with a wide beam (6 feet or more). I am not a racer and am not a performance sailor - I just like taking the little ones out for 2 or 3 hour cruises.

The weight is a factor, as the boat will be stored on a beach dolly on a shared private beach, and 350lbs is about as much as I think I can get in and out of the water without the help of an automobile (which aren't allowed on this beach). Launching from a ramp is not an option for a number of reasons.

I like the Lido 14, Capri 14.2 and Hunter 146, but want to know if there are others that meet my criteria. Of these 3, I like the Lido best, but they are hard to find on the east coast and I want to buy used (if possible).

Over the course of my life, I've mainly sailed Lightnings (too big for my current needs) and Sunfish (too small for my current needs).

The idea is to get the kids hooked on sailing (or one of them at least) to I'll have a legitimate excuse to buy a larger cruiser one day.

Any thoughts?

 

[sinnettc]

If you're willing to go to 430 lb, the Capri 16.5 is beamy, relatively stable, has a huge cuddy for stuff (but not kids!), and plenty of room for 2 adults and 2 small kids in the cockpit. Roller furling jib w/ integral forestay, swept back shrouds so no backstay, and the mast is easily walked up by one person.

We loved ours but wanted something we could overnight on so we grabbed the Capri 22 when it came on the market.

 

[themadscientist]

Americansail has 14 and 16 foot daysailers that might meet your needs.

 

[slatemen]

Mad Scientist

I saw your posts after putting mine up. Looks perfect for me. I already called American Sail to get a price on a new one, but I'm checking around for a used one in the area. The Annapolis Sailing school used to use them, so I'm hoping to follow your lead. Might get a new one if I can't find a decent used one.

I've also added Coronado 15 to my list.

 

[flynfol]

...an old Rebel (about 700 lbs.)or Chrysler Mutineer(about 400 lbs.), Chrysler Buccaneer(about 500 lbs.).....all good boats. Not terribly fast, but if you decide to race, are a common one design category.

J

 

[shemandr]

I started sailing on a MFG Bandit 16 - a lot of fun! Spinnaker and spinnaker launch tube. Probably couldn't find one now.
Puffer looks like a suitable boat. Don't rule out catamarans. Good off the beach, high initial stability, fun.

 

[LordNelson]

have you considered a 16' hobie cat? it would give the little ones some room to roam as they can get pretty miserable very quick stuck in hot confining life jackets on a sailboat. (get the the neoprene jackets as they are more comfortable.)

whatever you buy, just make sure you can reef the main so you don't flip with the little ones or your wife and kids will be scared to death to ever go sailing again.

 

[Sumner]

Not sure if this would help or not. I made this....

...portable 12 volt winch from a....

....$70 HF winch and a used battery and a 2 wheel cart.

The arrow points to an attach point where you can attach a line to go off some distance from the winch to secure it and hold it so that it can pull whatever you are pulling. It comes with a remote also that is nice. You could possible wheel it down on the beach and line it back up somewhere to something solid and attach that line where the arrow is.

On the boat with something like the winch you might be able to move up in boat size. We have been starting to look for a second smaller boat for the small lakes by town and like the Venture 17......

....as it seems to be pretty stable and the possibility of overnighting in it is there.

Here is a link to the data on it.......

http://oday.sailboatowners.com/components/com_mtree/attachment.php?link_id=7679&cf_id=24

More than your weight limit, but with something like the winch maybe doable. Good luck,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[slatemen]

Thanks all. I have to say, that winch is pretty cool, and it give me something to think about. I'd love something with a little cabin (West Wight Potter?), or even little cuddy for the kids to get of the sun.

I have to admit, I've ruled out catamarans, but I don't know why. I guess it is because I've never sailed one, so they are a mystery to me.

 

[Paco T]

I am with Lord Nelson, get a Hobie 16. Had one for a while and you can get the beach tires. It does not have a keel so it makes it very easy to go in/ out the beach. Just be careful when its windy since they tend to flip or go into a nose dive. Keep your sails open if you don't have time to reef while you get back to shore. Its a fast and fun boat and very roomy. They can even hold on to the dolphin striker bar in the water while sailing if it gets too hot. Just make sure they don't let go!

 

[jimmyb]

The wife and I love sailing our little precison 15. It comes in a little heavier though at 390 but a great boat on the small lakes. And rigged like bigger boats giving you great experience if you ever move up like we plan to soon.

Take care, jimmyb

 

[esterhazyinoz]

I looked at the Catalina Capri 14's and Precision 15 before ordering a new Hunter 15 and shipping it to Australia. All these boats are a good choice for an easy to own daysailer.
I chose the Hunter because I liked the higher freeboard and stern design (figured I could more easily get back into the boat if I ever fell out). This design might also be a benefit for kids as a sort of swim platform.
As the H15 has only been produced from January this year, I guess that you would have to look at a H146 which has been in production for over 10 years and therefore it shouldn't be too hard for you to find a good used one.

 

[keaveny]

MFG Bandit

I have an MFG Bandit in great condition with newer trailer in excellent condition I am going to be selling. Before I bought it a year ago it was stored in doors for years. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[chill]

I sailed cats as a teenager, loved them, and now have little kids of my own. No way I'd put them on a hobie. Whaddaya, gonna lash em to the mast? No gunwales of any kind? You look up to check the trim and one of 'em will disappear just like that. No way. I, too, thought about the Coronado 15, but decided against it due to lack of shade and general speediness. You need comfort and safe feeling or your children are gonna freak. You also need shade. I'd look into something with a cuddy, no matter how small, just to give them a little cocoon to go into when they feel scared.

We finally decided on a bigger boat, a Paceship 23, and my 5 year old still freaked out the first time the boat started to heel. If you want them to learn to love sailing, they have to have a nice stable platform for starting out.

Just my .02.

Good luck and fair winds-

c

 

[Banooma]

Many years ago, when my parents decided my family's sailing experience needed to expand beyond a Sunfish, we thoroughly enjoyed upgrading to a Boston Whaler Harpoon. It's been a long time since they made the Harpoons, but it was solid, safe, and loads of fun. By the way, we still have the Sunfish and I still take her out from time to time. I want to be sure when my son grows up, he learns to sail by truly appreciating the feel and the fundamentals. Good luck!