I am is search of my first sail boat! We will be sailing on a lake mostly, may trailer it around a little later on. So what I want is a 23 to 26 foot trailerable sail boat. Something comfortable to spend a weekend or a week on. Also, one that sails as fast as possible! Thanks for any help.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
L
Larry
When pulling boat out of water ...19' is good.
1400 lbs. feels like twice that much when you're pulling the boat back onto the trailer. Last year we sailed a 15' day sailer and had a ball. (Total displacement: 315 lbs.) This year we've had our 19' O'Day on the water a couple of times. (1400 lbs.) With a light wind, the larger boat was much more sluggish. The smaller boat would sail close hauled in an awesome manner. But, when the wind picks up, the larger boat can really handle it better. The 400 lbs. of lead in the keel add a lot of stability. Others here on the forum know more than I do, but IMPO starting off with the smallest boat you trust is an experience you wouldn't want to miss. Larry O'Day 192 Missouri
1400 lbs. feels like twice that much when you're pulling the boat back onto the trailer. Last year we sailed a 15' day sailer and had a ball. (Total displacement: 315 lbs.) This year we've had our 19' O'Day on the water a couple of times. (1400 lbs.) With a light wind, the larger boat was much more sluggish. The smaller boat would sail close hauled in an awesome manner. But, when the wind picks up, the larger boat can really handle it better. The 400 lbs. of lead in the keel add a lot of stability. Others here on the forum know more than I do, but IMPO starting off with the smallest boat you trust is an experience you wouldn't want to miss. Larry O'Day 192 Missouri
M
mark v.
larrys right..........
i have been on large and small crewed racing boats,owned an 8 ft. sailing dinghy,a cal 20 and a laser and i have to say my current boat,a capri 14.2 has deliverd more fun times than i can remember. no slip fee's, easy towing/launching just the right amount of challenging sailing when its blowing a bit [i like to single hand sail] .out on puget sound when its blowing enough theres somthing about hanging on w/my toes hiked out-centerboard HUMMING surfing along HUGE GRIN on my face ,those are the times most rememberd.have fun with the first boat learn what will happen when you screw up! larger boats are less forgiving! you will end up with 2 footitist soon enough:]
i have been on large and small crewed racing boats,owned an 8 ft. sailing dinghy,a cal 20 and a laser and i have to say my current boat,a capri 14.2 has deliverd more fun times than i can remember. no slip fee's, easy towing/launching just the right amount of challenging sailing when its blowing a bit [i like to single hand sail] .out on puget sound when its blowing enough theres somthing about hanging on w/my toes hiked out-centerboard HUMMING surfing along HUGE GRIN on my face ,those are the times most rememberd.have fun with the first boat learn what will happen when you screw up! larger boats are less forgiving! you will end up with 2 footitist soon enough:]
R
Ray Bowles
Les, The smaller boats can really haul fanny,
and if you are looking for an easy day sailor they fill the bill and are very easy to tow and launch. We specifically wanted a boat that we could easly spend 1 to 2 weeks on that still had a lot of performance. We will be using it on inland fresh water lakes and dam back water pools. These lakes are 20 to 30 miles long and our primary dam lake is good for a 102 miles one way. We bought a 95 Hunter 26 water ballast as our first boat. Tows great behind a 1/2 ton truck, close to being able to live aboard and hauls butt. Spend the time to look at everything, dream about what you want to do on your boat, then try the canidates out. DON'T but until you try! Then have a survey done. If the owner objects to the survey, walk. Good luck, this is your dream. Ray & Reba
and if you are looking for an easy day sailor they fill the bill and are very easy to tow and launch. We specifically wanted a boat that we could easly spend 1 to 2 weeks on that still had a lot of performance. We will be using it on inland fresh water lakes and dam back water pools. These lakes are 20 to 30 miles long and our primary dam lake is good for a 102 miles one way. We bought a 95 Hunter 26 water ballast as our first boat. Tows great behind a 1/2 ton truck, close to being able to live aboard and hauls butt. Spend the time to look at everything, dream about what you want to do on your boat, then try the canidates out. DON'T but until you try! Then have a survey done. If the owner objects to the survey, walk. Good luck, this is your dream. Ray & Reba
B
Ben Allen, O'Day 26
Boat Size ?
Les, As you have already heard, the smaller the boat, the easier it is to rig, launch, and retrieve. They are also a little more tinder when the wind picks up. I have had a Catalina 25 and now have an O'Day 26, both displace around 4500# without the "extra" gear that is always needed. With the gear, outboard, trailer, and boat, I end up towing close to 6000# down the road. This is not a problem as long as your tow vehicle is up to it, we use a 3/4 ton Chevy van, V8 engine, and all the cooler needed. The boats in this size can easily be rigged, launched, retrived, and sailed single handed if need be, but they are easier if you have a second person. We recently returned from a trip to Pensacola, Fl. and sailing in the Gulf of Mexico for a week, with 5 people staying aboard. Sleeping arrangements were fine, and daytime conditions were roomy, it only got a little tight when converting from daytime to sleeping conditions. Do lots of research, and bum rides on as many different boats as you can before being run out of the marina. Good luck. Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O'Day 26
Les, As you have already heard, the smaller the boat, the easier it is to rig, launch, and retrieve. They are also a little more tinder when the wind picks up. I have had a Catalina 25 and now have an O'Day 26, both displace around 4500# without the "extra" gear that is always needed. With the gear, outboard, trailer, and boat, I end up towing close to 6000# down the road. This is not a problem as long as your tow vehicle is up to it, we use a 3/4 ton Chevy van, V8 engine, and all the cooler needed. The boats in this size can easily be rigged, launched, retrived, and sailed single handed if need be, but they are easier if you have a second person. We recently returned from a trip to Pensacola, Fl. and sailing in the Gulf of Mexico for a week, with 5 people staying aboard. Sleeping arrangements were fine, and daytime conditions were roomy, it only got a little tight when converting from daytime to sleeping conditions. Do lots of research, and bum rides on as many different boats as you can before being run out of the marina. Good luck. Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O'Day 26
L
Les
B
Ben Allen
Great Starter
Les, That would be a great starter boat, as long as you have the boat checked out. This boat is very capable of coastal cruising for a couple for several days, even a week or more. You did not mention the model year, but pay careful attention to rigging shape and all swags, hull condition below the waterline (blisters), any thru-hull, check the centerboard to make user it is not stuck in the up position, chain plates, and the deck for any soft spots. If everything looks fine, you will have one fine boat. E-mail me off line if you have any other questions about the O'Day line. Ben Allen benallen1@mindspring.com Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O'Day 26
Les, That would be a great starter boat, as long as you have the boat checked out. This boat is very capable of coastal cruising for a couple for several days, even a week or more. You did not mention the model year, but pay careful attention to rigging shape and all swags, hull condition below the waterline (blisters), any thru-hull, check the centerboard to make user it is not stuck in the up position, chain plates, and the deck for any soft spots. If everything looks fine, you will have one fine boat. E-mail me off line if you have any other questions about the O'Day line. Ben Allen benallen1@mindspring.com Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O'Day 26
D
Don
O'Day 23 is a great starter boat.
I had one and loved it. It just got too small for my needs. Center board will make trailering easier that a fin keel, but you do give up a little in upwind performance. Still, 27 inch draft is good for gunkholing. Width is less than 8ft which is good for trailering. With a bridle system, the mast is pretty easy for 2 people to raise. You would need a hefty vehicle to tow with since the basic boat weighs around 3500 lbs.
I had one and loved it. It just got too small for my needs. Center board will make trailering easier that a fin keel, but you do give up a little in upwind performance. Still, 27 inch draft is good for gunkholing. Width is less than 8ft which is good for trailering. With a bridle system, the mast is pretty easy for 2 people to raise. You would need a hefty vehicle to tow with since the basic boat weighs around 3500 lbs.
M
Mike
I like the 23
I agree; the 23 is a great boat to start on. She is lively and forgiving, and if you are on a lake, the centerboard is a nice feature for gunkholing, etc. One caveat: like all centerboard boats, the 23 is tender, so if anyone in your family gets nervous when a boat heels, you might want to consider a fin or full keel boat. Fins will perform better, especially in light air, so if speed is important, you would want to look at the fin keel models of the Catalina 22 and 25. If stability is more key, then I would recommend looking at something like the Cape Dory Typhoon weekender, or maybe a Columbia.
I agree; the 23 is a great boat to start on. She is lively and forgiving, and if you are on a lake, the centerboard is a nice feature for gunkholing, etc. One caveat: like all centerboard boats, the 23 is tender, so if anyone in your family gets nervous when a boat heels, you might want to consider a fin or full keel boat. Fins will perform better, especially in light air, so if speed is important, you would want to look at the fin keel models of the Catalina 22 and 25. If stability is more key, then I would recommend looking at something like the Cape Dory Typhoon weekender, or maybe a Columbia.
L
Larry Watkins
First boat
Les; Do you know how to sail already? If not, you're making a mistake going with a boat that big. You can learn on it, but it won't give you the feel for the wind and water that learning to sail in a dink will. TMHO Larry W.
Les; Do you know how to sail already? If not, you're making a mistake going with a boat that big. You can learn on it, but it won't give you the feel for the wind and water that learning to sail in a dink will. TMHO Larry W.
L
Les
Larry:
I do know how to sail, at least a little. I spent a lot of weekend on my in-law's boat last summer. My wife and I fell in love with sailing!
I do know how to sail, at least a little. I spent a lot of weekend on my in-law's boat last summer. My wife and I fell in love with sailing!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.