First Purchase Question

[PaytonG]

Good afternoon!

My wife and I have recently caught the sailing bug, and have enjoyed it enough to want to look into purchasing our first boat. We have google searched for weeks but figured it is best to ask people who have experience with the different brands. Also because of our location, Oklahoma City, there are some things we have to consider:

First, we would like a boat that is large enough for a handful of adults to be able to sit in the cockpit and not have to be packed in like sardines. We have been learning on an O'day 23, and it is just too tight of a fit so that is my current frame of reference. Not to mention it would be nice to not have to army crawl to get under the boom. Long winded way to say it would be nice to have a larger, more comfortable cockpit. Our slip neighbors have a Hunter 31 and from the looks of it they have enough room in the cockpit and a Bimini that would help get out of the sun during our nasty summers. We will be solely lake sailing so we do not need a huge cabin, but would like something that has a toilet and enough room to get out of the heat for a little while.

Also, I would like to start participating in our local boat clubs' races, so it would be nice if the boat could be somewhat competitive. I don't care about winning or having the quickest boat in the area, just something that can hold it's own. However, at the end of the day comfort for the family is more important than speed. The largest slip available is 31'x12', and price wise I have found some 1990-2000 boats that are sub $20k that seem reasonably well cared for.

Is there a boat out there like this or are we asking for too much? Thanks so much for the help, excited to get involved in the community.

 

[LeoLambert310]

You mite want to look at a Catalina 30 or 28 or Hunters in the same size range.

 

[JohnVTX]

Boy did you open a can of worms and here come the opinions. Welcome to the wonderful world of sailing. I am biased toward the Catalina brand, but there are allot of good ones. I have had a 22, 25 and now 30 foot. You would be good to start in the 25 range. 27 in same category. The 30 is a whole new ball game on size going almost 3 feet wider. All boats will sail to a PHRF rating that will adjust for time based on this rating. Get good sails and a survey before buying.

 

[markwbird]

The Catalina 30 comes to mind. They made millions of them (6000) so there are plenty out there to buy and race. I would consider earlier than 1990 in that price range. There are lots of pre -1990 boats that are well cared for out there. The 30ft plus Hunters are out there and are faster than the Catalinas. You are asking for a lot of things in one boat for cheap. The J-80 is fast, big cockpit but no head. the J-24 is also fast and roomy up top but no room below and no head but you can get one for cheap. For lake sailing and racing it's hard to beat the J-24.

 

[Ken Cross]

Because of your location are you considering a trailerable? There are some out there, but they are a bit narrow because they need to fit the road rules (8 foot 6 or less in most states.) It would however allow you way more choices of where to sail. If I were going trailerable it would be water ballast for sure. No reason to carry your ballast on the trailer. Check out trailersailor.com. Same login as here.

Ken

 

[Tally Ho]

2255890 25

• Tally Ho
• Mar 14, 2011

2255890 1

• Tally Ho
• Mar 14, 2011

I really enjoyed my Hunter280. Great cockpit, easy to sail, enough of a cabin to be comfortable for a meal or overnight. Built in late 1990's, so typically in pretty decent shape.

Mine was a fin keel that drew 5'. Not sure if you have any depth issues to consider.

I am sure you will get lots of suggestions.

 

[agprice22]

Let's see... Big cockpit, small cabin, fast racer... You want a Colgate 26! Just clamp a bimini on it, and you are ready! Trailerable too!
Ok, don't put a bimini on it...

Honestly, an O'day 272 is a great boat too. Fun sailing, good room, trailerable, well designed, moderately zippy.

 

[ggrizzard]

There have been hundreds of new sailors who ask the same question on the web.
After you get the general idea of boat makes and models, you should then look to where the best place to look at them is. Florida has always been good for used boats 'cause that's where disillusioned boater's dreams go to die.
Others will probably add other areas as well.
Just remember, you both must look, smell, touch, walk decks, bilges, rigging, cockpit seats, helms, V berths, galleys, salons and heads and whatever else your wife considers important. And you both must agree that, on balance, it is the correct choice for your purpose.

 

[PaytonG]

We are headed down to visit my parents in Destin FL for a couple weeks on Thursday. Hopefully planning on looking at a bunch while we were down there. Just curious about recommendations so we can find ones to make sure to go see. Thanks for the advice everyone, keep it coming!

 

[ggrizzard]

I can't suggest a brand or size. I love my 79 Hunter 30 C. You might too.
I might love Leo's Catalina too, but until I do the above inspection I won't know.
You MUST do your own looking and looking and then ask a lot of questions about a particular boat model. Or you can make a bad mistake on emotion and someone else's idea of perfection. You go and you look at the boats that are there by walking the docks and hopefully some or one are available to inspect. It's a process you learn as you do it.
Start going and looking and good luck in your search.

 

[RoyS]

In general, most 27' boats have a toilet with a holding tank. Thirty foot boats usually have a shower also. If you think you might go cruising for several days at a time then you might like the shower. As several have suggested the Catalina 30 is a nice boat. Also consider that most fiberglass osmotic blistering problems were corrected around 1979. You are in for a great adventure.

 

[frankies56]

sailing is nice but have you concidered were are you going to keep the boat? if 23 is to small trailering is out the boat 30 footers needs to be kept in the water just think about standing the rigging evertime you want to go out, dockage fees. insurance, marinas dont let you keep a boat with out it. and then the draft is your lake deep enough, may want a swing keel. also it a big step from 23 to30 ft are you ready to handle a boat that big it will need and inboard. thats extra maintanance. all the other madates will fall into place as far as head and cockpit room bimini and of course head room for the boom. try to sail a 30 footer with wife and see first if thats what you like.especially the first mate. good luck and welcome to sailing world. hardly ever a dull moment. LOL

 

[cb32863]

Beneteau First 265 or 285. Will definately hold its own and also be comfy for the fam.

 

[druid]

I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than 35 ft for a first boat (tongue firmly in cheek... )

Can you get to a boat show? There, you can pack your Group into the cockpit and see if they fit. Agprice might actually be on to something: if you're looking for a big cockpit (at the expense of a smaller cabin) a racing boat may be the way to go. As for brand: I've been on all kinds and honestly there doesn't seem to be much difference, especially between say, Hunter and Catalina. And speaking of Catalina: having been on both a 27 and a 30, I don't remember much difference in the cockpit. The 30 has WAY more cabin, but that's not what you're looking for... The 28 is nice, too.

druid

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I've seen my dock neighbor's Hunter 31. She does have a spacious cockpit and a bimini you can walk under (obviously the boom is high enough. Plus, the walkout stern will be a blessing on hot summer days when everybody wants to hang-out in the water. I don't think you can go wrong there. Unless your priority changes, don't worry all that much about racing performance. PHRF handicapping is supposed to equalize the field, so you can hold your own if you want. Always remember that condition, condition, condition (and bonus equipment) is the prime objective ... shop for the best condition and upgrades. It will tend to be most economical for you. You can obtain superior condition and equipment upgrades wholesale when it comes with the boat. If you sacrifice condition and upgrades for a cheaper sales price, you will pay retail to make the boat equal to the one you shoulda bought for a slightly higher price. Also be aware that cabin comfort generally comes with a compromise in cockpit space. Some brands sell the cabin, some sell the sailing features. Learn to distinguish the compromises.

 

[sdstef]

There is a good used Oday 272 on a real nice trailer in Omaha, Ne. It has an inboard diesel, only used in fresh water, and you can get it for under or about 10k. I would have bought it, but I could not get a slip for it at my lake. Select Sail and Sport, Omaha NE. it is on their web site.

 

[Caribbeanknight1]

It's hard to beat a Hunter 240 or 260 for a first boat on an inland lake. Plenty of cockpit room plus rail chairs. Decent space in the cabin. Easy to sail plus a retractable centerboard for pulling up to the beaches. Trailerable and easy to raise and lower the mast. Head on the 260, portipotty on the 240.

 

[JamesG161]

We are headed down to visit my parents in Destin FL for a couple weeks on Thursday. Hopefully planning on looking at a bunch while we were down there. Just curious about recommendations so we can find ones to make sure to go see. Thanks for the advice everyone, keep it coming!

Get yourself a good sailboat Buyer Broker. They know how to narrow the field quickly, check for quality and care, and give you comparable prices/available.
Remember shipping costs.
Jim...

PS: My experience shows that most boats are on the market for at least 8 months before price is getting right.

 

[lee oakley]

Hello I was bitten myself and took a chance on ebay auction believe it or not there are a lot of fine sailboats on it! I bought a30' hunter cheribinni at a very nice price