First Time Looking

BobM · Jul 17, 2009

I suggest you start by contacting one of the local sailing clubs for lessons. Many non-profits teach adults to sail, even on good sized keel boats, for reasonable rates and use the money to teach kids to sail. If you have done that, there are plenty of good boats out there, but a little more information would be helpful. I suggest you search the site for similar posts, as you might find many of your questions answered. To be frank it is even a challenge to point you towards the right books without having some idea of whether you are leaning towards a wooden 10 footer, fiberglass 30 footer or steel 50 footer. Fixer upper or new? What type of sailing? Day, weekend, coastal cruising, etc...

Paul Mermelstein · Jul 17, 2009

Several things to help you:

1. There is a little book "Sailboat Buyers Guide: Conducting Your Own Survey" by Karel Doruyter that I found informative. Look for it online.

2. I also echo the comment about contacting a local sailing club. In addition, I strongly recommend contacting a local US Power Squadron (includes sail as well as power) for more education about safe boating, techniques, etc.

3. Also, find some people who have boats and see if you can go out with them cruising. Go on different kinds of boats, in a wider size and price range, so you know what to rule out and what remains in play. Also, visit marinas and meet people. Talk with them.

4. Determine where you will keep the boat: marina, yacht club, a trailer at your house, etc.

5. Visit Yachtworld.com and browse. Just to learn what is for sale, prices, availability, etc.

Have fun. Don't rush into it. Learn this summer and buy in the Fall when prices are lower.

Paul Mermelstein
Beneteau 393
Maryland

TimCup · Jul 17, 2009

Joe, a used Oday daysailer isn't gonna cost much...

So fortunately, it limits the mistake you can make! I would ask a friend that knows boats to help, but if no one is available, here's a couple of tips-

Brands- for your use, it doesnt matter much. Hunter, Catalina, Oday are probably most popular, but almost any will due... more important is the...

Equipment- the hulls are cheap, the extras are not! Make sure the sails are not torn (or taped, a temporary fix for a torn sail). Feel them- if they're soft and comfy, they're shot- you want stiff, stiff stiff. Engine- make sure it starts easily and idles well- idling is paramount for getting to docks, slips and moorings. Extras- depth sounder/fish finder, vhf radio are nice to have, and don't add to the price of the boat. Get 2 anchors..if at all possible, a furling headsail- it's the easiest and safest way for a new sailor to let out or pull in a sail!!!

MOST IMPORTANT- condition. This is where you will get burned. A project boat will cost more than one ready-to sail 99 times out of 100. Check the standing rigging(holds up the mast)- one broken strand or sharp point means it should all be replaced, very expensive. Check the deck, particularly around where the rigging meets the deck (chainplates). If it is at all soft, it probably water rotted. Fixable, but expensive if you're paying, VERY time consuming if it's DIY. Find another boat. Sniff around... a moldy smell means leaks- check for stains under portals and around any hardware bolted through the deck. If you can live with it, you can negotiate better. And try to get all the coast guard approved necessities with the boat- it'll save you from discovering how expensive marine stuff too early in your ownership!!

When you find the boat you think you want, agree to terms subject to sea trial. This is absolutely normal, unless you're payng under a couple of thousand. The reason is twofold- one, you'll actually verify things work as they should. Second, no one knows more about the boat you're buying than the guy selling it. The hour you spend with him on the boat will teach you more than you can imagine!

Good luck, and welcome!!

cup

rockp2 · Jul 17, 2009

Book Suggestion

I found "The Complete Trailer Sailer" by Brian Gilbert to be pretty comprehensive. He takes it all the way from explaining very basic boat info, to selecting the right boat for you, to sailing skills. It's very new (2009). The ISBN number is 978-0-07-147258-6. Here's a link to it on Barnes & Noble:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Complete-Trailer-Sailor/Brian-Gilbert/e/9780071472586/?itm=2

Dave D · Jul 17, 2009

I agree with the above reference sources.

Additionally, find your probable launching/docking site and become a regular. Make friends and ask questions. MOST sailors are more than willing to share the ups and downs of the sport and their vessels. More than likely you can get some experience in the deal and see first hand what attributes you like and dislike en route to making the 2nd happiest day of you life a reality. You might even decide that you would rather launch or dock elsewhere. Keep in mind that unless you have a bottomless pocket you will never get everything you think you want. Find what is negotiable and what is not in a vessel that will work for you AND THE ADMIRAL. Also don't rule out overnights, it's one of the biggest paybacks on the investment IMHO. Waking to a gentle roll as nature comes alive around you... priceless

Dave

NCNoviceCouple · Jul 17, 2009

Some good reference books have been recommended. My wife and I bought our first sailboat in March. It's a Catalina 22 and we walked all of the marinas within two hours of our house each weekend for months. We also searched the classified listings at local marinas, craigslist and yachtworld.com. Barnes and Nobles has several good reference books. We like "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" - Don Casey ($15.95), "Sailing Fundamentals" - the American Sailing Associations primary text for keel boats ($22.95) and "Your First Sailboat" - Daniel Spurr (16.95). This last book has about 80 pages at the end with specs and reviews on different types of boats. You might be able to get what you need from this one while you are in the book store.

TimCup's "most important" paragraph is right on the money. Read it several times. There are a lot of boats out there so don't hesitate to mark one off your list.

It's easy to chat up sailors. All you have to say is "Nice boat. I'm thinking about getting into sailing. How do you like your boat?" Then find a comfortable spot in the shade because you're going to be there for a while. Keep in mind that there are two rules that are pretty prevelant. 1. We all think our boat is the best model. 2. As a corallary to # 1 - we would all like a boat that is a little bigger.

Good luck. We found the shopping and reading fun, but sailing is awesome.

cephius (Dave) · Jul 19, 2009

Joe,
As BobM mentioned, a sailing club will expose you to different size boats. Another advantage of formal sailing and safety classes is that they will lower your insurance once you do buy a boat.

I recommend BoatUS for insurance on that size boat.

John Nantz · Jul 19, 2009

Sailing Lessons, Lessons, Lessons

First suggestion: If neither of you know how to sail then my recommendations would be for the both of you to sign up for some lessons. You can still look at boats and go around kicking rudders but learn how to sail first. I'm sure you didn't buy your first car then took driving lessons so why should sailing be any different?

Second suggestion: Both of you should take sailing lessons (See above) BUT in DIFFERENT dinghies! You'll find out why later, trust me.

After, or perhaps concurrent with the sailing lessons, take a "Power Squadron" (or equal) course. Our local yacht club includes navigation, etc. in their course but insurance companies tend to give a discount for completion of the Power Squadron course, or equal.

First Time Looking

wanttosail

.

BobM

.

wanttosail

.

Paul Mermelstein

.

TimCup

.

rockp2

.

Dave D

.

NCNoviceCouple

.

wanttosail

.

cephius (Dave)

.

John Nantz

.