I am new to sailing, and need some suggestions. I'm looking for the general 8'-15' dinghy. Anyone have any suggestions for a beginner's sailboat? Thanks.
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Chrysler Bucanneer
Lots available used, fun, quick, easy to sail. Many available at good prices. Still in production though in small numbers. Its a little longer than 15', but still easy to handle and can easily hold a few more on the cockpit.
Lots available used, fun, quick, easy to sail. Many available at good prices. Still in production though in small numbers. Its a little longer than 15', but still easy to handle and can easily hold a few more on the cockpit.
Welcome to the sport.
Unless you have a special love or reason to sail dingys I think you probably will outgrow it very quickly. Learning to basically sail either a dingy or 22' boat will happen fairly rapidly and without increased hardship in a larger boat. A somewhat(19 to 25')larger boat will also allow overnight outings and provide increased comfort and greater cockpit room. Catalina 22's, San Jaun 21 or 23's and Hunters all are great starting boats and also offer long term excitement. Welcome aboard, Ray
Unless you have a special love or reason to sail dingys I think you probably will outgrow it very quickly. Learning to basically sail either a dingy or 22' boat will happen fairly rapidly and without increased hardship in a larger boat. A somewhat(19 to 25')larger boat will also allow overnight outings and provide increased comfort and greater cockpit room. Catalina 22's, San Jaun 21 or 23's and Hunters all are great starting boats and also offer long term excitement. Welcome aboard, Ray
1st sailboat
My first boat was a Laser. They are great boats to learn and sail on. After moving up to several larger boats I still have mine and sail it after 25 years. There is nothing like the thrill out of taking it out on a windy day and hiking out.
My first boat was a Laser. They are great boats to learn and sail on. After moving up to several larger boats I still have mine and sail it after 25 years. There is nothing like the thrill out of taking it out on a windy day and hiking out.
Learning to Sail
A Sunfish is a great boat beginning sailors, and it is perfect for kids. An older boat can normally be purchased between $300.00-$800.00. I have three boats, and every now and then take my Sunfish our for a sail. Most small boats are not stable, and the open cockpit type are much harder to right after flipping. A closed deck boat, Sunfish, is easy to right. It takes a minimum of 120 pounds to right a Sunfish. A Sunfish is easy to resell. David
A Sunfish is a great boat beginning sailors, and it is perfect for kids. An older boat can normally be purchased between $300.00-$800.00. I have three boats, and every now and then take my Sunfish our for a sail. Most small boats are not stable, and the open cockpit type are much harder to right after flipping. A closed deck boat, Sunfish, is easy to right. It takes a minimum of 120 pounds to right a Sunfish. A Sunfish is easy to resell. David
Think about what you want to do.
I've owned a laser and a sunfish and they are both great. I have also owned a Chrysler Buccaneer. The Buccaneer is a little more to handle and would be hard to single hand on a windy day..no ballast. These three boats are planning boats and will go faster than hull speed.(10-15knots) You are the ballast and on a windy day you get a lot of exercise. It is also hard to take much with you. Maybe a small ice chest. But especially the laser has no way to carry anything. This is well and fine usually as it is a high intensity sport that you get tired about the same time as you get hungry or thirsty. Even the larger Buccaneer doesn't have much room and anything brought aboard might get wet. We turned turtle several times when there was a sudden wind shift. We sailed on a mountain lake where the wind coming out of a cove could be 180 degrees different than the wind on the open lake. If everyone is on one side it is a mad scramble to get on the other side when these shifts occur and there is a good breeze. The other option is something that is ballasted much heavier and that allows you to carry some stuff. You will be limited to 5-7 knots. I have enjoyed both types of boats but they do provide different experiences.
I've owned a laser and a sunfish and they are both great. I have also owned a Chrysler Buccaneer. The Buccaneer is a little more to handle and would be hard to single hand on a windy day..no ballast. These three boats are planning boats and will go faster than hull speed.(10-15knots) You are the ballast and on a windy day you get a lot of exercise. It is also hard to take much with you. Maybe a small ice chest. But especially the laser has no way to carry anything. This is well and fine usually as it is a high intensity sport that you get tired about the same time as you get hungry or thirsty. Even the larger Buccaneer doesn't have much room and anything brought aboard might get wet. We turned turtle several times when there was a sudden wind shift. We sailed on a mountain lake where the wind coming out of a cove could be 180 degrees different than the wind on the open lake. If everyone is on one side it is a mad scramble to get on the other side when these shifts occur and there is a good breeze. The other option is something that is ballasted much heavier and that allows you to carry some stuff. You will be limited to 5-7 knots. I have enjoyed both types of boats but they do provide different experiences.
Sunfish or Laser
For a first time boat, I would reccommend a Sunfish or a Laser. I have sailed both and they are a lot of fun. The sunfish is a little easier to handle and a little more forgiving (also much cheaper). A lot can be said for having only one sail to worry about. I learnt to sail on a sunfish. I was around 12 at the time and I was able to handle it. They do well in a chop too (that is even more fun). Welcome to the sport and enjoy.
For a first time boat, I would reccommend a Sunfish or a Laser. I have sailed both and they are a lot of fun. The sunfish is a little easier to handle and a little more forgiving (also much cheaper). A lot can be said for having only one sail to worry about. I learnt to sail on a sunfish. I was around 12 at the time and I was able to handle it. They do well in a chop too (that is even more fun). Welcome to the sport and enjoy.
Hunter 140
Your post didn't mention kids, but if you have some you might think about a Hunter 140. I bought one to get mine into sailing (I'd learned on a Sunfish as a kid -- also a great choice). The 140 is (sort of) a "dry boat" meaning you sit in it, not on it, which makes beginners a little more comfortable. Also, you learn to handle both a mainsail and a jib, which is useful if you move up later. BTW, my plan worked and now my 12-year old is competent at the helm of our 30-footer.
Your post didn't mention kids, but if you have some you might think about a Hunter 140. I bought one to get mine into sailing (I'd learned on a Sunfish as a kid -- also a great choice). The 140 is (sort of) a "dry boat" meaning you sit in it, not on it, which makes beginners a little more comfortable. Also, you learn to handle both a mainsail and a jib, which is useful if you move up later. BTW, my plan worked and now my 12-year old is competent at the helm of our 30-footer.
Sailing Solo
I will check out those boats...the suggestions are greatly appreciated. I've definately got the sailing bug. I work out on Bald Head Island, NC and take the ferry out there every day. My love for the seas and sailing is growing. I want to be able to set sail in a boat with a friend or two to have some company, yet be able to set off on a whim by myself if i get the urge. I've been reading DK's Complete sailing manual, by Steve Sleight, and the only solo sailing he mentions (or recommends?) are in single-sail sailboats such as the sunfish. Can you get a 3 or 4 man boat (one that caught my eye was the SUNCHASER II, by Snark), with a main and jib, to sail with a few people, yet go solo if you choose? Thanks again for the suggestions.
I will check out those boats...the suggestions are greatly appreciated. I've definately got the sailing bug. I work out on Bald Head Island, NC and take the ferry out there every day. My love for the seas and sailing is growing. I want to be able to set sail in a boat with a friend or two to have some company, yet be able to set off on a whim by myself if i get the urge. I've been reading DK's Complete sailing manual, by Steve Sleight, and the only solo sailing he mentions (or recommends?) are in single-sail sailboats such as the sunfish. Can you get a 3 or 4 man boat (one that caught my eye was the SUNCHASER II, by Snark), with a main and jib, to sail with a few people, yet go solo if you choose? Thanks again for the suggestions.
I'm new to sailing too.
I purchased a Precision P13 at an auction this summer so I could learn to sail. It's been a blast. A P13 looks like a Laser. It's great for sailing a few hours in. Now I'd like something a little bigger.
I purchased a Precision P13 at an auction this summer so I could learn to sail. It's been a blast. A P13 looks like a Laser. It's great for sailing a few hours in. Now I'd like something a little bigger.
Try a Potter
My first real sail boat was a West Wight Potter P-19 It was about as easy to sail as a sunfish but I didn't grow out of it right away. Used ones can be reasonably priced.
My first real sail boat was a West Wight Potter P-19 It was about as easy to sail as a sunfish but I didn't grow out of it right away. Used ones can be reasonably priced.
I agree with Warren
I would go with a 17 or 18 foot day sailer as a first boat. They are trailerable, stable and you can single hand or take 2 or 3 other people along.
I would go with a 17 or 18 foot day sailer as a first boat. They are trailerable, stable and you can single hand or take 2 or 3 other people along.
One question first
Are you fat! If not I recommend a sunfish. If your fat a 8'-15' dinghy is not going to cut it.
Are you fat! If not I recommend a sunfish. If your fat a 8'-15' dinghy is not going to cut it.
go rent some def. kinds,or bum a ride
The rite boat will fined you give it some time and you'll know!
The rite boat will fined you give it some time and you'll know!
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