Gloucester 16 versus Hunter 15

[oldskool]

Hello,

I am looking for a sailboat for my teenagers to start sailing on their own. I am not a sailor. They have used the Hunter 15 in sailing camp the last couple of years and really like it. I see a Gloucester 16 near me for sale, similar to the Hunter 15? Other models we should be looking at? Need easy to sail, easy to right when capsized, something that a teenager could handle on their own.

Thank you for any and all thoughts.

 

[Roland5048]

Since they have already learned on the 15, it might be time for them to step up a bit. Something in the 19 or so foot range may be more appropriate, especially as they become older and their circle of friends widens. I'm assuming they are young teens. They'll get a much bigger cockpit for friends, usually more stability, and they won't grow out of it so quickly. Depends on where they are sailing, also. Maybe check a few of the clubs around to get a clearer picture of your needs. Great to hear of youngsters getting into the sport. Maybe they'll even teach you to sail. Then you'll be looking for a much bigger boat.

 

[Benny17441]

Teen agers range from 13 to 19 years old and I would say there can be a cut off around 16 in the sense of maturity that could be anticipated. The Gloucester 16' is a lot more boat than the Hunter 15. It is designed a mini-cruiser with a cabin, a pulpit, roller furling and a ballasted swing keel. It displaces 900 lbs including a ballasted keel of 350 lbs. That is a heavy keel which if operated improperly could seriously damage the hull. Smaller cruiser are not as forgiving as their larger counterparts and thus require more experience and good judgement to operate safely. On the other hand the Hunter 15' is an open cockpit day sailor for protected waters displacing 350 lbs with little if no ballast relying mostly on sailor weigh shifts for stability. It would make a better learning platform. This is not to say that there are teenagers out there that have the training and experience to handle a mini cruiser but I would not consider it a boat for someone that is just learning.

 

[Tom G P-21]

I agree with Benny the Gloucester 16 is a mini coastal cruiser and wouldn't be the right boat. A good boat for teenagers would have a more open cockpit for example a classic ODay daysailer. Taking a quick look at MA craigslist I see a Catalina Capri 16.5 for sale, that might be worth a look for you. I am not sure where you are located in Ma but there seems to be quite a few 16-17 foot boats for sale.

 

[jackhartjr]

Am I missing something here? oldskool said they are used to the Hunter 15 already! Why not move up?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The Gloucster 16 is really an old boat that will need to be looked at before even thinking of purchasing that boat along with others of its age. I use to know the builder located in Gloucester County years ago and that is quite a bit back. The Hunter 15 is the fiberglass boat, not the ACP version which is a plus.
Not sure what age your children are but that should also be a factor here. If you are looking to trailer the boat, look at the set up time for example on a hot summer day and then you will look at things a little different. If an old boat, look at that very close and if not knowledgable get a friend who is. The Catalina 16.5 is a good boat but look at the cockpit size of each boat to determine if there is enough room. who knows you might want to go with the kids.

 

[Brian S]

There are a million open daysailer sloop rigged centerboard boats out there in the 15-17' range that would be great for kids. I'm very partial to my old Harpoon 4.6. In fact, it was the "trainer" version Harpoon, just for teaching kids. Look at these 2 boys ripping it from a Boston Whaler promo picture:

It was a centerboard, so no ballast. But it had a foam piece in the top of the main, so it wouldn't easily turtle in the event of a capsize. And it was self bailing, so the water shipped during a capsize just runs out the bottom through the Andersen bailers. And if it was windy enough, it would plane on a reach. I wish I hadn't sold her, but it was the right thing to do. Unfortunately for you, there aren't too many 4.6's out there, they only made about 800. There are more of the longer Harpoon 5.2's out there. That is also a great boat. As for capsize righting the 5.2, my slip-mate capsized his Harpoon 5.2 the other weekend, which is actually somewhat uncommon, as the 5.2 is a very beamy boat. Anyway, he said he couldn't reach up to the centerboard before it turtled, again an issue with the beam. Had a fisherman come by, put a line around her, and pulled her upright.