Good Beginner Boat?

[David Bettenhausen]

I am looking for a good first sailboat. This boat should be stable and easy to singlehand but not a dog. I will be sailing in the Patomic and out of Annapolis. Please rank the Javlin in the following areas:1) Easy to rig singlehanded.2) Controls from cockpit.3) Handling under power.

 

[Justin - O'day Owner's Web]

Lots have learned on them....

David,I have not rigged a Javelin, nor used one under power, but I have sailed one. It was fast, responsive, and sufficiently stable to keep me out of the water most of the time. I could comfortably sail it alone now, but I think at that time I still needed help. This was more likely a function of my age at the time (pretty young) and not of the boat itself.I would expect the boat to be fairly easy to rig single handed. All of the O'day daysailers are easy to rig; that was part of the design edict.Justin - O'day Owner's Web

 

[David Bettenhausen]

Thanks, I have line on an oldie.

I have a line on golden oldie '73. Any words of advise on inspecting this boat? Asking price $1400 with trailer and 4hp O/B of similar vintage.

 

[Mark]

Great boat to learn on

About 5 years ago my daughter (13 years old then) asked me to teach her how to sail. Having learned to sail on a Widgon myself, I knew the Javlin would be the perfect boat for the two of us. You will find the Javlin to have a heavier made hull that its contemporary counterparts. This results in a boat that feels safer and rides rough water better. The Javlin sails very dry even in 3 foot seas. I have found the Javlin to exhibit a good amount of weather helm which means in 15 to 20 mph winds, which means that the boat will eventially round up into the wind before it rolls over. I can singlehandedly set up the rigging in less than 15 minutes. The only drawback to the boat is the type of jib sheet cleats used. The cleats are angled forward which makes it hard to set the jib sheet but easy to release it. One very nice feature the Javlin has that few, if any, sail boats its size has is a large storage compartment at the bow and a "in seat" locker. Between these two storage compartments tripping over gear is eliminated.