Great Lakes Starter Boat

Bob J. · Jun 17, 2012

Pearson 30, not too big, not too small.
I am bais, I like older older boats..

DougM · Jun 17, 2012

Just an opinion with no data to back me up...
Because of the wave frequency on lake similar to Lake Michigan, I would opt for a thirty foot or longer boat if affordable. The tendency for the shorter hulls to rock and roll in the chop seems to be greater. This might be less problematical on the Wisconsin side of the Lake than on the Michigan side. It will be interesting to see what others think.

Scott T-Bird · Jun 17, 2012

Assuming you are talking about older boats with fixed keel, you haven't described anything about the boats that you find attractive. Doug is right about the length. 30' is better. There probably isn't much difference between the Catalina and the Hunter.

What did you find attractive about each boat? I am familiar with a Hunter 26 (1989) on our lake and it is a nice boat. I tend to prefer the masthead rig of a Catalina vs the fractional rig of the Hunter. The spars and rigging of the Hunter that I see is lighter (less robust) than on my 27' boat. It also has a much smaller keel with less weight. Personally, I would prefer a more robust build, especially if you are just starting.

Some people have a tendancy to underestimate the Great Lakes. I don't - especially Lake Michigan. Storms are sudden and shelter can easily be out of reach. Harbors can be few and far between and there are no sheltering coves. I saw a storm pop-up at Windy Point in Racine. We were on the beach and took 2 of us to hold my Hobie Cat from tumbling along the beach. The rest of the fleet in the regatta were doing the same thing. Everybody was just getting organized to sail out for the first race when the wind line appeared coming around Windy Point. Even the power boats out on the lake didn't have enough time to make it back to harbor before mayhem broke loose.

Far more important than the brand, is the condition, the features that you prefer, and did I say the condition?

higgs · Jun 17, 2012

It depends on which Hunter 26 your are looking at. There was one generation of Hunters that really didn't sail all that well.

The Catalina was a very populare boat because it sails pretty well and yet has a room interior. I have cruised on one in L Mich and found it to be a nice, comfortable boat.

If you are looking at someday racing, the Pearson 30 has a nice rating that makes it tough to beat - al least here on L Ontario.

bria46 · Jun 17, 2012

Once you settle on the best boat for your needs, have it professionally surveyed. Lake Michigan should be OK for any boat you choose. Southwest Winds, mostly less than 1-2 foot waves, NO SALT, NO SHARKS NO PROBLEMS!!

higgs · Jun 17, 2012

I gotta disagree with last post about L Mich seas. Plenty of days with seas over 2 foot. Steep 5 foot or larger is not uncommen. You do want a boat built strong enough for these conditions. Not sure about the Hunter, but the other two have proven track records.

higgs · Jun 17, 2012

Here is some info on a Catalina 27 that circumnavigated.

higgs · Jun 17, 2012

...and here is a review of the Pearson 30.

DougM · Jun 17, 2012

The person who only finds one to two foot waves on Lake Michigan either has a better location on the lake, or has had phenomenal luck in selecting sailing days. I would be inclined to consider three to four footers as fairly routine, and five to six not uncommon on a good day, as the wind increases.

higgs · Jun 17, 2012

From my experience, the Catalina would get the nod. More room below and yet a decent sailing boat. Are you looking at an inboard or an outboard?

Scup · Jun 17, 2012

Milwaukee?

It can blow 25 kts out of the west/NW/SW (prevailing summer breeze is SW), and there will be only easily manageable rollers a half-mile offshore. Any coastal >27 footer will be fine for that, Cat 27, Hunter, etc. Dead out of the north/NE at 25 kts. is another issue altogether...

I only wish I sailed out of Milwaukee or Racine...

higgs · Jun 18, 2012

An outboard can be a problem on L Mich.

Scott T-Bird · Jun 18, 2012

If you are 6' or taller. You won't have enough head room in a Catalina 27, except when you are standing in the companion way with the hatch open. Our boat advertises 6' headroom just as the Cat 27 does. I am just 6'-0" and there is only one place I can stand (in the companionway) with barefeet, and my head just touches the carpeted underside of the hatch. Otherwise, my wife can walk around freely below.

If you are really talking about 4 to 6 tall people on board, you will be cramped in a 27 foot boat. I understand that budget is always an issue, but there is a big difference in room and headroom in 30' boat. I would be able to walk around freely below in a 30' Catalina or Pearson where I can't in any 27' sailboat, unless it is designed with obscene looking freeboard.

Since you say you are getting into this later in life, I suggest that you make yourself comfortable (and save your back) by getting a larger boat. There won't be any appreciable difference in handling a larger boat. But pay attention to the set-up of running rigging for ease of handling. I think that having all control lines and halyards run back to the cockpit is a key feature for ease and safety in handling.

I think that if you were to buy a 27' boat and found that you really enjoy sailing (there's no reason you won't!), you would soon be looking for a larger boat, especially on the large, open waters of Lake Michigan. It makes no sense to me to make the first step an intermediate step.

sailcruiser · Jun 18, 2012

Personally as a starter boat on the Great Lakes I would go for heavy with an inboard. My first keelboat was a Bristol 24 and a great starter boat except for the hobby horsing in chop. Hard to keep the prop in the water in those conditions.

I would look at Pearson, Bristol, Columbia, Tartan, or similar. I would look for a good motion comfort number and capsize ratio. These numbers are theoretical but good points to start with but shouldn't be a driving factor in your choice.
http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html

Talk to sailors in the area and ask their advice. As a first boat I go for stable and safe for those newbie mistakes and comfortable so the spouse doesn't freak and walk away. I tried to broach to experience it before it was a shock but my B24 wouldn't she'd just round up.

Btw respect the Great Lakes. They build some tough sailors. I've talked to many that say if you can sail there you'll be ok just about anywhere. The steep chop is brutal.
SC

higgs · Jun 18, 2012

I sailed an Irwin 32 for 15 years on L Mich and it was a good boat for the lake with over 6 ft of headroom. Here is one with a diesel for sale:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...units=Feet&access=Public&listing_id=1831&url=

RobertLangdirect · Jun 18, 2012

Rock!

In a cable TV series called "The Beast," Charles Barker (played by Patrick Swayze), a rouge FBI agent, has a scene shot in, what was a Chicago Area boat yard with many older, on the hard, bigger, fiberglass boats. From where I sat near Washington, DC, my heart was dashed to see so many hulls left to their own, as this yard looked like it was defuncted and abandoned.

Add to your Pearson list the 1978 IOR styled P-31 (and for now, I do not say P-31 II). The P-30 has a shallower but full length keel while the P-31 has a fin keel drawing 5'6" of water. The P-31 is slightly taller inside but as built, has a larger v-bearth.

Boat for boat, as she is a fractionally rigged boat with tighter inside shouds, in a good blow the P-31 will point higher while in light wind, the P-30 with a good crew and skipper can spank a P-31.

Current? The P-30 has that full length keel. The fin keel on the P-31, some say you can fly it in the current (and I tend to believe that).

There were more than a few P-31 on the great lakes. It is a pretty cool boat.

Robert

demiseends up in ands up in an

dlandersson · Jun 18, 2012

Macgregor series 22, 25, 26

Rock_Elgin said:
I'm looking for advice on a good starting cruiser for the Great Lakes (Milwaukee). I found a Catalina 27 I like but there's a Hunter 26 that looks interesting, as well. A Pearson 30 is in the mix, too.

Thoughts?

Rock Elgin

Great Lakes Starter Boat

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