What a great site! I'm looking for information to help me make the right choice for a first sailboat. The majority of use will be on New York State lakes (such as Lake George). The two boats that I have spent time on were 21' (MacGregor) and 22' (O'Day). Both seem suitable for my needs in terms of size (say up to 6 people). One recommendation I had was to get a retracting keel, to allow closer shore access. I would consider a 25' as well, but it seems that going from 22' to 25' greatly increases the weight of the boat, which might be an issue for transport. I'm looking for anyone that might care to spew tons of advice here...I'm relatively new to all of this. Also, any tips on finding good instructional programs on sailing? Thanks so much...
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
B
Ben Allen
Boat Choice
Jim, You are correct in the fact that a 25/26 foot will require more thought in towing, but it can be accomplished. I had a Catalina 25 before, and now sail an O'Day 26, both boats weigh in at about 4500#, throw in trailer, outboard and gear, and it starts getting up towards 6500#. This will require at least a 3/4 ton vehicle with a towing package, class III hitch or greater, trailer brakes, etc. I make an annual trip of 200 miles to the Gulf of Mexico and back, and if your equipment is maintained, you shouldn't have a problem. Well, one drawback is that you will only get about 10 miles to the gallon. A 22' boat will have the same gear, rigging, and mast stepping process as a 25, but will be less weight to tow, and require less depth to launch in. Which ever boat you decide to go with, check it out carefully before you first put it in the water, then have a blast. Ben Allen Montgomery, Allen O'Day 26
Jim, You are correct in the fact that a 25/26 foot will require more thought in towing, but it can be accomplished. I had a Catalina 25 before, and now sail an O'Day 26, both boats weigh in at about 4500#, throw in trailer, outboard and gear, and it starts getting up towards 6500#. This will require at least a 3/4 ton vehicle with a towing package, class III hitch or greater, trailer brakes, etc. I make an annual trip of 200 miles to the Gulf of Mexico and back, and if your equipment is maintained, you shouldn't have a problem. Well, one drawback is that you will only get about 10 miles to the gallon. A 22' boat will have the same gear, rigging, and mast stepping process as a 25, but will be less weight to tow, and require less depth to launch in. Which ever boat you decide to go with, check it out carefully before you first put it in the water, then have a blast. Ben Allen Montgomery, Allen O'Day 26
N
Ned Young
Keels
I have owned numerous boats from a 15' Day Sailer, 21' Retractable keel,25' Retractable keel and several larger fixed keels. The need to get closer to shore has never been a issue. The ability for trailering is the important issue. If you want the ability to easly take your boat to other lakes or to the ocean a retractable board is a must. You will give up alot sailing performance with a CB vs a Fixed Keel going to windward. One myth for the CB is that you can keep it at home and not have slip fees; while this is true in actual practice you will find it far more trouble than it is worth. I would get the largest boat I could afford, i.e., a 25' is a good size because you will not be trailering it all that much anyway. Good Luck
I have owned numerous boats from a 15' Day Sailer, 21' Retractable keel,25' Retractable keel and several larger fixed keels. The need to get closer to shore has never been a issue. The ability for trailering is the important issue. If you want the ability to easly take your boat to other lakes or to the ocean a retractable board is a must. You will give up alot sailing performance with a CB vs a Fixed Keel going to windward. One myth for the CB is that you can keep it at home and not have slip fees; while this is true in actual practice you will find it far more trouble than it is worth. I would get the largest boat I could afford, i.e., a 25' is a good size because you will not be trailering it all that much anyway. Good Luck
E
Eric
O'day vs. MacGregor
Jim- I also am new to purchasing a boat, and did a lot of research. Putting aside that this is an O'day web site, I did find that the O'day boats are higher quality, better built, than MacGregors, and some of the older Catalina's. O'day's are no longer made, but very easy to get parts. I bought an O'day 23, and I love it. I sail it on the Hudson river in Westchester County, NY and the area. While at first I thought I wanted a trailer- I really don't think I'll use it the first season or two. I just have the boat yard put it in the water in summer, and out in the fall. It has a retractable keel, and handles surprisingly well. The O'day has little nice touches, such as an anchor well on the bow, and storage galore. It also seems to have more room in the cabin. It just seems to be much more solidly built boat. Good luck!
Jim- I also am new to purchasing a boat, and did a lot of research. Putting aside that this is an O'day web site, I did find that the O'day boats are higher quality, better built, than MacGregors, and some of the older Catalina's. O'day's are no longer made, but very easy to get parts. I bought an O'day 23, and I love it. I sail it on the Hudson river in Westchester County, NY and the area. While at first I thought I wanted a trailer- I really don't think I'll use it the first season or two. I just have the boat yard put it in the water in summer, and out in the fall. It has a retractable keel, and handles surprisingly well. The O'day has little nice touches, such as an anchor well on the bow, and storage galore. It also seems to have more room in the cabin. It just seems to be much more solidly built boat. Good luck!
M
Mike Stern
Boat choices
Jim: I went through the same process you are now undertaking. Because family responsibilities (the births of my children) delayed my actual purchase of a boat, I had about six years to research my options. I too wanted a boat in the 20-25 foot range, mostly because I was comfortable with my ability to handle that size boat, and the realization that I would be almost exclusively day sailing, with some possible overnighting. I did not know if my wife and kids would ever want to do more, and I did not want to tie up more time and money than necessary in the boat. We had timeshared in a Catalina 22 before, so I was very familiar with that boat. I have found them to be well made, and very robust. Catalina makes so many of them that they have been able to iron out production and design problems. If the boat has been well-maintained, you will find that you can't go wrong with a Catalina 22. You will almost always be able to sell it for what you bought it for, a rarity for small boats. However, I wound up buying an O'Day 23. My main reasons were: a head separated from the main cabin by a bulkhead and a door. My wife greatly preferred that our boat have this feature, and I agreed. It really does make a difference, whether day sailing or cruising. There really is no comparison to the Catalina's curtained off, under the V-berth arrangement. Second, I really preferred the O'Day's keel/centerboard arrangement to the swing keel of the Catalina. Despite its history, and the fact that I never had a problem, I was never wild about 500 lbs. of lead swinging around under the boat. Although I have had a problem with my centerboard sticking in its well (see my article on this website), the problem is easily handled. Like you, I find that the trade off of somewhat diminished windward performance with a centerboard is more than offset by the advantages of the lesser draft. Especially if like me, you plan to sail close to shore. We have been very happy with the O'Day so far. For what its worth, I also considered the Catalina 25. I never considered the swing keel version (an even heavier weight potentially flopping about), but I really liked the fin keel model. It is however a real step up in terms of weight and comfort. Of course this also translates into additional systems complexity, maintenance costs and problems, etc. Not worth it for me. So you wanted advice, you got it. Good luck.
Jim: I went through the same process you are now undertaking. Because family responsibilities (the births of my children) delayed my actual purchase of a boat, I had about six years to research my options. I too wanted a boat in the 20-25 foot range, mostly because I was comfortable with my ability to handle that size boat, and the realization that I would be almost exclusively day sailing, with some possible overnighting. I did not know if my wife and kids would ever want to do more, and I did not want to tie up more time and money than necessary in the boat. We had timeshared in a Catalina 22 before, so I was very familiar with that boat. I have found them to be well made, and very robust. Catalina makes so many of them that they have been able to iron out production and design problems. If the boat has been well-maintained, you will find that you can't go wrong with a Catalina 22. You will almost always be able to sell it for what you bought it for, a rarity for small boats. However, I wound up buying an O'Day 23. My main reasons were: a head separated from the main cabin by a bulkhead and a door. My wife greatly preferred that our boat have this feature, and I agreed. It really does make a difference, whether day sailing or cruising. There really is no comparison to the Catalina's curtained off, under the V-berth arrangement. Second, I really preferred the O'Day's keel/centerboard arrangement to the swing keel of the Catalina. Despite its history, and the fact that I never had a problem, I was never wild about 500 lbs. of lead swinging around under the boat. Although I have had a problem with my centerboard sticking in its well (see my article on this website), the problem is easily handled. Like you, I find that the trade off of somewhat diminished windward performance with a centerboard is more than offset by the advantages of the lesser draft. Especially if like me, you plan to sail close to shore. We have been very happy with the O'Day so far. For what its worth, I also considered the Catalina 25. I never considered the swing keel version (an even heavier weight potentially flopping about), but I really liked the fin keel model. It is however a real step up in terms of weight and comfort. Of course this also translates into additional systems complexity, maintenance costs and problems, etc. Not worth it for me. So you wanted advice, you got it. Good luck.
K
Kevin Meadows
O'Day 22
Jim, I bought an O'Day 22 five years ago and have nothing but great things to say about it! While the Keel is fix, getting closer to chore has never been a thought for the spouse and I. She is a very forgiving boat. We have sailed in the ICW, Atlantic, and several Bays in the area with little or no problems! I have several friends who have the MacGregor, who wish they had bought my boat before I did. As for the trailer, I only use it when hauling her out prior to the rash of Hurricanes we have been getting down here in NC. Good luck with your search! Kevin Meadows
Jim, I bought an O'Day 22 five years ago and have nothing but great things to say about it! While the Keel is fix, getting closer to chore has never been a thought for the spouse and I. She is a very forgiving boat. We have sailed in the ICW, Atlantic, and several Bays in the area with little or no problems! I have several friends who have the MacGregor, who wish they had bought my boat before I did. As for the trailer, I only use it when hauling her out prior to the rash of Hurricanes we have been getting down here in NC. Good luck with your search! Kevin Meadows
R
Ric
22 oday
Had an oday 22, traded my 14 Hobie cat in on it and enjoyed it as far as living accomodations. toilet stove sink sleeping dinette storage, but found it a bit lumbering in the speed and performance department. i had a fixed keel could have used more sail. Now i am older and have a 16.9 day sailer. again not as fast as one might like but a very pleasuable ride and easy to trailer.
Had an oday 22, traded my 14 Hobie cat in on it and enjoyed it as far as living accomodations. toilet stove sink sleeping dinette storage, but found it a bit lumbering in the speed and performance department. i had a fixed keel could have used more sail. Now i am older and have a 16.9 day sailer. again not as fast as one might like but a very pleasuable ride and easy to trailer.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.