I am in the market for a sailboat. I want something roomy inside with a wood interior, a/c would be great but not a requirement, Want a private birth with access to the head. Boat must be forgiving as i am a beginner and this will be my boat to learn on. Also would like a boat i can eventually sail singlehandedly. I have been on a hughes (columbia) 10.7 (35 ft) and like the way the boat is styled and the way it handles, Havent seen too many for sale. I I was told the full modified keel of this boat will be better for rough weather. I would like others to tell me some brand of boats and years which i should be looking at that may fit my needs. I will be sailing the long island sound. Thanks for advice, when telling me a boat to look for please tell me why i should consider that boat. My budget us up to 50,000. Would like to stay well below this though, The hughes 35 ft is $35,000.00 that i am considering. thank you. Jason
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Check out the Pearson 33-2
1986 and up. It has a great layout with an aft cabin and head. Beautifully trimmed out with wood. All lines led aft for good singlehanding. Can be had for about 50k. The Pearson 28-2 is also nice and has the same layout but at a lower 25k. Tim R.
1986 and up. It has a great layout with an aft cabin and head. Beautifully trimmed out with wood. All lines led aft for good singlehanding. Can be had for about 50k. The Pearson 28-2 is also nice and has the same layout but at a lower 25k. Tim R.
Your budget is low for a newer boat...
I like newer boats with walk-through trasoms. Look cat early 1990 Catalina's. Stay away from 1990's Hunter's. The new Hunter's are build better, after 2005! I would not buy an 1980's boat, too old!
I like newer boats with walk-through trasoms. Look cat early 1990 Catalina's. Stay away from 1990's Hunter's. The new Hunter's are build better, after 2005! I would not buy an 1980's boat, too old!
Cal 33-2
Here's the interior of a Cal 33-2, suits me well, I've sailed through Long island sound, block island, martha's vineyard, and buzzards bay. It's roomy and swift with a fin keel, I single-hand sail and overnight/weekend. They list for about 40k.
Here's the interior of a Cal 33-2, suits me well, I've sailed through Long island sound, block island, martha's vineyard, and buzzards bay. It's roomy and swift with a fin keel, I single-hand sail and overnight/weekend. They list for about 40k.
Internet chices
I have looked for that perfect boat all my life. Seriously in the last year though.Thanks to the internet. I tagged over 100 boats that met my criteria. I kept looking so much I forgot which boat was where. I narrowed it down to location.Fortunatly for you,you are in a wonderful location if you are looking for a boat.I finially bought a 1983 31 ft Allmand built from 1979 to 1985. Great boat! It cost me just under $2000 to have her shipped from Dallas Tx to Tulsa,Ok. So don't be afraid of shipping costs.Sure ,the older boats need maintainence but then again they all do, so dont let the wonderful craftsmenship of the older boats turn you away. I've seen some pretty sad boats in the 90s. The pride in ownership is whats important.And how they were maintained. Fresh water boats are generally in better shape than salt water ones. Good luck
I have looked for that perfect boat all my life. Seriously in the last year though.Thanks to the internet. I tagged over 100 boats that met my criteria. I kept looking so much I forgot which boat was where. I narrowed it down to location.Fortunatly for you,you are in a wonderful location if you are looking for a boat.I finially bought a 1983 31 ft Allmand built from 1979 to 1985. Great boat! It cost me just under $2000 to have her shipped from Dallas Tx to Tulsa,Ok. So don't be afraid of shipping costs.Sure ,the older boats need maintainence but then again they all do, so dont let the wonderful craftsmenship of the older boats turn you away. I've seen some pretty sad boats in the 90s. The pride in ownership is whats important.And how they were maintained. Fresh water boats are generally in better shape than salt water ones. Good luck
yikes a reason brokers are hated
Wow. Sounds like something you would say to a broker. Find me a ... Kid, you have to do your own homework on this one. Looking for something like what you ask for is like looking for a needle in a haystack. You want wood, but what wood look? British? Like a wood boat interior, all cathedral and cozy? Some wood, but not like plastic? Roomy? Are you going to stay at berth a lot or sail a lot? Problem with "roomy" is you fill the room. Then you have to take more time to nail, screw, and glue (actually put away, store, or make safe) everything so it won't get destroyed on the great sailing, blustery fall day. And some of these "ROOMY" boats would be a pain to walk through while healed over out on the water. Yoiu want diesel? Or gas? Light weight, medium , or heavy displacement? Gonna race? Joining a yachty club? Can't go wrong with virtually any boat out there. Stay away from Grampions they told me. So I emailed boatbuilders in Nova Scotia and they laughed at this and wonder how the rumor got started. Great boat. Try a Tartan. I live near the factory and looked at two 40+ boats right out the factory door, and they looked like crap...to me. Very poorly finished outside. But people swear by them. The point is yoiu are the only one that knows what you want. Go with something medium displacement, newer, 30-35 feet, and diesel, tall rig, roller furling, propane, good fridge, some toys like autopilot, lazyjacks, steps on the mast, and there you have it.
Wow. Sounds like something you would say to a broker. Find me a ... Kid, you have to do your own homework on this one. Looking for something like what you ask for is like looking for a needle in a haystack. You want wood, but what wood look? British? Like a wood boat interior, all cathedral and cozy? Some wood, but not like plastic? Roomy? Are you going to stay at berth a lot or sail a lot? Problem with "roomy" is you fill the room. Then you have to take more time to nail, screw, and glue (actually put away, store, or make safe) everything so it won't get destroyed on the great sailing, blustery fall day. And some of these "ROOMY" boats would be a pain to walk through while healed over out on the water. Yoiu want diesel? Or gas? Light weight, medium , or heavy displacement? Gonna race? Joining a yachty club? Can't go wrong with virtually any boat out there. Stay away from Grampions they told me. So I emailed boatbuilders in Nova Scotia and they laughed at this and wonder how the rumor got started. Great boat. Try a Tartan. I live near the factory and looked at two 40+ boats right out the factory door, and they looked like crap...to me. Very poorly finished outside. But people swear by them. The point is yoiu are the only one that knows what you want. Go with something medium displacement, newer, 30-35 feet, and diesel, tall rig, roller furling, propane, good fridge, some toys like autopilot, lazyjacks, steps on the mast, and there you have it.
Ideal Boat???
How new are you to sailing? For a "new" sailor to attempt to start out with a large boat is a big mistake. I suggest a year or two with a much smaller boat, for example: O'Day Mariner, O'Day 22/23, Catalina 22 etc. If you are new to sailing, "bigger is NOT better." Learn the principals of sailing in a smaller, easier to handle boat. Also, it will give you some extra time to really define your needs/wants for your next boat. Welcome to the "Club!" Good Luck!
How new are you to sailing? For a "new" sailor to attempt to start out with a large boat is a big mistake. I suggest a year or two with a much smaller boat, for example: O'Day Mariner, O'Day 22/23, Catalina 22 etc. If you are new to sailing, "bigger is NOT better." Learn the principals of sailing in a smaller, easier to handle boat. Also, it will give you some extra time to really define your needs/wants for your next boat. Welcome to the "Club!" Good Luck!
My two cents
1. Read "First You Have To Row a Little Boat". 2. Read "Sailing for Dummies" 3. Enroll in a Keelboat sailing course 4. Learn to sail on a small boat (i.e. dinghy, Sunfish, etc.) 5. Learn to sail a larger keelboat (i.e. Chrysler 22 swingkeel, Oday 22/23, etc. STEPS 1-5 COULD BE DONE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. 6. Go out on other boats with an experienced sailor under a variety of conditions 7. Go to the docks and see other people's boat and ask them what they like about theirs, what they dislike, would they buy the same boat again, etc. The intent here are to find out what the options are before you go boat hunting. For that matter, get a reputable boat broker to help you (that's another thread). 8. If you're still hungry to sail (and man, are you in the right area to find a lot of boats to choose from), go find the right boat for you. Rationale: Boating is work and expensive. Dropping a ton of cash into a big boat only to find out later that they are a pain to keep up (they are), they constantly need work and need to be sailed regularly (they do), and/or that you hate sailing (it does happen) can be a woeful experience. There was a beginner sailor at a local marina some time back. Really didn't know how to handle a bigger boat, but was sure it was easy after reading a book and going out on a boat with a friend. Went out, engine gave him problems, big wind picked up and boat (with no sails raised yet) was blown onto the rocks of a causeway where the wind heeled the boat over into the causeway's powerlines. He was fine; boat was a mess. Sold it the next day, and he's not been seen since. It's great that you are enthusiastic, and you have come to the right place to ask questions (as long as you don't mind a wide and sometimes disparate number of answers). I welcome you to this wonderful sport.
1. Read "First You Have To Row a Little Boat". 2. Read "Sailing for Dummies" 3. Enroll in a Keelboat sailing course 4. Learn to sail on a small boat (i.e. dinghy, Sunfish, etc.) 5. Learn to sail a larger keelboat (i.e. Chrysler 22 swingkeel, Oday 22/23, etc. STEPS 1-5 COULD BE DONE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. 6. Go out on other boats with an experienced sailor under a variety of conditions 7. Go to the docks and see other people's boat and ask them what they like about theirs, what they dislike, would they buy the same boat again, etc. The intent here are to find out what the options are before you go boat hunting. For that matter, get a reputable boat broker to help you (that's another thread). 8. If you're still hungry to sail (and man, are you in the right area to find a lot of boats to choose from), go find the right boat for you. Rationale: Boating is work and expensive. Dropping a ton of cash into a big boat only to find out later that they are a pain to keep up (they are), they constantly need work and need to be sailed regularly (they do), and/or that you hate sailing (it does happen) can be a woeful experience. There was a beginner sailor at a local marina some time back. Really didn't know how to handle a bigger boat, but was sure it was easy after reading a book and going out on a boat with a friend. Went out, engine gave him problems, big wind picked up and boat (with no sails raised yet) was blown onto the rocks of a causeway where the wind heeled the boat over into the causeway's powerlines. He was fine; boat was a mess. Sold it the next day, and he's not been seen since. It's great that you are enthusiastic, and you have come to the right place to ask questions (as long as you don't mind a wide and sometimes disparate number of answers). I welcome you to this wonderful sport.
Good advise from Warren and Flyhop
I sailed a 12 footer for years before moving up. I decided to take a smaller step to a 22 footer (Oday 222). I'm glad I did. I just wrapped up the second season with her and have had plenty of good sailing, a hand full of fun overnights and outings with friends. She is plenty big enough to transition into this lifestyle. The most important fact is now I know for sure what I want in a bigger boat and I know how much work it will be to maintain one. It also makes you realize that the expense of ownership rises exponentially for every foot of boat. I really think may have been overwelmed taking too big of a jump. There are many good web sites like boats.com you can window shop with but nothing beats the experience of working your way up. Rob
I sailed a 12 footer for years before moving up. I decided to take a smaller step to a 22 footer (Oday 222). I'm glad I did. I just wrapped up the second season with her and have had plenty of good sailing, a hand full of fun overnights and outings with friends. She is plenty big enough to transition into this lifestyle. The most important fact is now I know for sure what I want in a bigger boat and I know how much work it will be to maintain one. It also makes you realize that the expense of ownership rises exponentially for every foot of boat. I really think may have been overwelmed taking too big of a jump. There are many good web sites like boats.com you can window shop with but nothing beats the experience of working your way up. Rob
Hi Jason, we purchased our first sailboat...
in 2000; a 1989 Hunter 28. Cruised with it for three years then upgraded to our current boat a 1991 Hunter Passage 42. You can look at boats until you are green in the face. Both boats surveyed with high marks. We were happy with our choices. Good luck on your adventure. Terry S/V Belle-Vie
in 2000; a 1989 Hunter 28. Cruised with it for three years then upgraded to our current boat a 1991 Hunter Passage 42. You can look at boats until you are green in the face. Both boats surveyed with high marks. We were happy with our choices. Good luck on your adventure. Terry S/V Belle-Vie
Sail Calculator
Link below is for the "Sail Calculator" which will let you search for a boat meeting your criteria. You can also compare two boats at a time. I agree with the others that you would be better to start with a smaller boat--say in the 25-26 foot range. I strongly recommend a basic keelboat class in your area. Some of the companies that offer classes also have sailing clubs which let you check out different boats after passing the class. This is a great way to get experience and refine what you really want in a boat. Happy sails! http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html
Link below is for the "Sail Calculator" which will let you search for a boat meeting your criteria. You can also compare two boats at a time. I agree with the others that you would be better to start with a smaller boat--say in the 25-26 foot range. I strongly recommend a basic keelboat class in your area. Some of the companies that offer classes also have sailing clubs which let you check out different boats after passing the class. This is a great way to get experience and refine what you really want in a boat. Happy sails! http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html
chose a boat
whoa, with a budget that small for a boat that large you could be painting tourself in a corner. first, especially for an older boat, stick with catalina. they are still in business, have great customer support, and have always built good boats. i can't think of any other maker that would fit your situation. i have a close friend who bought a nice used pearson, no longer made, and he is constantly stuck for parts and knowledge of the boat. second, against all conventional advice, look up gene colvin at westbrook brewer's. he's a terrific guy, and though he's a broker he'll help you in the right direction. while you take a walk down the road from saybrook have a lobster bisque at bill's counter and a draft heineken. tell gene morty who he sold magpie sent you.
whoa, with a budget that small for a boat that large you could be painting tourself in a corner. first, especially for an older boat, stick with catalina. they are still in business, have great customer support, and have always built good boats. i can't think of any other maker that would fit your situation. i have a close friend who bought a nice used pearson, no longer made, and he is constantly stuck for parts and knowledge of the boat. second, against all conventional advice, look up gene colvin at westbrook brewer's. he's a terrific guy, and though he's a broker he'll help you in the right direction. while you take a walk down the road from saybrook have a lobster bisque at bill's counter and a draft heineken. tell gene morty who he sold magpie sent you.
Actually
You can get most any part for a Pearson because they sold all their inventory at auction. Even some of their forms. D&R can get you just about anything you need for a Pearson. Also, they used standard suppliers rather than custom make many parts. I have a '76 P28-1 and I love it. Bulletproof construction. A lot of things that break on other boats don't on a Pearson because of the high build quality. I am telling you, check out the P28-2. It has a cabin layout that is very nice. Pearson also has great support sites depending on the model. See the link below for more info on the P28-2 Tim R.
You can get most any part for a Pearson because they sold all their inventory at auction. Even some of their forms. D&R can get you just about anything you need for a Pearson. Also, they used standard suppliers rather than custom make many parts. I have a '76 P28-1 and I love it. Bulletproof construction. A lot of things that break on other boats don't on a Pearson because of the high build quality. I am telling you, check out the P28-2. It has a cabin layout that is very nice. Pearson also has great support sites depending on the model. See the link below for more info on the P28-2 Tim R.
Too Many Choices!
Jason, Alotta responses from good mates here. I have known too many folks, me included, that jumped into a 'larger' yacht before 'ready'. I don't mean financially, neither do I mean, can you handle her, it is knowing the best boat for you, and no one can tell you that or even get a solid handle on advice. Flyhop is on the money, his 'rules' are reasonable, I agrees with Rob & Tom too. Start with a smaller boat, Cal, Islander, lots come to mind. Both Pearson, and Cal are good, proven cruisers, my favorite, that holds value, is the Westsail 32, about as bullet-proof as they make if you cannot afford a Hans Christian.
Jason, Alotta responses from good mates here. I have known too many folks, me included, that jumped into a 'larger' yacht before 'ready'. I don't mean financially, neither do I mean, can you handle her, it is knowing the best boat for you, and no one can tell you that or even get a solid handle on advice. Flyhop is on the money, his 'rules' are reasonable, I agrees with Rob & Tom too. Start with a smaller boat, Cal, Islander, lots come to mind. Both Pearson, and Cal are good, proven cruisers, my favorite, that holds value, is the Westsail 32, about as bullet-proof as they make if you cannot afford a Hans Christian.
Bigger is better!
I seem to be in disagreement with most on the thread, but my first and present "sailboat" is a 40 footer. I did take a week long class and have many years boating experience with a 21 foot fishing boat, but other considerations had more of an impact on my decision. 1. I'm not into trading up every few years. 2. I wanted something big enough to go just about anywhere I decide to go. 3. My age was a factor. Could be my first and last sailboat. hehe I think there are to many factors to consider to say smaller is better etc.
I seem to be in disagreement with most on the thread, but my first and present "sailboat" is a 40 footer. I did take a week long class and have many years boating experience with a 21 foot fishing boat, but other considerations had more of an impact on my decision. 1. I'm not into trading up every few years. 2. I wanted something big enough to go just about anywhere I decide to go. 3. My age was a factor. Could be my first and last sailboat. hehe I think there are to many factors to consider to say smaller is better etc.
We took a similiar path
We bought a 25 ft as our first, sailed the heck out of it for a year then moved up to a 34 ft. We made the big leap for the same reason Kerry bought a 40 ft first, we didn't want to go to a 28 then a 30 etc. Each time you move up, you spend lots of cash on the new boat which is NEVER recovered. We figured it was false economy to go up in steps.
We bought a 25 ft as our first, sailed the heck out of it for a year then moved up to a 34 ft. We made the big leap for the same reason Kerry bought a 40 ft first, we didn't want to go to a 28 then a 30 etc. Each time you move up, you spend lots of cash on the new boat which is NEVER recovered. We figured it was false economy to go up in steps.
Why
While others have been offering advice, I will ask some questions. 1. Why do you believe that you need a boat of this size? 2.What manner of sailing do you have in mind? i.e.Day sailing, weekending, several days at a time, realizing that forty or fifty miles per day is what you can expect for daylight sailing. 3.How many people do you anticipate on an ordinary outing? 4.Are you aware the the cost of keeping a boat increases exponientially with the size? I have many more questions but these will suffice for the moment.
While others have been offering advice, I will ask some questions. 1. Why do you believe that you need a boat of this size? 2.What manner of sailing do you have in mind? i.e.Day sailing, weekending, several days at a time, realizing that forty or fifty miles per day is what you can expect for daylight sailing. 3.How many people do you anticipate on an ordinary outing? 4.Are you aware the the cost of keeping a boat increases exponientially with the size? I have many more questions but these will suffice for the moment.
Get the correct boat size now
While there are many opinions cast, here is mine. I got the boat that I would eventually want. That means if purchased a 28', then traded years later for a 32' and then finally got the right boat say 36 after a few years...why wait. I started with a boat probably a bit big for my experience (36'). I decided to get the right size boat that I would eventually want and not have to worry about messing around with smaller vessels and losing money as I traded up. This I feel is the most efficient and lowest cost way to go. Just my opinion. Have fun looking
While there are many opinions cast, here is mine. I got the boat that I would eventually want. That means if purchased a 28', then traded years later for a 32' and then finally got the right boat say 36 after a few years...why wait. I started with a boat probably a bit big for my experience (36'). I decided to get the right size boat that I would eventually want and not have to worry about messing around with smaller vessels and losing money as I traded up. This I feel is the most efficient and lowest cost way to go. Just my opinion. Have fun looking
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