How do these boats look for 1st sailboat?

[Brent]

OK, sorry I have started this in three separate posts now, but I didn't think ahead when I titled the others so I don't think anyone would look there that could answer these questions. Anyways, I'm looking now at 5 different boats and would like to know any opinions on what to choose.In a previous post I asked about a 1986 Hunter 23 foot boat that looks to be in great shape for around $5000.My wife came across a 1983 Catalina 25 that is part of a charter fleet. It is for sale for $9500 but would need to stay part of the charter fleet for at least 18 months. Being part of the charter fleet, they claim we'd earn $4000-$6000 a year from people chartering the boat out and the way they do it we would be able to take the boat whenever we want... Does anyone know much about these kind of deals and if they should be avoided. In some ways it seems like a great solution since the marina then keeps the boat up in great shape. This boat has all new sails, a full description is at: http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_full_detail.jsp?slim=broker&boat_id=652340&hosturl=windworks&&ywo=windworks&&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=3544&url=&hosturl=windworks&&ywo=windworks&I'm also looking at a 1979 26 foot Pearson that has pictures here: http://www.bargainboats.com/79%2026'Pearson/PEARSON.JPG and here: http://www.bargainboats.com/79%2026'Pearson/PEARSON%20INSIDE.JPG . They're asking $6850 for this boat and it has 3 sails and a 9.9 Johnson outboard. Not much in the description, I haven't gone to look at this one yet.Another boat I'm considering is down in Newport, Oregon and me being in Seattle would have to either sail her home or pay to have the boat transferred (I'm not really sure how that works, I know the boat doesn't have a trailer...). Anyway, this boat is a 1982 Catalina 25. The description: SERENTDIPITY REBUILT DIESEL INBOARD MOTOR WITH <100 HOURS ON REBUILD. ROLLER FURLING 110,150&180 DRIFTER W/ STOCK. STORM JIB, AUTO PIOLOT, FIXED FIN KEEL. SLEEPS 4-6, POP TOP CUSTOM CABIN, REFRIG, CABIN HEAT, REINFORCED HULL FOR COASTAL CRUISING. NO TRAILER, YOU HAUL, MAKE OFFER. They're only asking $3000 for this which seems like a great deal to me, but I haven't been able to get ahold of the sellers (been calling and emailing though).The last boat I've found is a 1978 25' O'DAY. The owner says the interior cushions are shot and the depthsounder went out and so did the inverter (but at least it's wired for one...) and besides that it is in beautiful shape. Has autopilot (sounds cool, but how does it actually work?), Shows no signs of Hull blistering. The seller sent me a bunch of info abou the boat which I pasted below:Hull:> Solid fiberglass hull with plywood cored fiberglass> deck and cabin trunk. 6' centerboard that swings up> into external 2 foot fixed shoal keel. 1700 lbs lead> ballast in keel. centerboard is easily raised> without winch. Outboard fiberglass rudder and teak> tiller. Stainless steel Bow and Stern Pulpits. Full> bow to Stern lifelines on Stainless steel stantions.> Standing Rigging:> Sloop Rig, Aluminum mast and boom, Aluminum wisker> pole, Stainless steel shrouds and stays.> Running Rigging:> 2 Barlow Sheet winches, 2 jib sheet turning blocks,> 2 ginker sheet turning blocks, 3 to 1 and 6 to 1> Double line mainsheet, 2 jib sheets 2 ginker sheets,> main and jib halyards, Boom vang, and topping lift.> Sails:> Full batten main of 6 ounce cloth> 120% Jib of 6 ounce cloth> 250% tri colored downwind sail or "ginker" of 3/4> ounce cloth> 60% storm jib of 11 ounce cloth> main sail cover, and sail bags for all sails> *All sails are in great shape and are newer---the> downwind sail has 2 small patches > Auxiliary:> Tohasto 8 hp outboard with extended long shaft and> thru the prop exhaust. This motor has been great for> me and has never failed to start right up.> OMC Auxiliary Outboard hydrolic lift> Tankage:> Head has 25 gallon holding tank and "Y" valve with> whale pump for deck or overboard pump out> 12 gallon fresh water tank with electric water pump> to galley sink> Internal 12 gallon fuel tank with deck fill, fuel> cut off and direct connection to motor> Ground Tackle:> 12 lb Danforth Hi tensile Bow anchor mounted on> stainless steel bowsprit hangers with 25' of chain> and 300' of 7/16" three braid that drops thru deck> pipe into dedicated chain locker. 12 lb Danforth> stern anchor with 6' chain and 150 feet of 7/16"> three braid. 2 bow cleats and two oversized mid ship> cleats. 4 stern Cleats. Lifesling man overboard> rescue system.> Electronics:> Standard bow and stern navigation lights, steaming> light, spreader and Anchor lights. Upgraded> electrical system with curcuit breakers and cruising> e-meter power managing system. Large 4d deep cycle> battery with lots of life left. Shore power with 30> amp power cord and on board main breaker. 1500 watt> 12 volt inverter (currently non-functional).> Platismo Auto Pilot. Ben compass (lighted). Signet> System 1000 Depth Sounder, Knot meter and Log. (DS> currently non-functional). Also boat is wired for> GPS/ Loran. Also VHF radio antenna is wired thru> mast.> CABIN:> Built in ice box, Proper marine head with 25 gal> tank, solar vent in forward hatch, v berth and 2> main berths, lots of storage, two cabin design with> wood door between main cabin and head and v-berth.He's asking $5500 for the boat and another $1000 for the trailer if I'd want it (which I don't think I would if I could get a slip). If you actually read all that and made it this far I really owe you one. Thanks for taking the time, please let me know your opinion.Thanks,Brent

 

[Kirk]

reply

Not being a Sailing Expert yet, but starting to learn....I bought a 1982 Catalina 25 last year that is in pretty good shape for $5800. It was on land at a marina and all I needed to do was to do the bottom paint and get it launched. Seems to me those prices might be high for boats of those ages, but I also assume they would listen to offers. You might try reading the forums at the Catalina 25/250 board (see link.) Good luck

 

[Lauraine]

If it were me, and of course everything depends on

the condition of any of these boats. I would choose:1. 82 C252. 86 H233. 79 P26and forget the O'Day and the charter C25.

 

[Don Berger]

another viewpoint

Unfortunately, to make things more difficult, my inclination would be toward the Pearson or O'Day rather than the Cat or Hunter of this vintage, the latter 2 had some fairly common inherent significant problems. Having said that, I'd look at them all closely before deciding Don

 

[Mike]

High Prices

All the prices seem high unless condition and equipment are a major plus. Used sailboats should be cheap. a 25 is a lot smaller than a 27 when it comes to comfort and liveability

 

[Bryan Pfaffenberger]

Whoa!

Before you buy, sail and compare a fixed-keel AND a centerboard boat. You're looking at both. Do you fully understand the difference? In smaller (trailerable) sailboats, centerboards are used to keep the boat's weight down for trailering. (The centerboard's greater draft makes up for the loss of heft in the keel.) But most small boats equipped with centerboards don't feel as stable in the water as a fixed-keel boat. Personally, I find raising and lowering the board to be a hassle, and I always worry that the damned thing isn't fully deployed. If you're thinking of keeping your boat in a slip, you may wish to restrict your shopping to keel-based boats. I'm sure there are centerboard sailors out there who disagree with the above, but you have to decide for yourself. Many charter companies in your area have small boats that are available for day charter, so you can check out their differing characteristics.Of the boats you mentioned, I've experience with one of them - I spent an incredibly fun week sailing a 1993 Hunter 23 in the Florida Keys -- the boat came with a condo I rented. What a sweet-sailing boat!