Is this Boat Worth Learning to Sail

Kings Gambit · Dec 6, 2014

QCI said:
Hello,

I'd like to ask if this sailboat is worth the effort too learn to sail. It seems slow, unresponsive, easily capsizes and heavy. It is a 1987 American Sail Inc. 18 about 15' long. They don't this racer type anymore.

Is it the sailboat or the sailor that makes sailing this a hassle?

It a loaded question but I'll take the risk. If it's the boat, I'll find another that's a popular brand/model.

Thanks.

Fun is like gold. It's where you find it.

trainmanjess · Dec 6, 2014

hello all

I 1st learned to sail on a sunfish... it doesn't matter what boat you learn to sail on, it is that you are learning to sail and will enjoy the adventure.... everyone has to have their 1st boat to sail ... learn on any boat you can , then find the boat that makes you happy later....

welcome to the family of sailing

sincerely
Jess

LANCE ON CLOUD NINE · Dec 6, 2014

that boat seems to be in pretty good condition, and would be a fairly responsive and fun boat to sail/learn on. If it were me I would put an invitation out on this site, on sailmonster.com, at the SSS Sarasota Sailing Squadron, and on the Fb site "west coast trailer sailors" - asking for someone to join you for a day of sailing/lessons. After you get basic skills, there are as many people looking to buy a smaller boat as there are looking to buy a bigger boat. It would be easy to trade up. (but if it were me, I would still keep it because chances are that you will one day miss it's simplicity.) Go for it! Have fun! And discover a cool new life style. If you still have not launched it by late January, I will be down that way, and would be happy to assist.
edited to add - to more specifically answer your question - that boat, in the hands of one or two people with average skills, will sail just fine. Here is one sailing along nicely http://youtu.be/odG2Uu4QEFI

shemandr · Dec 6, 2014

Is this worth learning to sail on? Yes.
Is it the sailer or the boat that makes sailing this a hassle? The sailor.
All sailboats are a hassle. If you don't want to do the work your not going to like sailing. Centerboard boats are a great platform to learn on. They are responsive and you learn real quick what works and what doesn't. Most boats of this genre have most or all the sail controls necessary to learn how to shape sails for different wind. The centerboard and kick up rudder make it beach able, which would be very nice on the SW FL coast. Trips through shallow water to those great beaches on the barrier islands could be way sweet.
There are plenty of other similar boats - some better and some worse. This appears to be in good condition and complete, has the trailer. So, why not?

31seahorse · Dec 6, 2014

Looks like a decent small trailer sailer. Weight distribution in a small boat is critical, so moving to an appropriate seat will be necessary as wind conditions and sailing direction changes. All those things are good to learn. Each person (limited to two) on board must wear a lifejacket to help in spills. Choose a light wind day so you are not overpowered.

You think the boat is slow? That may be sail control. "When in doubt, let it out." will help prevent stalling the sails. Watch out for the boom when tacking or jibing. The Youtube video showed the boat moving well and there were a few videos there.

Our first boat was a 10 foot Sea Witch that was made of styrofoam inside thin plastic hull and deck molds coupled with a wooden daggerboard. Talk about easy to capsize!!!!!

Best Wishes.

higgs · Dec 6, 2014

Nothing like learning on a centerboarder to get the feel of what makes a sailboat happy.

Ray Bowles · Dec 6, 2014

I have a couple of Catalina 14 foot boats. One is very similar to yours with a main and jib and one is catboat rigged with a main only. Both are very responsive and quick. I have found that having the kids solo by only using the mainsail to start is best. After they have gotten the handle on making the boat do their bidding I have 2 of them try the larger boat with the main and jib. All this is done with the wind below 10 mph and in calm waters.
An experienced sailor can easily get either boat up on a plane and then they flat out fly with the reward of capsizing for any improper move. I usually sail these boats a couple of times a year just for the outright fun they provide. Then I grow up and sail the SJ23 with my wife.
The best sailors often come up form the dingy ranks as they have a much closer interaction with the boat and intimately understand cause and effect.
Get a book on sailing and sail trim, read it this winter. Steve and Doris Colgate have printed a very good book starting right where you presently are and covering everything you need to know. You have an excellent boat and trailer that is easy to rig and use. Rather than starting with something that might be overly "busy" just dance with the girl you have.
Ray

Brian S · Dec 6, 2014

That's not dissimilar from my Harpoon 4.6. I sail the heck out of it, and have a ball, especially when it gets a bit windier. If you learn what you're doing, it'll be a blast. If you don't know how to properly sail an non-ballasted boat, it can teach you many things you'd rather not learn. I got my Harpoon because the guy who sold it to me didn't know what he was doing, or how to sail a non-balloted boat, plus he was like a bull in a china shop, so the boat handed his butt to him a few times, and he sold it. It hasn't slapped me around too hard, but then again, I grew up sailing small boats... so...

Anyway, if I had that boat, I'd sail the heck out of it and have fun doing it.

Joe · Dec 7, 2014

Looks like you could have a lot of fun with that boat.... go for it.

rgranger · Dec 7, 2014

Lance has the right idea... There are a great many people who would love to go sailing in your boat in exchange for a quick lesson. You get a free lesson, and maybe a new buddy. All good. I learned on a 14' sailing dinghy. Everything happens faster on a small boat so you learn to anticipate.... If you can safely sail a small boat, you can sail anything. And you can push it to the limits and if you dunk, it is a simple matter to right the boat, bail and keel on going. Can't do that in a larger boat. I still have my 14' boat. I've had it for 40 years. The longest I've kept any of my larger cruisers is 4 years.

Benny17441 · Dec 8, 2014

It depends on the price and what would be the type of sailing you envision. If you are just looking for something to play around with that boat seems like it would be a lot of fun but if you are looking just to learn how to sail with the idea of getting a larger boat latter on then save your money and put it into a larger boat now. Larger boats are usually more forgiving and less physically demanding which could make it easier to learn. From the small boats you can learn excellent boat handling skills as many racers will attest but those "sail by the seat of the pants" skills are largely not transferable to the bigger boats. I guess the point is that if you choose now the boat that you would want to sail for the next few years you can save a lot of money.

Is this Boat Worth Learning to Sail

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