In my search for a new boat I have been looking at a 212. Is this a good match or should I keep looking? I went back to may original requirements and here is where I am. My requirments are based on a couple of issues. One, I live 10 minutes from a Lake that I can sail 3 months of the year. (No wind in summer.) No worry, I live 60 minutes from a large lake mostly populated during the Summer. Second. I will most often be sailing single handed. But will want to spend extended weekends at the Large lake during the summer. My requirements are as follows: 20-25 ft. Easily sailed single handed. Trailerable. Modest Cabin, for couple on extended weekends out. I originally decided to look for a 6-10 yr old, 22-26ft Catalina, O'Day, S-2, etc. Depending of the shape of the boat I expected to spend between 5K-12K. I looked at a 212. The cabin is *modest*. But the "amount" of boat for the money is a lure. But several items have me worried. Concerns: 1. Leaks, both hull and hatch, reported by current owners. 2. Some report boat slow, others say overpowered. 3. Cabin looks small. Very small. 4. Imperfections in the hull material seem common. 5. Lacks emenities, stove, head, water tank. I'm about convinced to keep on looking but I'm interested to here what you say.
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You might at least consider a Hunter 23.
It does seem to meet your requirements. I assume you have some experience. I don't think I could recommend a 23 to a complete beginner.
It does seem to meet your requirements. I assume you have some experience. I don't think I could recommend a 23 to a complete beginner.
Might rethink purchase
I have never sailed a 212, but the reviews from people who have don't seem promising. You might consider a used 23.5 or 240. If you are going to overnight the 212 will have minimal accomadations. I have a 240 which is easy to single hand and set up alone. You might find that after owning the 212 for a year you wished you would of held out for a larger boat. Good luck which ever way you go.
I have never sailed a 212, but the reviews from people who have don't seem promising. You might consider a used 23.5 or 240. If you are going to overnight the 212 will have minimal accomadations. I have a 240 which is easy to single hand and set up alone. You might find that after owning the 212 for a year you wished you would of held out for a larger boat. Good luck which ever way you go.
Thanks
Thanks for the responses. ...recommend a 23 for a beginner. Well I not exactly a beginner. I have sailed Hobie 16s for a couple of seasons. Hard to overnight on a H16. ... a 23 or 240. Yes I guess I'm torn between the ease of sailing a smaller boat and the convinences of a larger one. I guess I'm what looking for might be a pocket cruiser. Thanks and keep the responses coming. I would really like to here from someone who either owns this boat, or has been thru this decision making process.
Thanks for the responses. ...recommend a 23 for a beginner. Well I not exactly a beginner. I have sailed Hobie 16s for a couple of seasons. Hard to overnight on a H16. ... a 23 or 240. Yes I guess I'm torn between the ease of sailing a smaller boat and the convinences of a larger one. I guess I'm what looking for might be a pocket cruiser. Thanks and keep the responses coming. I would really like to here from someone who either owns this boat, or has been thru this decision making process.
Go for a Used 23 or 240
We purchased our new 240 last summer. This was our first boat of any kind -- we had no previous experience sailing. We were sailing the boat on our own in no time, have been very happy with the way it sails, the interior amenities and the quality of construction. The only problem is: we already are looking at bigger boats (like the 290). My point here is that most of the people I talk with at the marina are generally wishing they had bought a bigger boat, I can't remember ever talking with someone who regretted buying a bigger boat and wanted to trade down (though I am sure they are out there). We too looked at the 212, but never sailed it. I concluded that it was just too small to be comfortable. Plus, with the water ballast system I am not convinced that the 240 is any harder to launch/ retrieve than a slightly smaller boat. However, if you are convinced you want something smaller, I think a used Catalina 22 would be a much smarter purchase. There are lots of used ones out there at good prices, lots of people that know the boat and lots of parts available. Just one man's opinion Paul Jordan Mithrandir Hunter 240
We purchased our new 240 last summer. This was our first boat of any kind -- we had no previous experience sailing. We were sailing the boat on our own in no time, have been very happy with the way it sails, the interior amenities and the quality of construction. The only problem is: we already are looking at bigger boats (like the 290). My point here is that most of the people I talk with at the marina are generally wishing they had bought a bigger boat, I can't remember ever talking with someone who regretted buying a bigger boat and wanted to trade down (though I am sure they are out there). We too looked at the 212, but never sailed it. I concluded that it was just too small to be comfortable. Plus, with the water ballast system I am not convinced that the 240 is any harder to launch/ retrieve than a slightly smaller boat. However, if you are convinced you want something smaller, I think a used Catalina 22 would be a much smarter purchase. There are lots of used ones out there at good prices, lots of people that know the boat and lots of parts available. Just one man's opinion Paul Jordan Mithrandir Hunter 240
Hustling 23's again...
Broan The 23 will sleep 5 to 7. It has a semi inclosed head, sink, stove and a storage location for the cooler. It sails on the "high performance" end. It is faster than the 260 under most conditions. (that may start a fight we're not supposed to make those kind of posts). It is trailerable. With its fixed wing keel you have no centerboard to deal with and a flat cabin sole. AND you can get all this in a pretty good looking and solid boat (I think!) for under $10,000 absolute max.
Broan The 23 will sleep 5 to 7. It has a semi inclosed head, sink, stove and a storage location for the cooler. It sails on the "high performance" end. It is faster than the 260 under most conditions. (that may start a fight we're not supposed to make those kind of posts). It is trailerable. With its fixed wing keel you have no centerboard to deal with and a flat cabin sole. AND you can get all this in a pretty good looking and solid boat (I think!) for under $10,000 absolute max.
Sleeping 5 to 7 on a Hunter 23???
I like the 23. It is a fast and fun day-sailor. I have spent several nights on one. It has a nice interior for the size boat it is. BUT. The only way I would sleep four people on that boat is if the other three are Callista Flockhart, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Jennifer Aniston.
I like the 23. It is a fast and fun day-sailor. I have spent several nights on one. It has a nice interior for the size boat it is. BUT. The only way I would sleep four people on that boat is if the other three are Callista Flockhart, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Jennifer Aniston.
Yea 5 to 7
Take the hatch covers off the interior seats and place then in the slots across the cabin sole. Pull the cabin back rests off and place them on the bridge you've built across the sole. It makes the entire main cabin into one big bed and you still have the quarter berth and the berth forward. Regarding your crew list; that would make it exactly 4 and my funeral after of course. Greg
Take the hatch covers off the interior seats and place then in the slots across the cabin sole. Pull the cabin back rests off and place them on the bridge you've built across the sole. It makes the entire main cabin into one big bed and you still have the quarter berth and the berth forward. Regarding your crew list; that would make it exactly 4 and my funeral after of course. Greg
Thanks again.
Well I took a close look at the 212. In light breaze it sailed extreamly well. The cabin is small. And it looked even smaller when the dealer took me down to see a 240. At this rate if I were deciding between the 13K 212 and the 18K 240, the 240 is winning out. I'll let you know what I think after I take the 240 out Saturday. Again, thanks for the responses and keep it comimg.
Well I took a close look at the 212. In light breaze it sailed extreamly well. The cabin is small. And it looked even smaller when the dealer took me down to see a 240. At this rate if I were deciding between the 13K 212 and the 18K 240, the 240 is winning out. I'll let you know what I think after I take the 240 out Saturday. Again, thanks for the responses and keep it comimg.
I looked at them too
and ended up with 23.5. I got tired of waiting for them to come out and kept eyeing a 240 that the broker had. Then I looked at a 95 23.5 he had and am very glad we went with it. It was considerablt cheaper than the new boat although it had only been sailed a few times. In fact the registration numbers were still sitting iside in the bag were the previous owner had brought them to the boat and had never put them on. The anchor still had the sticker on it and had never been wet. It was essentially a new boat. A good used boat is the way to go as far as money is concerned.
and ended up with 23.5. I got tired of waiting for them to come out and kept eyeing a 240 that the broker had. Then I looked at a 95 23.5 he had and am very glad we went with it. It was considerablt cheaper than the new boat although it had only been sailed a few times. In fact the registration numbers were still sitting iside in the bag were the previous owner had brought them to the boat and had never put them on. The anchor still had the sticker on it and had never been wet. It was essentially a new boat. A good used boat is the way to go as far as money is concerned.
Another vote for the 23
Broan, I have to agree with Greg Chandler, admitting I'm biased from owning an h23 since 12/86. I've never tried to sleep 7, but we routinely sleep 5 on board. Plenty of room. We even spent a week sailing the San Juan Isls - worked fine. It has good handling, speed and acceleration. Its easy to tow and launch. We've taken it up to Odell Lake in the Cascades several times, set it up in a campground and launched on a volcanic cinder ramp. Having learned to sail on it I regard it as acceptable for beginners. I also find it comfortable to single-hand and have done so at night even more than I have during the day. Good luck and good sailing what ever you buy.
Broan, I have to agree with Greg Chandler, admitting I'm biased from owning an h23 since 12/86. I've never tried to sleep 7, but we routinely sleep 5 on board. Plenty of room. We even spent a week sailing the San Juan Isls - worked fine. It has good handling, speed and acceleration. Its easy to tow and launch. We've taken it up to Odell Lake in the Cascades several times, set it up in a campground and launched on a volcanic cinder ramp. Having learned to sail on it I regard it as acceptable for beginners. I also find it comfortable to single-hand and have done so at night even more than I have during the day. Good luck and good sailing what ever you buy.
Fellow Hobie Sailor
As Hobie sailor and racer for the past 16 years, just a thought for you. Within your financial means, be sure not to get too small of a boat to start off. It won't take long for your sailing curve with a monohull to out grow a smaller boat. Last year I was fortunate enough to find a used Hunter 30 within my price range. Very different than racing my Hobie 17. But I knew the wife and dog would quickly out grow a day sailor. the Hobie was sold and although more expenses, life is good. Good luck and Happy sailing.
As Hobie sailor and racer for the past 16 years, just a thought for you. Within your financial means, be sure not to get too small of a boat to start off. It won't take long for your sailing curve with a monohull to out grow a smaller boat. Last year I was fortunate enough to find a used Hunter 30 within my price range. Very different than racing my Hobie 17. But I knew the wife and dog would quickly out grow a day sailor. the Hobie was sold and although more expenses, life is good. Good luck and Happy sailing.
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