Looking for a Day sailor

[vbasic]

I'm recently retired and seek an easy to manage sailboat. I lived aboard for 7 years and I'm not looking for a "project" or a boat that "requires work". Been there/done that etc.

I once owned a Dolphin Sr which I purchased from the Corcoran bros in Houston, 1968. The company name was Universal Plastics and their shop was on 34th street. I had the boat for 25 years and wish now that I had never sold it. I just didn't have a place to store it while cruising.

I'm shocked to read that now the Dolphin Sr is in such demand. Also, it occurs to me that some people fail to realize the Dolphin Sr isn't "just a bigger sunfish". The construction of the Dolphin (by Universal Plastics) is two layers of fiberglass with honeycomb (airplane wings) material between layers. Even if this boat were cut in half, it would not sink. At least that is what the Corcorans told me. They showed me their construction methods. It is a tough boat. A grown man (or several) can walk on this boat and it won't buckle. I visited with the Corcorans many times before making my purchase and they showed me the early design of a 17' boat they were working on. At the time, I thought "I wish they would make a 17' version of the Dolphin Sr" but their concept was more traditional at that time. It appears they completed that design as I have seen the 17' mentioned on other websites.

But, I am open to other trailerable daysailers.

 

[dlandersson]

I think that a used Mac 26S/D or Mac 26X/M may work for you - or a new Tatoo. And there are many other trailer sailors - I believe a recent sail magazine issue profiles about a dozen trailer sailors.

 

[dscribner]

VB, pick up a copy of The Complete Trailer Sailor by Brian Gilbert. Lots of great info including pros, cons, sketches, photos of 50 or so small to large trailerables. It can help you find what you like, what you hate and what you never knew you always wanted.

Don

 

[Tom G P-21]

The Complete Trailer Sailor is a good book to read to figure out what you want. More details of what you are looking for would help. It sounds like you want to stay in the 17' range.If you want an open cockpit you might look at the Harpoon 5.2, on the other hand if you want something with a small cabin for a porta-potti there's the Precision 18. More info would help to make a better suggestion.

 

[Brian S]

If you just want a 17' open daysailer type of boat, you can't go wrong with the O'day Daysailer. Still being made.

You could also look into a used Boston Whaler Harpoon 5.2. Excellent boat, pretty much a direct competitor to the Daysailer. Some have called it the Mercedes of daysailers...

You could consider a Precision 185. It's a well regarded open daysailer, available in either a keel or centerboard design. Although if I were looking at a P185, I might also consider a Rhodes 19.

I think there are plenty of other 17' open daysailers from back in the golden age (70's-80's) You might have to be careful of what, exactly, you are looking for. It's possible to get into a boat that's more performance oriented in this size, and find it to be a handful. But there are plenty that are well mannered.

Good luck,
Brian

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Precison 15, Hunter 18 (fiberglass), Catalina 16.5 for open cockpit daysailors are several to look at too.

I forgot the name of the swivel turning blocks with jam cleats that are designed for small boat sailing but that would be very useful for you as you can lower or raise the sail anywhere in the cockpit. Also when checking the cockpit seating, make sure you will be comfortable particularly with the back as that is a major issue for retirees. A topping lift is also suggested so the boom will not come banging down into the cockpit when lowering the sail. There is a boom kicker of sorts which is a metal bar of sorts that holds the boom up when the sail is down and also acts as a boom vang. I would suggest a larger open cockpit style boat for the room vs. say for example a Sunfish style cockpit. This is what I use to suggest to my clients when I sold daysailors but I am now retired.

 

[bowtrash]

I have an 82 daysailer for sale,listed in the classifieds.One owner,bought new.Excellent condition.

 

[mark_swart]

I just bought a Harpoon 5.2 a couple weeks ago to use here in Hawaii. It appears to be a very well constructed boat, although I won't have a chance to sail it until a couple weeks from now when my tow truck gets here. They might be hard to find, but my boat originally sold for around $8K here in Hawaii back in 1983?!?!
After bigger boats, this is going to be a snap to work on I think. The cuddy cabin is removable if you want a little more passenger room. I'll be sailing with two kids so I'll probably end up taking mine off.
From what I can tell, this page is pretty much the bible for them if you are interested:
http://www.ruach.net/Harpoon.shtml

 

[vbasic]

I like the look

I just bought a Harpoon 5.2 a couple weeks ago to use here in Hawaii. It appears to be a very well constructed boat, although I won't have a chance to sail it until a couple weeks from now when my tow truck gets here. They might be hard to find, but my boat originally sold for around $8K here in Hawaii back in 1983?!?!
After bigger boats, this is going to be a snap to work on I think. The cuddy cabin is removable if you want a little more passenger room. I'll be sailing with two kids so I'll probably end up taking mine off.
From what I can tell, this page is pretty much the bible for them if you are interested:
http://www.ruach.net/Harpoon.shtml

Thanks to everyone for responding. Many good suggestions that require more research.

 

[vbasic]

Addendum to original post

I'm recently retired and seek an easy to manage sailboat. I lived aboard for 7 years and I'm not looking for a "project" or a boat that "requires work". Been there/done that etc.

I once owned a Dolphin Sr which I purchased from the Corcoran bros in Houston, 1968. The company name was Universal Plastics and their shop was on 34th street. I had the boat for 25 years and wish now that I had never sold it. I just didn't have a place to store it while cruising.

I'm shocked to read that now the Dolphin Sr is in such demand. Also, it occurs to me that some people fail to realize the Dolphin Sr isn't "just a bigger sunfish". The construction of the Dolphin (by Universal Plastics) is two layers of fiberglass with honeycomb (airplane wings) material between layers. Even if this boat were cut in half, it would not sink. At least that is what the Corcorans told me. They showed me their construction methods. It is a tough boat. A grown man (or several) can walk on this boat and it won't buckle. I visited with the Corcorans many times before making my purchase and they showed me the early design of a 17' boat they were working on. At the time, I thought "I wish they would make a 17' version of the Dolphin Sr" but their concept was more traditional at that time. It appears they completed that design as I have seen the 17' mentioned on other websites.

But, I am open to other trailerable daysailers.

........ New information
Thanks to all for your suggestions. I must say I was not expecting such response.
After pursuing these thoughts and traveling around my local marinas, I did come upon perhaps the perfect boat for me. It is a Capri 14.2 in fair condition W/trailer. I also located a Compac 23 (in the water) with a negotiable price. However, it requires a make-over.

I think rather than solve my problem these discoveries have made me realize what I am really after. I am now refocused on locating a low maintenance boat without standing rigging (if any exist). Perhaps a Cat boat if I can find one. The arthritis in my thumbs greatly impact what I can accomplish alone when rigging the boat for a day of sailing. I’ve watched videos of people setting up the Compac Sun Cat (for instance) and it has brought home the reality of my physical limitations.

So, while I ponder the two boats above that are currently available, and continue to follow the suggestions already provided, I will be trying to locate a small boat that doesn’t require fore and side stays rigging each time I want to go sailing. Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fly_H23]

I just bought a slightly used 2003 American 18 daysailer. It's a stable roomy daysailer with a simple rig and is easy to launch.

Lucky for me, the manufacturer is still in business nearby in Charleston, SC. I was surprised to find they made several other daysailers.

http://americansail.com/

 

[Fly_H23]

........ New information
Thanks to all for your suggestions. I must say I was not expecting such response.
After pursuing these thoughts and traveling around my local marinas, I did come upon perhaps the perfect boat for me. It is a Capri 14.2 in fair condition W/trailer. I also located a Compac 23 (in the water) with a negotiable price. However, it requires a make-over.

I think rather than solve my problem these discoveries have made me realize what I am really after. I am now refocused on locating a low maintenance boat without standing rigging (if any exist). Perhaps a Cat boat if I can find one. The arthritis in my thumbs greatly impact what I can accomplish alone when rigging the boat for a day of sailing. I’ve watched videos of people setting up the Compac Sun Cat (for instance) and it has brought home the reality of my physical limitations.

So, while I ponder the two boats above that are currently available, and continue to follow the suggestions already provided, I will be trying to locate a small boat that doesn’t require fore and side stays rigging each time I want to go sailing. Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.

The easy way to rig the fore stay on a daysailer is to put a "Johnson lever" in place of the regular adjuster. No need to remove the side stays on most boats.

Here is a post with photos:

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=126612