After spending my youth racing Flying Scotts and Lightnings in New York on the Great South Bay I wish to find and buy a good 23-25ft sailboat capable of sleeping 3-4 people. I was a day sailer enthusiast in my youht but seek something more suitable and comfortable for the later part of my life. Any suggestions on manufacturer, type or style? Your feedback would be beneficial.
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R
Rich
Enjoyed my Catalina 25
Patrick, I found my first boat, a Catalina 25, to be very comfortable and yacht-like while using a simple classic tiller steering system. You will get lots of recommendations for Catalina 22/25's, O'Day 25's, and the modern Catalina 250 and Hunter equivalent. But one point worth mentioning is that the class of boats in the 26-29 foot range gets you into the full range of features you would find on larger boats: wheel steering, inboard diesel engines, full-featured galleys and heads with showers and hot water, and sophisticated furling/traveler systems. Expect to pay in the range of $5000-$9000 for the used 25-footers and $9000-$29000 for the used 26-29 footers. This gives you an idea of what you might move up to depending upon your means. New boats from 22' up are so much more expensive than used boats in any size that if you can afford new you can afford a much larger boat used--depending on your desires.
Patrick, I found my first boat, a Catalina 25, to be very comfortable and yacht-like while using a simple classic tiller steering system. You will get lots of recommendations for Catalina 22/25's, O'Day 25's, and the modern Catalina 250 and Hunter equivalent. But one point worth mentioning is that the class of boats in the 26-29 foot range gets you into the full range of features you would find on larger boats: wheel steering, inboard diesel engines, full-featured galleys and heads with showers and hot water, and sophisticated furling/traveler systems. Expect to pay in the range of $5000-$9000 for the used 25-footers and $9000-$29000 for the used 26-29 footers. This gives you an idea of what you might move up to depending upon your means. New boats from 22' up are so much more expensive than used boats in any size that if you can afford new you can afford a much larger boat used--depending on your desires.
B
Bob Vannier
A good boat
A good boat is the old reliable O'Day 23 or 25. I've had my 1978 O'Day 23 for ten years and wouldn't think of trading up. It's trailable and great for solo sailing and very comfortable. Lots of good used 23's around.
A good boat is the old reliable O'Day 23 or 25. I've had my 1978 O'Day 23 for ten years and wouldn't think of trading up. It's trailable and great for solo sailing and very comfortable. Lots of good used 23's around.
D
Droop
Here is what I did
I got the most boat I could afford for the money. I got a GREAT boat too! I suggest you look at the Hunter 28 1989 - 1993 models. For around 25,000 you get a LOT of boat! Just go to models on this web site and check it out! This is a GREAT BOAT for the money!
I got the most boat I could afford for the money. I got a GREAT boat too! I suggest you look at the Hunter 28 1989 - 1993 models. For around 25,000 you get a LOT of boat! Just go to models on this web site and check it out! This is a GREAT BOAT for the money!
Trailersailor? or do you have big$$$for a slip?
Sleep 3or4 ok-4/6ft6in.bunks,do you wish standing headroom?If trailer and ramp luanch,lift keel,with some speed and all above,I liked the C&C Mega 30' 1978,they made about 200 back then,look around!
Sleep 3or4 ok-4/6ft6in.bunks,do you wish standing headroom?If trailer and ramp luanch,lift keel,with some speed and all above,I liked the C&C Mega 30' 1978,they made about 200 back then,look around!
D
Droop
Trailersailor Stinks
Nothing like driving for hours, spending a hour putting up your mast, sails, engine, gas and rudder. Then you have to wait put your boat in. Lets do it all again after your done! Nope been there done that! Get a slip!
Nothing like driving for hours, spending a hour putting up your mast, sails, engine, gas and rudder. Then you have to wait put your boat in. Lets do it all again after your done! Nope been there done that! Get a slip!
S
Scott
Don't sell yourself short!
Patrick, I agree with Droop. You have unlimited cruising grounds in Chesapeake Bay or beyond and there must be a wide selection of places to keep your boat. What are your constraints ... money ... time? Like most of us! I've trailered boats and don't like it ... all the fussing around, everybody else getting bored and making you tense! I was in your position earlier this summer, so I got a 27' Starwind that I had to have delivered to our lake on a truck. The admiral and I looked at a lot of boats that were slightly smaller and we knew that we would be dissatisfied. We had to decide if we wanted to sail on our lake (close and easy for us to sail more often) or keep the boat at the shore. I would have easily selected a larger boat, 28'- 32' if we decided to stay at the shore ... there were plenty of older boats in good shape at an affordable price. For us, it was better to gain experience and have more time to sail close to home. When we are ready we will look for bigger cruising grounds and possibly a little larger boat. I will feel more comfortable having selected a boat that is closer in feel to what I ultimately want to have. Take a good look around, when you see something you like, you'll know it. Let your heart tell you!
Patrick, I agree with Droop. You have unlimited cruising grounds in Chesapeake Bay or beyond and there must be a wide selection of places to keep your boat. What are your constraints ... money ... time? Like most of us! I've trailered boats and don't like it ... all the fussing around, everybody else getting bored and making you tense! I was in your position earlier this summer, so I got a 27' Starwind that I had to have delivered to our lake on a truck. The admiral and I looked at a lot of boats that were slightly smaller and we knew that we would be dissatisfied. We had to decide if we wanted to sail on our lake (close and easy for us to sail more often) or keep the boat at the shore. I would have easily selected a larger boat, 28'- 32' if we decided to stay at the shore ... there were plenty of older boats in good shape at an affordable price. For us, it was better to gain experience and have more time to sail close to home. When we are ready we will look for bigger cruising grounds and possibly a little larger boat. I will feel more comfortable having selected a boat that is closer in feel to what I ultimately want to have. Take a good look around, when you see something you like, you'll know it. Let your heart tell you!
Do a little of Both
I have a MAC 23 which I keep in the water. I am sure that this would not qualify for the type that would sleep 3 or 4. I also have a little American D-18 which I trailer. I can get it in and out of the water in not much longer than it takes to get the MAC 23 ready to go (15 to 30 minutes). I enjoy the freedom to go to other lakes or even different parts of the same lake. If it comes time to sell, I will probably get rid of the MAC 23 first. It is rare than I can ever get 3 or 4 people who want to do an overnight and my wife and I can do an overnight in the D-18.
I have a MAC 23 which I keep in the water. I am sure that this would not qualify for the type that would sleep 3 or 4. I also have a little American D-18 which I trailer. I can get it in and out of the water in not much longer than it takes to get the MAC 23 ready to go (15 to 30 minutes). I enjoy the freedom to go to other lakes or even different parts of the same lake. If it comes time to sell, I will probably get rid of the MAC 23 first. It is rare than I can ever get 3 or 4 people who want to do an overnight and my wife and I can do an overnight in the D-18.
Model selection
There was no mention of trailering the boat anywhere. I have to assume that the intent will be to maintain a slip at a marina so that your time will be spent sailing instead of learning techcniques to quickly launch and retrieve the boat. There are countless boats that fall into your "wants" category. We went through the same process a couple of years ago. I wanted a non-water-ballasted boat rather than a water ballast model. We looked at Catalina and Hunter 22s, O'Day 25s, Catalina 25s and 27s, Hunter 25s, 25.5s and 27s, C&C 25s, 26s and 27s. And a lot more. All of these had great examples of features we thought important. We also saw a wide range of conditions (from major restoration projects to truly ready-to-sail well-maintained boats sailed weekly). We came very close to buying a very nice and well-maintained O'Day 25, but the cabin was just a little too cramped for the admiral. Similarly, it was only logistics that kept us out of a Catalina 25 fixed keel, but SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) would have thought it a bit small though would have enjoyed sailing a C25 (great sailing boat, large owner base, plenty of aftermarket support!). That was not the only C25 we looked at. In the end, we bought a Hunter 25.5. We got a reasonably good deal and its a lot bigger than boats of similar length (much bigger beam - 9+ feet - and about a foot longer than many other "25" foot models). The admiral was very satisfied with the cabin space and likes the way it sails. It was also located relatively close to where we wanted to sail (more important than you might think - transportation costs can be pretty high). Your mileage may vary. Rather than just considering a specific make and model of boat, another option might be to find a size and general price point that works for you. Look at places like http://www.yachtworld.com in the used boat listing to see what is out there in your size and price range. Find the right model that catches your eye. Also consider whether you want to invest your time in fixing up a boat with a few problems or if you would rather pay a little more and just go out sailing. Before you write your check, make sure you get an expert opinion on the candidate's condition. Surveys on boats in this size category are important to determine where there are major expenses ahead and also will help you determine the cost of ownership after the deal is done.
There was no mention of trailering the boat anywhere. I have to assume that the intent will be to maintain a slip at a marina so that your time will be spent sailing instead of learning techcniques to quickly launch and retrieve the boat. There are countless boats that fall into your "wants" category. We went through the same process a couple of years ago. I wanted a non-water-ballasted boat rather than a water ballast model. We looked at Catalina and Hunter 22s, O'Day 25s, Catalina 25s and 27s, Hunter 25s, 25.5s and 27s, C&C 25s, 26s and 27s. And a lot more. All of these had great examples of features we thought important. We also saw a wide range of conditions (from major restoration projects to truly ready-to-sail well-maintained boats sailed weekly). We came very close to buying a very nice and well-maintained O'Day 25, but the cabin was just a little too cramped for the admiral. Similarly, it was only logistics that kept us out of a Catalina 25 fixed keel, but SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) would have thought it a bit small though would have enjoyed sailing a C25 (great sailing boat, large owner base, plenty of aftermarket support!). That was not the only C25 we looked at. In the end, we bought a Hunter 25.5. We got a reasonably good deal and its a lot bigger than boats of similar length (much bigger beam - 9+ feet - and about a foot longer than many other "25" foot models). The admiral was very satisfied with the cabin space and likes the way it sails. It was also located relatively close to where we wanted to sail (more important than you might think - transportation costs can be pretty high). Your mileage may vary. Rather than just considering a specific make and model of boat, another option might be to find a size and general price point that works for you. Look at places like http://www.yachtworld.com in the used boat listing to see what is out there in your size and price range. Find the right model that catches your eye. Also consider whether you want to invest your time in fixing up a boat with a few problems or if you would rather pay a little more and just go out sailing. Before you write your check, make sure you get an expert opinion on the candidate's condition. Surveys on boats in this size category are important to determine where there are major expenses ahead and also will help you determine the cost of ownership after the deal is done.
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