My wife and I are retiring to Syracuse NY (don't ask) in a year or two and I am going to put a boat on Lake Ontario (Henderson Harbor area). I will retire my Hunter 235 and want to get something larger that will be comfortable to live on during the summer months for long weekends. I also need a boat that sails well, is easy to single hand (I figure 30 to 33 feet) is mid- to late 80s and costs less than $50K. I'm looking for suggestions. Right now I'm interested in the Island Packet 31, Pearson 332 and Ericson 32 boats but would appreciate your input. I like Sabre but it may be out of my price range. I also have to get it to the Great Lakes. Has anyone taken the trip up the Atlantic coast from New York City to the St Lawrence and then down the river and into the Lake? How difficult. Is it a single handed trip (I doubt it but have to ask). Thanks in advance. Hayden
Looking for my
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Get a Great Lakes Boat
I would look to purchase a boat that has lived in fresh water. They are usually in better shape, and having been hauled each fall are less likely to have a high moisture content. Also, another advantage is bottom paint. The vast majority of GL sailors use VC 17 as it is pretty effective in the cooler, fresh water and is very easy to reapply each year as one gets virtually no build up. It sounds like you have a good length of time in the summer for cruising, so a liesurely cruise through the lakes would be a nice way to bring a boat from L Mich or L Huron. I moved mine from Racine, WI to Olcott NY on L Ontario last summer, going through the North Channel and Georgian Bay. It was a fabulous cruise that I took 3 months to do, though it could easily be done in a month or less. After hearing some of the horror stories about brokers on this site, I felt fortunate to have dealt with good brokers over the last 25 years on L Mich. I know that around Western L Ontario, RCR is very popular and I have not heard any complaints about them.
I would look to purchase a boat that has lived in fresh water. They are usually in better shape, and having been hauled each fall are less likely to have a high moisture content. Also, another advantage is bottom paint. The vast majority of GL sailors use VC 17 as it is pretty effective in the cooler, fresh water and is very easy to reapply each year as one gets virtually no build up. It sounds like you have a good length of time in the summer for cruising, so a liesurely cruise through the lakes would be a nice way to bring a boat from L Mich or L Huron. I moved mine from Racine, WI to Olcott NY on L Ontario last summer, going through the North Channel and Georgian Bay. It was a fabulous cruise that I took 3 months to do, though it could easily be done in a month or less. After hearing some of the horror stories about brokers on this site, I felt fortunate to have dealt with good brokers over the last 25 years on L Mich. I know that around Western L Ontario, RCR is very popular and I have not heard any complaints about them.
Freshwater boat
I would agree that you're going to be better off if you look at freswater boats. You'll find a lot in Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan to choose from. Look at 30-34 foot Catalinas. Good value for the dollar.
I would agree that you're going to be better off if you look at freswater boats. You'll find a lot in Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan to choose from. Look at 30-34 foot Catalinas. Good value for the dollar.
Consider CS 33 or 36
One of the great boat builders of the '80s was Canadian Sailcraft (CS) of Brampton Ontario. Their boats have held up very well and are found on all the Great Lakes on both sides of the border. A well maintained CS30 goes for about $50 CDN = $45 US; a CS36 maybe as much as $75 CDN = $68 US, depending on inventory and condition. Almost all of the brokers on your side of the lake will have one or have a line on one. I would not recommend a heavy boat like an Island Packet on Lake Ontario. For most of June, July and August the wind averages about 8 to 12 knots. A good light air boat is useful about 3 times as often as you will want a heavy air boat.
One of the great boat builders of the '80s was Canadian Sailcraft (CS) of Brampton Ontario. Their boats have held up very well and are found on all the Great Lakes on both sides of the border. A well maintained CS30 goes for about $50 CDN = $45 US; a CS36 maybe as much as $75 CDN = $68 US, depending on inventory and condition. Almost all of the brokers on your side of the lake will have one or have a line on one. I would not recommend a heavy boat like an Island Packet on Lake Ontario. For most of June, July and August the wind averages about 8 to 12 knots. A good light air boat is useful about 3 times as often as you will want a heavy air boat.
A Catalina 36 or 34 is in that price range
if you shop around. Not shoal draft, but you didn't say you wanted shoal draft. I'm not familiar with the Hunter and Beneteau models in that size/price, but if you do a search on Yachtworld (go to the Advanced Search) you'll see a lot of boats to choose from.
if you shop around. Not shoal draft, but you didn't say you wanted shoal draft. I'm not familiar with the Hunter and Beneteau models in that size/price, but if you do a search on Yachtworld (go to the Advanced Search) you'll see a lot of boats to choose from.
Take the Erie canal.
I aggree with Pete - you should take the Erie Canal. You will need to build something to hold your mast on your new boat. I would immagine you could build a wooden cradle quite easily. That is a trip you could single hand - you'll motor most of the way.
I aggree with Pete - you should take the Erie Canal. You will need to build something to hold your mast on your new boat. I would immagine you could build a wooden cradle quite easily. That is a trip you could single hand - you'll motor most of the way.
Heyden
I was out in Rochester yesterday and looked around the harbor a bit. There seemed to be a lot of used boats around and buying in Rochester would make delivery to Henderson a lot easier. Check out Navy Point (http://www.navypointmarine.com/rochester.html) and RCR.
I was out in Rochester yesterday and looked around the harbor a bit. There seemed to be a lot of used boats around and buying in Rochester would make delivery to Henderson a lot easier. Check out Navy Point (http://www.navypointmarine.com/rochester.html) and RCR.
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