I wonder if anyone can help me with deciding on a good first sailboat for the bay. I grew up sailing on a lake and recently moved to the Jersey Shore. I haven't sailed in 25 years, yet the water is calling my name. I don't want anything too big so that I can upright the boat on my own. At the same time, I don't want a Sunfish. I'd like a more relaxing sailing experience at this point in life. (At least until I get the hang of sailing again.) I'm also a little nervous about the sail swinging into my head with some of the smaller boats. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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upright on your own ???
are you planning on capsizing? Most of the medium sized trailer sail boat will not easily. Smaller day sailors may tend to go over, if not handled properly. People on a Sunfish want to get wet anyway. If you want to start with a smaller sturdy boat, I would recommend a Harpoon. If you want to go bigger, then try the Catalina 22. Regards, Ted
are you planning on capsizing? Most of the medium sized trailer sail boat will not easily. Smaller day sailors may tend to go over, if not handled properly. People on a Sunfish want to get wet anyway. If you want to start with a smaller sturdy boat, I would recommend a Harpoon. If you want to go bigger, then try the Catalina 22. Regards, Ted
upright on my own!
Thanks Ted. The reason I said that is because my neighbor bought a Hobie this summer. I think he has a 27 ft. sail. He has capsized 3 times, and all 3 times another neighbor had to go out in his motorboat and upright the Hobie. My neighbor only weighs 140 lbs. and he is stranded every time he goes over. After calling Hobie, they told him he needs to weigh at least 150 lbs. They recommended a buoy that attaches to the top of the mast to prevent it from going under, thereby making it easier to get the boat back up. It got me to thinking! I'd like to be able to sail without worrying about being stranded in the middle of the bay. Thinking about that now, it does sound pretty funny. I have to start thinking with confidence. I'll check out the boats you recommended.
Thanks Ted. The reason I said that is because my neighbor bought a Hobie this summer. I think he has a 27 ft. sail. He has capsized 3 times, and all 3 times another neighbor had to go out in his motorboat and upright the Hobie. My neighbor only weighs 140 lbs. and he is stranded every time he goes over. After calling Hobie, they told him he needs to weigh at least 150 lbs. They recommended a buoy that attaches to the top of the mast to prevent it from going under, thereby making it easier to get the boat back up. It got me to thinking! I'd like to be able to sail without worrying about being stranded in the middle of the bay. Thinking about that now, it does sound pretty funny. I have to start thinking with confidence. I'll check out the boats you recommended.
How about one of these for starters?
I also understand they're quite reasonably priced too. There will be some nice deals soon at the upcoming boat shows.
I also understand they're quite reasonably priced too. There will be some nice deals soon at the upcoming boat shows.
How about one of these for starters?
I also understand they're quite reasonably priced too. There will be some nice deals soon at the upcoming boat shows.
I also understand they're quite reasonably priced too. There will be some nice deals soon at the upcoming boat shows.
popular in nj
Another boat popular in the New Jersey area is the Mariner, currently mfg by Stuart Marine, but in the past made by O'Day. There are a number of fleets in your area, and used boats can be had for a couple of grand, or less if you are a fixer upper. At 19' they can be sailed solo, yet the post 1969 boats can sleep 2+2 in the enclosed cabin. They weigh in a 1300# so can be easily trailered by a good midsized vehicle and launched at most ramps, with a draft of 10". They have a fairly active class association. Check out their website at http://usmariner.org/phpBB2/ Currently I sail a Daysailer II, also made by O'day. It is slightly smaller at 17' and weighs in at 575#. It too is easy to sail solo, and you would have difficulty tipping it if you were sailing it with the sheets in your hands. Their association website is at http://www.daysailer.org/index.php
Another boat popular in the New Jersey area is the Mariner, currently mfg by Stuart Marine, but in the past made by O'Day. There are a number of fleets in your area, and used boats can be had for a couple of grand, or less if you are a fixer upper. At 19' they can be sailed solo, yet the post 1969 boats can sleep 2+2 in the enclosed cabin. They weigh in a 1300# so can be easily trailered by a good midsized vehicle and launched at most ramps, with a draft of 10". They have a fairly active class association. Check out their website at http://usmariner.org/phpBB2/ Currently I sail a Daysailer II, also made by O'day. It is slightly smaller at 17' and weighs in at 575#. It too is easy to sail solo, and you would have difficulty tipping it if you were sailing it with the sheets in your hands. Their association website is at http://www.daysailer.org/index.php
upright on my own
My cousin and I took the basic sailing glass when we were in Junior High and one of the first things we were instructed to do was capsize our vessels and right them. I'm not sure about the Hobie configuration, but the little dinghies (8 or 10 ft) we were in had a long dagger board that we stood on and leaned back until the sail popped out the water. One time we actually sent the sail 360 degrees (yes a full capsize). The instructor got a little nervous on that one.
My cousin and I took the basic sailing glass when we were in Junior High and one of the first things we were instructed to do was capsize our vessels and right them. I'm not sure about the Hobie configuration, but the little dinghies (8 or 10 ft) we were in had a long dagger board that we stood on and leaned back until the sail popped out the water. One time we actually sent the sail 360 degrees (yes a full capsize). The instructor got a little nervous on that one.
Ill go with Roger
We also have a Rhodes 19 built in 1964. Currently manufactured as a mariner by Stuart. same molds as our boat. we have the swing keel, they come in swing or fixed. As far as trailer options I would go with a swing as the are easily trailered.. It is a little awkward raising the mast by yourself but if you can keep it somewhere in water I would Highly recomend them. they are beamy and stable, tough but not impossible to turtle. they have a small cuddy for storing gear and a small outboard cane be clamped on the transom. overall a very fun boat. My pics are to large to post here but I can email them to you if you like. Good Luck. rob rob.maas@bermstudios.com
We also have a Rhodes 19 built in 1964. Currently manufactured as a mariner by Stuart. same molds as our boat. we have the swing keel, they come in swing or fixed. As far as trailer options I would go with a swing as the are easily trailered.. It is a little awkward raising the mast by yourself but if you can keep it somewhere in water I would Highly recomend them. they are beamy and stable, tough but not impossible to turtle. they have a small cuddy for storing gear and a small outboard cane be clamped on the transom. overall a very fun boat. My pics are to large to post here but I can email them to you if you like. Good Luck. rob rob.maas@bermstudios.com
How about a melonseed
How about a melonseed? They are beautiful, amazingly sturdy, and built for quite rugged conditions when you consider their size. Check out www.melonseed.com.
How about a melonseed? They are beautiful, amazingly sturdy, and built for quite rugged conditions when you consider their size. Check out www.melonseed.com.
Bigger than a melonseed
How about a Thistle? It is bigger than a Melonseed and can be used for speed (it will plane) or a relaxing day cruse. Check them out at http://www.thistleclass.com. I have one and love sailing it. If or when you go over in one, it is easy to bring upright by standing in the centerboard. At 515# it is easy to trailer and sail solo.
How about a Thistle? It is bigger than a Melonseed and can be used for speed (it will plane) or a relaxing day cruse. Check them out at http://www.thistleclass.com. I have one and love sailing it. If or when you go over in one, it is easy to bring upright by standing in the centerboard. At 515# it is easy to trailer and sail solo.
Bigger than a melonseed
How about a Thistle? It is bigger than a Melonseed and can be used for speed (it will plane) or a relaxing day cruse. Check them out at http://www.thistleclass.com. I have one and love sailing it. If or when you go over in one, it is easy to bring upright by standing in the centerboard. At 515# it is easy to trailer and sail solo.
How about a Thistle? It is bigger than a Melonseed and can be used for speed (it will plane) or a relaxing day cruse. Check them out at http://www.thistleclass.com. I have one and love sailing it. If or when you go over in one, it is easy to bring upright by standing in the centerboard. At 515# it is easy to trailer and sail solo.
Thanks for the suggestions
I'm having a lot of fun researching the boats that were recommended. The more I look, the more I learn. Thanks for all of your suggestions. I think I officially have sand in my shoes.
I'm having a lot of fun researching the boats that were recommended. The more I look, the more I learn. Thanks for all of your suggestions. I think I officially have sand in my shoes.
Flying Scot gets my vote
I used to sail them a lot when I lived in the Wash. DC. area Good, stable, sturdy, ROOMY boat, very forgiving but has plenty of performance potential once your skills and confidence develop. This boat draws eight inches with the centerboard up and will tow behind a Honda Civic. It's like a Thistle only bigger. Prices vary based on age and condition but there are lots of them out there. See the link below. If you're hankering for something a little bigger you can't beat a Catalina 22. Same qualities as the Scot but with a decent cabin, very affordable and will hold its value. Good luck with the search. Peter H23 "Raven"
I used to sail them a lot when I lived in the Wash. DC. area Good, stable, sturdy, ROOMY boat, very forgiving but has plenty of performance potential once your skills and confidence develop. This boat draws eight inches with the centerboard up and will tow behind a Honda Civic. It's like a Thistle only bigger. Prices vary based on age and condition but there are lots of them out there. See the link below. If you're hankering for something a little bigger you can't beat a Catalina 22. Same qualities as the Scot but with a decent cabin, very affordable and will hold its value. Good luck with the search. Peter H23 "Raven"
Laser II
I like the laser 2, has main and jib, can be rigged easy by one, fast, good resale. holds 2. how many do you want to go sailing with? on the hobie, he has a few options. a kit is avail to loosen the shrouds about 2', which gives a better advantage, or he can use water bags for leverage for righting. i had the same problem when I single handed my hobie 16, the shroud kit solved it. not sure it was a FACTORY item, but it worked great...
I like the laser 2, has main and jib, can be rigged easy by one, fast, good resale. holds 2. how many do you want to go sailing with? on the hobie, he has a few options. a kit is avail to loosen the shrouds about 2', which gives a better advantage, or he can use water bags for leverage for righting. i had the same problem when I single handed my hobie 16, the shroud kit solved it. not sure it was a FACTORY item, but it worked great...
Laser II??
A Laser II is a lot more "tippy" than a Sunfish. Try a small Keelboat like a Seaward, Precision, Com-pac, or something similar. All hold up fairly well in a blow.
A Laser II is a lot more "tippy" than a Sunfish. Try a small Keelboat like a Seaward, Precision, Com-pac, or something similar. All hold up fairly well in a blow.
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