Well, I've got the itch to enter the sailing world. I've never owned my own sailboat and would love to take it up. It seems like the perfect way to get out on the water and not sink (sorry for the pun) an arm and a leg in doing so. My problem is I live smack dab in the middle of USA. The only real good area to sail is Lake Carlisle in Ill. I'm not sure I'd ever be brave enough to tackle the Mississippi and all of the barges, and floating debris. I would like to even do some fishing from onboard. I'm not sure I need a huge cabin, other than one to store some gear from out of the weather. I've dreamt about vacationing in spots near the Gulf, or Atlantic and do some costal sailing (once I get some experience). I've poured over just about everything I can get to on the Net and seemed to think the Catalina 22 (wing Keel) would be a good boat. Anybody have an opinion to share??
Need a little buying advice!
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Take Sailing Lessons
Take Sailing Lessons: The experience is invaluable - you will be 1000% safer - you will have more experience to choose a boat for yourself. Here is a link to sailing schools, some probably near you or perhaps somewhere you would like to take a vacation :http://www.american-sailing.com/index.php A Catalina 22 is a good boat - you are not likely to lose much, if any, money when you move up. Like most affordable boats - they have their limitations - with experience from sailing school it could work well for you. Another route is to rent or charter for a while - sail a few different kinds of boats and find out what you really like. You will probably need the certifications from the lessons to do this. I am sailing a school's J22s on a season timeshare charter - only $700 for the season - cheap sailing.
Take Sailing Lessons: The experience is invaluable - you will be 1000% safer - you will have more experience to choose a boat for yourself. Here is a link to sailing schools, some probably near you or perhaps somewhere you would like to take a vacation :http://www.american-sailing.com/index.php A Catalina 22 is a good boat - you are not likely to lose much, if any, money when you move up. Like most affordable boats - they have their limitations - with experience from sailing school it could work well for you. Another route is to rent or charter for a while - sail a few different kinds of boats and find out what you really like. You will probably need the certifications from the lessons to do this. I am sailing a school's J22s on a season timeshare charter - only $700 for the season - cheap sailing.
Only by reputation.
Joe, I know nothing about the C22, except that a coupla billion owners can't be wrong. (OK, that's a slight exaggeration.) In my marina there's a couple of them parked on each side of my h23. The newest move-in, a guy about 60, spent at least six hours in 95-degree sun cleaning up his new-to-him C22. I told him he must be used to the heat; he said, in a t-shirt completely drenched with sweat, "Nah, it's just enthusiasm." He has a wing keel, said he grounded it on his first voyage. Just got out and shoved off. You sound like a guy absolutely ready for sailing. Mac
Joe, I know nothing about the C22, except that a coupla billion owners can't be wrong. (OK, that's a slight exaggeration.) In my marina there's a couple of them parked on each side of my h23. The newest move-in, a guy about 60, spent at least six hours in 95-degree sun cleaning up his new-to-him C22. I told him he must be used to the heat; he said, in a t-shirt completely drenched with sweat, "Nah, it's just enthusiasm." He has a wing keel, said he grounded it on his first voyage. Just got out and shoved off. You sound like a guy absolutely ready for sailing. Mac
Suggest a 24 foot if you can handle it
A 24 foot sailboat with a pop up roof (deck) is great for overnighting, or even longer. You might be surprised that you take to boating more than you think. The jump from a 22 to a 24 is more profound in terms of overnighting space, than the jump from a 24 to a 26. I lived in Chicago and Madison for a total of 9 years, you've got lots of areas for boating if you trailor it. I've known people to hit camp grounds with their boat, and they slept in the boats as though they were RV's. Good Luck
A 24 foot sailboat with a pop up roof (deck) is great for overnighting, or even longer. You might be surprised that you take to boating more than you think. The jump from a 22 to a 24 is more profound in terms of overnighting space, than the jump from a 24 to a 26. I lived in Chicago and Madison for a total of 9 years, you've got lots of areas for boating if you trailor it. I've known people to hit camp grounds with their boat, and they slept in the boats as though they were RV's. Good Luck
Depends on the size you want
I've been intrigued with the Sea Pearl 21. Not your traditional sailboat, perhaps, but seems easy to trailer and launch and may be worth a look.
I've been intrigued with the Sea Pearl 21. Not your traditional sailboat, perhaps, but seems easy to trailer and launch and may be worth a look.
Experience, experience
I've seen more people turned off to boating by buying the wrong boat than anything else. Do yourself a big favor: go out on as many different boats as you can. See what you like and don't like; what works for you and what would be unnecessary. One good way to do this is to try and find a "sailing club". For a seasonal fee, some dealers run programs that give you a set number of sails on a boat that they maintain. Sort of like a time share. If you are going to trailer the beast, go to a boat launching ramp and just watch; which boats seem easiest to handle? How big a vehicle do you need to tow it? Is it really worth all the compromises necessary to get a towable vehicle? The wing keel boat you suggested is relatively difficult to launch and recover (more so than the swing keel model). If you must buy a boat before you do any of this, then buy a boat that will be easy to sell. The Catalina 22 is a good choice there. They hold their value well.
I've seen more people turned off to boating by buying the wrong boat than anything else. Do yourself a big favor: go out on as many different boats as you can. See what you like and don't like; what works for you and what would be unnecessary. One good way to do this is to try and find a "sailing club". For a seasonal fee, some dealers run programs that give you a set number of sails on a boat that they maintain. Sort of like a time share. If you are going to trailer the beast, go to a boat launching ramp and just watch; which boats seem easiest to handle? How big a vehicle do you need to tow it? Is it really worth all the compromises necessary to get a towable vehicle? The wing keel boat you suggested is relatively difficult to launch and recover (more so than the swing keel model). If you must buy a boat before you do any of this, then buy a boat that will be easy to sell. The Catalina 22 is a good choice there. They hold their value well.
C22 is good
I used to own one and liked it--good boat for one person, a little small for two. If I were you I would look at a water ballast boat like a H240, H260, or C250. They are light for towing but have more cabin room. You say you don't need a large cabin but you won't believe how small that cabin gets after a couple of days.
I used to own one and liked it--good boat for one person, a little small for two. If I were you I would look at a water ballast boat like a H240, H260, or C250. They are light for towing but have more cabin room. You say you don't need a large cabin but you won't believe how small that cabin gets after a couple of days.
Joe, Have you sailed before?
I couldn't tell from your post if you have sailed before or not. If not then I'd take the advice of others here and try a sailing school or club first. Where you could get some on-the-water time to see if sailing is for you. I have see many boats for sale where the owner bought their first boat thinking they wanted to be a sailor but it just didn't work out for them. As for a first boat you are on the right track with a 22. If you wanted to get in real cheap you might even consider a Hobie Cat. There are hundreds of cat sailors around to give you pointers and they re-sale quick if you decide to move up. Ted
I couldn't tell from your post if you have sailed before or not. If not then I'd take the advice of others here and try a sailing school or club first. Where you could get some on-the-water time to see if sailing is for you. I have see many boats for sale where the owner bought their first boat thinking they wanted to be a sailor but it just didn't work out for them. As for a first boat you are on the right track with a 22. If you wanted to get in real cheap you might even consider a Hobie Cat. There are hundreds of cat sailors around to give you pointers and they re-sale quick if you decide to move up. Ted
Boat buying advice
One of the least expensive to buy , maintain, and dock or trailer is an early model 1965-69 (Bulkheads) Cal20. The fiberglass was layed on by hand then and built extremely sturdy. It's seaworthy enough to have sailed to Hawaii from San Fransisco in 19 days. It has a 950lb fixed keel, and cannot be capsized. Perfectly balanced and simple to sail. It sleeps 4 people. But is easily trailered. There are thousands of them in racing fleets around the U.S. and Canada. You can find a very nice one for $2000 or cheaper. There are some listed on Craigs list, and Ebay. I learned to sail on one and after two weeks of sailing it alone around the Marina, I started sailing alone out to Catalina Island every weekend.
One of the least expensive to buy , maintain, and dock or trailer is an early model 1965-69 (Bulkheads) Cal20. The fiberglass was layed on by hand then and built extremely sturdy. It's seaworthy enough to have sailed to Hawaii from San Fransisco in 19 days. It has a 950lb fixed keel, and cannot be capsized. Perfectly balanced and simple to sail. It sleeps 4 people. But is easily trailered. There are thousands of them in racing fleets around the U.S. and Canada. You can find a very nice one for $2000 or cheaper. There are some listed on Craigs list, and Ebay. I learned to sail on one and after two weeks of sailing it alone around the Marina, I started sailing alone out to Catalina Island every weekend.
HOPE you try one of THESE....
If youre gonna trailer the boat, a water ballast is great. I own a MacGregor 26C (basically the same as the 26D, and 26S). Or you can try the Mac 26X (a little larger cabin), but still has the water ballast. The Mac 26X can support up to a 50 H.P., so you can either sail, or plane the boat at over 20 m.p.h. WATER BALLASTs are great in design...try one before you make a decision.
If youre gonna trailer the boat, a water ballast is great. I own a MacGregor 26C (basically the same as the 26D, and 26S). Or you can try the Mac 26X (a little larger cabin), but still has the water ballast. The Mac 26X can support up to a 50 H.P., so you can either sail, or plane the boat at over 20 m.p.h. WATER BALLASTs are great in design...try one before you make a decision.
Need a little buying advise!
Louis H: This is off topic but you know where I ran into the first MacGregor with the 50 HP? It was at the 50th Newport to Ensenada race. I had the watch after midnight and was enjoying Halley Comet,which was spectacular!! Unfortunately, we were just sitting there with little wind and the next thing I hear is the sound of an OB. We are about 15 miles off San Diego and a number of boats have just come out of no where and passed us silently. The next thing I see is the Macgregor and he took a first.
Louis H: This is off topic but you know where I ran into the first MacGregor with the 50 HP? It was at the 50th Newport to Ensenada race. I had the watch after midnight and was enjoying Halley Comet,which was spectacular!! Unfortunately, we were just sitting there with little wind and the next thing I hear is the sound of an OB. We are about 15 miles off San Diego and a number of boats have just come out of no where and passed us silently. The next thing I see is the Macgregor and he took a first.
Small
My advise would be to start small and cheap - like a el toro, sunfish or laser. Buy something old and used, cheap. Car top or trailer for a season on inland lakes. The Catalina 22 is good. There are lots of good / cheap 22ish foot sloops. Columbia, Santana, McGregor, San Jaun, O'Day, Cal, etc.... they will all work fine, but it takes some shopping to find the best boat with the best trailer with the best accessories that you want so.... buy the small one now ASAP. While your using it, shop for the 22 footer. After a couple yours you'll want to move up again. Don't try to make any of these boat your dream boat. Just buy one and go sailing. People who wait for the perfect boat never leave shore. good luck kurt PS: There's a diffence between capsize and "self-righting". All boat can capsize, some are "self-righting". It should be noted that "self righting" boats will only self-right if not filled with water. All boats can sink. This includes the Cal 20 which although "self-righting" can capsize and sink.
My advise would be to start small and cheap - like a el toro, sunfish or laser. Buy something old and used, cheap. Car top or trailer for a season on inland lakes. The Catalina 22 is good. There are lots of good / cheap 22ish foot sloops. Columbia, Santana, McGregor, San Jaun, O'Day, Cal, etc.... they will all work fine, but it takes some shopping to find the best boat with the best trailer with the best accessories that you want so.... buy the small one now ASAP. While your using it, shop for the 22 footer. After a couple yours you'll want to move up again. Don't try to make any of these boat your dream boat. Just buy one and go sailing. People who wait for the perfect boat never leave shore. good luck kurt PS: There's a diffence between capsize and "self-righting". All boat can capsize, some are "self-righting". It should be noted that "self righting" boats will only self-right if not filled with water. All boats can sink. This includes the Cal 20 which although "self-righting" can capsize and sink.
Joe
Joe, that sounds like a nice vision you have, but it's easy to see that it's a bit romantic at this point. Nothing wrong with that; you just don't have much real experience to use to make any decisions. First things first (they already have you up to 26 feet, and all you wanted was to throw your tacklebox in a cabin). Take a sailing class. See if the reality is anything like your perception. Sailing can be more demanding, i.e., require more constant attention and constant adjustment of controls) than many suspected at first. At least then you'll know if you want to pursue this, or if some other leisure pursuit might fit you better. Having said that, and having owned a Catalina 22, I can tell you it's a great little boat for the first-time owner. For easy launching/recovery, the retractable swing keel, as opposed to a wing keel, will offer fewer hassles and provide all the performance a non-racer needs. Take a class. You'll be more knowledgeable, safer, and in a better position to decide what you want to do.
Joe, that sounds like a nice vision you have, but it's easy to see that it's a bit romantic at this point. Nothing wrong with that; you just don't have much real experience to use to make any decisions. First things first (they already have you up to 26 feet, and all you wanted was to throw your tacklebox in a cabin). Take a sailing class. See if the reality is anything like your perception. Sailing can be more demanding, i.e., require more constant attention and constant adjustment of controls) than many suspected at first. At least then you'll know if you want to pursue this, or if some other leisure pursuit might fit you better. Having said that, and having owned a Catalina 22, I can tell you it's a great little boat for the first-time owner. For easy launching/recovery, the retractable swing keel, as opposed to a wing keel, will offer fewer hassles and provide all the performance a non-racer needs. Take a class. You'll be more knowledgeable, safer, and in a better position to decide what you want to do.
Louis Holub
Louis, I just bought a 1994 Mac 26c and have a few questions from time to time. Are you open to me emailing you a few questions ? If so email me a hello at rrhoades3@kc.rr.com. If not, I understand. Roger
Louis, I just bought a 1994 Mac 26c and have a few questions from time to time. Are you open to me emailing you a few questions ? If so email me a hello at rrhoades3@kc.rr.com. If not, I understand. Roger
A good place to start is take a class
I would suggest that if you are not yet a sailor, take a boating course, then a sailing class. You don't need a boat to do these. Your local USPS (US Power Squadran) will have boating courses, and your local parks department may have sailing classes. You will get to learn the basics, how the sail works with the wind, and rules of the road. You will learn on a small boat, like a laser, or laser II. These boats have all the same components as bigger boats, and they are fast and fun. These small boats turns on a dime like a sports car, compared to bigger boats that turns in slow motion. After that, join a timeshare. You can play with different boats, and different sizes. You may end up loving sailing, or may wish to go with power boats, or neither. When you are ready to buy your 1st boat, don't buy a new boat. Buy an older and sound boat. You are bound to scratch it, or dent it, or even crash it. If it is a new boat, you will cry a lot. With an older boat, it won't hurt so much, and you can learn to repair them. Part of boating is fixing them, playing with them, and just to be around them. When you are ready, and you will know when, you can go to another boat, then another boat, then towards your dream boat. Have fun, and fun can be had on lots of boats.
I would suggest that if you are not yet a sailor, take a boating course, then a sailing class. You don't need a boat to do these. Your local USPS (US Power Squadran) will have boating courses, and your local parks department may have sailing classes. You will get to learn the basics, how the sail works with the wind, and rules of the road. You will learn on a small boat, like a laser, or laser II. These boats have all the same components as bigger boats, and they are fast and fun. These small boats turns on a dime like a sports car, compared to bigger boats that turns in slow motion. After that, join a timeshare. You can play with different boats, and different sizes. You may end up loving sailing, or may wish to go with power boats, or neither. When you are ready to buy your 1st boat, don't buy a new boat. Buy an older and sound boat. You are bound to scratch it, or dent it, or even crash it. If it is a new boat, you will cry a lot. With an older boat, it won't hurt so much, and you can learn to repair them. Part of boating is fixing them, playing with them, and just to be around them. When you are ready, and you will know when, you can go to another boat, then another boat, then towards your dream boat. Have fun, and fun can be had on lots of boats.
Just what I did
I had been interested in sailing for a long time. Like you - living in the middle of America (Arkansas). Read about it, dreamed about it, started building a stitch and glue Bolger, TOOK SAILING LESSONS!!, sailed a couple of times on a friends Hunter 26, just bought a Catalina 22 swing keel that I pick up tomorrow. Take the lessons (assuming you haven't already!!) then buy that Cat 22 and go sailing! Good luck!!
I had been interested in sailing for a long time. Like you - living in the middle of America (Arkansas). Read about it, dreamed about it, started building a stitch and glue Bolger, TOOK SAILING LESSONS!!, sailed a couple of times on a friends Hunter 26, just bought a Catalina 22 swing keel that I pick up tomorrow. Take the lessons (assuming you haven't already!!) then buy that Cat 22 and go sailing! Good luck!!
Looking for 1st boat
I am also looking for a first boat to sail in Northern Wisconsin. Took a sailing course many years ago and will repeat but I am very curious about picking out a boat. I found a 1986 17'Seaward advertised in the paper. From what I could find on the web, it looks like a nice boat. Any comments?
I am also looking for a first boat to sail in Northern Wisconsin. Took a sailing course many years ago and will repeat but I am very curious about picking out a boat. I found a 1986 17'Seaward advertised in the paper. From what I could find on the web, it looks like a nice boat. Any comments?
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