Need advice on first boat

[SRUS1]

I did some sailing in my teens, but have been out of it for over 15 years. I now live in Monterey Bay and want to get back into it. I am starting lessons within 2 months. I would really appreciate input and advice with my boat selection. There are not alot of boats for sale here, so it is likely I will have to drive to pick her up or have her shipped out to me.

It must be trailerable, at least 22 feet, and capable of an overnight. I drive a 2 wheel drive nissan titan.

I plan to sail the Monterey Bay primarily, so she needs to be seaworthy. I would also like to be able to go down the CA coast. I am also interested in towing her to mexico, florida keys, and the San Juan Islands in Washington on vacation.

I have some questions about ballast and keel, such as which is more steady, easier to tow etc. I would like something that can be beached if possible, so I can explore the shore, but I don't want to sacrifice too much stability and handling.

My budget is about $10,000 or less for a turn key boat. Is that reasonable?

Thank you for all your help in advance.

 

[timebandit]

The California cost is some of the most dangerous and no place to hide.

 

[rejenk3]

Yes. Last year I bought an early 80s Catalina 22 with trailer and 4-stroke outboard for $3500. It was freshwater only and stored on the trailer. A little polish and she looks and sails near new. But be sure to hold back a few thousand for electronics, required safety equipment, upgrades, and possibly new sails. C22 would be about the minimum to meet your needs, but with $10K you have some wiggle room to go bigger.

Most likely the PO will keep the portable electronics. Where fog is an issue, GPS would be desirable (not necessarly a chart plotter). Standard Horizon sells a VHS HX850S with GPS for a couple of hundred. Heck in Monterey, you won't need a depth sounder if you are more than 50' from shore.

Dad had a boat in Moss Landing. Fun place.

 

[sailingdog]

I'd highly recommend you get Henkel's book, The Sailor’s Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, which discusses a lot of boats <27' LOA. It would give you some good ideas on what the pros and cons of various boats might be.

The California coastline is not a forgiving place to sail a small boat, and you really need one that is fairly seaworthy.

 

[rejenk3]

I agree with timebandit. A small boat will do most of what you want. But sailing down the CA coast in one would be ill advised. I would not want to be moe than a couple of hours from a safe harbor. But the advantage of a trailer sailer is that you can tow it down the coast and day sail in those places.

BTW, the C22 club in Folsom does a San Juan trip about once a year and Tahoe is to die for.

 

[dscribner]

Last year I bought a Lancer 25. She's 3400 lbs dry. On a 1000 lb trailer, with a motor and gear, that's pretty close to 5000 lbs. We tow her with an F150 (5.4 ltr), most of the time with two wheels. She tows quite well. The boat and trailer were someplace around $4000 combined. I don't know about the stability of various boats. In Maine, you can't swing a cat without hitting a harbour so I didn't consider that when I bought her. My son would say (and did say) "Go big or go home". Look for a 24 footer plus with a retractable keel and an 8'-0 beam. That will get you anywhere, in any water and still be light enough to not kill your transmission. Oh, and have a blast!

This is prbably a stupid thing to say, but in fall and winter you find better deals on boats than in the spring time. We bought ours in November.

Fair winds!

Don

 

[Glenn17427]

There are several boats to choose from, I have a Com Pac Eclipse 21 (2006) it has a shoal keel (700lbs) and a stainless steel center board which swings down to about 5 feet. the center board is realy light and easy to handle. with the center board up I only have about 18 inches draft, easy to beach. very easy to tow, set up and launch.

Presion 21 is another fine boat (not sure of the particular on it.

I sail out of Ventura Marina and am retiring in June, hope to do more sailing and would like to meet others who trailer sail. Folsom and Tahoe would be nice

my home e-mail is glenn.basore@sbcglobal.net

Glenn

ps. As to the 10k, certainly you can find a good used boat which is a smart way to buy. many older boats have many extras on them. good luck

 

[timebandit]

have a look at this vid.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7076785769434785211#

 

[RECESS]

One consideration you should have with a trailerable sailboat that you intend to store on a trailer is how easy is it to raise the mast? After 22' it gets a lot harder than just rocking and lifting the mast into place. I have a friend that is looking to jump in right now and he keeps looking at how roomy our O'Day 25 is but he will be most likely on his own to raise the mast every time they go away with the boat. I keep telling him that the Catalina 22 is what he is going to be happiest with just based on mast raising. It help he and his wife are both about 5'5".

 

[Sumner]

One consideration you should have with a trailerable sailboat that you intend to store on a trailer is how easy is it to raise the mast? After 22' it gets a lot harder than just rocking and lifting the mast into place. I have a friend that is looking to jump in right now and he keeps looking at how roomy our O'Day 25 is but he will be most likely on his own to raise the mast every time they go away with the boat. I keep telling him that the Catalina 22 is what he is going to be happiest with just based on mast raising. It help he and his wife are both about 5'5".

Check Bandit's video out. I can easily raise the mast on the Mac 26 by myself. Sometimes Ruth raises it while I watch the lines. From the time I park I could have the mast up in 10 minutes by myself. I've pushed it up without the gin pole, but it just takes a minute to attach it and the block and tackle and crank it up with the winch.

Since we stay out multiple nights I'll take the extra room of the 26 footer and put up with maybe an extra 5 minutes to put the mast up. If longer trips aren't in the guys plans then the 22 is probably fine.

Just an opinion,

Sum


Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links

 

[JoeWhite]

Well - you are in luck. I am selling my 1984 Hunter 25.5 sailboat. I can tell you more if you send me an email haro_b@att.net.
I baugh her in 2004 and since then I have added roller jib 135%, new engine 4 stroke 9.9, new main sail, depth and knot meter and new display. I also have designed a mast rasing system that can be used practically with one person. I have trailered her to Santa Cruz Harbour and sailer on Monterey Bay. I have an online album with many photos of her. It is in Coyote Point Marina in San Mateo. And it goes for $ 10,000.00 with its trailer.
Let me know if you would like to see her.

 

[Freedom77]

You wnat something east to rig and easy to launch self righting with positvie floatation, (losts of foam), recommend Venture 21-25, Catalina 22 worlds biggest production cruiser and easy to get parts or something in that range. California is going to break off and fall into the Pacific from the weight of all the boats sitting idle in driveways. You should be able to find one at a reasonable price. Check your local penny saver. Fair winds...