I am 68 and have been sailing a Sunfish for four years on a 3600 acre lake in north central iowa - am interested in replacing the Sunfish with a larger sailboat that I can sail easily WITHOUT HELP, that I can sail accompanied by three additional people without getting wet, that has a small cutty cabin, and that will accommodate a 3 to 5 horse outboard motor - any model suggestions would be appreciated.
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19' Daysailer
John I have a 19' Johnson daysailer olcated in central Iowa I would like to sell. Doesn't have a cutty but it does have large storgage compartment, large cockpit, roller furler jib. I just re-did the motor mount last year. If you'd like to look at it e-mail me. Later Ed
John I have a 19' Johnson daysailer olcated in central Iowa I would like to sell. Doesn't have a cutty but it does have large storgage compartment, large cockpit, roller furler jib. I just re-did the motor mount last year. If you'd like to look at it e-mail me. Later Ed
You'll feel safe in a Catalina 22
John, a couple of years ago my wife (who is a little bit timid when the wind starts to blow) moved up to a Catalina 22. We paid $3000 for a 1976 with a trailer and 6HP Johnson. We feel very secure in the boat, even in 12 to 14 knots of wind, under full sail. And you'll find us out there in 20+ under jiffy reefed main only, (which is a must) and still my wife feels safe. The cockpit comfortably keeps 4 adults dry, adn there is lots of room below. You should expect to get more posts in support of the Catalina 22. Feel free to reply if you have more questions. Good luck shopping. Stan
John, a couple of years ago my wife (who is a little bit timid when the wind starts to blow) moved up to a Catalina 22. We paid $3000 for a 1976 with a trailer and 6HP Johnson. We feel very secure in the boat, even in 12 to 14 knots of wind, under full sail. And you'll find us out there in 20+ under jiffy reefed main only, (which is a must) and still my wife feels safe. The cockpit comfortably keeps 4 adults dry, adn there is lots of room below. You should expect to get more posts in support of the Catalina 22. Feel free to reply if you have more questions. Good luck shopping. Stan
trailer it?
Do you plan to trailer/rig the boat every time you sail? Is so, that may limit you somewhat. I had a Glouchester 22 that would fit all the criteria you want but rigging it was definately a 2-person job that required some strength. It also took about an hour to rig/tune and probably 1/2 hour to trailer and drop mast. I also had a Dolphin 17 that would work well. It was easier to rig than the Glouchester but still require 2-people. If you plan to leave it in the water, then there are lots of boats that will work well for what you want.
Do you plan to trailer/rig the boat every time you sail? Is so, that may limit you somewhat. I had a Glouchester 22 that would fit all the criteria you want but rigging it was definately a 2-person job that required some strength. It also took about an hour to rig/tune and probably 1/2 hour to trailer and drop mast. I also had a Dolphin 17 that would work well. It was easier to rig than the Glouchester but still require 2-people. If you plan to leave it in the water, then there are lots of boats that will work well for what you want.
68 year old sailor
I'm 68, and I sail a Macgregor 26D in the Gulf of Mexico singlehanded. It's my 14th boat, but first sailboat. Two couples would feel fine onboard, and the 26D trailors very well.
I'm 68, and I sail a Macgregor 26D in the Gulf of Mexico singlehanded. It's my 14th boat, but first sailboat. Two couples would feel fine onboard, and the 26D trailors very well.
Hunter 22
My first year with my Hunter 22 has been great. Easily single handed and has beautiful cabin below. Fixed keel that draws just over 3 ft sails great in 15+ knot winds in salt water. Great if you keep in a slip but the retrackable keel would be great to trailer.
My first year with my Hunter 22 has been great. Easily single handed and has beautiful cabin below. Fixed keel that draws just over 3 ft sails great in 15+ knot winds in salt water. Great if you keep in a slip but the retrackable keel would be great to trailer.
I Second Hunter of Catalina
John, I go along with Hunter or Catalina 22' for your lake. Both are very popular and will make you happy for sure. Splurging for new or late model? Ed - my brother, Tom Wilton lives in Polk City about a stones throw from the reservoir. He's out there fishing off his boat frequently. If you run across him, tell him I said he needs a sailboat! He and his boys should love it!
John, I go along with Hunter or Catalina 22' for your lake. Both are very popular and will make you happy for sure. Splurging for new or late model? Ed - my brother, Tom Wilton lives in Polk City about a stones throw from the reservoir. He's out there fishing off his boat frequently. If you run across him, tell him I said he needs a sailboat! He and his boys should love it!
Rhodes 19
small open-cuddy boat with lots of room and easy to sail. Comes in keel version and centerboard.
small open-cuddy boat with lots of room and easy to sail. Comes in keel version and centerboard.
Sounds like...
a Hunter 23 might provide another option that would fit the bill. A fun daysailor, trailerable, dry. Has a shallow draft fixed wing keel which may be a slight drawback, but ymmv. A but tender, but not if you're used to a Sunfish.
a Hunter 23 might provide another option that would fit the bill. A fun daysailor, trailerable, dry. Has a shallow draft fixed wing keel which may be a slight drawback, but ymmv. A but tender, but not if you're used to a Sunfish.
O'Day Mariner 19
The Mariner would be perfect. A nice cockpit,easy to singlehand and a small cudy cabin. When you get into the 22s you get a scaled down cruiser with 4 berths,galley and a small cockpit which you did not indicate would be of use to you. See if you can find a O'Day Mariner owners web site.
The Mariner would be perfect. A nice cockpit,easy to singlehand and a small cudy cabin. When you get into the 22s you get a scaled down cruiser with 4 berths,galley and a small cockpit which you did not indicate would be of use to you. See if you can find a O'Day Mariner owners web site.
Catalina 22
Even though I own an H23 I still think the C22 is a better starter keelboat because it's easy to trailer, roomy, stable, forgiving, one person can raise the mast easily and the boat is very affordable. You can buy an older C22 in decent shape with a trailer for under $4000 without trying real hard. If you find you don't like it or if you want to move on to something else, you can sell it for what you paid for it. That's pretty hard to beat. peter H23 "Raven"
Even though I own an H23 I still think the C22 is a better starter keelboat because it's easy to trailer, roomy, stable, forgiving, one person can raise the mast easily and the boat is very affordable. You can buy an older C22 in decent shape with a trailer for under $4000 without trying real hard. If you find you don't like it or if you want to move on to something else, you can sell it for what you paid for it. That's pretty hard to beat. peter H23 "Raven"
Catalina 22
The Catalina 22 is the most popular boat in the country. They have already made thousands and thousands of hulls with minor changes between years. Their are other great 22 footers around, but for parts, support, availability, roominess, performance, dependability and value, pound for pound the Catalina 22 is the right sized vessel for your needs. They are easily trailered and launched so looking beyond Iowa for a decent vessel on a trailer would make the search more exciting. Just make sure the sails are fresh, their is no blister damage and the standing rigging is in good shape. No, I am not a Catalina salesman! Regards Bob
The Catalina 22 is the most popular boat in the country. They have already made thousands and thousands of hulls with minor changes between years. Their are other great 22 footers around, but for parts, support, availability, roominess, performance, dependability and value, pound for pound the Catalina 22 is the right sized vessel for your needs. They are easily trailered and launched so looking beyond Iowa for a decent vessel on a trailer would make the search more exciting. Just make sure the sails are fresh, their is no blister damage and the standing rigging is in good shape. No, I am not a Catalina salesman! Regards Bob
Another vote for the Rhodes 19/Oday Daysailer
If you don't need or want a "cabin", then the Rhodes 19 or Oday Daysailer (pretty much the same boat) is perfect. A stable, forgiving, comfortable boat. If you won't be trailering, I like the fin keel model better. Points higher, stiffer, and faster than the centerboard model.
If you don't need or want a "cabin", then the Rhodes 19 or Oday Daysailer (pretty much the same boat) is perfect. A stable, forgiving, comfortable boat. If you won't be trailering, I like the fin keel model better. Points higher, stiffer, and faster than the centerboard model.
Catalina 22
Another vote for the Catalina 22. In addition to the benefits noted in prior posts...great C22 forum, easy to get parts, factory support, sail it a couple of years and sell it for nearly what you paid for it, and...when you are ready to move up, it's easy to slip into a C25 or C27 or even a C30. I'm not a Catalina salesman either, just love their boats.
Another vote for the Catalina 22. In addition to the benefits noted in prior posts...great C22 forum, easy to get parts, factory support, sail it a couple of years and sell it for nearly what you paid for it, and...when you are ready to move up, it's easy to slip into a C25 or C27 or even a C30. I'm not a Catalina salesman either, just love their boats.
Look at Precision, too.
I would also look for a Precision in 22' to 25' size. They might have a little more beam, and they are a speedy boat so I've heard. I've seen a few on my lake and appreciate their good looks. Their designer is highly regarded.
I would also look for a Precision in 22' to 25' size. They might have a little more beam, and they are a speedy boat so I've heard. I've seen a few on my lake and appreciate their good looks. Their designer is highly regarded.
100% Catalina 22
Hi I have a Catalina 22, great day sailer I promise you that you will not regret it Great little-big boat I have a wing keel, it is 1991, bought it 4 years ago in California for $8,000 and shipped it to Israel. I found cheaper boats but mine was in A+ condition Good luck If you need any more info e-mail me at zamibc@netvision.net.il
Hi I have a Catalina 22, great day sailer I promise you that you will not regret it Great little-big boat I have a wing keel, it is 1991, bought it 4 years ago in California for $8,000 and shipped it to Israel. I found cheaper boats but mine was in A+ condition Good luck If you need any more info e-mail me at zamibc@netvision.net.il
Nonsuch 22
Surprised nobody mentioned the Nonsuch 22....extremely well founded, simple one sail and large cockpit. Standing headroom, full head, perfect for singlehander.
Surprised nobody mentioned the Nonsuch 22....extremely well founded, simple one sail and large cockpit. Standing headroom, full head, perfect for singlehander.
Hunter 22
The Catalina 22 is a nice boat, but the Hunter 22 is a bigger boat for the size. The Hunter 22 has a lot more room inside and it is well set up outside. I have sailed it single handed for three days with no problems. I trailer mine also. It is a rock solid boat. My wife and I have vacationed on the boat for 10 days. It has plenty of storage as well. Check out the specs on the H22 at hunterowners.com
The Catalina 22 is a nice boat, but the Hunter 22 is a bigger boat for the size. The Hunter 22 has a lot more room inside and it is well set up outside. I have sailed it single handed for three days with no problems. I trailer mine also. It is a rock solid boat. My wife and I have vacationed on the boat for 10 days. It has plenty of storage as well. Check out the specs on the H22 at hunterowners.com
MacGregor 25
Try a MacGregor. I learned on one. Solid, forgiving, easy single handed and comfortable to spend an evening on!
Try a MacGregor. I learned on one. Solid, forgiving, easy single handed and comfortable to spend an evening on!
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