New to sailing.... Looking for a first boat..

[Scott T-Bird]

I'd guess that there would be a wide variety of boats from European makers all throughout your area. You haven't mentioned any Swedish boats or the German Boats such as Hanse or Dehler. I'm not sure what you are going to see in a show room other than new models. Walking docks is ok, but if you really want to inspect boats, then you need to be shopping. Can't you find a broker who can provide the leads? I saw on Yacht World a 1984 Contessa 33 right in your budget near Portsmouth. That could be an excellent example for you.

Boats for sale - YachtWorld

Find new or used boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of boats to choose from.

www.yachtworld.com

 

[thevoyager]

@Scott T-Bird Hi yes, good shout on the shopping thing, otherwise just wandering aimlessly.
That's a nice boat for sure.
I think what I need to do is make a list soon of definitive needs and wants and whittle it down to a boat... I don't think I will be buying till possibly July time so it gives me loads of time to research and fully understand... As well as start taking courses and as well as doing my own learning.
Exciting tho!

 

[LloydB]

Even though I've been reading SBO posts/articles for awhile on sailing it never been pointed out so clearly the need to get a survey, look at the article 'before you buy' and understand there's more to sailing than point to point navigation also understand weather is not only knowing temperature and wind direction even when you have an app for that. For what it's worth buying a used boat in a foreign port seems sketchy to me but I guess that comes from buying used cars even when I had my eyes and hands on them within the same state. Know that every good sailboat is one meter short and a compromise in one way or another. The cruisers forum is a good place to check your true sail plan before you buy.

Cruising America's Great Loop in a Sailboat

How to cruise America's Great Loop in a sailboat. What you need to know, including mast and bridge height restrictions, clearances, mast stepping, sailing vs cruising, what to expect, and why a sailboat might be your best choice.

captainjohn.org

"BEFORE YOU BUY "ANY" LIVE ABOARD SIZE CRUISING BOAT
Demand a "Certified Marine Pre-purchase Survey" - Here's why!"

 

[jssailem]

You mentioned sailing beyond the coastal waters of the UK. There are a lot of waters to explore. Learning to sail first makes good sense. Certainly the YouTube accomplishments of the UMA couple are a resource. They have sailed in challenging waters.

While the online videos are very helpful, there is also some good written materials. A good story of local adventure is one by the writer Jonathan Raban, Coasting: A Private Voyage. A great story about finding a small boat and learning to live on the water, A Foolish Voyage: Self Discovery at Sea, by Neil Hawkesford.

This is the story of my adventures aboard 'Mor Gwas,' the little boat that was my home for a couple of years a long time ago. It’s the story of how I came to own her. The good times I had aboard her. And how I lost her after trying to sail across the Bay of Biscay single-handed.​

While those are interesting background, I like the help provided by John Harries for individuals trying to speed up their learning about sailing and cruising. It is available on line at Attainable Adventure Cruising
One of the helpful articles he published was "The Right Way to Buy a Boat…And The Wrong Way".

They key to success is to think about vital capabilities, not features.​

Membership and full access cost about $2/month (in USD). with over 140K nm of sailing oceans and coastal waters, John knows what works and openly shares his experience.

Good luck with your search.

 

[thevoyager]

@LloydB Great info and links.. Thanks.!

@jssailem These stories make me want to go sailing! And yes I looked at some of the UMA videos... The sail to Norway or Svalbard, was great! A place dear to my heart, to think if you have a boat you can just sail there!
A lot to learn before hand mind!
Thanks for the resources, will check them out properly!

 

[Kings Gambit]

What would this mean...

"GAIL WARNING is a shoal draft model with centerboard, allowing her to venture where other boats her size cannot."

Found on here:

Pearson 36-2 boats for sale | YachtWorld

Find Pearson 36-2 for sale near you, including used and new, boat prices, photos & more. Locate boat dealers and find your boat at YachtWorld.

www.yachtworld.co.uk

I really like the look of these Pearsons. And all the other USA built brands like Catalina... The US ones seem a little bigger inside than most of the UK ones I have seen... I guess you don't get many of the US ones around the UK? Maybe in more coastal sailing regions like Azores or Greece?

One thing it means is that the owner may not know how to spell Gale Warning, unless the boat name is warning Gail of something? Maybe, don’t bug me I’m heading out!!

 

[Kings Gambit]

@Scott T-Bird
My plan is to probably get to £30,000 for a boat, and still have £15,000 in the bank by say October.. Then go for it. I want to be on the water first, enjoying the boating life, as opposed to spending a year fixing up, as who knows it may not be for me, and a year working on a boat I don't want to use seems pointless.

Thanks for the links.. I will check them now!

Well, you’ll be working on fixing something either now or later. You’re talking 35-40 yr old boats in the size & price range you’ve been discussing. It’s naive to think one can realistically forecast a travel/maintenance budget for a boat that old that was just recently purchased. The less someone knows about something the greater the number of seemingly reasonable possibilities, etc.

 

[Sola Gratia]

Always exciting to see someone new start out.
Unless born to it, we were all there at one point or another.
Best advise I have is to get started. There are hundreds of boat makes and models built that could and have done what you are wanting to do! Many of them in the age and price you will find yourself in, are now nowhere near their original port, demonstrating that they can sail abroad, and will need some love.
Things to conside that may not be listed above already:
- Start visiting boats; get aboard as many as possible, you’ll start to get a feel for what you want. Living in a van for a year you will understand that in small space your personally must match that of the space. Our you will be fighting eachother constantly.
- Find a boat previously fit out for your purposes: in your price range owners are not getting full dollar value back out of a refit. Solar arches, chain plates, furlers, rigging, davits, anchors, wiring, batterie, plumbin, etc., ect. Are all things you will be thinking about that cost $$$ new and add $ to the boat value.
- Just pull the trigger: You will need to spend some time SAILING on boats to know what you will want her to dance like with you. Some folks like the to waltz, some like to swing, others like…other things. When underway short handed you need to be comfortable with the boat. It doesn’t sound flashy but is in my opinion by far the biggest safety factor out there on unforgiving water.
- Odds of you keeping the first boat you buy are pretty low. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake.

good luck, and all the best.