Hi, I am new to the sport of sailing. I have been taken lessons of sailing and feel ready to purchase my first sailboat. I am planning not to spend more than 30,000 for a used boat. I have a family of 5, and will be using this boat mostly on weekends closed to the coast of Puerto Rico with an occasionally trip the Virgin Islands. Therefore, I need a family boat than can hold trips around the Caribbean but does not want a very slow boat. In my research on the net for used boats I have seen plenty of affordable choices, plenty of brands; Hunters, Catalina, Pearson, Oday, Cape Dory, J boats, and many others. I really don’t know which the right option is. Please Help, I don’t want to put my family in risk.
New to the Sport
- Thread starter Parguera Sailor
- Start date
- Status
Define family of five—is it two adults and three young (small) children, or two adults and three teens...
There are a lot of boats that would work for you, but it really depends a lot on what you mean by five people. $30000 is a fairly tight budget for a boat that can handle five adults, and still a bit of a stretch for a boat to handle two adults and three small kids for any extended period of time.
For most of the boats you'll be looking at, a trip to the Virgin Islands will require patience and a very good weather window. Work your way up to that trip so that you and your family are safe.
There are a lot of boats that would work for you, but it really depends a lot on what you mean by five people. $30000 is a fairly tight budget for a boat that can handle five adults, and still a bit of a stretch for a boat to handle two adults and three small kids for any extended period of time.
For most of the boats you'll be looking at, a trip to the Virgin Islands will require patience and a very good weather window. Work your way up to that trip so that you and your family are safe.
Two adults, two young’s and a child. I think it will be mostly weekends with the family and the long trips by myself or with one or two sailor partner. In that case it will be three adults. I know 30,000 is tight, but considering it will be my first sailboat I do not want to spend much until I see if the family is ok with the sailing.
I would also suggest that you reserve at least 20% of the actual boat buying budget for upgrading, repairing and outfitting the boat. Take a look at this search, and you'll see quite a few boats that might do well. I would also recommend you look at James Baldwin's Boat List... as it has a fair number of boats that are very capable and would fit your requirements as well.
Please be aware that both you and your wife should be capable of single-handing the boat, as that might be a necessity in an emergency, and that you should get a boat that she is capable of handling by herself.
Please be aware that both you and your wife should be capable of single-handing the boat, as that might be a necessity in an emergency, and that you should get a boat that she is capable of handling by herself.
Parguera, get a boat that is at least 30' in length. Your proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and exposure to the trade winds require at least a vessel that can handle fair offshore conditions. You are in somewhat of a pickle as being on the southern coast you require a shallow draft vessel but when you go offshore you will wish you had a deep draft keel. As far as speed you will find that all the boats you have mentioned are pretty much in the same range of 6 to 8 knots tops. A boat with a relatively larger engine will give you more speed when motoring against wind and current. Some boats will be more comfortable than others for a family of 5 and you should look fo one that fits your likes and needs. Have a survey made by a reliable surveyor as that will be your best insurance for getting a boat that is structurally sound.
- Status