I did a quick search of the archives but did not find what I needed so here's my question. I have "sailboat fever" and I know absolutely nothing about them. There is a Cal 21 in West Texas that is $500 OBO. Can anyone direct me to a site that has a list of things I need to look at before purchase ? Even better would be a kind soul that would give me their ph. # so I could call them for more basic info on this boat. Is it a good beginner boat ? Will it be a money pit like an old car? So many questions, so little time before purchase. Can I have your phone # ? Thanks a million, John and Sue
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$500 Sounds Like Trouble
$500 sounds like trouble & lots of work. Not that that is necessarily bad - just work - and probably money too. A friend is restoring a CJF (13' boat) he bought for $100 - but he is skilled at the labor, had built a small boat before, and had a good idea of what he was in for. Do you want to sail or restore a boat? Restoration takes a lot of sailing time. My poor old catamaran has been much, much more work than sailing time this year - at least I have the timeshare rental on a J22 so I get my sailing time in - cheap sailing at $700 for the season. Don Casey's "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" is a must read. If you have limited sailing experience - pass on the boat - you don't know enough and a few phone calls won't do it. You will see many other opportunities. Take sailing lessons - rent or charter for a while. The link below is for the ASA program of sailing courses - you can follow their website to a school near you. Learn more about handling boats & safety, the experience will help you to know what you want and like before you jump into boat ownership.
$500 sounds like trouble & lots of work. Not that that is necessarily bad - just work - and probably money too. A friend is restoring a CJF (13' boat) he bought for $100 - but he is skilled at the labor, had built a small boat before, and had a good idea of what he was in for. Do you want to sail or restore a boat? Restoration takes a lot of sailing time. My poor old catamaran has been much, much more work than sailing time this year - at least I have the timeshare rental on a J22 so I get my sailing time in - cheap sailing at $700 for the season. Don Casey's "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" is a must read. If you have limited sailing experience - pass on the boat - you don't know enough and a few phone calls won't do it. You will see many other opportunities. Take sailing lessons - rent or charter for a while. The link below is for the ASA program of sailing courses - you can follow their website to a school near you. Learn more about handling boats & safety, the experience will help you to know what you want and like before you jump into boat ownership.
same advice
the advice from oldcat is sound. So many things to consider: does it need sails? ($$$$$), a motor ($$$$$), rigging or ropes ($$$) and those are only a few of the things you might encounter. If you have to ask, you don't know enough to buy this boat. You are better off paying more and getting a boat that is ready to sail. That way, you'll learn what's involved in a sailboat without getting totally frustrated. After that, you might find that bargain boat we all dream about.
the advice from oldcat is sound. So many things to consider: does it need sails? ($$$$$), a motor ($$$$$), rigging or ropes ($$$) and those are only a few of the things you might encounter. If you have to ask, you don't know enough to buy this boat. You are better off paying more and getting a boat that is ready to sail. That way, you'll learn what's involved in a sailboat without getting totally frustrated. After that, you might find that bargain boat we all dream about.
Newbie advice
You can probably find a good Cal 20 that has all the necessary equipment and good sails cheap. The Cal 20 is a remarkable boat. Quick, extremely sea worthy and safe. A 900lb fixed keel so it cannot be capsized. Sleeps four people and will sail comfortably with 5-6 people in the cockpit which is 8 ft long and self bailing. Easy, easy, easy to sail..did I mention easy to sail? A great boat for beginners. Never having ever owned a boat of any kind previously, I learned to sail on mine, in less than a month I was sailing out to Catalina island alone. It was Cal Yachts most popular and famous boat. At one point they were so popular Jensen Marine was turning out a boat a day. There are hundreds of Cal 20 fleets that still race them today. The biggest in the San Fransisco Bay which in itself speaks highly for the little boat since the winds there are always in the 20-25 knt range, and frequently top 35-40 knts with large swells. Check Ebay or Craigs list you'll probably find one. A $500.00 boat would probably require another $5000.00 to put it in safe condition. You can get a Cal 20 all ready to go for half that. and there isn't a better small boat.
You can probably find a good Cal 20 that has all the necessary equipment and good sails cheap. The Cal 20 is a remarkable boat. Quick, extremely sea worthy and safe. A 900lb fixed keel so it cannot be capsized. Sleeps four people and will sail comfortably with 5-6 people in the cockpit which is 8 ft long and self bailing. Easy, easy, easy to sail..did I mention easy to sail? A great boat for beginners. Never having ever owned a boat of any kind previously, I learned to sail on mine, in less than a month I was sailing out to Catalina island alone. It was Cal Yachts most popular and famous boat. At one point they were so popular Jensen Marine was turning out a boat a day. There are hundreds of Cal 20 fleets that still race them today. The biggest in the San Fransisco Bay which in itself speaks highly for the little boat since the winds there are always in the 20-25 knt range, and frequently top 35-40 knts with large swells. Check Ebay or Craigs list you'll probably find one. A $500.00 boat would probably require another $5000.00 to put it in safe condition. You can get a Cal 20 all ready to go for half that. and there isn't a better small boat.
P.S. Newbie Advice
My email is stillstandinginc@yahoo.com If I can be of any more assistance regarding safe, easy to learn to sail, and inexpensive to maintaim small sail boats.
My email is stillstandinginc@yahoo.com If I can be of any more assistance regarding safe, easy to learn to sail, and inexpensive to maintaim small sail boats.
bought one, rebuilt one, excellent sailer
You may give me a call. I know this boat inside out. Good choise of sailboat, if you buy, don't sail it because you will keep it. Jay Jensen "Something's Fishy" 816 786-4887
You may give me a call. I know this boat inside out. Good choise of sailboat, if you buy, don't sail it because you will keep it. Jay Jensen "Something's Fishy" 816 786-4887
bought one, rebuilt one, excellent sailer
You may give me a call or e-mail. DFG2222@msn.com JJensen
You may give me a call or e-mail. DFG2222@msn.com JJensen
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