I know how to sail and all that, well at least partly, but i have never considered owning a boat until i moved to maine. Now i am looking at small boats and I am already getting overwhelmed. I found a very affordable newport 17 nearby at an incredibly reasonable price of 1200 dollars with trailer and an outboard motor. The ad says it is complete and ready to sail. I plan to go look at it tomorrow, but have no idea what i should look for, or even if a newport 17 is a good boat. I know its a good size for what i want to do, but i also want to go fast, and not spend a lot of money keeping it in wokring condition. any advice for a newbie would be great, thanks.
newbie needs help
- Thread starter bigexplosion
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Anytime we get past 5 knots, it is FAST! We had great wind today, real consistent, beautiful conditions. I usually do not like to go wing on wing when the wind gets past 10 knots but the breeze was so rock steady we just had to do it.
I wish I could tell you more about the Newport 17, but I do not have any working knowledge. I would say it is hard to argue with a solid boat, trailer, and running outboard for $1200. Keep in mind, that is just the entry price, they all cost more when you push them hard. Trying to go fast can get expensive.
I wish I could tell you more about the Newport 17, but I do not have any working knowledge. I would say it is hard to argue with a solid boat, trailer, and running outboard for $1200. Keep in mind, that is just the entry price, they all cost more when you push them hard. Trying to go fast can get expensive.
That's true.
There has to be a portion of the sentence that deals with money such as," Wow! I sure went through all my money FAST fixing this SAILBOAT!" I think that's the only time those words are allowed to be used together.
Try to find someone
I would recommend trying to find someone with that boat, or a similar boat. If not that, someone who has a sailboat of some kind. I don't think I would recommend a 350 dollar survey on a boat in that price range. If you have a mechanical aptitude, and are an observant sort, look it over very closely, look for things like cracks in fiberglass, loose deck fittings, and look closely at the mast step. Some good common sense will take you a long way.
I would recommend trying to find someone with that boat, or a similar boat. If not that, someone who has a sailboat of some kind. I don't think I would recommend a 350 dollar survey on a boat in that price range. If you have a mechanical aptitude, and are an observant sort, look it over very closely, look for things like cracks in fiberglass, loose deck fittings, and look closely at the mast step. Some good common sense will take you a long way.
If you want to go fast don't buy a 17-footer unless it has about 150 HP on the transom!
That said; I agree with Nice N Easy. And remember anything can be fixed with enough effort and will power; and better yet, it can be fixed right if you take the time to listen to pros or experts and learn what makes what what.
Most importantly, buy what you'll buy and do what you'll do to it because you love it; and thus have no regrets.
(BTW-- ffaubert-- LOL
)
That said; I agree with Nice N Easy. And remember anything can be fixed with enough effort and will power; and better yet, it can be fixed right if you take the time to listen to pros or experts and learn what makes what what.
Most importantly, buy what you'll buy and do what you'll do to it because you love it; and thus have no regrets.
(BTW-- ffaubert-- LOL
)
Make sure the hull is in good repair. There should be no evidence of significant cracks in important areas, like where the centerboard trunk meets the hull. The rudder pintles shouldn't be loose and the rudder should be in good repair. Examine the centerboard, it should be present and as it is steel, not a sheet of rust. If you get a chance to sail, verify that it can be lowered and raised.
From one ad I read it said that the hull will plane, if true it will be fast for a sailboat. It also has a nice little cabin.
Good luck. That is a great price.
Bob
In some ways the boat is the least of your troubles. Much of the value of a small boat is in how good the trailer, the sails and the outboard are. The outboard should not be started without a water source for the water pump. If you can start it, pay attention to whether it starts readily and idles well. If it is a two stroke expect it to smoke a bit. The trailer should be in good repair. Look for dry rot in the tire side walls, check if the lights are functional and for structural damage (rot, rust). If it has wood bunks or rollers check to see if they need replacing. Pull out the sails. If they are newer they will be stiff and crisp. If they are older they will be soft and thin. Look at the stitching. If it seems to be coming out in spots the sails may need some attention. Look for chafing at about spreader height on the main and jib. Make sure all the attachment points are serviceable at the corners of each sail.
From one ad I read it said that the hull will plane, if true it will be fast for a sailboat. It also has a nice little cabin.
Good luck. That is a great price.
Bob
In some ways the boat is the least of your troubles. Much of the value of a small boat is in how good the trailer, the sails and the outboard are. The outboard should not be started without a water source for the water pump. If you can start it, pay attention to whether it starts readily and idles well. If it is a two stroke expect it to smoke a bit. The trailer should be in good repair. Look for dry rot in the tire side walls, check if the lights are functional and for structural damage (rot, rust). If it has wood bunks or rollers check to see if they need replacing. Pull out the sails. If they are newer they will be stiff and crisp. If they are older they will be soft and thin. Look at the stitching. If it seems to be coming out in spots the sails may need some attention. Look for chafing at about spreader height on the main and jib. Make sure all the attachment points are serviceable at the corners of each sail.
Here is a Newport forum you can try (also part of sailboatowners.com) http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/newport/index.cgi
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