Old love... or new?

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Stan Galper

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Jun 3, 2004
16
Catalina 30 Port Charlotte, FL
17 years

17 years ago, I convinced myself that buying a used boat might involve buying someone else's problems. However, I couldn't afford to buy a new boat and finance it unless I intended to keep the boat forever. That meant I had one chance to find the "perfect" boat for me. I bought my Catalina 30 new in 1987, and have never regretted it.
 
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Blue Grace

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Jun 28, 2004
19
Beneteau 350 Havre de Grace
I can't part with the bitch!

13 years, 75,000 plus nautical miles, a whole bottom job, a new engine (Beta - fantastic - way to go, Guys!), still using original sails, and she still beats the butt out of many modern boats. Now we are both tired, but we don't mind the occasional challenge with boats way bigger than us. Photo: October 2004
 
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Robert Ziegler

24yrs but who is counting

Just In Time,C&C 35 Mk ll, 1974. Still love the boat. Don't race anymore, Now cruise extensively.
 
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Michael Clark16033

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Jun 3, 2004
2
- - Hampton, VA
LOVIN' LIFE AT 31

Purchased my H31 (1983) about three years ago this spring and have loved every minute of it. I've co-owned & sailed other boats in previous years but, all were in the low to mid 20 feet range. My H31 has finally given me the ammenities that I've always looked for in a sailboat. Of course, she's over 20 years old so there have been problems & challenges to deal with...mainly the engine. But, all we have met and continue to upgrade many areas on Temptress and just enjoy the heck out of sailing her and spending time on her during the warm months of the year in Virginia. Some day, I would like to trade up to a bigger-more modern boat. Maybe a Tartan 37? But, for now I'll enjoy crusing the Ches. Bay in 31 fantastic feet.
 
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Eric Hartsough

One year

Purchased the 1996 Hunter 280 this past year and have really enjoyed the boat. We plan on staying with the Hunter and in time, are looling at the 40.5 model yet not in Colorado. Hunter makes an excellent boat but the 280 is the only model that has an open salon, which we like. So we will stay with the 280 until moving to bigger water.
 
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ron eales

a long relationship

My first love was a 25 Catalina and that lasted 16 years of living aboard. My new love is an older 30st Catalina and this one will last the rest of our lives. We live and play together. A true love
 
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Christian Sava

Longer than my marriage

A delightful ten years this past October. I have been married to my wife for six and my boat a decade. Nessun Dorma is a 1982 Catalina 25 swing keel. She's currently on the market, however as we are looking to upgrade to a Mark II Catalina 30. My ideal boat would be a Hinckley 42 Sou'wester, although that would take some really fancy (and suspicious) accounting to make that dream a reality. Happy Sailing! Cheers, Christian
 
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Fred McElroy

Previous Affair

I had been in love with her (Grand Cru 1993 C-270) for many years before I actually married her. A friend let me enjoy her will I was still committed to my original love (Chablis 1976 C-27) It was time to upgrade as all good relationship need. I have been in lust with my new love since May of 2000
 
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kennyH

New owner

If my first two boats are any example I will own this boat till my children forbid me to go sailing. First boat was a Albin Vega for 10 year. Second boat was a Cheoy Lee Clipper 33 for 24 years. Third boat is a 1981 Hunter 25. Love the simplicity of the 25, lack of teak outside and spruce spars, and absence of inboard motor. Pure sailing joy!!!!
 
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Captain Kimo

Love "FOREVER", 96' MAC26X

Purchase "FOREVER" second hand in July 1997. She has never disappointed me. Been out in all weather conditions up to full gale and she always behaved as expected. I never sail without filling the ballast tank and I hank on head sails based on forecasted weather for the day. If over 20 MPH winds forecasted will put in a reef (MacGregor has put the reef point in the normal second reef position in their Doyle factory main sail). Due to the trailability of the MacGregor, I am able to dry store it on the trailer in an RV long term storage lot away from the lake, which saves on the slip/dry storage fees. The 50 HP O/B gets me out of harm way should the weather turn hostile. Able to beach the boat with the swing keel and rudders ups, and find I sleep sounder than at anchor (No banging of keel in the trunk and the boat spinning at anchor.). With compact galley and head (Port-a-Pottie) able to sail for a least a week. Being retired, this is my ultimate boat. Lake sailing gives me all the pleasures of sailing with none of the navigation problems of ocean sailing.
 
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John and Sharon Veatch

Totally new to sailing

After flying a Bonanza airplane for 30 years, we've decided to sell the plane and try sailing before we get TOO old. So we've settled on a used (1996) Catalina 320 as our first boat after druling over a brand new Catalina 350. the extent of our sailing knowledge is that the pointy end goes first, at least usually. We've learned how to dock without bring harm to our boat neighbor or ourselves, or the dock. I suspect that maybe in a few years we might want to move up to a 36 footer. We gather Hunter and Catalina are the most popular sailboats for people like us. A friend took us out in their Hunter 335 and we had a wonderful experience, which got us started in all of this. We're very open to any advice, which is always appreciated.
 
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Glen McQuigg

No where to go

My wife and I have owned our Hunter 27 since 1996, and have enjoyed many hours of sailing on beautiful Kentucky Lake. We are now ready to upgrade to a larger boat 33' to 35' but we have a problem in that the marina where we are located is full and no larger slips are available at this time. We really like our marina and do not want to move to another, so we will have to wait until a slip comes available. We have painted the boat, refurbished the interior, added color TV and DVD, new shower and head, new Corian counter tops in both the galley and head, so we will continue to sail her for now.
 
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Harlan

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Jun 4, 2004
99
Oday 34 Niantic
Home Away from Home

We bought Paddywagon, an O'Day 272 LE (named by a friend), new in a December snow storm and have never stopped our love affair with this little boat. We spend almost every weekend on her from March thru November and have spent a few cozy snowy nights on her too. She has been our refuge in terrible storms and has protected us from harm so in return we have always treated her with the best of care we can afford. I dream of a bigger boat but always end up wondering 'why ?' At 17 years, she is beginning to show her age inside, but we'll give her an overhaul this coming spring and she'll bounce right back....always is an eye-stopper on the water or at a mooring.
 
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Capt. David A. Hoyt

Home Sweet Home since 1984

I purchased Sovereignty in 1984 and immediately moved aboard and began remodeling her. Her hull number is #65 and I believe she was laid up in 1971. Her features list is unbelieveably extensive and we have been all over the world. She and I did the great circle of the eastern USA, visited Cuba and the Carribbean, the Carribbean Sea, Panama, the Galapagos, and the islands of the South Pacific. We are currently wintering in New York as I missed seasons having been in the equitroial climates for the past seven years. She is now 32' 10.5" long and an outboard cutter rig.
 
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Nick Batounis

The Games begin.........again

I purchased Nautical Wheeler several years ago on Lake Norman and did extensive work on her at that time. The thing I didn't do was put a barrier coat on her. Moved to the coast a year ago and she spent the next several months in the yard. She now has a new bottom as well as a head and holding tank.(what fun) I probably would have sold her on the lake had I known I would have spent the summer working on her as opposing to sailing her. The thing is even as I write this I'm afraid I do it again. She is an older model Hunter 33 and when she is together she is a joy to sail. Word of caution if you have the time when that older vessel is in need of bottom paint think hard about a barrier coat. It may save you alot of grief down the road.
 
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Lan Ledbetter

One Owner -- Little Old School Teacher

We picked up Rachel in Plano at the Chrysler factory in July of 1977. We have had her ever since. She has raised our two sons without complaint. As we are approaching our mid-60s, we are looking at a more sedate boating scene -- Trawler or motor/sailor or possibly a houseboat. Rachel needs a younger generation that will challenge her to further greatness.
 
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Joe

Been up and down

Started with a MacGregor 25 (good boat), moved up to a Parker Dawson 26(way too heavy), down to a Venture 23 (my very favorite boat)and now a MacGregor 26 daggerboard. I enjoy not paying slip fees, having bottom paint, additional maintenance by having a trailerable boat. I loved the V-23, but not enough room for the family. When there is just two of us again, maybe I'll go back down.
 
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Dieter Bauer

Knot Bad

Purchased new boat this last July 29th! Love it ! Sailed it for 24 days in August!! Best boat I've sailed/owned!! Have furnace installed for Northern clims and am still sailing!!
 
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Ken on WD2

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Jun 2, 2004
1
Hunter 336 St. Clair Shores MI
Lost my first love

Wind Dancing, a brand new 1996 out of the box Hunter 280, was our first big boat. We sailed it after the kids had left home and it took care of us no matter how many times we screwed up lines, sheets and sails. She was totally responsive to my slightest whime and desire. But alas after 7 seasons we felt we had to move up and we bought another Hunter. This time a 336. It's bigger, faster and it's size impresses our friends but we lost the cozyness of our H 280. We will probibly move on to a bigger Hunter and name it Wind Dancing 3 or 4 etc. in a few years but we will always be comparing it to our first.
 
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Backyard sailors

Love of my life

I first spotted our Tempest in the February of 2002. Bought it from an old salt who let it go for a fair price to a novice plus. Have learned to sail in sometimes pretty stiff wind but a Tempest is an amazing.ly forgiving, stable and beamy, little cruiser. Everyone exclaims over the roominess of the cockpit relative to other often larger sailboats. Plenty big enough comfortable overnights on weekends, quick to rig and get out on the chuck for daysails etc. Great lines and after a formal denaming ceremony she has been christened the Cathy Louise. Selling her and I've had at least 4 serious offers of cash and/or swap for bigger vessels would now be like selling my wife. No can do. My choice. cheers all
 
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