Opinion Survey

[Mike B]

2002 36'er

Warren we have a 2002 36 footer, purchased her new. She had all the features my "constant advisor" and I wanted and we're able to afford the payments. I like having things the way I want and not having to modify something from a previous owner. Not saying I won't go for a used model if we decide to move up. It's just what worked for us at the time. For the moment she's got all the right stuff to keep me happy. So does the wife Mike

 

[tweitz]

size and age

I am big and old. My boat is new -- starting its third season -- and I think its big at 32 feet, though I am constantly seeing mention of 35 footers as "starter boats" or small. It took me many years to get up to this size, which is ideal for me because it is easily handled by my wife and myself (or single handed by me), but seems more than commodious and seaworthy for the conditions I encounter. Frankly, the discussion of these boats as small or entry level is ridiculous. For example, Beneteau is one of the larger sailboat companies and their US plant produced all of 400 boats last year, with 32 feet being the smallest. I suspect that the entire US market for boats at larger than this so called entry level is miniscule. And at the prices of boats, "entry level" costs in 6 figures will kill this sport.On a side note, I am curious at how often I see listers mentioning that they own 2 or 3 boats, or have owned 6 boats in 12 years. I am still with my first wife after 38 years, one seems like the right number, and I feel pretty much the same way about boats. Actually I have had 4 boats, but I can't imagine changing boats nearly as often as some listers, I put too much effort into making each one just right for me. Why do some of you have so many boats or change so often?

 

[Ross]

Ted, I am in complete agreement with you. If I like something enough

to have it then I keep it forever. I have had one wife (Nancy) for 41 years, we are living in the house we bought in 1971, I worked for 9 years to make Bietzpadlin the boat we wanted and put her in the water in 1999. My car is an '87 Volvo wagon with a rebuilt engine. I am bewildered by people who are constantly in need of something new or different.

 

[Bob V]

You really need two.

Boats, not wifes. A nice big comfortable one that can carry the Admiral, myself and livestock (two dogs) and all the required toys to our destination of choice and a sailing dinghy that you can use when you get there or just want to get out and sail from the home port.Our big girl is s/v Lucy (a 2008 Catalina 42 mk II) and the sailing dinghy is toyboattoyboattoyboat a 2002 Gig Harbor Whitehall with sloop rig and sliding rowing seat.Bob V

 

[Mike B]

I like new

Ross I'm sure I could bewilder you I like new things. New boats, new houses, new cars, new adventures. I believe it goes back to my childhood where everything we had was used. Mind you I'm not complaining about that because I have very loving parents that worked hard and raised us well. They couldn't afford new things, especially with 5 of us. I wouldn't trade a day. However there is something in me that likes "new" things. I've worked hard to get to where I am and to make the money I do. When I can afford something I like I buy it. If I can afford new I do so. I'm very anal and like things to be a certain way. Buying new affords me that luxury. Our first two boats were used. We loved both of them. This boat is new and while it's adequate for what we do we still think about trading up to a 40 something. If we do it will most likley be used. Why? Economics. Even though I like new there is a financial gap that grows along with the size of the boat. Even if I could afford new I'm not sure I would due to the cost difference. So I do have my limits. I'm sure they're greater than some less than others.Mike

 

[Tim]

Time and Money

I think we all get the most boat we can afford in both time and money. Someone may be able to afford a 40 footer but with no time to use it whats the point.My current boat is a 1971 Ericson 29 which I am very fond of. Sails well, carries everyone I want it to and a good boat.I am seduced with the idea of a bigger boat that can take me farther for longer but I could not right now anyway. With the amount of time I can spend on the boat my Ericson is perfectly capable.

 

[MoonSailer]

!980 32'

My boat is a 1980 person 323. So it is about 28 years old!!!! She does seem "plain" compared to younger boats. But she sails well and is comfortable at sea while some of the newer boats seem to bounce around like a cork. If I had enough money I would get another younger boat of good build quality. As to size it all depends upon use. We now sail in a lake and a boat around 25' with a swing keel would be better here. But we plan to move back to the Gulf of Mexico next spring and our pearson is better there. IMHO. But if we weren't planning on doing a little cruising I think that I would want a catalina 22 with a swing keel!!! Something that is easy to trailer but big enough to spend a few days cruising protected waters. Smaller boats are more fun to sail and are easier to gunk hole. The larger the boat the more comfortable but the harder to gunkhole and trailer.

 

[biorapper]

I'm happy with my 94 26s

I do get urges to get a more expensive boat...faster (corsair 750; see link)or more solid (catalina or cal are two i think I would like). I even come close to talking with the bank...I could take out a loan and get these boats...then I realize that my boat does everything I need and most of what I want (a more accomadating cabin would be nice......with no boat payments or slip fees.If money were no object I would get another boat...I would still want a trailor sailor due to the (working man's) explorability factor. But The FISCABILITY, size, trailorability, sailability (easy to solo rig and sail...I like being social and sailing for sure...but i do a good bit solo as well...something special about slipping off the dock into challenge and nomadism solo...)of my 26s does everything I need. Regardless of what some others may say about it...it has performed for many people and has taken me to many of the places in the south east most here write about for a dime on the boating dollar!...It's a great coastal (and lake)boat!

 

[biorapper]

BTW if anybody knows about this boat..I'd like to hear about it's sailing/trailo

Corsair 750 (see link).

 

[higgs]

i got what I want

I was satisfied with my Irwin 32 and only moved to a Nassua 34 because I was looking for offshore quality, not bigger size. I am a bit of a traditionalist and don't buy a lot of the "new" thinking that has crept into boats in the past 20 years, one being that there is something wrong with old boats, and the other being that big means safer.

 

[Ross]

Some observations about how people use what

they have. I work in the homes of many people. Some of those homes are large and spacious and some are little more than bungalows. Some are crowded with material goods and others are quite spartan. Generally the larger homes have rooms that are rarely used and are just cleaned once a week. Some of the smaller homes are very tidy and clean and some are cluttered and infrequently cleaned. Some homes are crowded with books and in some you can't find a page of print. It is no surprize to me that these traits carry over into their recreational lives. I don't understand why some people find having much more important than doing but it seems to pervade the species. There is a level of need for simple human survival, food ,shelter , and clothing after that everything falls into the catagory of wants for comfort or pleasure. Some of the people here are quite content with the boat they have and some are looking for a little more. Some of us are very much concerned about appearance and shine, others are content with clean , shipshape and functional. All of these are valid and good.

 

[CharlieCobra]

I've got two, the little 1976 Venture 21 (first boat) for

quick playing and the 40'1961 Knutson K-35 Yawl as the big boat. Now that I have the big old woodie, I never do anything with the little boat anymore. Too much of a PITA to rig it up and down when the big boat is always ready, more comfortable and faster. I reckon I'll just put a sign on it for a grand and get rid of it since it's just taking up space in the driveway. I'd let the kids have it but none of them have anything to pull it with or a place to keep it.

 

[bffatcat]

Reply to Ted Weitz

I think you missed point Ted. Its not that the few Sailboat Manufacturers that are left dont want to build a boat between 25-30ft. They cant get enough for a boat in that range to make a profit. Larger boats have more systems, equipment and nicities that allow for bigger markups and margins. Last year a friend of mine paid $ 37000 for a new pearson ensign. He bought his old one for under $3000in the 60`s and sold it for $8000. This is a bare bones 22ft boat with fair sailsno engine no electrical system no head no motor or trailer. Ive got a 75 Pearson 26w weekender that I found in a field and rebuilt it over the last 8 years. The boat is in tip top shape now. Still If I could find a brand new one I would buy it. I cant.

 

[Ross]

Bffatcat, You nailed one of the problems that exist

in the entire market place. Whether it is houses, cars or boats. You can build small and inexpensive but the profit margin is going to remain at the same percentage while the overhead and marketing cost increase per unit. Ford makes a better profit on their Excursion than on their Focus. They must make many more of the little ones to make as much money as making just one of the big ones.

 

[elle]

Got what fits

I have a 1992 Rhodes 22, recycled 2006. In-mast furling, roller-furling 175 genoa, marine head, and a few other goodies. General Boats in Edenton , NC builds great 22' boats and only 22' boats.

 

[tweitz]

reply to bffatcat

I don't disagree that the manufacturers are simply responding to market forces. And I suppose the shortage of dock and mooring space almost everywhere means that the infrastructure for a vast number of boats is also missing. But the sad fact is that there are an incredibly small number of cruising size sailboats in the US, and it is a pastime that is probably going to shrink as the costs go up.

 

[HukilauMike]

Just Right

great question Warren. I don't know what you can glean from the responses except that most of the people who take the time to read and write in this forum have "smaller," "older" boats. fwiw, so do I: a 1979 Oday 23. She fits my sailing requirements perfectly: almost all of my sailing is done solo or with a few others for at most a few hours at a time. I only occasionally overnight, and then at a marina. I don't need or want a bigger boat with "systems" and creature comforts. Now that's not to say I don't want a lifestyle that could support a bigger boat financially, and to have my family share in my desire for weeks-long sailing vacations. However, neither of those possibilities are likely in the near future, so I will continue to enjoy what I have.

 

[David in Sandusky]

Luckily fiberglass seems to last forever!

So there are still a lot of 25 to 30 foot boats available that were made over the past 35 years. And the older ones offer great value for money. So the trend to build bigger, more expensive boats does little to limit our options.Our '77 h27 cost $9,000 8 years ago. We have averaged about $1,200 per year in improvements, with most of them done for us. That's a real bargain compared to a new boat of similar capabilities.And, we really like her looks.DavidLady Lillie

 

[TN]

27 feet and 2005

Hunter 27, bought new in 2005. It's a perfect cruising boat for a couple and dog, has full standing headroom, and makes a great daysailor for 4-6 people. We've done up to 10 days aboard, and it really is just fine. When it is paid for in a year or so, we'll probably think about moving up to a new or lightly used 31-footer and call it good. My admiral has clearly stated the next will be the last. In any case, I'm not interested in paying moorage for anything longer. The best thing about the 27-footer is I never have to wait for moorage - the smaller slips it fits in are always available. There seem to be very few newer boats of this size, so we constantly get compliments on it.

 

[bffatcat]

Boat size opinion final comment

Ask a sailboat manufacturer He will tell you that 32`is the Ideal starter boatbecause its the smallest boat he buildsAsk the man who is happy with his 22' He will tell you its the ideal sizeAsk TN: he says he`s says hes happy with his hunter 27. No problem with slips,affordable to maintain but in the next paragraph he talks about moving up to a31. Ask Ross He`s happy with his rebuilt Islander 30 says its perfect for himAsk me: Im happy with my 1975 rebuilt P26w. I owned a pearsn 10M for 15 years but the when thew work and upkeep got to much for me I let it go. The bottom line is everyones ideal size is different. Big, small, new or old. Thats why Howard Johnson has 28 different flavors of ice cream. One final remark. If your looking for a new small cruising boat in the 25 to 30 ft range, the picking are very lean