How did you go about choosing your boat? Was the decision carefully researched, going over reviews of different brands, chartering alternative boats and doing sea trials? Or was it love at first sight and you bought the boat without seriously researching others. Did you order a new boat at a show without ever having sailed her? Or maybe a friend or your brother-in-law was selling his and you just fell into a good deal. Please share your purchase process here, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Cam Whetstone
Choosing Wolf's Den
I spent over two years investigating sailboats, finally settling on the Hunter 33/34 as being what I wanted. I saw many 33's and then I saw a 34. Love at first site. After a failed survey on a 34, I began looking again. On the way to see another 33 with my friend and neighbor, he mentioned a Columbia 36 nearby. I saw it and decided it was the one for me. A survey, however, showed me I couldn't afford the boat. Initial cost was $17,000, but repairs would far exceede $10,000 more. Upon return from the survey (feeling very disappointed), I found an email telling me about another Columbia 36 for sale. The evening before the survey, the PO called to tell me the engine was shot--cracked block or head. I couldn't call the surveyor, I only had his office number, so I showed up the next morning with the previous owner. After the survey, I sat down with the surveyor and the PO, and asked the surveyor what would be a fair price for the boat in its present condition. The surveyor said $10K. I paid 10K and owned a boat. I have spent about $12,000 so far, and still have a couple of thousand to go. But when finished, I will have a beautiful sailboat that is capable of blue water operation.
I spent over two years investigating sailboats, finally settling on the Hunter 33/34 as being what I wanted. I saw many 33's and then I saw a 34. Love at first site. After a failed survey on a 34, I began looking again. On the way to see another 33 with my friend and neighbor, he mentioned a Columbia 36 nearby. I saw it and decided it was the one for me. A survey, however, showed me I couldn't afford the boat. Initial cost was $17,000, but repairs would far exceede $10,000 more. Upon return from the survey (feeling very disappointed), I found an email telling me about another Columbia 36 for sale. The evening before the survey, the PO called to tell me the engine was shot--cracked block or head. I couldn't call the surveyor, I only had his office number, so I showed up the next morning with the previous owner. After the survey, I sat down with the surveyor and the PO, and asked the surveyor what would be a fair price for the boat in its present condition. The surveyor said $10K. I paid 10K and owned a boat. I have spent about $12,000 so far, and still have a couple of thousand to go. But when finished, I will have a beautiful sailboat that is capable of blue water operation.
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Don Bodemann
Romance
Buying a sailboat should be a thing of passion. Not that we must put our brains on standby, but the romance of a person and his/her boat is a big part of the whole experience. Good deal? for me, that is part of the courtship. Research?, survey,? again, all part of the courtship. Once the title is in hand, hopefully, the romance blossoms. I had a little old swing keel C-22 about five boats ago that brought us through a very scary night on the Delaware Bay. The following morning I looked into the bilge and found it dry. You just can't help but love a little boat like that. For some of us, fixing up old boats enhances the process. I have found few things as rewarding as giving an old neglected boat the TLC that it so desperatly needs.
Buying a sailboat should be a thing of passion. Not that we must put our brains on standby, but the romance of a person and his/her boat is a big part of the whole experience. Good deal? for me, that is part of the courtship. Research?, survey,? again, all part of the courtship. Once the title is in hand, hopefully, the romance blossoms. I had a little old swing keel C-22 about five boats ago that brought us through a very scary night on the Delaware Bay. The following morning I looked into the bilge and found it dry. You just can't help but love a little boat like that. For some of us, fixing up old boats enhances the process. I have found few things as rewarding as giving an old neglected boat the TLC that it so desperatly needs.
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Mark Hirschman
Picky Love at first sight
First saw an ad for the boat in Sail. Went to the Atlantic City Sail Expo and looked at the boat. My wife mentioned that it looked comfortable and that she could see herself sailing on it (and she had never sailed before!). Purchased the boat that day! Then spent the next 2 months researching it and comparing it to others. None really comparable. Then spent the next 4 months chomping at the bit waiting for delivery! Happy ever since!
First saw an ad for the boat in Sail. Went to the Atlantic City Sail Expo and looked at the boat. My wife mentioned that it looked comfortable and that she could see herself sailing on it (and she had never sailed before!). Purchased the boat that day! Then spent the next 2 months researching it and comparing it to others. None really comparable. Then spent the next 4 months chomping at the bit waiting for delivery! Happy ever since!
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Gary J. Hardy
Hours of tranquil bliss intermittently...
Hours of tranquil bliss intermittently punctuated by moments of uncontrolled terror. I bought my Beneteau 411 at the Norwalk, CT BoatShow in 1999. Previously, over a 10 year period, I had owned an O'Day 22, a Catalina 27, and a Catalina 34. Previous to that, I had owned a powerboat for about 6 years. Additionally, I had chartered various boats in CA, FL, New England and the Virgin Islands. Almost twenty years ago I became a consultant primarily because I wanted to spend more time on the water... and, I did. Then I took a break for about 10 years (okay... a few charters aside!). So... in the summer of 1999 (after 10 years of financial freedom) I started "shopping around" for a nice used 40-footer... mostly on the internet. Started with Catalina because of my very good experience with the 27 and 34. Also looked at Hunter, Jeanneau, ... and Beneteau. Considering the type of sailing I was planning ("coastal booze cruising") and PRICE... I skipped over Little Harbour, Hinckley, Bristol, ... and Swan (you know... the $1M for 40-foot group). I ended up with Beneteau primarily because it's the best quality for the dollar. I ended up with a new boat because a used 411 (2 years old) was more or less the same price a the new boat. Footnote on ("coastal booze cruising"). Guess that means different things to different people. With the 411 I've gone from Maine to Florida and back again three times. I've used a captain on three occasions... with the vast majority of the miles I'm single handing (I never seem to find anyone to do FL with me in the spring and fall!). I do about 80% "inside". I've logged thousands of miles. Most importantly, I don't consider the 411 to be a "real" offshore boat. Great cruiser .... just not offshore. THAT'S JUST ME! So that's how I ended up with the 411. No sea trials... no careful research. I only consider "other peoples opinions" when they are people that I know. That's in business and with a purchase like the 411. Sorry... I'm and engin-nerd.
Hours of tranquil bliss intermittently punctuated by moments of uncontrolled terror. I bought my Beneteau 411 at the Norwalk, CT BoatShow in 1999. Previously, over a 10 year period, I had owned an O'Day 22, a Catalina 27, and a Catalina 34. Previous to that, I had owned a powerboat for about 6 years. Additionally, I had chartered various boats in CA, FL, New England and the Virgin Islands. Almost twenty years ago I became a consultant primarily because I wanted to spend more time on the water... and, I did. Then I took a break for about 10 years (okay... a few charters aside!). So... in the summer of 1999 (after 10 years of financial freedom) I started "shopping around" for a nice used 40-footer... mostly on the internet. Started with Catalina because of my very good experience with the 27 and 34. Also looked at Hunter, Jeanneau, ... and Beneteau. Considering the type of sailing I was planning ("coastal booze cruising") and PRICE... I skipped over Little Harbour, Hinckley, Bristol, ... and Swan (you know... the $1M for 40-foot group). I ended up with Beneteau primarily because it's the best quality for the dollar. I ended up with a new boat because a used 411 (2 years old) was more or less the same price a the new boat. Footnote on ("coastal booze cruising"). Guess that means different things to different people. With the 411 I've gone from Maine to Florida and back again three times. I've used a captain on three occasions... with the vast majority of the miles I'm single handing (I never seem to find anyone to do FL with me in the spring and fall!). I do about 80% "inside". I've logged thousands of miles. Most importantly, I don't consider the 411 to be a "real" offshore boat. Great cruiser .... just not offshore. THAT'S JUST ME! So that's how I ended up with the 411. No sea trials... no careful research. I only consider "other peoples opinions" when they are people that I know. That's in business and with a purchase like the 411. Sorry... I'm and engin-nerd.
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Don
Rivers, lakes and bays
I could trailer it, dock it camp on it, keep it in the Hudson, watch the fireworks in NY Harbor or tow it to Maine and Lake Champlain....
I could trailer it, dock it camp on it, keep it in the Hudson, watch the fireworks in NY Harbor or tow it to Maine and Lake Champlain....
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Lewie
Choosing my Boat
I had previously owned a 1976 swing keel C-22 and was currently sailing an O'Day Mariner 2 2. The Lafayette Sail Club was planning a cruise to Lake Michigan and my wife thought the Mariner was too small for me to get on Lake Michigan. We stopped at the Indianapolis Sailboats, Inc. They had four C-22's for sail. My wife picked "Dream'n" because it was in the best cosmetic condition. Another LSC member bought the C-22 that was my pick of the "most boat for the money."
I had previously owned a 1976 swing keel C-22 and was currently sailing an O'Day Mariner 2 2. The Lafayette Sail Club was planning a cruise to Lake Michigan and my wife thought the Mariner was too small for me to get on Lake Michigan. We stopped at the Indianapolis Sailboats, Inc. They had four C-22's for sail. My wife picked "Dream'n" because it was in the best cosmetic condition. Another LSC member bought the C-22 that was my pick of the "most boat for the money."
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Bryan Morton
Set your prioreties.
As low income taxpayers, times are tough and you do what you have to do. We saw "Coconut Migration" our 20' Mirage sitting on the side of the road with a $2300 OBO sign on her. I asked my wife, "Would you rather have groceries, or a sailboat?" The rest is history and at least I know she knows what's important in life.
As low income taxpayers, times are tough and you do what you have to do. We saw "Coconut Migration" our 20' Mirage sitting on the side of the road with a $2300 OBO sign on her. I asked my wife, "Would you rather have groceries, or a sailboat?" The rest is history and at least I know she knows what's important in life.
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dave
very carefully
i've had 4 o'days so there was no doubt what kind i wanted. i had new 28 that i had to pay 12,000 to get out of sooo will never buy another new boat. i olooked for a year until i found a 25 that had been stored for 13 years and is pristine so that is the one i bought
i've had 4 o'days so there was no doubt what kind i wanted. i had new 28 that i had to pay 12,000 to get out of sooo will never buy another new boat. i olooked for a year until i found a 25 that had been stored for 13 years and is pristine so that is the one i bought
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John J
Choosing a Boat
Two years ago we went to the Atlanta boat show to, "look". How can one word get you in so much trouble? We owned a H260 and were going to look at the new H290. Right next to it was the new C310. My wife and son said if they were making the decision it was the C310, hands down. The more we looked at it, the more we liked it. We kept stopping by the dealer for the next 3-4 months, and by May we had him just where he wanted us. We had not sailed the 310, but our first boat was a C25, so we had a pretty good idea of how Catalina's sail. We have looked at many boats since this purchase, and we keep returning to ours and know we made the right decision, for us. It should be noted my wife no longer attends boat shows with me, her choice not mine. So our answers to the question are: 1) Did enough research to know what we wanted compared to other boats in the same size/price range 2) Love at first sight 3) Didn't sail her No regrets.
Two years ago we went to the Atlanta boat show to, "look". How can one word get you in so much trouble? We owned a H260 and were going to look at the new H290. Right next to it was the new C310. My wife and son said if they were making the decision it was the C310, hands down. The more we looked at it, the more we liked it. We kept stopping by the dealer for the next 3-4 months, and by May we had him just where he wanted us. We had not sailed the 310, but our first boat was a C25, so we had a pretty good idea of how Catalina's sail. We have looked at many boats since this purchase, and we keep returning to ours and know we made the right decision, for us. It should be noted my wife no longer attends boat shows with me, her choice not mine. So our answers to the question are: 1) Did enough research to know what we wanted compared to other boats in the same size/price range 2) Love at first sight 3) Didn't sail her No regrets.
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Les Murray
Broker Recommendation
When we began looking last year we had a couple of priorities, lots of cabin space (family of 6) and under $40K. I hooked up with a very good boat broker out of Rhode Island. He found our Catalina 36 before it even was on the market. I saw an Allied 36 and liked the lines, but the space and the coastal cruising performance of the Catalina sold me, along with the broker's urging. I paid about $10k more than I wanted, but have not regretted it. Ceilidh has been a very good boat and fits the purpose nicely. I have even slept 10 on her (bodies everywhere). Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #650
When we began looking last year we had a couple of priorities, lots of cabin space (family of 6) and under $40K. I hooked up with a very good boat broker out of Rhode Island. He found our Catalina 36 before it even was on the market. I saw an Allied 36 and liked the lines, but the space and the coastal cruising performance of the Catalina sold me, along with the broker's urging. I paid about $10k more than I wanted, but have not regretted it. Ceilidh has been a very good boat and fits the purpose nicely. I have even slept 10 on her (bodies everywhere). Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #650
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frank arndorfer
Think both ways
This topic has to be the best "fuel" for hours and hours of discussions between sailors. It can also be very educational for anyone willing to listen. i think we can all list pages and pages of good sound objective reasons why we chose the particular boat we did, be it mfgr, size, style, etc. All very straightforward. But I think the biggest single reason is still subjective....and that's emotion. We see a boat or read of a boat and fall in love with it. Whatever evokes the need, we think from the heart. After all, no matter how we'd choose to justify, these darn (but wonderful) things simply are NOT a necessity. Justify them simply "because we can." Then you're not fooling anyone..!!!! Frank Arndorfer S/V At Ease.
This topic has to be the best "fuel" for hours and hours of discussions between sailors. It can also be very educational for anyone willing to listen. i think we can all list pages and pages of good sound objective reasons why we chose the particular boat we did, be it mfgr, size, style, etc. All very straightforward. But I think the biggest single reason is still subjective....and that's emotion. We see a boat or read of a boat and fall in love with it. Whatever evokes the need, we think from the heart. After all, no matter how we'd choose to justify, these darn (but wonderful) things simply are NOT a necessity. Justify them simply "because we can." Then you're not fooling anyone..!!!! Frank Arndorfer S/V At Ease.
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Dan Smith
Chose the first O'Day
My wife and I looked at numerous boats and came up with a list of "must haves" and "would like to have". We visit all the local marinas and boat yards and spent much time on the net reading about the various sizes of boats and getting whatever information was available to make a good decision. We had not yet looked at an ODay when one was listed in the paper with the owner being a retired Naval officer. We took a short trip and was pleasantly suprised. The 1984 ODay 28 was like new and a good price. It had the original cushions inside, AC, and the woodwork was immaculate. We thought it over the coming night and called the next morning. We beat another offer by 10 minutes and have been happy with the boat since.
My wife and I looked at numerous boats and came up with a list of "must haves" and "would like to have". We visit all the local marinas and boat yards and spent much time on the net reading about the various sizes of boats and getting whatever information was available to make a good decision. We had not yet looked at an ODay when one was listed in the paper with the owner being a retired Naval officer. We took a short trip and was pleasantly suprised. The 1984 ODay 28 was like new and a good price. It had the original cushions inside, AC, and the woodwork was immaculate. We thought it over the coming night and called the next morning. We beat another offer by 10 minutes and have been happy with the boat since.
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Chris Lewis
Lucky find while not looking
My family was out in our Catalina 27 for opening day on the bay and were using a friends slip in San Francisco at South Beach Marina. (next to Pac Bell Park) While walking down the dock there was a Catalina 34 with a "Notice of Seizure on it. The boat was covered with dirt from the construction of pac bell park. It looked like it had not been out in a year. (turned out to be 18 months) I took down the owners name on the seizure notice and located the man with a people finder on the internet. As it turned out he was moving to Oregon, had sold his house and had not had time to hire a broker to clean up and sell the boat. The seizure notice was just a tax discrepancy. he knew it would cost him at least $5,000 to get the boat into selling condition, as well as the broker fees. The seller was very accommodating. We formed a partnership so I could keep the slip in the marina. I was able to purchase the boat for about $20,000 under the going rate. My wife was the one who pushed me to locate the owner. We had not been in the market for a larger boat at that time. Our original plan was to keep the 27 Catalina for one more year. When selling the catalina it sold in 7 days from when the ad came out in Latitude 38, a San Francisco based sailing magazine.
My family was out in our Catalina 27 for opening day on the bay and were using a friends slip in San Francisco at South Beach Marina. (next to Pac Bell Park) While walking down the dock there was a Catalina 34 with a "Notice of Seizure on it. The boat was covered with dirt from the construction of pac bell park. It looked like it had not been out in a year. (turned out to be 18 months) I took down the owners name on the seizure notice and located the man with a people finder on the internet. As it turned out he was moving to Oregon, had sold his house and had not had time to hire a broker to clean up and sell the boat. The seizure notice was just a tax discrepancy. he knew it would cost him at least $5,000 to get the boat into selling condition, as well as the broker fees. The seller was very accommodating. We formed a partnership so I could keep the slip in the marina. I was able to purchase the boat for about $20,000 under the going rate. My wife was the one who pushed me to locate the owner. We had not been in the market for a larger boat at that time. Our original plan was to keep the 27 Catalina for one more year. When selling the catalina it sold in 7 days from when the ad came out in Latitude 38, a San Francisco based sailing magazine.
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Warren Updike
Started with requirements
Limited funds, limited time, simplicity, no fixer-upper. Had been sailing 1 years by chartering, so I had some idea of boat size. Most sailing would be 2-4 day weekends, and one week in summer. Figure that most cruises would be one or two on-board overnights before a marina stop. Wanted largest boat with outboard. On small boat, inboard takes too much space. Also, adds maintenance issues of thru-hulls, cramped space, smells, etc. First offer was on a C25. Seller refused so I began a search of the upper Chesapeake for C25's. Found a number of them. Spent several weekends and 3-day weekend looking. Found our baby, back at the first yard we stopped at. More by 50% than we wanted to spend, but got clean, lightly sailed boat with 2 yr. old 4-stroke. It was worth all the time. I learned a lot in the search. Talking to people, looking at boats, asking questions is the best way to learn. Always have your prospect surveyed. I paid about $250 for each survey. The survey report made it a slam-dunk with the insurance co. I paid cash so the bank wasn't an issue, but if you are financing, the survey report will be important to them as well.
Limited funds, limited time, simplicity, no fixer-upper. Had been sailing 1 years by chartering, so I had some idea of boat size. Most sailing would be 2-4 day weekends, and one week in summer. Figure that most cruises would be one or two on-board overnights before a marina stop. Wanted largest boat with outboard. On small boat, inboard takes too much space. Also, adds maintenance issues of thru-hulls, cramped space, smells, etc. First offer was on a C25. Seller refused so I began a search of the upper Chesapeake for C25's. Found a number of them. Spent several weekends and 3-day weekend looking. Found our baby, back at the first yard we stopped at. More by 50% than we wanted to spend, but got clean, lightly sailed boat with 2 yr. old 4-stroke. It was worth all the time. I learned a lot in the search. Talking to people, looking at boats, asking questions is the best way to learn. Always have your prospect surveyed. I paid about $250 for each survey. The survey report made it a slam-dunk with the insurance co. I paid cash so the bank wasn't an issue, but if you are financing, the survey report will be important to them as well.
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Mike Beaujean
Choosing My Boat
I was originally in the market for a used C-30, but money always seemed to be a limiting factor. I never seemed to get what I needed for the dollars I had available. Finally, about five years ago, I saw an ad for a 1983 C-27. I called and gathered the info. I decided to take a look with my family (after doing a little research). I found the boat on a cradle and equipped with most of the goodies ( diesel, wheel steering, wind, speed, depth, radio) and to be in excellent condition. Then came the financial aspect, It was offered at 5K BELOW book value AND (believe it or not) was sold on a handshake. No money exchanged hands for three months. The previous owner insisted that I take my time having it checked out and was comfortable with my decision (he gave me complete access to the boat whenever I needed to check anything out and never once pressured me for a decsion). Also, after closing, he insisted on helping me rig the boat and showing me around. I can't ever imagine this scenario ever happening again. So needless to say, we still own the C-27 and have no regrets. Although it is starting to get a lttle on the small side, I can take my time upgrading to a bigger boat.
I was originally in the market for a used C-30, but money always seemed to be a limiting factor. I never seemed to get what I needed for the dollars I had available. Finally, about five years ago, I saw an ad for a 1983 C-27. I called and gathered the info. I decided to take a look with my family (after doing a little research). I found the boat on a cradle and equipped with most of the goodies ( diesel, wheel steering, wind, speed, depth, radio) and to be in excellent condition. Then came the financial aspect, It was offered at 5K BELOW book value AND (believe it or not) was sold on a handshake. No money exchanged hands for three months. The previous owner insisted that I take my time having it checked out and was comfortable with my decision (he gave me complete access to the boat whenever I needed to check anything out and never once pressured me for a decsion). Also, after closing, he insisted on helping me rig the boat and showing me around. I can't ever imagine this scenario ever happening again. So needless to say, we still own the C-27 and have no regrets. Although it is starting to get a lttle on the small side, I can take my time upgrading to a bigger boat.
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Raymond Ortega
Timing
I had decided to move up from my 1972 Southcoast 22 to something a little larger and newer. I had started watching the newspaper ads, walking the docks and looking on-line. One of the local ads was for a 184 Hunter 25.5 at a reasonable price. I found that the owners were selling due to age and health considerations. The boat was in good shape and located on the lake nearest to my home. Compared to similar boats in the 25' range, it was a real bargain.
I had decided to move up from my 1972 Southcoast 22 to something a little larger and newer. I had started watching the newspaper ads, walking the docks and looking on-line. One of the local ads was for a 184 Hunter 25.5 at a reasonable price. I found that the owners were selling due to age and health considerations. The boat was in good shape and located on the lake nearest to my home. Compared to similar boats in the 25' range, it was a real bargain.
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Peter Brennan
Not what we had in mind....
We gradually worked our way to buying a boat. Then a dear friend died and suddenly we knew the time to do anything about anything was now! So we stopped in a boatyard on the way home from the memorial service, just looking, definite specifications in hand -- 30 ft, wheel steering, $20,000 or so -- and of no mind to buy right then. Then we saw this odd looking thing and fell head over heels in love. It was a Dawson 26 swing keel. We bought it on the spot for about $14,000 and never looked back though we spent another $20,000 fixing her up. When at last we outgrew her, we sought a similar boat and ended with an O'Day 37, which looks like the Dawson's mommy. We sold the Dawson for $6,500 (after owning both boats for a year) to a man from Washington State who bought her sight unseen, had a trailer built, dragged the trailer to New York and took the boat back to Washington.
We gradually worked our way to buying a boat. Then a dear friend died and suddenly we knew the time to do anything about anything was now! So we stopped in a boatyard on the way home from the memorial service, just looking, definite specifications in hand -- 30 ft, wheel steering, $20,000 or so -- and of no mind to buy right then. Then we saw this odd looking thing and fell head over heels in love. It was a Dawson 26 swing keel. We bought it on the spot for about $14,000 and never looked back though we spent another $20,000 fixing her up. When at last we outgrew her, we sought a similar boat and ended with an O'Day 37, which looks like the Dawson's mommy. We sold the Dawson for $6,500 (after owning both boats for a year) to a man from Washington State who bought her sight unseen, had a trailer built, dragged the trailer to New York and took the boat back to Washington.
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Mitch Simmons
Fit like a glove
My wife and I had sailed and enjoyed a Chrysler 22 swing keel for five years on local lakes and North Carolina's coast. We both are 6' feet tall and were beginning to get tired of stooping and crawling in the flush-deck Chrysler. We first sat down and literally drew up a list of "musts and wants" for our next boat. They included: new, local dealer, aft head with shower, hot water heater, diesel inboard, lots of ventilation (opening ports and hatches), standing headroom, fixed keel, teak interior, complete galley, nav station, good storage, at least one comfortable double berth, and finally, good sailing performance in 30 feet. A casual acquaintance led us to the Hunter 30, and we sailed one, but it didn't meet some of our requirements, nor did it click emotionally. While continuing to evaluate Catalina's, O'Day's, Pearsons, Irwins, etc., we met a sailor who was marketing his Hunter 30 to buy a Hunter 33 for cruising and club racing. He invited us to go aboard his at the dealer's lot during pre-commissioning and we were blown away--it was as if Hunter had designed the boat to our specifications! To shorten the story, we cut a satisfactory deal with the local dealer, ordered our 1980 Hunter 33 from the factory and still own and enjoy the boat 22 years later!! My only complaint is that I wish the Yanmar 15 had another 10hp for overcoming the currents in the ICW near our homeport.
My wife and I had sailed and enjoyed a Chrysler 22 swing keel for five years on local lakes and North Carolina's coast. We both are 6' feet tall and were beginning to get tired of stooping and crawling in the flush-deck Chrysler. We first sat down and literally drew up a list of "musts and wants" for our next boat. They included: new, local dealer, aft head with shower, hot water heater, diesel inboard, lots of ventilation (opening ports and hatches), standing headroom, fixed keel, teak interior, complete galley, nav station, good storage, at least one comfortable double berth, and finally, good sailing performance in 30 feet. A casual acquaintance led us to the Hunter 30, and we sailed one, but it didn't meet some of our requirements, nor did it click emotionally. While continuing to evaluate Catalina's, O'Day's, Pearsons, Irwins, etc., we met a sailor who was marketing his Hunter 30 to buy a Hunter 33 for cruising and club racing. He invited us to go aboard his at the dealer's lot during pre-commissioning and we were blown away--it was as if Hunter had designed the boat to our specifications! To shorten the story, we cut a satisfactory deal with the local dealer, ordered our 1980 Hunter 33 from the factory and still own and enjoy the boat 22 years later!! My only complaint is that I wish the Yanmar 15 had another 10hp for overcoming the currents in the ICW near our homeport.
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Paul
Took about a year...
From the time I decided I was going to actually buy one, it took me about 6 months of research to decide on what type of boat I wanted and then another 6 months to find the right one. I would have bought one quicker but I knew very little about sailboats and even a 1974 Catalina 27 is a big investment for a young couple just starting a family. Owned TESS for 2 years now, tons more to learn and loving every minute of it. My Boat http://community.webshots.com/album/14287993qauQVQbYXp Paul
From the time I decided I was going to actually buy one, it took me about 6 months of research to decide on what type of boat I wanted and then another 6 months to find the right one. I would have bought one quicker but I knew very little about sailboats and even a 1974 Catalina 27 is a big investment for a young couple just starting a family. Owned TESS for 2 years now, tons more to learn and loving every minute of it. My Boat http://community.webshots.com/album/14287993qauQVQbYXp Paul
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