Warren's post a couple of days ago, asking about what we sail, got a lot of responses, and I was a little surprised at first. My first thought was "What's wrong with me?". Then I had an epiphany. See, we also have a power boat (Sea Ray 23 cabin). The admiral wants to get there now, and here in Florida, we anchor on the beach and the kids (and Granddaughter-the one who must be obeyed) swim or lay on the sand. But it seems that EVERBODY with a powerboat wants a bigger boat, no matter they currently have. The light came on when I read how happy most of you are with what you have. I think this is a huge difference, but I'm wondering why. Is it the time we spend maintaining it? Or upgrading it? Is it the lifestyle, or maybe the purpose of a sailboat (it's the journey, not the destination)? Since I currently only own a 22 Oday, I guess I'm in the minority- I want a bigger sailboat. I've had them, and I want them again. Sadly, the admiral doesn't enjoy it. Anyway, any thought's as to your overwhelming satisfaction?
Power vs. Sail- another angle
- Thread starter TimCup
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Yes ! Nancy and I went to boat shows walked the marinas
talked long into the night for a many years while we were dealing with other needs in life about what has always been my dream, having a sail boat. We knew that it had to be such that she felt secure and comfortable. Not so large that she was afraid of it and yet large enough to allow for some of the creature comforts. A good toilet, comfortable seating, a clean dry bed, a means for preparing good food and a cup of tea, good storage space. Most importantly it had to be affordable. We managed to achieve all of these things by finding a sound old boat and refitting her to be just what we wanted. We took nine years to do the refit and after 8 years of sailing we still can't find any reason to make any changes. So I think that the large part of owner satisfaction derives from careful planning and an understanding of your real needs.
talked long into the night for a many years while we were dealing with other needs in life about what has always been my dream, having a sail boat. We knew that it had to be such that she felt secure and comfortable. Not so large that she was afraid of it and yet large enough to allow for some of the creature comforts. A good toilet, comfortable seating, a clean dry bed, a means for preparing good food and a cup of tea, good storage space. Most importantly it had to be affordable. We managed to achieve all of these things by finding a sound old boat and refitting her to be just what we wanted. We took nine years to do the refit and after 8 years of sailing we still can't find any reason to make any changes. So I think that the large part of owner satisfaction derives from careful planning and an understanding of your real needs.
My experience: it's the freeboard, Stupid! 
Really, had a C25 for 12 years. Finally, the Admiral said, "I don't go sailing as much anymore." "Why, gee a bigger boat and get the one you always wanted, the one we saw at the boat show in 1987, the brochure you still have, dummy...." Took a year but we found our C34, almost 10 years ago. But other than the freeboard, it was more importantly, I think, the difference between "camping" vs actually living with facilities that were more like having a cabin in the woods, instead of a pup tent. 28 to 35 feet will get you that in a boat that can be easily singlehanded. PS - NO comment on powerboat length-envy...
Really, had a C25 for 12 years. Finally, the Admiral said, "I don't go sailing as much anymore." "Why, gee a bigger boat and get the one you always wanted, the one we saw at the boat show in 1987, the brochure you still have, dummy...." Took a year but we found our C34, almost 10 years ago. But other than the freeboard, it was more importantly, I think, the difference between "camping" vs actually living with facilities that were more like having a cabin in the woods, instead of a pup tent. 28 to 35 feet will get you that in a boat that can be easily singlehanded. PS - NO comment on powerboat length-envy...
I think you will find
a lot of sailors wishing for a bigger boat even if they dont say so. There are also a lot of trailer boats represented here witch limits the practical size of boat you can pull or store at home and or the flexibility to take it where one wants to when ever you want to. Also, and I never thought of this before learning it, but mast height has a lot of consideration to the east coast boys due to all the bridges so mid 20's to lower 30's work very well. I use to think, but have changed my mind a little bit after belonging to a couple of these sailboat sites, that we are/were a little more conservative in nature as a whole. Not that powere boaters are all rude or jerks but as a class seem a little bit less patient about things of the water. I'm a power boater also so dont for a minute think I'm talking down. But I am the rare bird that has a boat capable of 35mph but chooses to putt along at 7. Power boaters usually want to get there sooner rather then later.( Your wife as example ) And a no wake zone is akin to a no profanity law in most of there minds. For my Wife and Kids ( all woman ) it is exactly the reasons Stu listed, most woman want some creature comforts and the feel of stability and safty which for them is found in a bigger boat , to a point.. docking at one point or another starts to get more stressful which starts defeating their rational for comfort. But for what it's worth, I havent gotten over my 10 ft I'tis yet either. If The 52 Irwin in my Marina is ever sold I hope it's to me.. Another thought: Most of us want to maintain the single handed sailing ability. This diminishes greatly with an in crease in size.
a lot of sailors wishing for a bigger boat even if they dont say so. There are also a lot of trailer boats represented here witch limits the practical size of boat you can pull or store at home and or the flexibility to take it where one wants to when ever you want to. Also, and I never thought of this before learning it, but mast height has a lot of consideration to the east coast boys due to all the bridges so mid 20's to lower 30's work very well. I use to think, but have changed my mind a little bit after belonging to a couple of these sailboat sites, that we are/were a little more conservative in nature as a whole. Not that powere boaters are all rude or jerks but as a class seem a little bit less patient about things of the water. I'm a power boater also so dont for a minute think I'm talking down. But I am the rare bird that has a boat capable of 35mph but chooses to putt along at 7. Power boaters usually want to get there sooner rather then later.( Your wife as example ) And a no wake zone is akin to a no profanity law in most of there minds. For my Wife and Kids ( all woman ) it is exactly the reasons Stu listed, most woman want some creature comforts and the feel of stability and safty which for them is found in a bigger boat , to a point.. docking at one point or another starts to get more stressful which starts defeating their rational for comfort. But for what it's worth, I havent gotten over my 10 ft I'tis yet either. If The 52 Irwin in my Marina is ever sold I hope it's to me..
Another thought: Most of us want to maintain the single handed sailing ability. This diminishes greatly with an in crease in size.
For me smaller is exactly what I needed;
After having a 38 ft Seafarer cutter rig, modified full keel, blue water boat for many years, I met the admiral of my dreams with one exception, she doesn't like to leave the sight of land when on a boat. I got real tired of hunting for crew, or running forward to work sails alone, and it became too much for me. I have come to the realization I'll not ever be a blue watrer sailor again, so I downsized to a Catalina 320. This boat can still take me on over nighters or week long trips to the Dry Tortugas with my sailing buddy. The ability to single hand it, and work all sails from the safety of the cockpit, and have the admiral on board for a calm, non-healing sail or overnight has met all my needs. There will always be a part of me who wants a 40+ foot katch, but reality will keep me in this boat for many years to come. Am I satisfied? You bet. It is comfortable and challanging to sail, and has enough room below for the comfort I desire. Infact the interior cabis space is larger than the 38 ;D
After having a 38 ft Seafarer cutter rig, modified full keel, blue water boat for many years, I met the admiral of my dreams with one exception, she doesn't like to leave the sight of land when on a boat. I got real tired of hunting for crew, or running forward to work sails alone, and it became too much for me. I have come to the realization I'll not ever be a blue watrer sailor again, so I downsized to a Catalina 320. This boat can still take me on over nighters or week long trips to the Dry Tortugas with my sailing buddy. The ability to single hand it, and work all sails from the safety of the cockpit, and have the admiral on board for a calm, non-healing sail or overnight has met all my needs. There will always be a part of me who wants a 40+ foot katch, but reality will keep me in this boat for many years to come. Am I satisfied? You bet. It is comfortable and challanging to sail, and has enough room below for the comfort I desire. Infact the interior cabis space is larger than the 38 ;D
larger boat & singlehanding
Since the advent of furling main sails, power winches, etc., I'm wondering why having a larger boat necessarily makes soloing, or sailing with just one other person, more difficult to the point of being almost impossible. In the same vein - being 61, the question of age also pops up in my head. I know that there are quite a few sailors who are in their 70s and even 80s. I'm fairly healthy and in pretty good shape, but I know I can't do things I could do 25 years ago. But again, with the newer gadgets such as mentioned above, what are the age/health/strength limitations?
Since the advent of furling main sails, power winches, etc., I'm wondering why having a larger boat necessarily makes soloing, or sailing with just one other person, more difficult to the point of being almost impossible. In the same vein - being 61, the question of age also pops up in my head. I know that there are quite a few sailors who are in their 70s and even 80s. I'm fairly healthy and in pretty good shape, but I know I can't do things I could do 25 years ago. But again, with the newer gadgets such as mentioned above, what are the age/health/strength limitations?
"strength" limitations seem to be mostly mental
A well run boat should require a minimum of labor intensive requirements, indeed, the hardest thing to do on our boat is to put the mainsail cover back on! I think some people incorrectly believe you need to be a Goliath to run a sailboat, regardless of boat size and (furling) gear. That's plumb incorrect, because most of us spend quality time setting systems up to reduce and eliminate effort. The only remaining thing to consider is docking singlehanded: I seem to keep hearing what I can only describe as a mental block from many, not necessarily the "regulars" on this forum, about it. Don't want to hijack this thread by getting into singlehanded docking. But, once the boat's set up, you take it out, you bring it back in and enjoy what happens in between. And until one starts taking it out regularly, and practice, practice, practice, all the typing and discussion ain't worth a hoot...
A well run boat should require a minimum of labor intensive requirements, indeed, the hardest thing to do on our boat is to put the mainsail cover back on! I think some people incorrectly believe you need to be a Goliath to run a sailboat, regardless of boat size and (furling) gear. That's plumb incorrect, because most of us spend quality time setting systems up to reduce and eliminate effort. The only remaining thing to consider is docking singlehanded: I seem to keep hearing what I can only describe as a mental block from many, not necessarily the "regulars" on this forum, about it. Don't want to hijack this thread by getting into singlehanded docking. But, once the boat's set up, you take it out, you bring it back in and enjoy what happens in between.
And until one starts taking it out regularly, and practice, practice, practice, all the typing and discussion ain't worth a hoot...Be Happy
Hello, I started with an O'Day 22. Loved it and sailed it a lot. After one season, we purchased an O'Day 302. This is a great boat. I will list my pros and cons. 302 vs 22 Pros Ability to stand up. Can sleep six if necessary. Stove, oven, shower, flushing head, hot water. Roller furling. Wheel steering. Does well in a blow. Easy reefing. Auto pilot. Cons Must pay to store it at boat yard - can't work on it at home. Diesel engine requires attention, belts, filters, impellers etc. Water system reguires upkeep - winterizing, commisioning, filters, leaks etc. Time and expense of bottom paint, waxing, cleaning etc. Head requires upkeep and paying to pump out. Anything that breaks is very expensive. That being said, I would not go back to my 22. However, there are many features I do miss about having a trailerable sailboat. I miss the simplicity of the little 22.
Hello, I started with an O'Day 22. Loved it and sailed it a lot. After one season, we purchased an O'Day 302. This is a great boat. I will list my pros and cons. 302 vs 22 Pros Ability to stand up. Can sleep six if necessary. Stove, oven, shower, flushing head, hot water. Roller furling. Wheel steering. Does well in a blow. Easy reefing. Auto pilot. Cons Must pay to store it at boat yard - can't work on it at home. Diesel engine requires attention, belts, filters, impellers etc. Water system reguires upkeep - winterizing, commisioning, filters, leaks etc. Time and expense of bottom paint, waxing, cleaning etc. Head requires upkeep and paying to pump out. Anything that breaks is very expensive. That being said, I would not go back to my 22. However, there are many features I do miss about having a trailerable sailboat. I miss the simplicity of the little 22.
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