Oh my, so many choices, I am so confussed. thank you to all for helping. This forum is great. Here's what is going on. I have a wife and four children, ages 5 to 10. I first wanted to get a 17 feet boat just to be fast in the water from a trailer. Then most people suggested that since I was towing anyway, get a little bigger so there is more room on the boat for all of us, a place for food and a place for the kids to hide from each other and the sun. Then I discovered that for the same price of a 17 foot boat, I could get an older 22-24. I was then concerned with set up time. But it appears that it might not take that much longer to set up the 17 from a 22. Hey, If I have to set up, step mast ect, I will put in a little more time to get the bigger boat. Then, I am not going to pay slip fees, near lake St. Clair, St. Clair Shores area or even to Lake Erie a slip is around $1,400.00, plus I then have to pay more for storage, another 350 to 500.00. Now the storage place where I have my camper, is only 305.00 a year and close by, that I can handle. Plus I want the freedom to trailer to different lakes. Then there are so many boats, Catalina, Rhodes 22, Com Pacs,Cals and Paceships. Overall, I am trying to get as big as boat as possible in terms of roominess, All six of us share a camper with no problem, A boat to trailer, sturdiness in the water, non-slip, in good condition all for under $10,000.00. It looks like there are alot of Hunter and Catalinas 22-23 for even 4,000 to 6,000, right up my alley. So what do you think? Helppppppppppp????!!!!!!!?!!!!!! Thank You, Robert
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Catalina and Hunters
There are a lot of Hunter's and Catalina's in the midwest. Take a look at different years of both and see which you like best. Our solution to set up time is keeping the boat at a sailing facility on the trailer with the mast up and sails on etc. We hook up the truck and back it down the ramp and go sailing. When it's time to go home we reverse the procedure. In your area I'm sure you can find lots of boats for sale. I'm attaching a link to our sailing associations web site, there are a number of boats for sail in the price range you describe, some in the 25 to 26 foot range right at 10,000.
There are a lot of Hunter's and Catalina's in the midwest. Take a look at different years of both and see which you like best. Our solution to set up time is keeping the boat at a sailing facility on the trailer with the mast up and sails on etc. We hook up the truck and back it down the ramp and go sailing. When it's time to go home we reverse the procedure. In your area I'm sure you can find lots of boats for sale. I'm attaching a link to our sailing associations web site, there are a number of boats for sail in the price range you describe, some in the 25 to 26 foot range right at 10,000.
Some thoughts
Robert, As a current owner of H26, I confess to (still) having a real fondness for the Catalina 22 (swing keel). I had an older one for three years and sold it for $300 less than I paid for it. It sailed great and had some amenities - potty, shelter from weather, etc. But it is not what I think you need!! (hehe) It was my first mono hull after 14 years on a Hobie 16 on which my son learned about sailing. The Hobie was great for dragging up and very quick and exciting on the water. But it was a medium to huge deal to get the mast up. After that, it was quick and easy to rig and spacious for a family like yours. If I had kids and a camper like you, I'd seriously consider an easy-to-rig (and trailor) day sailor to make that part of the day go quickly. Then plan to sleep, eat, go biking and take breaks on shore near the camper. All the kids won't want to sail all the time!! Finally, the larger the boat, the harder it is to do everything. We had planned on trailoring our H26 often and, frankly, it is a lot of work, A LOT OF WORK. Even the Cat 22 was a project to assemble. Hey, why not get two Lasers, put 'em on the same trailor and have family races. You can put up the mast by picking it up and sticking it in the hole! Then as the kids get into sailing, you can move up from there. I bet you, like me, would love to give the gift of sailing to your kids. That means starting with boats small enuf for THEM to handle, where they can quickly feel what works and what doesn't. And nothing like beating Dad, Mom (or older sibling) to put the fun into it. Keep us up-to-date with your decisions. Sounds like a fun dilemma. Fair Winds, Jim s/v Grizzly Bear
Robert, As a current owner of H26, I confess to (still) having a real fondness for the Catalina 22 (swing keel). I had an older one for three years and sold it for $300 less than I paid for it. It sailed great and had some amenities - potty, shelter from weather, etc. But it is not what I think you need!! (hehe) It was my first mono hull after 14 years on a Hobie 16 on which my son learned about sailing. The Hobie was great for dragging up and very quick and exciting on the water. But it was a medium to huge deal to get the mast up. After that, it was quick and easy to rig and spacious for a family like yours. If I had kids and a camper like you, I'd seriously consider an easy-to-rig (and trailor) day sailor to make that part of the day go quickly. Then plan to sleep, eat, go biking and take breaks on shore near the camper. All the kids won't want to sail all the time!! Finally, the larger the boat, the harder it is to do everything. We had planned on trailoring our H26 often and, frankly, it is a lot of work, A LOT OF WORK. Even the Cat 22 was a project to assemble. Hey, why not get two Lasers, put 'em on the same trailor and have family races. You can put up the mast by picking it up and sticking it in the hole! Then as the kids get into sailing, you can move up from there. I bet you, like me, would love to give the gift of sailing to your kids. That means starting with boats small enuf for THEM to handle, where they can quickly feel what works and what doesn't. And nothing like beating Dad, Mom (or older sibling) to put the fun into it. Keep us up-to-date with your decisions. Sounds like a fun dilemma. Fair Winds, Jim s/v Grizzly Bear
22' er
My last boat was a Catalina 22. This is an excellant boat, and is relatively easy to set up. It is also light, so pulling with a smaller vehicle is possible. The older models were approximately 500 lbs lighter, and are very affordable. Alot of fleet racers still look for these. In fact Catalina is reproducing the "older" model as a Sport - for all the interest in this version.
My last boat was a Catalina 22. This is an excellant boat, and is relatively easy to set up. It is also light, so pulling with a smaller vehicle is possible. The older models were approximately 500 lbs lighter, and are very affordable. Alot of fleet racers still look for these. In fact Catalina is reproducing the "older" model as a Sport - for all the interest in this version.
BRAVE
I have a 240 and think that 6 people would be very cramped. they would have to be awlfully good friends. I like the suggestion about the Lasers. Maybe you could figure out a way to put them on the camper. The Catalina 250 is a nice boat, with enclosed head and plenty of room but still 6 is a lot to ask. What is you tow vehicle? I have seen an old VW rabbit towing a Catalina 22. Have you thought about a pontoon boat with acamper enclsure?That way you could sail with the Lasers, fish, tube and camper out. Good Luck.
I have a 240 and think that 6 people would be very cramped. they would have to be awlfully good friends. I like the suggestion about the Lasers. Maybe you could figure out a way to put them on the camper. The Catalina 250 is a nice boat, with enclosed head and plenty of room but still 6 is a lot to ask. What is you tow vehicle? I have seen an old VW rabbit towing a Catalina 22. Have you thought about a pontoon boat with acamper enclsure?That way you could sail with the Lasers, fish, tube and camper out. Good Luck.
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