Knowing what you know now, would you buy the same boat you now own all over again? Would you go bigger? Smaller? The same size but a boat from a different designer and builder? Or perhaps about the same size but a newer model with more creature comforts? Share your second guesses and the reasons behind them, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz by Gary Wyngarden)
- Status
The One That Got Away
Back in the late '80s I went down to a training class in LA and left a couble days early to do some rudder-kicking. That was when boats were selling in Southern Cal. This one broker showed me an '86 (then only a little more than a year old) Jenneau "Legend" 41 in Marina Del Rey and I still have the brochure and equipment list. The owner bought it in France and sailed it to LA. It was equipped with storm jib through spinnaker, SSB, dishes and silverware, binoculars, life raft, etc. and etc. Two pages of extras - double column. Price: $82K. And like new condition. We wound up buying a Hunter "Legend" 35 new "so I wouldn't have to work on it" (my wife said). I think people really under estimate the cost to properly install equipment - that's the basic price of the item plus all the "little incidentials" plus the time, labor, and effort. Looking back on it we would have been time and money ahead getting that Jenneau. Having said that I think the '88 HL-35 was probably the second best decision we could have made that year as with a lead keel and "plastic" fuel, water, and holding tanks it has been no problem (once I got the leaky ports taken care of!!!). We got it as a "temporary boat" until we could find the one we really wanted - and we're still looking! Ah well.... live and learn.
Back in the late '80s I went down to a training class in LA and left a couble days early to do some rudder-kicking. That was when boats were selling in Southern Cal. This one broker showed me an '86 (then only a little more than a year old) Jenneau "Legend" 41 in Marina Del Rey and I still have the brochure and equipment list. The owner bought it in France and sailed it to LA. It was equipped with storm jib through spinnaker, SSB, dishes and silverware, binoculars, life raft, etc. and etc. Two pages of extras - double column. Price: $82K. And like new condition. We wound up buying a Hunter "Legend" 35 new "so I wouldn't have to work on it" (my wife said). I think people really under estimate the cost to properly install equipment - that's the basic price of the item plus all the "little incidentials" plus the time, labor, and effort. Looking back on it we would have been time and money ahead getting that Jenneau. Having said that I think the '88 HL-35 was probably the second best decision we could have made that year as with a lead keel and "plastic" fuel, water, and holding tanks it has been no problem (once I got the leaky ports taken care of!!!). We got it as a "temporary boat" until we could find the one we really wanted - and we're still looking! Ah well.... live and learn.
Goodness no!
I passed up a 23' with no trailer which was in great shape and got an older 25' with a trailer. I spent all last summer working on it and it looks like this summer too. Haven't been near the water. Should have had a trailer built.
I passed up a 23' with no trailer which was in great shape and got an older 25' with a trailer. I spent all last summer working on it and it looks like this summer too. Haven't been near the water. Should have had a trailer built.
Best Decision We ever Made
I had three different hobie cats at different times and my two sons and my wifes three sons always had alot of fun but the kids were growing up and not around too much and I wanted a real sail boat. We were driving past a hunter dealer on eastern long Island and saw a 260 hunter we gave him a deposit but he jacked up the price with all the prep and tax and we cancelled. I started looking around the internet for boats mostly hunter 260 and catalina 25 and than my wife saw hunter280 at a marina and said she likes it and did not want to trailer any more. We got a new hunter 290 and we love it,its the best thing we ever did. Nick & MaryEllen
I had three different hobie cats at different times and my two sons and my wifes three sons always had alot of fun but the kids were growing up and not around too much and I wanted a real sail boat. We were driving past a hunter dealer on eastern long Island and saw a 260 hunter we gave him a deposit but he jacked up the price with all the prep and tax and we cancelled. I started looking around the internet for boats mostly hunter 260 and catalina 25 and than my wife saw hunter280 at a marina and said she likes it and did not want to trailer any more. We got a new hunter 290 and we love it,its the best thing we ever did. Nick & MaryEllen
For sure!
I would certainly buy the same boat again!It was a pretty good deal and for her age, she was in good shape! As to her set up I figured whatever boat I got I would make some changes anyway, so no problem there! We all want to give our vessels the personal touch! Dennis
I would certainly buy the same boat again!It was a pretty good deal and for her age, she was in good shape! As to her set up I figured whatever boat I got I would make some changes anyway, so no problem there! We all want to give our vessels the personal touch! Dennis
After 18 years?
Having looked around a lot in '85 at used C&C 29's and 30's, I 'settled' on a new Hunter 28.5 and got a 15 year loan which we later refinanced. Had I waited for the perfect boat, we would not have had all these wonderful seasons. Over the years, we've replaced a lot of plastic parts, including the deck hatches, the water pump and the head, however the cast iron keel and the Foss Foam rudder have been the continuing maintenance problems. That said, she out sails bigger and more expensive boats and we've spent our money putting 4 kids thru college. That's not a bad trade off, so maybe we made the bettter decision after all.
Having looked around a lot in '85 at used C&C 29's and 30's, I 'settled' on a new Hunter 28.5 and got a 15 year loan which we later refinanced. Had I waited for the perfect boat, we would not have had all these wonderful seasons. Over the years, we've replaced a lot of plastic parts, including the deck hatches, the water pump and the head, however the cast iron keel and the Foss Foam rudder have been the continuing maintenance problems. That said, she out sails bigger and more expensive boats and we've spent our money putting 4 kids thru college. That's not a bad trade off, so maybe we made the bettter decision after all.
I still think about this boat I didn't buy
I ended up buying a Hunter 27 which is a very nice boat that I really like, but while I was looking I found a guy selling a 28 foot Fin Gal sail boat made I think in Sweden. It was a full keel and had lots of teak inside. Had about the same dimensions as a Pearson Triton. It had set for a long time and needed some TLC. My wife wanted me to get something that was less work. I still think about that boat. She could have been beautiful if I’d bought her and fixed her up
I ended up buying a Hunter 27 which is a very nice boat that I really like, but while I was looking I found a guy selling a 28 foot Fin Gal sail boat made I think in Sweden. It was a full keel and had lots of teak inside. Had about the same dimensions as a Pearson Triton. It had set for a long time and needed some TLC. My wife wanted me to get something that was less work. I still think about that boat. She could have been beautiful if I’d bought her and fixed her up
Bigger is always better.
Hunters make a fantastic boat I am very happy with the manufacture. I know own a 23.5 the boat itself is great, but the sleeping is tough. the forward bunk is about 6 inches too short, and back bunk, there is just not enough head room.
Hunters make a fantastic boat I am very happy with the manufacture. I know own a 23.5 the boat itself is great, but the sleeping is tough. the forward bunk is about 6 inches too short, and back bunk, there is just not enough head room.
maybe
We got a 3 year old hunter 170 for our first sailboat about a year and a half ago. It has been a great boat to learn on and we have had a blast, but I think the kids (4 and 7) really would have prefered something with a cuddy. John Ann Arbor
We got a 3 year old hunter 170 for our first sailboat about a year and a half ago. It has been a great boat to learn on and we have had a blast, but I think the kids (4 and 7) really would have prefered something with a cuddy. John Ann Arbor
You Bet
Since I did not know much about sailing I think I made a good buy with the 26D. I have learned alot with this boat and it is very forgiving. If I had it to do over again I would go the same route.
Since I did not know much about sailing I think I made a good buy with the 26D. I have learned alot with this boat and it is very forgiving. If I had it to do over again I would go the same route.
I Did
I did! I'm on my second Vision 32. I call it my "geriatric rig". She is easy to sail and feels real solid on the Bay. Just had her out yesterday in 20-25 knots and she performed beautifully. I didn't even have to reef with my new Pineapple sails. Dee
I did! I'm on my second Vision 32. I call it my "geriatric rig". She is easy to sail and feels real solid on the Bay. Just had her out yesterday in 20-25 knots and she performed beautifully. I didn't even have to reef with my new Pineapple sails. Dee
all's relative
Yes and no! The catalina 25 is a GREAT boat to learn, sailing. I have a swing keel, rudder steering, rigged for single handing. Yes I'd buy One again for the ease of handling, the condition it was in for a 1985 model. For the 9,9, 4 stroke outboard, for the extra equip. that came with her, dingy, vhf radio, stereo radio,pressure water shower in the cockpit, for the pot-top etc. No,I'd buy bigger next time,> I'd like better head room, & a real marine toiletwith holding tank, instead of a porta-potti. I would like wheel steering and comfort & conveniences in the cockpit, mine doesn't have. The swing keel is a real advantage in my boat, with the Florida shallow waters. I'd want that in a 27 or 30' and don't know if that's available. So, all's relative isn't it?
Yes and no! The catalina 25 is a GREAT boat to learn, sailing. I have a swing keel, rudder steering, rigged for single handing. Yes I'd buy One again for the ease of handling, the condition it was in for a 1985 model. For the 9,9, 4 stroke outboard, for the extra equip. that came with her, dingy, vhf radio, stereo radio,pressure water shower in the cockpit, for the pot-top etc. No,I'd buy bigger next time,> I'd like better head room, & a real marine toiletwith holding tank, instead of a porta-potti. I would like wheel steering and comfort & conveniences in the cockpit, mine doesn't have. The swing keel is a real advantage in my boat, with the Florida shallow waters. I'd want that in a 27 or 30' and don't know if that's available. So, all's relative isn't it?
boat bucks down the drain
I purchased our older Catalina c22 as a family boat project. Objectives were to teach my two sons boating from the bottom up (literally). Now I have put twice as much money into the boat as it is worth and I really want a bigger boat with more sleeping area both sons are in college too busy with their own lives to sail.
I purchased our older Catalina c22 as a family boat project. Objectives were to teach my two sons boating from the bottom up (literally). Now I have put twice as much money into the boat as it is worth and I really want a bigger boat with more sleeping area both sons are in college too busy with their own lives to sail.
My current boat?
My boat was a gift, "come down and get it and you can have it". "What is it"? "It's an Oday 25". The search was on for a suitable trailer, not finding one I built one. The drive to Ft. Myers, FL. had me in anticipation. Upon arrival, I walk down to the water and there tied to the seawall was an Oday 23. Ok, move the bunk rails around and my trailer is now ready for a 23. We lifted it on the trailer with a crane, and I realized what I was in for. She was not far from being on the bottom and the refit was going to take awhile. Just a basic list of the repairs included countless blisters, damaged keel, shredded centerboard, delaminated keel, hole in deck at the starboard stanchion, shredded Genoa and blown out main, corroded standing rigging, rotted running rigging, gouges through the gelcoat and fiberglass on the hull, all the wood was rotted, interior mildewed and rotted, inch of dirt and humus in the bilge, rotted core throughout the deck, etc... I finally put her on the water this year, outboard failed when I tried to launch her. Bought a new outboard and it failed too, three trips back to the shop and it is now good to go. My wife and I took our first sail on this boat together after two years of refit work(interior still not done yet) and it was all worth it. I'm blessed with a love of sailboats, and I hate to see one ever put out of use. This Oday 23 will be it for me, until I see the next needy one.
My boat was a gift, "come down and get it and you can have it". "What is it"? "It's an Oday 25". The search was on for a suitable trailer, not finding one I built one. The drive to Ft. Myers, FL. had me in anticipation. Upon arrival, I walk down to the water and there tied to the seawall was an Oday 23. Ok, move the bunk rails around and my trailer is now ready for a 23. We lifted it on the trailer with a crane, and I realized what I was in for. She was not far from being on the bottom and the refit was going to take awhile. Just a basic list of the repairs included countless blisters, damaged keel, shredded centerboard, delaminated keel, hole in deck at the starboard stanchion, shredded Genoa and blown out main, corroded standing rigging, rotted running rigging, gouges through the gelcoat and fiberglass on the hull, all the wood was rotted, interior mildewed and rotted, inch of dirt and humus in the bilge, rotted core throughout the deck, etc... I finally put her on the water this year, outboard failed when I tried to launch her. Bought a new outboard and it failed too, three trips back to the shop and it is now good to go. My wife and I took our first sail on this boat together after two years of refit work(interior still not done yet) and it was all worth it. I'm blessed with a love of sailboats, and I hate to see one ever put out of use. This Oday 23 will be it for me, until I see the next needy one.
I love the one I'm with
My current is an O'Day 322 and she is the prefect boat for my wife & me and for when either of my two daughters visit. They both learned to sail in O'Days (we owned an O'Day 222, 240 & 280.) and they and share my enthusiasm with the 322. Well designed, fast, comfortable, safe and fun to sail. My next boat may very well be a newer O'Day 322. ;D
My current is an O'Day 322 and she is the prefect boat for my wife & me and for when either of my two daughters visit. They both learned to sail in O'Days (we owned an O'Day 222, 240 & 280.) and they and share my enthusiasm with the 322. Well designed, fast, comfortable, safe and fun to sail. My next boat may very well be a newer O'Day 322. ;D
Love our 1995 Hunter 336
Having looked at later models, we still prefer our Hunter 336 (1995), which has served us well, first as a charter vessel and now for personal use. The size is ideal for the two of us, good for four but a bit of a squash with six on board with dive gear! Not perfect but close to. We follow the boat shows and comparisons with newer yachts have not enticed us to change.
Having looked at later models, we still prefer our Hunter 336 (1995), which has served us well, first as a charter vessel and now for personal use. The size is ideal for the two of us, good for four but a bit of a squash with six on board with dive gear! Not perfect but close to. We follow the boat shows and comparisons with newer yachts have not enticed us to change.
Size Matters
I live aboard now and the 1989 Cherubini Hunter 36 is not configured adequately for liveaboard and can not be modified as I wish. I'm looking for a boat with at least one king or queeen size bed and considerable storage. I'm looking at a 56 footer that is perfect for my needs. Still trying to finance it. Wish me luck!
I live aboard now and the 1989 Cherubini Hunter 36 is not configured adequately for liveaboard and can not be modified as I wish. I'm looking for a boat with at least one king or queeen size bed and considerable storage. I'm looking at a 56 footer that is perfect for my needs. Still trying to finance it. Wish me luck!
Where's the Quality; customer support?
I would not buy a Catalina sailboat again because of the poor quality and poor customer support. My halyards were slipping through the rope clutches, this was a known problem to Catalina resolved on the assembly line, I complained to the dealer and only then was the problem fixed. I think I should have been notified of this problem as a safety and warranty item. I have notified dealer of fit and finish problems. Catalina's response is that's not that bad. Talking to other recent Catalina purchasers, they have cited poor quality and customer support. Some seem to see this as a recent problem others say it has always been so. What's the solution? Catalina--never again.
I would not buy a Catalina sailboat again because of the poor quality and poor customer support. My halyards were slipping through the rope clutches, this was a known problem to Catalina resolved on the assembly line, I complained to the dealer and only then was the problem fixed. I think I should have been notified of this problem as a safety and warranty item. I have notified dealer of fit and finish problems. Catalina's response is that's not that bad. Talking to other recent Catalina purchasers, they have cited poor quality and customer support. Some seem to see this as a recent problem others say it has always been so. What's the solution? Catalina--never again.
- Status