I am 42 years old, and I've always wanted to learn to sail a boat by myself. I've sailed with friends over the years, and love it much. We have a sailing school here, and I figure that I can buy this boat and attend the school. I figured no better folks to ask than experienced sailors. Should I buy this boat? 1976 23ft Aquarius $1,000 Sleeps 4 Water tank: Sink & Toilet Swing Keel Auto Pilot Trailer
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have a knowledgable person check it out
Linda See if you can have someone from the club or another boatowner take a look at the boat. Once you own a boat you know very quickly what the important elements are to check on another boat. I do not know anything about an "Aquarius" boat but it is the perfect size for learning to sail. My wife and I bought an old Catalina 22 for $1500 as our first boat. It was great! a year later we traded up to a hunter 27. If you cannot find someone with some boat knowledge to look at the boat do as much reading as you can (type in boat surveying" on the internet) to improve your knowledge on what to look at structurally on the boat. on a boat of this age I would take a close look at all of the fittings that pass through the hull, the HOSES connected to those fittings, the swing keel fittings and the cable, and the condition of the standing rigging (the cables that keep the mast in place when it is raised)If you are not completely comfortable about the boat remember there are many more boats out there and the right one will come along. my two cents! best of luck Chris Drifter II H27 SF Bay
Linda See if you can have someone from the club or another boatowner take a look at the boat. Once you own a boat you know very quickly what the important elements are to check on another boat. I do not know anything about an "Aquarius" boat but it is the perfect size for learning to sail. My wife and I bought an old Catalina 22 for $1500 as our first boat. It was great! a year later we traded up to a hunter 27. If you cannot find someone with some boat knowledge to look at the boat do as much reading as you can (type in boat surveying" on the internet) to improve your knowledge on what to look at structurally on the boat. on a boat of this age I would take a close look at all of the fittings that pass through the hull, the HOSES connected to those fittings, the swing keel fittings and the cable, and the condition of the standing rigging (the cables that keep the mast in place when it is raised)If you are not completely comfortable about the boat remember there are many more boats out there and the right one will come along. my two cents! best of luck Chris Drifter II H27 SF Bay
Here's another 2 cents.
My first sailboat was made by the same company that built the Aquarius 23. I bought their 20 footer. I had that boat a year and took it to the San Juan's twice that summer. We even cruised with a Coastal Recreation (builder) owners club. The slowest boat in the fleet, clearly, was the A23. I don't even like the looks of them. But they are still out there. We sailed circles around one just two weeks ago. But,,, it depends. What do you like to do on the water? Going slow is not on my list.
My first sailboat was made by the same company that built the Aquarius 23. I bought their 20 footer. I had that boat a year and took it to the San Juan's twice that summer. We even cruised with a Coastal Recreation (builder) owners club. The slowest boat in the fleet, clearly, was the A23. I don't even like the looks of them. But they are still out there. We sailed circles around one just two weeks ago. But,,, it depends. What do you like to do on the water? Going slow is not on my list.
I'll Keep Sailboat Shopping!
Fred and Chris, you have given me enough information to decide to look for something else. Buying a boat that is the slowest in performance makes the boat completely unattractive. I did have a seasoned boater take a look, and there is some work to be done. Anyone know where is the best place to find a lower cost on a sailboat. I am looking for a sailboat to learn on over the next year, then I'll invest some real cash in something great. Thanks for the help, Linda
Fred and Chris, you have given me enough information to decide to look for something else. Buying a boat that is the slowest in performance makes the boat completely unattractive. I did have a seasoned boater take a look, and there is some work to be done. Anyone know where is the best place to find a lower cost on a sailboat. I am looking for a sailboat to learn on over the next year, then I'll invest some real cash in something great. Thanks for the help, Linda
Inspecting the Aging Sailboat
Linda, I just bought my first boat this summer - a Hunter 30. I found a book by Don Casey to be invaluable in my search and evaluation process - Inspecting the Aging Sailboat. Available at Amazon. Hope this helps. Good luck! Sherry
Linda, I just bought my first boat this summer - a Hunter 30. I found a book by Don Casey to be invaluable in my search and evaluation process - Inspecting the Aging Sailboat. Available at Amazon. Hope this helps. Good luck! Sherry
this boat
new sailors and people at boat shows are always asking about how many a boat sleeps. experienced sailors ask about the size of the cockpit - where you will spend almost of your time - and how many a boat pees.
new sailors and people at boat shows are always asking about how many a boat sleeps. experienced sailors ask about the size of the cockpit - where you will spend almost of your time - and how many a boat pees.
I'll weigh in
Don't stress too hard over getting a "learner" as cheap as possible. Odds are good you'll do more refitting than sailing which defeats the purpose. I also remember how quickly one year turns into 3 or 4 or 5... Buy what you can afford, but make sure you know what you're getting for the money. Get it checked out by a pro and remember you'll want to add things to make it right for you, so keep a little dough in the account for goodies!
Don't stress too hard over getting a "learner" as cheap as possible. Odds are good you'll do more refitting than sailing which defeats the purpose. I also remember how quickly one year turns into 3 or 4 or 5... Buy what you can afford, but make sure you know what you're getting for the money. Get it checked out by a pro and remember you'll want to add things to make it right for you, so keep a little dough in the account for goodies!
Dave D is right
Buy the best you can afford but remember to leave money for maintanence (it cost a lot and goes up for each foot of boat length). There is more to learn on bigger boats but not so much that it will make a difference in how easy it is to learn to sail. Learning the basics and getting a boat to move is easy. Learning to get the boat to sail perfectly will take many many many trips on the water and reading of sail trim techniques. BUT....there is a lot more to owning a boat then knowing how to sail it and that will come with time. The advantage of not getting a "learner" boat is that you will enjoy it so much more and you will not have to learn a new boat again in a year (each boat is different). I had a hugh learning curve going from a 21' to a 37' but just a few months later people on the dock watch in amazement as I dock my boat by myself instead of watching in fear and running over to help as they did when I first got it
As for being afraid of buying a boat and then destroying it before you learn, it happens but sounds like you already have a leg up on them because you have friends in the sailing community. The area's that get newbies in danger are: 1) docking 2) anchoring 3) not knowing how to stop (when under sail or power) 1 takes time....2 and 3 can be learned in one day and I'm sure your friends can show you these your first time out.
Buy the best you can afford but remember to leave money for maintanence (it cost a lot and goes up for each foot of boat length). There is more to learn on bigger boats but not so much that it will make a difference in how easy it is to learn to sail. Learning the basics and getting a boat to move is easy. Learning to get the boat to sail perfectly will take many many many trips on the water and reading of sail trim techniques. BUT....there is a lot more to owning a boat then knowing how to sail it and that will come with time. The advantage of not getting a "learner" boat is that you will enjoy it so much more and you will not have to learn a new boat again in a year (each boat is different). I had a hugh learning curve going from a 21' to a 37' but just a few months later people on the dock watch in amazement as I dock my boat by myself instead of watching in fear and running over to help as they did when I first got it
As for being afraid of buying a boat and then destroying it before you learn, it happens but sounds like you already have a leg up on them because you have friends in the sailing community. The area's that get newbies in danger are: 1) docking 2) anchoring 3) not knowing how to stop (when under sail or power) 1 takes time....2 and 3 can be learned in one day and I'm sure your friends can show you these your first time out.
Buy to Learn or Learn to Buy
I would ask myself do you want to buy first and then learn or learn first then buy. There's no right answer to that question! If you decide this boat is just too good to let get by, then buy it and take a class ASAP so you learn to safely and effectively sail. During the class, you can ask questions specific to your boat. If you decide to wait on purchasing, then take a class first. This will give you more experience on boats and you will have a better idea what you want. I'm a cruiser. I sail to relax from my high-tech job. I'm not at all interested in speed or racing. The longer I'm on the water, the more therapy I get. In any case, TAKE A CLASS or two or three or more. You can find a local ASA (American Sailing Association) school at their web site. There are other schools as well, but choose one where your class credentials will easily transfer to other schools in other parts of the world. Good luck. Capt. Jim
I would ask myself do you want to buy first and then learn or learn first then buy. There's no right answer to that question! If you decide this boat is just too good to let get by, then buy it and take a class ASAP so you learn to safely and effectively sail. During the class, you can ask questions specific to your boat. If you decide to wait on purchasing, then take a class first. This will give you more experience on boats and you will have a better idea what you want. I'm a cruiser. I sail to relax from my high-tech job. I'm not at all interested in speed or racing. The longer I'm on the water, the more therapy I get. In any case, TAKE A CLASS or two or three or more. You can find a local ASA (American Sailing Association) school at their web site. There are other schools as well, but choose one where your class credentials will easily transfer to other schools in other parts of the world. Good luck. Capt. Jim
Could be a good way to start out
Rarely does someone keep the first boat they buy forever. After learning to sail, you'll eventualy desire to upgrade. If this boat isn't going to sink when you put it in, and doesn't cost too much to make sea-shape, go for it.Especially if it has a working outboard motor. It is quite possible that you could get a couple years of learning experience out of that boat, then sell it for more than you put into it, and put the money towards your next boat.
Rarely does someone keep the first boat they buy forever. After learning to sail, you'll eventualy desire to upgrade. If this boat isn't going to sink when you put it in, and doesn't cost too much to make sea-shape, go for it.Especially if it has a working outboard motor. It is quite possible that you could get a couple years of learning experience out of that boat, then sell it for more than you put into it, and put the money towards your next boat.
Learn to sail first
Don't start with what boats are available: start with what you need, then find the boat that fits. There are plenty of boats out there, waiting to be bought. I'd suggest you begin by thinking back over those sails with friends: what you enjoyed most, what you enjoyed least. Maybe a slow forgiving boat is just what you need; maybe you'd prefer something fast and exciting. Maybe 23 feet is too small for you, maybe too big. (I think you'd learn a lot faster on a smaller boat.) If you don't yet know what you need: The best way to learn is to take a course at a good school. It gives you another way to think about boating: how it feels to be in charge of a boat, and what aspects of that appeal to you. It could also open up the option of renting boats for a while before buying. If it were me, I'd definitely take my lessons first, then start thinking about shopping. Dick
Don't start with what boats are available: start with what you need, then find the boat that fits. There are plenty of boats out there, waiting to be bought. I'd suggest you begin by thinking back over those sails with friends: what you enjoyed most, what you enjoyed least. Maybe a slow forgiving boat is just what you need; maybe you'd prefer something fast and exciting. Maybe 23 feet is too small for you, maybe too big. (I think you'd learn a lot faster on a smaller boat.) If you don't yet know what you need: The best way to learn is to take a course at a good school. It gives you another way to think about boating: how it feels to be in charge of a boat, and what aspects of that appeal to you. It could also open up the option of renting boats for a while before buying. If it were me, I'd definitely take my lessons first, then start thinking about shopping. Dick
Good price
Get good insurance, then take this garbage scow out, scuttle it, sail it, smash it into a pier or jetty. Whatever you decide, have fun, enjoy yourself, that's what sailing is all about.
Get good insurance, then take this garbage scow out, scuttle it, sail it, smash it into a pier or jetty. Whatever you decide, have fun, enjoy yourself, that's what sailing is all about.
I owned one for 16 years......
and cruised it all over the Great Lakes with my 3 sons. It is not the slowest boat in the fleet but the sails it originally came with were horrible and if you have the originals they are likely incapable of going to weather. Email me if you want real info on these boats. I won't disagree with the other writers and you should consider other boats, but if the price is right and you are seriously considering, write me first. Bill Murray Good Faith2 H410 bmurray@mea.org PS the link is for a Yahoo group of 834 Aquarius owners
and cruised it all over the Great Lakes with my 3 sons. It is not the slowest boat in the fleet but the sails it originally came with were horrible and if you have the originals they are likely incapable of going to weather. Email me if you want real info on these boats. I won't disagree with the other writers and you should consider other boats, but if the price is right and you are seriously considering, write me first. Bill Murray Good Faith2 H410 bmurray@mea.org PS the link is for a Yahoo group of 834 Aquarius owners
One other option
Another option for you to consider are "time share" sailing clubs. My wife and I joined a local sailing club about 13 years ago. For $1000, we received unlimited sailing lessons and the opportunity to take out an older Catalina 22 just about every weekend over the summer. No other costs or hassles. Justs show up and sail: the porta potti was empty and clean, there was gas in the tank, jib hanked on and ready to go. Back at the dock all we had to do was furl the main and put the cover on the tiller. The rest was taken care of by the dealer. A great deal. We only did it for one summer as we had our first child the next spring. One of the biggest advantages was that I was able to experience a boat with no financial entanglements and learn what was important to me in a boat. When we finally came up for air six years and another child later, I was ready to buy a boat, and I knew what features I wanted. I recently saw an article about two new franchise sailboat time share companies. One of them is called Sailtime; maybe there is one in your area.
Another option for you to consider are "time share" sailing clubs. My wife and I joined a local sailing club about 13 years ago. For $1000, we received unlimited sailing lessons and the opportunity to take out an older Catalina 22 just about every weekend over the summer. No other costs or hassles. Justs show up and sail: the porta potti was empty and clean, there was gas in the tank, jib hanked on and ready to go. Back at the dock all we had to do was furl the main and put the cover on the tiller. The rest was taken care of by the dealer. A great deal. We only did it for one summer as we had our first child the next spring. One of the biggest advantages was that I was able to experience a boat with no financial entanglements and learn what was important to me in a boat. When we finally came up for air six years and another child later, I was ready to buy a boat, and I knew what features I wanted. I recently saw an article about two new franchise sailboat time share companies. One of them is called Sailtime; maybe there is one in your area.
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