I have been boating for over 35 years now on Lake Erie, all power boating. My wife and I have been dreaming of sailing now for quite a few years. We are very close to buying a new 2006, Hunter 46. We both are dedicated boaters and both in good shape, however, neither of us have ever sailed much. I would plan on taking sailing courses. I have no fear that we will not mind the slower pace as we have been moving slow anyway with our trawler speed. Any input on the 46 would be great. We still have 3 children left at home ages 12, 12, and 13 all of whom are advid boaters themselves. Should we?
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Check out RCR
TJ - If you are considering a Hunter I would suggest you check out RCR Yachts. (www.RCRYachts.com)I have purchased 3 boats from them & have been very satisfied. They have offices on Lake Erie in BUffalo and Erie, PA. Give Tracy Buczak a call in Erie (814) 455-6800. Tell him I sent you. Chuck Dickhut S/V Obsession
TJ - If you are considering a Hunter I would suggest you check out RCR Yachts. (www.RCRYachts.com)I have purchased 3 boats from them & have been very satisfied. They have offices on Lake Erie in BUffalo and Erie, PA. Give Tracy Buczak a call in Erie (814) 455-6800. Tell him I sent you. Chuck Dickhut S/V Obsession
SURE!
See the owners' reviews for a lot of discussion. Go to the Boat Info tab at the top of the page. The boat should be good for you. Suggest at least one power winch if they are not already standard. If you get an in-mast furling, you may want to change out the main for a vertical battened one. Also, a feathering prop will give you more sailing enjoyment. The boat will probably motor as fast as your trawler, so you are not giving up anything there. As far as sailing skills, hire an instructor for some sessions. Your prior boating experience will cover the other bases. Enjoy: Rick D.
See the owners' reviews for a lot of discussion. Go to the Boat Info tab at the top of the page. The boat should be good for you. Suggest at least one power winch if they are not already standard. If you get an in-mast furling, you may want to change out the main for a vertical battened one. Also, a feathering prop will give you more sailing enjoyment. The boat will probably motor as fast as your trawler, so you are not giving up anything there. As far as sailing skills, hire an instructor for some sessions. Your prior boating experience will cover the other bases. Enjoy: Rick D.
Nothing Wrong With...
...having a 46' as your first boat. Larger boats are more forgiving than smallish boats when you make a mistake (Especially when learning). If you are used to a single screw, then the prop walk shouldn't be hard to manage. The thing that you must get used to is the heeling.
...having a 46' as your first boat. Larger boats are more forgiving than smallish boats when you make a mistake (Especially when learning). If you are used to a single screw, then the prop walk shouldn't be hard to manage. The thing that you must get used to is the heeling.
There is nothing in the world like.........
...... the feeling of a sailboat under full sail with a good breeze. 12 and 12? If you can handle twins a sailboat is nothing! I like to explain sailing to people by comparing it to golf. Its easy to learn the basics but you can spend a lifetime mastering it. I thing a sailboat will allow more active participation from the kids to keep them interested. You've got a built it crew! Good luck and let us know what you decide. Tim
...... the feeling of a sailboat under full sail with a good breeze. 12 and 12? If you can handle twins a sailboat is nothing! I like to explain sailing to people by comparing it to golf. Its easy to learn the basics but you can spend a lifetime mastering it. I thing a sailboat will allow more active participation from the kids to keep them interested. You've got a built it crew! Good luck and let us know what you decide. Tim
I'm sure
many of us have heard stories of someone buying a large sailboat with little or no experiance, going out the first time, having a bad experiance and never sailing again! It really does happen! Possibly you and the family could go out and "crew" more then a few times? In good and bad weather? Sailing I'm sure you already know is way way different then powerboating. Also the heeling of a sailboat can be very disconcerting for the uninitated (that's what they mean when the say "tender" ;D !) Rigging and sails have a learning curve also. Gaff rigs, cutter rigs, sloop rigs, schooners, gad the list goes on and on! Then sails... luff, leech, foot, clew, halyards, sheets, jibs, genoas,eek! Bigger boats are more forgiving for sure but ( I dare suggest) mistakes on them can be very very expen$ive too! Sounds like you have a crew already! Tim is right on too. it can take a lifetime to learn. I've heard it this way "anyone can sail when there is wind..." good luck TJ! post pics! Denise
many of us have heard stories of someone buying a large sailboat with little or no experiance, going out the first time, having a bad experiance and never sailing again! It really does happen! Possibly you and the family could go out and "crew" more then a few times? In good and bad weather? Sailing I'm sure you already know is way way different then powerboating. Also the heeling of a sailboat can be very disconcerting for the uninitated (that's what they mean when the say "tender" ;D !) Rigging and sails have a learning curve also. Gaff rigs, cutter rigs, sloop rigs, schooners, gad the list goes on and on! Then sails... luff, leech, foot, clew, halyards, sheets, jibs, genoas,eek! Bigger boats are more forgiving for sure but ( I dare suggest) mistakes on them can be very very expen$ive too! Sounds like you have a crew already! Tim is right on too. it can take a lifetime to learn. I've heard it this way "anyone can sail when there is wind..." good luck TJ! post pics! Denise
have had both also
tj, I have had both sail and power boats. You will have a general boat knowledge that will apply to both types as you are a current boater. Let me suggest that make sure you get both a roller furling jib and mainsail both as this will make "sailing" easier for you(the hardest part of a "big" sail boat is getting the main up IMO)The rest will come to you with some experience. You may also try a charter for a weekend first to make sure you know what your are getting into .Spending a day with a good certified sailing instructor will be invaluable also. Go for it !Good Luck !
tj, I have had both sail and power boats. You will have a general boat knowledge that will apply to both types as you are a current boater. Let me suggest that make sure you get both a roller furling jib and mainsail both as this will make "sailing" easier for you(the hardest part of a "big" sail boat is getting the main up IMO)The rest will come to you with some experience. You may also try a charter for a weekend first to make sure you know what your are getting into .Spending a day with a good certified sailing instructor will be invaluable also. Go for it !Good Luck !
You've an advantage...
...over new boaters in that you are experienced boat handlers. There's probably nothing wrong with shopping for a 46 but it would behoove you to spend a few breezy weekends in a very small sailboat to get a sense of how they react to wind. Good luck with the new adventure.
...over new boaters in that you are experienced boat handlers. There's probably nothing wrong with shopping for a 46 but it would behoove you to spend a few breezy weekends in a very small sailboat to get a sense of how they react to wind. Good luck with the new adventure.
What is REALLY important?
For perspective, it is interesting to consider what bareboat charter companies feel is necessary knowledge/experience in order to rent you their boat. In most places I have visited, if you assure them that you understand basic care of a boat (i.e., Rule #1: you stick down 6 ft, see depth meter. If it is getting close to 6 ft, you are getting close to the bottom. Rule #2: Rule #1 increases in importance the closer you get to visible land), then they let you have the $400K yacht. Moral of the story: Most novice sailing mistakes that cost money or hurt people are caused by lack of boating skills, not lack of sailing skills. have fun.
For perspective, it is interesting to consider what bareboat charter companies feel is necessary knowledge/experience in order to rent you their boat. In most places I have visited, if you assure them that you understand basic care of a boat (i.e., Rule #1: you stick down 6 ft, see depth meter. If it is getting close to 6 ft, you are getting close to the bottom. Rule #2: Rule #1 increases in importance the closer you get to visible land), then they let you have the $400K yacht. Moral of the story: Most novice sailing mistakes that cost money or hurt people are caused by lack of boating skills, not lack of sailing skills. have fun.
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