I'm looking for a good starter daysailor for the Chesapeake Bay. I've looked at the MacGregor Venture which seems practical for exploring larger rivers and shores of the bay. (I think the newer water ballast systems will be out of my price range). I just wonder about their ability to deal with open water conditions on the bay. I mostly see these sailed on lakes. I've also looked at the Cal 20 with a fixed keel. Very seaworthy from reviews, but I wonder how limited I would be with the 4' draft. Anyone with specific Chesapeake sailing experience? Any other boat suggestions?
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R
rofields
Hmm...a little more specific
Maybe I could be a little more specific, I'm curious about the upper bay area, closer to Cambridge, and the Eastern Shore of MD. Thanks!
Maybe I could be a little more specific, I'm curious about the upper bay area, closer to Cambridge, and the Eastern Shore of MD. Thanks!
Perfect, although biased
Thats my stomping grounds, and its great for the Venture/V-222/Mac22 models. Its ideal for lakes and trailering around too, but then people start referring to it as a 'lake' boat, conjuring some imagined limitations. Bilgewater. Its origins are West Coast daysailer, although protected-waters pocket cruiser is a fair description as well. Not bluewater, not really coastal, but 'inland' and protected coastal areas certainly, and I don't mean lakes. The Chesapeake is 'inland' and 'protected water', with some extremes of course, as are most of bays, sounds and rivers without direct exposure. We like to trailer ours across the Bridge to St Michaels and launch there, although with decent wind I can get there from Annapolis in a day. The six foot keel gives you a solid performer, while the swing aspect lets you explore far into creeks. You wouldn't believe the places we go, startling shoreline homeowners who thought only small powerboats could make it. A fixed six foot keel is not desirable in the Bay, but a swingkeel suits the area very well. An accidental grounding is quickly remedied. Have a good motor sufficient to deal with upwind/upcurrent conditions, the ability to reduce sail when necessary, the usual safety equipment and an understanding of the boats handling characteristics. With a skinny keel and rudder, its highly maneuverable but suffers in directional stability when pushed to its limits. I sail solo a lot, and what I like is its ability to drift sideways when desired; it lets me run around the deck, change sails, prepare the anchor, whatever, when I need to. The poptop is a nice feature too. Its a comfortable boat, with improved features in later models. The lightness of the boat is a little drawback, in that you can't always avoid conditions of pounding upwind or thru powerboat wakes. Thats somewhat true for any small boat. Both boats are about the same weight, although I am guessing the Cal might have a better 'comfort factor' for some reason in rough weather. If you have a trailer, the mobility of the Venture will be unbeatable. Funny you should mention the Cal 20. I also have a Cal (although not the Cal 20), and enjoy the Cal email chatlines. Owners say the Cal20 is a joy to sail. The draft and solid construction make it a terrific choice. Annapolis is home to the largest Cal 25 fleet, so lots of experience and company there. Four feet is the most you want in a fixed keel; with a little care you can avoid serious groundings, and practice escaping a few minor ones. Most of the bottoms are soft (sand or mud); the great sailing qualities will make up for the inconvenience.
Thats my stomping grounds, and its great for the Venture/V-222/Mac22 models. Its ideal for lakes and trailering around too, but then people start referring to it as a 'lake' boat, conjuring some imagined limitations. Bilgewater. Its origins are West Coast daysailer, although protected-waters pocket cruiser is a fair description as well. Not bluewater, not really coastal, but 'inland' and protected coastal areas certainly, and I don't mean lakes. The Chesapeake is 'inland' and 'protected water', with some extremes of course, as are most of bays, sounds and rivers without direct exposure. We like to trailer ours across the Bridge to St Michaels and launch there, although with decent wind I can get there from Annapolis in a day. The six foot keel gives you a solid performer, while the swing aspect lets you explore far into creeks. You wouldn't believe the places we go, startling shoreline homeowners who thought only small powerboats could make it. A fixed six foot keel is not desirable in the Bay, but a swingkeel suits the area very well. An accidental grounding is quickly remedied. Have a good motor sufficient to deal with upwind/upcurrent conditions, the ability to reduce sail when necessary, the usual safety equipment and an understanding of the boats handling characteristics. With a skinny keel and rudder, its highly maneuverable but suffers in directional stability when pushed to its limits. I sail solo a lot, and what I like is its ability to drift sideways when desired; it lets me run around the deck, change sails, prepare the anchor, whatever, when I need to. The poptop is a nice feature too. Its a comfortable boat, with improved features in later models. The lightness of the boat is a little drawback, in that you can't always avoid conditions of pounding upwind or thru powerboat wakes. Thats somewhat true for any small boat. Both boats are about the same weight, although I am guessing the Cal might have a better 'comfort factor' for some reason in rough weather. If you have a trailer, the mobility of the Venture will be unbeatable. Funny you should mention the Cal 20. I also have a Cal (although not the Cal 20), and enjoy the Cal email chatlines. Owners say the Cal20 is a joy to sail. The draft and solid construction make it a terrific choice. Annapolis is home to the largest Cal 25 fleet, so lots of experience and company there. Four feet is the most you want in a fixed keel; with a little care you can avoid serious groundings, and practice escaping a few minor ones. Most of the bottoms are soft (sand or mud); the great sailing qualities will make up for the inconvenience.
R
rofields
Thanks...see you on the Bay
Thanks for the info and I'll check out that link. I really fell in love with the Cal, but I'm leaning towards the more trailerable swing keel for more practical reasons.
Thanks for the info and I'll check out that link. I really fell in love with the Cal, but I'm leaning towards the more trailerable swing keel for more practical reasons.
J
J. Barrett
another Mac on the Chesapeake
I have a 1985 M25 which I sail exclusively, for now, on the Chesapeake. I live directly across from Annapolis and berth my boat in a slip on Price Creek for the season. I could not do that with a fixed keel boat as the mean low water in the creek is 4 feet. With the swing keel I have no problem with the depth, at least now that I know the channel. On the open water the 25 is plenty stable for me, a novice sailor, and my family. They are getting used to the boat heeling some in a stiff breeze and I have found that we can have a good time even in fairly light winds with this boat. The day I chose to pull it for the season I was met with 30+ mph winds and had no problems motoring (I said I was a novice)to the ramp at Matapeake. It was a bit rough for us, the boat didn't seem to mind. I have a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke which is a bit heavy but reliable and plenty of power. I plan to explore as much of the Bay and tributaries as I can. Being trailerable, I also plan to head to the finger lakes and great lakes of Upstate NY where I grew up to sail there as well. The swing keel boats are a bit heavier to trailer but trailer fine with some tongue weight. I'm very happy with my choice of the 25 as a starter boat. Happy sailing.
I have a 1985 M25 which I sail exclusively, for now, on the Chesapeake. I live directly across from Annapolis and berth my boat in a slip on Price Creek for the season. I could not do that with a fixed keel boat as the mean low water in the creek is 4 feet. With the swing keel I have no problem with the depth, at least now that I know the channel. On the open water the 25 is plenty stable for me, a novice sailor, and my family. They are getting used to the boat heeling some in a stiff breeze and I have found that we can have a good time even in fairly light winds with this boat. The day I chose to pull it for the season I was met with 30+ mph winds and had no problems motoring (I said I was a novice)to the ramp at Matapeake. It was a bit rough for us, the boat didn't seem to mind. I have a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke which is a bit heavy but reliable and plenty of power. I plan to explore as much of the Bay and tributaries as I can. Being trailerable, I also plan to head to the finger lakes and great lakes of Upstate NY where I grew up to sail there as well. The swing keel boats are a bit heavier to trailer but trailer fine with some tongue weight. I'm very happy with my choice of the 25 as a starter boat. Happy sailing.
Consider a shoal draft keel
While you are looking, consider a Hunter 23 (1985-early 90's) which with its wing keel (800#) draws 2ft 3in. Also the O'Day 22's from the 70's with longer shoal draft keels draw 1 ft 11" They are both well made boats and weigh 2350# and 2500# respectively. They launch and retrieve with only a short tongue extension.
While you are looking, consider a Hunter 23 (1985-early 90's) which with its wing keel (800#) draws 2ft 3in. Also the O'Day 22's from the 70's with longer shoal draft keels draw 1 ft 11" They are both well made boats and weigh 2350# and 2500# respectively. They launch and retrieve with only a short tongue extension.
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