I am in a quandary, an avid go boater who is trying to make the switch to blow boater. I am tired of engines, gas, GPH issues moving up and driving fast to get to a destination I have been to too many times (boat in MA/RI area). I also want to move up from my current 30ft Formula to something with bigger and better accomodations for my family of five. My thoughts are to move to something around 38 ft in a sailboat. Now honestly speaking my kids (11, 8, 5) want the speed boat, my wife just want's me to make a decision before I drive them all mad. And me, I think sailing can be just the change of pace, and add a degree of excitement, skill and adventure that I just don't get from a powerboat these days. It's a big investment to make to find out it's not the right thing for the family in the long run. Would appreciate any and all insight from those who may have made similar decisions and how it has worked out. Also any insight into boats to be looking at (budget calls for a used production boat - Beneteau, Hunter, Catalina? And last and not least I stand 6'4 which can be tricky on some boats. Thanks in advance for all replies.
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The first thing for you to do is put that formula
boat in the water and with the engine(just 1) at idle in gear and ride around all day that way. If you don't get bored out of your mind then you can probably enjoy sailing.
boat in the water and with the engine(just 1) at idle in gear and ride around all day that way. If you don't get bored out of your mind then you can probably enjoy sailing.
Sailing knowledge?
In addition to Ross' suggestion, are you already a sailor? i.e., could you step aboard a 38 ft blow boat and competently operate it? If not, I suggest you do some sailing first either on someone else's boat or take a course. JMHO Dave S/V Pas de Deux Catana 471-44
In addition to Ross' suggestion, are you already a sailor? i.e., could you step aboard a 38 ft blow boat and competently operate it? If not, I suggest you do some sailing first either on someone else's boat or take a course. JMHO Dave S/V Pas de Deux Catana 471-44
Charter a sailboat for a weekend
in CT on the Sound to see how you like it. I think you can do this out of Mystic or elsewhere. Read a little or even a lot (I suggest Chapman's Piloting book for starters) as it is a lot cheaper than buying a boat as is renting one. Owning a sailboat is a pretty big commitment as not only is there an engine but all kinds of gear to be maintained that frequently includes a dinghy with its own engine. If you just enjoy being on the water then not going fast can be quite rewarding with the quiet (of no engines)and your own skill providing the fuel (along with wind) to get you there. You may be able to convert from the Dark side yet. Good luck.
in CT on the Sound to see how you like it. I think you can do this out of Mystic or elsewhere. Read a little or even a lot (I suggest Chapman's Piloting book for starters) as it is a lot cheaper than buying a boat as is renting one. Owning a sailboat is a pretty big commitment as not only is there an engine but all kinds of gear to be maintained that frequently includes a dinghy with its own engine. If you just enjoy being on the water then not going fast can be quite rewarding with the quiet (of no engines)and your own skill providing the fuel (along with wind) to get you there. You may be able to convert from the Dark side yet. Good luck.
Is it the Journey or the Destination
that excites you most? I think that is the core question you need to ask yourself (and your family). With a sailboat, you need to be able to enjoy the "getting there" and be able to do so at nature's pace. For example, where I sail in CT/RI, I need to allow for wind and tide to plan a sail to Block Island. It is a day to get there and a day to come back. My friends with powerboats make it in a couple of hours. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment in using little to none of our resources to do it. My friends enjoy several hours of cocktails and food while waiting for me. Can't help you on the boat selection as this is my only keel boat - so far. One suggestion I will make is that if you go with the sailboat, get your kids lessons and a small boat of their own. I did not do this initially and found my 11 year old son was getting bored on "Dad's" boat. This summer he will take sailing lessons and I will get him a small used boat like a Force5 or Laser. That way, as he becomes more competent, he will be able to spend more time at the helm of the bigger boat when he is out with me. Best of luck.
that excites you most? I think that is the core question you need to ask yourself (and your family). With a sailboat, you need to be able to enjoy the "getting there" and be able to do so at nature's pace. For example, where I sail in CT/RI, I need to allow for wind and tide to plan a sail to Block Island. It is a day to get there and a day to come back. My friends with powerboats make it in a couple of hours. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment in using little to none of our resources to do it. My friends enjoy several hours of cocktails and food while waiting for me. Can't help you on the boat selection as this is my only keel boat - so far. One suggestion I will make is that if you go with the sailboat, get your kids lessons and a small boat of their own. I did not do this initially and found my 11 year old son was getting bored on "Dad's" boat. This summer he will take sailing lessons and I will get him a small used boat like a Force5 or Laser. That way, as he becomes more competent, he will be able to spend more time at the helm of the bigger boat when he is out with me. Best of luck.
Good suggestions.
I have 3 boys the same age as yours. Their tolerance for straight sailing is about 2 hours at a time. We recently spent 5 nights our our MacGregor 26S with them, though, and it went great because we broke up the time on the boat into manageable segments with lots of beach time in between. You have to get them involved in the actual sailing if you want them to enjoy it. I also recommend finding some other accessories to keep them happy. A couple of fishing rods and a dingy to play around in help a lot. We also have a portable DVD player, gameboys, etc., and I don't mind if they use them while I sail. I've also been thinking about getting a windsurfer to keep my oldest son more excited about it, and the kids are going to sailing camp this summer, too.
I have 3 boys the same age as yours. Their tolerance for straight sailing is about 2 hours at a time. We recently spent 5 nights our our MacGregor 26S with them, though, and it went great because we broke up the time on the boat into manageable segments with lots of beach time in between. You have to get them involved in the actual sailing if you want them to enjoy it. I also recommend finding some other accessories to keep them happy. A couple of fishing rods and a dingy to play around in help a lot. We also have a portable DVD player, gameboys, etc., and I don't mind if they use them while I sail. I've also been thinking about getting a windsurfer to keep my oldest son more excited about it, and the kids are going to sailing camp this summer, too.
Go for it
I learned on a 30' and actually think my 37.5 hunter is even easier to sail. Certainly faster. Consider this; while a small boat will be slightly easier to learn on it will also be slower and have less room for the family. A bigger boat with all the lines run back to the cockpit and roller furling will be faster and can be soloed AND have room for the family. In any case you can always drop the sails and use the iron spinnaker right? There are lots of resources to learn sailing and quite frankly, unless you get into a storm at sea the knowledge needed is not much over common sense. Real complicated stuff like don't pull on something so hard you break it, when the boat heels over you should probably do something that would let the wind out of the sails. Really complicated ;-) my $.02
I learned on a 30' and actually think my 37.5 hunter is even easier to sail. Certainly faster. Consider this; while a small boat will be slightly easier to learn on it will also be slower and have less room for the family. A bigger boat with all the lines run back to the cockpit and roller furling will be faster and can be soloed AND have room for the family. In any case you can always drop the sails and use the iron spinnaker right? There are lots of resources to learn sailing and quite frankly, unless you get into a storm at sea the knowledge needed is not much over common sense. Real complicated stuff like don't pull on something so hard you break it, when the boat heels over you should probably do something that would let the wind out of the sails. Really complicated ;-) my $.02
Thanks for your input
THanks to all who responded, I think doing some sailing before making a decision will be prudent. I have scheduled a cruise with one broker and I am looking into chartering - although seems like most are bare boat and I think I need some expertise with me first time. Another possibility might be a fractional program that includes lessons, that seems like a good way to test the waters (pun intended).
THanks to all who responded, I think doing some sailing before making a decision will be prudent. I have scheduled a cruise with one broker and I am looking into chartering - although seems like most are bare boat and I think I need some expertise with me first time. Another possibility might be a fractional program that includes lessons, that seems like a good way to test the waters (pun intended).
Really Want to Experience Sailing?
Many and maybe myself will press for getting onboard a cruising sailboat to wet your appetite for sailing, but like anything else you venture into, you "have to crawl before you walk". Either it be the go-karting circuit before you tackle Formula 1 or starting with a Cessna 150 before taking on that Learjet, the BEST way to experience sailing is taking the tiller of a small vessel (daysailor) and really feeling a part of it. If you query most boaters who frequent this board, I will bet most have cut their teeth on sunfish, Hobie Cats, small daysailors or catamarans. Its not that you need to start out with a smaller vessel, its just that you need in the beginning sail a smaller vessel. This allows you to capture the basics of handling and control that a small boat provides. Nothing beats hiking out on the rail of a small daysailor, feet under the straps, close hauled on a close reach with a tiller extension and in perfect balance. All your senses get charged! Thats sailing brother, thats sailing............ Most sailing schools will start you out on smaller boats. Welcome to the lifestyle _/) Bob 30 Catalina
Many and maybe myself will press for getting onboard a cruising sailboat to wet your appetite for sailing, but like anything else you venture into, you "have to crawl before you walk". Either it be the go-karting circuit before you tackle Formula 1 or starting with a Cessna 150 before taking on that Learjet, the BEST way to experience sailing is taking the tiller of a small vessel (daysailor) and really feeling a part of it. If you query most boaters who frequent this board, I will bet most have cut their teeth on sunfish, Hobie Cats, small daysailors or catamarans. Its not that you need to start out with a smaller vessel, its just that you need in the beginning sail a smaller vessel. This allows you to capture the basics of handling and control that a small boat provides. Nothing beats hiking out on the rail of a small daysailor, feet under the straps, close hauled on a close reach with a tiller extension and in perfect balance. All your senses get charged! Thats sailing brother, thats sailing............ Most sailing schools will start you out on smaller boats. Welcome to the lifestyle _/) Bob 30 Catalina
From A Former Power Boater
My first several boats were power boats but when my children were teenagers the family decided to switch to sail. It was the perfect decision as both my children became great sailers and we all enjoy sailing more than power boating. All of my family no longer worry about getting to a destination as just being aboard our sailboat is the destination. I plan to never return to power boats. My advice is to not be afraid to make the switch.
My first several boats were power boats but when my children were teenagers the family decided to switch to sail. It was the perfect decision as both my children became great sailers and we all enjoy sailing more than power boating. All of my family no longer worry about getting to a destination as just being aboard our sailboat is the destination. I plan to never return to power boats. My advice is to not be afraid to make the switch.
Go Sailing
Do as much sailing as possible so as to get the feel of what sailing is really like. Go hang out at the docks look for some one that needs crew and get invited. Look for sailing clubs and ask around to go sailing on a sailboat. Some guys have a boat and need some to help out. Nick
Do as much sailing as possible so as to get the feel of what sailing is really like. Go hang out at the docks look for some one that needs crew and get invited. Look for sailing clubs and ask around to go sailing on a sailboat. Some guys have a boat and need some to help out. Nick
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