I am at the present time a power boater.I have been boating for over twenty years. During the past year I have had the pleasure of taking several sailboat rides. I'm hooked and will be taking sailing lessons. I would like to have feed back on a quality built sailboat 1990 -1994 A 27 or 28 footer.I like the Catalina 28 markII. As A SeaRay powerboat owner of which I feel is a very good quality boat, I am not at all educated as to the quality of sailboats. The boat will be used on Lake Erie. My wife and I like to anchor out on weekends and do some cruising when time permits. I just turned 55 and want to get started. Thanks, Don
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gatting started
Congratulations on getting hooked on sailing, like the rest of us. If you are looking at Catalina sailboats, you can't go wrong. You can almost always sell them for what you paid. The trick is to get the largest one you can handle so you won't want to keep getting a bigger one. I started with a 27 which I out grew shortly but held on for a long time...My second purchase was a 36 which I thought was HUGE!!!! That lasted about six years and I again moved up (to the 380) and am looking at maybe the 42..... If I ware starting over, I would break in on a 36 and stay there as long as I could. Its a fun boat, VERY, VERY, EASY to sail alone and big enough to spend a couple of weeks on.Lastly, If you feel intimindated by the size, go sail a 42, 40 or a 38, then get on the 36 and it won't seem so large. Anyhow best of luck and welcome to the sailing world!!! Gary Jen
Congratulations on getting hooked on sailing, like the rest of us. If you are looking at Catalina sailboats, you can't go wrong. You can almost always sell them for what you paid. The trick is to get the largest one you can handle so you won't want to keep getting a bigger one. I started with a 27 which I out grew shortly but held on for a long time...My second purchase was a 36 which I thought was HUGE!!!! That lasted about six years and I again moved up (to the 380) and am looking at maybe the 42..... If I ware starting over, I would break in on a 36 and stay there as long as I could. Its a fun boat, VERY, VERY, EASY to sail alone and big enough to spend a couple of weeks on.Lastly, If you feel intimindated by the size, go sail a 42, 40 or a 38, then get on the 36 and it won't seem so large. Anyhow best of luck and welcome to the sailing world!!! Gary Jen
Agree
As a Hunter owner, I don't agree with Gary's choice of boat (what did you expect?? HaHa) but I agree totally in his approach to size. I've never heard of anyone trading down. Get the biggest boat you can afford. You won't be sorry. Dinner at anchor, cooked on a real stove and served at a real table goes along way to making a weekend complete. Top that off with a soft bed big enough for two and you have a something you and your wife will look forward to using, not something that takes up space in your already crowded driveway... And as Gary said, Welcome Aboard.... Ron SSV Talisman H37C
As a Hunter owner, I don't agree with Gary's choice of boat (what did you expect?? HaHa) but I agree totally in his approach to size. I've never heard of anyone trading down. Get the biggest boat you can afford. You won't be sorry. Dinner at anchor, cooked on a real stove and served at a real table goes along way to making a weekend complete. Top that off with a soft bed big enough for two and you have a something you and your wife will look forward to using, not something that takes up space in your already crowded driveway... And as Gary said, Welcome Aboard.... Ron SSV Talisman H37C
Think about Draft
We just started with a '77 Hunter 27 on Lake Erie. We were on our way to a Catalina 30 until we checked the Mentor Lagoons marina 5 minutes from our house, and found that they couldn't take a 5' 3" keel. So we took the "shallow draft" h27 (3' 3") and have loved it. We have spent 10 nights aboard her, included several long week-end cruises, a week across to Canada, and over 20 day cruises. My advice is to check the possibilities for docking, check the Internet to see what's available on Lake Erie and prices then find a broker to take you around and see different boats available. The idea of riding on a few boats of different sizes is an excellent one.
We just started with a '77 Hunter 27 on Lake Erie. We were on our way to a Catalina 30 until we checked the Mentor Lagoons marina 5 minutes from our house, and found that they couldn't take a 5' 3" keel. So we took the "shallow draft" h27 (3' 3") and have loved it. We have spent 10 nights aboard her, included several long week-end cruises, a week across to Canada, and over 20 day cruises. My advice is to check the possibilities for docking, check the Internet to see what's available on Lake Erie and prices then find a broker to take you around and see different boats available. The idea of riding on a few boats of different sizes is an excellent one.
Take a cruising course to see how you like it.
I took several sailing lessons this year to prepare me for my purchase of a Catalina 36. I also chartered a 34 for over a week. As long as you feel you will stay with your original goals (weekends and occasional cruising) a smaller boat makes sense, especially for the two of you. Smaller boats are easier to handle, easier to maintain, and cost alot less. Some other things to think about when deciding on a boat is whether speed or comfort are your main concerns. There are some very nice cruising boats in that size range that are very comfortable in rough seas and are bullet proof, but are not that fast. Island Packets, Bristol Cutters, and Valiants come to mind Then there are very fast racers that have no comfort to them at all. J-Boats and C&Cs come to mind. Just think about how you will feel if someone passes you out on the water. HTH, Les Murray S/V Limerick
I took several sailing lessons this year to prepare me for my purchase of a Catalina 36. I also chartered a 34 for over a week. As long as you feel you will stay with your original goals (weekends and occasional cruising) a smaller boat makes sense, especially for the two of you. Smaller boats are easier to handle, easier to maintain, and cost alot less. Some other things to think about when deciding on a boat is whether speed or comfort are your main concerns. There are some very nice cruising boats in that size range that are very comfortable in rough seas and are bullet proof, but are not that fast. Island Packets, Bristol Cutters, and Valiants come to mind Then there are very fast racers that have no comfort to them at all. J-Boats and C&Cs come to mind. Just think about how you will feel if someone passes you out on the water. HTH, Les Murray S/V Limerick
Wannbe sailor
IMHO, Gary, you can't go wrong with a good brokerage Catalina 30. Big enough for a couple, lots of room below yet easy to handle and easy to singlehand, too. Holds it value well. Builder still in business, parts availability good. You may want to check into an S2 30 for your neck of the woods, too. Good luck and welcome!
IMHO, Gary, you can't go wrong with a good brokerage Catalina 30. Big enough for a couple, lots of room below yet easy to handle and easy to singlehand, too. Holds it value well. Builder still in business, parts availability good. You may want to check into an S2 30 for your neck of the woods, too. Good luck and welcome!
Start small, work up.
I think the best way to learn is in small dinghy sized boats. Pick up a used one for $1500 and just start sailing. Your errors will be more immediately noticed and the consequences of you mistakes less sever. One you feel comfortable with handling the boat sell it and you can buy just about any sized boat you want. Bigger boats are easier to sail (tougher to dock) but can overpower you if you get into trouble and don't know what you're doing. PS whatever boat you like make sure to get a survey first.
I think the best way to learn is in small dinghy sized boats. Pick up a used one for $1500 and just start sailing. Your errors will be more immediately noticed and the consequences of you mistakes less sever. One you feel comfortable with handling the boat sell it and you can buy just about any sized boat you want. Bigger boats are easier to sail (tougher to dock) but can overpower you if you get into trouble and don't know what you're doing. PS whatever boat you like make sure to get a survey first.
Sailing Course vs. dinghy
Try Adventure Plus in Sandusky. Capt. Carl Romig runs it, and has a lifetime of experience on Lake Erie. He will be a good source of practical advice on different options while he is teaching you to sail. We hired him for a one day tutorial on the Lady Lillie after we took delivery, but you could best use his standard course. While I learned to sail on small boats, I see no reason not to start directly in the cruising size around 30 feet.
Try Adventure Plus in Sandusky. Capt. Carl Romig runs it, and has a lifetime of experience on Lake Erie. He will be a good source of practical advice on different options while he is teaching you to sail. We hired him for a one day tutorial on the Lady Lillie after we took delivery, but you could best use his standard course. While I learned to sail on small boats, I see no reason not to start directly in the cruising size around 30 feet.
Nice Choice but...
Is one available 1990-1994? My recent experience was that most used boats are 15-20 years old and in need of work. That brand new MKII is really nice but pricey. I found the Hunter 270 to be affordable for a new boat, maybe you could check the 290. Scott B
Is one available 1990-1994? My recent experience was that most used boats are 15-20 years old and in need of work. That brand new MKII is really nice but pricey. I found the Hunter 270 to be affordable for a new boat, maybe you could check the 290. Scott B
I think you should learn to sail small boats
In my opinion, you are well served by learning to sail small boats. Perhaps having your first few lessons on a larger boat is not terrible, but you can be more in touch with most small boats than you can with most larger boats. This can be invaluable during the learning process. I watched Darcy learn to sail over the last two seasons, and she agrees that without the experience she accrued in a Yngling, she would have learned a lot more slowly on our larger boat. On the Yngling, an adjustment to a control line means an immediate result. On most larger boats, the a small adjustment takes longer to have an effect, and the effect is likely to be less pronounced. Also, the fact that if you make a mistake in a small boat you may go swimming teaches you a respect those who have never sailed a racing dinghy in cold water cannot know.
Justin - O'day Owners' Web
In my opinion, you are well served by learning to sail small boats. Perhaps having your first few lessons on a larger boat is not terrible, but you can be more in touch with most small boats than you can with most larger boats. This can be invaluable during the learning process. I watched Darcy learn to sail over the last two seasons, and she agrees that without the experience she accrued in a Yngling, she would have learned a lot more slowly on our larger boat. On the Yngling, an adjustment to a control line means an immediate result. On most larger boats, the a small adjustment takes longer to have an effect, and the effect is likely to be less pronounced. Also, the fact that if you make a mistake in a small boat you may go swimming teaches you a respect those who have never sailed a racing dinghy in cold water cannot know.
Justin - O'day Owners' WebI agree with the small boat approach
I think that it's a good idea to get some formal training and instruction on a small performance boat... This allows you to get the "sail control" experience from a small boat (like a JY-15 or Hunter 170), and the advice of a professional instructor. Another idea is to contact the J-World schools, and get some intensive training on a J-24- I recently had the experience of sailing one of these boats, and discovered that it handles just like many racing dinghies, but with a few added amenities (mini galley, porta-head, a berth or two to sleep in, etc). After you're comfortable with small boat sailing, I'd go with the "biggest you can comfortably afford" advice, keeping in mind that maintenance is part of "afford". Good luck! --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' H25 'Adagio'
I think that it's a good idea to get some formal training and instruction on a small performance boat... This allows you to get the "sail control" experience from a small boat (like a JY-15 or Hunter 170), and the advice of a professional instructor. Another idea is to contact the J-World schools, and get some intensive training on a J-24- I recently had the experience of sailing one of these boats, and discovered that it handles just like many racing dinghies, but with a few added amenities (mini galley, porta-head, a berth or two to sleep in, etc). After you're comfortable with small boat sailing, I'd go with the "biggest you can comfortably afford" advice, keeping in mind that maintenance is part of "afford". Good luck! --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' H25 'Adagio'
no easy answer
I don't agree with the "buy the biggest boat you can afford" approach. You have to answer some questions yourself first. Are you going to trailer or leave the boat in water? Do you have a tow vehicle? How much is your budget for the boat and maintenance? How many people on board? Do you want to have guests, overnight or weekends? How far and how long will you be cruising? Do you expect your situation to change in the future? Do you like to do your own maintenance, or are you willing to pay someone? Bigger boats = bigger headaches = bigger bills. Not trying to discourage you, just give it serious thought.
I don't agree with the "buy the biggest boat you can afford" approach. You have to answer some questions yourself first. Are you going to trailer or leave the boat in water? Do you have a tow vehicle? How much is your budget for the boat and maintenance? How many people on board? Do you want to have guests, overnight or weekends? How far and how long will you be cruising? Do you expect your situation to change in the future? Do you like to do your own maintenance, or are you willing to pay someone? Bigger boats = bigger headaches = bigger bills. Not trying to discourage you, just give it serious thought.
Another view
I agree that a school or weekend course would be very helpful. I also think a couple of times on a dink or little sunfish and getting knocked down (at least once) would be a valuable experience that most schools will not give. This is something they teach you how to avoid... and rightly so, but I believe it is a good thing to have been there at least once.
I agree that a school or weekend course would be very helpful. I also think a couple of times on a dink or little sunfish and getting knocked down (at least once) would be a valuable experience that most schools will not give. This is something they teach you how to avoid... and rightly so, but I believe it is a good thing to have been there at least once.
Bigger better?
Is bigger better? After the basic learning how to sail 101 the answer has to be YES!! But don't jump right up to your ultimate big boat, you'll miss out on all the fun of what we call "2 foot itis" !!
Is bigger better? After the basic learning how to sail 101 the answer has to be YES!! But don't jump right up to your ultimate big boat, you'll miss out on all the fun of what we call "2 foot itis" !!
An Easy Answer
Why does everyone try to make out that sailing is soooo difficult and must be approached slowly from little boats upward??? Any moron with half a sense of balance can learn basic sailing from a book in a couple of weekends. (I'm living proof!) The buy the biggest you can afford theory is just that. If 15 feet is the biggest you can afford, buy it! If you can afford 60 feet, buy it! But don't try to put down what the other guy "CAN," afford. And if you have to be reminded of maintainence and insurance, buy a big screen TV..... Geeze!
Why does everyone try to make out that sailing is soooo difficult and must be approached slowly from little boats upward??? Any moron with half a sense of balance can learn basic sailing from a book in a couple of weekends. (I'm living proof!) The buy the biggest you can afford theory is just that. If 15 feet is the biggest you can afford, buy it! If you can afford 60 feet, buy it! But don't try to put down what the other guy "CAN," afford. And if you have to be reminded of maintainence and insurance, buy a big screen TV..... Geeze!
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