We are a couple who are buying a sail boat for the first time. We are both amateurs at the moment. We intend to live and sail on said boat. Can anyone give us some advice on which sort of boat might be best for people such as ourselves. We intend it for saltwater use and sea going. Any help would be gratefully received. Thanks
- Status
The impossible question.
Do you have "the impossible question" on your favorite radio station like we do? People call in all day long trying to answer some far out question for a nice prize. But even if we could answer your question, no prize!
My wife's answer would be "big"! She cannot imagine living on our 37-foot Hunter yet many people do. It's an older Hunter for two reasons, I like the classic look and it was cheap. Newer boats have much more room in the same length but cost a lot more. You will get more help once the audience knows how much you can spend and how far offshore you plan to venture.
Do you have "the impossible question" on your favorite radio station like we do? People call in all day long trying to answer some far out question for a nice prize. But even if we could answer your question, no prize!
My wife's answer would be "big"! She cannot imagine living on our 37-foot Hunter yet many people do. It's an older Hunter for two reasons, I like the classic look and it was cheap. Newer boats have much more room in the same length but cost a lot more. You will get more help once the audience knows how much you can spend and how far offshore you plan to venture.Try before you buy
You and your wife should try some few-day or weeklong chartering (renting) of cruising sailboats of different types (sloop, cutter, ketch, catamaran, trimaran) and lengths. Then you will have real experience on which to base your purchase. You may even decide you don't want to do what you thought you wanted to do.
You and your wife should try some few-day or weeklong chartering (renting) of cruising sailboats of different types (sloop, cutter, ketch, catamaran, trimaran) and lengths. Then you will have real experience on which to base your purchase. You may even decide you don't want to do what you thought you wanted to do.
OPB
I would do some serious hanging out on other people's boats (OPB) and compare them all. Peter suggested chartering, which is a great idea but make sure they're boats on your short list, not the best & most beautiful (unless those are on your short list!). The perfect boat for you might be hell for someone else (Ed's wife, for example!) and vice versa. Just get as much exposure to all different kinds of boats as possible. You might also check the archives on this site for similar discussions. They've been numerous - and each person wanted something different in their boat. Good luck! LaDonna
I would do some serious hanging out on other people's boats (OPB) and compare them all. Peter suggested chartering, which is a great idea but make sure they're boats on your short list, not the best & most beautiful (unless those are on your short list!). The perfect boat for you might be hell for someone else (Ed's wife, for example!) and vice versa. Just get as much exposure to all different kinds of boats as possible. You might also check the archives on this site for similar discussions. They've been numerous - and each person wanted something different in their boat. Good luck! LaDonna
- Status