I/we just completed the ASA basic course, joined a sailing club, and am now "hooked". We want to buy a mid-30's foot boat. Any suggestions on how/where to start? Dave
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Dave
What we have so far
WE have received info on Catalina, Beneteau, Hunter, Jenneau, any others to consider?
WE have received info on Catalina, Beneteau, Hunter, Jenneau, any others to consider?
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roger marshutz
what boat to buy
Catalina I think is a good choice. It all depends on how much you want to spend. A used boat will cost you less. I had a used 1976 Islander for 4 years and enjoyed it. I sold it in Aug. for 16000. Bought it for 17000. If you go used get a good survey.
Catalina I think is a good choice. It all depends on how much you want to spend. A used boat will cost you less. I had a used 1976 Islander for 4 years and enjoyed it. I sold it in Aug. for 16000. Bought it for 17000. If you go used get a good survey.
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Tom
Sailing Clubs...
Hi Dave, One thing to consider is that in So. Cal. you have the benefit of sailing associations you can join to have access to a variety of boats. Take one out for a day or a week, then come back and forget it until your next trip -- next week or in 6 months. You can spend your time sailing instead of working on the boat. You will save money unless you get out every week. Plus, the sailing associations there have arrangements with other clubs so you can also sail from Dana Point, San Francisco, etc. as an associate member. I used to belong to Adventura at Dana Point, (about 12 years ago) and sailed several times from the San Diego Yacht Charters (or Harbor Yacht Charters). It was great. We also made friends with other members and often shared the costs of a day charter with them. Once chartered a 50 footer for a 3 day trip to Catalina with 8 other people. It was a blast. Since moving to the New England area 12 years ago, I have owned a 26 foot boat and spend a minimum of 4 days on maintenance (and the boat is in storage 6 months a year). Take into account the cost of the boat (plus interest if financing), insurance, slip fees, maintenance, and bottom cleaning/painting and your own time working on it, it all adds up to quite a bit. The down side is no "Pride of Ownership" and not having everything just the way you want it. If you do decide on boat ownership, used, late model (10 years or less) production boats are a good way to go to get a nicely fitted out boat for reasonable money. You greatly reduce the big depreciation hit a new boat buyer faces when selling or trading in. New boats give you the latest in technology and a few years of minimal repair bills, but you have to go through the process of working out the inevitable kinks; and you pay top dollar for the boat and all the accessories to fit it out. Best of luck with whichever direction you go.... Tom
Hi Dave, One thing to consider is that in So. Cal. you have the benefit of sailing associations you can join to have access to a variety of boats. Take one out for a day or a week, then come back and forget it until your next trip -- next week or in 6 months. You can spend your time sailing instead of working on the boat. You will save money unless you get out every week. Plus, the sailing associations there have arrangements with other clubs so you can also sail from Dana Point, San Francisco, etc. as an associate member. I used to belong to Adventura at Dana Point, (about 12 years ago) and sailed several times from the San Diego Yacht Charters (or Harbor Yacht Charters). It was great. We also made friends with other members and often shared the costs of a day charter with them. Once chartered a 50 footer for a 3 day trip to Catalina with 8 other people. It was a blast. Since moving to the New England area 12 years ago, I have owned a 26 foot boat and spend a minimum of 4 days on maintenance (and the boat is in storage 6 months a year). Take into account the cost of the boat (plus interest if financing), insurance, slip fees, maintenance, and bottom cleaning/painting and your own time working on it, it all adds up to quite a bit. The down side is no "Pride of Ownership" and not having everything just the way you want it. If you do decide on boat ownership, used, late model (10 years or less) production boats are a good way to go to get a nicely fitted out boat for reasonable money. You greatly reduce the big depreciation hit a new boat buyer faces when selling or trading in. New boats give you the latest in technology and a few years of minimal repair bills, but you have to go through the process of working out the inevitable kinks; and you pay top dollar for the boat and all the accessories to fit it out. Best of luck with whichever direction you go.... Tom
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David
What's your experience level?
Because frankly, if you've never sailed before and you jump into the sport after 1 class and get a Mid 30's foot boat, that scares the crap out of me. The learning curve is very steep and you should think about working your way up somwhat. Just an opinion and not meant to offend.
Because frankly, if you've never sailed before and you jump into the sport after 1 class and get a Mid 30's foot boat, that scares the crap out of me. The learning curve is very steep and you should think about working your way up somwhat. Just an opinion and not meant to offend.
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Ray Bowles
Dave, We are brand new to sailing as of 2001.
After we decided that this was what we wanted to do in our retirement we jumped in up to our necks. We knew we wanted a boat that would allow living aboard for at least 1 week at a time and up to 2 weeks. We wanted a boat that was trailerable because of where we live. We spent 6 months solid on the net looking for a boat that fit our plan. I also spent that 6 months, and the winter following the purchase of our boat still reading. Everything about how to sail, navigate, rig, survive and have fun has been written about. We bought the largest trailerable sailboat on the market. During our search we found that Hunters were the best boat for our needs and dollars. We bought a 95 H26 with trailer for 18k and the boat was flawless. Like all new boat owners we dropped a couple into it. The learning ramp was steep but because of our reading it was very do-able. After the first 40 hours we felt fairly comfortable and sailed 1100 miles last summer. That was our first year. Don't buy a learning boat. You will outgrow that boat in about 2 weeks. Get what you really want and take your time learning on your own boat. An idea that works very well is to hire a sail instructor to spend 2, and up to 5 days teaching you to sail on your own boat, not theirs. Cost is about the same and much better at teaching you what you really need to learn. Ray S/V Speedy
After we decided that this was what we wanted to do in our retirement we jumped in up to our necks. We knew we wanted a boat that would allow living aboard for at least 1 week at a time and up to 2 weeks. We wanted a boat that was trailerable because of where we live. We spent 6 months solid on the net looking for a boat that fit our plan. I also spent that 6 months, and the winter following the purchase of our boat still reading. Everything about how to sail, navigate, rig, survive and have fun has been written about. We bought the largest trailerable sailboat on the market. During our search we found that Hunters were the best boat for our needs and dollars. We bought a 95 H26 with trailer for 18k and the boat was flawless. Like all new boat owners we dropped a couple into it. The learning ramp was steep but because of our reading it was very do-able. After the first 40 hours we felt fairly comfortable and sailed 1100 miles last summer. That was our first year. Don't buy a learning boat. You will outgrow that boat in about 2 weeks. Get what you really want and take your time learning on your own boat. An idea that works very well is to hire a sail instructor to spend 2, and up to 5 days teaching you to sail on your own boat, not theirs. Cost is about the same and much better at teaching you what you really need to learn. Ray S/V Speedy
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DAve
Clubs
Tom, Thanks for the advice. My wife and I just loved our first few days.I, mtrying to temper my enthusiasm by joining the club and trying several boats. Thanks again.
Tom, Thanks for the advice. My wife and I just loved our first few days.I, mtrying to temper my enthusiasm by joining the club and trying several boats. Thanks again.
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Dave
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Dave
Good budget!
Dave: Probably one the best new boats on the market today in this size range the Hunter 356. I spoke with the folks at Mars Metal where the keels are being made and they indicate that it really is the most popular 35' boat on the market. They are producing about 1 keel a day. A well equiped H'356 would run you about $130k. This is probably one the best build boats that Hunter has ever produced (just ask some of the new owners). Of course we need to take the HC50 out of this discussion ($500k). Before you purchase a bigger boat, you should take some more lessons and charter a comparable sized boat. When you spend time on a boat sailing, sleeping, cooking, eating, washing dishes etc you get a much better feel for what you may like and dislike. I presume that you have children so they should be aboard when you sail too. This boat would leave you a lot of money for lessons and other extras that you may want in the future. If you want to move up from this price point look at a Tartan 3700. This is one of my dream boats. You may be able to find one of these used in your price range. One thing about a used boat is the fact that many of the extras have been absorbed by the previous owner and you basically get all of this stuff for free. I wish I had your problem!
Dave: Probably one the best new boats on the market today in this size range the Hunter 356. I spoke with the folks at Mars Metal where the keels are being made and they indicate that it really is the most popular 35' boat on the market. They are producing about 1 keel a day. A well equiped H'356 would run you about $130k. This is probably one the best build boats that Hunter has ever produced (just ask some of the new owners). Of course we need to take the HC50 out of this discussion ($500k). Before you purchase a bigger boat, you should take some more lessons and charter a comparable sized boat. When you spend time on a boat sailing, sleeping, cooking, eating, washing dishes etc you get a much better feel for what you may like and dislike. I presume that you have children so they should be aboard when you sail too. This boat would leave you a lot of money for lessons and other extras that you may want in the future. If you want to move up from this price point look at a Tartan 3700. This is one of my dream boats. You may be able to find one of these used in your price range. One thing about a used boat is the fact that many of the extras have been absorbed by the previous owner and you basically get all of this stuff for free. I wish I had your problem!
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Steve
What type of sailing?
It seems as if no one has asked the question, and it is probably the most important one. What type of sailing do you want to do? Racing? Cruising? Long distance? Weekend only? Answer these questions and it can help you decide what boat you should end up with. My answer was cruising and some racing. Between budget and headroom (I'm 6'5) I ended up with a new Hunter 320. I am happy with it, and it wasn't too much of a learning curve to handle. My experience was sailing on a 16' daysailer years before, a bit of crewing on a 40' Steadfast, and a couple of rentals (27'
It seems as if no one has asked the question, and it is probably the most important one. What type of sailing do you want to do? Racing? Cruising? Long distance? Weekend only? Answer these questions and it can help you decide what boat you should end up with. My answer was cruising and some racing. Between budget and headroom (I'm 6'5) I ended up with a new Hunter 320. I am happy with it, and it wasn't too much of a learning curve to handle. My experience was sailing on a 16' daysailer years before, a bit of crewing on a 40' Steadfast, and a couple of rentals (27'
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Bruce Hill
It's really not a "brand"decision
It is a "type" decision (sounds like a real marketing consultant answer, doesn't it?) At a budget of $175, you will have a lot of options, particularly if you look used. Why used? Well, all the stuff you want to put on a boat 6 months after buying it is already on a used boat, the problem is you don't know you need it as a new sailor. For $175 you can get a very nice, big 2-3 year old production boat or an older bluewater boat. Next, think of useage. Living in San Diego you will start by cruising around the bay, then up to Mission Bay and Oceanside, over to Catalina, probably a couple of cruising class races to Newport Beach. Cruisinf in the Channel Islands and Catalina you will want good electronics and radar, autopilot, good size tankage (gray water and fresh) battery capacity, refrigeration, etc. Then, think of special needs, headroom, galley, head size, comfort, etc. Walk on a lot of used boats, stand up, sit down, lay down, turn around in the shower. Picture yourself pulling into the Isthmus at 2:00 in the morning and ask yourself if you feel good about the voyage you just had. My wife and I learned on a brand new 38 footer, so it can be done with a lot of practice and help from friends at a yacht club. We quickly realized our boat was not right for us, spent 5 years looking at other boats. Our answer, by the way, was a 3 year old Hunter Passage 42, fully equipped, excellent condition (only 95 hours). Having left California, we sail her on Lake Michigan and feel very good about her taking us where we want to go now and in the future in comfort and speed. If you want to e-mail me, please do at bhill@telephia.com. Good Luck
It is a "type" decision (sounds like a real marketing consultant answer, doesn't it?) At a budget of $175, you will have a lot of options, particularly if you look used. Why used? Well, all the stuff you want to put on a boat 6 months after buying it is already on a used boat, the problem is you don't know you need it as a new sailor. For $175 you can get a very nice, big 2-3 year old production boat or an older bluewater boat. Next, think of useage. Living in San Diego you will start by cruising around the bay, then up to Mission Bay and Oceanside, over to Catalina, probably a couple of cruising class races to Newport Beach. Cruisinf in the Channel Islands and Catalina you will want good electronics and radar, autopilot, good size tankage (gray water and fresh) battery capacity, refrigeration, etc. Then, think of special needs, headroom, galley, head size, comfort, etc. Walk on a lot of used boats, stand up, sit down, lay down, turn around in the shower. Picture yourself pulling into the Isthmus at 2:00 in the morning and ask yourself if you feel good about the voyage you just had. My wife and I learned on a brand new 38 footer, so it can be done with a lot of practice and help from friends at a yacht club. We quickly realized our boat was not right for us, spent 5 years looking at other boats. Our answer, by the way, was a 3 year old Hunter Passage 42, fully equipped, excellent condition (only 95 hours). Having left California, we sail her on Lake Michigan and feel very good about her taking us where we want to go now and in the future in comfort and speed. If you want to e-mail me, please do at bhill@telephia.com. Good Luck
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Tom
Bruce Hill...Gray water tankage ?!?
Is that something that is required where you sail? One of the few places I think its required is Lake George NY I have never seen any new boats manufactured these days that actually has a holding tank for gray water..Not that it would be too hard to make it happen but........ Unless you are talking about the Holding Tank, but that is not generally considered "gray water".... To the original question......your budget allows *many* options....any of the big names would do..Beneteau,.Catalina, Hunter, Jenneau,......Definitely go to a boat show and walk around...and actually sit, stand AND lie down all over the boat...see what "feels" right........Since it will be the 2 of you make sure it is set up well for single handling....I would go for one that is not too new of a style boat and hull.....get one that has been proven over years and then get on the Boat email lists (www.sailnet.com has them) for most of these boats and ask the people that own them what they think....Pros and Cons.......Oh and yes be prepared to explain what kind of sailing you will using the boat for....(Open ocean...harbour hopping....dockside mostly....etc)......Good Luck Like the person said before...Getting a boat that is only a year old or so (selling due to finances, etc) is a great way to get a lot of boat usually already fitted out for less money With that said I will put in my 2 cents worth. I have a '99 Catalina 36 and it is one very sweet boat. I have yet to meet or hear any owner that didn't really love that boat...It is an *extreemly* successfull design (over 2100 built)...and it was done right...I know of more than a few that travel all over the world on them..... It can be easily single handed (I have personally sailed off of 25-35 knot winds with 8-10 foot seas....no problem ) but it is still a great boat dockside and harbour hopping....down below is set up very well.....it is not a light wind boat (under 4knots) it doesn't do well but thats what I was looking for....just a little heavier than some newer "bay-coastal" designs.....but when the winds pick up and everybody else is hanging on, sailing on their ears, my boat just settles into a nice 18deg heal.......For the money it can't be beat.....you would have a lot saved over from your budget for other things.....
Is that something that is required where you sail? One of the few places I think its required is Lake George NY I have never seen any new boats manufactured these days that actually has a holding tank for gray water..Not that it would be too hard to make it happen but........ Unless you are talking about the Holding Tank, but that is not generally considered "gray water".... To the original question......your budget allows *many* options....any of the big names would do..Beneteau,.Catalina, Hunter, Jenneau,......Definitely go to a boat show and walk around...and actually sit, stand AND lie down all over the boat...see what "feels" right........Since it will be the 2 of you make sure it is set up well for single handling....I would go for one that is not too new of a style boat and hull.....get one that has been proven over years and then get on the Boat email lists (www.sailnet.com has them) for most of these boats and ask the people that own them what they think....Pros and Cons.......Oh and yes be prepared to explain what kind of sailing you will using the boat for....(Open ocean...harbour hopping....dockside mostly....etc)......Good Luck Like the person said before...Getting a boat that is only a year old or so (selling due to finances, etc) is a great way to get a lot of boat usually already fitted out for less money With that said I will put in my 2 cents worth. I have a '99 Catalina 36 and it is one very sweet boat. I have yet to meet or hear any owner that didn't really love that boat...It is an *extreemly* successfull design (over 2100 built)...and it was done right...I know of more than a few that travel all over the world on them..... It can be easily single handed (I have personally sailed off of 25-35 knot winds with 8-10 foot seas....no problem ) but it is still a great boat dockside and harbour hopping....down below is set up very well.....it is not a light wind boat (under 4knots) it doesn't do well but thats what I was looking for....just a little heavier than some newer "bay-coastal" designs.....but when the winds pick up and everybody else is hanging on, sailing on their ears, my boat just settles into a nice 18deg heal.......For the money it can't be beat.....you would have a lot saved over from your budget for other things.....
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
I think he means "black water," Tom
It's a term that's occasionally used to describe toilet waste, and often confused with gray water...'cuz people hear the term "gray water" far more often than they do "black water." And you're right--Lake George NY is one of only two bodies of water in the country where gray water (galley, bath and shower water) holding is required. The other is Lake Winnepesaukee NH. In both places, local ordinance laws requiring it pre-date federal marine sanitation laws by at least a decade.
It's a term that's occasionally used to describe toilet waste, and often confused with gray water...'cuz people hear the term "gray water" far more often than they do "black water." And you're right--Lake George NY is one of only two bodies of water in the country where gray water (galley, bath and shower water) holding is required. The other is Lake Winnepesaukee NH. In both places, local ordinance laws requiring it pre-date federal marine sanitation laws by at least a decade.
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Bruce Hill
Guilty as charged
Ok, ok, holding tank is what I meant!!!! Big deal in SoCal sailing 'cause all the bays in Catalina are no discharge, and they use dye tablets in Avalon. So, need good sized tanks so you can sit on that valuable mooring can and enjoy the party...
Ok, ok, holding tank is what I meant!!!! Big deal in SoCal sailing 'cause all the bays in Catalina are no discharge, and they use dye tablets in Avalon. So, need good sized tanks so you can sit on that valuable mooring can and enjoy the party...
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Tom
Dye in the Holding Tank
hey...I never heard that one......Very interesting idea.... I would go for that. I think there are alot of boaters out there that cheat.... How do they enforce it...Do they drop a tablet of dye down your toilet as you enter the harbour !?! Is it that easily noticable if you "cheat"? Peg have you heard this before?
hey...I never heard that one......Very interesting idea.... I would go for that. I think there are alot of boaters out there that cheat.... How do they enforce it...Do they drop a tablet of dye down your toilet as you enter the harbour !?! Is it that easily noticable if you "cheat"? Peg have you heard this before?
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Frank / MD / H260
A new boat for a new skipper...
I'm a new sailor on the Chesapeake Bay and I bought a new Hunter 260, which I'm very happy with. However, I wanted a large trailerable sailboat. Now if I was on the coast with deep water and still wanted a 26 footer, I'd be looking for a Contessa. Sail as many boats as you can. I guarantee that you with like some and dislike some. Take your time and make sure the sailboat you buy is the lady you love.
I'm a new sailor on the Chesapeake Bay and I bought a new Hunter 260, which I'm very happy with. However, I wanted a large trailerable sailboat. Now if I was on the coast with deep water and still wanted a 26 footer, I'd be looking for a Contessa. Sail as many boats as you can. I guarantee that you with like some and dislike some. Take your time and make sure the sailboat you buy is the lady you love.
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Bruce Hill
Dye in the tank
When you get on the mooring can, they board your boat and drop a VERY bright green dye tablet in all heads, then they flush them. If green dye shows up in the water, they toss you out of the harbor.
When you get on the mooring can, they board your boat and drop a VERY bright green dye tablet in all heads, then they flush them. If green dye shows up in the water, they toss you out of the harbor.
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