What to buy? Rhodes, Mariner, O'Day??

HukilauMike · Jun 9, 2010

Excellent choices! What it sounds like is you want a daysailer with a big cockpit, and you have mentioned five good candidates, all which should be well within your budget, and all with good draft for the shallow Chesapeake. Keep in mind that if you want any sort of cabin at all, the Rhodes 19 won't provide it; the Mariner isn't much better, but the kids should be able to sit upright in the "cabin".

I have an Oday 23 (1979), and it would fit your bill very well. If you can sail a Lightning, you can sail the Oday 22 or 23. If you go with an Oday 23, I would avoid the early (pre-77) models that had a pop top and iron keel. And some of the older 22's didn't have a centerboard, only the stub keel; they sail like dogs to weather.

All of the boats you mention, and indeed any boat of that relative size, will be somewhat tender. Be prepared to reef early to minimize heeling and maximize your wife's comfort.

Another choice to consider: the Catalina 22. The 22 is probably the most popular boat of this size ever made, which means they are plentiful and prices tend to be low. The boat is a classic and is similar in quality with the Oday. The Catalina is "better" than the Oday in some areas: Catalina is still in business and supports the old boats with parts and advice; the owners' association for the 22 is one of the most active anywhere and is a great source of advice and comradeship. I like the Oday centerboard set up better than the Catalina; the Catalina is really a swing keel (i.e., the ballast for the boat is in the keel that swings up and down under the boat). The ballast for the Oday is in an integral stub-fin keel; the centerboard is essentially unweighted and controlled by one line by hand. The Catalina swing keel requires a crank and steel cable. The bottom line is that the Catalina mechanism requires more maintenance.

bffatcat · Jun 9, 2010

What to buy? my 2c

with $8000 you have lots of choices. There are hundreds of boats to pick from. If you choose a trailer sailer your limited to 22-23ft anything larger is going to be a big job to step the
mast and launch from a ramp. Dont buy a catalina 22. It says right in their brocure not recommended for salt water. Also you do not have to worry about a cast Iron keel. Ive owned a boat with one for the last 10 years. Its no big deal. One more thing: You might find a 22-23 footer a little cramped for 2 adults and 3 kids good luck

bellnier · Jun 9, 2010

I was looking for a while myself. I am partial to O'Day. I didn't want a fixed keel boat because I want to trailer the boat. Trailer boats are 23' or less. Your budget should allow you to find a nice O’Day 22, 222 or 23 with trailer & outboard motor. Generally the newer the better. 1983 was last year of the 22.

Bad Obsession · Jun 9, 2010

1977oday22 · Jun 9, 2010

For 8k, the choices in a nice used boat are many. I have the O'day 22. At the marina there are a few Cal 22's and a Tanzer 24, all nice boats. Be patient when shopping and if you can wait, I'm sure there will be some good deals this fall. I purchased my boat last fall and re-did it to the way I wanted it. 3k with the trailor, motor, sails and a ton of other stuff the previous owner acquired. If you goto my photo section, there are a lot of before and after pics.

mcorse · Jun 9, 2010

I wouldn't worry too much about the brand of boat: these boards are full of folks who support or disparage paticular brands with religious zeal.
I'm teaching my 3 yo grandson and his parents to sail: here are some thoughts from grandpa:
Forget sailing performance and focus on fun. For mom fun starts with a safe happy child. Look for a deep, wide cockpit, high free board and lifelines. None of these things are safe in and of themselves but give a feeling of safety to mom and kids.
Room, both in the cockpit and cabin, allows more freedom of movement for the kids. If you get a boat where they have to stay in one place and are frightened half the time you'll find they don't want to sail with you. Invest your first season or two in making sailing fun and you'll have a crew for years.
Your first couple of family outings are critical: first get familiar with your boat without the family so you're not stressed by learning while teaching. Pick points of sail to minimize heel. Sail past interesting stuff and stop often for short shore visits.
The most important thing in introducing the family to sailing is, strangely enough: the outboard. You need a start first time, reliable way out of unhappy situations. It only takes one poor experience where you can't motor out of trouble to sour the whole family.
Maybe our Pacific salt water is different than yours, but I see hundreds of Catalinas in the salt. The true performance sailors will scorn boats like the Aquarius 23 and the Macgregor 25 but they're great boats for introducing the family to sailing.
You've got enough cash to get a boat that's sailable day one: don't get one that has you spending the first season getting it into shape: the family will hate the boat before you get it in the water.
Spend some of that money on a slip, mooring or mast up dry storage: the kids won't enjoy starting each sail watching daddy rig the boat.
Be careful about advice from these boards (including mine) we've all got our point of view. There are a lot of well meaning errors of fact to be found here.
My point of view is clear: sell the crew on sailing or buy a single hander; Good Luck

jibes138 · Jun 9, 2010

A few other options to research

Take a look at a West Wight Potter. They make a 15 and a 19 I believe and they have small cabins. Also look at the Compac brand. High quality boat in this size range.

bellnier · Jun 9, 2010

This is good advice from MCORSE. We all need to focus on keeping your family happy & safe.

Bad Obsession · Jun 9, 2010

Slateman....what do you plan to do with this boat? Where do you plan to keep it? What types of sailing trips are you going to do? Do you have visions of doing cruises on the Chesapeake Bay? Which part of the Bay will you primarily be sailing on?

All of those are relevant questions. Let us know what your plans are and we can tell you more.

mcorse · Jun 9, 2010

There's a really good forum at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Aquarius-owners/Aquarius-owners-23 You might want to post your question there and see if there's someone who's been in your situation who can offer some thoughts. Mike

Bad Obsession · Jun 9, 2010

All the selections that I sent you are fine. Also check Craigslist for some boats. There a few on there as well.

SailMML · Jun 9, 2010

I have a Hunter 19 for sale on this sight. Easily falls into your budget. I have done all the things you are looking to do with this boat. This boat loves to sale flat so the heeling issue should be moot. Check out http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&Itemid=284&page=showad&adid=8821

Some distance away but we can talk if you are interested. Mast can be raised by one person (mast raising system included with boat).

Norm

shemandr · Jun 9, 2010

Don't forget the venerable Ranger 23 - one of my all time favorite boats. Excellent sailing characteristics, a passable cabin with good sitting head room and plenty of sprawl room, good cockpit, and available at prices well South of $8,000. You could probably get one and a new trailer for that much. This boat can take you as far as you like in sailing skills.

BobM · Jun 9, 2010

Two comments

With two small children on board...do you need a head or at least a porta potty in a cabin? If so the Rhodes 19 and some others are out.

If you are day sailing, rigging a 19 footer is much easier than rigging a 22-23 footer.

That being said, something the Macgregors have going for them is a relatively light mast for their LOA, which will make mast raising easier (ideally you should be able to walk the mast up if you want to be rigged in 20 minutes or less in my opinion). They are also inexpensive compared to other boats.

Here is a cool boat in your area. This 1992 Compac Eclipse is $10K, but worth considering if you want low maintenance / good condition with a cabin, but small enough to rig easily.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/cgi-bin/saildata/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&manufacturer=Com Pac&view_records=1&sb=date&so=descend

1977oday22 · Jun 9, 2010

I forgot about having a head onboard! Last week I took my brother and my 3 nephews out. 4, 6 and 10 years old and the head came in handy and everyone had a great time without alot of fuss. When the kids were tired, they went below and took a nap. Little things like that make the trip, even a short one, more enjoyable for all.
Especially for guests

rgranger · Jun 10, 2010

I've been down this exact road. I wanted something I could take my wife and 4 kids out in and started with a Mac21. Soon discovered it was too small. Went to a Coronado 23' it was nice but good deal came along and I moved up to a Coronado 25'. Then discovered that I am a trailer sailor at heart and moved back down to a Mac222.

I have also chartered a Rhodes 22. That was my favorite boat I have ever sailed. The flair hull design is nice for keeping spray off of you.

You might want to consider one of the older Mac 25's . They are trailerable, and large enough for a family of 5 to spend the night in. A lot of people look down on the Macs (except those who own them). I've owned three and after sailing a few others have come back to a Mac. I've sailed a Mac V21 out of Kiptopeake. She did just great in those conditions and the P.O. of the Mac V222 I currently own used to take her to tangier several times each summer.

Good hunting. BTW the best time to shop for a boat is in September.

Bad Obsession · Jun 10, 2010