When to move up?

[Leeward Rail]

, I found the primary application for me was to get her into my driveway for fall and spring work.

Hehe exactly my situation with the C22. Now I will work on the boat at the marina and share ideas, beers and a love of sailing with the other owners. . And no towing or taking up the parking at home needed.

Hopefully your marina will allow DIY work.
Some don't.

really strengthened the love I have for sailing, we have great memories.

That, my friend, is the whole point.

 

[Leeward Rail]

I can handle all the tasks required to safely manage the boat In varied weather conditions. You need to consider this if you are the solo sailor with your kids aboard.

@Pkeller how old are the kids ? Old enough to help you sail ? Could they help if you were injured ?

Those answers may alter which boat you buy.

 

[jssailem]

Sailing Single handed, for some it is the only way to go.

When I go sailing I try to set the boat up to make the tasks easy and safe. I start by preventing the opportunity to go over the side.

There are not a lot of classes that you can take to prepare you to Solo sail. There is a group of sailors in San Francisco who will share their knowledge.

Andrew Evans has written a good book on the subject. Worth the read.

Singledhanded Sailing Society | Bringing solo sailors together since 1977

www.sfbaysss.org

 

[Leeward Rail]

Andrew Evans has written a good book on the subject. Worth the read.

Bad link.

Edit:
Looks like this is it:

https://www.sfbaysss.org/resource/doc/SinglehandedTipsThirdEdition2.pdf

 

[jssailem]

Look at the resources page to the single Handed Sailing group.

thanks @Leeward Rail.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Look at the resources page to the single Handed Sailing group.

h
The link on the resources page comes up bad for me. See post above.. found it by searching the server.

 

[jssailem]

I uploaded my copy.

 

[Pkeller]

@Pkeller how old are the kids ? Old enough to help you sail ? Could they help if you were injured ?

Those answers may alter which boat you buy.

They are 9 and 11, they help with the occasional small task but really it is primarily me. We do carry VHF, cell, and are usually not very far out. Absolutely want something I can solo as half the time it is just me.

 

[Pkeller]

I uploaded my copy.

Thanks, will definitely read. I did read and watch a semi crazy amount of material as I wanted to build up my confidence. Prior to this boat my experience was dinghy and kayaks so the sailing was completely new to me. I had some training too years back as CT requires it to operate a motor powered vessel. When it comes to solo sailing reference material I gobble it up so thanks again!

 

[BigEasy]

That's like asking a bunch of drunks if you should have another drink, it doesn't take much to get this crowd going on a bigger boat

Luv it!

 

[Tom J]

Absolutely want something I can solo as half the time it is just me.

I find the C310 to be a good size and a good boat to solo in. All lines are led to the cockpit, so there is usually little need to leave the cockpit, and the autopilot will steer for you as you trim the sails. She handles well and turns on a dime, making docking easy.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Should I stick with the Hunter 23.5' for a few more years or would moving up to something like a 27'/30' be manageable? I would greatly appreciate some input from others more seasoned than myself.

When I was vacillating over moving larger from my Pearson 30 to the Bavaria 38 that I have now, a friend told me that it would only increase my enjoyment of boating. So right! It’s been nearly 18 yr and it’s been proven true!

 

[Tally Ho]

My first boat was a Hunter 280. Too big to trailer, but smaller than my original “wish list” of a 30-foot for Lake Michigan sailing. It was a very good boat to learn on…so your idea of moving up to a 27 or 28 foot boat seems very reasonable. This assumes you plan to keep it in a slip.

5 years later, I had the opportunity to buy a 1988 O’Day 322 that I had looked at before I bought the H280. I was ready by that time for a bigger boat.

Good luck.


Greg

 

[shemandr]

You can always make more money. You can't make more time. You live in a great cruising area and you have children. Boat trips will change their lives and create memories and family bonding like almost no other activity.
Buy used in the 30' range. Buy ready to sail. You are ready.

 

[All U Get]

I had my eye on a three-masted windjammer but my wife refused to look at it. We decided 45 feet and two cabins would do us well. Then I found this Pearson and we’ve put over 25k miles under the keel. But if there is a windjammer available, I might still look at it.

 

[seadaddler]

The most common boats that are popular is of course is the Catalina 30 or Hunter 30 and these get
lots of talk on these forums for support and great help when repairs are needed.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

@Pkeller , take a look at a few 27'/28' boats but don't jump before looking at a few 30' boats. I found that our 27' boat was too small for a couple to have a comfortable weekend, while I liked it for solo sailing. I've found (for me/us) that 30' is a minimum size for the sailing you describe. Unfortunately, I think many brand names mentioned are getting soooo old by now that there aren't many more current models out there to choose from. Catalina, Beneteau and few others have survived, but so many boat makers are no longer around. It doesn't mean other names from the past aren't good boats, but they are getting very long in the tooth these days. Some other boat builders that are still around don't seem to make boats in that 30' size for cruising anymore.

 

[Leeward Rail]

But if there is a windjammer available, I might still look at it.

I believe the former Yankee Clipper would be available..needs a lot of work though.

Unfortunately, I think many brand names mentioned are getting soooo old by now that there aren't many more current models out there to choose from.

I see nothing unfortunate about it.
I would take a solid layup, overbuilt, old boat that was fully refit, over a lightly built new/newer one. (Unless I cared about keelboat racing, wanted a catamaran, or could afford a serious aluminum monohull).
Interior layout is also an issue for some.
There is a new Oceanis 30.1 here and that double drop leaf table in the middle of the cabin,..which is on the j99 and others..is horrible imo. And.. don't get me started on spartan plastic interiors in general.


If there was a big viable market for new 30ft boats, it would be filled. There isn't, mostly because the old boats are still wanted and often make more sense than a new one. The market speaks.


The difficulty is figuring out what meets your current needs. Some people change boats like their shoes, until they finally figure it out. Hehe.

 

[Roland5048]

Your kids are now 9 and 11. It won't be long before they will want more privacy on overnighters especially if they are girls. They may also want to bring a friend. You don't want them to lose interest. I've always heard...go with the biggest boat you can afford that suits you and your crew's needs. I totally agree as you will quickly grow into it.

 

[jssailem]

you will quickly grow into it.

And what will shock you, is all the increase in space and storage will soon fill, and you will run out of space to store the new important stuff. When that happens this exercise will start again.

It is the circle of boat life.