My first boat.

[kevdog4]

Hi,

I hope I'm posting this in the right spot - if I'm not, some direction please? I'm 19 and a college student from chicago, il. I NEED A BOAT. I've always wanted a boat: any kind. I've grown up around boats: family skiing boat, uncle has a 40 ft chaparral, multiple friends (parents of friends) have bigger (30+ ft) sailboats. I'm not partial to sailboats or powerboats - they both have advantages. But anyway, I have come across a 1978 Bayliner Buccaneer. The boat is supposedly in excellent condition having undergone a recent top to bottom overhaul. I would really like a boat, but from what I have read these boats might not be the best (even unsafe?). AND.... it would be on lake Michigan. The guy wants $4500 and i think i would offer him 3500. Any thoughts/help. Thank you.


here are the specs:
• Centerline Length 21’
• Beam 8'0"
• Draft 30"
• Weight 3,000 lbs.
• Ballast 900 lbs. (Lead)
• Mast Ht. above D.W.L. 29’6”
• Sail Area 191 sq ft.
• Headroom 5’10"
• Sleeps 4
• Water Tank 20 g
• NEW Bottom Paint (Painted 5/11/09)
• New Red Paint on the Hull (Painted 4/3/09)
• All New Interior: vinyl, Cushions, Carpet, LED Lighting, Wiring, Nuts and Bolts.

Equipment Included:
• 2-Mains, 2-jib’s, with Sail Bags & snatch blocks.
• 12-volt batteries (3 years old)
• Alcohol Stove and Stainless Steel Sink.
• Porta-Potty. (3 years old)
• VHF Radio with Masthead Antenna-25watt (3 years old)
• Two Lewmar Winches
• Dock Lines and 3-Fenders. (3 years old)
• Some New Teak--all in Great Condition and Varnished.
• Swimming Ladder (3 years old)
• Anchor & Anchor Line
• Bilge Pump Manual
• 4-Life Vest (3 years old)
• 1-Life Ring (3 years old)
• Seat Cushions (3 years old)
• Safety Kit & First Aid Kit (3 years old)
• 1-Solar Vent (2 years old)
• 1-Solar Panel (12x38 @ 15watts) (2 years old)
• Chrysler Boat Trailer

[bljones]

I can think of a dozen better boats that represent better value. $4500 (or even $3500) is heavy money for a bayliner buccaneer. Where are you on lake Mich? have you ever sailed before? What do you want to accomplish with your new boat?

[sailingdog]

Run like hell... you can get a better boat than a Buccaneer for that much money. Considering your sailing venue, IMHO, you'll want a more seaworthy boat than a Buccaneer. I would highly recommend you buy and read "The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats: Reviews and Comparisons of 360 Boats Under 26 Feet" or John Vigor's "20 Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere".

[kevdog4]

thanks for the advice.

mr jones,
could you recommend any boats? I'm in Chicago. I have sailed before (very little): small 15-18 ft boats and helping friends. What do I wish to accomplish? I want to be on the water and I want to be able to sleep on the water and I want to be able to have at least 4 passengers for a cruise. thank you again.

mr. dog,
thank you for the book recommendations. I'll get them asap.



Is the boat unsafe or just slow? Why does everyone hate buccaneers?



thanks

[sailingdog]

They're poorly constructed, poorly designed, sail like crap... and in many people's opinions ugly.

[bljones]

Yo, dog,
Not you SD, the other dog.
Lots of choices in your price range that meet your needs-
Rhodes 22, Venture 22, Mcgregor 26S, Venture Newport 23 (one of my favourites), redline 25, grampian 23, coronado 23/25, Cal 25, catalina 22/25....
find the best example of any of the above that you can find, and you will have years of good sailing.

For example:

1969 Coronado Coronado 25 sailboat for sale in Illinois

[kevdog4]

guys,

thank you sooo much.

[kevdog4]

I'm hooked... I love the venture 23. Its hard to find (well a semi-close one).

[sailingdog]

Just so you know, the Venture 23 was actually made by MacGregor, and actually originally called the Venture 22 or Venture 222. The Ventures were true sailboats, unlike the most recent MacGregors, which are hybrid boats.

Some specs on the boat

LOA 22' 11"
LWL 18' 2"
Draft 11"/4' board up/down
Airdraft 27'

Other boats that you might like:

MacGregor 22
Kells 22

The very shallow draft means that it is a fairly easy boat to launch from a trailer.

Be aware, they're construction is not the most robust.

[CharlieCobra]

No but having just sold a Venture (MacGregor) 21 that I sailed in various conditions for three years, they're more than stout enough for any condition that you are likely to find yourself in, unless ya have a death wish and don't check the weather.