What to buy for $5000

[RyanMI25]

I''m starting to look for a boat again. My father already owns a Catalina 310 but it''s a 9 hour drive away so we use for a couple of 1 week trips a year on the Chesapeake. I live on Lake St Clair in Michigan. I''m looking for a boat that is mainly for daysailing that we will use for 3 or 4, 1 night trips around the lake. My father is going to move his boat up here in probably about 5 years so this boat is only temporary so I do not want to spend a lot of money on it. I am thinking somewhere in the 20 to 25 foot length range. Decent sailing in the light winds we usually have around here. I would prefer the boat to be on a trailer but not essential just to save a little on storage fees since I can keep it in my driveway then. I have prior to this owned a Catalina 22 and Catalina 27. I do not want another Catalina 22 or a boat with a swing keel.

Any suggestions on boats to look for?

[johngov.]

Ryan, You might look for a Ranger 23, Columbia 26, or a Sea-Sprite, Ensign, Bristol 24, Pearson Electra, O''Day 23. J-24 would be fun but they still want a lot of money for them. God luck, John Gov.

[Irwin32]

If it was me, I would go to an older Catalina 27. You had one before, and know the boat. While not the most solid boat ever built, they are great boats for the Great Lakes. One has even circumnavigated the globe.

They are inexpensive, sails and other equipment are easily and economically available. They are good sailing boats and offer a lot of interior room for the size. How can you go wrong? Because they are such good boats, a lot were sold, and that means there are many available on the used market. For a temporary solution I see it as nearly a "no brainer".

[williamjchampion]

Another boat to consider for Lake St. Clair is an S2 7.9. Very stiff, well made, nice boat. There are a fair number on the lake.