22-27' Weekender

[RocketGibraltor]

I am looking to buy my own boat after a couple years of renting and going out with friends. I thought originally racing was more appealing but just returned from a live aboard cruise and fell in love with the experience. I am looking to buy a boat that can get me through long weekends on Lake michigan, town hopping along the shore. I have had Catalina recommended but would love to hear what some other knowledgable sailors have to say. I am also still in my mid 20's so my budget is only $5,000 to $10,000. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[sailingdog]

Ranger 26 is a pretty good candidate. Ranger 22 might work as well...depends on how much room you want/need.

[dakuehn]

Its a bit far from Chicago, but I thought this guy's S2 7.3 sounded promising--Ad 297355

[Canibul]

i have been looking at a lot of boat ads, and notice MacGregor 26's seem to be plentiful and not too expensive. Usually under 10K$ with a trailer.

Some of these guys can tell you how good a boat MacGregor is or isnt, probably.

I am only looking for a small catamaran.

[Faster]

Being on the Great Lakes, Canadian boats are not too far away.. Have a look at Mirage 26 or27 (sightly different boats), Tanzer 26 (not pretty but solid), C&C 25.
A great sailing boat, pretty, not really roomy but with a great cockpit is the Viking 28. Kirby 25 is quick but a bit spartan perhaps (and maybe a bit skittish).
My son, also in his mid 20s just bought a well equipped and maintained Ranger 29 in Tacoma for under $10kUS , so keep looking.

[sidiag]

You might try doing a Yachtworld search for Grampion. There is a nice looking 30' up in superior Wi. with an asking price of 'bout 12K.

There are also several G26's (I'm kinda partial to the 26's for some reason)
with asking prices from under 2K to about 8K.

As with all 'Good Old Boats' you need to put the MKI eyeball on them before you even spend the money on a survey (you can eliminate the real dogs).

The 26's are good low budget Great Lakes/coastal crusers (IMHO). With an 8' 4" beam they are also one of the biggest "tralerable" sailboats.

Also look thru the boats for sale here on this site - there are several diff. flavors avalable in
the under 5K listing. (shameless plug - including a 23' I want to sell)


Just my .02 (.016C) Your Mileage Will Vary

Good Luck

[SailorMitch]

Pearson 26, 30, Renegade or Triton.

[SteveCox]

I'm on Puget Sound and not the Great Lakes but I'd say a Catalina 27 would probably be exactly what you're looking for. Decent performance, inexpensive, and lots of resources for parts and info on the web. I won't own one because my tastes run to more heavy weather and long term use than I think a Catalina is built for but for your description you'd be hard pressed to find a better value.

[Johnrb]

I agree with Faster - the C&C 25 is well worth a look. It's nicely built, good looking, performs well and one in decent shape should be available within your price range.

[sanjuan2R]

I agree with sailingdog : the Ranger 26 would be my choice. Great sailing boat, is trailerable if you wish to; more room than a C&C 25 and is more stout than a Catalina 27 - and FASTER. It has better interior accomodations than a C&C 25 and is equal to the Catalina 27 interior. Look hard for a good Ranger 26 ...

Good luck.