Hi All-
We recently moved to a small town in Massachusetts which has a great pond/lake (approx. 1 mile diameter) and we are looking to buy a used, tailerable sail boat to get the family out on and to teach the kids sailing (kids are 7 & 9 years old).
I've been looking at a Hunter 170 on yachtworld, but I am rather ignorant with boats in this size range and could use some suggestions. Here are some of my primary criteria:
-Ideally <$5,000
-Trailerable and launchable from a boat ramp that seems to be fairly flat and shallow (towing weight isn't an issue as I have a full sized 1/2 ton truck)
-Easy enough to rig, launch and recover that it doesn't prevent us from using it
-Reasonably good shape and low maintenance (I've built boats in the past and owned a 40+ year old fiberglass boat that was constant work which I don't have time or appetite for currently)
-Safe and reasonably stable to keep the family comfortable and confident but still work in light pond winds
-Good teaching/learning platform for the kids (not looking to turn them into racers, but would like them to learn and enjoy to sail/cruise)
-possible to swim off it
-Comfortable for 2 adults + 2 growing kids + maybe a friend
As I said, the Hunter 170 looked interesting and I've found a few in the northeast, but wonder what other suggestions are out there.
Thanks!!
We recently moved to a small town in Massachusetts which has a great pond/lake (approx. 1 mile diameter) and we are looking to buy a used, tailerable sail boat to get the family out on and to teach the kids sailing (kids are 7 & 9 years old).
I've been looking at a Hunter 170 on yachtworld, but I am rather ignorant with boats in this size range and could use some suggestions. Here are some of my primary criteria:
-Ideally <$5,000
-Trailerable and launchable from a boat ramp that seems to be fairly flat and shallow (towing weight isn't an issue as I have a full sized 1/2 ton truck)
-Easy enough to rig, launch and recover that it doesn't prevent us from using it
-Reasonably good shape and low maintenance (I've built boats in the past and owned a 40+ year old fiberglass boat that was constant work which I don't have time or appetite for currently)
-Safe and reasonably stable to keep the family comfortable and confident but still work in light pond winds
-Good teaching/learning platform for the kids (not looking to turn them into racers, but would like them to learn and enjoy to sail/cruise)
-possible to swim off it
-Comfortable for 2 adults + 2 growing kids + maybe a friend
As I said, the Hunter 170 looked interesting and I've found a few in the northeast, but wonder what other suggestions are out there.
Thanks!!