While I'd never discourage anyone who can afford one to buy a new boat, it sounds as though the "newly married couple without kids" is contemplating the addition of future rugrats by your phrase "something a small family could also use as a weekender."
Having owned nine sailboats over the years, with only one of them a new boat, I'd suggest you at least consider buying used.
The one new boat was my first one: an 11-foot Snark. $200 in 1980.
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Still Salty Scanmar 33 s/v Valkyrie
Narragansett Bay
For what it's worth I spent some time in my youth on a hunter in lake michigan, it worked fine. I also sailed hobie cats there, and they were much much more fun. Probably not so good for babies and small children though unless you use a lot of velcro and lashings.
Keeping in mind Bob and I like older cruising boats (yes, even Taiwan boats), we do know what the 309 was built for and we think Frank Butler and Gerry Douglas have succeeded in meeting those design parameters. I was on the test sail, and having sailed previously on Catalina 30s, 36s, and a 350, the 309 performed quite nicely in the semi-blustery conditions on Puget Sound that day. I sailed a Catalina 30 for a week on Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay (including running from a summer storm), and always felt the boat was sound. So I think a new 309 would be fine for your intended use.
__________________ "Always approach the dock at the speed you wish to hit it."
s/v VENUS
1978 North Sea 33 Pilothouse Cutter (Ta Chiao)
I wish, CD! Actually writing from my home office/editing studio here on San Juan Island about five miles out of Friday Harbor. Got a view across the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mts. gleaming in the distance. At night, I can see the lights of Port Angeles 26 miles away...
But I'd rather be writing this aboard a nice Formosa 51 (or Hudson Force 50). And since we just sold the house last week, well, I've got some decisions to make...
__________________ "Always approach the dock at the speed you wish to hit it."
s/v VENUS
1978 North Sea 33 Pilothouse Cutter (Ta Chiao)
You might want to consider some of the most popular boats on Lake Michigan - Catalina, Ericson, Tartan, Hunter, for instance. A lot of these boats are/were sold locally and are serviced by marinas who know them inside and out. You would never have a problem finding somebody with experience to service any system on any of these boats. Also, these (and a few others) have large communities of devotees so there's a good chance you'll be able to talk (and sail) with somebody who has direct experience sailing the same boat you have.
Good luck in your search!
CD- Are you getting a Formosa too? Finally, a real boat....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cruisingdad
GO FOR IT Moonfish! Got any children? We are a month or two behind you!
- CD
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Sailingdog Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
That's a really cool review -- thanks for that. Underway, it looks pretty simple which, as a first keelboat purchase, gives some comfort.
My only concern now is that the boat will go on a 30' mooring can and I am not sure if the harbor will take issue with the 31' LOH. I actually thought the LOH was 30' when I put the order in. Perhaps a slight overhang is ok on cans as it is in slips.
If one foot makes a difference in the boat's swing circle that allows it to hit another boat... they've got the moorings setup wrong.
__________________
Sailingdog Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
"Always approach the dock at the speed you wish to hit it."
