Hunter Build Quality? - Page 5

rperret · #41 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007

Try looking at an S2 - I've got an 1985 S2 27 - it is well built, has quality materials, and can be had for under $15k. Other S2's to consider would be the 8.5 or 8.0.

Good luck.

Rick

SEMIJim · #42 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailormann

Thought it was a link to the boat... This newfangled technology stuff just doesn't go well with beer on Saturay night

We've actually been looking at 28-30', suitable for cruising. But we're haven't seen a whole lot, locally, that we both like and is more-or-less w/in our budget. (Even when I expand the search to "less than $20k" - which I find both surprising and, occasionally, discouraging.) So we may just give up on such a boat at this time and scale-down to a day-sailer for a season. We can always sell that later, and upgrade. And it'd probably be better (easier?) for us to (re-)learn on the smaller boat.

Then again: We've only been searching for about three weeks, we've only closely examined three (two the same), and we've only sailed on one of them so far. Took me nearly a year to find just the house I wanted. And, in a way, the search and research are fun.

We've got a strong prospect we looked at today. If somebody doesn't buy her out from under us before then, we hope to sail her next weekend, to see if we like how she sails. We'll make an offer, if so. (We were supposed to sail her this weekend, but that's another story

.)

SEMIJim · #43 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rperret

Try looking at an S2 - I've got an 1985 S2 27 - it is well built, has quality materials, and can be had for under $15k. Other S2's to consider would be the 8.5 or 8.0.

Good luck.

Rick

Ok, Rick. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll take a look. (I think your's has been the first S2 recommendation.)

Sailormann · #44 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007

Quote:

We've got a strong prospect we looked at today. If somebody doesn't buy her out from under us before then, we hope to sail her next weekend,

Hope it works out for you. And don't discount the idea of a smaller boat to start with. I certainly enjoyed my smaller boats at least as much as the larger ones, and I'll NEVER buy anything bigger than 30 feet, (unless I am forced to move onto one permanently for some reason).

SEMIJim · #45 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailormann

Hope it works out for you.

Thanks. We've our fingers crossed. I'll call the owner later this week to see if she's still available.

I'm kind of kicking myself atm. When we were talking about taking her our for a trial sail, he remarked "Sure, if you guys are serious." And, my mind on something else at that moment, I heard it, but didn't process it. Had I been in the moment, instead of somewhere else, I'd have replied "If we sailed her now and liked the way she handled, we're prepared to make an offer immediately."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailormann

And don't discount the idea of a smaller boat to start with. I certainly enjoyed my smaller boats at least as much as the larger ones,

How much doing that would would make sense, for us, would depend entirely on how long it took us to get up to speed and start tiring of Lake St. Clair. That could happen relatively quickly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailormann

and I'll NEVER buy anything bigger than 30 feet, (unless I am forced to move onto one permanently for some reason).

Yeah, that was kind of what I was thinking--until I saw the Pearson 10M

PalmettoSailor · #46 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007

Lots of good adivice has been incuded here, but I thought I'd chime in with my two cents and I promise it will be worth what you paid for it.

First, I don't think 30 some odd feet is too big for a first boat. Last year my wife and I bought a 32 as our first for sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. The bay is somewhat "protected", but it is BIG. The only time our boat seems too big is within 5 feet of the dock and the more practice you get at docking the easier that gets. The feeling of the boat being "big" diminishes in direct proportion to distance from land, wave size and wind speed. Our 32 can feel really small sometimes. That said, I think your budget limits you to a slightly smaller boat if you want something other than a "project".

Second, I don't think I've seen anyone suggest a Sabre 28. I checked YW and they do fall in your price range. I did a lot of research when we were looking and this boat was among the best built, best sailing in our price range (similar to yours). Unfortunately, in the end we decided it was just too snug for our situation since our boat is a several hour drive from our home and we spend every weekend on the boat. The larger Sabres 38 or 40 are among the boats I dream of moving up to one day.

sailh34 · #47 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007

I agree that for the Chesapeake, a slightly larger boat may serve you better. We started off with a 25 footer and found that if going on longer trips on the Bay, it was a little small. Granted, the boat was fine and would get us there, but when the weather kicks up, the bigger boat feels much better - the middle of the bay can be a wet bashing ride when the wind picks up. Also, if you plan to cruise the Chespeake (weekend and week long type trips) and do not want to feel like you are camping, I would try to get something that feels comforatable to spend the weekend on when it is pouring down rain and you are spending the day below. Slip fees are cheap (relative) on the Bay, and even though maintenance will be a little more, I think the recurring costs on a larger boat are not as bad out here as you would see out on the left coast or Florida or some other areas.

Honestly, bigger boats, to me, are easier to sail than the smaller ones. Some would argue then you are not learning anything by sailing the larger boat (can't feel it), but that is probably up for debate. If you plan on daysailing the majority of the time with occasional anchoring out, a smaller boat would be great though.

We know some folks with a Sabre 28 - really good boat though may require some work since they are a little older. We have three Sabre friends and I have been really impressed with their boats. Those little buggers are quick little boats.

SEMIJim · #48 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007

midlifesailor and sailh34,

Thanks for your comments. We're currently looking at 28-30' boats, but if we found, say, a Pearson 10M that was w/in, or even close to, our budget, well...

(We really like those, from what we've seen on-line.)

Regarding the Sabre 28: Yes, we know. (Tho thanks for the suggestion.) That's what we looked at yesterday. Unfortunately, most of them we've seen that are in the condition we want and w/in our budget are far away (CT, MD, etc.) and likely have been in salt water. (I don't have a handle on the implications of that, yet.) I think there may be one up in MN.

We're staring to entertain "options." A different boat. A bigger boat. A much smaller boat for this season. A long-distance purchase. Going crazy.

Wait... I guess we've already done that last option...

Jim

JustMeUC · #49 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007

There was a pearson 10m at Jordan Lake outside of Raleigh that has been a freshwater boat most of it's life from what I was told. I think the guy has been trying to sell it for awhile and the price may be right. I can see if I can find his info if you want. Don't know what transport to your area might be from Raleigh?

JustMeUC · #50 (**permalink**) 06-17-2007

I found it, it is not at Jordan Lake but Kerr Lake which is on the NC/VA line. I talked to someone who had looked at the boat a while back and he said it was in pretty good shape but other than that I don't know anything about the boat.

PEARSON 10M (33') SAILBOAT - REDUCED