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Old 12-04-2007
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first sailboat....?

Perhaps the cumulative knowledge of experience could save untold misery....
Last summer I went sailing for the first time and was instantly hooked. I decieded to buy a sailboat and I am currently negotiating as we speak. The problem is I am clueless.
The boat I am dickering on is a kenner privateer 26 with a volvo diesel and is ketch rigged. She seems to be lovingly maintained ,but, I realize older boats sometime harbor ugly secrets.
I think I can or could fix most of whatever problems that might rear their head by a combination of hard dilligent work ,and, throwing endless handfuls of money at the problem(s)but I digress.....
This boat (full keel-skeg hung rudder) has only ever been sailed on fresh water and I would sail it on medium sized lakes. The main purpose would be recreational /social boating with occasional overnighters of weekends.
The paramount question I pose to you is: for a first boat am I out of my freakin mind?
Thanks...........................
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Old 12-04-2007
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1. Get a surveyor to rationalise your decision.

2. If you are in love with her. she's the right boat for you.

3. May you be happy ever after.
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Old 12-04-2007
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Please post pics....Are you familiar with the sailiing behavior of this boat?...It could be quite different from your experience. Good luck in your quest. It's certainly a buyers market out there and you may be able to find a newer and better sailing boat for approximatly the same money.
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Old 12-04-2007
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The Kenner Privateer would not be my first choice as a boat, given the sailing you're planning on doing. Have you sailed the boat? If not, what boats have you sailed??

Also, define medium sized lake. Lake Winnepesaukee in New Hampshire or Lake Champlain in Vermont/New York are medium size lakes if you're comparing them to the Great Lakes, but otherwise would probably be considered large lakes.

There aren't many benefits to buying a ketch rigged boat in this size range. In a larger boat, it often makes sense since it reduces the size of the individual sails, and allows you to have a few more options in balancing the sailplan of the boat for various wind conditions. However, in a >30' boat, the mizzen mast takes up a lot of space and adds a fair bit of complication and maintenance expense to the rig that isn't necessary in a sloop rigged boat.

From what you've said in your first post... you don't have a lot of experience sailing, you probably don't have much experience with the different types of boats or rigs, and you're basically acting without knowing what the hell you're doing.

You'd probably be much happier in the long run with a different first boat. A sloop rigged boat would be easier to handle. A more modern design would handle better and sail better, and do so in less wind than the Kenner would generally require. A Catalina 25, a Hunter 25, a Ranger 26, a Cal 25, an Olson 25 or any one of a hundred others would be far more suitable and less expensive to own IMHO. Also, any of these would be far more enjoyable, in terms of their ability to sail and handle easily, especially for a novice sailor. Some of the boats in this range are trailerable, and would allow you easily move the boat from lake to lake, as well as simplify your winter storage situation.

Personally, I would recommend that you go sailing on a few more boats and learn to sail a bit better before biting the bullet. If you really want to jump in feet first—by all means, do so, but look for a boat that is a bit better suited to your needs as well as a bit better in terms of resale value. In many cases, your first boat isn't one that you keep all that long... you'll get three-footitis and want to sell it and get a bigger boat or a different boat. Getting a boat that holds it resale value will make doing that far easier.

Don Casey points out in his book, This Old Boat, that the first boat is often just a way to learn about what you really want in a boat, and that the second boat is often the boat that a person buys and keeps for years, based on what they learned from their first boat.

Also, if you have any friends that are experienced sailors, and trust their opinions... you might want to see if they can come with you when you're looking at boats. You also will probably want to get a survey on any boat you are thinking of buying....but getting Don Casey's Inspecting the Aging Sailboat, will at least let you take a basic look at any boat and see if it is even worth bothering to make an offer on or get a survey for.
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Last edited by sailingdog; 12-04-2007 at 07:34 AM.
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Old 12-04-2007
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What price are you paying, realitive to more modern designs. How long do you think you'll keep this boat, and will it be kept on the water. If it's to be trailered regularly. Be aware that it would be a heavy boat to pull behind a truck, and the ketch rig will require more time to set up and pull down at launchings.
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Old 12-04-2007
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I can't think of too many worse choices for a first boat and a lake boat (assuming we are not talking about the Great Lakes.
1. Ketch Rig on a small boat
2. Volvo Engine
3. Full Keel/Skeg design
4. A 26' boat with a 5' bowsprit

Not dissing the boat at all (except the engine!)...just commenting on suitability for your purpose.
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Old 12-04-2007
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LOL....

What's wrong with a 26' boat with a 5' bowsprit, besides astronomically higher dock fees, having to work out at the very pointy end with little experience and more stuff to maintain???
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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
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Old 12-04-2007
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I'm not familiar with the Kenner, but based on your description of the boat, your experience and your expected use, I don't think it would be the best choice. If your specific question is are you out of your freakin' mind, the answer is probably not, but you could definitely make a better choice for a first boat.

I agree with saildog and cam's comments. You do have the length/size of the boat right though: a 22-25 foot boat sounds ideal for you. My favorite, affordable boats in that range: Catalina 22, Catalina 25 (make sure its a pop-top model), Oday 23 and 25. All are plentiful, trailerable if you choose, and should be available for anywhere from 3 to 8K depending on model and condition.
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Old 12-04-2007
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Welcome to sailing. It is a wonderful way to spend one's time. As other have said, I can't imagine a less appropriate choice than a Kenner Privateer for a first boat, (or a lake boat for that matter.) We all come to sailing with our own goals and tastes.

We all started where you are now. Most experienced sailors have gone through an apprenticeship of sorts, sailing and owning a variety of boats. Over time, as we learn about sailing and about the charactersistics that we prefer in a boat for ourselves, our tastes and goals will change. Because of that few people keep their first boats for more than a couple years.

The Kenner may be visually appealing to you now, but it comes with a real set of limitations that will make it hard for your to learn to sail well. As others have articulated, take your time, look at a number of boats. I suggest that you look at a 24 to 28 foot, well used, responsive, finkeel-spade rudder (either skeg or post hung), production sloop. You should be able to buy one cheaply and resell it a few years later, easily at a similar price to what you paid.

Whatever you buy, get it surveyed since boats can actually have negative values.

Respectfully,
Jeff
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Old 12-04-2007
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Any boat is just a hole in the water we pour our money into, does that make us out of our freakin minds????? You decide.
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