1st boat to buy

[jdcrockett]

Hey,
I have been reading through this forum for about a week to get an adea on whether or not the boat I wanted would be a good fit for me. Sailnet is a great place to look and you all know a lot about your passion.

I have never sailed a day in my life. Multiple small motor boats, canoes, even a kayak, a little skiing, and jet ski's are all I have "floated" on. A sailboat has been a very distant dream of mine for over thirty years. It is time to stop dreaming and start doing!

I want to purchase a Sabre 28 for my 1st boat. It seems to be small enough to single hand; yet big enough to stay out on the water for a week at a time. Over the years I have looked at quite a few sailboats; and payed real close attention to Albins and Parker Dawsons but they seem more like camping cruisers than cruisers (though by reputation they are great cruisers).

Nothing against camping. I have been camping and hiking since I was in my teens. Just do not want to camp in my boat if you know what I mean. And if you don't; all I can say is I go hiking/camping medium weight. 50 to 75lbs of gear tops for a week at a time. A lot of you say buy the biggest boat you can afford and love. The Sabre 28 is it. I fell in love with the lines, craftsmanship, and I can afford one.

I live in Ohio and will be taking lessons on the great lakes. What I really want to know from you seasoned veterans, is this too much boat for a beginner to learn to single hand, even if I am willing to fork over the dollars for multiple lessons?

I am not an imature individual. 50 years old, athletic for my age, and very respectfull of anything that moves; including myself I appreciate all input.

Thanks, James

[JohnRPollard]

James,

The Sabre 28 has a good reputation and might be a good choice for you. But it is hard to really know what you want/need until you have a bit of experience under your belt. No matter what boat you choose, get it surveyed before completing the purchase.

You'll be fine if you go about it the right way. Take lessons, ease into it slowly, avoid bad weather until you've built experience, don't get cocky. If you go ahead with the boat purchase, try to find an experienced friend that can join you for daysails/overnights while you build experience.

I once taught a couple to sail that had ALREADY purchased a 28 footer. Last I heard through the grapevine, they had upgraded their boat and headed off to the Caribbean. It can be done!

Good luck to you!

[teshannon]

James,
Welcome to Sailnet. I think the Sabre 28 would be a good first boat. My first boat was a Columbia 26 and it was perfect to learn on and spend some time with the family. Sabres are good boats but as John mentioned you should definitely have a survey on her. As in all boats you want to find one that was lovingly maintained, it just makes life a lot easier and cheaper for you in the long run. Good luck.

[eryka]

Hi James, good boat - and if you can go hiking with 50 lbs of gear on your back, you're plenty fit enough to single-hand her on the Great Lakes! If the boat has been in the Great Lakes (fresh water) her whole life, there are a lot of corrosion issues you won't have to worry about, though a good survey is still a must.

for the record, we started with a 27-foot Ericson out of Traverse City, and Dan was also 50 at the time. Now living full time on a 33...and it's NOT camping.

[djodenda]

James:

Don't know anything about the Sabre, but I do know that you are doing ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT THING by getting into sailing. Sorry you missed out the first 50 years. I hope your next fiifty is filled with fair winds, blue skies, the challenges and joys of sailing!

Welcome!

David

P.S.

Don't ever anchor just off the south outlet of the Detroit River. You'll get rolled like crazy by the freighter wake!

[svey]

I totally agree with JohnRPollard about the survey. My O'Day 23 was a gift (after 4 years of ownership it was the Trojan gift type). If you've never sailed before start with a good sound boat because you want to sail not know the Gougeon Brothers on a first name basis.

My spouse took sailing lessons with a professional and he would always take a reef in the main and limit the genoa to 100% when the wind was over 10 knots.

The Sabre 28 is a lovely sailboat.

Have fun

Yves

[camaraderie]

The S28 would be a fine boat to start on and it is not too big for you to handle. Note that there were 3 versions of the boat over the years and you may find you like one version better than the others. Original brochures for each are available here:
Frequently Asked Questions about Sabre Yachts

[jdcrockett]

I will get it surveyed before purchasing. I don't think I will upgrade; but the couple you taught are doing exactly what I want to be doing either next season or the season after...

Thanks for the reply, James

[jdcrockett]

Originally Posted by eryka

Hi James, good boat - and if you can go hiking with 50 lbs of gear on your back, you're plenty fit enough to single-hand her on the Great Lakes! If the boat has been in the Great Lakes (fresh water) her whole life, there are a lot of corrosion issues you won't have to worry about, though a good survey is still a must.

for the record, we started with a 27-foot Ericson out of Traverse City, and Dan was also 50 at the time. Now living full time on a 33...and it's NOT camping.

Yea my hiking buddies make fun of my pack weight and affinity for lucks can beans and potted meat. It is amazing how much weight 8 to 10 cans of beans can add to a pack; but that is my luxury when I am out in the woods.

There are several Sabres on the market right now and I agree 100%, a survey is a must. I do not have the patience or inclination for a fixer upper.

Thanks for the reply

[jdcrockett]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

The S28 would be a fine boat to start on and it is not too big for you to handle. Note that there were 3 versions of the boat over the years and you may find you like one version better than the others.

I want to thank everyone for their replies! You have reinforced my choice and now it is time to find a boat. Travel to look; then surveys and offers. It sounds simple but I know its not. Hopefully (this is the goal) within the next month or two I will be taking lessons and enjoying the life a weekend at a time.

Thanks again and I will be back once I find my boat!