buying my first boat

[AllThumbs]

I am looking at a Sirocco 15. Built in the early 70's I would guess. I plan on using it in a small inland lake. It has a small cuddy and a swing keel. My wife and I have no sailing experience. We plan on just doing day sailing. We are in our early 40's.

This boat is currently owned by the president of a local sailing club. I plan on joining the club. There are members there who are willing to teach us how to sail it.

I will post some pictures of the boat tomorrow, as we will be going to look at it then. I have seen pics of it and have been told (by the current owner) that it's "like new - totally redone". The guy want's $2200.00 for it. He seems to be pretty anal about boats, so it's probably a pretty well looked after boat. He "says" the sails are "newer" and in great shape.

There are a few examples of the same boat for sale locally that are cheaper (~$1500.00). In fact, his is the most money. I am willing to pay more to buy from him because I doubt a sailing club president would try and rip off a fellow (and new) member of the same club, and since I don't know what I am looking at, I am easily ripped off by an unscrupulous seller.

I quess my question is, is this a decent boat to get started on?

Here is a similar boat for sale as an example: Oops, I can't link just yet. Google sirocco 15 in google images for an example. For me it comes up first image.

Thanks, Eric

[thesnort]

I'd take a look at the cheaper ones out there. Get a book on how to inspect a boat such as written by Don Casey or a number of other authors, bring along a knowledgeable boater to also take a look and find the best one at the best price. People, being people, doesn't give you any guarantees in life.
I don't know these boats, but it looks like you've got everything on it to learn how to sail (a mainsail and jib, centerboard, and all your basic rigging without having high loads to worry about).

[AllThumbs]

One of the criteria my wife has set forth is that she does not want to get wet (in other words, i better not get dumped). Is this boat stable enough that it won't tip over in a gust?

Eric

[poltergeist]

After a quick Google, it appears to me that the $2200 may be a bit high. But if the boat's in pristine shape, it may well be worth it.

I've never sailed one (Sirocco), but any small centerboard boat CAN be capsized. If you start out slow on days with moderate wind, you can also probably avoid capsize.

I didn't dig too deep, but here's a link to a forum with a thread specifically about the Sirocco ... it may lead you to people who can give you more thorough thoughts and opinions.

Small Craft Advisor Discussion Board

Kurt

[AllThumbs]

Well, I took some pictures but I can't p[ost them since I don't have enough posts yet.

I learned a couple things when looking at the boat:

It's a planer. The owner told me it is not really designed to heal (the bottom is quite flat). While I find the idea of healing heavily quite exciting, my wife likes the idea of feeling safe. I have no idea if this feature is a good one or a bad one.

The keel wieghs 180 lbs. The owner told me it's possible to capsize any boat, but this one is somewhat stable as far as 15 foot boats go.

It comes with a almost new trailer. I saw it and it looks new.

There are some spider type cracks where some of the hardware is attached. The owner said this is in the gel coat and is normal for a 30 yr old boat. Wiggling said hardware seems to indicate that what he said is true, since it all feels very solid.

It's still all the original white gel coat on the outside but the boat has been painted inside the cabin, aft of the cuddy.

The boat has been in storage for 2 yrs, indoors, so the boat was a little dirty.

Eric

[AllThumbs]

Just a question. Are we likely to stay dry in this boat, short of turtleing it over? In other words, is this a boat that needs to be sailed with our bathing suits on, or can I safely have my wallet and cell phone in my pockets while sailing it?

[sailingdog]

A dry bag tied to the boat would be a good idea for the wallet, cell phone and her purse.

[Gary1]

As has been said, almost any day sailer can be turtled if you get ambitious enough. I turtled my O'Day Daysailer (16'9") on a couple of occasions. It was also a planing hull, and was an absolute blast on a reach.

Are you going to stay dry? Probably not. Is the boat going to heel? Certainly. Be glad it does or you'd be overpowered in the twinkling of an eye. Just keep the jib sheet in hand, and when the boat heels over a little further than you're comfortable with, dump the jib. She'll straighten right up. Then you can trim the jib back in and take another shot at it. Eventually, you'll get a feel for what the boat's going to do and you'll push her a little harder. That's all part of the learning experience and fun.

As for cracks around the hardware, I probably wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. Just make sure there are backing plates behind the chain plates, etc. Even if they're just big fender washers for 1/4 and under fasteners.

Have fun and enjoy. That's what it's all about.

[AllThumbs]

Thanks for the replies. I have purchased the boat for his asking price (he wouldn't budge). He wants to shine it all up before delivery, so that shows he has some pride in it. He told me he will teach us to sail it as part of the package, which is really handy for us, since we have no idea how to sail.

If I ever get to 10 posts, I will add a couple pictures.

What's with the 10 post count thing anyways? I doubt a spammer would care to do 5 legit posts before becoming annoying, but who knows...

Anyways, thanks for the replies. I'll be around here for a while/ Great forum.

Eric

[poltergeist]

Great news on your new boat. And with a previous owner who wants to get her looking pretty PLUS teach you how to sail her, I think you got a good value.

Good luck ... be sure to weigh in and tell us how intitial time on the water goes. Have a great time.

Kurt