Power sailor

[davidjones1]

Hello - I am in the market for my first boat, I have had some sailing experience. From the research I have done the "power sailor" category seems a good fit, Macgregor, Catalina 250 etc. If you have one of these types of boats I would value your thoughts, tips etc…Thanks

[sailingdog]

It would help a lot if you said where you plan to sail the boat, what kind of sailing you plan to do with it, and what your budget for the boat is. It might also help if you said whether you wanted to keep the boat on a trailer or in the water—in a slip or on a mooring.

I would highly recommend you read the post in my signature, since it will give you a lot of help in getting the most out of sailnet. Welcome to the asylum.

[max-on]

Originally Posted by davidjones1

"power sailor" . . . , Macgregor, Catalina 250 etc.

[sailingdog]

Yeah, I find the term somewhat of an oxymoron...but try and be nice... I hope M. gave you your meds...

Originally Posted by max-on

[max-on]

Ok, the pills kicked-in.

Welcome aboard David!!!!!!!! Could you please elaborate on your sailing interests and goals, and reasons for your interest in a 'power sailor', so we may be better informed to address your inquiry, and maybe elighten you to other sailboat options available.

[camaraderie]

I would only classify the MacGregor26x and the Hunter Edge as "power sailers". The Cat 25 is a sailboat with a small motor. Welcome aboard.

[davidjones1]

Well, thanks for the guidance on posting a question etc... I have learnt something already, not bad...

So here goes...
Sailing location - will be on Lake Norman in NC a manmade lake
Sailing Goals - will be to sail on the weekends mostly, occasionally spend nights on the boat -
Why a power sailor? From research, most opinions I have read state the power sailor category is good for diversity of boating conditions and ease of sailing - I am very happy to be corrected here....
Budget and embarrassing $17,000 - hey one has to start somewhere!!
Keep; my intention is to keep the boat in the water...

[zz4gta]

As long as you don't mind buying an older boat, like most people, you can get a REALLY nice boat for that kind of cash. Most catalina 25s are well under that price, they're nice boats, have room to sleep in, and easy to sail, also stable.

I started with a motor that barely runs, a boat that had not been sailed in over 10 years, and trailer that falling apart. Got lucky for $1200. My buddy picked up a nice catalina for under 4k. Sailing is only as expensive as you want it to be.

[zz4gta]

Personally, I wanted a sailboat that performed. A good sailor, I could care less about the "motor" part. That's why I bought what I did. And stayed away from the Macstake- I mean the Macgregor.

[CharlieCobra]

Now now, don't go hating on the Macs. Only the 26M/X are power sailing hybrids that sail horribly and motor adequately IMO. The other Macs like my V-21, M25, 26C and 26S as well as the monster M65 all sail quite well.