What type of small sailboat - recommendations

[rfarson]

A friend wants to buy a small sailboat for her and her husband to sail on a midwest lake. They are definitely beginners. Can anyone recommend a small fiberglass boat for two that is quick but not too much for beginners?

Preferably one that could later be raced in local races?

[tommays]

WELL

That usally works out best if you just wonder down and see whats being used at the local sailing places and at least here they have demo days

My wife and i started on and 11' sailing dink BUT i dont think you would get her on one today

[Delirious]

Flying Scot (19 ft)

Precision 15

Capri 14.2

In that order. The Flying Scot has a huge following and many local fleets and would be a good family fun daysailor that can be raced.

[T34C]

I would add the Thistle to the above list.

[TackBoston]

Here are a couple recommendations:

Rhodes 19 -- very simply boat, classic design, often used to teach sailing, can probably find one used pretty cheap and new they are simply beautiful. Not great performance boat, but likely will be others on the lake

Colgate 26 -- designed to teach sailing and to race, this boat is easy to sail but has all of the bells and whistles that you can use as your skills progress. A rocketship racer too. Very stable with huge cockpit and cuddy cabin. Scores well under PHRF.

Sonar -- another popular and classic boat, this is a great learning boat, simple, and likely to be others on the lake. You can find these used as well.

[Perithead]

Do they want a boat for daysailing or something that they can spend a night or two in?

If they want to stay ont he boat a Catalina 22 is very popular and you can get a nice used one at a decent price.

[rfarson]

Originally Posted by Perithead

Do they want a boat for daysailing or something that they can spend a night or two in?

If they want to stay ont he boat a Catalina 22 is very popular and you can get a nice used one at a decent price.

They want one easy to put in and out of the water and trailerable for daysailing......

Thanks,
Ron

[Delirious]

Originally Posted by T34C

I would add the Thistle to the above list.

I owned Thistle #1858 and I would not recommend it as a beginner's sailboat for two people.

Heck of a boat, and IMHO the cream-of-the-crop of racing dinghys, but it is like handng the keys to the Ferrari to a first time driver.

I've seen two folks hop off a Thistle coming in fast to a beach and the boom swung back and hit the helms(wo)man in the forehead hard enough to lift her out of the boat from seated. It was the loudest "PING" I've ever heard on a sailboat. Eventually THE ADMIRAL did forgive me & the other crewman, and the lump went away in a week. You'll note it's low to the gunnel.





Things happen fast on a Thistle and you only get one chance to correct them. It's also a cast iron b##ch to set that loose-footed mast every time with the tight solid wire rigging. The Scot is worlds easier whth the hinged base.

[Lostmt]

I would recommend a Starwind 19 or 22. We own a 22. She is trailerable and has a nice cabin for over nights. Starwind Spindrift Marina • Index page

We are new to sailing and wanted a sailboat that we could do coastal cruising and take up to Iowa to visit our son and sail on lakes up there.

[WouldaShoulda]

I'd add the old O'Day Daysailer to the list.

Or it's similar, wetter contemporary the Catalina 16.5.

Speaking of wet, I like the Hobie Wave and Getaway too!!