I want to sail !!!

stephenbarns · #1 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009

Hey guys. Yesterday I went out on the ouachita lake in Arkansas with a good friend on his inboard power boat. While we were anchored up enjoying the sun and and beer I watched a sailboat cruise by in the distance. I am the type of person that is decisive and at that moment decided that I must have a sailboat of my own to. I do not know the first thing about sailing , but I am phycially fit former army paratrooper so I do beleive that I can catch on fast and handle the water. I looked at some boats for sale online and decided that I will spend $4 to $5 thousand dollars for a used 25 foot vessel. My goal is to have something a play around with friends and family on the weekends. Then I suppose I will have to find someone to teach me how to sail it. If anyone can tell me about the different kinds of boats , advantages , disadvantages , am i crazy, and additional correspondence that would be cool.

Steve

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009

I would highly recommend you take some lessons, even a basic ASA 101 learn to sail type course would be a good idea, before jumping in and buying a boat. Then, I'd recommend you join a local sailing club and sail on as many different boats as you can for at least a few months. That will help give you an idea of what you're looking for in a boat.

I'd also recommend you get David Seidman's book, The Complete Sailor, which is only about $16 down at the local bookstore. It is very well written and covers a very wide breadth of sailing material, with good illustrations.

Finally, I'd highly recommend you read the POST in my signature to help you get the most out of your time here. It has tips on searching sailnet, writing a good post, etc..

Tartan53a1 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009

Buy a Tartan, best boats ever built. C&C are excellent too!!

stephenbarns · #4 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009

Thanks for the response guys. I will definatly read the book.

Selkirk · #5 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009

Hi Steve,

I remember THE MOMENT I became a sailor. I was 18 and in the Navy in The Caribbean. I saw a sailboat tied up to the dock, walked up to it, was invited aboard and was hooked.
That was 1964.

okawbow · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009

Many sailing clubs offer adult sailing courses for a reasonable cost. Plenty of sailors will take you sailing just by hearing you profess an interest. Read the books, watch some sailing videos, and get some person to person advice before you buy a boat. Look around and find a boat that has been maintained well, has good sails, and fits your needs. Find someone who knows sailboats, to go with you, and make a checklist first.

stephenbarns · #7 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009

So I ended up buying a 1986 catalina 22 becuase it was already slipped up in the Lake that I am gonna be sailing, plus it was priced as well or better than others farther away. I've got a couple of lessons lined up.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009

Congratulations... post photos of the new to you boat when you can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenbarns

So I ended up buying a 1986 catalina 22 becuase it was already slipped up in the Lake that I am gonna be sailing, plus it was priced as well or better than others farther away. I've got a couple of lessons lined up.

CBinRI · #9 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenbarns

So I ended up buying a 1986 catalina 22 becuase it was already slipped up in the Lake that I am gonna be sailing, plus it was priced as well or better than others farther away. I've got a couple of lessons lined up.

An excellent choice for a first boat.

BarryL · #10 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009

Hello,

Congrats on your new boat. My first boat was a Catalina 22. They are really great boats.

good luck and enjoy it.

Barry