Suggestions for a first time sailboat - Page 2

chuck53 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009

Add my name to the list of people suggesting the Catalina 30. That was my first boat and you should be able to find a decent one in the mid 20's range with diesel, rollerfurling and wheel. I've been in power boats for the last 12 years but am seriously thinking about going back to sail and am leaning towards the Catalina 34.

Hillster · #12 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009

Catalinas are nice and the 30 is a good boat. Also keep a lookout for the O'days such as the 302 and the 31. Great boats that sail very well.

SqualFrost · #13 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

I am looking at a 30 foot O'Day and a 33 foot Morgan Racer. If I like one I will hire someone to survey the boat for me. Is there a list of surveyors for the deltaville northen neck area?

JimsCAL · #14 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by SqualFrost

I am looking at a 30 foot O'Day and a 33 foot Morgan Racer. If I like one I will hire someone to survey the boat for me. Is there a list of surveyors for the deltaville northen neck area?

One place to start is the Society of Marine Surveyors at The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors, Inc.® - (SAMS®).

chuck53 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by SqualFrost

I am looking at a 30 foot O'Day and a 33 foot Morgan Racer. If I like one I will hire someone to survey the boat for me. Is there a list of surveyors for the deltaville northen neck area?

I highly recommend Tom McCann. I think he is in Kilmarnock. He surveyed our boat we were selling which made him the bad guy, but we were impressed with him. I'm going to be buying early spring and plan to use him.
804-435-6942.

I even asked a broker in Deltaville for a list of surveyors that had earned his respect and Tom's name was at the top of the list.

Where are the boats you are looking at?

Waltthesalt · #16 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

A trailer sailer is by far the most cost effective for day sail/overnight use. Rent a bigger boat for the cruises. I once did a paper in the economics of this for a grad course. Sounds like you've got you heart set in a bigger boat.
Some other things. Boat depreciation statrs to flatten out at about the 5 year. Depends on the boat. At that point you also have some years left in the electronics. Rather than planning on doing a lot of upgrades look until you find a boat that's has most of what you want and competent TLC. Preferably an owner whose boat is a monument to thier existence. You only get a small fraction out in resale of the money you put in. The excaption are boats sold for pennies at auction... often marinas do this. Then you need a real good survey so you don't end up with a multi year costly project. If you have a few boats in mind that are acceptable your search will be more effective than locking. Still plan on spending a lot of time looking a lot of boats. For a new sailor getting a boat that's got a strong class organiation in your area is a big help. Not only do they do cruises but also there's a lot of experience on how to do repairs and upgrades. They also know about the boats that are being sold. Catalina 22s and 30s often are ubiquitous.

I have a 30 ft Cal and a trailer sailer so I half follow my own advice. I got the trailer sailer when I relocated from Seattle to D.C. and Rhode Island. I could hitch the trailer sailer and cruise waters from Penobscott Bay to Chincatogue (sp?) It was also great for gunkholing in shallow waters. Now that I'm back in deep cold water the keelboat is a great comfort.

Good luck

SqualFrost · #17 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

My families property is located in Dymer Creek right past were grog island use to be (not much more than a large sandbar with some dead trees now).

SqualFrost · #18 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

The boats I am looking at are in norton's and the deltaville marina, I prefer a larger boat.

chuck53 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by SqualFrost

The boats I am looking at are in norton's and the deltaville marina, I prefer a larger boat.

I'd love to hear what you think about dealing with Nortons.

jephotog · #20 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009

I would suggest a C30 also or smaller, if you are new to sailing and want to solo as a new sailor. If you get too big you may not be able to solo for a while. I have been out cruising on a C30 with two couples and it is a good fit. I had looked at a C27 this summer and liked the space below except for the bunks. The bow was too small. It had some type of shelf around the perimeter limiting the space. I am only 5'10" and did not think the bow had enough space for a couple. The C25 seemed to have more bunk space for two couples for a weekend. If you could find one cheap enough ($5-6K locally on trailer in UT this summer) it would be a good boat to get started in and move up in a few years when you were comfortable in your sailing skills.