Hi everyone. I just registered here and would like your advice. After sailing a little Phantom for 10 years, I am considering purchasing a Catalina 250 for casual daysailing and occasional overnights with my wife. Before getting into the details of why that particular boat, and what other boats I should consider instead, I'd like to discuss where to moor and sail. (I have no interest in trailering a boat in this size range.)
Here are some options that I would like your comments on:
Essington, PA (Delaware River) - 10 minutes away from my house. Might be good for the first year, since I might do a lot of back-and-forth working on the boat. Also like to do quick "impulse trips" after work. How annoying is the jet noise? How strong are the currents in the Delaware? Do they ever exceed hull speed, and how do you deal with that? Any suggestions of which marina? (Fox's Grove, Anchorage, etc. or the boat clubs?)
Palmyra area (Delaware River) - I hear they have a large racing community up there? How about casual sailors? Same questions about the Delaware.
Penns Landing marinas - How expensive? How is the ambience there? Sounds like it could be interesting sailing in the middle of a city.
Lake Wallenpaupack - We vacation there 2 weeks every summer, and have a fantastic time with our Phantom. Water is fantastic for swimming. Only problem is it is almost 3 hours away. Also, they do not allow you to sleep overnight on the boat. How strictly is this enforced? Could we get away with overnights on Saturdays? Does anyone anchor in coves for overnight sleeping, or is that a red flag that gets you picked up? Given the distance, I can't imagine not staying overnight if we keep our boat there.
Upper Chesapeake tributaries (Elk, Northeast, Sassafras, maybe Bohemia) - A little over an hour away. We've taken our Phantom down there a couple times, and it's OK. Water not as clean as the lake, which is a big issue on the Phantom - less so on a larger boat unless we want to go swimming. What marinas do you recommend?
Rock Hall - Lots of friends tell me this is like "mecca" for sailboats but I really know nothing about it. Is it worth the extra distance?
Lake Nockamixon - We've also taken our Phantom there. I think it's too small/boring for the type of boat I want.
Barnegat Bay - Never sailed there, just passed over the Toms River Bridge on the way to Island Beach State Park. Comments?
In case you wonder why I put this in the boat purchase forum, it's because I believe where I sail should have a large impact on what size/design boat I pick. After I get a few comments on this, I'll add some more info on my family situation and other factors that go into which boat I should select.
Thanks,
Rick
Here are some options that I would like your comments on:
Essington, PA (Delaware River) - 10 minutes away from my house. Might be good for the first year, since I might do a lot of back-and-forth working on the boat. Also like to do quick "impulse trips" after work. How annoying is the jet noise? How strong are the currents in the Delaware? Do they ever exceed hull speed, and how do you deal with that? Any suggestions of which marina? (Fox's Grove, Anchorage, etc. or the boat clubs?)
Palmyra area (Delaware River) - I hear they have a large racing community up there? How about casual sailors? Same questions about the Delaware.
Penns Landing marinas - How expensive? How is the ambience there? Sounds like it could be interesting sailing in the middle of a city.
Lake Wallenpaupack - We vacation there 2 weeks every summer, and have a fantastic time with our Phantom. Water is fantastic for swimming. Only problem is it is almost 3 hours away. Also, they do not allow you to sleep overnight on the boat. How strictly is this enforced? Could we get away with overnights on Saturdays? Does anyone anchor in coves for overnight sleeping, or is that a red flag that gets you picked up? Given the distance, I can't imagine not staying overnight if we keep our boat there.
Upper Chesapeake tributaries (Elk, Northeast, Sassafras, maybe Bohemia) - A little over an hour away. We've taken our Phantom down there a couple times, and it's OK. Water not as clean as the lake, which is a big issue on the Phantom - less so on a larger boat unless we want to go swimming. What marinas do you recommend?
Rock Hall - Lots of friends tell me this is like "mecca" for sailboats but I really know nothing about it. Is it worth the extra distance?
Lake Nockamixon - We've also taken our Phantom there. I think it's too small/boring for the type of boat I want.
Barnegat Bay - Never sailed there, just passed over the Toms River Bridge on the way to Island Beach State Park. Comments?
In case you wonder why I put this in the boat purchase forum, it's because I believe where I sail should have a large impact on what size/design boat I pick. After I get a few comments on this, I'll add some more info on my family situation and other factors that go into which boat I should select.
Thanks,
Rick