First Boat? Any of these: O'Day Mariner, Balboa, or Capri 14.2

[jp375]

Originally Posted by BubbleheadMd

I got greedy. I bought a '69 Coronado 25 for my first boat. Hull, deck and standing rigging in great shape. Very few gelcoat cracks, no blisters, soft spots or delamination that I could find. Serviceable sails, 4-stroke 9.9 Honda outboard with about 100 hours on it. Fixed keel.

The reviews I read state that it's a solid, durable boat that is very forgiving to the novice, so I figured it'd be ok as a first boat and I'd be able to resist the urge to upgrade for longer.
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So what has your experience been? Have you been able to learn and practice well on the larger boat? I still really like this Mariner 2+2 for sale, but I'm thinking I probably should spend a bit less than $4500 now.

[hriehl1]

If you are trailering in Minnesota, I'd avoid the fixed keel Capri. Shallow launch ramps and shallow lakes make a centerboard more practical.

Others have suggested 22 footers... yes they are "trailerable" but you'll quickly tire of rigging and launching for anything less than an overnight... too much work for a daysail. I've raised the mast on an O'Day 222 with one other guy and I'd only do that for a season, maybe a weekend but NEVER for a daysail.

Carefully consider your overnighting prospects. If daysailing is really the desire, then you can go to things like O'Day Daysailer (my mid-fifties wife and I can launch and retrieve in ten minutes), Flying Scot, Rhodes 19, etc. Cheap to buy, easy to trailer, fun to sail, spacious cockpit... just no cabin.

[jp375]

Good advice. The fixed keel on the Capri is a big concern, considering some lakes that I would use it on really aren't all that big, and likely the ramps are not the greatest. I think for budget reasons the o'day daysailer might be a good option, there are a few for sale around here. I'm still very interested in the Mariner, but just haven't had a chance to go look at it. Hopefully this next weekend.