A boat for fun and learning

pnw_lurker · #1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2003

Hello All!

I''ve been lurking around for quite some time and only today have created my own account. What an informative site!

Anywho... I haven''t been sailing in years... I used to rent small cats at the beach when I was a kid. I''ve been getting back in the spirit in the last year and am planning on purchasing a small sail boat in the spring.

I want to know of your educated opinions on small boats... I visited the Hunter site (it was easy to find) and think something like the Hunter 140 or the Hunter 146 is what would be perfect for me to learn on. Would this be OK for ripping around the bay? Any other makes/models of similar size/price range (previously loved as well is ok) which you think would be a good boat to start with would be greatly helpfull to me.

What would you prefer to learn on? I''ve read smaller boats are better as they are far more responsive... sort of closer to the water I guess. I plan on taking some classes but also want my own boat.

What would you suggest?

pnw_lurker.

Sailormon6 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2003

During the time that you''ve been lurking in the background, you''ve been daydreaming about sailing. You either have visions of spending idle hours daysailing, or racing, or cruising from place to place. I suggest you buy a boat that fits your vision. If you want to race dinghies, buy a little racing dinghy that is popular in the area. If you want to cruise, buy a smallish cruiser. I wouldn''t worry about which type of boat will be a better platform for learning. The amount that you learn about sailing will depend not on the type of boat, but on the depth of your desire to learn. If you buy a boat that conforms to your vision, you''ll enjoy it more, spend more time sailing it, and you''ll learn more.

Congratulations on taking the first step!

pnw_lurker · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2003

Thanks for your input! Visions... oh yeah... the sailing trips I dream about are wonderful ;-)

I can''t wait for the spring when it again becomes reality. Well minus that cat part, that''s not what I want to try this time.

Thanks again for responding!