Help! Buying a boat

[JeromeFr]

Hello again,
I need help with any suggestions regarding buying a 22-25''sailboat.
I am looking at Catalina 22s, 25s and also a Bayliner US25. 1980''s era.

Any pros/cons with those boats would be appreciated, or any other boats I should look at in this size range and price ($5000-$8000).

Thanks in advance.

[rbh1515]

I went on BoatSearch here on SailNet just to remind myself whats out there. There are a lot of boats in your size and price range for sale. Here are the brands I would consider and have experience with:
Ranger 26
Merit 25
San Juan 24 or San Juan 21
O''Day 25
Capri 25
C & C 25
Catalina 25
Here are some I would stay away from:
Bayliner
Seidelmann
Venture

Get a survey--its worth the cost.
If you want to get a very nice new boat in your size range for around $30K (includes everything--sails, VHF, roller furling etc etc etc) consider a Colgate 26 (www.colgate26.com). Thats what I just bought. Its a gorgeous boat with a huge cockpit for daysailing and a small cabin.
Good Luck
Rob ~~~~_/)~~~~
Good luck

[mattf]

Jerome,
Good choices, but you MUST add the Cal 25 to the list. Many circumnavigations, fast, comfortable, widely raced. Dennis Connor even raced Cal 25''s -Good luck

[JeromeFr]

Thanks for the responses.
Rob, any particular reason why I need to stay away from the Bayliner?

[Jeff_H]

In a general sense, Bayliner built Bucaneers cut a lot of corners. In my experience working in these boats there were structure and syrstems problems with these boats. These boats used large amounts of chopped glass. Keel encasolation was roughly done and problematic over time. Electrical systems were poorly executed and have not stood up well. They did build a couple boats that sailed well, a Doug Peterson designed 29 footer and a nice little 23 footer, but most of the Bucaneer line were compromised toward large and inexpensive interiors vs real comfort, durability or good sailing properties.

Jeff

[rbh1515]

Jerome,
I grew up in Seattle where Bayliners were made, so there were a lot of them around. The bottom line is that they did not have a good reputation. When I buy a boat, I always try to consider how difficult it will be to sell it once I want to move on--both sailboats that I put up for sale sold in less than a week and I did not lose money--I was lucky. The worst situation would be to be stuck with a boat you want to get rid of. The Bayliner that you are looking at may be a fine boat for what you need-and if the boat is structurally sound and you''re getting it for a great price you should consider it. I just think that there are a lot better boats out there, and when it comes time for you to sell you don''t want to get stuck. A lot of people dislike Bayliners.
Rob
~~~~_/)~~~~

[JeromeFr]

Thanks for the advice.
I guess I will concentrate my search more on Catalinas as there are quite a few out here in Florida.
Does anyone know if the cockpit is much bigger on a 25 vs a 22?

- Jerome -

[jack_patricia]

Jerome:

A couple of add''l thoughts...
1. Since you''re in Florida, a visit to the Florida Catalina plant might be useful, as you can find out what support still exists for the model boat you''re considering, how the model changed over time, etc.
2. I think the advice you''re getting about ''think resale'' is especially worthwhile; if you can''t find a model of interest to you in relatively large supply in your area, it will make selling it at a later date more difficult.
3. I''ll ditto the comments on Bayliner''s products. Lousy rep and tough to sell.
4. You don''t tell us how you''re going to use the boat OR whether shallow draft is especially important to you; both would be helpful data points.

If I were shopping in your size & price range, I would add a Vega 27 to the list. Swedish (and very well) built, beautiful handling sailboat but with offshore capability (for that trip to Dry Tortugas), 4'' draft, and a very functional cockpit & interior (tho'' without all the performance-robbing beam of some designs, so not as roomy). Regretably, they''re somewhat difficult to find these days - and therefore I''m contradicting some of my own advice. But what a dream of a sailboat (it was our first).

Jack Tyler
Homeported in St. Pete

[JeromeFr]

Jack,
Thank you for your input.
The boat would be used around Stuart, FL.
Shallow waters around the Indian river mean a swing keel or a shallow draft is a primary concern (maybe 3 1/2'' max).

We will always just go out and sail for the day, maybe a longer trip to the keys someday.
I would like to maybe race with it but that is secondary.

- Jerome -

[JeromeFr]

Actually, one other question ...
Any thoughts about a Balboa 26?
This one has a swing keel.
Thank you!

- Jerome -