Best way to go

[Stutts]

Hi all,
I haven't sailed seriously for about 25yrs. I crewed on several boats in the 40ft. range around the coral sea and the great barrier reef. I have recently moved to a place that has 300 square km. of lake with a seaward passage out. I'm wanting to buy a boat but am unsure whether to buy a small lake boat, say 24' to 32' and sail that for a year here within the lake or buy a serious 2nd. hand ocean going boat now from 37' to 44' and get to know that boat and fix it up for sea trips which is my ultimate goal in about a years time. Would it be such a steep learning curve to buy a bigger boat straight out?

[St Anna]

What part of the world are you in Stutts?

[sailingdog]

Why not buy a 24-35' boat that can handle serious bluewater passages??? There is really no reason that you need a boat as big as 37-44' LOA, and no reason that a boat 24-35' couldn't handle it. Beats buying two boats. Start with James Baldwin's List of Pocket Bluewater Boats.

Knowing what part of the world you're in would help narrow boat selection a bit, as would knowing what your budget it. BTW, I generally recommend reserving at least 15-20% of the actual total purchase budget for refitting, upgrading and repairing whatever boat is actually purchased. On an older boat, this might even go as high as 25-30%.

Welcome to Sailnet. I'd highly recommend you read this POST to help you get the most out of sailnet.

I'd also recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine whether other boats you look at are even worth going forward on, saving you the price of a survey for boats that aren't worth looking at further.

[St Anna]

Not you again SD....... I agree, a production grp yacht. I've seen (and I am sure you see it as well) that newbies can get poor advice and spend lots on the wrong thing for what they intended/ needed. Saying that they plod along, and learn on the way. Everyone starts somewhere.

Cruising is a great equaliser - no-one asks what career path or type of car you drive, its always topics like on sailnet - locations/ equipment and stuff.

[sailingdog]

I think you're following me around the internet... BTW, you should try Anything-sailing.com too... they're a good bunch of eggs over there, and many of them use both here and there...but the other site is a bit more open about complaints and problems with manufacturers, not having a commercial component to worry about.

[St Anna]

Thanks. will do.

[Stutts]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I'm sorry but I forgot to say where I am posting from.
I live near Lakes Entrance on the Gippsland Lakes in Sth. Eastern Victoria, Australia. A great place for sailing.

As far as boat length goes, reasonable comfort is an issue and sea kindliness starts to quickly disappear in most boats of less than 36 ft. That might be OK with younger sailors but I'm in my 50's now. I've heard of a saying that says allow one foot of length for each year of age! I'ts beyond my price range to do that now though.

I might have no trouble getting to know this sort of boat as there is a lot of very experienced sailors around here to get me on track. Still, I'm not sure that maybe a smaller lake boat might be the best way to go initially.

If I buy a decent seaworthy boat first off, boat Over 12mths. I'd have time to sort out any problems [I'd set aside say, $20k for that] and really get to know my boat. Initial sea trips would have an experienced deep water sailer on board. I don't believe in just jumping into the deep end.

[Stutts]

Something like this as a min. size [Kool Sid] looks OK for both lake and coastal sailing [?].
Boats, Yachts, Cruisers and more at Dockside Boat Sales at Paynesville on The Victorian Lakes

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Stutts

As far as boat length goes, reasonable comfort is an issue and sea kindliness starts to quickly disappear in most boats of less than 36 ft. That might be OK with younger sailors but I'm in my 50's now. I've heard of a saying that says allow one foot of length for each year of age! I'ts beyond my price range to do that now though.

Hmmm.. .you might want to tell Larry and Lin Pardey that... since none of their boats are over 30' LOA, and Larry is 70 this year, and Lin is 65. BTW, yes, I know that Thelma, the most recent boat they acquired is 37' LOA, but she isn't really theirs if you know what's going on. I'm talking about Serrafyn and Taliesin. A lot of other, older sailors, have chosen boats that are under 30' LOA.

I might have no trouble getting to know this sort of boat as there is a lot of very experienced sailors around here to get me on track. Still, I'm not sure that maybe a smaller lake boat might be the best way to go initially.

If I buy a decent seaworthy boat first off, boat Over 12mths. I'd have time to sort out any problems [I'd set aside say, $20k for that] and really get to know my boat. Initial sea trips would have an experienced deep water sailer on board. I don't believe in just jumping into the deep end.

Probably a good idea to have that budget, since most boats will require some re-fitting, repairing or upgrading.

[St Anna]

Stuuts,
great to see another ozzie. Have a look at a clansman. 30' LOA, 21' LWL; simple low aspect and would go around the world, solo. Long keel and would be faster than most other 30' boats. We did a few miles in ours.
SD's on caffeine again I presume??