Hindsight is 20/20... Would you do it again?

[DrB]

I really admire folks that aren't afraid to say, hey I spent a ton of money, got into it an realized the ITEM/EXPERIENCE wasn't what I hoped, expected or thought it was and wouldn't do it again.

I use to race bikes (human powered) and guys (and gals) would spend oddles of dough on a high-zoot frame, get it custom-made, fitted, and such, and then always say it was well worth the money, best bike they had ever owned, when most of them could have probably bought a stock frame and just got it fitted correctly and had the same experience for the type of recreational riding/racing they did. They were embarrassed to say, it wasn't worth the money. Not so for me.

I raced an older, heavier steel lugged frame that was made by a reptuable dealer after graduating from Grad School. As I got better, and the technology in frame building advanced, I convinced myself I would do better if I had a lighter, more responsive frame. I did need one that was custom made because of my large size. I went with this high-zoot Titanium frame, filled out my personal questionnaire, got measured, plunked down my $2700 and the frame arrived another 4 weeks later. Another $1800 in parts, and the new stead was ready. It was a mistake looking back. I told the frame company I wanted a stiff drivetrain, and they overbuilt it to a point of being uncomfortable in long rides. It tracked well, but at the end of the day, I went back to my "cheap" bike and only used the other bike when racing. When folks asked me about my "race" bike and would I do it again, I tell them for some folks it's worth it, for me it wasn't.

I bought a Japanese Pick-Up truck 7 years ago because I wanted a pick up and it was rated high by CR and Motor Trend, etc. It turned out to be a bad decision. The car has had problems and two weeks after I bought it, my wife tells me she doesn't like driving it because it's too big. I asked why she didn't say something during the test drive,. She replied that she thought I had my heart set on it and didn't want to spopil my excitement. Had she said something, I probably would not have bought it.

However, for my Pearson 10M, the more I sail on other's boats, the more I like ours.

DrB

[JiffyLube]

I pretty much like the boat we have for what we do, but if I had it to do over again I would have gotten a different partner.

[cesarid]

We love our Hunter 30T and are on it almost every weekend here in Missouri. We recently purchased a Hunter 410 for when we retire (in 2-3 years) and have it in the canal behind our retirement house (currently rented) in Florida. We only purchased this boat now becasuse it was a great buy but I am still wondering why I have a 41' sailboat in Florida when I can't use it for another 2-3 years.

[saildork]

Originally Posted by DrB

I think that Catalina 22 is a great boat. I liked sailing on my dad's. It's a cozy weekend boat that you can do an overnight in it, just bring a porta-pot, or have marina facilities, and a camp stove. Easy to set-up, easy to learn on, decent sailing performance, a small cabin, trailerable, good sized cockpit for day sailing with friends, and inexpensive.

There is a reason that the Cat 22 is if not the, one of the most sold boats ever made. It appeals to a wide variety of sailors. Catalina has sold more 22's than some other boat manufacturers have sold for their entire boat line.

DrB

Couldn't have said it better myself, DrB. When my kids were still at home, I would go out for several days with one of them at a time for a special sailing holiday with Dad. I don't know if they enjoyed it, but I loved it. My youngest daughter and I went out one time when she was 8, and the motor died shortly after we left the slip. Turned out great as it was the first time I had to rely on the sails alone to anchor, weigh anchor and return to the slip. It was a memorable time for me and for her.

[mccary]

I have been sailing for the last 35 years. I have owned a 14', a 21', a 22' and now (a few years ago) settled on a 27' Catalina. I mostly daysail and do an occasional weekend. Mostly with my wife and occasionally with friends. I think I have the perfect boat for me at this time.

[Mipcar]

I've owned my boat 3 yrs now. It's the first boat I've owned but I sailed quite often with mates on a few other boats of around the same size (26-30 ft).
Comparing to how the other boats sailed balanced with their other features (or lack thereof) I am still glad I have the boat I've got (Cole 26).
The more I keep researching the design and the designer the more I keep hearing the comment that they are good boats and a good design.
It's 26ft works well in the size of the bay I sail, it can comfortably accommodate 3 for overnighting or 4-5 for day trips.. Easily handled by a crew of two and with a little more tweaking single handed.
If I were to upgrade for the reason of size I would look very hard at other boats from the same designers board.

Mychael

[bloodhunter]

My boat is a semi-custom. The hull is one of 12 designed by Charlie Morgan and laid up between 1976 and 1979. The boats were finished at the Starrett & Jenks yard in Florida.
The hull is a throwback to the 40's or 50's -- long overhangs, a tapered bow and stern and narrow beam -- if you like that look ( and I do) it's a thing of beauty. She's 45 ft 10 inches on deck, 11 ft beam and 6ft 1 inch draft, dispalces 25000 lbs. As was pointed out in a comment about these boats, their finish depends very much on what then original owners wanted and were willing to spend. Enchantress' original owner and a subsequent owner made here a real class act. Real wood below, brass fittings ( a distinct mixed blessing) custom mattresses -- not cushions. The best insulated refrigerator I've ever seen on a boat, a very quiet Volvo turbo diesel. She's very comoftable below, has a huge cockpit and sails like magic.
Improvements by me, a Vacuflush head (this was a must do for my wife) new sink. rewired to code. New running rigging. Replaces the plumbing and sinks.
Drawbacks, well a 6-foot draft is not ideal for the Chesapeake. The sails are in reasonable shape but not great and I'd love a fully-battened main. Better rollerfurler and the primaries should be 2 sizes bigger to handle the #1 genoa (135%).
Enchantress is the 4th boat I've owned on the bay.
Previous boats were Fancy Free, a hard-chined Dickerson 32 -- 8 tons of mahogany and oak without a mean fastening in her entire hull. I named her first dinghy Footloose bad choice, very bad choice.
Second boat was Satisfaction, a C&C 40 fitted out for racing. Did the Annapolis Wednesday series for 18 years.
Third boat was New Day, a Tartan 37 keel-centerboard version. She was a really good boat but my wife was never comfortable on her.
Finally Enchantress.
Yeah, I'd do it all over again.