Thinking about getting into sailing - a few questions...?

[aimcat]

Hi guys! Well I am new here. I have been seriously thinking of looking for a used sailboat - would love one with a cabin for nights out on the lake. I do best "teaching myself" to do things, so I would really like to teach myself to sail. I have many years of boating experience - but power boats and jet skis only. Never tried my hand at sailing and would love to and maybe get the hubby into it also! Therefore -

1. What type, size, etc of sail boat should I look for that would be beginner friendly?

2. Is there any "stay away from that boat" that I should look for?

3. Is it possible to teach yourself?

[Faster]

Welcome to Sailnet!

There are quite a few 'answers' to your questions, to be preceded by more questions, I'm afraid....

- What's your intended budget? While it's possible to get into this for as little as a couple of Gs, by the same token you could easily spend more than 10 or even 100 times that if you choose.

-Which lake? Is there going to be a depth limitation?

- Will you be able to get moorage or will this be a trailerable situation?

- How many will need to "overnight"?

and so on.....

As to 'boats to avoid'; you'll get as many opinions as those responding, I think though that there will be a pretty unanimous outcry against the Buccanneer line (attractively priced, roomy, shoal draft but appalling boats)
Power boats and jetskis do go to the top of the list!

Yes, you can teach yourselves, but things go a bit better if you can at least find someone with experience to set you on your way (and that includes choosing a suitable boat in the first place.)

Good Luck!

[aimcat]

Somehow I knew I was missing more details!

Well I will be docking the boat along side our houseboat - because it is free for me to do this versus trailering all the time which can be a hassle. BUT I would love a trailer so I could go to other lakes. We are surrounded by several where I am along with about 15 others within 2-3 hours! Also wouldnt mind taking to my parents beach house a time or two - but let me master the lake first!

Dont laugh but honestly for my first boat Id like something as big as possible, easy to sail as possible but really hoping for 2500 or less in good shape with mininmal to no repairs. Im asking a lot probably!

Depth shouldnt be an issue but dont think I want a fixed keel.

I have a lot of friends that would love to tag along at the lake so I mean sleeping as many as possible would be great but realistically in my range im sure I can only see 2-maybe 6?

[Faster]

OK - tall order....

Here's a Yachtworld.com search for a used sailboat, 20-25 feet, max price $3000 USD...

(Sail) Boats For Sale

This will give you an idea - you'll find most of these to be well over 25 years used - not necessarily bad but at that price range it's going to be old and small and likely have some issues that will cost more yet. Most of these will likely only sleep up to 4 with any modicum of comfort - and it will be essentially 'camper cruising'.

Enjoy!

[aimcat]

Ok thanks! going to look through those now! I feel like I have already scoured craigslist. What do you mean by camper cruising?

[Faster]

Camper cruising usually infers cooking in the cockpit, needing a boom tent in wet weather, and generally having a level of comfort and accomodation below not much better (and perhaps worse - esp in the headroom dept) than a good tent.

[aimcat]

OK! I see...hmmm, well on the main lake it will be used on we have a lake house which in that case will always go back there and spend the night.

[FSMike]

aimcat -
Do some research on Catalina 22 footers - might be what you want.

[aimcat]

Ok good deal! Is there anywhere other good places to search for sale boats besides boattrader, iboats, craigslist, the one he listed above, etc?

[FSMike]

Ebay, sailtexas.com