Short chop hull form

[tpm1950]

On Lake Erie, are there more light air days than better sailing winds?
It's seems risky to buy a boat without sailing a water first. But I'm 61 and not thinking of buying a dingy before I get a boat. I'd like to learn safe family cruising. I like winches and traveller at helm. Sail 4 and sleep two is enough.

Deeper Ved hulls for stability vs flatter hulls for speed; I don't know which to go after. Are there more heavier air days for those who like to sail reefed, or more light air days to consider?
Thanks,
Tim

[puddinlegs]

Your post covers a very broad stroke that many books have been written about. One book that is really useful in explaining hull forms, foils, rigs, etc... is Bob Perry's 'Yacht Design According to Perry."

Amazon.com: Yacht Design According to Perry: My Boats and What Shaped Them (9780071465571): Robert Perry: Books

It's a great read and will give you a much better baseline understanding of the choices you're interested in making.

On the Great Lakes, yes, in general wind is relatively light, but it's very important to be able to reduce sail quickly, safely, and efficiently for squalls. But sail any body of water long enough, and you'll run into a full range of conditions. What kind of sailing are you going to do? Daysailing? Long distance cruising? How large a boat are you thinking about, and what kind of budget?

[tpm1950]

I like boats with the traveller back by the helm. Being 60 years old and just learning to sail, I'll be content with a boat better suited for cruising not racing. Sail 4 and sleep 2 is enough; no need for wide aft or aft cabins.

Budget is around 40,000 for a stiff boat under 31' for safe family sailing. Hull form for good stability in Lake Erie's chop, wind waves, and downdrafts. Sails well in light winds. Most often used for day sailing around Cleveland. Hopefully within a few years, sailing to islands around western end of lake, or 70 miles across the lake to Rhondea Bay Canada.

This is probably too much to ask of one boat, but maybe possible with some rebuilding. Sloop with rig design and deck layout to learn solo cruising, not racing. Not because I always want to sail alone, it's just that I have no family or friends that sail. Simple sail plan, end boom sheeting, uncluttered deck, all lines led aft. Main sheet and powerful self tailing winches within easy reach of helm. Well designed, easy to use, reefing system. Boom high enough for bimini. Self tacking or roller furling head sail. Good visibility to leeward under head sail, and all around visibility from the cockpit. High enough freeboard aft that it's not a wet sail to windward. Reliable easy to use autopilot, inboard diesel with enough power for emergencies. 6' headroom in cabin, nav table, good ventilation. Not much use of interior hull liners, good access to plumbing runs, electrical systems, and all areas of hull. Well built boat with backing plates instead of just washers on undersides of deck hardware, V ed midships to keep water down in bilge, and good lights for night sailing.