Another first boat advice request

[dmcMaine]

Hello all. I've been mostly lurking here for quite some time attempting to absorb as much as possible while dreaming of boat ownership. Now I find myself in the position to actually begin a real search. Which of course brings all of the usual questions, but specifically applied to coastal Maine.

Now I haven't sailed anything bigger than a sunfish, and that was 20 years ago in Diego Garcia's lagoon. Not exactly the same as coastal Maine!

Other background, I have a large family: 4 children. Although I don't expect to have the whole family aboard at once. I expect Mom will generally bow out, as well as a child or two. Which means I'll need to be able to handle the boat solo, or with teenage help.

Home is near Bath, Me. In the short term, I see us tooling up/down the coast on daysails. But longer term I'd love to attempt a longer sail either up to Canada or down to Cape Cod.

I want to be ready to go (meaning boat, repairs, outfitting) for under $20K. Although I'm fairly sure I'd talk myself up from there for the right match. Initial thoughts are 28-30ft?

My first step is all set. I plan on enrolling in a sailing class this spring with SailMaine in Portland. That appears to be my closest/only option.

Based on all of the above:

Are there any strong rule-these-out, or check-these-out boats? For instance Cape Dorys are in, Jboats are out? For pure appearance, I've always had a love affair with ketches...but not in my ballpark.

Does anyone have insight on how difficult finding a slip or mooring will be in the area? I'd hate to have nowhere to keep her when I get her! Based on where I live, it looks like Robinhood in Georgetown, and Great Island are the two closest major marinas. Any recommendatations, based on experience, from say Wiscasset to Yarmouth? What about waiting lists and such? I do know that my town does not have a mooring field. All moorings are private for waterfront land owners. (my property is not waterfront)

What about sailing clubs? I'm not having any luck locating any local clubs.

I'm peeking at craig's list, yachtworld, and sailboatlistings. There is also a northeast sailboat rescue that looks interesting. Other ideas? How far away would make sense considering my desired budget, and lack of skills?

I know there are some very experienced Maine sailors here. I've seen you post. Help a newbie out.

[NewportNewbie]

First. Find a place to put it. Decide on slip vs mooring. If mooring you need to add 1500 or so for a used dinghy with a motor. When you find a place then ask around for boats for sale. You may be surprised that the boat you want is right there. Out here alot of people are selling the slip with a boat. I think you want someone moving up to a bugger boat that took great care of his present boat. The good news is that the used boat market is a buyers paradise. Alot of great boats at good prices. Do the research on what they go for in good shape. Then find one either that needs work at a great price or that needs nothing. I am not a fan of the middle area because you usually have to put more into it than expected and so you pay too much. I like having work done to the boat as it makes you confident about its seaworthiness. Always have a survey done on a boat you are contemplating buying. Welcome and enjoy!!

[treilley]

I would look at a Pearson 30. There are a few available in Maine right now under $20k. Fast, can handle a lot. Easy to sail and will hold it's value if you maintain her.

I will not tell you what to avoid to keep from offending anyone here.

Robinhood and GI are both good places to moor a boat. I prefer GI as it has great protection. Call them first. I am sure they both have space available.

[night0wl]

$20k is a very small budget...and if you get a boat sized for your family for $20k, it'll be a wreck and need a lot of work. Even if you double-up all the kids, you're still likely looking at a boat with 3 cabins...and the smallest 3-cabin boats are ex-charter boats (tri-cabin arrangement, longitudinal galley) in the 34 foot range. Those are currently $65-$80k even in todays market, and they're very likely located in Tortola or some other far off Caribbean charter base. Not to mention the work that will need to be done to get an ex-charter boat ship shape (engine overhaul, new cushions, new sails soon, new mechanicals like heads, shower and freshwater pumps, etc)

Hate to say this, but my recommendation would be to charter or do other peoples boat (OPB) for a few years yet. At least until you get closer to being an empty nester where the kids are older and not interested in your hobby (teenagers rarely are). That way, you can save a bit more in that time and get a decent boat in the 30-34 ft. range when the kids are gone so you can single-hand.

[BubbleheadMd]

Originally Posted by night0wl

$20k is a very small budget...and if you get a boat sized for your family for $20k, it'll be a wreck and need a lot of work. Even if you double-up all the kids, you're still likely looking at a boat with 3 cabins...and the smallest 3-cabin boats are ex-charter boats (tri-cabin arrangement, longitudinal galley) in the 34 foot range. Those are currently $65-$80k even in todays market, and they're very likely located in Tortola or some other far off Caribbean charter base. Not to mention the work that will need to be done to get an ex-charter boat ship shape (engine overhaul, new cushions, new sails soon, new mechanicals like heads, shower and freshwater pumps, etc)

Hate to say this, but my recommendation would be to charter or do other peoples boat (OPB) for a few years yet. At least until you get closer to being an empty nester where the kids are older and not interested in your hobby (teenagers rarely are). That way, you can save a bit more in that time and get a decent boat in the 30-34 ft. range when the kids are gone so you can single-hand.

BUZZZZZ! Wrong, thanks for playing!

I'm not sure why you feel that all the kids need their own separate stateroom, but that's a little overkill from my viewpoint, plus the fact that the OP said that he rarely expects to take everyone out all at once.

I just purchased a Pearson 30 in excellent condition for $4,000 and it is most assuredly not a wreck. The deck is rock-solid, the rigging is sound, and the Atomic-4 starts at the push of the starter button. The boat came with a full set of useable sails, but I will disclose that the mainsail is worn out and due for replacement. I also replaced the engine raw water through hull and seacock. I bought the boat on the hard, with the launch fee pre-paid, so I took the opportunity to give it a fresh coat of AF paint.

The boat has an enclosed head with a sink, a galley, and sleeps 6, with the forepeak having the privacy of doors.

A Pearson 30, Tartan 30 or Catalina 30 can be had for very affordable prices, and in decent condition. These boats are tough, comfy, and sail well.

Might as well take advantage of the down economy.

[primerate84]

I agree with Bubblehead. A Catalina 30 would be a great fit and you could find a mid to late 80's version in really good condition for probably $24,000-$28,000. It would have plenty of room for your family and is relatively easy to sail. It also has a good owner's group and replacement parts are readily available online. Good luck with your search.

[ArcherBowman]

As a "first boat" I cannot recommend a West Wight Potter - 19 highly enough. Comfortable, stiff (doesn't heel easily), easy to sail and a dry ride, it's ideal for introducing a mate to sailing in reasonable comfort. I daysail with four adults comfortably, and have added a fifth on occasion. For more than two people, it's too small for camping, though. To house your entire brood for more than an afternoon, you'll need to look for something in the mid to high 20's.

[CalebD]

treilly is a local Mainer who knows your waters. GI is his suggestion. Now that we have your slip/mooring location worked out...

I'm also with BubbleheadMD. $20K is a decent budget for a used sailboat 27 - 30'.
One aspect of boat ownership not mentioned so far is the cost of ownership and boat length. The bigger the boat the more it costs to own. Winter storage prices are by the foot in most places (you do get winter in Maine, or so I've heard) and sometimes slip rates are based on the footage as well. The cost for everything on a 30' boat is more then for a 27' sailboat. You should look at the ongoing costs of owning the boat as well as the purchase price. I guess I'm suggesting you look at some 27 footers like the Tartan, Catalina, Pearson, O'Day, Cape Dory 27s etc.
One thing Maine has a reputation for is fog so having a working radar might be more of a necessity then other sailing areas.
Good luck.

[paulk]

Wind up there isn't always strong, so a boat that can perform reasonably well in light stuff, like a Pearson 30 (or a J/30, if you can find one in your budget) or one of the smaller, older (due to your budget) Tartans probably be a good bet. Sailing from Bath or Georgetown will involve a bit of traveling to get to open water, and the currents can be fierce, too, so look for a reliable engine as well. Radar may be nice, but it adds to the complexity of the electrics setup and cost. From what I hear, takes some time to learn how to read the screen and use it properly. We were up in Maine this past summer, and Radar might have made us feel more relaxed on some legs, but we also heard about how poorly the big wooden charter schooners show on radar screens. Just because you don't see something on the screen doesn't mean there's nothing there. You're likely going to be small enough to sail in where the big metal hulls that would show up on the screen don't want to go anyway. A cabin heater might be more useful than fancy electronics. Then you can stay in port and be comfortable when it's foggy, and not have to go anywhere.

[Bamazeb]

Sounds like Bubblehead beat everybody to the punch. 20k is more than enough. I would suggest starting with something smaller that can be sailed solo in the event that the crew jumps ship. When I was 14 the Old Man bought an O'Day 22. There was 6 of us in our family. We sailed EVERY weekend wind or not. Mom and my 3 siblings quickly tired of the boat. I enjoyed sailing with the old man. Later i was going out by myself no prob. I'd recommend a solid 22 to 25 footer until youre sure the family is on board. You can get a good boat for undrr 4k. I'd also recommend renting a slip and keeping it in the water. After trailering and stepping the mast before each sail you will make the excuse that is too much of a pain putting it in the water.