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Hey Guys Total Newbies Here

831 views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  chuck5499 
#1 ·
Hi guys

We are Joe and Myra from New York. We are in our early 50's and we are currently shopping for our first sailboat. So far we have seen an 1984 Tartan 33, a 1979 Cape Dory and 30 Hunter

We are going to tomorrow to see a 1989 B350 and a 2004 B331. We like the layout of both of those. We came close to buying the Tartan but were outbid only to have the other purchaser bow out. It was a blessing in disguise since it made us search past the few listings that were very close to home.

We are are jazzed to start this new adventure. We had a powerboat many years ago but want to really learn all about sailing in order to live our dream of sailing in the Caribbean.

We started out looking for a 10k boat to get started but are now looking at sub 40k. We have someone helping us but it is still somewhat terrifying. (Worried that we started to late to learn this, there is a lot to know in order to do this)

Thanks:2 boat:
 
#2 ·
Welcome to SailNet Joe and Myra. Never too late to get into sailing! But, yes, there is a ton to learn in order to enjoy sailing safely. Just keep asking questions. Small suggestion; for a specific topic google with 'site:sailnet' in the search. That will return all the available info on SailNet regarding that topic before asking a question.
 
#3 ·
My suggestion...look at lots of boats, After seeing a number of brands/styles, you will start to get a feeling for the size/type/brand of boat that feels right. Now you can narrow it down.
When we were looking for our first sailboat, we were looking in the 26-28' range and looked at lots. After a while, it was apparent that a Catalina 27 would be a good fit for our family and started looking at just C-27's. Then one day after looking at another just so-so C-27, the broker happened to mention he had a Catalina 30 we might want to look at. Didn't even know they made a 30 (we were real sailboat newbies). The minute we stepped inside the salon, my wife and I knew it was the boat for us. It was more than the budget we had decided on but we bought it the next day.
Had it for 4 years and served our family well. Then went power for 10 years and now back to sail with a Catalina 34. Great boat. Strongly encourage you to look at both the C34 and C36.
 
#5 ·
Welcome! to both sailing and sailnet.

Have you learned to sail at this point? I highly recommend a weeklong liveaboard sail/cruising course (preferably in the Caribbean, if that's where the dream lies). Then get out on your new-to-you boat and sail her bottom off. You'll catch up in no time.
 
#7 ·
Totally agree with this. Sailing is different and not for everyone so why buy a boat before knowing you may like it or not.

then as of age - we were never on a sailboat until age 55 - no powerboat no nothing - we took some ASA courses and then charted a couple of times before buying our first and only boat - a brand new Jeanneau DS40 - yea a 40' boat.

Lastly what do you want to do with the boat. Sit at the dock and drink with an occasional day sail with possible overnight - east coast of usa to Bahamas and back each year - Caribbean - or circum nav - it all depends on what you want to do with the boat as to the boat you buy
 
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