hello

[NSGhostrider]

hello everyone,

found this forum by chance while looking for reviews on a Mirage 24 sailboat. So I figured I'd post a Hi, and ask for some advice.

I'm from Nova Scotia canada and I used to sail snipes, lasers, and 420s when I was a kid havent been sailing in 25 years and have always wanted a sailboat. well I'm finally getting ready to buy a boat next year and started to look at some that were for sale this year to get an idea of what I want and can afford. I was expecting to spend between 8-11,000 next year but I've found some really good deals this year and now I'm considering jumping the gun by buying a year early. problem is my budget this year doesnt fit my plans. I've been looking at some O'days 22 ft and Tanzers 22 ft for around 3-4,000 but recently I found a 1971 mirage 24 in really good shape with profuler, newer 9.9 outboard, GPS plotter, 9 year old sails, new head, and spinnaker. the owners are selling due to health concerns and had it listed for 8,000 in Jan and now are asking 5,000.

my biggest concern is its been so long since I sailed, and the mirage is a huge jump from a 14 ft laser, how hard would it be to relearn to sail a 24 footer? would a 24 footer be too large to restart? or would I be better off buying a 20-22 foot and relearning to sail then sell and upgrade in a couple years. my wife wants me to buy a 22 ft paceship daysailer, but... I'm concerned a daysailer would become too small to fast



any suggestions??

[smackdaddy]

Hey ghost - welcome to SN dude.

I learned on a 30 footer...have a C27...and have sailed several other boats between 25 and 30 feet in that 2 years. I've also crewed on a Melges 24.

I personally like the bigger boats for cruising around which is 95% what I do. I definitely wouldn't go smaller than 25. And they're really not hard to deal with by any means unless things get nasty.

The Melges was a definite handful in 25 knots with a spin up. So maybe it's more the type and design of the boat than it is the length.

If I can handle a 27' in fairly big winds - trust me, you can. Bigger is better in my opinion.

[Stillraining]

Welcome Aboard....

I took a 25 year hiatus from sailing as well and when I came back it was from a 24 footer to a 41 footer...took it out the first day with, never on a blow boat before crew, so IMHO the answer to your question in that regard is no.

Your the only one to know your finances...All I can say is I don't see boat prices recovering in the next year so I would not make the move just because you found one good deal if your not ready...There will be an equal or better one come your way again.