Reccomendation for Novice

[hwclark]

11/7/10

I (age 62 and in good health) want to purchase a boat that I can use with my wife (age 61 in good health) and another couple or my two grand kids ages 4 and 6. I have no experience at sailing (currently reading "Sailing for Dummies") and want to learn so as to share the experierce with my grand children. I am an Avid Power Boat Person (up to 24' outboard). I plan to use the boat on the back side of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina where we reside. Use would be in a salt water environment in "shoaly water", say 1' to 20' (channels and shoaly water). The boat would be moored in Silver Lake Harbor (on the shore) or the back side of our Island (on the shore of the Pamlico Sound)?

Reccomendations are appreciated as well as "a source for the purchase of a used boat"?

[jackdale]

Try Yachtworld.com for boats.

I might suggest a boat with a lifting keel and easily trailerable. Something like a Catalina 22 might be worthwhile to look at.

[CalebD]

Sailingtexas.com has examples of many types of sailboats for sale by owner in a variety of locations.
I'm with jackdale on getting a lifting keel or center board boat that is trailer-able. The Catalina 22 is made in a center board version as is (I believe) the Catalina 25. The MacGregor 26 is also trailer-able but is not as heavily built as many other boats. My Tartan 27' has a center board allowing a 3'6" draft but is pretty heavy for trailering (7200#s).
Have fun narrowing down your choices.
There are lots of boats available up on the Chesapeake if you can't find on more locally.