New sailor wantabe... :cool:

Ramin · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2011

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and just as new to sailing. I have owned and sailed a few beach cats (Nacra, Prindles) and I have been a boater(Stingray runabout) for years. My plans are to get a coastal cruiser Hunter 31 or so ft boat to learn the ins and outs and the workings of sailboats and what to do...and not, when sailing. I have already spent some time reading old posts and new alike and already want to tell you how much I appreciate the knowledge you have all imparted. When the day comes my wife and I want to move up to a large Catamaran and do some serious cruising.

Thanks in advance and have a happy new year!

Ramin
Kemah TX

smackdaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2011

Hey ram, welcome to SN dude. You'll love the place.

There's tons of info on here - as well as many, many salts that will talk you through just about anything.

You should start poking around in this thread: The Salt's Corner Table

It's a thread with some of the best info to some of the most asked questions around here. And you can see who some of the go-to guys are.

Enjoy.

DonScribner · #3 (**permalink**) 01-12-2011

Ramin,

How about a Catalina? My dream boat, don't laugh, is a Catalina 27 (or 30) in the 1985-87 range. You can "pick them up" for $10k-15k in good shape. Presently I won a Lancer 25. We sail the Maine coast and have had a lot of fun with her. She sleeps 5, has as shoal keel and is trailerable. That part keeps the cost down. Well, good luck with your dream!

Fair Winds!

Don

Ramin · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonScribner

Ramin,

How about a Catalina? My dream boat, don't laugh, is a Catalina 27 (or 30) in the 1985-87 range. You can "pick them up" for $10k-15k in good shape. Presently I won a Lancer 25. We sail the Maine coast and have had a lot of fun with her. She sleeps 5, has as shoal keel and is trailerable. That part keeps the cost down. Well, good luck with your dream!

Fair Winds!

Don

Thanks Don,

I actually have started looking at the Catalinas. The Hunter I was looking at had severe blisters. I found out that the 87 Hunters had issues with the laminate allowing water in. This cause blisters every few years that required sanding and repainting to the tune of $3000 every two or three years. You can pay about $300 to $500 a foot and have it hauled out and sanded down to the laminate and then it has to be out and dry for 12 to 18 months and then I "think" they re apply the resin and then repaint. I think too much trouble for me at the moment. Its too bad too because I really liked the boat over all. But I also found a 1989 Benatau 32s...for $14,900. Needs some work on the hull and rub rail and some interior fixes. But it still looked pretty good. Saw it on craigs list.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

DonScribner · #5 (**permalink**) 01-16-2011

Ramin,

There is a really sweet looking 2003 Hunter 26 on Ebay right now. She's trailerable and water ballasted. They want about $25,000 for her. WAY too much for my pocket book but if I could afford another car payment, I'd pick her up this weekend! I don't recall if I extolled the virtues of trailering yet, but just the slip charges you'd save! Add in hauling and storage . . . .

Good luck!

Don