03-01-2011
|
 |
Catalina 25 Jockey
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DFW Metroplex
Posts: 340
Rep Power: 2
|
|
|
Greetings From Texas
Howdy.
I want to buy a sailboat. What's the biggest boat I should get to sail around the world?
Just kidding...I've been lurking for a bit, reading and researching many of the great topics on this board. Growing up in a powerboat family with lake houses, was always a skier...only went sailing once when I was nine. It was on a Hobie Cat and all I remember was it was fast, dad and the owner were hanging off the side, and I just held on for dear life...it was like sitting on my trampoline at a scary angle, hauling across the lake.
A month ago a friend took me sailing on his beautiful Catalina 36, pretty new one I think. After a few hours of "lessons" and pulling sheets, I finally got to take the helm.
Everything changed.
As I was steering that magnificent vessel, looking ahead to the wind patterns on the lake, anticipating gusts, being at one with the wind, lake, boat.....the soft sound of clanking, flapping, water lapping....I suddenly realized what I've been missing in my 45 years. I could do that forever.
Now I'm shopping for my first boat. I've gone back and forth with myself over a trailer sailor, day sailor, or a small weekend cruiser. I want something small to learn in, but it also must have a galley, head, and enough cabin for a weekend aboard. I've priced marina's around (have quite a long list if anyone is interested) and insurance, all within budget. I don't want to spend alot of cash on my first boat. If I keep at it, then maybe 3 years down the line I'll drop some serious bux on a boat.
I'm looking for a Catalina 25 or 27....as an example...I've looked at Pearson, Oday, Hunter, Kirby, Tartan, Chrysler, Cal, and many others....I like the layout of the Cat's the best...well, actually the Islanders seem to have the most beautiful interiors but they're out of my price range. ($4500)
I bought Bob Bond's Handbook of Sailing, and that gave me a good base. I'm digging deeper by studying the Annapolis Book....and for fun reading the Joshua Slocum story (can't put that one down). I'm very fortunate in that one of my best friends races J boats, and has for years. He recently sold his J109 due to divorce, and he's helping me with advice and will teach me to sail. He will also look over any boat I intend to buy and advise if I should go ahead with a survey or not.
Hopefully I'll find something soon. I'm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, so my lakes are: Grapevine, Eagle Mountain, Texoma. There are many others, I know, but these come as the most highly recommended for sailing, and my location in NE Fort Worth.
Scott
(AKA Joe Diver - Scuba Instructor for fun)
|
Connect with Facebook
