Hello everyone, looking to buy my first sailboat

[thomasward00]

I'm down here in the New Orleans area and am in the market for my first boat, I will mainly be sailing Lake Pontchartrain.

I'm looking for either an O'Day or Catalina 22ft. I received some advice from a co worker who has been sailing for years to purchase a good 2K to 3K 22ft boat and get out on the water.

I'll be taking some lessons soon.

[DRFerron]

Originally Posted by thomasward00

I'm looking for either an O'Day or Catalina 22ft. I received some advice from a co worker who has been sailing for years to purchase a good 2K to 3K 22ft boat and get out on the water.

I'll be taking some lessons soon.

Welcome to sailing and to SailNet.

Both are good boats to learn on. I don't have first hand experience with O'Day, but from what I read the two are fairly comparable.

Lessons are a good investment, especially before you buy a boat so that you're certain you even like sailing.

May I suggest that you set aside a couple hours or a rainy afternoon and dive into the forum? Just about any question you have has been answered numerous times but if not, ask away and I guarantee that there will be enough opinions for you to chew on.

[thomasward00]

Originally Posted by DRFerron

Welcome to sailing and to SailNet.

Both are good boats to learn on. I don't have first hand experience with O'Day, but from what I read the two are fairly comparable.

Lessons are a good investment, especially before you buy a boat so that you're certain you even like sailing.

May I suggest that you set aside a couple hours or a rainy afternoon and dive into the forum? Just about any question you have has been answered numerous times but if not, ask away and I guarantee that there will be enough opinions for you to chew on.

Thank You for the warm welcome,

Within the next month I will be taking local lessons by an ASA Certified instructor on his 23ft boat on Lake Pontchartrain, which is where I will eventually sail myself.

Once I purchase my boat this fall, I will pay for private lessons on my boat.

[DonScribner]

Tom,

Just get out there. Take the lessons and don't look back. The first time I ever sailed was the first time I hanked on my own jib, 1/2 mile off the jetty in Northern New England. We've sailed around 1000 miles since, learning new stuff all the time. So, get the basics, then get out there. If you have a head on your shoulders, you'll do great, make some really stupid mistakes, and get on with it. That's what it's all about. Respect the water but don't fear it.

Fair Winds,

Don
Biddeford, ME

[Cal28]

Originally Posted by thomasward00

I'm down here in the New Orleans area and am in the market for my first boat, I will mainly be sailing Lake Pontchartrain.

I'm looking for either an O'Day or Catalina 22ft. I received some advice from a co worker who has been sailing for years to purchase a good 2K to 3K 22ft boat and get out on the water.

I'll be taking some lessons soon.

Thomas ...

I saw you left a question in chat regarding cost of a bottom paint job on a 22/23 footer ...

First ... if you want a good answer ... may I suggest you start a post here in the forums ... it will reach a much larger audience and get noticed ...

Second ... as I assume you are not going to do it yourself ... it might be easier to contact a few yards in your area and simply as them for a quote ... most here in the Bay area have rather set standard pricing ... I don't know but image it is similar there ...

and good luck