New owner of a Gloucester Buccaneer.. Newbie sailor..

[ScaryLaundryMonster]

Hey guys-

My uncle passed away back in 2001 and has had this sailboat just sitting.. It's been sitting in my pops backyard for the last 8 years.. No one in the family has claimed it, so I did..

I remember going out with him and my father in it and enjoyed it..

However, I am about as green a sailor as they come.. I have been on boats - ski and fishing - all my life, but have no sailing experience..

Can I learn to sail in this boat? I am going to have to spend some serious time cleaning it up, getting it back going.. I'm sure it might need new sails, etc.. Haven't even begun to look at it yet.. Just decided "I'll take it.."

Any advice on this boat?


Thanks


Jeff

[nolatom]

It's a really good little boat, good performer that sails fast. Being a fast centerboarder, and being 18 feet long, you'll want to bring along a crew (preferably one who knows sailing and can teach you) both for sailhandling (two good-sized sails) and also as extra moveable ballast.

No reason in the world you couldn't learn on a nice little boat like this. Also no reason not to take a couple of lessons just so you'll learn the good habits and not the bad ones, initially.

This boat will plane, it's a fairly large sail area for her weight, so be careful jibing in a breeze. And don't write the sails off, dacron lasts a long time if not overused nor overexposed to sunlight, so they may still work.

Good luck!