First sailboat purchase

[Wanderin1]

I am close to buying my first boat. Have done lots of research but I am unsure about one thing - How big a boat is too long even for a dedicated beginner who will have a lot of time for practice and learning? 30', 32'?? I would like to avoid looking for a larger, nicer boat in just year or 2. Thanks for any advice.

[Lake Superior Sailor]

Boat length has more to do with cost, than handling the boat!..Dale

[bljones]

Remember when you first learned how to drive?
Now, make your car twice as long.
Quadruple the weight.
Install bald tires.
Disconnect the brakes.
Lay a sheet of ice on the street.
Okay, now, park it in a space two feet wider and three feet shorter than the car with a wall at the front end.


THAT is the hardest part of sailing, and the part where boat size really has the biggest effect- docking. If you plan to be sailing solo much of the time, I wouldn't look for a boat longer than 26' as your first boat, properly equipped for single handing. If you and your crew will be learning to sail together, I'd offer that 30-32' feet is maximum length.


No matter how big your boat is, you will ALWAYS be looking for a bigger boat in a year or two. Rather than worrying about length, worry about equipment and/or accomodations.

My wife and I and our 2 dogs summer aboard a 23 foot boat. Comfortably.

[Wanderin1]

I will be sailing solo often and almost entirely for a few months every year. So in the right 27' one person could be comfortable for extended time?

[Lake Superior Sailor]

I single my 28 Cal all the time it doen't start getting uncomfortable till you add to many people!...Dale

[benjmin]

As a noob that just purchased my first sailboat I can tell you the answer.

- Visit all the boats you are interested in from 30' - 40'....
- get on them walk on them spend 15 minutes messing around inside the cabin.
- Take your own pictures of the things about the boat you like.
- ask the broker or owner to leave you alone. (they should understand)

After you have seen all the boats that interested you the one that was ment for you will stand out in your mind. You will not be able to stop thinking about that one boat. When that happens that sir is the boat you are suppose to have. Do not settle for anything else.

[Wanderin1]

Thanks. That advice rings awfully true. I was very close to buying an Oday 28. For some reason I just didnt "love" the boat though. Mabe because it was in ok shape but had not really been cared for well. Really, thanks. I am very much looking forward to knowing I am sitting in THE boat I have been looking for. Hopefully the ownner/brIoker won't notice a I can get a good price too.

[bljones]

3 minutes into that routine I'd throw your ass off my boat.
I don't need to sell my boat, and if I did need to sell my boat, that doesn't mean I need to sell it to you.

There are better ways to negotiate than acting like an as shole.

[Wanderin1]

More good advice, thanks. I am 55, just retired even tho I can't afford to, livin in Boston but just spent almost A month in FL boat shopping and taking le and spendssons. Expected to buy one in FL and spend the winter there. Didnt find The boat

[Wanderin1]

That was a month of boat shopping and some sailing lessons