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Snipe or Coronado 15 for first boat?

27K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  handsomebob 
#1 ·
I am a novice and currently crewing at my Club on an inland lake. I am looking to get my first boat to learn on and eventually race. My club has a Snipe fleet and I am looking at both the Snipe and a Coronado 15. I am leaning to the Coronado 15 because it looks easier to single hand, right after capsize, better in self bailing and has more flotation than the Snipe. I have a 10 year old son who will be learning with me and thinks the trapeze on the Coronado looks like fun. It may be better for me to go with the Snipe for support of the few in the fleet but I really like what I see in the Coronado 15. I would be able to race the Coronado at my club because it is one design and has a portsmouth rating. I understand that both boats are racers and not designed for comfort but the Coronado looks a little more knee friendly and both have a high boom. One good thing about both is that they are still being made and support and parts are available. I did see where the Coronado 15 had a design change in the 90's changing the deck making it less round. It is noted that some believe the older style deck is more comfortable. The one I am looking at was built in 1976 and it is about half the price of the Snipe I am looking at.

One more note is that when I grow up I will probably get a Flying Scot which is also a fleet boat my club. I hope to take my wife and daughter sailing once I get proficient and think the Scot is the best of both cruising and racing. Please let me also know if I should skip the Snipe and Coronado and go straight for the Scot. I am thinking the smaller boat will be better for a couple of years to learn on and single hand. During that time I could save up and get a really nice Flying Scot. At this point I only have around $1500 to spend. Thanks in advance for all opinions and advice.
 
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#2 ·
Gee. I'm sorry no one replied to your posts.

If you chose the Coronado 15 then I'm sure you will enjoy it. Both the Snipe and the C15 would be good choices for a learning platform.
I think it is a good plan to learn a bit before jumping on a Flying Scot but you should enjoy the FS as well once you get there.
 
#3 ·
thanks for the reply, I agree.

I crewed on a Flying Scot today for some races inland and got some tiller time. Put all that reading to use and did pretty good up and down. Winds 5 - 10 mph with a few gusts closer to 15 mph. It felt like more holding the helm. The Scot is a sweet ride. Good day for getting some experience.
 
#4 ·
I had a 19' Lightning for a couple of years which is a bit similar to the Flying Scot. What a racehorse! When you get that boat (or the FS) up on a plane excitement is what happens. Of course you'll need winds more like 15 - 20 for that to happen.
I'm pretty sure you can get either the Snipe or the C15 to plane in the right winds as well.
The nice thing about a small dinghy sailor like a Lightning, Flying Scot, Snipe or Coronado 15' is that there is not a whole lot of maintenance to do - unless something breaks.
You did end up buying the Coronado 15', no?
CORONADO 15 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com
They were made by Catalina which is still in business. Not sure if you can still get parts from them for this boat though.
I suspect you will enjoy the C15 but I am sure you will really like the FS once you pull the trigger on that.
Some folks start out learning sailing on 30' + keel boats and seem to do fine. My opinion is that it is good to start out learning on smaller sailboats like the ones you are considering. The FS would also be a good 'starter' boat - it is really your call.
I worked my way up from a Sunfish through Snipe, Lightning and now Tartan 27'.
 
#5 ·
I did not get the C15 yet. I wish there was someone out there that could sell me on it. With some more thought I decided that if I get one of the two 15' dinghies before the Flying Scot, it should be the Snipe. Mainly to add to the fleet at my club. In this case it would be keeping it in the fleet because it is already there and I know the seller. It is also 9 years newer than the C15 and would be around $600 more at $1500. I know the sails for the Snipe are in good condition but have not seen the C15s. The trailer for the Snipe is practically brand new. Any opinions on the ease level of the daggerboard on the Snipe vs. centerboard on the C15 with single handing?


Both boats are still being made. The Snipe has been around since 1931 and 30,000 have been produced while the C15 has had 3800 built starting in 1969. That seems to be a good selling point for the Snipe. I will update when I finally decide.
 
#6 ·
C15 is out. The one I was looking at sold and I was leaning away from it anyway. Now it is between the Snipe and Flying Scot. For now I am going to crew on both for a few months. Flying Scot would be better for the family as a whole and will fit all four of us comfortably when just out for a cruise.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Hi, I am in Huntsville Al pretty close to you . I have a C15 and think it is great. I re-learned how to sail on it after some 30 years. There is a great Yahoo group that has tons of information and leads, and is enthusiastic regarding the boat at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sailC15/. You can sign up for free.

If you are still looking, I noticed one here: 15' Catalina Coronada 1988 1000.00 OBO. Don't know anything about it, other than they spelled it wrong!
Good Luck
 
#10 ·
I owned and raced a Snipe for awhile. Not familiar with a C15. I will say the snipe is the most tactical dinghy out there. It has more sail controls than anything I've ever been on, it is a busy boat to sail. I'd go for the Flying Scott if you have a family and want to cruise a little with them. The Snipe is a fun boat and you will learn a lot on it but it is work. That's one reason I sold mine. I went to something simpler and raced PHRF. It's not as much fun as one design but the boat works better for the family.
 
#11 ·
thanks for the feedback snider and eyeshot. I agree the Snipe will be a lot of work. One thing going for me is that I have a Snipe mentor willing to take me under his wing. I still am keeping the C15 and Mutt options open. The Scot is still #1 and I have access to borrow one as well as a Snipe at my club. For now I think I am going to focus on those two for the summer and see how it goes. Who knows maybe I will get both.
 
#12 ·
okay, 7 months later I finally purchased the Snipe. I figured is best to go with what is being raced at my club. My objective is to learn to sail well and I think the Snipe will be better for me than the Scot for now. I plan to single hand some and that was also a factor. Once I can sail safe I will feel more comfortable taking my wife and kids out. Then maybe a Scot.

I might launch her this weekend if the winds are calm. I know you all are glad to see a newbie actually pull the trigger. All my dreaming can stop now and it's time to get to learning and work towards joining the races. :D
 
#13 ·
single handed my Snipe yesterday in light winds @ 5 mph. First time out alone so I used the main only. no problem tacking. I will use the jib next time if winds are again light. It was a little tippy but I will get used to that. Very easy to launch and recover back on trailer alone. The FS seems so large in that respect. I think I made a good choice. It will be perfect to learn on and hone my skills to start to race. The sails are shot but okay for day sailing.
 
#14 ·
Good for you HandsomeBob.
What year is your Snipe from? I sailed on a wooden Snipe at a camp in the Adirondack Mtns. as a teenager. It was a fun boat to sail but was not rigged as neatly as today's racing Snipes that have every sail shape control known to mankind rigged.
SNIPE sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com
It is good to be able to sail with just the main sail and with both the main and jib. It is a little more work for one person to handle both sails but should be easier in light winds.

I heard a one design racer at my club make a comment about the FS. The comment was critical of how narrow the gunnels of the boat are so narrow and therefore pretty uncomfortable when you have to hike out. The Lightning has gunnels that are nearly 1' wide making hiking out fairly comfortable.

Good for you for moving ahead!
 
#16 ·
It is an 88 McLaughlin. The controls will become familiar with time. I most likely won't use them all for a while but will need to know where they are and their purpose. I noticed most of the sail manufacturers have free tuning guides specific to the boat that look very helpful.
 
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