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need boat advice...new to sailing!

5K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  mikehoyt 
#1 ·
Hi all, I''d appreciate any and all advice!...My wife and I ( and our two girls 4 and 7), moved to the East Coast of Canada about 4 years ago, and have always talked about buying a small sailboat ( how can we live on the ocean and not do this, we always said!)...Recently we came into a little money ( $5,000 U.S) and before we wittle it away on food and clothing, we thought we''d have a look for a boat....Of course this isn''t exactly the best time of year ( most of the boats are away for the season), but have managed to find the following boats...Assuming reasonable condition on all, any preferences? ...1979 Goman 20, 1975 Mc Vay Bluenose 23....1972 Paceship Bluejacket 23.1975 Paceship P23 .. Keep in mind we''re new to sailing so need something forgiving, we mainly want to sail around our small bay, so a full cabin is not necessary ....Thanks for your help!!

The Paul Family
St. Margaret''s Bay
Nova Scotia
 
#2 ·
Of the boats on your list the Paceship P23 is the clear best choice for what you want to do. I owned a nearly identical Grampian built version of the Blue Jacket 23. These are neat boats but not exactly forgiving and they do not have self-bailing cockpits.

Jeff
 
#3 ·
Thanks for your advice Jeff, the only problem for me is that the p23 is slightly out of my price range, and I''m not sure if I can swing it.....I went and looked at the Goman Express 20 today, and I liked it...The cockpit was fairly big, and it seems fairly well laid out( read... it seems more basic, and less daunting to one as unseasoned as myself!) It''s kind of boxy looking, but somehow that''s reassuring to me....I ''m not sure I need or want a full cabin ( galley and all) although I''m sure my wife( and daughters) would appreciate a head! Am I being short sighted?...Any feelings at all about this boat?

Thanks
Colin
 
#4 ·
Thanks for your advice Jeff, the only problem for me is that the p23 is slightly out of my price range, and I''m not sure if I can swing it.....I went and looked at the Goman Express 20 today, and I liked it...The cockpit was fairly big, and it seems fairly well laid out( read... it seems more basic, and less daunting to one as unseasoned as myself!) It''s kind of boxy looking, but somehow that''s reassuring to me....I ''m not sure I need or want a full cabin ( galley and all) although I''m sure my wife( and daughters) would appreciate a head! Am I being short sighted?...Any feelings at all about this boat?

Thanks
Colin
 
#5 ·
Would suggest that in cold Canadian waters, a self-bailing cockpit is a good idea. If you like the P23, the thing to do is to make an offer of what you can afford for it. Even if the asking price is much higher, they might be under pressure to sell quickly, and (surprise!!) accept your offer. The worst they can say is no, and even then, you''re no worse off for having tried. The alternative is to keep looking.
With two daughters of my own, my advice is to get the largest possible boat you can afford, because you will need it desperately in five years or less. My personal slant is towards the J/fleet. Though J/24''s in your price range might be pretty tired, if there are some in your area, one of them might make sense. Their large cockpits and decks are ample for cruising and daysailing, and they''re fun to sail. Not much headroom or privacy, though, and if they''re not available where you are, the point''s moot.
 
#6 ·
My family''s first boat was a Pearson Ensign, which can be found in your price range. We were very happy with this boat. These boats are 22 and 1/2 feet long and have a full keel. They were built mostly in the 1960s and 1970s but there are still many around, and still some racing fleets. They were very solidly constructed. They are not fast by today''s standards (because of the full keel) but are very forgiving and have a very large cockpit that is comfortable for a family and guests.

You will not find many listed for sale on yachtworld.com and other similar web-sites (because of their comparatively low prices), but a Google search will get you to official and unofficial web-sites devoted specifically to them, and to Pearsons, generally.
 
#12 ·
Several years ago we were in your exact same position, except we''re in maine and have only one daughter (then 4). We wanted to be able to do overnights, so we looked at boats with small galleys, heads, and table. We looked at Pearson Ariels, Pearson Tritons (great boat!) another Pearson from that era with a bigger cockpit & smaller cabin (can''t remember the model), Bristols, and finally we found a 1975 Tartan 27. We bought her for $4000. She was a great boat for us, pretty forgiving and safe, with roller furling jib, a keel-centerboard and good layout, and a huge cockpit (self draining!). We did many overnights on her and my daughter loved it. However, we soon needed more room and moved up to a Tartan 30 the next year!
Have fun!!!
 
#13 ·
Paul Family,

Not sure if you bought a boat yet but do not dispair about a P23!

I had a P-23 when my girls were 6 and 8. The interior space may be small for adults but was great for the girls. Significant advantages over the Bluejacket and Bluenose are a table, bunks and a head! Children do not like to need to pee and be stuck in a boat with no toilet!

If you have 5000 US then that is about 7500 Beaver Bucks. I bought a P-23 in fabulous shape for 6500Cdn. I sold it 2 seasons later for 5500 because I had committed to buy a larger boat and needed the P23 sold NOW!

P-23 go for 5500 - 7500 Cdn. This is well within the numbers you stated. Tanzer 22 is almost a sister ship of the P23 and can be had for 5000Cdn and up. There are many boats in this size and age range available in Eastern Canada, esp this time of year. Visit marinas and yacht clubs and look on the bulletin boards.

The P-23/Tanzer 22 have large self bailing cockpits perfect for day sailing, they have a flat unencumered deck for sail handling and they also have a decent though small cabin to keep the children out of the elements and even allow them to nap. On several occasions we went for evening sails with friends in Halifax Harbour and the children went to sleep in the vee berth when they were tired. Even better is that the cabin is the size of a child''s playhouse and there is space for colouring and other activities for your children below.

There are many different 22 and 23 foot boats of varying ages for sale in Eastern Canada. They make excellent day sailors and even overnighters for a couple with young children.

You need a boat with a HEAD!

Good luck.
Email me if you need any more information at mike.hoyt@impgroup.com

Mike
Halifax, NS
 
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