Hello again, it's me "the boat-less one". I am still looking for my first boat but I've changed my criteria a little. I was previously looking for something in the 27' to 28' range, ideally with a diesel. I started with a budget of $5k in mind, then thought why not go to $10k, or maybe $15k? No, $5k or less is where I want to be. I've got myself in check now
Most of our sailing will be no longer than a weekend; maybe a week once or twice a year. Also considering that 90% of the time it'll just be my wife and I, we can probably get by with something smaller. I think this is what some of the experts were telling me the first time I posted here, but I just wasn't listening.
I'm really seeing the appeal of a smaller boat with an outboard from a "lower cost of ownership" perspective, and I think that's where I want to be. Browsing through the "Mirco Cruiser" thread helped too.
I've recently been talking with someone that has a Grampian 23 for sale, asking price is $3500. They are selling it as they just don't use it enough, so it's coming with everything: charts, lifejackets, inflatable dingy, etc.
I can't find too much in the way of G23 reviews, so if anyone has experience I'd be happy to hear it.
The good:
- lots of extras
- from the pictures it looks to be in good shape
- has a proper head with holding tank (proper "private" head is a requirement from the boss)
- only 2 prior owners
The bad:
- probably will need bottom paint this year
- has an older Merc 9.9hp 2-stroke (although they say it runs well)
- no roller furling, although they can't be too expensive for a boat this size? Could I use the existing Genoa or would I need a special one as well?
- no stove
I have not seen this boat in person, but am viewing it this weekend. Below are some pics from a year and a half ago:
G23 Pics
The competition:
Checking other boat listings in this price range I see:
- Crown 23 for $3k with no motor - can't find much info on this unsure about the interior layout / head situation
- J/24 starting at ~$5k (there are several) - the interior looks a little two spartan for my liking
- Venture Newport 23 for $4.5k - I don't know what to make of this; I've read both good and bad reviews. Reading that they're rather tippy and don't sail that well concerns me though...
- San Juan 24 for $5.5k - comes with 2 almost new honda OBs (one for the dingy). From the few pics of SJ24 interiors I can find there is no private head
- Shark 24 for ~$4k - narrow beam; too cramped inside I think
And going slightly bigger there is:
- Columbia 26 mkII for $4.8k - on paper this has everything I'd want: roller furling, dingy with outboard, auto tiller, etc. I've seen it from the outside and it looks a little tired (the paint/gel coat that is), but that's probably not the end of the world.
I am however confused by Columbia 26s. On one hand I can find a lot of good reviews, but I've seen several poor reviews for Coronado 27s, which as I understand it are just Columbias with an extra foot tacked on. So I don't really know what to make of them.
So I guess to sum up, I'm seriously considering the G23, but perhaps I should look into this Columbia 26 a bit further too.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Most of our sailing will be no longer than a weekend; maybe a week once or twice a year. Also considering that 90% of the time it'll just be my wife and I, we can probably get by with something smaller. I think this is what some of the experts were telling me the first time I posted here, but I just wasn't listening.
I'm really seeing the appeal of a smaller boat with an outboard from a "lower cost of ownership" perspective, and I think that's where I want to be. Browsing through the "Mirco Cruiser" thread helped too.
I've recently been talking with someone that has a Grampian 23 for sale, asking price is $3500. They are selling it as they just don't use it enough, so it's coming with everything: charts, lifejackets, inflatable dingy, etc.
I can't find too much in the way of G23 reviews, so if anyone has experience I'd be happy to hear it.
The good:
- lots of extras
- from the pictures it looks to be in good shape
- has a proper head with holding tank (proper "private" head is a requirement from the boss)
- only 2 prior owners
The bad:
- probably will need bottom paint this year
- has an older Merc 9.9hp 2-stroke (although they say it runs well)
- no roller furling, although they can't be too expensive for a boat this size? Could I use the existing Genoa or would I need a special one as well?
- no stove
I have not seen this boat in person, but am viewing it this weekend. Below are some pics from a year and a half ago:
G23 Pics
The competition:
Checking other boat listings in this price range I see:
- Crown 23 for $3k with no motor - can't find much info on this unsure about the interior layout / head situation
- J/24 starting at ~$5k (there are several) - the interior looks a little two spartan for my liking
- Venture Newport 23 for $4.5k - I don't know what to make of this; I've read both good and bad reviews. Reading that they're rather tippy and don't sail that well concerns me though...
- San Juan 24 for $5.5k - comes with 2 almost new honda OBs (one for the dingy). From the few pics of SJ24 interiors I can find there is no private head
- Shark 24 for ~$4k - narrow beam; too cramped inside I think
And going slightly bigger there is:
- Columbia 26 mkII for $4.8k - on paper this has everything I'd want: roller furling, dingy with outboard, auto tiller, etc. I've seen it from the outside and it looks a little tired (the paint/gel coat that is), but that's probably not the end of the world.
I am however confused by Columbia 26s. On one hand I can find a lot of good reviews, but I've seen several poor reviews for Coronado 27s, which as I understand it are just Columbias with an extra foot tacked on. So I don't really know what to make of them.
So I guess to sum up, I'm seriously considering the G23, but perhaps I should look into this Columbia 26 a bit further too.
Anyway, thanks for reading!