new boat purchase advice

With this season coming to a close, and with my wife and i having our asa 101 completed we are looking to make our next move. We are booked for our 103 and 104 course in december on the gulf of Mexico but we want to be ready for next year. So this leads me to the topic of this discussion. What...

Hi All I'm a new member, and relatively new to sailing. I grew up on the Great Lakes, and plan on getting back to them very soon. As such, I'll be purchasing a boat (likely, around the Traverse City region for anyone who may know the area). I'm currently here, and am loving the water. I want...

Hi everyone, I'm in the market for my first boat and would like a used Catalina 22, I'm not very experienced when it comes to buying a boat or what to look for. Can anyone give me any suggestions/ a checklist so I'm fully prepared when I start my search? Also I Live in Los Angeles if anyone...

Hey guys, I am super new to sailing and am looking to dive right into the liveaboard lifestyle. I am looking at getting a cat potentially a gemini 105 as my first liveaboard. First problem is that I am young 23 years old and will need to finance. I have looked at Essex for financing, does anyone...

I am new to sailing and trying to find a boat that I can work on fixing up with my son so that we can learn to sail. I found a Columbia 28 for sale in my area for $500. It is in the water and does not come with a trailer. It comes with one sail (main) and a diesel engine (it has not been...

Save yourself any aggravation by not buying a new Hanse. We bought a Hanse 400 last year and had it delivered from Germany to Portugal. After being in the marina for 11 months, we had it taken out of the water to have the bottom cleaned before our cruise into the Mediterranean. A 12-inch...

Hey guys, I think I've finally done enough research to post my own thread about my specific needs. I started out with dreams of living aboard and sailing down the east coast, but realistically, that will not be an option for at least a couple years. I figure I'll finish school and once I get a...

Would you even consider buying a boat hit by lightning? Last week I looked at a 2007 Catalina 309 (almost new, unlike my 30 year old current boat). It is in great shape- a very clean well-maintained boat. But it was hit by lightning a year and a half ago. As a result, all the electronics have...

I recently joined the SailNet community and have to say that this is the best sailing forum by far. I would like to receive some feedback/thoughts from this forum to help me by my next purchase. I have 3 children (4-11 years old) so the boat should be able to accomodate 5 people. We live in...

I am purchasing my first boat and have been looking at used boats for a few months now. I have limited experience at sailing. I have over the years taken out daysailors like sunfish, sailfish, hobie cats and lightenings on inland lakes and bays. I have crewed a few times on larger boats as...