[TTC]

I just moved to the northern Virginia area (after a few years in the dry Midwest) and am looking at buying a sailboat (I've owned two previously). Unfortunately, the channel to the nearby (and affordable) marina on the Potomac varies in depth from 18" to 5', so I need a boat that can make that most hours (I can plan my sailing times to avoid dead low if necessary).

So I'm looking at a smaller boat (22-25ish feet) that's also affordable (under about $5K).

I'd love a Catalina 22 but I don't see many in good shape right now. I also know that MacGregor 25s have centerboards that could clear this channel.

What other boat models should I look for? And is Craigslist my best bet?

 

[gedaggett]

SouthCoast 22, Chrysler 20 and 22, Compac, MacGregor 22-25 (i prefer the swing keel for stability over the water ballast) to name a few.

CL is a good bet for looking for boats in that range. A good MacGregor in decent shape is only going to draw a couple thousand depending on engine.

 

[sandy stone]

I used to own a Paceship PY23 keel-centerboarder that I thought was a pretty nice boat. O'day 22 and 23 are similar.

 

[krisscross]

What kind of sailing do you want to do? Daysailing only? Sailing solo or with a crew? How about a catamaran, like Hobie 16?

 

[mikel1]

Ericson 27 has a draft of 3' 11" (call it 4 ft.) great boat . . .

 

[SHNOOL]

S2 7.9... go when you want then... but um put a larger winch on the starboard cabintop.

I draw 18 inches board up, 5 ft board down. Also sails better than all the above boats. Oh I should be clear... rudder draws a lot, maybe 2.5 ft.. but kicks up easily with a simple modification...

 

[TTC]

What kind of sailing do you want to do? Daysailing only? Sailing solo or with a crew? How about a catamaran, like Hobie 16?

Mostly daysailing, possibly with the family (inc. a 9 and 7 year-old), so I'm looking for something more relaxing than a Hobie.

 

[SHNOOL]

Oh, also the grand slam 6.9 (22 feet) versus the grand slam 7.9 (26 feet).
Both have retractable weighted daggerboards... the difference with the 7.9 is the boat is completely stable with over 1000lbs of ballast in the bilge with the board (600lbs) up.

The 7.9 is a lot of boat for very little draft. Wouldn't want to launch it every day, but if you are in a nice protected Marina, raising/lowering the daggerboard for each trip might not be horrible. Someone said 32 turns (I never counted) on the standard winch to raise, obviously you can lower pretty easily (don't let it fall). It's pretty standard procedure by owners to keep the daggerboard up in the slip too.

If I think of it I'll get a picture of the kick up rudder too. 5'8" headroom below... not enough for me, but nice room... Head is starboard quarter too, and has a curtain... there are boats with full heads fitted and those with porta-potties. From a "family" cruiser/racer, it's not a bad choice... approximately as fast as a J/24

 

[DonScribner]

We really enjoy our Lancer 25. 30" draft and fairly stiff, trailerable and sleeps 4 easily. Best of all . . . it has an actual head. Bought ours in sail away condition for $2200. Another $1200 for the trailer. We spend up to a week at a time and every possible weekend cruising Maine.

 

[SHNOOL]

Oooh along with the Lancer 25, is the Lancer 28... Fixed 30" of draft, and standing headroom below. LANCER 28 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com