So heres the deal. Im 20 years old and want to buy my first sailboat. Live in Cape Cod and want to sail around in the summers. Nothing big and definitely as cheap as possible. 20-30 Feet, under 3 grand. Again nothing fancy just want to go out and have some fun with some friends and learn. So my question is can i get a boat that will fit my needs under 3 grand, handle the ocean, and be safe?
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There's a HUGE difference between 20 and 30'. You need to give us more info...do you just want to daysail, spend an occasional night on board or weeks at a time? If you want to spend nights aboard, what creature comforts do you require? Where do you plan to keep the boat? In a slip or put it on a trailer? If on a trailer, do you have something to tow it with?
Agreed. give some more info. Do you want to over night, Harbor to Harbor, day sail, open waters, Trailer or mooring/slip. There are plenty of boats out there just gotta narrow your needs a bit and we can throw all kinds of suggestions out there for you.
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Under 3K 27 ft or less. Inboard or outboard? And all the questions above.
Thanks for all the replies! Want to daysail and occasionally spend a few mights on the boat. Will be kept at a mooring/slip somewhere near falmouth. As far as luxuries on the inside for comfort, not much is needed. Also not sure what type of motor i would really need. Inboard/outboard. Most boats in my price range seem to just have some small outboard motor on it but if I'm going to be ocean sailing do i need something more? Not that I'm circumnavigating the globe here but i just want to be able to go out with a few friends, maybe stay out a couple nights with someone and have some fun experiences.
You have many options for what you are describing. Here is an example of one in your area. You should start by just lurking around the for sale ads on Craigslist and such.
1967 Bristol 24' Sailboat
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I really enjoy my Coronado 25, it has a large cockpit for lounging and entertaining in and down below is a full size dinette and a galley with a built in ice box and sink, has a hanging locker and head. Headroom is 5'6" and 5'9" under the sliding hatch, these can be found cheap (around $1000) unless it is loaded and has a descent outboard then your looking around $2000-$3000.
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Welcome to sailnut dan!
The good news is that you are in a great area for a variety of places to sail. There are also a variety of boats <= 25' that might fit your budget. Also, since you are a resident (presumably) you may be entitled to mooring rights in your local harbor (which may be the cheapest way to go).
The bad news is that slips in a marina may cost you as much for 1 season as the $3K you want to spend on a boat. The hobby of boating is designed to make your wallet a lot thinner; the bigger your boat is, the thinner your wallet.
Usually, the cheapest way to approach the hobby of sailing is with a trailer sailor sailboat; meaning a boat on a trailer, meaning you need a vehicle with a towing hitch and a deep enough ramp to launch from, plus a driveway to keep your boat & trailer when not in use. If you have all or most of the above available now then you are ahead of the game.
As for which type of engine is best for ocean sailing, inboard is generally better in the larger surf offshore versus an outboard which can come out of the water when the boat goes over larger waves. As you noted though, most boats in your price range and size will not have inboard engines but outboards. For a first boat and getting your feet wet though I wouldn't worry about what is best; just keep a weather eye out and don't go out when it is blowing stink off the water.
Happy boat hunting.
Edit to add: the Bristol 24' that gedagget linked above would be a good choice as the engine is in a well instead hanging off the transom. Nice find Gary.
Damn good suggestion if I do say so myself....
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At your price point, you can buy a neglected POS that was advertised at $5k in 2011, $4500 in 2012, $4K in 2013... and then finally at your price point this year....wiht no maintenace done since before it was first listed. Here's the blue chip options- Venture. Macgregor. Balboa. Coronado. Under $2500. At this price point you will find a NICE boat and you will have some money left over for improvements. ...further, you can sell them, for damn near what you paid for them, 2 or 3 years down the road.
Great advice from CalebD:
If you've got a mooring or dock in Falmouth this is doable. If you don't in most harbors that can take sailboats the waiting list is years long. Dock space would exceed your purchase budget in a single season from even the town marina which has the lowest rates. Great advice to consider a trailer, there are lots of ramps in town.
Best of luck to you! I am right on the other side of Boston with a mcgregor 21 for sale i had the same plan as you 21 want to sail every day but I have a child on the way so it looks like all I will be doing is racing again once a week if I'm lucky
20-25" footers are cheap and simple daysailer/"weekender's its just bona be a lot closer to camping due to the lack of amenities
20-25" footers are cheap and simple daysailer/"weekender's its just bona be a lot closer to camping due to the lack of amenities
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yeah... I like the Bristol 24 as well.... I would say with your budget you are looking at 27 feet or less... don't forget to figure in Maintenance and berthing into your budget!
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