[baileyrace]

I am just starting to look at boats. I have been crewing on a fairly serious J24 team for the last two years. My dream boat is a Viper(20' sport boat) and a racing budget to go with it, but my wife may be interested in a coastal cruiser. I am trying to get her out a cruiser type boat, and a local dealer/broker says he will take us out, so she can see if she is even interested. I would be very happy if the Mrs. wants to sail together. I could do less serious racing or crew for others.

I have been walking the docks on Galveston Bay and at the regattas we travel to. I like everything from a Catalina 27 to a Hobie 33, to brand new condo boats, so I am all over the map and truly do not know what I want, much less what my wife may want.

My question is just genereic: What is the difference in cost of ownership? 28 vs 30 vs 32 vs 34 vs 36 or even 38, condition of the boat being equal. I think we would be happy with a 28 or 30, but what if I found a great deal on a 36? I have looked up the cost of new sails and marina fees, so you do not have to go there.

I have been lurking here for a couple of years and you guys have covered how to buy a boat, ect. very well. I am sure it will take a year or more of looking, unless we just find that perfect deal.

Thanks

 

[baileyrace]

Sailingdog
--I have seen your sticky and it is excellent and I will use it. You suggest I sail on as many boats as possible. How do you do this? I guess I can charter daysails locally, but most of the boats in the fleets are not ones I am too interested in. I could crew for races, but I am committed to crewing twice/week plus 7-9 weekend regattas already. I have no time to practice with a new team.
This is all dependent on how the broker sail goes and my wife's interest. Oh I have only sailed on the J24 (150-200sails), except a one day regatta on a J105 and short day sail on a J80. Next March will end my 2nd year of sailing.

Dan
---Just the info. I am looking for as to costs. The Pearson 10m looks awesome. It is exactly the type boat I will hope for IF the Mrs. decides to play. IF not, It is one design racing of some sort for me. Would this Pearson be a boat that could do something like the Harvest Moon Regatta (Galveston to Aransas Pass)? How about the race across the gulf to Verra Cruz (the Cape Fear fiasco)? I mean the boat, I know I am not ready. The only equipment I want for now, is depth, GPS with charts when we decide to go somewhere, compass, and cold air for the dock. Probably hot water, as the wife insists I not stink too much. Could do sun showers in the summer, but my wife will like cruising in our colder weather best. As yo can tell, I have boat handling down fairly well, but I know nothing about seamanship.

Stanley
---The Catalina 30 is my fall back position. They look very nice to me and many look to be in very good condition down here. It seems you can sail this boat for a while and sell it for as much or more than your initial purchase price if you take care of it.

I will search, but if anyone wants to answer:
How often do you need bottom paint in Texas waters?
If I buy used, how old do you think the standing rigging may be before replacement?

Thanks, everyone.