Visit our Popular Forums

fstarocka · 21-09-2014, 16:26

hi everyone - im new to sailing and looking at getting my 1st boat to eventually do some offshore cruising and possibly blue water someday. Any ideas on the choat 40?

1982 Dencho Marine Choate 40 sailboat for sale in California

40 +- wd be good cos thered be extra room for relaxing with my gf and perhaps a fellow sailor and crew.. I am quite mechanical, but just curious about these boats.

One thing to mention is that im trying to avoid getting caught up in too much technical details.. Im not too picky although I am doing some research - a flaw or two wouldnt put me off really.. as a first boat buyer im sure the looks will be what gets me ticking anyway - ie it would be a LONG time before im anywhere near qualified/experienced enough to nit pick - so bear this in mind - just looking if anyone has experienced these for live aboard // open water cruising...

thanks!

Oh, im 6'2 so imo a 36' would be the minimum for my height.. extra few ft would assist storing the diving gear and surfboard

**minaret** · 21-09-2014, 17:08

PM member Delmarrey. He has one he totally rebuilt.

fstarocka · 21-09-2014, 17:27

Ill give him a buzz thanks

delmarrey · 21-09-2014, 19:50

If your 6'2" your not going to like a choate. They are a racer not designed to be below much. I'm 5'8" so I'm good with it. The head room in the Solon is about 6', less up forward.

From the ad it looks like the stripped down racer I had so it would take a lot of work to make it livable. The one in the ad has less storage then mine and probably has small fuel and water tanks. The v-berth is actually a sail loft. It didn't show a head.

The boat will take a lot of work to get to a cruising condition. No mast, no windlass, no storage spaces and what ever else is missing. I paid more for my new Genoa then what they are asking for that whole boat. Heck, to replace the all lead keel would cost more then the whole boat.

It would be great for someone who would want a kit to start with but as a beginner I'd say forget it! You would have to have a lot of knowledge to bring this back to a useable condition.

BTW it's not a ketch and the draft is more like 7' 0"

autumnbreeze27 · 21-09-2014, 22:01

I'd recommend a boat with a mast for your first boat.

Otherwise I'd call Dennis Choate and ask him what he would charge you to get the boat sailing again, and then look at what your other options are in this new price range.

Weyalan · 21-09-2014, 23:39

Before you go any further, get a quote for replacing the mast (and presumably boom, standing rigging and running rigging). Bet you'll struggle to get a quote for the above for less than $25,000 and probably will come in at $30,000 or more...

fstarocka · 22-09-2014, 22:27

yikes how did i miss the mast issue! my apologies, few hard days work behind swapping a motor - besides seems im too tall for it anyway. thanks for the info guys/gals - much appreciated!

Im looking for something with not too much work around 9k, 35+ft or so..