My First Boat . . . Tell Me what to Buy !

[mojosail]

Hello! I'm looking for advice on what size/type of monohull sailboat you recommend. It's my first boat ever! I'll have it in a wet slip on a lake in Texas year round. I'd need to be able to sail it by myself. I'd like to spend the weekends on it, so a comfortable cabin is also a requirement. Thank you for your suggestions!

[maytrix]

I'm sure there will be more questions before anyone can give a good answer, but one big one is what is your budget?

[mojosail]

Good point! I'd like to spend $5000 - $8000.

[SkiprJohn]

You can look at the links following my signature for a couple of links to recommendations and read the book that is mentioned there. If what you will be doing is lake sailing there a whole lot of different boats to choose from. Catalina, Columbia, Pearson and Islander are just a few I can think of just now.
When you start looking and do find something you think you might like then post in the monohull section giving the name of the manufacturer of the boat and ask for opinions. More than likely someone here has had one and can give you an intelligent opinion. Boats in your budget I've owned or sailed extensively are Catalina 22, Catalina 27 and a Columbia 28 and I'd recommend those but like I said there are many more to consider including Ericsons and Pearsons.
Good luck in your search.
kind regards,

[amytom]

For central Texas I recommend a trailerable boat. Most of the lakes are large enough to sail but maybe not large enough to keep your interest so a trailer allows you to drive to other lakes to explore. I spent a lot of time on Lake Travis and San Marcos river and I think the perfect boat for that area would be a MacGregor 26.