Wow, thanks for all the replies. I'm beginning the to think we're on the right track with the
kids by doing so much sailing with them-- both enjoy their "tiller time," and my son isn't happy if he doesn't get to raise the
jib on our
Cal 20. Yesterday we had a wonderful sail on it.
We looked hard at the 1972
Ericson this weekend, but it had some issues that put us off. The 1979
Islander 28 had a lot more fundamentals going for it (nice
interior, good sail inventory), but it wasn't perfect. There's a hair-line crack on the
deck like a half circle around the shrouds, for example, but I don't think that any '79
boat will be perfect on the decks. Here's a link to the
boat:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...hesailinglife&
I think the
Islander 28 could be a winner for our intended cruising on the
Columbia River (out of Portland) and eventually over the
Columbia bar and up to
Puget Sound. I also like the
learning challenge of maintaining a
Volvo diesel.
As for the wife, she's taken to sailing in a major way. We've received our first two
ASA certifications together, and she likes to sail without me, taking out friends on the river until after dark sometimes. Her enthusiasm is probably the best asset our plans have so far.
Thanks again!
Jim H