A Bit Off Topic

[sjs]

As in other times when I was between boats, and still looking for my next, I have relied on bareboat chartering to get on the water. It occurs to me I can buy a daysailer for the amount I spend on a few charters and be on the water much more often.

I know this is a crusers forum but the knowledge and courtesy here is unmatched elsewhere so I hope you will indulge a little diversion and give me the aid of your expertise.

I have not owned or sailed a daysailer or a sailing dinghy in many years. I know what I would buy were I younger but those days are gone. I have a bit of a back issue and want to limit hiking out when the boat heels. I also do not want to have to balance myself carefully when the wind is light. I would also like to avoid bending extremely low to miss the boom on a tack, though I know all dinghys require some bending. I also want to singlehand it most of the time, but would like to be able to bring a crew of one more person at times. I do not think I want to bother with a spinnaker.

This rules out performance boats like a Laser or Finn, and probably even something as sedate as a sunfish. I sailed several Flying Scotts but that was many years ago and I cannot recall if they are stable enough to avoid hiking if I choose to. On the other hand, I want as much performance as possible for a creaky old man.

I have looked on the internet at many designs from the Coronado 15 and Capri 14 to a Fatty Knees, to West Wight Potter 15 and lots in between. Problem is, I cannot tell from the internet what boat would be a good compromise between stability and performance. I can buy new or used and either keep it on a trailer or at a marina.

I am hoping some of you have had the opportunity to get off your bluewater cruisers and do enough daysailing/dinghy sailing to have some insights into this. Any advice is appreciated.

Excuse me if I put this on the wrong forum category.

[Palarran]

I have a Hunter 170 which would exactly fit your requirements except it's not cheap. You would have to spend around $8k for a good one.

Where do you live?

[IdoraKeeper]

How about and Etchell (sp?).. They can be trailered, most are all set up.They cant sink( usually) they have a roomy cockpit and they sail like crazy.

[sjs]

I'm in SE PA, usually sail the Chesapeake and have kept boats in Marinas at Havre de Grace, MD. If I did get a daysailer I could also sail it in the Susquehanna River, which is nearby. I'll take a look at the H17.

I always thought of the Etchels as an all out racer, but I have never sailed one.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Dunno if these have made it to your part of the world............

Hawk 20 Dayboat Inventories & Options - Reid Marine

Never been on one, but they seem to get good write ups.

Or a bit more tradtional............

A Drascombe (various sizes)



No Boom

Sails & rigging for Drascombe boats by Drascombe by Churchouse Boats

[sjs]

That Drascombe is a pretty little vessel.

[Ex-Calif]

I think these are Catalina 14s.

When I visit my brother we sometimes rent one for a putter around the pond.

You don't have to work too hard, don't have to hike and they are more comfortable than a dinghy, based on what you are asking for.

The dinghy in the shot is my brother's Force 5 dinghy for contrast. Similar length drastically different boats.

[sjs]

Thank you. That's what I needed, someone who has recently sailed a specific boat and recalls the stability and responsiveness. Funny, but when I read your post and checked out the Catalina promotional info on the 14, they start out by describing it as stable and responsive. I need to go sail one.

Come to think of it, I used to sail Catalina 22's and they were both stable and responsive, but I didn't think about them because they are bigger than I want at the moment. Thanks again.

[Ex-Calif]

A little more -

- You can see the boat in the picture has a pretty short cut main sail. I think the place does this on purpose because it's a small pond, it gets crowded and the sailors aren't proficient. Even with this small rig there was one turtled on the pond with the mast securely stuck in the mud.

- You can hike as there are hiking straps but if you set a short sail you won't need to

- My sister in law won't get on the Force 5 but is happy in the Catalina because it has a back rest, a proper bench and feels like a sailboat to her

- It has a raising dagger board. I didn't really look how complicated it was to raise and lower the rig for trailering. I am not into trailering and it would be ideal to have adolly and leave it rigged at a site somewhere.

Where are you located?

[fishwife]

Five years ago I spent 4 weeks sailing the Devon coast on a Drascombe Lugger. What a wonderful boat she proved to be. http://www.drascombe-association.org.uk/drascombes.php

P.

[sjs]

Ex-Calif, I guess I could have a full size main and just add a reef point or two if the occasion called for reduced sail. I'm in the Lancaster, PA area and normally sail the Chesapeake when cruising but there is a yacht club very nearby on the Susquehanna River and I could keep it there on a dolly. I think the smaller Catalinas might offer a fixed keel version as well as a dagger board or centerboard.

Fishwife, was that a cruise or did you day sail along the coast?