First sailboat for Oregon?

[sailor steve]

I'm new to sailing. I've only completed ASA 101, and 103. I've now got the bug to sail and am thinking of getting one. I'm thinking trailerable. In NW Oregon we have some lakes that are within weekend outings and we the Columbia River. I'm still trying to figure witch trailerable would be great for learning on and possibly over night weekend possible. My budget would be around 7k and under, and thinking 28ft - 20ft Anyone with advice would be much appreciated. Or other first boat stories would be great


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Adelie]

What do you have for a tow vehicle? That has a big impact on recommendations.


Adelie

[sailor steve]

I have a tow package on a 2012 Honda Pilot. I know it's not the strongest but didn't want to take it on long mountain range drives to get to water


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Steve,

Trailerable is a good idea if you have a place to park it. I'm partial to Catalinas but that's just because it was my first boat. There are many different boats to choose from and just keep an eye on craigslist. Look for well cared for boats and quality construction. Make certain the trailer is roadworthy too. Portland has the most listings in Oregon but you might take a trip to the Seattle area too where there are a lot more.

Let us know what you're looking at when you find something.

kind regards,

[JPA Cate]

My husband, Jim, had a Catalina 22, trailered it up to Pt. Townsend, then went in it with his now ex-wife and two kids and sailed the Canadian Gulf. They had a super time. He also raced it on SF Bay.

Ann

[ryon]

Join a club. Let somebody else own the boat and take care of it.

[sailor steve]

The cat seems to fit the bill. I like the Potter look also. Thanks for the feed back, keep it coming and let me here stories of trailerable places in Oregon. Also, I know they are out of my price range but does anyone have experience with a "First 20, or First 25"


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[marktre]

Join SYSCO (Small Yacht Sailing Club of Oregon). Members comprise several fleets in your length range (Ranger 20, Merit 25, J24, etc). Good crowd and usually can find boats that need crew on sailing nights. They also look out for like boats for sale.

[s/v Beth]

The advice you have received is excellent. I would sail on other people's boats till you cannot stand it. Also get in the habit of wandering around marinas and boat yards with the intention of talking to and helping owners with their boats.
BTW, if you catch me at my boat, we'll go out for a few hours....

[Weimtyme]

Some one mentioned the Ranger 20
A great trailerable boat
Sea worthy in most conditions
Plenty of room for camping type sleeping
A great buy and active clubs especially around Portland

[Adelie]

Is it just you, you and SO or 2 of you pluss occasional guests or do you expect to have guests overnight regularly?
-What level of comfort are you expecting?
-Berths and toillette below is obvious.
-Do you require a table to eat at below or are you happy to sit on you berths or in the cockpit?
-Does the head need to be enclosed?
-Is sitting headroom adaquate or do you require more?

These questions will have an impact on the choice of boats that might be appropriate.

Assuming a willingness to 'camp' and small car to tow with:
Holder 20 , sleeps 2-4, great performance, $2500ish.
Wylie Wabbit 24, sleeps 2-4, excellent performance, $4kish.
RANGER 20
SAN JUAN 21
SANTANA 20
CAL 21




Medium car (I think this is what the OP has):
Cal 20 , sleeps 4, pretty good performance, well enough built to go offshore with some mods, $1-3k.
RANGER 22
RANGER 23
SANTANA 21
CAL 22
COLUMBIA 22

Larger vehicle:
Catalina 22 , sleeps 5, good performance, would take to Catalina Isl. but not offshore, dinette.
SANTANA 22



Bigger budget but still medium car:
J22, high performance, sleeps 2-4, $6-10k.

Large vehicle and budget:
Hobie 33 , excellent performance, sleeps 5-6, low headroom but not really camping so much, $10-20k.
Montgomery 23, Cruiser, potentially offshore, sleeps 3-4.

For someone with limited experience I would go with the Holder 20, light, cheap, easy to rig and derig so you can go daysailing on any lakes that might be in the area. But still big enough to overnight on.

In a couple years you will have a better idea of what in a sailboat makes your heart go pitter-patter and you can move up.

[Hard Rock Candy]

My first one was a 25 ft Mcgregor with a cast iron swinging keel. It would sleep three adults if they were compatible. I'm from Oregon also. I hauled it from Roseburg Oregon to the San Juans, with a friend and my youngest son. We sailed around the Islands for a week and had a barrel of fun. The next spring my friend and I towed it to Belize and spent six weeks there and in Guatemala exploring. I consider it a very fun boat. It sailed well and taught me a lot. It prepared me for my next bigger boat. It would also be compatible with your Honda. Mac

[bsurvey]

balboa 26 its a centerboard sits low n the trailer comes with an outboard and the mast goes up and down easy. I would have no qualms taking it out in the ocean. plenty of room down below. sleep in it on the trailer. I would standing rigging one diameterlarger but you could sail the boat to mexico and trailer it home. catlina makes a lifting keel also

[Cheechako]

If you like the Potter there's been one for sale up here in WA for a while cheap on Craigs List. I think they are pretty small though. About 25 would be nice.


A Freedom 25 would be nice, no rigging!

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by sailor steve

I'm new to sailing. I've only completed ASA 101, and 103. I've now got the bug to sail and am thinking of getting one...I'm still trying to figure witch trailerable would be great for learning on...

Whoa!

Sail a bunch of different boats. Delay as long as possible buying your own--at least until you have had a lot of experience at the helm of boats of various sizes and types. With all that experience behind you, the right boat will present itself. And you will recognize it.