How to buy a small (14') sailboat?

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by darsunt

Sorry about wrong name. I mean sloop rig. It's been awhile since sailing class.
I plan to use it to practice basic sailing and maybe a few racing tricks. I will be working around inside Newport Bay (CA). I probably won't take it out into the open ocean.
I will definitely take up some of the tips here, craigslist, sailing clubs, etc. Also thanks for the manufacturer brand names. But again, if buying new how would the manufacturer get it to you if the brokers don't sell the small ones?

Many manufacturers have local dealers. I could buy a hobie, catalina or pico where I buy supplies when I need advice, and he also has some used boats. For a flying Scot, I would have to drive a few hours.

If that isn't an available for you, we had ours shipped for a reasonable price using Uship. However, precision won't sell direct, ours was a dealer's show model.

[denverd0n]

Personally, I wouldn't even consider dealers and brokers for a boat like this. In fact, I didn't!

I recently bought a Spindrift 15, which is pretty much just the kind of boat you're looking for. Got it from a guy who advertised on Craigslist. He needed it gone, so I got it for a song--way, WAY less than buying a new boat, and it is in fine shape (even though it did need a little work).

These kinds of boats are available used all the time, and you'll save a huge amount by buying one that way.

And kudos to you for not falling into the trap of thinking that you have to buy the very biggest boat that you can possibly manage right off. As others have said, you'll learn so much more in a boat like this than you ever would in a larger boat that, 10 years from now, you will be very glad that you started small. Probably even more important, when the boat is small, inexpensive, easy to tow, and easy to setup and take down, you'll take it out more often--and that's the best part of all.

[islander20]

I bought a Cal 20, great little boat to learn on. Very safe, holds up well in rough weather and its a nice pocket cruiser for a weekend away with the girl. They are pretty cheap on Craigslist.

[Cheechako]

Another option for a very seaworthy little boat is a West Wight Potter. I think they make some smaller versions... like 15 ft. When I sailed to mexico there was someone there in a Potter that had sailed down also!

[MarkSF]

Not sure what your budget is, (new, old...) but two suggestions : Craigslist, and Small Craft Advisor classifieds. In fact, if you are into small boat sailing, you should subscribe to that mag anyway. It's the best sailing mag out there.

You can get far better boats in that size than a Hunter. In fact, you'd struggle to do worse. I know someone who sold a Hunter dinghy because it's unsailable in SF Bay due to the high freeboard.

In centreboard, I like (in descending order of seaworthiness) the Wayfarer / CL16, CL14, Lido 14, Capri 14.2. The Wayfarer and CL16 are essentially the same boat and will outclass a Hunter 14 in every possible respect. The CL14 is a smaller version.

You can also get trailerable keelboats like the West Wight Potter which are seriously seaworthy.

For new boats you can order direct from the maker or find a dealer. I know CL14s and 16s are available for order from CL in Canada because I got a quote a few years ago. About $10K for a new nicely specced CL16.

Road trip? (REDUCED) 19ft West Wight Potter Sailboat

Capri : 14' Capri Sailboat w/trailer

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

PS - Do a check on environmental rules in California. My brother read something about boats that have sailed in the ocean can't be lake sailed until they pass some inspection for some sort of critter they don't want getting in the lakes.

Sorry I don't remember the details but it could affect you if you plan to sail in the bays and lakes both.

The issue is with two kinds of mussels.

Some lakes are infected and some are not. They do not want the ones that are not, becoming infested.

They will inspect your boat at the entrance to some lakes, and it must be dry inside, as the mussel eggs can survive and be transported in water. When I had my trailerable I would simply check that the boat is dry inside before heading to the lake. Providing you do that dilligently you will not have an issue.

Actually salt water kills the eggs so if you are heading to the lake after being in the ocean that is the best scenario. The inspectors will ask where you went last, and if you say the ocean they like that answer.

[David_Old_Jersey]

For a new small boat you want a Dealer not a Broker (every Manufacturer will have a network of dealers - albeit some might not have many / any close, but will all likely know how delivery can be done to you).

A Broker deals in s/h boats (although he may also be a dealer). As he simply takes a small percentage of the sale price simply not worthwhile brokering s/h small boats due to their low prices (you still have the same aggro of dealing with buyers / vendors - except for peanuts!).

For something that size / value if secondhand then stuff like craigslist / e-bay etc and whatever local listings are popular in your area would be the place to look......and then it's prettty much like buying a s/h car (i.e. you make damned sure you get title and the boat works before handing over the money!).

[rtbates]

Find someone who has one for sale and trade money or whatever for it???

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

The issue is with two kinds of mussels.

Some lakes are infected and some are not. They do not want the ones that are not, becoming infested.

They will inspect your boat at the entrance to some lakes, and it must be dry inside, as the mussel eggs can survive and be transported in water. When I had my trailerable I would simply check that the boat is dry inside before heading to the lake. Providing you do that dilligently you will not have an issue.

Actually salt water kills the eggs so if you are heading to the lake after being in the ocean that is the best scenario. The inspectors will ask where you went last, and if you say the ocean they like that answer.

Thanks Mark - Good info. It's been freaking my brother out so I Will pass this along to him.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Thanks Mark - Good info. It's been freaking my brother out so I Will pass this along to him.

What can catch some people out is the outboard. That must be dry too. They will try tilting it down, and if a bunch of water pours out, you won't be sailing in that lake that day!

Just think dry. I would use a towel to dry the bilge on my Wayfarer. They will check in any dry lockers, and the stuff IN the dry lockers must be dry. Outboard, sails, the lot.

[Psytron]

I don't think you could go wrong with a 'Skipper14' you can get them between £100 - £300 I got mine for £100 including trailer from 'Pre-loved' site. It has a jib and gunter rig but I've also made a bermuda style rig both works wonderfully, They are very forgiving and Very unsinkable, great with just me a my bud going up and down in the North Sea off the east coast, or going out with the family without sails but with a nice little seagul 40+ engine that pushes us along quite nicely or with oars, and even taking her out with my 2 boys fishing off the wrecks near Mersea. Basically a very good all round SAFE boat, and very easily repaired, split the bottom on a oyster bed, still didn't sink, when I got her home I just slapped some glass fibre with a bit of plastik white gel coat filler an hour later she was ready to go again. I can't praise the Skipper14 enough, however I wouldn't put her in as a racing category yacht but full stars in all other areas.

[Dubbinchris]

I have learned a lot on my Siren 17. It's my first sailboat and I picked it up from craigslist for $900. It was ready to sail and just needed a little cleaning. I've done some things to it since, like trailer wiring and tires but it's been a great boat to learn on. They came with a little furler for the jib as well as little movable jib cars. The main has a little boom vang and a simple outhaul. All good stuff to practice what you've learned. It has a small v-berth with a table and a little notch to put a porta potty if you feel so inclined. It's a bit of a tender boat at only 700 lbs with a 130 lb swing keel but she tends to round up as opposed to going over when over powered.

I've learned a lot with her, but this coming Tuesday I'll be trading her for a Chrysler C-22. I almost had a deal worked out on a Starwind 223 as well as a Compac 23 but they both fell through. I really wanted the Compac, but oh well. I'll keep learning on the C-22 and maybe in a few years trade up again when I'm in a better place to keep somthing at a slip instead of on and off the trailer all the time.

[rgscpat]

Now, might a Sea Pearl be fun if the original poster really did want a small schooner rig?

[darsunt]

Thanks for the tips. I can't find a Hunter 14 on craigslist around here anyways (OC, CA)

[denverd0n]

Why does it have to be a Hunter14? There are dozens of different boats in the 14-17 foot range that will handle almost exactly like the Hunter 14. This is just your basic daysailer. Surely you can find a boat to meet your needs.