Just Starting Out - $5k 25-27' Boat Options?

[Twelvizm]

I'm looking at getting a boat. Something in the 25' - 27' range, and looking to spend about $5k. I've been watching the boat market daily for several months now and know that I'm dredging the bottom. The main job of the boat is not to scare away the wife and kids (4 and 6 yo), get them involved in sailing, and to cruise up and down the Columbia River for weekend trips.

With that said, out of the usual low priced suspects, which one is better? Hunter 27', Catalina 25/27', San Juan, Ranger, Columbia, Cal, etc?

[SuW]

Originally Posted by Twelvizm

I'm looking at getting a boat. Something in the 25' - 27' range, and looking to spend about $5k. I've been watching the boat market daily for several months now and know that I'm dredging the bottom. The main job of the boat is not to scare away the wife and kids (4 and 6 yo), get them involved in sailing, and to cruise up and down the Columbia River for weekend trips.

With that said, out of the usual low priced suspects, which one is better? Hunter 27', Catalina 25/27', San Juan, Ranger, Columbia, Cal, etc?

All good options, depending on age/condition. The big ticket items to replace are the motor, the sails, and then perhaps the interior upholstery.

If you can find something not too far gone in those departments, without too many leaks in various hatches and fixtures...get the owner to take you out for a sail if possible.

This time of year there could be good deals - if someone has a boat for sale they may want to get rid of it before winter.

Something trailerable might also be a good option. It extends your weekend range. Mind you, some men of my acquaintance have used this as an excuse to buy a bigger truck!

[apirate]

I'd recommend a Pearson 26 if you can find one. Great boats and can be had for under 5k.

[odonnellryan]

No matter what you buy, if you love to sail, you'll quickly want something bigger.

You're on a good track in my opinion, just keep that in mind.

[Twelvizm]

I'll make things a little more interesting. Here's what I have for sale around me at the moment:

Cal 27: https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/...662926179.html

Corvette 31' https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/...660624423.html

Islander Bahama 26' https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/...658780688.html

Catalina 25' https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/...658414050.html

And then there's a Hunter 27' that just fell off CL that I've been chatting with the owner about, and have walked around.
Untitled by Adam Simmons, on Flickr
Untitled by Adam Simmons, on Flickr
Untitled by Adam Simmons, on Flickr

I actually bought a H27 in Seattle, stayed on it for a couple days, sailed it across Puget Sound, and parked it in a slip. Then this boat came up locally, so I sold off my boat in Seattle and started pursuing this one. But, I'm open to other options and opinions.

[Twelvizm]

Originally Posted by odonnellryan

No matter what you buy, if you love to sail, you'll quickly want something bigger.

You're on a good track in my opinion, just keep that in mind.

Oh I know it! I'm already planning how I can get into something like this:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...661579394.html

[Don C L]

Welcome aboard Twelvizm. I think for what you are are describing you have some very good inexpensive possibilities. Really though, which one makes your heart go pitter pat? I am guessing the Hunter, so go for that one if it checks out well, and make sure your family is in on the decision too. You aren't planning any big open ocean trips, right? So they all look to be very good candidates. Good luck!

[TooCoys]

When I tried sailing, I found an '81 Hunter Cherubini 27' for $4500. I bought it, learned to sail for 4 months, and then sold it after realizing sailing wasn't for me. The good news is that I made my money back on it to the dollar.

I really liked the Cherubini because of its build quality and access to all areas of the boat. It was really easy to work on, very solidly built, and easy to sail. I was able to single hand it very easily.

ETA: I prefered the wheel steering on the Hunter though.

[Twelvizm]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Welcome aboard Twelvizm. I think for what you are are describing you have some very good inexpensive possibilities. Really though, which one makes your heart go pitter pat? I am guessing the Hunter, so go for that one if it checks out well, and make sure your family is in on the decision too. You aren't planning any big open ocean trips, right? So they all look to be very good candidates. Good luck!

Yeah, the Hunter's do it for me, mostly because of the big cabin. No ocean going yet. Although a trip up the coast back to the Puget Sound can't happen soon enough. I'm still on the fence if the H27 is up to passing across the Columbia Bar.

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by Twelvizm

Yeah, the Hunter's do it for me, mostly because of the big cabin. No ocean going yet. Although a trip up the coast back to the Puget Sound can't happen soon enough. I'm still on the fence if the H27 is up to passing across the Columbia Bar.

Just for reference, a previous owner had sailed my Hunter 27 from Mobile Bay Alabama to the Dry Tortugas. I dont know what the Columbia Bar is but they're pretty stout boats.

[Twelvizm]

Originally Posted by TooCoys

Just for reference, a previous owner had sailed my Hunter 27 from Mobile Bay Alabama to the Dry Tortugas. I dont know what the Columbia Bar is but they're pretty stout boats.

Here's something I found about crossing the bar in a sailboat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8DbUm_XmMc

The Columbia Bar is one of the roughest waters in the world, known as "the Graveyard of the Pacific."

A USCG film about the bar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bfo3vqFvK0

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Twelvizm

Here's something I found about crossing the bar in a sailboat.

The Columbia Bar is one of the roughest waters in the world, known as "the Graveyard of the Pacific."

Geez, steering with a wheel looks like a real PITA and slow

[thomm225]

You also might want to look for one of the boats off of the list in the link below in your size and price range.

They usually make for good offshore boats.

Atom Voyages - Good Old Boats List

[Twelvizm]

Originally Posted by thomm225

You also might want to look for one of the boats off of the list in the link below in your size and price range.

They usually make for good offshore boats.

Atom Voyages - Good Old Boats List

That's a great list, thank you!

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Twelvizm

That's a great list, thank you!

His writeup is good also for someone that doesn't want to spend a fortune on their first try at a monohull sailboat