Trying to find a small boat to learn in

[rattleshirt]

My wife and I are looking for a small boat to learn to sail in. I found this on craigslist, does anyone know what it might be? Sailboat and tailer

Thank you, suggestions are also very welcome.

[Greenhand]

Looks an awful lot like a Flying Scot, which is a great boat to learn on. It also looks like it needs a lot of work.

[martinjrichter]

It is a " class boat" usually used in bay racing. This is a great way to to learn to sail.

The idea of class racing is the boats all conform to a standard which means you maintain the boat using approved parts and procedures. This boat looks like it needs some minor work. Contact the nearest club and have them advise you.

Since all of the boats are essentially the same the race winner is the more skillful sailor.

[GorillaToast]

I have a 20' sailboat for sale in Columbus, OH. It's significantly more than $175 ($700), but I did most of the work it needed last year. Plus, I have a documented history for it. Search for "sailboat" in Columbus Craigslist.

It's much more stable so you won't end up capsized all the time like you will with a dinghy like the Flying Scot. Otoh, many contend that you learn more about how to sail by getting dunked a bunch of times.

[belizesailor]

A huge number of people, including me, have learned to sail on Hobie 16's and other boats from the Hobie line. They are widely available and inexpensive. However, due to the quirks of sailing a Hobie I don't think they they are the ideal boat to learn aboard (way fast and fun though!).

Something like the Flying Scott that you found, Vanguard, or Laser are a bit less idiosyncratic and I think better for learning.

I agree that the listed boat looks like an awful lot of work (and the associated expense) and the listing says nor shows anything about sails, rigging, etc. I would spend a little more money and buy something that is ready to sail.

[rattleshirt]

Thank you, I'm trying to keep it cheap...we just don't have much money. I'll keep looking. I saw a Boston Whaler Harpoon a little while ago that looked reasonable, but I think it has sold. It will probably be sometime this summer before we get the money together, so right now I'm just trying to see what is available.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by rattleshirt

Thank you, I'm trying to keep it cheap...we just don't have much money. I'll keep looking. I saw a Boston Whaler Harpoon a little while ago that looked reasonable, but I think it has sold. It will probably be sometime this summer before we get the money together, so right now I'm just trying to see what is available.

If you want to keep the initial purchase cheap you could buy an older boat, like the listing you found, that needs some work and fix it up over time. This would spread out the expenses, but in the end you will almost certainly spend more money total than just buying a serviceable boat to begin with.

[Adelie]

It is a Flying Scot.

Club I learned to sail in had a couple over the years. Still have one.

GREAT starter boat. Still in production last I heard, so manufacturer support. Good class association.

FLYING SCOT sailboat on sailboatdata.com

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by Adelie

It is a Flying Scot.

Club I learned to sail in had a couple over the years. Still have one.

GREAT starter boat. Still in production last I heard, so manufacturer support. Good class association.

FLYING SCOT sailboat on sailboatdata.com

Definitely still in production, almost ordered one last month, but decided on a pocket cruiser, instead.

[rattleshirt]

Given the cost of a working (very small) daysailer and a working dinghy type boat aren't much different we might go that route. Dunno, still pokingvaround for ideas. Eventually we are aiming for a 45-55' cruising boat...on down the road aways...and the daysailer might be a better trainer for or goals.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

If you want to keep the initial purchase cheap you could buy an older boat, like the listing you found, that needs some work and fix it up over time. This would spread out the expenses, but in the end you will almost certainly spend more money total than just buying a serviceable boat to begin with.

+1

And especially if you don't know what you are looking at before purchase (Google / CF is your freind!).

Not to say that buying a fixer upper is not a good way to go - especially if that is the only way to pay for a boat, but there is a higher cost involved in effectively spreading the full cost over time.

But FWIW, I think OP is on the right track . For a first small boat I would:-

1) Agree a price, subject to a testsail
2) Testsail to ensure that boat doesn't leak like a seive (or sink!)
3) Testsail to ensure that sails go up (and fit!) and have no holes in 'em!
4) Testsail to ensure that the engine works (if any).
5) Testsail to ensure that keel drops (and raises!)

Obviously if the boat is a complete steal then may want / need to omit the testsail - but I would only do that if I could then live with the boat later meeting Mr Chainsaw and his freind Mr Skip (minus any useful bits!).

Don't mean that can't accept less than perfect, but IMO starting off with something that at least works will save time / money / aggro overall - even if the price of that is initially not venturing too far from shore (within swimming distance?!).

The best way to "save" money is to buy well (low price and in reasonable condition). Always plenty of deals around (so don't get hung up on "missing" a deal), and on the small stuff at low value Vendors can also be motivated by a desire (or need?) to simply get shot of the boat - price being rather secondary.

Oh, and the more boats you look at (including those not for sale - just pretend!) the better will be able to judge a boat's condition / worth. Would also be a good idea to get a catologue (Paper or Website) that has prices (and pictures!) of small boat / dinghy parts - so you have a reference point for costing things up (lots of small prices = a big price ).....and whilst you may be intending to buy bits s/h, not always possible to do that when you want.