New Member from Texas

[scubasteve]

I live in the Clear Lake area between Houston and Galveston and looking to get back into sailing. Sailed many years with my father on boats ranging from 22 to 27. I currently own a powerboat and use it mainly for offshore fishing.
I’m seriously thinking about changing gears back to sailing and possibly live aboard. Gland to find a good forum with many experienced sailors.

[imagine2frolic]

WELCOME,

Tons of knowledge here. Take advantage of it, and changing gears is a good description!.........i2f

[Fishman_Tx]

Welcome dude! We Texans got a side group going at http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/groups/

[bstreep]

Welcome! Clear Lake is a good place to find a boat!

[scubasteve]

Thanks for the welcomes. Been lurking for a while and definitely impress with the knowledge base.

Clear Lake is a big boating area so trying to track down the right boat should be straight forward.

[Ocean Girl]

Welcome scubasteve,
Living aboard is a great way to "change gears".
Cheers,
Erika

[scubasteve]

Thanks Ocean Girl. I see you have a 30 CD; How do you like it? I'm thinking about a 30 CD, 30 Morgan Out Island or 31 Island Packet (kinda pricy). Still a year away from making a move but have to start somewhere.

[Ocean Girl]

Love my CD 30. Out of the three I think the IP and CD are better quality and better sailors. I haven't sailed a IP31 but I did deliver a 27 IP to mexico and back, I liked the boat, actually, she sailed like a dream, and her barn door rudder was balanced and easy to handle in storms. Her wide beam made for some tricky maneuvers down below getting from one hand hold to another.

My CD was very neglected and in need of everything except an engine (new Volvo MD20) The CDs sail beautifully, point very well, and are extremely strong boats. The draw backs are her weather helm, and her internal liner down below. The liner limits access to the hull and bilge, and wastes a lot of precious storage space. Before I bought the boat I had to reconcile that if my boat gets hulled I will probably have to go over the side to fix it (not very fun considering what all will be going on when in a sinking boat). I am working on creating access to the hull in key areas at the bow where damage to the hull is more likely to occur. I also thought to look into making the liner part of water tight compartments forward of the mast, but it seems very unlikely. The cd30 is a great single hander but it would be a little cramped for two to live aboard, though many people do it. If more space is wanted, look at the 31CD for a better layout and comfort down below. BTW There are 6-7 CD30s in Watergate marina on pier 7 (not me). Check out the morgan 32s too, beautiful boat.

Here is the Cape dory fantastic owners website Welcome to the Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association's Home Page
and here is a great site that compares statistics like motion comfort, capsize ratio, hull speed etc. on production sailboats Sail Calculator Pro v3.53 - 2000+ boats

Cheers,
Erika

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and Welcome aboard.
Good to have you here and posting.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[scubasteve]

Thanks skiprjohn!

Appreciate the info Ocean Girl. The morgan 32 does look like a sweet boat. That would probably be the biggest I can go since I will be single handed 80% of the time.