Best Sailboat For Me?

[aufdemwasser]

I'm new to this forum, so I hope I'm posting this in the appropriate section. I'm considering taking up sailing and purchasing a boat, and I'd appreciate some recommendations as to the types of boats I should be considering. I live in Ottawa, Canada and would be keeping my boat at a sailing club near to where I live. Here is an idea of what I am after:

1. I'd like to sail locally (Ottawa & Eastern Ontario) with my wife and young daughter and I want to be able to do overnights, so beds, bathroom, kitchen, etc.

2. Ideally I'd like a classic boat or at least something in a classic style. For me, a big part of the appeal of sailing is the aesthetics, so I'd like something with a lot of wood, a cosy interior, with a vintage/antique look and feel.

3. Budget is around 50K (CAD) but lower would be better, if possible.

4. I'm pretty sure I want to buy used, since a big concern of mine is depreciation. This is another reason I'd like something classic - I feel it might hold its value better since if it is more rare?

Based on this info, can anyone help point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

[thinwater]

Do you know how to sail (it sounds as though maybe you never have, or just as a passenger)? If the answer is no, then it's not yet time to answer this question.


Yes, $50 K should work. It won't be new and you will be doing some work. But learn some and spend some time on the water first. You will make a better choice. Go to a boat show, understanding that most boat shows focus entire on new boats, which are different. And brokers hate viewing boats with tire kickers that don't know exactly what they are looking for. They tend to not return calls. I don't blame them.

[barnakiel]

You may opt to charter a boat for a weekend in June to see what is what. Probably something not too extreme. Normally, a 40-footer has all a small family wants.


And then think of what was missing, what was excessive, and get a boat that matches your demand.


b.

[desodave]

Welcome aboard aufdemwasser from the (really) wet coast. I agree with Thinwater's comments ... learn a bit first and you'll make a better choice. There is a sailing community in Ottawa ... quick google search shows;
The Ottawa River Sailing Page


and
The Ottawa River Sailing Page
Talk to some local people, cruise the local docks and see what works for you. I'm sure you can find some additional opportunities nearby on Lake Ontario as well. You may be able to find some sailing lessons easily available. Look up sailboats for sale as well and just cruise the ads ... it will give you an idea of the market.

You also need to remember that the cost of the boat is only the first installment. Boats are expensive to keep with maintenance, moorage and insurance costs ... you have to budget for them on an ongoing basis. They'll make the depreciation on an older boat look almost inconsequential.

[NorthCoastJoe]

I would recommend the Pearson 30 or similar boats. Enough room for 4 over night and easy to handle. I would save half or your budget for repair and upgrades and not go crazy with electronics. We sailed the Pearson 30 for years in San Francisco Bay with no electronics just a VHF and a compass.

[Mike OReilly]

Hi aufdemwasser, I'm a fellow Ottawan (sort of...it's complicated), so thought I should respond. Your plans and your budget are reasonable, but head Thin's words; get some experience first. Hang out at the yacht club (Brittania?). Get to know boat owners. Crew with as many as possible. Make sure your wife and daughter do the same if they're to be part of this life.

In general, if you're looking to explore both the Ottawa River and beyond, then you should consider a trailer-sailor type of boat. That would severely limit the size, but would allow you to more easily explore the Ottawa River, as well as the Rideau system and down into the Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence).

I too appreciate classic designs, and like lots of wood, both on the interior and exterior. But be warned, wood means work... lots of work. I would say than 90%+ of cruisers eventually decide to avoid boats with lots of wood.

But don't get the cart before the horse. Before you buy a boat, get some actual experience. Maybe take an Intro to Cruising course offered through Canadian Yachting Ass. (I think it's called Sail Canada now), or the Power Squadron. You could do that as a family to see if everyone is as interested as you.

[desodave]

Sorry about the link double posted ... should have added
https://www.meetup.com/Ottawa-Sailing-Meetup/

[aufdemwasser]

Thanks for all the replies! I have done any sailing yet but I plan to start this spring. I just wanted to get a better idea of potential boats so that I can focus my research a bit.

I'll look at the Pearson 30 but if anyone has other suggestions please share them - 30 feet sounds like a good length and I don't think I'd want to go much bigger than that because of moorage & winter storage costs. I'm hoping that annual costs will be no greater than 5K (CAD) - does this sounds reasonable?

[Gary Mc]

HI here are several boats that will giver you something to look into on these cold winter days


Bayfield 32 or 36 for your traditional look and a fair bit of teak.


CS 30 or 33 or 36 are all well built boats, also made in Ontario.



Aloha 32 or 36 are worth a look, also built near Toronto.


Good luck.

[AiniA]

Most of the boats being mentioned are not trailerable. If you are in Ottawa you have a fundamental choice - sail on the river, which is convenient but you can't go very far, or keep your boat in Kingston (or similar) which means you less convenience but opens up the possibilities both in terms of where you can go and the boats you could have.

Don't buy anything for this year. You don't know what you what you don't know at this point. Take lessons (all of you) and crew on other people's boats.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by AiniA

Most of the boats being mentioned are not trailerable. If you are in Ottawa you have a fundamental choice - sail on the river, which is convenient but you can't go very far, or keep your boat in Kingston (or similar) which means you less convenience but opens up the possibilities both in terms of where you can go and the boats you could have.

Don't buy anything for this year. You don't know what you what you don't know at this point. Take lessons (all of you) and crew on other people's boats.

Listen to this advice. There are too many unknown unknowns right now.

[aufdemwasser]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Hi aufdemwasser, I'm a fellow Ottawan (sort of...it's complicated), so thought I should respond. Your plans and your budget are reasonable, but head Thin's words; get some experience first. Hang out at the yacht club (Brittania?). Get to know boat owners. Crew with as many as possible. Make sure your wife and daughter do the same if they're to be part of this life.

In general, if you're looking to explore both the Ottawa River and beyond, then you should consider a trailer-sailor type of boat. That would severely limit the size, but would allow you to more easily explore the Ottawa River, as well as the Rideau system and down into the Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence).

I too appreciate classic designs, and like lots of wood, both on the interior and exterior. But be warned, wood means work... lots of work. I would say than 90%+ of cruisers eventually decide to avoid boats with lots of wood.

But don't get the cart before the horse. Before you buy a boat, get some actual experience. Maybe take an Intro to Cruising course offered through Canadian Yachting Ass. (I think it's called Sail Canada now), or the Power Squadron. You could do that as a family to see if everyone is as interested as you.

Thanks for the suggestions. I live near Britannia and Nepean Sailing club, so I would go with one of those two options - do you have experience with either? An intro course is a great idea and I think both clubs offer one.

I don't think I want a trailer but wouldn't I be able to access the Rideau System (and the St. Lawrence & Lake Ontario) by setting sail at Britannia or Nepean Sailing club? I know if would take some time but that would be the type of big trip I would do eventually.

I hear what you're saying about wood = work, which is why I'm wondering if there are modern boats that have an antique, wood look while being more durable. Perhaps something made with a wood & plastic composite?

[aufdemwasser]

Originally Posted by AiniA

Most of the boats being mentioned are not trailerable. If you are in Ottawa you have a fundamental choice - sail on the river, which is convenient but you can't go very far, or keep your boat in Kingston (or similar) which means you less convenience but opens up the possibilities both in terms of where you can go and the boats you could have.

Don't buy anything for this year. You don't know what you what you don't know at this point. Take lessons (all of you) and crew on other people's boats.

I hadn't though about keeping it in Kingston (or maybe a little closer, like Brockville or Gananoque). I'll look into that when the time comes.

Great advice to avoid buying anything this year - I'm not one to rush into things impulsively, and I'll definitely get my feet wet (no pun intended) learning to sail and experiencing a variety of boats before making a purchase.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by AiniA

Don't buy anything for this year. You don't know what you what you don't know at this point. Take lessons (all of you) and crew on other people's boats.

Spend this year on learning to sail and navigate, look at boats that appeal to you... then next year, if your still 'hot to trot' make your move.

[Nekton73]

You won't be able to use the Rideau to get to Kingston from Ottawa/Nepean unless your draft is max 4' and your air draft (height of mast above the water) is under 22', the lowest fixed bridge height on the canal.

Yes you could take your mast down and then put it back up. What that involves depends on what boat you have. Many smaller boats it is fairly simple and safe to do yourself by hand and using some basic rigging, however by the time you get to about 30' in boat length things become more challenging.

No, $5000 per year is likely not realistic annual cost to own a non-trailerable boat if you expect to keep it in the water at a marina for the season and store it on the hard at a boat yard. Do some research and find out how much these costs will run you at the marinas you are considering. Ask about launch and haul costs as well, and mast stepping and removal facilities and costs if you plan to take it down to transit the Rideau. Check on insurance too.

If you get a trailer sailor and keep it in your driveway then yes that's reasonable, barring any major refit work. I wouldn't be so quick to knock a trailerable boat. Once you start looking at some, and consider the kind of sailing available to you and the costs involved, you may find they suit your needs, at least to start out. There are a couple of Express 27's in my club who's owners launch and haul from a trailer, store them at home, and occasionally tow them elsewhere to race. Nice boats, very competitive and seaworthy, roomy enough for weekend cruising.

A classic boat that may work for you is the centerboard version of a Grampian 30. Very roomy boat, 3' draft with the centerboard up, standard mast height, deck stepped mast so possible to raise and lower yourself (without a crane) if you learn how and set things up right. My own G30 is the full keel and tall mast version and came with hinge plates for doing exactly this. It also was launched and hauled from a trailer, although it was difficult.