Another first boat question. Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres inside

[Crazy Talk]

I know you've seen this before. And I've read most of them. But this is MY boat.

Before we get to the boat, here is the longer term plan.

This will be my first boat and I am a new sailor. What I want out of this boat is a platform to learn. Ive taken some classes and sailed some (reas littlw) but I want to continue my sailing education, primarily singlehandedly, but also to teach my boys if they are interested. I'll spend some time out in rougher weather to get a feel for it and work on my weathered complexion. I want to find out what I like and don't like on a boat.

I also want to learn how to maintain the boat and overcome issues if they arise. Right now I'm reading Nigel Calder's book on diesel engines and expect to be able to tear into it to do what needs to doing to keep it running. I want to understand the electrical aspects as well and follow that up with structural, plumbing etc. I do alot of that stuff now at my home so it's an extension of what I already do.

I say all that, but I want my first boat to be pretty turnkey. Climb aboard and sail. The maintenance and whatnot is as needed, I'm not looking for a project. The systems are there for me to see, understand, maintain, and correct if needed.

I've read enough here to know that I definitely want to buy the refurbed boat rather than the cheapie that needs it.

I expect to own this boat for 2 years then sell for my cruising boat.

So, for the first boat my goals are, learn everything I can about sailing, spend days on it at away from land to determine MY seaworthiness, not put alot of money in, and in 2 years sell for about the same price.

The boat will stay in the water in the Philadelphia area. I expect to cruise up to NY, maybe Boston and down to the Chesapeake. I'm thinking 27-30ish feet, shallower draft for the Chesapeake. If I can keep it under $10k that would be great but not a necessity. Most of what I see there is early to mid 80's.

Just in looking online I've liked the Pearson, the S2, the Cal and a few others. I know this might sound weird but I've been avoiding Catalina and Hunter for no other reason than I like to dance to the beat of a different drum. But maybe in this case the name will help in resale.

So the goals are buy reasonably, learn alot about sailing and maintenance, use like it's a big boat, sell at about the same as buy. Knowing what you now know, where would you start?

[TwoLegged]

I know that this is an unfashionable answer, but I suggest starting with a reasonably fast racing dinghy, and sailing the hell out of it. Race it, play with, take it out in all weathers.

The advantage of a dinghy is that it provides much more direct and immediate feedback, and is less forgiving of errors. You can find its limits much more easily than with a keelboat, and you can learn much more, much faster than in a more sedate boat.

You don't need a fancy dinghy. Buy an old one, with tired sails and a battered hull, and use it lots.

[brianlara 3]

OK, it's the "wrong drum" but there are sooo many Catalina 27's & 30's on the market, reason being they built thousands because they were and are good.
Otherwise, reading your post, it all sounds like life is going to be pretty darn wonderful ( 97% of the time but you know that already).

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Crazy Talk

Just in looking online I've liked the Pearson, the S2, the Cal and a few others. I know this might sound weird but I've been avoiding Catalina and Hunter for no other reason than I like to dance to the beat of a different drum. But maybe in this case the name will help in resale.

So the goals are buy reasonably, learn alot about sailing and maintenance, use like it's a big boat, sell at about the same as buy. Knowing what you now know, where would you start?

All good boats. Given your goals, regardless of your different dance, a Catalina 30 would tick off ALL your boxes.

Good luck.

[Cheechako]

Good plan. I would second the Cat 30. Key to your plan is resale. Boats are not easy to sell. Anything you put into the boat you buy will not come back to you in most cases. Buy something that is useable when you buy it and be prepared to lose the broker's commission and any regular maintenance costs at least when you sell.
Having said that, a 30 footer is great to start. While you can learn some small nuances dingy sailing, it's really not a big deal for cruising.
But, the other option is to find one of the other type boats you list at less money than the Cat 30. If you spend $12k on a decent old Cat 30, or could spend $3500 on an old Pearson.... you could nearly give the Pearson away and not lose any more than you might on the Cat 30. Just a thought.

[Don C L]

I'd have to agree, Cat 27 or 30 will likely have the best resale value.

[DDabs]

wait where are the refreshments

[StuM]

Originally Posted by DDabs

wait where are the refreshments

Inside - just step through the door over there =>

[thomm225]

He said he didn't want a Catalina.

Get a boat with some character. Here's a good list to choose from:

Atom Voyages - Good Old Boats List

[Steven UK]

Originally Posted by TwoLegged

I know that this is an unfashionable answer, but I suggest starting with a reasonably fast racing dinghy, and sailing the hell out of it. Race it, play with, take it out in all weathers.

The advantage of a dinghy is that it provides much more direct and immediate feedback, and is less forgiving of errors. You can find its limits much more easily than with a keelboat, and you can learn much more, much faster than in a more sedate boat.

You don't need a fancy dinghy. Buy an old one, with tired sails and a battered hull, and use it lots.

+1 if you can sail a laser in high winds everything else will be a piece of cake!

[Steven UK]

Also you can buy and sell a dinghy in one season and not loose any money...

[Crazy Talk]

Originally Posted by TwoLegged

I know that this is an unfashionable answer, but I suggest starting with a reasonably fast racing dinghy, and sailing the hell out of it. Race it, play with, take it out in all weathers.

The advantage of a dinghy is that it provides much more direct and immediate feedback, and is less forgiving of errors. You can find its limits much more easily than with a keelboat, and you can learn much more, much faster than in a more sedate boat.

You don't need a fancy dinghy. Buy an old one, with tired sails and a battered hull, and use it lots.

Twolegged, I appreciate the response.

The right answer doesn't need to be fashionable.

If I were 28 I probably already would have done that. At 48 my future is a little closer and my needs are different than just getting out on a sailboat.

However, I do hope that my boys are interested enough to some dinghy sailing themselves.

[Crazy Talk]

Originally Posted by brianlara 3

OK, it's the "wrong drum" but there are sooo many Catalina 27's & 30's on the market, reason being they built thousands because they were and are good.
Otherwise, reading your post, it all sounds like life is going to be pretty darn wonderful ( 97% of the time but you know that already).

Brian, thanks for the response.

Sometimes I can be reasonable and this may be exactly what I do because of my 2 year time frame.


And I can only wish 97% of my life were perfect.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by thomm225

He said he didn't want a Catalina.

Uhm, no, that's not what he said.

He said: " I know this might sound weird but I've been avoiding Catalina and Hunter for no other reason than I like to dance to the beat of a different drum. But maybe in this case the name will help in resale."

So, it's possible he'd consider one.

I agree with your idea of getting a boat with character, but he also said he wanted to only keep it for two years.

If he gets a production boat in good shape and uses it for two years, he'll be able to "get out of it" more likely.

If he gets the Pearson as Cheechako suggests, that would be another possibility, although he'd have to get a good price for a boat in good shape and then hope he could find a buyer or taker.

In any event, good luck to him.

[Crazy Talk]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

All good boats. Given your goals, regardless of your different dance, a Catalina 30 would tick off ALL your boxes.

Good luck.

Stu, thanks for the reply.

I'm sensing a trend.