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mstrebe · 20-08-2015, 16:22

Seriously consider a Hobie Adventure Island or Tandem Island kayak tri-maran. They're way less expensive than traditional sailboats, easy to learn, and once you've mastered them you have a lot of the skills needed for "real" sailboats.

julia2015 · 21-08-2015, 14:38

Thank you all for your input.

I would like something that i can share with my family ..
My son is 1 year old so i am debating if it is safe or not..what would you say ?

thanks again

Zeb · 21-08-2015, 14:52

Flying Scot. Great boat to learn on.

- Zeb

mstrebe · 21-08-2015, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by julia2015

Thank you all for your input.

I would like something that i can share with my family ..
My son is 1 year old so i am debating if it is safe or not..what would you say ?

thanks again

With a child, any boat with a cabin will be perfectly safe. When he's in the cockpit, just keep him in a PFD that's tethered to the boat.

Stumble · 21-08-2015, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by julia2015

Thank you all for your input.

I would like something that i can share with my family ..
My son is 1 year old so i am debating if it is safe or not..what would you say ?

thanks again

It depends on budget of course, but a Weta trimaran would be my first choice for young kids. It is far more stable than a dinghy, has a reasonable payload, and has much more open space for lounging on.

esarratt · 21-08-2015, 23:21

Lasers are good, easy to trailer.

Flying Scotts are popular, easy to handle and have a strong following.

Small boat, I prefer Montgomery 15, but a Compac is fine too.

It is really, really nice to be able to trailer (easily) whatever you have.

See if you can find another sailor in the area to check out a boat with you BEFORE you buy it. They can give you perspective and help you choose something that isn't a dog.

A little work is fine. A lot of work is a nightmare.

esarratt · 21-08-2015, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by julia2015

Thank you all for your input.

I would like something that i can share with my family ..
My son is 1 year old so i am debating if it is safe or not..what would you say ?

thanks again

Ditto on Flying Scott. Women and kids like them because they don't heel as easily as other types of boats and "feel" safe.

Flying Scott and Montgomery 15 would be on my short list if I was searching for a trailerable day boat. BTW: both of those boats are good for "boat camping".

PortClydeMe · 22-08-2015, 00:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by julia2015

Thank you all for your input.

I would like something that i can share with my family ..
My son is 1 year old so i am debating if it is safe or not..what would you say ?

thanks again

If you want to take your 1-year-old son, forget an AMF Sunfish. They are great little boats to learn on, but you have to love swimming. You'll soon be in the water, and quite often. I was, but I was 10 years old and a good swimmer. You'll soon be in big trouble with a baby boy on board.

julia2015 · 23-08-2015, 14:32

Thank you all for your answers !

You are very helpful and I really appreciate it !

You think i can find some people on this forum with `small` boat in my area? I will keep browsing

Thanks again!

Stumble · 23-08-2015, 14:51

It has been raised a few times, and I can't disagree strongly enough with the recommendations. Flying Scot's are a terrible boat for beginners. They are uncomfortable, tweaky, have a history a rig failures, and if they broach cannot self rescue you will need a tow.

The only thing they really have going for them is that there are tons of them out there.

Again it really depends on budget. There are litterly hundreds if not thousands of designs in this size range, and they all have something going for them, but what you feel comfortable spending is going to be a major factor inrecomendations.

SkiprJohn · 23-08-2015, 20:26

There has to be a gazillion boats near you. I'd recommend a local club just to get you headed the right direction.

cabo_sailor · 24-08-2015, 08:52

I'm not sure if this conforms with the rules but you might want to get your hands on a recent issue "Good Old Boat" besides being a wonderful source for DIY projects, they also review and compare boats such as what you are looking for.

The classifieds include many vintage boats that are reasonably priced. It's really the only sailboat magazine I subscribe to.

For a single issue try your local West Marine or go to their website.

Rich

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

VinnyVincent · 24-08-2015, 09:52

Here you go:

Compac 16 sailboat

Cheechako · 24-08-2015, 10:13

There are a lot of good little sailboats out there 16 to 25 ft. West Wight Potter is one of them. Just go out and buy one, sailing isn't brain surgery and you'll figure it out if you use common sense and study up a bit!
Check out craigs list, keep you eyes open while driving for boats in yards etc.
Make sure the boat is solid and the sails are good as they are expensive. Compacs are good too.
Don't just buy the first one you like, get on some boats and figure out which layouts etc you like. Also, most those boats should be real cheap... some are give aways. Be careful about what you pay for the one you like.
Heck, you could buy a boat a couple weeks from now and be out sailing next month!
Have fun.

Cheechako · 24-08-2015, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by julia2015

Thank you all for your answers !

You are very helpful and I really appreciate it !

You think i can find some people on this forum with `small` boat in my area? I will keep browsing

Thanks again!

What is "your area"?
BTW, there may not be much difference ins price for 16-23 ft.