Type and Size of Sailboat ?

[set_sail]

I'm an aspiring sailor and I'm wondering what kind of boat and what size I need....I've done some research and i think a monohull would be better than a multihull. I think that a sailboat 27' or larger would be ideal. I want something that can sleep at least 4 or 5 people, is capable for bluewater sailing as well as coastal/intracoastal sailing, and that is easily maneuverable into most locations including getting as close to shore as possible. Also want something that could be learned rather easily and can be sailed by 1 or 2 people maximum.

[gonesail]

will these be 2 couples? then you would need 2 doubles and maybe a settee or quarter birth unless someone is sleeping on floor or in cockpit. either way you are looking at over 30 maybe 35 feet. but learning a boat this size would be a challenge. sounds like you want a shoal draft around 4 or 4.5 feet and a mast height under 50 feet. all boats are a compromise so you will need to make a few. a 27 or 28 foot boat may be just what you need. take a look at the island packet 27.

[atoll]

1000 miles from the sea try this

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[set_sail]

Originally Posted by gonesail

will these be 2 couples? then you would need 2 doubles and maybe a settee or quarter birth unless someone is sleeping on floor or in cockpit. either way you are looking at over 30 maybe 35 feet. but learning a boat this size would be a challenge. sounds like you want a shoal draft around 4 or 4.5 feet and a mast height under 50 feet. all boats are a compromise so you will need to make a few. a 27 or 28 foot boat may be just what you need. take a look at the island packet 27.

Well right now its just me, but that could change and I just want to have room for extras. In case of someday having kids, or visitors, or pets. Just want the room. I'll look at the Island Packet 27, but I will keep in mind boats up to 35

[Khagan1227]

Originally Posted by set_sail

Well right now its just me, but that could change and I just want to have room for extras. In case of someday having kids, or visitors, or pets. Just want the room. I'll look at the Island Packet 27, but I will keep in mind boats up to 35

I'd use : SailboatData.com - sailboat database with specifications, drawings and photos, more than 8000 listings

to look at various boat designs and layouts. You can search by manufacture, lOA, etc.

I looked at an Islander Bahama 30' that meets most of your requirement. 2 in masters stateroom, 2 on dinette, 1 in quarter berth.

[tallyhorob]

Originally Posted by set_sail

Well right now its just me, but that could change and I just want to have room for extras. In case of someday having kids, or visitors, or pets. Just want the room. I'll look at the Island Packet 27, but I will keep in mind boats up to 35

Your first boat you buy will not be your last, ask almost anyone. So get what you need now learn it enjoy it and upgrade if and when the time comes, that way the second more costly boat you buy will be with a lot of hands on knowledge from you and on what you feel you need next instead of planning for everything now.

[set_sail]

So you think with a 27' sailboat of some kind, I could get what i need to learn and do some sailing, then I could trade up?

Another question, which is better, Ketch or Sloop. What are pros/cons of each?

[maytrix]

If you can, try sailing with some others or chartering.

My wife and I just bought a boat a boat in a Charter program and we are going to take advantage of using as many other boats as we can just to get a good feel for different boats and what we'll want eventually. We figure the more we can try, the more we'll know about what we like, don't like and require.

So I'd suggest trying as much as you can so you can better know what you want.

[barnakiel]

I do not think a 27' is big enough for bluewater with 5 onboard. We sailed just the two of us and it was very intimate.

I think it takes a +34' for the crew of 4.

Learning probably easier and faster on a cat than on a mono. Getting close up to the land, etc.. too.

b.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Learning probably easier and faster on a cat than on a mono. Getting close up to the land, etc.. too.
b.

Thats a nice advantage... taking a cat through the Med last year I ran for a bay in Minorca as the wind was getting up a tad and it was getting dark... got in to find it heaving with mono's... but no worries... snaked my way through and anchored between them and the beach in 2-3 metres off water... white sand.... lovely spot.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by set_sail

I'm an aspiring sailor and I'm wondering what kind of boat and what size I need....I've done some research and i think a monohull would be better than a multihull. I think that a sailboat 27' or larger would be ideal. I want something that can sleep at least 4 or 5 people, is capable for bluewater sailing as well as coastal/intracoastal sailing, and that is easily maneuverable into most locations including getting as close to shore as possible. Also want something that could be learned rather easily and can be sailed by 1 or 2 people maximum.

As tallyhorob says, your first boat will not be your last. With that in mind get a boat that fits your circumstances right now.

Those circumstances would be:
A) Want to learn to sail
B) Northern OK, which is not really a 1000mi from sailable water, but then again there isn't anything big enough to be interesting for more than a couple days or a week.

In keeping with B) the boat should be trailerable or cartop-able.
In keeping with A) it should be cheap and rigged fairly simply.
-Cheap because the reality is once you get into sailing you may not really like it as much as you thought, as a sailing instructor for more than 20yr I saw a lot of people get in and bail back out within 2 or 3 lessons. There are two ways to play that, one is that cheap lets you back out of a wrong decision more easily. Expensive motivates you to stay with the sport long enough to get better at it, at which point you might like it more. You need to decide how much you want to spend and how to keep yourself motivated.
-Simply rigged means you spend more time learning to sail and less time setting up and putting away.

My reccommendations would go like this:
1. Laser, cartop-able or trailerable with any vehicle bigger than a motorcycle, SMART cars included, 30min max set up and takedown, easy to store, $1-2k used, good resale, easy to fix most problems, maker still in business so parts are available, really good boat to learn on. Downside is you will get wet a lot before you get good and only one person at a time.
2. LaserII/420/470/FJ/..., Trailerable by any car, quick set up and takedown, $1.5-4k used, makers still in business, good boats to learn on, room for 2 maybe 3, storage isn't too bad. Downside is you still get wet, need the second person in all but light-moderate winds, depending on how heavy you are.
3. Holder 20, Trailerable by most cars (1400lb or so w/ trailer), moderately easy setup, $2-5k used, can sail singlehanded in all but heavy winds, can carry 5 or 6 depending on how cozy you can get and how heavy the winds are, "won't" capsize, cuddy cabin so you and a guest can stay on the boat overnight, retractible keel, made by Hobie so parts may still be available, though out of production for a while. Downside: storage is getting harder.
4. Santana 20 Similar to Holder except 200-300lb heavier so tow vehicle required is getting bigger and maker is probably out of business. Fixed keel making boat ride higher on trailer and needs deeper water to launch.
5. Tempest Similar to Holder,1200lb or so with trailer. $1-3k used, makers still in business. Downside: No cabin so you have to rig a tarp to sleep out, some boats have fixed keelsm, makers are in Europe.
6a. Cal20 Real cabin, sleeps 4, could go offshore in a pinch with a lot of prep, Cal is out of business but Seals Spars is still providing good support for the class. Downside: 1950lb + trailer, fixed keel
6b. Catalina22 Real cabin, sleeps 5, swing keel, Catalina is still in business and this boat is still in production though an upgraded version. Downside: 2490lb + trailer
7. Cal25 Real cabin, sleeps 4-5, could go offshore in a pinch with a lot of prep, poptop for headroom at anchor, Cal is out of business but Seals Spars is still providing good support for the class. Downside: 4000lb + trailer, fixed keel.

LASER (INTERNATIONAL) Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com
LASER 2 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com
HOLDER 20 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com
SANTANA 20 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com
TEMPEST (INTERNATIONAL) Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com
CAL 20 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com
CATALINA 22 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com
CAL 25 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com

If you aren't going to go the getting wet a lot while learning to sail route (dinghies are the best way to learn to SAIL, as opposed to all the other cruising things like anchoring, navigating ....), then I would say go for the Holder. It's not too expensive to start with, cabin for overnighting, drop keel so launching easier, light enough you probably won't have to upgrade your vehicle, just get a tow package (you-install tow packages including
wiring will run you about $500-600).

With a trailerable boat you can learn to sail on lakes close to home, then start trekking out to the Gulf for long weekends or longer vacations. Once you've done that you will have a better idea what you want to do on the water and the kind of boat you need.

[set_sail]

I guess I should have given more detail. I'm not planning (or able) to buy anything until after I move back to Texas. I want a monohull. My questions for size have been fairly week answered, so now I would like to know what is the best hull material? Ketch, sloop, or yawl? I've seen some ketch and yawl sailboats that look really nice, but what's the pros and cons? I realize they are more complicated...

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by set_sail

I guess I should have given more detail. I'm not planning (or able) to buy anything until after I move back to Texas. I want a monohull. My questions for size have been fairly week answered, so now I would like to know what is the best hull material? Ketch, sloop, or yawl? I've seen some ketch and yawl sailboats that look really nice, but what's the pros and cons? I realize they are more complicated...

Go sailing and you'll realise why you won't then ask these types of questions. There are very few " pros and cons" in sailing , there are huge personal preferences.

Adeile, I would disagree that learning to sail via the dinghy route is the best way , it's ONE. way not the best way. I'm a keel boat instructor and I disagree, learning on a keel boat means that you focus on the sailing not worrying about getting wet.

Dave

[capnorv]

In your 27-35 foot range, I don't think there is an advantage to more than one mast. Almost all boats in that range are sloops. I've never seen one, but it sounds like a Shoalwater might fit your qualifications, or the Island Packet, or a Mcgregor, then you could waterski when you get crew! I hate to even bring up materials here, but most of your choices will be fiberglass, which has always done right by me.

[DannySt]

a nice beneteau or a Jeanneau in the 33 range can be ideal for you. cheep, very good accommodations and easy to learn as a first boat. will be able to host 4 to 6 people comfortably.
Draft may be an issue but the closer you get to the beach, the harder the waves are breaking.

If you are just looking for a first boat to find your way in the sailing world, you might want to have a look at this movie:
Hold Fast on Vimeo