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Old 25-11-2020, 14:40   #1
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Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Chicago
Boat: Catalina 34
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Hello from Chicago!

Hi everyone,
My name is Gus and my and I have 2 tween girls. We are new to the area where we live and I am looking to find support and friends to give us input as we search for our first sailboat. We had a 17’ daysailer (Capri 16.4) before and now we’d like to get something bigger, in which we can cruise around the Great Lakes.

Our budget is not big - if this sailing thing doesn’t fly with our family I’d like to sail singlehanded. The options are a bit overwhelming for us, even in the early winter period.

I would like to get input from you guys during our search. I’d like to ask your opinions, boat A vs boat B? Would that be acceptable?

Looking forward to interacting.

Thanks,
Gus
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Old 25-11-2020, 14:50   #2
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Cool Re: Hello from Chicago!

Welcome Gus!

We brought our cat here (from Ft Lauderdale) this June and on a ball over in Monroe Harbor.

The biggest questions (not in any particular order)
1. What body(s) of water do you plan on sailing?
2. Day Sailing? Overnights? Plying the Great Lakes...all effect what's practical
3. Level of comfort / experience?
4. Generally what size range are you looking @?

Don't know if we're much help (other end... 40' Leopard cat), but there's a huge, very supportive community here in Chi, much like other shores in the area.

Cheers

jBrad
s/v Fuzzy Logic
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Old 25-11-2020, 14:54   #3
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Re: Hello from Chicago!

Welcome to the Forum, Gus!

There are lots of Great Lakes sailors who are Members.

Here's the thread of a recent boat search (and find) by Kissmekate. She's been happily sailing all Summer with her son on her new boat (which she's also learning to singlehand).

Searching for 1st Boat - Catalina-Columbia-San Juan-Santana-Ranger
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...er-232670.html

Fair winds!
LittleWing77
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Old 25-11-2020, 15:35   #4
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Re: Hello from Chicago!

Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleWing77 View Post
Welcome to the Forum, Gus!

There are lots of Great Lakes sailors who are Members.

Here's the thread of a recent boat search (and find) by Kissmekate. She's been happily sailing all Summer with her son on her new boat (which she's also learning to singlehand).

Searching for 1st Boat - Catalina-Columbia-San Juan-Santana-Ranger
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...er-232670.html

Fair winds!
LittleWing77
Thank you so much. This is very useful because I don’t want to be asking questions that were previously answered here. I am going over Kate’s quest
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Old 25-11-2020, 15:45   #5
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Re: Hello from Chicago!

Quote:
Originally Posted by GusC View Post
Thank you so much. This is very useful because I don’t want to be asking questions that were previously answered here. I am going over Kate’s quest
First, welcome aboard CF, Gus. It's full of helpful and sometimes knowledgeable posters, so a lot of info available.

But to help you with avoiding repeating themes that have been well explored in the past, try using the "Custom Google search" feature. You access this by clicking the "Search" tab in the dark blue banner near the top of the page. From the drop down menu that appears, select Custom Google search and enter the subject of interest. It usually suggests a range of previous threads on the subject.

If that fails, we're here to help, argue, confuse and obfuscate, so ask away!

Jim (an escaped Chicagoan from many years ago)
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Old 25-11-2020, 15:47   #6
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Re: Hello from Chicago!

Quote:
Originally Posted by theBigKahuna View Post
Welcome Gus!

We brought our cat here (from Ft Lauderdale) this June and on a ball over in Monroe Harbor.

The biggest questions (not in any particular order)
1. What body(s) of water do you plan on sailing?
2. Day Sailing? Overnights? Plying the Great Lakes...all effect what's practical
3. Level of comfort / experience?
4. Generally what size range are you looking @?

Don't know if we're much help (other end... 40' Leopard cat), but there's a huge, very supportive community here in Chi, much like other shores in the area.

Cheers

jBrad
s/v Fuzzy Logic
Thank you! We’re looking for a 25-30 monohull. Resale value and ability to find parts is important to me. We’re looking to sail around Chicago, across the lake to Michigan, sturgeon bay, and I hope to graduate to sail the race to Mackinac.

I will go through the contents of the forum to answer my current questions. But some of them are: should I avoid boats olde than 1980? My price limit is 10k or so. I have seen some older (early 70s catalina 70, s2 9.A, Catalina 30) boats for under $8k.

If I find a decent Catalina 27 for $5k, should I still hire a surveyor?

What is everyone’s opinions on water ballast bottoms, such as Catalina 250? I found a couple of newer y price range, but I am afraid these 250s with swing keels are less a boat than other models , and also don’t have any storage whatsoever.

Another point is I would like to take friends for day sails, so a spacious cockpit is important. Should I avoid steering wheels and favor tillers that can be pushed out of the way?

I know these are so basic questions- I will read through the content here

Thanks
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Old 25-11-2020, 16:07   #7
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Re: Hello from Chicago!

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Gus.


I'd go for 'A' boat.
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Old 25-11-2020, 16:35   #8
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Re: Hello from Chicago!

Quote:
Originally Posted by GusC View Post
Thank you! We’re looking for a 25-30 monohull. Resale value and ability to find parts is important to me. We’re looking to sail around Chicago, across the lake to Michigan, sturgeon bay, and I hope to graduate to sail the race to Mackinac.

I will go through the contents of the forum to answer my current questions. But some of them are: should I avoid boats olde than 1980? My price limit is 10k or so. I have seen some older (early 70s catalina 70, s2 9.A, Catalina 30) boats for under $8k.

If I find a decent Catalina 27 for $5k, should I still hire a surveyor?

What is everyone’s opinions on water ballast bottoms, such as Catalina 250? I found a couple of newer y price range, but I am afraid these 250s with swing keels are less a boat than other models , and also don’t have any storage whatsoever.

Another point is I would like to take friends for day sails, so a spacious cockpit is important. Should I avoid steering wheels and favor tillers that can be pushed out of the way?

I know these are so basic questions- I will read through the content here

Thanks
Don't necessarily overlook older boats. I've a 1974 Grampian 26 and the hull fiberglass is very, very thick. They used different resin back then and honestly, you can't beat the old boats durability.
Just my 2 cents.
Fair winds!
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Old 25-11-2020, 16:50   #9
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Location: South Haven, MI
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Posts: 494
Re: Hello from Chicago!

Quote:
Originally Posted by GusC View Post
Thank you! We’re looking for a 25-30 monohull. Resale value and ability to find parts is important to me. We’re looking to sail around Chicago, across the lake to Michigan, sturgeon bay, and I hope to graduate to sail the race to Mackinac.

I will go through the contents of the forum to answer my current questions. But some of them are: should I avoid boats olde than 1980? My price limit is 10k or so. I have seen some older (early 70s catalina 70, s2 9.A, Catalina 30) boats for under $8k.

If I find a decent Catalina 27 for $5k, should I still hire a surveyor?

What is everyone’s opinions on water ballast bottoms, such as Catalina 250? I found a couple of newer y price range, but I am afraid these 250s with swing keels are less a boat than other models , and also don’t have any storage whatsoever.

Another point is I would like to take friends for day sails, so a spacious cockpit is important. Should I avoid steering wheels and favor tillers that can be pushed out of the way?

I know these are so basic questions- I will read through the content here

Thanks

Welcome. I'm a Lake Michigan sailor located across the Lake from you in South Haven, MI. I've been cruising Lake Michigan since 1985 and racing since 2006. I've sailed both sides of the Lake and have visited virtually every port and anchorage. With that said and given your price limitations I suggest you look for something that is large enough to safely and comfortably accommodate your family, has a strong on-line community and for which parts are readily available. If I were in your shoes my choice would be a well cared for Catalina 30. I'm sure that there are lots of individual boats that would meet your needs but I would begin by focusing on the C30. Good luck and stay safe.
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Old 25-11-2020, 19:47   #10
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Posts: 14
Re: Hello from Chicago!

Thanks, I have been in search for cat 30 too. I love this one in my area but they are asking 25k. That is overpriced, isn’t it?
https://southbend.craigslist.org/boa...220919228.html
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Old 25-11-2020, 21:08   #11
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Re: Hello from Chicago!

Gus, Welcome! What part of Chicago are you in?

I've been sailing in Chicago for 20+ years. I started with an S2 9.2A and now have a Catalina 34 which I've done several Chicago-Mac races on. My boys are 13 and 15. We live in Chicago's northwest side.

As someone else mentioned, it's important to understand how you and your family (especially the girls!) will use it.

Are you looking for something to trailer or keep in a harbor? There are advantages to trailering depending on how you use it including storage costs (assuming you have a truck to tow it) and access to distant cruising grounds.

Do you want a slip or mooring ball? That may affect features such as batteries and charging. A 30' mooring ball at Monroe Harbor is about $41/foot/season (plus 25% if you live outside of Chicago) and offers more privacy than a slip. A slip is much more convenient but generally costs more than double ($107/foot/season at Belmont plus 25% if not a Chicago resident). See https://www.chicagoharbors.info/wp-c...ees-2020-2.pdf. Don't forget about winter storage costs.

Do you want to use it as a floating condo or sail then go home? Again, that'll determine which boat is best for you and your family.

For cruising the closest port you'd want to visit with family is about 35 miles away (Michigan City, Indiana) so you'll spend at least 6 hours to get there. Waukegan is closer at 23 miles but not as much to see within walking distance of the marina. Hammond is close at 16 miles but the biggest attraction is the Horseshoe Casino.

Winds tend to be light in the summer so plan on motoring at least part of any long trip. That makes a reliable engine even more important. That said, winds can kick up waves (3-5' isn't that uncommon) so think about how a water ballast boat would handle. A friend had a MacGregor 26 and didn't like how the boat handled in waves.

Regarding age of boat, I'd think more about boat condition and decide how much work you want to do yourself. Think about how much help your family will be. Will they want to spend weekends at the boat yard to help get the boat ready for launch? Will they miss you because you're spending so much time with "your girlfriend"?

I agree a Catalina 30 would be a good choice. A friend has one and it had enough room for his family until his third child came along. I loved my S2 9.2A (very solid compared to a Catalina) but it's not as roomy as a Catalina 30 and it's engine (YSB-12 I think) was under powered.

Nautical Donations (https://nauticaldonations.org/) has a number of boats in your size and budget.

You might also look into boat timeshares. Google "Chicago boat timeshare". Depending on experience and expectations it might be a good option.

I'd hire a surveyor to get an unbiased opinion on condition and to help validate price. Insurance may require it.

Hope this helps! Let us know what other questions you have.




Quote:
Originally Posted by GusC View Post
Thank you! We’re looking for a 25-30 monohull. Resale value and ability to find parts is important to me. We’re looking to sail around Chicago, across the lake to Michigan, sturgeon bay, and I hope to graduate to sail the race to Mackinac.

I will go through the contents of the forum to answer my current questions. But some of them are: should I avoid boats olde than 1980? My price limit is 10k or so. I have seen some older (early 70s catalina 70, s2 9.A, Catalina 30) boats for under $8k.

If I find a decent Catalina 27 for $5k, should I still hire a surveyor?

What is everyone’s opinions on water ballast bottoms, such as Catalina 250? I found a couple of newer y price range, but I am afraid these 250s with swing keels are less a boat than other models , and also don’t have any storage whatsoever.

Another point is I would like to take friends for day sails, so a spacious cockpit is important. Should I avoid steering wheels and favor tillers that can be pushed out of the way?

I know these are so basic questions- I will read through the content here

Thanks
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Old 25-11-2020, 21:19   #12
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Boat: Catalina 34
Posts: 14
Re: Hello from Chicago!

Hi Donny,

Wow, your answer was full of insights, thank you!

I actually am not in Chicago exactly - I am In the northwestern suburbs so I believe my home port will be Waukegan, Winthrop, Kenosha or Racine. Waukegan is the closest.

I intend to get a slip and stored on trailer or cradle. I believe I prefer, at this point at least, a full keel boat, for the reasons you mentioned.

I’ll check out the site you mentioned.

Thanks!
Gus
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Old 26-11-2020, 18:27   #13
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Re: Hello from Chicago!

Hi and welcome from Ontario Canada [emoji846]
When I bought my boat, the previous owner said to me, "the 2 happiest days in a sailors life is when he buys his first boat, and then again when he sells it"
I hope you find exactly what you are looking for and turn the world into your oyster.
Don't forget to keep us posted on your journey, it sounds like you've received some excellent input from the community.
If you ever make it all the way to Lake Ontario Canada, I'll buy you beer or two.
Fair winds.
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