New Sailor Searching for His Dream Vessel

[AndreasZy]

I am a 16 year old lad looking to get into sailing. I have watched plenty of videos on YouTube, so many so that I can’t get away. I am looking for a good vessel that I can live-aboard on. The criteria is relatively simple:
-Minimum of 1 double and 1 single berth
-15 gallon tank for fresh water storage
-Marine Head with at least 10 gallons of waste storage

I have been looking at O’Day 28’s, West Wight Potter 19’s, Hunter 30’s, and everywhere else. I don’t need a listing to be found I just would like some recommendations for a good live-aboard cruiser.

-Andreas Zy

[loneshark64]

Originally Posted by AndreasZy

I am a 16 year old lad looking to get into sailing. I have watched plenty of videos on YouTube, so many so that I can’t get away. I am looking for a good vessel that I can live-aboard on. The criteria is relatively simple:
-Minimum of 1 double and 1 single berth
-15 gallon tank for fresh water storage
-Marine Head with at least 10 gallons of waste storage

I have been looking at O’Day 28’s, West Wight Potter 19’s, Hunter 30’s, and everywhere else. I don’t need a listing to be found I just would like some recommendations for a good live-aboard cruiser.

-Andreas Zy

My first keelboat was a 1985 O’Day 28. It is an under rated boat. Well built and sailed well for a coastal cruiser. It would meet the requirements you listed. It has a decent sized v berth and the bench seat in the cabin pulls out and is comfortable.

Now…. is it a “live-aboard cruiser”? Not for me. It has no heat or refrigerator, and limited storage. And it is a coastal boat. I would take the O’day to the Bahamas in good weather, but not farther afield. I would say the same things about the Hunter 30. I also like Hunters more than most people.

So if you can live with those restrictions go for it and have fun!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Andreas.

[chrisr]

my advice :

- stop sitting on the couch watching youtube videos. get out and join your local sailing club

- get a dinghy and learn to sail before you start thinking about something bigger

good luck !

cheers,

[OldManMirage]

Get a Catalina 27. My wife and I lived on one for 3 years when we first started. Try to find one with the dinette and outboard, it keeps things real simple and the dinette makes a great double bunk. The V-berth is kinda small. But you get standing headroom, plenty of storage, and the boat sails great.

There's plenty of them out there and you can find them for a good price.

Go for it !

[Checkswrecks]

Originally Posted by chrisr

my advice :

- stop sitting on the couch watching youtube videos. get out and join your local sailing club

- get a dinghy and learn to sail before you start thinking about something bigger

good luck !

cheers,

This.

Hang out at the local marinas and just talk to us retired guys who love to see fresh faces. We know where the boats are and strengths/weaknesses, plus you'll probably get some free sailing experience.

btw - It really helps to know at least what place you are writing from.

[boatman61]

I wonder if you are also an SA member..

[AndreasZy]

Originally Posted by Checkswrecks

btw - It really helps to know at least what place you are writing from.

I live along the TN River.

[OldManMirage]

Yeah, I don't know much about the river where you might be. But if the 27 is too big, get a Catalina 22. 1000's of them out there, might save money by being on a trailer. Probably would need a friend to help put the mast up and down. I will always say the best way to learn to sail is by doing it.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by AndreasZy

I live along the TN River.

They race on the Tennessee River at Pickwick Lake. (there's great fishing below the dam also) so if you are near there you could go check that out. It's a nice area to visit also

Pickwick Sailing: Home

https://duanewrightrealty.com/marinas-pickwick-lake/

I crewed there on a Pearson 30 and Beneteau 35.5

It's also near the Tombigee which is a way to get your sailboat from the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico

[siamese]

The list of boats that would fit your criteria is very long. We can all take turns naming a particular boat, but that's not going to be of much value to you.

You're 16 and you're going to live on a boat? Where? Standing headroom? Rig? Mono, cat, try? Are you independently wealthy? Do you have a budget in mind for your purchase? Minimum and maximum length in mind? Where will you keep it and sail it?

I agree with previous poster who said get out and sail. Getting started in sailing can be a difficult process if you haven't grown up with it or have friends that sail.

[AndreasZy]

Originally Posted by siamese

You're 16 and you're going to live on a boat? Where? Standing headroom? Rig? Mono, cat, try? Are you independently wealthy? Do you have a budget in mind for your purchase? Minimum and maximum length in mind? Where will you keep it and sail it?

Yes. I plan on sailing around the world. I am 5’7”. Doesn’t matter, just would prefer not a ketch. Mono. Nope. Nope, I just plan on deciding on a design and saving until I can afford a decent one. No minimum, probably a max of around 40 ft. I plan on sailing around the world as aforementioned, mainly I plan on sailing in the Bahamas for a few years until I can get better at sailing.

And to address the advice I have seen multiple times, I live near a sailing camp so I am planning on going next year, I can’t go this year because I have a school trip in July that has cost my family a pretty penny.

[OldManMirage]

So what you're going to be looking for is a "classic plastic" type.

Go here - https://atomvoyages.com/

His list is pretty much what you will need to start with. Get one large enough to have standing headroom. If you've been watching some YouTube channels - like Wind Hippie, Sam Holmes, Sailing with Andy, Adventures with Tarka - then you already have an idea of some of the boats that work.

Something 28-32 feet or so. The more you can spend up front the less you'll have to spend or do yourself to make it truly seaworthy. Try to find one that isn't a basket case, you'll probably regret that.

Knowing how to sail first is good. We had never sailed when we bought our first boat, but I had read a lot and had the theory down. Reality quickly followed, and we learned what you could and could not do. And all the other stuff we learned as we went.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by thomm225

I think the biggest questioned here is what 16 year old living along the Tennessee River describes himself as a "16 year old lad?"

And says things like aforementioned! And pretty penny! Geez

Quite normal back in the mid 1900 maybe.....but maybe not from some one born in 2005 or 6.

[thomm225]

I think the biggest questioned here is what 16 year old living along the Tennessee River describes himself as a "16 year old lad?"

And says things like aforementioned! And pretty penny! Geez

Quite normal back in the mid to early 1900's maybe for someone 50 or older .....but not from someone born in 2005 or 6.

Most 16 years olds I have known living along the Tennessee River are more interested in a good deal on a lift kit for their 4X4 truck and a good jon boat for fishing the river.

Which btw thinking back I should have bought a nice Lowe Jon boat (instead of that first Hobie 16) for juggin the Mississippi and fishing for striper below the dam at Pickwick.

https://www.loweboats.com/hunt-fish/jon.html

I fished from the catwalk in the early 90's but a boat would have been nicer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF4e_A5pkbQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwyb29vdZYs