Here we go!
 

Hi guys!

Going for it this summer, currently shopping for boats. Plan is: uncle lives alone in a house with a huge back yard and a full workshop, so gonna buy a 25 - 30 foot boat (on a trailer hopefully) and set it on the hard at my uncle's place. He's offered to let me move in rent-free, and I am currently off work being paid by the gov't due to covid, so I have nothing but free time and money right now.

I'm not planning on going very far offshore in the first couple of years, as I am totally green, but eventually I'd like to start exploring further and further. I'm sure you all catch my drift.

Anyways, I have a point of discussion: there is currently a decent looking, reasonably priced boat in my city that I'm considering. A '88 Hunter 25. One of the main features is a wing keel. I've read about the benefits of wing keels (being able to stand up without a cradle, being able to beach on low tide for hull maintenance, etc) but I have also read that they can be dangerous? As someone who is just starting out, is going for minimalism and will be trying to do all the maintenance myself, I wonder what seasoned cruisers think? There is also a pearson renegade nearby I am also considering, with a fully encapsulated fin keel and spade rudder (I know, but I would probably convern to transom hung rudder, and thefully encased low profile fin keel is really attactive). The Renegade definitely needs more interior work, but is a bit larger and more bluewater sea-worthy most likely. The other problem is that the Renegade is currently on the hard being sold in the US, and I am a Canadian, so I cannot go look at the boat, and have no idea how I would have the renegade delivered.

Anyways, still on the hunt while I liquidate my stuff and prepare for the journey. Once we get going a vlog will definitely happen to keep everyone updated on the progress.

Would love some points of discussion!! GO!