Okay, you’ve checked out of 101, 103 & 104 and the sailing fever is still burning strong. You need to either check into a hospital or buy your first boat – you choose the latter. But what kind should you get? The magazines and websites have you drooling over boats that have tempted you with their sex appeal or indestructible capabilities and you are leaning in every direction.
“I could cross the Atlantic on that thing,” you hear yourself saying as you scroll through the pages of YachtWorld. Yes, this is true, but are you going to cross the Atlantic? You’re nodding yes, but you’re not. This is the ghost of Christmas future and you’re not. The boat isn’t going to go near the Atlantic – it’s never going to go 40-miles from your dock and that’s ok! It’s more than okay. That’s the thing – assessing what the boat will most likely be doing informs what boat to buy. A potential buyer needs to be honest with themselves about their sailing intentions and find a match based on that honesty.
It’s true many don’t quite know what the future will hold and if that’s the case then buying “more” boat might not be a bad idea, but making a purchase based on outward appearances or a false identity could be a mistake. Most people think Open 60s look pretty cool but teaching Sally and little Danny to daysail on it might not be a perfect fit…
An extreme example but, on a much lower level, this type of reasoning happens all the time. People compromise the element(s) they most need for one that they may hardly use, but like the thought of.
For instance, hearty boats designed for blue-water cruising can be expensive and sometimes a bit less livable because they have to accommodate for open ocean conditions and situations. Above all else, they have to be durable and resilient. “But don’t we all want durable and resilient?” Yes, of course, but most good cruising boats are plenty durable and resilient for coastal cruising situations and will provide more opportunity for dockside and at-anchor type scenarios.
Think about what kind of sailing you’ll be doing, the time you’ll be spending on the boat and what you can afford. Lot’s of people like the look and idea of wooden boats but the cost and time to keep them solid and presentable can be intimidating and they are not always the most luxurious. Do they look amazing – yes. Is it like nothing else to feel the weight of a beautiful wooden cruising boat galloping through the water? That’s correct, it’s awesome. But they are not for everyone.
Both the wooden boat and Open 60 examples are heavy-handed – think about the ideal in a more subtle way. How many people will I normally be taking sailing? If you’re honest, will it come down to just you and Danny most of the time? Yeah? Then get something smaller (and cheaper) that will scratch the itch and get the job done. How much time can I realistically carve out to go sailing? If it’s a lot, then a boat you can grow into is a good idea, if it’s once a month or less, think about boats that will do well without a ton of regular maintenance and use.
If you go through a broker, let them know where you stand. They may want to cater to the dreamier side of your personality but if you know who you are and how you will likely use this boat, you’ll be a much happier sailor in the long run. It’s like making a long crossing – an honest and true assessment of the situation coupled with a pragmatic strategy will see you through to the best possible outcome.
Keen to get started?
- Take our free online sailing course – it’s easy and fun and you’ll learn all about the world of sailing, one that some see as a sport and others choose as a lifestyle.
- Read about our ASA Certifications our accredited schools teach to sailing enthusiasts.
- Find a Sailing School and take sailing lessons to improve your sailing skills.
- Take an Interactive Learning Course and improve your sailing skills right from home. These ASA schools offer online courses from ASA 105, ASA 107, ASA 117 and ASA 119
Responses
We were looking for a used boat as our first sailboat. Rare that you find exactly what you target in the after market. Need to have a range. We ended up getting a bigger boat than we targeted, and it turned out well. Of all our criteria, there was one that was inflexible. The boat could not be more than my wife and I could handle for coastal cruising, without additional crew. Although we ended up with a bigger boat than the plan, it had power winches and roller furling on main and jib. We determined after discussions with experienced friends, the broker, and a couple of sea trials, that we could handle it as a couple. The additional space, hull speed, and ability to handle a bit more weather, have all proved to be beneficial. With bow thrusters, we are also ok docking in light to moderate winds without assistance. The conclusion is having the right gear can stretch your range a few feet, but you also need to be able to stretch your wallet. With a used boat, you need to reserve something like 15-20% of the purchase price for upgrades and maintenance that is coming due. The budget tends to be the biggest challenge. Don’t go broke with your boat. Takes the fun out of it.
First boat 1980 22nd Catalina….love it great boat to learn sailing and repairs
Think about where you want to sail and store your boat. Draft is a consideration — and if you get a boat that’s large it will have deeper draft and limit the available slips. We are on the Chesapeake and a 4′ draft is great. Also think about the docking procedures. Bringing our 1982 Catalina 27 into its slip — with expensive boats on either side we must avoid hitting — is challenging in strong wind. We are glad it isn’t 35 or 40 feet long! Like the Cat 22 owner below, we are glad we have a boat with ample support (Catalina Direct) & parts for learning how to maintain the diesel engine, install electronics, and make repairs like pulling all the port lights and rebedding them… some days a membership in SailTime seems a more sensible option. Get on lots of other people’s boats of different designs & sizes, see how they feel, talk to the owners before you decide!
My sweetheart and I bought a 1961 Pearson Triton for $3,800. It is a “plastic classic” with only 250 made in Sausalito, and about 750 made back in Rhode Island. We have never regretted the purchase. With a monthly slip fee of $250, totally affordable. We sailed it in the SF Bay, mostly the Carquinez Straits, for almost a year before actually deciding to get sailing lessons. I’ve taken 101 and 103, but my sweetheart also took 104 classes….he’s a brilliant sailor! Our boat is perfect for the SF Bay, but someday we may opt for something a little bigger than its 28 foot length, especially if we want to sail down the coast or all the way to Mexico. In the almost 3 years now that we’ve owned it, we’ve had it pulled and the bottom painted, and we sail it 3 – 4 times per month, sometimes more.
I feel like you’re my AA sponsor and this is my first meeting. You’re exactly correct, of course, and I still don’t know if I’ll take your advise. Not because I challenge it, but because the pull of “People compromise the element(s) they most need for one that they may hardly use, but like the thought of.” You nailed it, there. My name is Sean and I’m a feature-a-holic…
Having only two hours of “true” sailing experience I went looking for a boat to keep on the Chesapeake Bay (Rock Hall). One I liked was a 34 Hunter that the broker in actually talked me out of. He recommended a nicely prepared (good diesel, new sails, very good survey) 1985 Catalina 27. He essentially said, “I want you to come back in 5 years and by another boat. To do that, you need to learn on a boat you’ll be comfortable with.” Couldn’t really argue with that even thought it was a little smaller than I wanted.
3 years later, it turned out to be an excellent choice. Isn’t expensive to maintain, though I did rebuilt part of the diesel; and isn’t overbearing for a newbie like myself. I’ve learned A LOT about sailing and maintaining the boat, which is important when starting out. I hope someday to upgrade to a Catalina 36.
Been sailing off and on for 30 years but never owned a boat until 2016. My dream boat? A 1978 Boston Whaler Harpoon 5.2… We use it every weekend and love working on it as well.
I have sailed and owned many,many sailboats growing up. Granted, most of these boats were trailerable, daysailers in the 14ft range. I had always dreamed of bigger boats. But, being the cautious and frugal person I am, I decided to upgrade into a slightly larger boat. One that I would keep in a slip at a local marina. I made this transition thinking this is going to be the biggest mistake of my life or something I should have done years ago. Turns out, it was the best thing I ever did! That boat was a Lockley Newport 19′ with a fixed keel. After a year in the marina, sailing a couple times a week, year ’round. I then moved up to a Hunter 23′. Presently I own an Ericson 26. Each boat served my purpose well and I get out more than anyone I know. I still have those “dreams of crossing the Atlantic”. But, Being a realist, I know this will probably not happen and if it does. Not often enough for me to purchase a large, blue water boat. I believe my next and final boat will be no larger than 30′.
Just bought my first boat at age 61. And islander 34. It was exactly the right boat for me because of the cost. I had been planning on spending twice as much for a boat But found an amazingly good deal for a boat that was 2 feet less than I wanted. Even though she was in great shape I have sunk a ton of money into her and have nearly spent my full budget. If I had spent all of that money on the boat itself, I think I would have been sorely disappointed once you realize how much you’re going to spend to get it just the way you want it.