any sailboat owners

[Tiggeroo]

dh and I are buying a sailboat this fall for next summer. We live on an island and would have plenty of places to use it. We are buying used and looking at between 18-27'. We are considering a fixed keel as we have heard these are more stable, however, I don't know how shallow the back bays are here. We will take some lessons but it looks like we will have to travel quite a bit for these. We know somebody who has sailed all his life and will have him look over what we are buying. Any tips?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Granted I have never been on a sailboat or cruised in the ocean but an 18-27 footer would make me nervous.

We have a 24' Crownline deck boat. That is as small as I would go!

I would imagine it would be easier to handle though. If I were you I would get some lessons before buying so you know what size you want.

 

[goodeats]

We had a 32' Ericson for several years before we sold it as we didn't feel the cost/benefit ratio was working out in our favor anymore. Owning a boat is expensive from slip fees to insurance to maintenance (where a six inch piece of specialized metal could cost hundreds of dollars). Definitely figure out how often you're going to use the boat and if it's worth it to you.

They say the happiest days in a boat owners life is the day you buy it and the day you sell it!

 

[caitycaity]

Owning a boat is expensive from slip fees to insurance to maintenance (where a six inch piece of specialized metal could cost hundreds of dollars).

this is the number one thing to think about. owning a boat will take up a lot of your time (even just with general maintenance), and money. you really need to consider if it will be worth it to you and your family to invest so much time and money into the boat.

 

[Tiggeroo]

we are at the point in our life when we need something for just dh and i. All the kids are in college and we have some free time. I've had motor boats so i understand the money/time issues. We were advised to look at between 24-27' boats. Smaller instability, larger too much to handle when learning to sail, although some people did recommend the 16-20' as being easier to learn on. We live on the water so the commute most people have to make to their boat wouldn't really exist. We've priced marinas and for what we want it's not too bad. Do to our closeness we don't need alot of facilities. We even considered trailering it but I know it would get used less.We just want to do some day sailing on our local bay. Can't even imagine using the cabin other then for storage.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds like you need to get out there and get some lessons so you know your comfort zone. I find it is so personal, really.

AH...perhaps go look at some and then have them take you out on it...