Daysailer recommendations???

[sydthesquid]

I am a beginner (messed around in mostly Sunfish over the years) and am looking for a small boat too tool around the bay off Fire Island with. Would be sailing alone mostly, but would like to take kids and vistors out, too.<br /><br />Looking at Hunter 170 or 146. Like the roominess and open transom on the 170. Heard it was pretty tippy, though.<br /><br />Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: Daysailer recommendations???

In addition to the Hunter 170, look into the Precision 15. It comes either with a centerboard or a permanent keel. With the latter it is much more stable. Another good daysailer is the Catalina Capri 16, but NOT the 14. Very popular is the "Daysailer," espacially the more recent varieties like the III, with a double hull. There is also the American 16 or 14 -- they are simple and stable enough. Still, for sheer fun as well as really good stability it is hard to beat a basic catamaran -- like a Hobie Wave or a Prindle 16. Speaking from years of experience.

 

[ED21]

Re: Daysailer recommendations???

I sailed many years in a Mariner by O'Day. It's now made by Stewart Marine.<br />19' w/ an iron centerboard.<br />I always thought it was a great daysailer. Seaworthy in the rough stuff, sailed real well in light & moderate air.<br />A fun sail that sometimes got you a little wet<br />Cuddy for putting stuff. Mine was an older model with the open cuddy that I liked. Good for blasting the radio without it getting wet.

 

[pwarner]

Re: Daysailer recommendations???

Syd,<br /> I learned to sail on a Kittiwake 23, a classic Alberg shoal keel design and I'd recommend something about 22 to 25 feet with self draining cockpit. If I'd started with an open boat I'd have sunk numerious times before I learned to shorten sail in time; The Kittiwake is very forgiving (although tender to around 15-20 degrees of heel before she stiffens up) and hard to break unless you hit something.<br /> Catalina 22's are also pretty decent small sailers in a drop keel design and are plentiful and trailerable.