First Sailboat

[suek109]

Hello! We're thinking of buying out first sailboat - a 1979 23' Pearson...looking through the web, seems like a good boat, but having a hard time finding specs oni it - two sources - one says draft is 5'2",and another 2 2/4'. Big difference! Since it's a fin keel, I'm assuming the 5 feet is correct. Anyone out there have any info/suggestions/problems with this boat? Thanks in advance - suek

 

[tommays]

Re: First Sailboat

I allways tell people there is USED And USED-UP

With anyboat a survey is allways in order to find hidden problems that could cost big dollars to fix


Things like the sails and standing rigging (stuff holding the mast up ) do have a service life and if ther orginal can run into a lot of money to replace




Tommays

 

[DGalt]

Re: First Sailboat

If the boat has a keel (which for a 26 foot boat is the most likely thing) then I'd definitely guess the 5' draft is right. Even with our daggerboard up on our 30' trimaran we draw 4 feet - with it down we're around 6 feet.

 

[pgdignan]

Re: First Sailboat

Any chance the Pearson you're looking at was manufactured in regular and/or shoal draft, that would explain the difference in the spec. as posted.

 

[Lucky Bum]

Re: First Sailboat

FIRST SAILBOAT IN 50 YEARS.

I have found the Internet to be very helpful for finding and getting answers to questions about a lot of subjects. Including sailing. Well after retirement I soon found that the $3.50 gasoline for my powerboat was not fun anymore and decided to look for an alternative style of boating. During my working yeas power boating was the ticket. Go to the boat, turn the key and go. 10 min to get ready 10 min to put the boat away. Gas was just what made it go. Gas got me there fast and could go far in little time. It was nothing to burn 30 gallons a day at two miles per gallon on Lake Erie. Today that's a hundred dollar bill and more.

During the summer I started reading sailing forums in my spare time and started asking questions and getting replies. It was on the ASK AN O'DAY OWERS FORUM that I got real good answers from a Capt10jon. As I had many questions about these new sailboats, jon told me of the changes over the years and learned that he had had a number of boats and liked the O'Days best. We met after months of e-mailing and blogging on the net at a restaurant near lake Erie. We both grew up on Erie and sailed in our younger years only jon kept sailing. I decided that a first boat I'd try would be a trailersailer so I could take her home in the winter and not be married to a marina. Although I have not yet trailed to other lakes I plan to.

Jon has settled on an O'Day 222 and recomended that model and my search started. Spent most of that winter looking for one. I found GETAWAY in Tenn near Ashville ( she's a Southern Belle ) and is everything jon told me she'd be. For a cruiser she races nicely and her shoal draft keel with weighted centerboard is ideal. She sails to windward well and is fast. Roomy and well thought out cabin and sleeps comfortable. I am having fun with her and she is not breaking the bank and since I have the time there is good quality time spent on the water again.

Thanks Capt10jon and Thanks Internet!

Lucky Bum

 

[srothfuss]

Re: First Sailboat

Now that is a great story about coming back to sailing! There are two things that have attracted me to sailing:

1) LOW COST (meaning no gasoline required for the main power)
2) The concepts to sail are relatively easy to understand

It sounds like you found a real nice boat.

I might sail (the shore) of Erie next summer. For now, I'm still building up my skills out on Lake St. Clair

 

[andyjen]

Re: First Sailboat

The 222 is a sweet boat...nice purchase. If you want to step up just a tiny bit someday the Catalina 22 is hard to beat! 1984 Cat 22

 

[jonnymark]

Re: First Sailboat

I know that this is a tired subject, but I would like updated advice given economy, and my personal preferences. I retired early, 53, and have been an armchair sailor for thirty years. I have been in a sailboat club in Minnesota for two years on nothing more than a 27 footer. Have had very limited experience on the Gulf. I do not care for a starter boat that would become an albatross for me in a year or two. i have always bought ahead of my skill level and worked into it so I didn't have to upgrade soon.

 

[emoney]

Re: First Sailboat

Johnnymark, you'd probably have more success in starting a new thread. Lot's of folks won't come into these old ones, thinking that someone happened along without checking dates. There's not a "ton" of activity in the sailing section, but there are faithful people who stop by.

What exactly are you looking for? Is it advice on which would be a good sailboat for yourself? If so, you've got to give a little more info; i.e.-what are you going to be doing with boat...where will it stay....what type cabin config, etc. etc. etc.

Sailing is definitely a "bug", so be careful, otherwise you might catch it. Good luck.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: First Sailboat

the sailing bug is the best bug. sailing is so fun. when your just sailing with no noises other than the water splashing against the hull and just sailing is so fun. when you get a real windy day that's the best not sure about sailing the big boats on the windy days i don't know how it is that what i mean on my 16' i fly across the water and is just so fun having hiking on the boat. i think i got the bug seeing i want to upgrade next year and get a 22' or the year after.