Need info about Starwind sailboat

[dirk_p]

I'm considering buying a 23' Starwind Sailboat -- I believe it was made by Wellfield (or Chrysler?). The price is $2,500. The upholstery, sails and riggings are new and in excellent shape.<br /><br />Questions, I've got a lotta questions:<br /><br />Is this a good deal?<br /><br />Does anyone know how well the Starwind moves in water? Is it big enough to sail in the Gulf of Mexico?<br /><br />Also, the motor is older. I know next to nothing about them; in salt water do some hold up better? How much would a good -- doesn't have to be great -- motor run?<br /><br />Any other questions I should ask the owner?<br /><br />Thank you in advance.

 

[Amgine0]

Re: Need info about Starwind sailboat

First off, http://www.starwinds.com/wstw002.html is a pretty bare site, but has some info probably collected by a Starwinds owner. Includes at least some of the brochure stuff.<br /><br />Second off, from a brief search of Starwinds for sale on line this would be a good deal assuming the boat is in sailable condition and has trailer. Comparable boats around 5900USD.<br /><br />The builder listed for Starwind 27s is Wellcraft. The boats appear to be shallow draft somewhat beamy light displacement boats. The design may be by Halsey Herreshoff. Expect this boat to be somewhat under-canvased (222ft^2 including 150% genoa), but fairly nimble so long as the boat is kept on a diet (without loads of stores, people, gear) It is likely this boat will need to be kept moving to get benefit of the keel; ghosting upwind it might make a lot of leeway.<br /><br />I don't know much about motors, either. I'm assuming your talking about an outboard though. If it has a working motor, that distinctly improves the deal. My experience is no outboard lasts well in salt water without excellent maintenance. I spent $1500 on a yamaha 4-stroke 4hp a few years back; it ran well with indifferent maintenance and very sporadic use (benign neglect, more like) and went with my last boat (being worth more than the boat...)<br /><br />Is this boat suitable for sailing in the Gulf of Mexico? That depends on what you mean. Planning to jump across to Venezuela from Texas at this time year? no. Working the ICW Gulf Coast? yes. This is not a full-on cruiser, but you should be able to do plenty of gunkholing and coast-wise protected waters sailing. Short jaunts outside with good weather windows are possible in almost any boat, but be aware this one is too light to be trusted in the kind of heavy weather the Gulf is infamous for; be cautious and you should be okay.

 

[dirk_p]

Re: Need info about Starwind sailboat

It doesn't include a trailer. I'm looking for one right now ... which brings me to another round of questions:<br /><br />1. What's a ballpark figure for a used trailer?<br />2. Coupling the cost of the trailer with a $2500 boat, is it still a good deal?<br />3. How hard is it to find a trailer that will work with the boat?

 

[Amgine0]

Re: Need info about Starwind sailboat

Originally posted by dirk_p:<br /> It doesn't include a trailer. I'm looking for one right now ... which brings me to another round of questions:<br /><br />1. What's a ballpark figure for a used trailer?<br />2. Coupling the cost of the trailer with a $2500 boat, is it still a good deal?<br />3. How hard is it to find a trailer that will work with the boat?

Ballpark figures are hard to come by. I'd guess 1500-3000 for new, less if you can find a used trailer which can be modified to suit.<br /><br />Adding worst-case to price, bringing it to $5500, you're still cheaper than the others listed for sale, assuming the boat is otherwise in working order.<br /><br />Finding a trailer to suit is usually not too difficult if the boat is a known variety. Talk to a small boat dealer in your area. They will know if there are trailers available, or who makes trailers new. There's a company in Florida I dealt with who were very accomodating, and willing to ship anywhere in the US quite inexpensively. Another in Texas was less accomodating, but promised they could build a custom trailer for anything. Look around.<br /><br />Amgine

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: Need info about Starwind sailboat

Starwinds have good reputations around here. Does it have a keel/centerboard combination? At least 500 pounds of keel would be a must for a 23-footer if you want to sail on the Gulf coast.<br /><br />It is a good deal fiancially speaking. I sold a 1998 O'Day 23 (very similar to Starwind) and a rusty trailer for $4000 last year. Nice boat but a little tender -- had to reef early. The same may be true for the Starwind. How are the sails and the rigging? Does it need a "bottom job"? Those are the items that eat up money FAST.