new to sailing

[Curtis66]

My wife and i have done a little sailing not much on Arizona lakes where we live, now we want to buy a mono hull sail boat in the San Diego area so we can fly over and stay on it. My price range is 20,000 to 30,000, and does any one know what a slip might cost a month or dry storage? Would like a recomendation on a good charter co to show us the ropes.

 

[sloopy]

Re: new to sailing

what type of boat> try a MAC26X

 

[Curtis66]

Re: new to sailing

I'm not sure at this point what type of boat,I'm just looking to here from the experienced sailor on recomendations, for boats,you know something to learn on and enjoy once we get hang of it.And can anyone from San Diego tell me what it cost to rent a slip, or dry dock???

 

[gsnyder]

Re: new to sailing

Curtis--your question will open a hornet's nest of answers. I started years ago on a sunfish, moved up to an O'Day daysailer II, then finally spent years in SF Bay with a Pearson 26. The used sailboat market is huge, and you will have a lot to choose from in your price range, and all boats have unique sailing characteristics, and motoring peculiarities. I'm going to say that 30-35 feet seems to be a good size for both ease of sailing, type of motor power, and cabin amenities. Smaller boats in the 22-29 foot range are more manageable, but the cabins are not as comfortable, and generally require an outboard, which requires special care in saltwater. I would recommend that, if you can, go to a boat show and look at the differences, also read Sailing Magazine. For me, if I had the money, I would spend the rest of my days on a Swan, the Rolls Royce of boats. Slips? I'll be they are expensive now: I paid $145 a month in Alameda in the 80's for a 26 foot boat. Good Sailing.

 

[SCO]

Re: new to sailing

I would look into what the charter companies sail also. Sounds like you want a comfortable cruiser, around 30 foot minimum. The slip fee is just part of it. Be sure you check into costs for insurance, hauling the boat out for bottom paint and scraping( yearly), mast and rigging maintenance, hurricane prep (there seem to be a lot these days on the Left Coast), marina service to check up on the boat etc. If money is no object, then no problem, you can pay for everything to be done. I've been there done this, and think it is a huge commitment to own a slip living sailboat, mainly because of the toll of the marine environment. My response is geared to the idea that you will be living most of the time in Az. If you spend a lot of time on the boat and can keep it maintained, it's a different story. A survey prior to purchase( they are expensive)would be well worth it if you get to the point where you are really ready to lay down 25g's. Dry storage is cheaper. I concur w Sloopy there, but would prefer a J boat in this option because they are fast , fun to sail, and can handle a lot of wind and wave. The j's are keel boats, and sit high on the trailer and are difficult to launch at a ramp. You need to keep them rigged typically and hoist them w a crane from the trailer to the water. The Mac26 and other true trailer sailers are superior in this regard. Problem is that people dont usually spend the night on these trailerable boats, unless you put it in the water and go somewhere.

 

[Curtis66]

Re: new to sailing

Thanks a bunch for the help. I am planning a trip in the spring to San Diego to check things out, and maybe do a sailing class.