A great deal in the decision process depends upon what you wish to do in
both the long and short term. What is your budget? Do you wish to perhaps
sleep on the boat from time to time? Day sail only, or perhaps short
overnight trips (or longer...)? Are you strictly interested in short fair
weather day sails close to a marina? Do you need to be able to trailer the
boat or will you keep it wet?

My wife and I recently (1.5yr ago) took a sailing class and bought a 1984
25' Catalina with a good complement of sails and intruments for $11K. We
have it in a slip in Texas, and sail year round (but so far not overnight).
We have participated in a bare boat cruise in the British Virgin Islands and
now aspire to retire living part of the year on a 'cruiser' sailing yacht in
the caibbean. We both enjoy sailing. My wife is becoming more confident
driving in higher wind conditions (15-25 MPH). I often solo sail our boat,
and find that with training and practice it is very manageable for a
beginner.

Regardless of your objectives, my only suggestion is that you purchase a
boat in good 'sail today' condition so that you may slowly learn how to
maintain the standing and running rigging (as I am now doing). That remind
me,... my boom vang snapped at the shackle last time out so I need to go fix
it. Remember the old proverb that 'Boats are a hole in the water into which
you pour money'.

Best regards,
Richard Browning of the sloop "Sun of a Beach"

"Weathered Rose" wrote in message
nk.net...
Hello,
My husband and I live where there are a lot of water ways, rivers and
lakes that are open to sail boats. Does anyone have any good advice on
what
is a good sized boat for a two person crew from your experiance? I used to
live on the Pacific and we took out a 15 foot boat, which was wonderful
for
two, but my husband who's never sailed and me who is limited want
something
we can enjoy with little difficulty.

I'm going to take sailing classes for my birthday locally which should
give me a lot more knowlege of the craft, how to take care of it. The
whole
thing.

Thanks!
Rose