Praxi wrote:


Hi all,

I'm new to sailing and I would like to buy a boat between 30-35".


Don't confuse buying a boat with sailing or cruising in a boat.

Nomen Nescio wrote:
I'm in pretty much the same situation you're in. I've done a decent bit
of sailing, but I probably wouldn't make pimple on a *good* boatperson's
rear end.

Why would you want to?
Sorry, couldn't resist

... My plans are to retire permanently to the water within the
next 2 years, and I'll probably be looking at something in the 40'+
range mostly due to tank capacities. From what I've been able to
gather there's a "cut off" just under 40' where fuel and water drop to
the 20-30 gallon range. I simply want more sustainability and
independence than that.

Tankage is one of the easiest things to improve on a boat.
Don't buy a boat for large tankage; buy a boat that is
suitable for what you want to do, then outline a work
program to improve the most important functions.

You'd be amazed at how few boats sold are really suitable
for sailing and for cruising. Probably half or so have
serious flaws that the owner never detects because all he
will do is daysail on pleasant afternoons, and drink beer at
the dock.

For example, put a winch handle in the coaming winch and
spin it... does the handle hit a lifeline stanchion or
bimini rail such that it cannot be turned all the way? Guess
what, you just found Not-So-Hidden Flaw #1647-a


http://home.att.net/~seafareryachts/BruceCranner.htm



Lots of good stuff here, but I disagree with him about some
pretty basic points, like outboards. Having an outboard does
not make a boat "a bear to handle." I hate outboards but
lived with one for years. They are practical and economical,
compact, and you can winterize it by putting it in your
closet. It's true that the prop will 'pitch out' under some
conditions, rendering the motor useless when you most need
it; but the thing to do is not demand an inboard on all
boats but rather learn to maximize the benefits of the
outboard, and simply don't try to motor full speed into a
steep chop. There is always another safe option. It's
uncomfortable and noisy to do that, anyway.


And I'd also like to chime in about this "Capt. Rob" character. Please,
don't feed the troll. Best to kill file him now. I did after a week of
reading this group and it's amazing how much the S/N ratio improved.


Bubbles is nuts.

DSK