Brian Whatcott wrote:
On 4 Aug 2006 22:50:44 -0700, "Praxi" wrote:

Hi all,

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

I'm looking for something that I can spend a couple nights on, now and
then, while on a trip; entertain my family, and friends, and maybe live
there for a week or so.

Can someone give me some leads as to what to look for and what to stay
away from?

Maybe recommend some boats (brand, material, year, model, etc.) to look
for?

Thank you,


There's a school of thought that says a cheap old sailing dinghy is a
whole lot cheaper to bang around in, while learning the fine points.
Going fresh to a 32 ft sailboat can be done no doubt, but not by most
without a few expensive trips to the bank.

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

Brian,

You hit the nail right on the head, a first boat should always be a
small one. Your going to learn from it, and it's going to cost you a
lot less, with a small boat, when you screw up, AND YOU WILL SCREW UP.
Bump into a pole, or another boat, while manuvering in a crowded cove
or marina with a small boat, and most cases you end up with little more
than a brused ego. Do the same thing with a 35 foot boat, and it's a
whole differant ball game. Make no mistake about it, a 30 plus foot
boat, for a first boat, is a very big boat. I've seen people get away
with it, and every one of them thought they were doing a wounderful
job, but those people sent shivers down everyones spine when they saw
them comming.

John