"LdB" wrote in message
m...
nom=de=plume wrote:
I was thinking about getting something to sail on the small lake near the
property. It would need to be small enough that I deal with, yet big
enough to take two adults or me and two kids... when the Spring comes or
we get a stretch of decent weather...

I saw this ad ... don't know anything about Banshee sailboats, but it
seems pretty simple to operate. Comments/opinions? Is that a decent
price?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/1448183101.html


Don't even think about it unless you and the kids are accomplished
swimmers and you are capable of pulling yourself out of the water onto a
boat. Non swimmers depending on life jackets is an invitation to tragedy.
If you are all good swimmers then read on.

Certainly good advice. I'm a (former) surfer, so that's not an issue. I
always have trouble getting these guys to get out of the water. Everyone in
the extended family swim well. I think it's genetic.


If you don't mind getting wet a few time whenever you go out with the kids
then go for it, by all means. Small sailboats like this are tons of fun.
I emphasize the wet part. Kids like nothing better that dumping the
things. That's the best part of sailing for them.

I took sailing lessons a few years ago at a local club. The club used
Lasers and one larger boat. There were three (mature) adults and a bunch
of kids ranging in ages from 10 to 17 ish in the class. The other two
adults were a married couple that took the larger boat. I got to sail
with the kids, lucky me. "Come on lets dump'er again" !!!! Splash. It got
to the point that I could walk around the hull as the Laser was turning
turtle and right it without getting wet. I'm a good swimmer and have
always loved the water, but by the time the course was finished I had
enough practice dumping sailboats. You may want to consider something
that is self righting, but the chances are you would be looking at a boat
that's a lot heavier than you would want.

Think along the idea of a "Barrel of monkeys". If you like the thought
then get out your checkbook. I live on waterfront property and own a
larger self righting sailboat, I love sailing it. If I had grandchildren I
would rather they sailed on something like the Lasers. Kids would enjoy
them much more than my boat.

LdB



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Nom=de=Plume