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In article .com,
wrote:

A little (or perhaps too much) background. I am relatively new to
sailing. I have completed ASA 101-104, I have been sailing on a rented
22' sailboat, and I have read everything available sailboats and
sailing (though not all is assimulated). I know this:

Having read the rest of the thread first, I suggest you honestly assess
what your probable sailing will be for the next few years (say 5-7
years) and get a boat that will do that well.

Too many people get the "ultimate" boat that's too big or clumsy -- for
their purposes -- because they think they might someday do long distance
cruising. Those boats largely sit unused at the dock, often because they
have to work extra time to pay off the debt.

We chose Xan (below) for the "next" 5 years, intending to do mostly day
trips and weekends, maybe doing a few weeks. A dozen years later, she
still suits our needs for the next 5 or so years: up to 3-6 months doing
the ICW and into the Bahamas, possibly the Virgins if we have time and
inclination, as we know she'll love them. 3-week trips are a piece of
cake, and we've gone halfway to Daytona (and reluctantly, back) without
difficulty. Since she's so simple and responsive, we sail when others
are motoring and I can put her anywhere I want under all conditions. We
also are on on the water between 60 and 80 days a season, since either
one of us can single-hand her comfortably. She's old and tough enough
that we gunkhole without fear. So far, we've found her to be an ideal
boat for the Chesapeake for a couple who sometimes has overnite visitors.

Of course we're always on the lookout for "the next boat", but that
definition has changed several times and is likely to change several
times again before we're ready.

Meanwhile, our checklist starts with trying the berths on for size,
since we like to sleep together and want a dedicated berth. That knocked
many boats out of the running. Next is the head, galley and stowage,
then the cockpit. Finally, we worry about undercarriage because the slow
boats get into the anchorage about the time the fast boats get their
anchors down --not all that much difference-- and a good set of sails
can help enormously. We have a full set of sails, including chute for
light air (which I also single-hand).

Oh, and she was and is CHEAP! The money we could have spent on a bigger
boat and keeping it up is appreciating nicely, even after the bubble
burst.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

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