I'm looking for some advice for a good small beginner boat. I learned
to sail about 20 years ago at camp in a Sunfish and would like to get
into again.

I have done a little reading but would still like some opinions.

Would like to buy used
The boat would be used on an larger inland lake only that we have cabin
on so transport is not all that critical.
I would like to be able to sail it myself but would like my nephew (10
yr old) to also be able to learn to handle it himself in a few years.

I have found the following used boats nearby

Laser 2 - $2500, Zuma - $1200, Hobie 16 - $3500, all with trailers.

From what I read, the laser 2 would be out of my league at this time and
seems to require 2 people. The hobie seems large - I would probably
leave that in but i'm not sure i want that. The Zuma seems about right.
Is the Zuma to basic? Any opnions or other boats I should be looking
for?

I read some comments that the Zuma could be improved a little with some
aftermarket parts. Comments?

Thanks

I learned to sail on a Laser 2. Although it is better with 2 people, I've
often (mostly) taken mine out alone, as I cannot always find a partner when
it's convenient to me.
It can get a little hairy alone (I'm only 140# soaking wet, which I often am
on this boat), but it's great fun, and you soon learn your limitations.
I don't have a trapeze (looking for a used one if anyone knows of one for
sale) or a spinnaker.
I've turtled the boat and brought her back up alone, and now I know what to
do to prevent this as much as possible.
Hope this helps, and good luck.
"B McDonald" wrote in message
...
I'm looking for some advice for a good small beginner boat. I learned
to sail about 20 years ago at camp in a Sunfish and would like to get
into again.

I have done a little reading but would still like some opinions.

Would like to buy used
The boat would be used on an larger inland lake only that we have cabin
on so transport is not all that critical.
I would like to be able to sail it myself but would like my nephew (10
yr old) to also be able to learn to handle it himself in a few years.

I have found the following used boats nearby

Laser 2 - $2500, Zuma - $1200, Hobie 16 - $3500, all with trailers.

From what I read, the laser 2 would be out of my league at this time and
seems to require 2 people. The hobie seems large - I would probably
leave that in but i'm not sure i want that. The Zuma seems about right.
Is the Zuma to basic? Any opnions or other boats I should be looking
for?

I read some comments that the Zuma could be improved a little with some
aftermarket parts. Comments?

Thanks

B McDonald wrote:

I'm looking for some advice for a good small beginner boat. I learned
to sail about 20 years ago at camp in a Sunfish and would like to get
into again.

I have done a little reading but would still like some opinions.

Would like to buy used
The boat would be used on an larger inland lake only that we have cabin
on so transport is not all that critical.
I would like to be able to sail it myself but would like my nephew (10
yr old) to also be able to learn to handle it himself in a few years.

I have found the following used boats nearby

Laser 2 - $2500, Zuma - $1200, Hobie 16 - $3500, all with trailers.

From what I read, the laser 2 would be out of my league at this time and
seems to require 2 people. The hobie seems large - I would probably
leave that in but i'm not sure i want that. The Zuma seems about right.
Is the Zuma to basic? Any opnions or other boats I should be looking
for?

I read some comments that the Zuma could be improved a little with some
aftermarket parts. Comments?

Thanks




Whatever you do, check out what small boat fleets sail in your area
first. Your best advise will come from the clubs and/or fleets that sail
in your area.

You may find a good deal on any number of small boats that appear
suitable for your needs, however if you are the only one on the lake
with that type of boat you will miss out on a lot of fun and support
from other local sailors.


10 years is a perfect age for your nephew to learn to sail. However,
keep in mind that sailing with uncle will quickly grow old when the
local fleet of 10-16 year olds sail by during their local Fun regatta --
all in boats different from your new purchase...

Here are some other points to consider along that same vein:

1. Your nephew will hopefully like sailing enough to eventually want to
participate/compete in junior and/or youth fleets. Buying the right
boat from the start will go a long way to encourage this. Again, your
local clubs can help advise you, but here are a few links that are worth
looking into:

http://ussailing.org/youth/index.asp (you'll need to turn on cookies)
http://ussailing.org/youth/racing/jo/index.htm
http://ussailing.org/youth/racing/jo...Junior+Olympic
http://www.ussailing.org/calendar/re...p?groups=Youth

"Classes of Boats
Youth racing is very active in a wide number of classes. Some are
primarily youth boats, while others are sailed by both youth and adult
sailors. Many classes run youth championships at National and regional
levels. Check the specific class web site for more information:
Optimist, Sabot, El Toro, Club 420, CFJ, Byte, Laser, Blue Jay, Snipe,
29er, Lightning, Thistle, X-boat, Hobie Cat, J/22 and J/24."
http://ussailing.org/youth/racing/index.htm

Note: no Zuma's... & you'll find mostly Laser Full and Radial rigs in
those events.

High school sailing, most areas allow 8-12 grades:
http://www.highschoolsailingusa.org/

2. Consider using the money to rent a small boat for the lake trips to
sail one-on-one with your nephew. Then using the remaining savings for a
youth sailing fund for your nephew so that he can participate in local
junior/youth regattas, get a youth membership at the local club, buy a
proper PDF, foul weather sailing gear, etc.

If the nephew turns out hating sailing, then you've saved some money
and can now go an buy a small fleet boat for yourself to sail in the
local the beer-can & fun regattas, or just to enjoy for a quiet day's
sail by yourself & friends on the lake...

2. Remember when you were 10? The first few sails with a kind, well
meaning uncle/adult were great fun (maybe), but after 2-3 times out you
were itching to be off sailing with all the other kids in your age
group. It's pretty hard to socialize with the pretty 12 year old
redhead in the Opti/Byte/FJ/etc fleet as you sail by with uncle/adult in
a well used day sailor... :-)

I'm not trying to be unkind here; I spend a considerable amount of time
year-round associated with high school / youth sailing, and I can assure
you that it can be just as much fun (and just as frustrating &
expensive) supporting a young junior/youth sailor as it is owning your
own small boat. If you have the opportunity to get the nephew actively
involved in junior/youth sailing, then you'll have plenty of opportunity
to talk to other interested adults/parents/clubs at the junior/youth
regattas & then decide what small boat is best for _you_.

3. And just for you ex-nephew: One other key advantage to checking out
the local fleets/clubs first, especially if there are multiple small
boat fleets on the lake/water, is the social aspect. You may find that
the folks in the xyz fleet are just plain not to your liking, while the
folks in abc fleet are one's that you'll enjoy spending time with (both
on the water and off the water). Sailing is very much a social sport,
so also factor this in when you make that first purchase after a 20-year
summer camp memory.

Good luck & welcome back :-)

G.

B McDonald wrote:

I'm looking for some advice for a good small beginner boat. I learned
to sail about 20 years ago at camp in a Sunfish and would like to get
into again.

I have done a little reading but would still like some opinions.

Would like to buy used
The boat would be used on an larger inland lake only that we have cabin
on so transport is not all that critical.
I would like to be able to sail it myself but would like my nephew (10
yr old) to also be able to learn to handle it himself in a few years.

I have found the following used boats nearby

Laser 2 - $2500, Zuma - $1200, Hobie 16 - $3500, all with trailers.

From what I read, the laser 2 would be out of my league at this time and
seems to require 2 people. The hobie seems large - I would probably
leave that in but i'm not sure i want that. The Zuma seems about right.
Is the Zuma to basic? Any opnions or other boats I should be looking
for?

I read some comments that the Zuma could be improved a little with some
aftermarket parts. Comments?

Thanks




So you posted and received comments/opinions/feedback.

Don't be a hit & run poster...

I'm not sure what part of the country you're in, but my advise would be
a com-pac 16. An older one could easily go for less than $3500. And a
younger person could easily sail one. Also, it's great for a week long
cruise w/ sleep aboard facilities. They're mostly on the eastern
seaboard with the company based in Fla.
Terry