Sams..if you are really a "first time sailor with little or no
experience"..then I'd suggest you go rent/borrow/ a couple of boats before
buying.

I've owned sailboats from 11 ft to 27 ft.; fixed keels to daggerboards;
wheel steering to tiller.... they are ALL different. It would be a shame to
spend your hard earned ( and limited) funds on a boat that you didn't like
at all. Even on my 27's ...4 to 5 people.... can get crowded, depending on
how much time you're spending on the water.

$3,000.00 may be just enough to buy you some troubles, but not enough to buy
you a safely equipped boat.
RichG TX-WI

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RichG manager, Carolina Skiff Owners Group on MSN
http://groups.msn.com/CarolinaSkiffOwners