Going shopping this weekend...
 

My wife and I have been sailing for a little over a year on other people's
boats, mostly as crew with a few stints at the helm. We took the basic
keelboat course and feel like we have the beginnings of a foundation to build
a sailing hooby on. Both of us enjoy sailing for different reasons, and share
a love of the outdoors. We are looking at buying a boat this fall and getting
a slip ofour own next season.

We have mostly sailed on Tanzer 22's, Cat 27's and HR28's, but did our
keelboat course on a Northern 25. We haven't experienced loads of boats but
know some things that we do and don't want. We don't want to step into
sailing with a huge investment and a big boat, but want a PHRF that is
competitive with the rest of our fleet at the club (most are a 240 PHRF) so
we can see our progress in club level racing. In our club there is a Pearson
flyer that screams around the bouys way ahead of the fleet, barely winning on
PHRF week after week. I'd rather play with the other boats out there and
depend on skill at least a little bit. We want a boat that can comfortably
cruise for a week with 2 adults and 2 kids, and that is fun to race.

Right now we are considering Catalina 25's (tall rig, swing keel is ideal),
Catalina 27's, and HR28's as boats that we would own. Honestly with the CAT's
the familiarity, low price, and availability of parts are the big draws. The
HR28 is appealing because they are so solid, and the beautiful to look at
(although they do require a lot of sanding).

Could anyone chime in with their thoughts on these boats, and others with
PHRF's around 240 (Lake Ontario), draft of 4ft or less, and purchase price
around or under $10,000 as an entry boat?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Prospector

--
Message posted via http://www.boatkb.com

Going shopping this weekend...
 

One more note - I nearly missed the main reason for posting...

This weekend I have appointments to view 3 Cat 25's - all different layouts
(Capri, Dinette, traditional) could you folks chime in with your thoughts on
the advantages of each layout?

Thanks again!
Prospector

Prospector wrote:
My wife and I have been sailing for a little over a year on other people's
boats, mostly as crew with a few stints at the helm. We took the basic
keelboat course and feel like we have the beginnings of a foundation to build
a sailing hooby on. Both of us enjoy sailing for different reasons, and share
a love of the outdoors. We are looking at buying a boat this fall and getting
a slip ofour own next season.

We have mostly sailed on Tanzer 22's, Cat 27's and HR28's, but did our
keelboat course on a Northern 25. We haven't experienced loads of boats but
know some things that we do and don't want. We don't want to step into
sailing with a huge investment and a big boat, but want a PHRF that is
competitive with the rest of our fleet at the club (most are a 240 PHRF) so
we can see our progress in club level racing. In our club there is a Pearson
flyer that screams around the bouys way ahead of the fleet, barely winning on
PHRF week after week. I'd rather play with the other boats out there and
depend on skill at least a little bit. We want a boat that can comfortably
cruise for a week with 2 adults and 2 kids, and that is fun to race.

Right now we are considering Catalina 25's (tall rig, swing keel is ideal),
Catalina 27's, and HR28's as boats that we would own. Honestly with the CAT's
the familiarity, low price, and availability of parts are the big draws. The
HR28 is appealing because they are so solid, and the beautiful to look at
(although they do require a lot of sanding).

Could anyone chime in with their thoughts on these boats, and others with
PHRF's around 240 (Lake Ontario), draft of 4ft or less, and purchase price
around or under $10,000 as an entry boat?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Prospector

--
Message posted via http://www.boatkb.com

Going shopping this weekend...
 

Prospector via BoatKB.com wrote:
One more note - I nearly missed the main reason for posting...

This weekend I have appointments to view 3 Cat 25's - all different layouts
(Capri, Dinette, traditional) could you folks chime in with your thoughts on
the advantages of each layout?

Not specific to the cat you are looking at but call an insurance agent.
They are all different in that the age of the boat may mean it has to be
hauled out for a marine survey before they will insure it. Age can be a
factor and IIRC the cat 25 is about a 20 year old design? I think it
would have to be no older then 10 years to not require a haul out or at
least a in water survey.

The insurance will require any safety issues be corrected before they
will insure the boat.

Also make sure you have a marina that will take you and a way to get the
boat there. The marina will require current registration and insurance.
They may want a photo of the boat or a marine survey to make sure you
aren't just dumping a ghetto boat on them.

At any rate, for $300 a marine survey and maybe another $300 for a haul
out may not be a bad idea before you spend $10,000 on the boat.

Rick

Going shopping this weekend...
 

Most Important:
Find either a surveyor that a friend has experience with of one that is
hated by brokers. If a broker recommends a surveyor, write the name
very carefully so are are sure you do not end up using that surveyor.
Brokers recommend surveyor that do not cost them sales.
Matt Colie
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Marine and Pathological Sailor


Rick Cortese wrote:
Prospector via BoatKB.com wrote:
One more note - I nearly missed the main reason for posting...

This weekend I have appointments to view 3 Cat 25's - all different
layouts
(Capri, Dinette, traditional) could you folks chime in with your
thoughts on
the advantages of each layout?

Not specific to the cat you are looking at but call an insurance agent.
They are all different in that the age of the boat may mean it has to be
hauled out for a marine survey before they will insure it. Age can be a
factor and IIRC the cat 25 is about a 20 year old design? I think it
would have to be no older then 10 years to not require a haul out or at
least a in water survey.

The insurance will require any safety issues be corrected before they
will insure the boat.

Also make sure you have a marina that will take you and a way to get the
boat there. The marina will require current registration and insurance.
They may want a photo of the boat or a marine survey to make sure you
aren't just dumping a ghetto boat on them.

At any rate, for $300 a marine survey and maybe another $300 for a haul
out may not be a bad idea before you spend $10,000 on the boat.

Rick

Going shopping this weekend...
 

Thanks Rick - I was planning on a survey no matter what. We sail with a local
club and are aware of the rules etc. trouble is our club is something of an
"Economy Style" outfit, so we will have to find another spot with a lift on
our lake. That and draft are the biggest challenges to ownership for us. I am
fortunate to have a close friend lending a hand in shopping. He a crusty
grumpy guy who thinks nothing is good enough which is at once but frustrating
and helpful. He demands that before an offer is put together the boat be
sailed and seen on the hard. I tend to agree.

Rick Cortese wrote:
One more note - I nearly missed the main reason for posting...

This weekend I have appointments to view 3 Cat 25's - all different layouts
(Capri, Dinette, traditional) could you folks chime in with your thoughts on
the advantages of each layout?

Not specific to the cat you are looking at but call an insurance agent.
They are all different in that the age of the boat may mean it has to be
hauled out for a marine survey before they will insure it. Age can be a
factor and IIRC the cat 25 is about a 20 year old design? I think it
would have to be no older then 10 years to not require a haul out or at
least a in water survey.

The insurance will require any safety issues be corrected before they
will insure the boat.

Also make sure you have a marina that will take you and a way to get the
boat there. The marina will require current registration and insurance.
They may want a photo of the boat or a marine survey to make sure you
aren't just dumping a ghetto boat on them.

At any rate, for $300 a marine survey and maybe another $300 for a haul
out may not be a bad idea before you spend $10,000 on the boat.

Rick

--
Message posted via http://www.boatkb.com

Going shopping this weekend...
 

Well the viewings were interesting - some looked great, some were trampolines
with sails. We have narrowed the field to 3 boats, and will be making offers
tonight. Its an interesting thing boat shopping.

You can tell the eager sellers, and the not so eager ones. Some of the better
deals showed up in unexpected places, and now that our club is aware that we
are actively shopping, I seem to be getting listing in my inbox every day.
Its been quite a ride.

Does anyone on this board have a reputable surveyor they can reccoment in the
Lake St. Clair area? (Windsor, Detroit, Sarnia??)

Thanks in advance,
Chris Potvin




Matt Colie wrote:
Most Important:
Find either a surveyor that a friend has experience with of one that is
hated by brokers. If a broker recommends a surveyor, write the name
very carefully so are are sure you do not end up using that surveyor.
Brokers recommend surveyor that do not cost them sales.
Matt Colie
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Marine and Pathological Sailor

One more note - I nearly missed the main reason for posting...

[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]

Rick

--
Message posted via BoatKB.com
http://www.boatkb.com/Uwe/Forums.asp...iling/200710/1