Want To Buy: Looking for my First Boat

[scotty492]

Looking for my first sail boat, seems there are no end to chose from. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. General requirements are 4 person livaboard 2-3months , coastal with limited blue water, and possible kept in the bahamas or south. Currently looking at a 38' Irwin 1987 for mid 30s.

[speedoo]

If you don't have much sailing experience, a 37 footer is really too big a boat for a first boat IMO. You would be better off going smaller, and doing shorter cruises locally if possible. You will learn sailing more easily, won't have to spend as much time and money maintaining the boat, and you will make sure longer term cruising is really what you want.

[NorthPacific]

Have I got the deal for you!

You to can own a Dufour 35 With all the bells and whistles for a mere $100000. Comes with a lifetime 30 30 guarantee. ( thirty feet from dock or 30 seconds on the engine.

Seriously take your time. Engine should be checked by a trusted mechanic, not the guy who knows the owner. Buy quick and you will spend much more and have a heartache.

Also buy with your head not your heart. many boats like mine come with a crap load of gear. That means maintaining redoing and rarely using. Electronics are great make sure that they are newish and serviceable.

Its a great adventure but buy as carefully as a house or business. Unless you are stinking rich and then go mad. Lastly if you intend to Sail in BC waters make sure you have moorage sorted before you buy. And lastly, lastly buy the biggest boat you CAN AFFORD. I mean afford, can you afford to replace the engine or gearbox?

Lots of good boats, just be careful, lots of broken dreams as well.

[wizard1_us]

I have a nicely rigged Cape Dory 27' if you are interested.

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by wizard1_us

I have a nicely rigged Cape Dory 27' if you are interested.

Cape dory is a good boat, how much?

[Martreeve]

I bought a Bavaria 34 as my first boat, sails beautifuly, easy to handle in a marina enough room for 4 and looked after us when we got caught in a force 11 in the English chanel. I would recommend them to anyone.

[Ocean Girl]

Sailboat Photo Gallery, A

This is a link to a photo gallery of a bunch of boat brands, may help on your boat shopping. Some boats are still for sale, some can be used just as a reference for that make and model.

Don't forget
Endeavor
Catalina
Older island packets
Bayfields

Have fun on your boat search :-)
Mrs. Rain Dog

[wizard1_us]

My Cape Dory is 28,500 obo

[Kefaa]

In a way, you have said I want a car that seat 6. What is a good one.

You said you were looking at mid 30s - is that your price point? Do you have 20% set aside for things you will need post purchase.
How mechanically inclined are you?
Have you done sailing prior to this? Have you charter for more than a week?
What about the people you plan to spend 2+ months with? (many people think a road trip is great until days 4+ where that odd breathing pattern you never noticed before is really-really get on that last nerve.)

All these play into it. I agree with speeddo. 37 sounds about right size wise but it takes two to sail in most cases. At mid 30s, it leaves little for single handed conversion.

I love my IP31. With 4 of us I wish I had a 38 many days --- but that means sailing alone is difficult and that reduces my options to sail.

[robinsoncom]

This is a good one https://sites.google.com/site/gypsycatstory/home

[pdjb]

buy a irwin 28 or 30 0r more,,,,,cheap go on irwin for sale any you can see for yourself want you want......I have irwin 28 ft.....and its 4 person...2 is better.....take your time and see want you want..its like buying a car? pdjb

[rgscpat]

I bet a moderately intelligent programmer could write a script to "interview" people looking for their first boat and prompt them to talk about their background, skills, limitations, location, available time, budget, and sailing dreams. Perhaps it could even then spit out something like, "People like you often enjoy the following boats...."

[2ndwynd]

Good luck on your search, I have a Pearson 303 in magnificent condition. This boat was purchased of the winter and completely restored. The boat in Cape Cod in the water and sailing. Alot of boat for 30ft and in perfect condition in and out. I found a 41 Morgan in my harbor i want to buy. I would be able to sacrifice and let it go for $25,000.00.

2nd Wynd

[Peppercorn]

I still have my first boat, she's a 1978 Irwin Yachts Citation 30. This is my trainer, not just how to sail but how to work on marine systems such as the head, galley, fiberglass finish, wood finish, diesel engines and most importantly what I REALLY want on my forever boat. When I bought my first car, some 40 years ago, my father lent me this wisdom " son, the cheapest part of owning a car is buying it".

[zeehag]

sail everything, sail with everyone, sail everywhere
BEFORE you consider buying something you may not enjoy. remember--is easier to buy than to sell these days.