Is sail boat fun? My coworker is selling his Catalina 35ft for 90k which is a good price I think. I've also wanted to do sailing for some time, so is it a fun thing to do? Or is it more chore than its worth? And is it costly with maintenenace after you get a boat?
Sail boat anyone? I want to sail but I have no idea how to
- Thread starter GundamF91
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theflyingpig
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- Mar 9, 2008
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Yes, sailboat is fun. Much fun. I suggest you start off small though. Get some wood planks, strap them together and add a sail. It will make you appreciate the nuances of sailing. That's how I learned.
It's very fun. There's nothing quite like it actually, but you do need to know how to sail and the bigger the boat, the better you need to be. I wouldn't recommend dropping 90k if you've never sailed before. Unless the money means nothing to you, then go for it.
I'm just saying you might want to think about starting out small and taking some sailing classes at a local club.
I'm just saying you might want to think about starting out small and taking some sailing classes at a local club.
DVad3r
Diamond Member
- Jan 3, 2005
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Take some sailing classes. Get a small sailboat and start off that way. Then get a bigger boat. Sailing is pretty cool but be prepared to devote time and lot's of money into maintaining the boat and paying marina fee's. My dad's got a 28 foot boat, it's pretty cool but he spends half as much time fixing shit as he does sailing.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
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$90k? That is not a good price...that is ridiculously high.
Do you plan to keep it in fresh water or salt water? Where will you be sailing mostly? Coastal? Lakes? Great Lakes?
It costs a lot to keep a boat in a slip and a 35' sailboat will definitely need to be kept in a slip.
I'd start off with something smaller...under 20' and trailerable.
You're not seriously thinking about a 90k boat are you? 35' is massive if you're new at it. My coworker has a 22' Catalina that he keeps on lake Union and occasionally takes out on the sound (it's trailerable). It's a really nice boat (he lived in it for a couple summers) and it cost him less than 5k.
I know they have sailing classes all over the area. The first one that comes to mind is one in Renton on lake Washington. They start off in tiny boats. A friend of mine took the class and was later able to rent a 20' boat without much problem.
I know they have sailing classes all over the area. The first one that comes to mind is one in Renton on lake Washington. They start off in tiny boats. A friend of mine took the class and was later able to rent a 20' boat without much problem.
No way you can handle a 35' sailboat with no experience. You need to start with a Hobiecat when your a kid, and hang around the marinas and work on a boat as a mate for a number of years before you can handle that - and consider spending the money on it. You could always just hire a captain/mate to take you around though.
35' is pretty big
I'd recommend figuring out if you love it long before dropping 90k on a 35' money pit.
I've got a 23' down in commencement bay and it costs more to keep than I can really justify.
I took a sailing class from a community college before buying and i'd say that was well worth it -- so take a class.
I'd also recommend looking at casual racing. Lake union has the Duck Dodge races, which I've never been in but seem fun. Also, there are races at whatever that marina is right after you pass the ballard locks.
If you love racing, there's Widbey Island race-week that I've heard is a big party. (never been)
West Marine has a free magazine in their store (i forget what it's called) with a lot of the details about races.
If you don't know anybody -- just find out when races are, show up, and offer to crew for someone. Someone is usually short-handed and would likely take you.
I regret not buying a race-able boat -- and I also regret buying a boat with wood seats and hatch.
Looks pretty when it's all new -- but deteriorates VERY quickly in the harsh weather.
edit: If I lived in seattle and had a place to store it, I'd probably buy a Laser and get into racing.
I'd recommend figuring out if you love it long before dropping 90k on a 35' money pit.
I've got a 23' down in commencement bay and it costs more to keep than I can really justify.
I took a sailing class from a community college before buying and i'd say that was well worth it -- so take a class.
I'd also recommend looking at casual racing. Lake union has the Duck Dodge races, which I've never been in but seem fun. Also, there are races at whatever that marina is right after you pass the ballard locks.
If you love racing, there's Widbey Island race-week that I've heard is a big party. (never been)
West Marine has a free magazine in their store (i forget what it's called) with a lot of the details about races.
If you don't know anybody -- just find out when races are, show up, and offer to crew for someone. Someone is usually short-handed and would likely take you.
I regret not buying a race-able boat -- and I also regret buying a boat with wood seats and hatch.
Looks pretty when it's all new -- but deteriorates VERY quickly in the harsh weather.
edit: If I lived in seattle and had a place to store it, I'd probably buy a Laser and get into racing.
Billb2
Diamond Member
- Mar 25, 2005
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Saying you're looking a a Catalina 35 footer for $90K is like saying you're looking at a red car for $50K...it means nothing.
You need to find out if you like sailing, and you can do that for a lot less than $90K!
There's all kind of sailing, Party boats that leave the dock once or twice a year, day sailing, cruising (long and short) and racing.
Personally, I get up in the morning and go to work to get enough money to race. I've had a sailing addiction for 30 years now.
You need to find out if you like sailing, and you can do that for a lot less than $90K!
There's all kind of sailing, Party boats that leave the dock once or twice a year, day sailing, cruising (long and short) and racing.
Personally, I get up in the morning and go to work to get enough money to race. I've had a sailing addiction for 30 years now.
- Nov 27, 1999
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:music: Sail away sweet sister
Sail across the sea
Maybe you find somebody
Who loves you half as much as me. :music:
Sail across the sea
Maybe you find somebody
Who loves you half as much as me. :music:
Thanks for the input. The guy just got it a couple of years ago, it's the 350 model, and his wife is making him get rid of it. I just thought the Catalina is a very good price, at least based on what I've priced locally. Yeah, it's sort of an impulse thing, I thought this was my chance to finally get myself into a boat. If it's not something I can learn while on a boat, then I'll probably check out sailing classes to see if I'm really cut out for this.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
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My Mom's a cruiser, she's lived on a 43' sailboat for over 10 years. I grew up sailing and crewed on a 30' Pearson on Lake Ontario for a couple seasons. I've also sailed off shore here in SoCal quite a bit.
Wish I could afford a boat. Not really a priority right now...that and my wife doesn't like sailing...or boating of any kind really.
I agree. Start with some sailing classes (check either at local marinas or with the Coast Guard). Be prepared to spend a lot of time and money doing routine maintenance.
Dave
ViviTheMage
Lifer
alkemyst
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- Feb 13, 2001
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alkemyst
No Lifer
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I don't think you know much about boats.
For one without seeing boat who knows what $90k is buying. I'd suggest you price out a new one though and if this is only got a handful of hours one it it may be a steal.
Problem is more often than not used boats are someone selling off their problems. It's hard to find a well kept one in the 'consumer range'.
OP...any boat is going to be expensive for maintenance, esp if kept in salt water. I'd join a boat club for the start or go out with a friend that owns a boat.
GrantMeThePower
Platinum Member
- Jun 10, 2005
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i actually just went sailing for my first time ever on sunday. i've been dying to learn ever since i went to the virgin islands. My goal is to one day be able to rent a sailboat for a week and cruise around the virgin islands.
In any case, we took out just a little 14 footer "hunter" sail boat. It was like 45 bucks to rent it for 2 hours. My friend took me out as he had been sailing quite a bit. I started by working the jib sail.
I found it to be very fun, and honestly, much more relaxing than i thought it was going to be. We weren't hauling ass or anything like that so it was pretty freakin mellow. I agree with everyone else that said try it a few times, take some classes, etc, before buying your own. If you dont know what your doing I think it could feel very very uncomfortable for you.
In any case, we took out just a little 14 footer "hunter" sail boat. It was like 45 bucks to rent it for 2 hours. My friend took me out as he had been sailing quite a bit. I started by working the jib sail.
I found it to be very fun, and honestly, much more relaxing than i thought it was going to be. We weren't hauling ass or anything like that so it was pretty freakin mellow. I agree with everyone else that said try it a few times, take some classes, etc, before buying your own. If you dont know what your doing I think it could feel very very uncomfortable for you.
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