just starting out, what boat to get?

[Lakesailor]

Yep. And I expressed my opinion.
However in the nature of things, those with definite ideas on how things should be done come along and plan out someone's future for them.
Oddly when I Googled for a pic of a Scaffie I came up with one of my own pics of a couple of guys on the lake who get a huge amount of enjoyment from their Drascombes, just poodling about.
They may well be very experienced sailors, or may have learnt from their own experience.
My point is that few people on the forum suggest the slow, easy and low-tech options when these questions are posed.
It's usually the Full-Service, get training (must wear life jacket) range of options that are offered.

Going back to the OP, it seems that he is looking to ease himself into sailing in a gentle and relaxed manner.
My suggestion of a Seahawk is very similar to a Drascombe, but a bit more accommodation and probably lighter, probably a better sail and definitely cheaper.

 

[Searush]

Couple of nice posts there Phil, only problem is that those are Coasters or similar, not Scaffies. The Scaffie is an open dinghy pic from Drascombe site below;

Which is why I suggested a small cruiser, just like yours (or a dozen similar designs)

 

[mdonnelly]

My first boat was a fin keel Leisure 17. Lovely boat, sailed well, uncomplicated single handed. Good cockpit space for 4 and a nice little cabin with a small cooker and loo. Get misty eyed every time I see one. Not very expensive and thoroughly recommend it as a starter boat.

 

[Lakesailor]

That's the sort of thing.
I'd stay away from fin keel though. Although my Foxcub was fin keel and much better for it, it can limit your options re. launching, drying and trail-sailing.

 

[Lakesailor]

Couple of nice posts there Phil, only problem is that those are Coasters or similar, not Scaffies. The Scaffie is an open dinghy pic from Drascombe site below;

I have some pics of a Scaffie on Windermere, but the last time I posted them someone suggested they go to windward slighty better than a floating log.

 

[Searush]

I have some pics of a Scaffie on Windermere, but the last time I posted them someone suggested they go to windward slighty better than a floating log.

You could well be right, I don't think they have a drop keel, just a long keelson plank, so would need some rocker to be able too turn but would tend to make a lot of leeway - especially with a loose footed lug sail not able to point well either. Nice & easy to get on & off the trailer or up the beach tho. a pair of leeboards & a bamboo boom might improve sailing qualities, but lose the simplicity which is the key to the design.

I can see why the OP liked them, but as they cost a couple o' grand I agree that a Corribee, Jouster or a myriad other small cruisers would be better value & very little harder to sail, tow or launch.

 

[mdonnelly]

With regards to the leisure 17, I think the fin keel was fairly rare and bilge keels was the norm. That would make it an ideal first boat.

 

[Ubergeekian]

I can see why the OP liked them, but as they cost a couple o' grand I agree that a Corribee, Jouster or a myriad other small cruisers would be better value & very little harder to sail, tow or launch.

You called?

Mind you, a 4' draft fin keeler weighing a ton is not exactly a trailer sailer. Can be surprisingly cheap, though ....

 

[oceanman]

thanks for the replies everyone, what i liked about the scaffie was it seems to be easy to rig and launch......could be wrong about that though!
i have heard good things about the leisure 17. probably a bit harder to trailer and hard to find them not needing work.

 

[Seajet]

Last I heard there was an excellent Leisure 17 - twin keel, with sprayhood, the works - for sale at Langstone Sailing Club, Hants. Sadly the owner, a good guy is no longer with us...I know this is a distance from you, but if still available 'Tina' is a good example; not sure if she has a trailer. She's not on the club website 'for sale' section, but that doesn't mean much, there may be no-one clued up to use that. LSC 02392 484577.

 

[ProDave]

Here's my tuppence worth from a new sailor, just embarking on what the OP is doing.

We wanted a small sailing boat that had basic accomodation, an open dinghy type boat held little appeal for me. So as others have suggested for under £2000 all in we bought an 18ft lifting keel cruiser compete with trailer and outboard pretty much ready to sail, though I am doing a few upgrades and simple modifications.

The other important thing is we found a mooring and joined a sailing club.

We had her in the water for 3 weeks at the end of last season and sailed her 3 times, on our own, just to get a feel for it. Nothing adventerous, just some simple sailing in calm weather. Our sailing experience before this was 3 days on a cruise with a relative some years ago on his 26 ft boat, and hiring a Drascobe Lugger for half a day on Loch Linnie. And we read a lot of books.

This year once re launched, we are going to get some instruction on our own boat from more experienced club members, and hopefully crew on other peoples boats. It's highly likely we will also do some dinghy sailing with the club, not because we really like the idea of dinghy sailing, but as a means of learning boat handling.

I don't think the OP has yet said where he is, or where he is planning to sail. Also are you planning to trailer sail, or are you looking for a mooring. That will influence your choice of boat.

While a small cruiser like ours could be trailer sailed, it takes about an hour to rig the boat before launch and an aour the other way. Having to do that every time you want to sail would have very soon lost it's appeal and become too much of a chore. So having found a mooring to keep her for the summer. the trailer becomes just a means to bring her home for the winter.

If trailer sailing, you need to look at the available slipways near you and asess their facilities and ease of launching and recovery.

 

[oceanman]

thanks prodave, i am living in dublin at the moment so i would be sailing in dublin bay mostly and a few inshore lakes ect,i would be towing whatever i get on a trailer. thats why im looking for something thats easy to rig and launch!thanks for your reply its great to get some feedback from others.