new to sailing - info appreciated

[Guest]

Sailing boats is one of those things that I have always fancied learning so i have taken the plunge and recently sent off the details to start day skipper theory training, with the intention of taking the practicals (through to coastal skipper for the moment) early 2002. I figure that now is probably quite a good time to start to get an idea of which boats i should be looking at. I was suprised at the number of different manufacturers alone, and so i could do with a little advice. I will mainly be sailing with my other half and occasionally friends - but would expect to normally be shorthanded, I would like something in the region of 33 ft (big enough not to be to cramped but not too much for me), that was easy enough to sail, but had good performance. Other nice features would be sizable double berth (i'm 6ft4") a shower and hot water. I have got around 25000 - 40000 to spend roughly. Reading mags I was looking at sigma 33 but i'm not sure whether they have a shower and h / water - Has anyone got any ideas or comments that could help?!

Thanks in advance

Alex Cook

 

[toad]

Join a local club(cruiser)put a card on the notice board,novice crew available etc and listen a lot to start with, good luck.

 

[LORDNELSON]

Have a look at a Southerly 105 - not at all like like a Sigma but comfortable and have a double bed and hot & cold shower; there may be some around in your upper price bracket. But I agree with the other post, get as much experience on other peoples' boats first; ther are many crewing opportunities available. Good luck

 

[johnmuir]

Hot water and a shower are ok. Better to look at good sailing qualities,seaworthy as well as cabin arrangement. You can fit these items later. I prefer the typical layout with galley at the companionway. Good idea to think about how sellable it will be in a few years. I recently went for Westerly Fulmar after much debate. I also fancied the sadler 34 but this was just outside my range.
Its interesting to wander around the marinas and speak to owners of the boats on your shortlist: they will happly tell you the pros and cons of their boat. Perhaps a better idea than speaking directly to the broakerages. Hope this helps?

 

[claymore]

Don\'t buy anything.

There's no rules to say you have to like sailing. Chartering, with a skipper to start with, then in a flotilla - its a good way of learning and if you find it isn't your cup of tea, you can still walk away. Another reason for charter is that you can try a selection of boats so that if in the future you do decide to buy, you are a bit more informed.
Hope that helps.
Joining a cruiser club is excellent advice and should help you get a few sea-miles in, hopefully with experienced skippers.

 

[billmacfarlane]

Whatever you do don't rush into anything. Spend your winter weekends looking round marinas and boatyards seeing what type of boat looks suitable. Then you can start asking relevant questions. Don't worry about things like hot water/showers yet. Concentrate in getting some sort of list of suitable boats. The bells and whistles come later. Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Seeing a range of boats at one of the 2nd hand boat shows is a good way of comparing different breeds especially if you and your wife are keen to see the comforts. Even without sailing a boat you can ask yourself, "Could I reef this from the cockpit?" "Do I need to leave the helm to adjust sheets?" etc.

Then you can check out the sailing abilities of the boats you like the look of. There is a huge range of boats in the bracket that you have outlined. I wonder what made you single out the Sigma? I think they are great fun; the OOD fleet are one of the most competitive in the country, with great cameraderie.

Where abouts are you thinking of sailing/ where are you?

KCA

 

[Guest]

Absolutely reinforce the idea of charter/sailing with freinds (even offering to pay for a berth if you have to) this is a lot of money to spend on the wrong boat and don't be fooled - they can be harder to sell than buy!! the interest on £40k pays for a lot of sailing.

The problem is to know what you want buying a boat is a bit like buying a car (exept more expensive) how do you decide whether you want a farrari, sporty hatchback, family saloon, estate, camper van or vintage/classics. Do you want an old second hand limo or a newer but cheaper built model. If you can try sailing as many typs as you can.

Good luck and enjoy the looking

PS If you are good at fixing things, particularly desils and electrics and get competant crew cert I found you can get loads of trips asisting with the 'anual holiday' by acting as extra crew accross the chanel and getting the ferry back.

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster

 

[Guest]

Re: Don\'t buy anything.

thanks to everyone for your advice. I won't be rushing out just yet to sign on the dotted line, I think as suggested that I will try to get in a few miles and a bit of experience and then see where i go from there. As far as the boats go i'll spend a while looking around to see what interests me etc

 

[david_e]

Re: Don\'t buy anything.

...just one thing to add....look for a boat that has 6'5" standing headroom.

 

[Jeremy_W]

I've crewed a racing Sigma 33 for years. e-mail me and I'm sure I could fix you a ride on one. Before you decide on a type of yacht, find out what type of sailing you really like. Is the area you will be sailing in full of marinas or full of drying harbours? Bilge keels will massively expand your choice of harbours, but you will sacrifice some performance.
What kind of person are you? I once met a Ferrari-driving entrepreneur, just bought a sensible first cruising yacht, who told me he didn't think he'd do ANY racing. Actually he oozed competitiveness from every pore and raced every week. The sensible first boat was a waste of money and he joined the Sigma 33 fleet within a year.
The only specific comment I'd make about the Sigma is that it crams sleeping space for a racing crew of seven into 32'6". If I were cruising seriously, I'd prefer 5 berths, more stowage space, bigger water tanks, a bigger chain locker (for chain rather than warp), more galley space (not that I have ever been seen near the galley) ...
Racing Sigma interiors tend to have been trashed by racing gorillas throwing sails round inside them.

Regards,
jeremysailing@hotmail.com