What is the ideal boat for a first time sailer

[Kukri]

Thinking further, other things being equal, if you sail anywhere where the local waters are shoal I would suggest a centreboarder; you WILL be going aground and yanking the plate up is a bit different to getting a twin keeler off!

 

[Flying Penguin]

Someone elses!

A charter boat perhaps?

Need paper first though...

 

[robmcg]

I had a Hunter 701, basic but friendly and we even lived aboard it for 5-6 months, my favourite and most friendly little boat was a Trapper 500 and this little diamond I would recommend for anyone who has never sailed.

What would you recommend?

+1 for Trapper 500. Great first boat for us and decent room for a 27 footer.

 

[ValleyForge]

This ....
10' Walker gunter rigged dinghy

Learn the basics, and how to bail !

 

[Seajet]

Valley Forge,

with you all the way. My first dinghy was a gunter rigged CariCraft 10, served us very well as an introduction and heaps of fun, inc a trip to the Lakes.

 

[ianat182]

First boat Mirror dinghy(£500); next a Wayfarer/Laser(£1200) Swift18/Seal22(£2500-3K)Westerly Pageant(£5-6K) W.Centaur/Tiger £6-7k;W.Konsort (£16-18K)
All the above are regular and popular sellers, good safe boats and the latter large enogh to do serious extended cruising.
Joining any sailing club you would find at least one of each to enquire of the owner their opinion and a viewing/sail. Most would be biased opinions!

ianat182

 

[AndrewB]

What would you recommend?

Any boat, no matter what size, that you can easily afford and easily re-sell. After a season or so you'll have a much better idea what kind of yacht you really want.

 

[onesea]

Any boat, no matter what size, that you can easily afford and easily re-sell. After a season or so you'll have a much better idea what kind of yacht you really want.

+1
There is no ideal starter boat it varies on so many factors:
Area, Age, Mooring availability, Weather, size of family,
Number of people wanting to go sailing,
Type of sailing enjoyed, time of year, budget,
Level of experience, tidal range, tidal flow, any local locking arrangements sills etc.
The list does not stop...

Then I do think it would be hard to justify 26ish+ and to racy that cannot take bottom.
Buy Sub 26 learn your lessons then move up, before any one jumps up and says but I did 26+. Just a thought when you "get it wrong" with sub 26' its allot less stress for those who are trying to stop you hitting there boats...

If you sail in the Solent you will know what I mean...

It does not matter if its your first or 10th boat you will have to compromise on something...

 

[alant]

I had a Hunter 701, basic but friendly and we even lived aboard it for 5-6 months, my favourite and most friendly little boat was a Trapper 500 and this little diamond I would recommend for anyone who has never sailed.

What would you recommend?

Also check what size has available moorings in your area.

 

[Penton Hooker]

What do you want from your sailing?

Some thirty plus years ago I bought a Drascombe Longboat. My wife and I had four daughters so we needed a big cockpit, a boat that we could use as a base for camping and picnicking, a boat that we could motor, a boat that we could seriously and safely sail at sea. Now we have grandchildren, and we still have our much used and loved Longboat.

 

[ukmctc]

I understand the dinghy boys, the speed and the raw fun, but what about the people who want to cruise further afield, sleep aboard and possible entertain afloat.

I'd say for that the Trapper 500 was definately a good safe boat.

 

[Kelpie]

I'd say for that the Trapper 500 was definately a good safe boat.

Anything that makes it stand out against, say, a Sabre, Vega, Halcyon, Jaguar, Leisure, Tiger, etc etc?

 

[Seajet]

Well I've sailed one ( twin keeler ) and would certainly prefer a Trapper 500 /501 compared to any of those; better sailing performance AND better interior; looks good too - a bit of a well kept secret I've always thought.

 

[Seajet]

I understand the dinghy boys, the speed and the raw fun, but what about the people who want to cruise further afield, sleep aboard and possible entertain afloat.

I'd say for that the Trapper 500 was definately a good safe boat.

Suggesting starting with a dinghy is not about speed & thrills; it's because that's by far the best way to learn boat & sail trim and how a sailing boat works, with very clear feedback to every input or lack thereof.

Dinghy sailing teaches lifelong instincts which will stand any cruiser sailor in good stead.

 

[Tranona]

Well I've sailed one ( twin keeler ) and would certainly prefer a Trapper 500 /501 compared to any of those; better sailing performance AND better interior; looks good too - a bit of a well kept secret I've always thought.

Bit of a sweeping statement. Trapper is as good as any of the others, but cramped down below, horrible engine installation, rudder that can turn round and is easily damaged. Not saying it should not be on the list, but compared with the others there are not so many around.

Does illustrate that one should not be too focused on one boat, particularly the ones where there is limited supply as you could miss out.

 

[ValleyForge]

Here's a nice little boat, 'Gleam' our third, lovely family boat for little tots but maybe a bit restrictive for longer distances (but would a total beginner want to do that - more importantly - would the family ?). Or are folk too grand now to be seen on a little boat ?

 

[Seajet]

Bit of a sweeping statement. Trapper is as good as any of the others, but cramped down below, horrible engine installation, rudder that can turn round and is easily damaged. Not saying it should not be on the list, but compared with the others there are not so many around.

Does illustrate that one should not be too focused on one boat, particularly the ones where there is limited supply as you could miss out.

Cramped down below ? Compared to the boats listed ? I think not ! The engine installation is standard...some people like the rudder as it streams rather than slamming over when going astern; as for availability there seemed a few around when a friend was looking at buying one.

The Trapper 500 will outsail the boats listed too, with the possible exception of the Vega if punching into a blow; then again the Trapper is available in twin keel form which is handy and can save a lot of money on moorings.

 

[ukmctc]

Cramped down below ? Compared to the boats listed ? I think not ! The engine installation is standard...some people like the rudder as it streams rather than slamming over when going astern; as for availability there seemed a few around when a friend was looking at buying one.

The Trapper 500 will outsail the boats listed too, with the possible exception of the Vega if punching into a blow; then again the Trapper is available in twin keel form which is handy and can save a lot of money on moorings.

+1, and having actually lived aboard the Trapper I have to say there is loads of room. The tiller was great for going astern as you could swing it 360, made going backwards easy and very controlable, I found also in marinas once turned the rudder was protected from damage by the odd collision from other boats going astern or generally out of control.
Ours was the fin keel, sailed exceptionally well and made me look good (I'm still rubbish at it), it kept up with and held its own with many 33-42 footers that we sailed with.

 

[Searush]

This thread is actually a waste of space;

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN IDEAL BOAT!

Whether you are day sailing, trailering, just starting, experienced Ocean racer, round the bouys racer, family cruiser, liveaboard in a marina, world girdling liveaboard, shoal draft cruiser, dinghy cruiser or dinghy racer - or whatever other form of sailing meets your needs. All boats are a compromise in some way or shape. Even pure racers need to select the compromise that they think best fits the race it is being designed for. That is why all boats are different - even when designed to meet the same specific function.

So decide how you think you will use your boat, select something appropriate for that style of sailing that you like the look of (& SWMBO likes the accom) & preferably not too expensive for a first boat as you may change your requirements once you actually get out there sailing. Then buy it & use it.

Be prepared to move on to a different boat if your needs change or the kids grow or leave home.

 

[ukmctc]

This thread is actually a waste of space;

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN IDEAL BOAT!

Whether you are day sailing, trailering, just starting, experienced Ocean racer, round the bouys racer, family cruiser, liveaboard in a marina, world girdling liveaboard, shoal draft cruiser, dinghy cruiser or dinghy racer - or whatever other form of sailing meets your needs. All boats are a compromise in some way or shape. Even pure racers need to select the compromise that they think best fits the race it is being designed for. That is why all boats are different - even when designed to meet the same specific function.

So decide how you think you will use your boat, select something appropriate for that style of sailing that you like the look of (& SWMBO likes the accom) & preferably not too expensive for a first boat as you may change your requirements once you actually get out there sailing. Then buy it & use it.

Be prepared to move on to a different boat if your needs change or the kids grow or leave home.

Hmmm........."waste of Space" to which you added more........contradiction there me thinks