Would be boatowner seeking advice

[Bladerunner]

Having been bitten by the sailing bug during the summer ( out twice on a friends boat) I am thinking of buying my own boat.
My question is :-
What length would everybody recommend for a complete novice ?

I can't tow a trailer so the boat would be kept at a marina.

Also I would eventually like to take it across the channel.

Should I go for something around 20 ft to start and trade up in a couple of years or get something bigger that would be comfortable for extended trips ?

I am planning to join my local yacht club which has a number of berths available that dry out.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[howardclark]

If you are buying for the first time and want to choose quickly, buy something that you can sell if you get it wrong! Suggest something like a 26' Westerley Centaur or Sadler 26'- decent ones are available with bilge keels (for drying out) for under £15000. I'm sure lots of people can suggest similar alternatives. I know you can cross the channel in smaller boats but that would be my minimum length. Get back issues of magazine articles for basic info.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Get somrthing in excess of 30ft I know that the long keel brigade will tell you 24/26ft to learn on .But if you can afford it buy something modern.By the time you have bought and sold your way up from 20ft only the salesman will be happy. I started with a sigma 38 now own a 44 wish I had a 50ft cheers bob t

Bob T

 

[Avocet]

Really depends what you want to spend and where you want to sail. Will you be doing inland sailing at first then a bit of coastal? Will you want to dry out a lot? if you get one of the drying berths at the club you can often get away with a fin keeled boat because it will make a little "nest " in the mud for itself to sit in. You won't be able to do this if you visit other srying harbours / anchorages, you'll need something that can take the ground. Also, will you want to race or cruise or just potter?

 

[clyst]

Depends on the amount of "dosh" available to splash on a boat. Good sailing and vast experience can be obtained from boats around 20ft costing a couple "K". channel crossings in a small boat of 20ft is relatively common but not for the inexperienced. My advice would be to join an RYA DaySkipper course and take it from there,either you will be bitten by the bug or not. I'v been sailing for some 30years in boats of this size, in fact my current boat I'v had for the last 22years she's only 22ft and has covered thousands of sea miles so don't be put off small boats 'till you've tried 'em.
Fair Winds> Terry.

 

[extravert]

Yes definitely go for something small at first. You don't know what you want and what you like until you've been at it for a couple of years. If you spend all your available money now you may regret it later when you realize your boat is not what you want. Small boats are often bought and sold privately so there are no brokers' fees. And even if there are, 8% of a few thousand is not much compared to being lumbered with the wrong boat. Most people keep their first boat less than 3 years, whether it's big and new, or small and old.

If you can, find a boat that doesn't need a whole lot doing to it. You rarely get the money you spend back when you sell when you do up an old boat (like a car, unlike a house). If you expect that you will only keep your first boat for a couple of years, get one where just about everything you need is fitted and working. Don't worry if it looks a bit tired. Good engine, instruments, rigging, structure and sails are what count.

Your choice will also depend on what kind of sailing you like. Many people here will suggest small bilge keel boats but these may struggle in light winds or upwind. If you really like the sailing apsect, ie moving with sails, and are prepared to compromise space and comfort a bit, then a lifting keel boat may be suitable. These can dry out on a soft bottom. Examples I can think of would be an E-Boat or a lift-keel Sonata, both at about 6.8m length.

Of course, this is just one idea. Lots of people will disagree...

E-Boat assocoation is here...

http://mysite.freeserve.com/e_boats/index.html

 

[graham]

Join the local yacht club now and ask them for advise.The size of boat you can keep on the club moorings may be restricted by space or depth of water available.

Dont assume you need bilge keels for a drying mooring.If the bottom is soft mud a lifting keel or fixed fin keel may be ok for you.Well designed bilge keelers sail almost as well as fin keels, the early poorly designed ones would not go to windward very well.

Ask club members to take you out on their boats to get a better idea of what you want.Most people end up with the wrong boat initially then change it so go for a popular design that can be sold on more easilly.

The cheapest boat may not be the most cost effective in the end. If buying second hand try to find an example with a replacement engine , recent sails and rigging.The cost of replacing those items can add up to more than the resale value of the whole boat.

Generally a standard design from a well known designer made in GRP will be the safest bet for a beginner.

 

[FlyingSpud]

When buying, always think about selling. Go for a known name, selling will be much easier. Boats are not like cars; age is not such a great factor. As to what to buy, this depends on your budget, how much were you looking to spend?

 

[LadyInBed]

As has been said the first consideration is how much you are prepared to spend.
Other considerations are family circumstances. If single, are you sailing alone or are your friends buying into the sailing idea. If you are with family, how much are they committed to sailing. These are also factors that might influence the size and type of boat you buy, you may end up handling the boat alone, even with the family or friends onboard.

I started with a 22ft motorsailer with good internal head room that would take the ground, and with a young family. I knew I would never be a purist sailor in that if I couldn’t sail in the direction I wanted to go (into wind) I would motor, if I couldn’t average 5 knots on a long (cross channel 14 hour) passage, I would motor-sail. I kept this boat for 17 years and only sold it because we had all outgrown it.

 

[Jeremy_W]

I know some people hate crewing for others. It doesn't suit their character.
tcm and Steve101 are "shapers", not nature's crews. If you can stand crewing, do a season of it. You'll learn what you like and dislike.

Where are you in Wales? In the fast-flowing Bristol Channel or the less fierce North coast? See what the other people (whose yachts leave the mooring) are sailing in your area. A few extra feet over 20-foot will make the yacht a deal more comfortable in choppy seas.

 

[scanman]

Welcome to sailing

My I suggest that you do a RYA compertant crew course as you would be sailing for a week living onboard the boat and visiting various marinas and rivers to moor for the night, also you would do a bit of night sailing, I did this course last summer 2001 and found it to be a very good insight into sailing and from this I brought my own boat this year and I do not regret It.

The size of boat that I got is a 31ft beneteau and have found it easy to handel and have even sailed it singel handed a few times and my mooring is a fore & aft, not the easiest to pick and drop off.

What ever boat you decide on I wish you good luck

Chris.

 

[billmacfarlane]

I'd start by doing two things. The first is the RYA Day Skipper course. I don't know what area you're planning to sail in but there's bound to be a school in the area. The second is to join the yacht club before you buy a boat . You might get more chances to crew and talking to local skippers should give you more of an idea what kind of boat is suitable for the moorings and sailing in that area.

 

[LeonF]

Lots of excellent advice, but some more considerations. Try the berths. I started with a triple keel 19footer which was great fun but I always felt ragged after a restless nights sleep. The best small boat I've seen is the Hunter 23 in terms of space and reputed sailing performance. Also has the outboard on tracks in the locker so you don't have the hassle of lifting it in and out of the well. A cheaper alternative might be the Hunter Libertys/Minstrels. Also Anderson 22s. Beware of lifting keels in mud berths as I have known a number of them to have the mud dry out and jam in the keel slot. The advice about buying biggest is right in a way but you may be intimidated by handling such a big boat in marinas etc. Read lots of magazines and books and don't be in a hurry. Post again for opinions once you have a short list. I had always dismissed Sigmas as flighty racing boats that weren't for me but after sailing a 38 on a Day Skipper course I ended up buying Sigma 33. And set your budget then reduce it by at least a grand for all the extras you will want or need to change. And don't go crazy spending money on the boat until the second season so you know if you like your choice and intend to keep her.

L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[TimLamb]

After looking at all the cheaper starter options we went for a Centaur because we liked the idea of being able to sleep abaord with at least some comfort and space, as well as the reputation for at least a certain level of seaworthyness.
I think there's arguments either way (and I haven't seen the other posts yet), buy as much as you can afford (within reason (if you're stinking rich), you don't want something you need a full crew for or can't handle), because it'll probably be more of a yacht and more spacious/civilised, or the other option, start right at the bottom (something you have to be really dedicated to sleep aboard) knowing that you can move up as experience and ability dictate.
If you do buy, don't be dismayed by the 'what the **** have I done?' feeling as you drive away from handing over your cheque/taking delivery.
Either way - best of luck.

Tim

 

[Budgie]

Our first boat was a Moody 34 - chosen because it needed a lot of TLC and was thus fairly cheap, and because my wife liked the acommodation. It was important to me that she be involoved. It was also chosen because it was a popular boat which could be fairly easily traded on.

It worked well - though it needed much work initially - a new main plus new instruments and cosmetic work - most of which I was able to do myself.

The choice of boat will obviously reflect your personal circumstances, but if you have a significant other I would suggest that the "caravan" aspect needs to be addressed.

Good luck.