I don't think the advantages and disadvantages of hull type were mentioned. Round, hard chine or flat bottom. I happen to very much like the initial stability of my hard chined Core Sound 17. It has good initial stability and can handle a blow. It has a slight V hull. It sails very nicely fairly upright.
Great questions all. I especially like the very last comment, about if your spouse doesn’t like the boat, yikes 😳
I found there is a size which you feel most comfortable and matches the type of boating you do. I tend to like boats in the 22 foot range in a slip and ready to go. Of course this has its down side, like painting the bottom, and being forced to go boating in whatever location your marina is in. But I like that you just get in and get going. :-)
I would add yet another accommodation: medical. My late father had two artificial hips, yet he still sailed with me. His lack of movement required a heavily ballasted boat as he could not move quickly to keep a smaller and lighter boat upright.
I also have Crohn's Disease, so a place to hide a portapottie or a bucket is a must for me. So far I have been lucky with my GP14, but it is only a matter of time before I will need to go at the worst possible time.
Great Article!!!……Mostly “Been There/ Done That”!!…….All the years and I’m down to “the 1st. Kit built SCAMP” #6 B.Frank…..(probably the upper end of my skill set!” ) And my trusty M15 “six”….well that’s not counting a couple of plastic/ rubber kayaks!…All fun!
It seems a good option is to make the best use of available watercraft (multiple options in my case). While it would nice to have an idealized choice, it is quicker and easier to use what you have. A quick launch and go sailing option is the 14-foot, Deer Isle Koster. As an open boat, the overnight use would be spartan, and the double-ended design does not accommodate an outboard motor easily. Benefits and limitations abound.
For longer cruises, the Moore 24 sailboat (keelboat) has minimal overnight, not enough to prevent Webb Chiles from circumnavigating in the same boat. For shorter excursions, the launching is more problematic than the DKI. The solution (in the works) is to make the keelboat easier to launch from a ramp. In this case, the parts to the solution are a spare tire that serves as a stable tongue jack, and dedicated supports that help align the boat to the trailer when the trailer is under 5-6 feet of water. The trailer connection to the tow vehicle changes to a tow strap so the trailer free wheels / sinks for launch and retrieve. Yes, this is still quicker and easier than buying or building a replacement. Once launched, sailing the Moore 24 is a hoot.
Number 21: What are you really capable of doing? I originally thought of this as "How old are you?" Us octogenarians are superpersons, in our own estimation. Reflect before you choose. I rarely sail my Laser any more, but I have fabricated a rowing rig for it that gets me on the water.
This has been very helpful. I am 'boatless' and have been dreaming/scheming what I would like to sail, but being drawn to double enders, open or minimal cockpit, a simple mainsail and the ability to put up a small job. Kind of like Ian Oughtred's 'sooty tern' style
But no one has put this 20 question list in one place, so thank you
Regarding accommodations, there are several levels to this. These would include from most basic to more accommodating:
1) You can sleep on on it but only if you add a boom tent and floor boards, e.g., Scamp.
2) You have a cuddy into which you can crawl to get out of nasty weather.
3) You have an area designed for sleeping but not much else, e.g., the v-berth on a WWP-15, Neptune 16.
4) You have two berths, v-berth or quarter, and some (perhaps) sitting headroom, e.g., Com-Pac 16. This likely will have room for a portable head.
5) You have sitting headroom and extra berths in addition to the v-berth and room for a portable head, e.g., Sparrow 16, Montgomery 17.
6) You have 4 berths, sitting headroom and a table at which to eat, along with a head, e.g., Catalina 22 etc.
7) You have all of 6 PLUS standing headroom, e.g., MacGregor 26X.
I don't think the advantages and disadvantages of hull type were mentioned. Round, hard chine or flat bottom. I happen to very much like the initial stability of my hard chined Core Sound 17. It has good initial stability and can handle a blow. It has a slight V hull. It sails very nicely fairly upright.
Good point, Dale…we didn’t include hull shape, but that’s certainly an important consideration. We love Core Sound 17’s, by the way! - Marty
Great questions all. I especially like the very last comment, about if your spouse doesn’t like the boat, yikes 😳
I found there is a size which you feel most comfortable and matches the type of boating you do. I tend to like boats in the 22 foot range in a slip and ready to go. Of course this has its down side, like painting the bottom, and being forced to go boating in whatever location your marina is in. But I like that you just get in and get going. :-)
I would add yet another accommodation: medical. My late father had two artificial hips, yet he still sailed with me. His lack of movement required a heavily ballasted boat as he could not move quickly to keep a smaller and lighter boat upright.
I also have Crohn's Disease, so a place to hide a portapottie or a bucket is a must for me. So far I have been lucky with my GP14, but it is only a matter of time before I will need to go at the worst possible time.
Great Article!!!……Mostly “Been There/ Done That”!!…….All the years and I’m down to “the 1st. Kit built SCAMP” #6 B.Frank…..(probably the upper end of my skill set!” ) And my trusty M15 “six”….well that’s not counting a couple of plastic/ rubber kayaks!…All fun!
It seems a good option is to make the best use of available watercraft (multiple options in my case). While it would nice to have an idealized choice, it is quicker and easier to use what you have. A quick launch and go sailing option is the 14-foot, Deer Isle Koster. As an open boat, the overnight use would be spartan, and the double-ended design does not accommodate an outboard motor easily. Benefits and limitations abound.
For longer cruises, the Moore 24 sailboat (keelboat) has minimal overnight, not enough to prevent Webb Chiles from circumnavigating in the same boat. For shorter excursions, the launching is more problematic than the DKI. The solution (in the works) is to make the keelboat easier to launch from a ramp. In this case, the parts to the solution are a spare tire that serves as a stable tongue jack, and dedicated supports that help align the boat to the trailer when the trailer is under 5-6 feet of water. The trailer connection to the tow vehicle changes to a tow strap so the trailer free wheels / sinks for launch and retrieve. Yes, this is still quicker and easier than buying or building a replacement. Once launched, sailing the Moore 24 is a hoot.
Number 21: What are you really capable of doing? I originally thought of this as "How old are you?" Us octogenarians are superpersons, in our own estimation. Reflect before you choose. I rarely sail my Laser any more, but I have fabricated a rowing rig for it that gets me on the water.
This has been very helpful. I am 'boatless' and have been dreaming/scheming what I would like to sail, but being drawn to double enders, open or minimal cockpit, a simple mainsail and the ability to put up a small job. Kind of like Ian Oughtred's 'sooty tern' style
But no one has put this 20 question list in one place, so thank you
Jonathan - Great to hear that the list helped you, and maybe others. - Marty