Question:
I am looking for advice/suggestions on what brand and size cruising sailboat
to buy. I live in Southern Maryland overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, and I
recently started sailing Catalina 16.5's and Rhodes 19's. I hope to
purchase my first cruising sailboat no later than 2003, and have been
researching new and used boats in the 28-30 ft range. I'm even weighing the
pros and cons of owning a trailerable sailboat. What is available in the
$15K-$20K price range that is comfortable, easy to sail, and relatively
stable?
Answer:
- And a long list of others....with a zillion variables. Try to spend time on a
few designs...see what works for you and don't be in a hurry. Falling in love
with a boat too fast is the same with women. It's usually a mistake and very
expensive.
- So you're in an excellent place to go and look at all sorts of boats. You
can wander round Solomons, Annapolis, Deale, Rock Hall, Oxford, Cambridge
(and so on ) to see what's out there. You could visit yacht brokers, too.
The Annapolis Sailboat Show at the beginning of the fall will give you lots
of ideas if you don't mind finding yourself thinking "wow -- that one's only
$180,000, what a steal" for a day or two afterwards. I believe that there
are a couple of shows of used boats put on by some of the dealers, too.
I urge you not to be in too much of a hurry -- the one for you is out there.
