Which of these boats should i buy?

Question

before presenting my case i would appreciate it if people kept personal feelings out of tehir answers. thank you

i want to buy a sailboat, a sailboat over a powerboat is because i dont have the money for it and i am a 17 year old. i wanted to buy myself a fancy car but i already have 2003 honda civic so i though i might aswell get a new toy. My parents are all in for it as they want one too.

I was wondering how do i buy a sailboat? What do i look for in it? My price range goes to $15,000 canadian. I found some that i want you guys to look at but first explain what one must look at or look for when buying a sailboat and then let me know of which one u guys chose. Thanks alot. And anotehr quick question is what is a tlc in a boat?

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=&Region=-1&subcategory=602&CAT=6&ADID=7058633&ADS=7058633|

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=&Region=-1&subcategory=602&CAT=6&ADID=7133644&ADS=7133644|

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=&Region=-1&subcategory=602&CAT=6&ADID=7137907&ADS=7137907|

agian i am young and do construction so i can fix it up if it is fixable what do you guys think?

Answer 1

A few things

Are you planning to leave it in the water or trailer it?

What tow vehicle is available?

Any draft considerations where you want to launch/dock?

Answer 2

the second link doesnt work, and i like the 3rd one, but i personally like smaller ones, that arent as hard to take care of and manage,i mean it's a pain taking care of those things

Answer 3

Boy, a complicated question!!!!! First TLC is Tender Loving Care which translates in to a lot of polishing..... First lets talk about you.... are you steady...a planner....hard worker, up to a challenge.....if so your a sailor as in sailboat......there a lot to learn but you'll figure it all out...... Right now you need to actually go look at the boats.....try a local marina, and get info on where you can dock the boat and it's cost...... Now, as for your choices the Paceship is the best boat so far, but he's asking a few $$$$ to much, offer far less.....it's  about age. The McGregger is way over priced and not "Well Built" but you can park it in your yard.  The  Sirius is to small....but you've just started looking.....take your time and don't buy until you've touched the boat....you'll know the right one.  Good Luck and good sailing!!!!

Answer 4

there all nice but you can afford a power boat i just boat a 2002 bayliner for 11,000.  in canada

Answer 5

It depends on where are you going to sail.

For Great Lakes go with the longest boat you can afford. These are inland waters, but winds and waves could be very demanding on a boat and sailor.

The first one you are showing us is an old MacGregor. "The best sailboat for the highway". It tows very well behind a van or SUV. It's relatively big for a towable boat and as result very popular. If you want to take your boat to different lakes - this would be a very good choice. Disadvantage: it's designed to be light (for towing) and not for heavy weather.

The second is a Paceship - sorry I don't know much about this boat. In mid seventies manufacturers still were using a lot of fiberglass and didn't learn how to "optimize" yet. The hull could be very well build.

The last one is a Sirius 21, a bigger brother of very popular Siren. They were build in Owen Sound and have a great reputation for solid design, stability and ease of handling.

Answer 6

tlc is tender loving care - which means in boat terms that she will need some work doing on her - but she is a good size boat for that money and is well worth looking at.

My advice would be to look at all the boats in your shortlist, if you can, you can't beat the mark one eyeball! If you can't look at them ask the seller for more photos - inside and out - and close ups. Ask the seller if there is a survey report available for the boat and can they send you a copy. A recent survey may be required for insurance purposes so it is well worth paying a few hundred dollars for one before you purchase the boat.

Osmosis is one of the main things to watch out for in a fibreglass boat - ask the seller if the boat has osmosis. Read up about osmosis via the internet or yachting magazines or books. Osmosis are small blisters on the hull of the boat where water has got in and if in only small areas can be contained but if in large areas can cost more than the boats value to repair by a specialist - it's not a diy job.

Look at the sails and make sure that they are not too tatty or baggy. Or ask for photos.

Look at the rigging and make sure that it is not rusty or peeling away.

If there is a local sailing club or you know someone who knows about boats ask them to go with you to visit the boats.

Ask for a test sail - which means the owner takes you out on the boat - you don't need to know anything they will do the sailing.

I am on my third boat now - my first was a rotten, wormy wooden boat, my second a westerly 25 and now I am sailing around the world single handed on my Heavenly Twins 26ft catamaran.

I wish you luck with your new venture and hope you have many happy years sailing you will have a lot of fun!!!