I am a new sailor and would love to buy a boat. I am very drawn to cape dorys. I have four kids ages 8 to 14. I want one that could sleep all six of us but since I am a new sailor I want to keep it as small as possible. Any one have any ideas?
cmckitrick@partners.org
buying a boat
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Neil Gordon
Re: buying a boat
My wife and I have a CD28 which we cruise for a week or more at a time. We find it a good cruiser for the two of us plus a chocolate lab.
The boat *officially* sleeps five... two in the v-berth and three in the cabin. You could sleep two in the cockpit if the weather behaves.
The cockpit will be crowded sailing with six, as will the cabin. I'd go bigger if the budget allows.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
The boat *officially* sleeps five... two in the v-berth and three in the cabin. You could sleep two in the cockpit if the weather behaves.
The cockpit will be crowded sailing with six, as will the cabin. I'd go bigger if the budget allows.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
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David Brownlee
Re: buying a boat
Unless you can afford a CD 32 or 33 or something larger (lucky you!), I think that two of your children will have to sleep in the cockpit under most conditions. So make sure that the cockpit seats are long and wide enough, as I think they are on the 25, 26, 27, 28, and 30. Underway, six people is going to be a bit of a crowd, probably only manageable on the 27--and becoming relatively comfortable with the 30.
David Brownlee
CD 31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, MD
dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu
David Brownlee
CD 31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, MD
dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu
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Bob B
Re: buying a boat
I recommend that you go a little slower than jumping into buying a large boat as a first boat.
Try a Typhoon daysailer first and learn how to sail more proficiently. Then, a year or so down the road, get that larger boat and take the crew out for some cruising. I have had a CD-27 and a Typhoon weekender, recently bought a 25D. The Typhoon is by far the best to teach and learn on. The 27 was great on rougher seas and had cruising room for four in a pinch, two optimum. We have had seven on the Typhoon for daysailing and it is tight but all get to participate and take some time at the helm. A couple have to stay forward and someone always likes riding in the companionway. It seems to work for us.
My advise would be that if you can to keep the Typhoon after you move up to the larger boat, for the kids to take out on their own. The smaller boat is so much more responsive and will allow you to learn how the boat reacts much faster than larger boats. Also, the tiller steering (available on the larger versions mentioned) will let you develop a better feel for the trim of the boat with regard to weather helm and such.
Also, take a class from one of the outfits who use boats about 30-33 feet. This will give you a taste of what it takes to handle the larger craft and some experience. Remember too, that maintenance costs and time increase exponentially with the increased size of a boat. Best of luck with it and I hope your family comes to love sailing on one of the Cape Dories out there.
Bob B.
BundyR@aol.com
Try a Typhoon daysailer first and learn how to sail more proficiently. Then, a year or so down the road, get that larger boat and take the crew out for some cruising. I have had a CD-27 and a Typhoon weekender, recently bought a 25D. The Typhoon is by far the best to teach and learn on. The 27 was great on rougher seas and had cruising room for four in a pinch, two optimum. We have had seven on the Typhoon for daysailing and it is tight but all get to participate and take some time at the helm. A couple have to stay forward and someone always likes riding in the companionway. It seems to work for us.
My advise would be that if you can to keep the Typhoon after you move up to the larger boat, for the kids to take out on their own. The smaller boat is so much more responsive and will allow you to learn how the boat reacts much faster than larger boats. Also, the tiller steering (available on the larger versions mentioned) will let you develop a better feel for the trim of the boat with regard to weather helm and such.
Also, take a class from one of the outfits who use boats about 30-33 feet. This will give you a taste of what it takes to handle the larger craft and some experience. Remember too, that maintenance costs and time increase exponentially with the increased size of a boat. Best of luck with it and I hope your family comes to love sailing on one of the Cape Dories out there.
Bob B.
BundyR@aol.com
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john serr
Re: buying a boat
I am a new sailor..... If you buy a small boat you will have the BIG problem of selling it, and probably LOSE money and have alot of frustration(much more than selling a used car). There is a term called 2 ft itus. You buy a boat and want a bigger one, 2 ft or more. If you buy a small boat, you will not know what it is like to own a bigger one. If you are ABSOUTLEY sure you like sailing,boating,water, and can control your kids, go for the biggest boat you can afford and control. If you get a small one, they will most likley hate it(after a few sails), and you will too. Charter a boat, and always weigh the money? and the size before you buy.
sidney777@hotmail.com
sidney777@hotmail.com
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Bob B.
Re: buying a boat
Sorry, I guess that I missed the "hate sailing part" of growing up on a small boat. I teach sailing to individuals, some of whom go out and buy as much boat as they can afford. The problem is that their experience doesn't equal what their pocketbook can dish out. Many of these people get scared of their boats because of the inability to handle them and don't sail them often. Technique is lacking and the feel for sailing is slow in coming. Look at the docks at the number of boats that have mildew growing on their dock lines.
If you are worried about loosing money don't buy a boat. As they say, it is just a hole in the water that you throw money into.
The advise about chartering is great. Take the opportunity to use someone elses boat to see if it is for your family before you make the jump to get whatever boat suits you. Most of us are hell bent to do what is in our dreams anyway and boat buying becomes an emotional thing. A boat adopts its owner as much as the owner buying the boat. Cape Dory boats tend to draw one to their traditional lines and stable sailing abilities.
Don't be in a hurry and the right boat for your family will come along. Sail as much as you can until then.
IMHO,
Capt Bob B.
BundyR@aol.com
If you are worried about loosing money don't buy a boat. As they say, it is just a hole in the water that you throw money into.
The advise about chartering is great. Take the opportunity to use someone elses boat to see if it is for your family before you make the jump to get whatever boat suits you. Most of us are hell bent to do what is in our dreams anyway and boat buying becomes an emotional thing. A boat adopts its owner as much as the owner buying the boat. Cape Dory boats tend to draw one to their traditional lines and stable sailing abilities.
Don't be in a hurry and the right boat for your family will come along. Sail as much as you can until then.
IMHO,
Capt Bob B.
BundyR@aol.com
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Clay Stalker
Re: buying a boat
You really have to be honest about your abilities at this point. I would strongly recommend taking some sailing classes at something like J-World or one of the other good schools. This will build your confidence as it did mine. I then purchased a Quickstep 24, nice boat, good sailing characteristics, but not much room. After just one season, I wanted to move up to something bigger, and you probably would as well. So probably a good place to start if you are reasonably confident with your abilities would be a CD25D, 26, or 27. These are good, solid CDs with a fair amount of room and the ability to sail anywhere without the expense of the larger models. As far as room enough for all the folks you will be taking, you would need a 30 or above, and I wouldn't recommend starting out with that size. Much to think about, so many opinions.....you are doing the right thing by seeking opinions. Good luck!Charlie McKitrick wrote: I am a new sailor and would love to buy a boat. I am very drawn to cape dorys. I have four kids ages 8 to 14. I want one that could sleep all six of us but since I am a new sailor I want to keep it as small as possible. Any one have any ideas?
Clay Stalker
cstalker@cheshire.net
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Neil Gordon
Re: buying a boat
>>If you buy a small boat you will have the BIG problem of selling it, ...<<
If you are buying a bigger boat through a broker, you may be able to give the smaller boat in trade.
>>... and probably LOSE money ...<<
They're not investments. That said, older boats don't depreciate much, if at all. The big mistake is to fall in love with a new boat at the boat show. That's a great way to lose money.
>>... and have alot of frustration...<<
I've never sold a boat, but friends have done so without much difficulty. But a quality boat and you'll find quality buyers when it's time to sell.
>>If you buy a small boat, you will not know what it is like to own a bigger one.<<
And vice versa.
>>If you get a small one, they will most likley hate it...<<
I see kids sailing in Optimists... they seem to love it!
The kids range in age from 8 to 14, right? Seems that it's not always about the whole family. How about sailing with just one or two kids at a time? The smaller boat is easier to handle... and something the kids will be able to sail... with supervision for a while, and then without. And getting them involved rather than treating them as passengers will keep them interested.
Owning a small boat for daysails... and chartering a larger boat for an occasional cruise... is a good way to start.
Check out the local sailing clubs. The club in Boston has boats in all sizes... it's not the same as owning, but it's a great skill builder and will give an idea of what works best.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
If you are buying a bigger boat through a broker, you may be able to give the smaller boat in trade.
>>... and probably LOSE money ...<<
They're not investments. That said, older boats don't depreciate much, if at all. The big mistake is to fall in love with a new boat at the boat show. That's a great way to lose money.
>>... and have alot of frustration...<<
I've never sold a boat, but friends have done so without much difficulty. But a quality boat and you'll find quality buyers when it's time to sell.
>>If you buy a small boat, you will not know what it is like to own a bigger one.<<
And vice versa.
>>If you get a small one, they will most likley hate it...<<
I see kids sailing in Optimists... they seem to love it!
The kids range in age from 8 to 14, right? Seems that it's not always about the whole family. How about sailing with just one or two kids at a time? The smaller boat is easier to handle... and something the kids will be able to sail... with supervision for a while, and then without. And getting them involved rather than treating them as passengers will keep them interested.
Owning a small boat for daysails... and chartering a larger boat for an occasional cruise... is a good way to start.
Check out the local sailing clubs. The club in Boston has boats in all sizes... it's not the same as owning, but it's a great skill builder and will give an idea of what works best.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
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John serrano
Re: buying a boat
Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one. My opinion is from mine and many others co-sailors experiences, and was intended for the person asking the question;Charlie.Imitation,and mocking was not requested .: I am a new sailor and would love to buy a boat. I am very drawn to cape dorys. I have four kids ages 8 to 14. I want one that could sleep all six of us but since I am a new sailor I want to keep it as small as possible. ANY one have any ideas?
sidney777@hotmail.com
sidney777@hotmail.com
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Stan W.
Re: buying a boat
I thought the responses to your post were pretty benign, certainly not intended to mock.
In any event, "sleeps six" and "small" are almost mutually exclusive. To sleep six on a CD, I believe that you would have to go to a CD 33. That would be a lot of boat and a big commitment of time and/or money for a beginner. I think some smaller Catalinas and Hunters may have double berths under the cockpits that would allow them to sleep six. These are relatively light fin keel boats that a motivated beginner probably could learn to handle pretty quickly. Of course, speaking of opinions, the compromise would be that they are not as seaworthy or as pretty as comparably sized CDs.
smwheatley@capecod.net
In any event, "sleeps six" and "small" are almost mutually exclusive. To sleep six on a CD, I believe that you would have to go to a CD 33. That would be a lot of boat and a big commitment of time and/or money for a beginner. I think some smaller Catalinas and Hunters may have double berths under the cockpits that would allow them to sleep six. These are relatively light fin keel boats that a motivated beginner probably could learn to handle pretty quickly. Of course, speaking of opinions, the compromise would be that they are not as seaworthy or as pretty as comparably sized CDs.
smwheatley@capecod.net
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Neil Gordon
Re: buying a boat
>>I think some smaller Catalinas and Hunters may have double berths under the cockpits that would allow them to sleep six.<<
The 28's would be small. Maybe the 30's would sleep six.
>>... the compromise would be that they are not as seaworthy or as pretty as comparably sized CDs.<<
One advantage... more boat can be bought for the same $$$. But... the flip side is they don't hold their value as well as a Cape Dory will.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
The 28's would be small. Maybe the 30's would sleep six.
>>... the compromise would be that they are not as seaworthy or as pretty as comparably sized CDs.<<
One advantage... more boat can be bought for the same $$$. But... the flip side is they don't hold their value as well as a Cape Dory will.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
cdory28@aol.com
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Bruce Bett
Re: buying a boat
John:
Starting with a big boat will NOT cure 2'itis. I'm absolutly convinced that the Captain of an aircraft carrier lusts after one that's two feet longer.
Bruce
bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us
Starting with a big boat will NOT cure 2'itis. I'm absolutly convinced that the Captain of an aircraft carrier lusts after one that's two feet longer.
Bruce
john serr wrote: I am a new sailor..... If you buy a small boat you will have the BIG problem of selling it, and probably LOSE money and have alot of frustration(much more than selling a used car). There is a term called 2 ft itus. You buy a boat and want a bigger one, 2 ft or more. If you buy a small boat, you will not know what it is like to own a bigger one. If you are ABSOUTLEY sure you like sailing,boating,water, and can control your kids, go for the biggest boat you can afford and control. If you get a small one, they will most likley hate it(after a few sails), and you will too. Charter a boat, and always weigh the money? and the size before you buy.
bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us