CD 30ft ???

[Dion]

I'm really new to sailing and I have found a Cape Dory for sale.
my first boat. a 1978 30ft asking $34.900 really clean I'm in love with this boat!! can anybody give me any tip's??? I think I have to have it.



dmandude@flash.net

[Tom Coons]

I'm really new to sailing and I have found a Cape Dory for sale.
my first boat. a 1978 30ft asking $34.900 really clean I'm in love with this boat!! can anybody give me any tip's??? I think I have to have it.

What kind of tips are you seeking? It's a great boat. Some are cutter rigged and some are ketch rigged, if you have a preference you can shop around. Anytime you buy a boat you want to have a good survey (that includes a moisture meter survery of the deck and cabin top) by a competent surveyor. In addition to being clean, how well is she equipped? Outside of that -- enjoy !!



TacCambria@thegrid.net

[kevin aubuchon]

I'm really new to sailing ...

New to big boat sailing or sailing in general? If you have little sailing experience starting with a smaller boat would be better. Coincidentaly, my CD25 is for sale! But seriously, learning the finer points of sailing on a 30 ft keel boat is different that learning on a dinghy. The keel boat will be very forgiving, and the interaction of sail trim, rudder, and point of sail may be too subtle for a novice. The dinghy or smaller boat will give you immediate feedback. Your sailing skills improve every time you take out the boat. Regardless, best of luck and good sailing. As a CD owner, I can't fault your choice of boat.

regards,
kevin aubuchon



kaubuchon@primary.net

[Brad]

$34,900 for a '78 sounds a bit steep. A friend of mine bought a really nice '81 for $31,000 2 years ago. Comes down to how she is equiped. Being new to all this, a minimum of extra equipment is all you really need,just the basic instruments and perhaps a GPS or Loran.



bmeilink@shentel.net

[Bob B.]

I agree with Tom about the size of a first boat. Try a CD Typhoon for a year or so and then step up to a larger boat. The Typhoon is responsive enough for you to get a better feel for sailing. I grew up on smaller boats but the first boat that my wife sailed was a CD 27. It was really hard for her to judge what her actions actually did to the sailing of the boat. We have a Typhoon now and it is amazing the difference in getting the feel of the boat. Whatever you do, you can't go wrong with a Cape Dory.
Bob B.
BundyR@aol.com



BundyR@aol.com

[Matthew Atkinson]

I'm really new to sailing and I have found a Cape Dory for sale.
my first boat. a 1978 30ft asking $34.900 really clean I'm in love with this boat!! can anybody give me any tip's??? I think I have to have it.

Dion,
I differ on purchasing a smaller boat first, especially anything larger than a day sailer. How many boats do you want? They are far easier to buy than sell. I suppose the question is do you, being inexperienced, really want to sail? I imagine you know that, though anyone can change his or her mind. Price is deceptive - clean is clean is clean - what are you actually going to spend for your purposes - repairs, instruments, sails, ect ect. All things being equal, a recently equipped and well maintained boat should be cheaper than doing it yourself, however, you lose a valuable though expensive lesson. There were earlier messages concerning the value of a CD 30, you can look at them to get an idea. You would probably be able to find one for as little as 20-25k if patient, but you can count on doubling your investment because at such a price she is probably worn - a new engine, installed, can cost up to 10k, and so on. If you really re-rig one and install new instruments and electronics, sails, wiring, emergency equi & ect you can have 60K into it before you know it - an investment you will never see again if you decide to sell. One friend described owning a sailboat as "standing in a cold shower tearing up $100 bills." In any event - you must get a good survey to protect yourself from big surprises, although I have to hear of a cape dory hull or deck that was truly shot. I love my 30', Good luck. Matthew



matkinson@genesis.law.pace.edu