I have been learning to sail just for a couple of months. (Think really really green here) I am 37 and am in good shape. I weigh 128 lbs. I am working on the ‘boat fund’ and want some input about a good beginner boat.
I went to Performance MidWinter with Jake Kohl and David Mosley this past weekend. (I am so proud of them) I got to go out on the committee boat (Thanks Kirk!) I learned so much about how a race was set up and all of a sudden everything I have been reading fell into place. What a great experience!
While I was there I talked some about being serious about learning and getting ideas about purchasing a boat. I had a couple of guys tell me a Wave was the way to go for a beginner boat. Then a woman sailor said, no way, you won’t like that for long. It is too simple. Get a Hobie 16.
What suggestions do you have?
Ok, maybe I missed a few things, but it seems everybody has stated suggesting boats without a few key questions up front.
1 - What is you intended use for the boat you're looking for? Are you simply wanting to learn how to sail a cat at this point with the idea of eventually going racing, or do you want to jump into racing as soon as you can? In other words what is your perceived timetable for getting into racing if you want to race? Or, do you really want to race at all?
2 - Are looking for a crewed (2-person) boat, or are you looking for something that you can easily handle/race on your own, maybe taking an occasional passenger along for a ride? Do you have access to readily available and willing crew?
3 - If you want to race, do you have an opinion on whether you want to go one-design (everybody on the same boat, first over the line wins) or run-what-you-brung (handicap, math decides winner, not all the boats the same)?
4 - You're saving money for the purchase, but how much do you envision having available to get started?
The questions may be many, but they are designed to figure out a good match. For instance, if you will be sailing alone, won't be racing just yet, maybe a Wave is the best way to start. If you want to race now and it will only be you sailing/racing you'll need to find a singlehand class, Hobie-16 is not that. If you don't mind making payments and want to jump right in, then options change again.
You can get into the boats for fairly cheap up front, but you may end spending a lot to get the boat where you want for racing. Again, answers to the above questions may help you decide which way to go.
Take a shot at answering the questions, let us know the answers, and then we can see if the recommendations fit!
Welcome to the club!
