| As an owner of small boats and a watcher of small boat ads I offer the
following:
What you describe is available as a Snark or better yet a Super Snark. They
sell new for $300-400. I have seen them available on the used market for
around $150. They are made out of plastic, not terribly durable, not terribly
rugged or stable, somewhat easily swamped but definitely a sailboat (for
1-2 people max). They are also easily transported. I believe the hull goes
about 40# and about 12' long.
The next step up from there is a Sunfish, or one of its lookalikes. I paid
$500 for mine. Old but excellent condition. It weighs 140#. My wife and I can
muscle it onto the top of our Toyota wagon. It is a rugged boat which can be
sailed hard (in heavy wind), is easily righted and mostly self draining when
righted. You can really do a lot of sailing (and learning) with it.
Either way, if you get bored or want to move up, you should have no trouble
getting your money back if you choose to sell it.
You are not likely to see boats this inexpensive advertised much in boating
magazines and large papers (like the Globe). Watch the local papers. I have
seen several advertised in the Concord (N.H.) Monitor or the N.H. Union
Leader. If you really look at newspapers, you shouldn't have much problem
finding one.
Bill French
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