Conference unifix::sailing

    I recently attended both the Newport and Annapolis boat shows with
    the specific goal of researching boats in the 23-25ft. category.
    My father was recently widowed and has expressed an interest in
    pursuing his interest in sailing.  I would suggest you look at the
    following three boats:
    
         ComPac 23 MK III
         Quickstep 24
         Seawind 24
    
    All appear to be very seaworthy and should meet the requirements
    you have outlined.  I think my father will probably choose the
    Quickstep, but the ComPac has an interesting inboard diesel option
    that is interesting, albeit expensive.

    <Just last summer I decided to move up from day sailers (14-18 feet)
    into the coastal cruisers.  Via sailing clubs, I cut my teeth on
    O'Day 23 and Pearson 26.  If you are in that position, I found these
    boats as responsive, easy to handle, confidence builders, and
    comfortable enough to provide BASIC comforts for a day cruise or an
    overnighter.
    
    However, it was not too long until I discovered that 30-35 foot is a
    comfortable range, especially if you get some heavy weather.  I
    appreciate having more freeboard, stability and options that come with
    this size.  The liveability down below is greatly enhanced, bigger
    everything, plus navigation stations.
    
    I also found that handling the bigger boats does not take that much
    more skill than a smaller one, just more muscle power, getting used to
    winches, and more lines for sail trim.  I much prefer a wheel to a
    tiller.
    
    My thoughts, for what it is worth.
    
    Paul
    
    PS If interested in a sailing club, see my note in 184.9 for some
    information.
    

Look at the McGregor 26.  It will sleep 6 but it is a crowd.  3 or 4 is a 
comfortable number for a weekend.  3 of us spent an enjoyable 7 days on 
Lake Powell on Thanksgiving week with all supplies carried aboard.  It is
a spartan boat.  The only wood is two teak steps on the companion way
ladder.  It is light weight so stay in those protected waters.  It is very
easy to trailer.  If the tires are well inflated and 10% of the weight is 
on the hitch, the boat tows nicely at 60 mph.

My brother and I bought one 27 months ago.  We have sailed about 140 days
on 35 trips and trailered the boat about 12,000 miles.  About half of this was 
in Colorado.  The rest was in Arizona, Utah, Washington, Britsh Columbia
and Alaska.  We have seen fancier, faster, bigger, smaller, lighter and more
comfortable boats but none that would meet our needs as well as the McGregor.
Your needs list sounds similar to our useage.

Al
Windstrong

Trailerability will be a major constraint, which you may view (happily?) 
as limiting your search somewhat!  The Quickstep, for instance, is a great 
boat, but I don't think easily launched from a trailer due to her keel.

Suggestion:  Small Boat Journal might be a source of good info; call them
(in Atlanta now, I think) and ask for an index covering the last few years
of articles.  Then you can order the specific back issues with articles
about the boats you're interested in. 

J.

    Re:-1
    
    By trailerable I mean that there is a trailer that can be used to
    transport the boat.  I do not expect that the boat will be launchable
    from the trailer.
    
    Warren
    

    
    There is a centerboard version of the Catalina 25 that is trailerable,
    though I have no direct experience with it.  I have the fixed keel
    version, and have been very satisfied with it.
    
       /Jim
    

    I had a Catalina 25 with the swing keel.  It was my first sailboat
    and we enjoyed it, spending many weekends (2 adults, 3 children) on
    the lake.  Although it was trailerable it takes a mighty vehicle
    to pull.  The boat weighs over 4000lbs and I can't imagine pulling
    and launching it on a regular basis.
    
    If you don't have a truck capable of handling a 5000lb load and you're
    not intending to move it around you'd be better off with a larger boat
    that you can stay on for extended periods.  60 miles is not a large
    commute, you can always get someone to haul it if you really want it
    home and you'll find that launching and hauling gets old fast.

    Warren,
    	Have you found a boat yet?  If not and if you are looking at larger
    boats for stability and comfort( as suggested by an earlier noter) you
    may want to consider a larger(albeit not trailerable) boat.  I have a
    good friend who just bought a lager boat(as so many owners do) and is
    ready to sell his 32' Islander for $24k.  It is a beauty, well cared
    for and currently in E.Booth Bay, Maine.  It has a fin keel, and spade
    rudder, new dodger, and a roller jib.  If you're interested, you can
    give him(Win Russel) in call in Acton, MA at (508) 263 5743
    	If you want to try before you buy, you might ask if you can charter
    it for a week-end with your family.
    	Good Sailing,
    		Gary
    

    Just to take this note on a slight tangent, up here in Canada I
    have heard from a few sources that boat prices in Florida are very
    weak at the moment.
    
    If the rumours that I have heard are true then it perhaps might
    be worth my while to think about buying in Florida and bringing
    a boat up here.  I believe that duty would not be a problem as a
    result of what is laughingly referred to as "free trade".
    
    I am interested in something fiberglass in the (big)27 - (small)
    31 foot range.
    
    (By the way for those interested in anti-fouling issues, you may
    be glad to know that International Super Vinyl-Lux will go on at
    0 C. and does not seem too adversely affected by freezing rain and
    horizontally flying snow.) 

re .9 and free trade:

I talked to a Canadian last summer who has just bought a boat in 
Gloucester, MA. He was expecting to have to pay both import duty [15%?] 
and some other tax as well [VAT or sales?]. Even with the taxes, it was
cheaper than buying a boat in Canada. 

    Yes, actually I believe that they have - there are some gradual
    changes as a result of the Free Trade agreement goods are added
    in at intervals - Electronic components for example in Jan of this
    year.  I believe that Boats have already been added which is why
    we in Canada have seen the demise of a number of builders.
    Hinerhoeller (sp?) being the most recent.