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ldalbin
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Posted: Thu Oct 18th, 2007 04:02 am |
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"Make sure the boat was designed, built and has been maintained for open-ocean sailing. You don't want to be trusting your life to a boat designed for lake sailing."
So this is what Latitude 38's advice is for buying a sailboat to cruise the Sea of Cortez. Sounds good to me, a novice-ignorant soon to spend a couple months sailing the Sea. So, as I try to educate myself, how do I know what to look for, what to avoid in buying an inexpensive sailboat?
I'm planning on doing this inexpensively. Don't desire lots of creature comforts, just basic, safe transportation on the water that meets the needs of getting around for a couple months: place to sleep, cook, reasonable head.
my background: Am a basic do-it-yourself type. Want things functional, relaxing but for comparison: when traveling on my motorcycle am happier finding a deserted place where I'll be left alone to unroll my sleeping bag rather than getting a motel room.
Any suggestions? Brand names or style/types boats to seek or avoid?
I do plan to take a course or two from Vince prior to taking off on my own, to supplement my lake day-sail experience.
thanks,
L D A
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Vince Radice
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Posted: Thu Oct 18th, 2007 04:21 pm |
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There are just so many boats out there that can do the job that you need. It is hard to know where to start but here are some names that come to mind, Oday, erricson, catalina, cal, laguna balboa,clipper marine, montgomery. Any boat that can lake sail safely should be fine coastaly cruising the sea of cortez. I would start looking around the Ranchitos, and all the dry storage facilities in San Carlos. I have seen several sailboats on trailers that look like the owners wont be using again.
Look for something in your budget and if you find it here in San Carlos give me a buzz and I can go take a look at it with you and let you know what I think. More than likely you will be looking for a sloop rigged monohull that I would consider modifying into a cutterl. I would put the staysail on a snap shackel so is is removable for light wind tacking of the Genoa.
good luck there are lots of boats out there, I am sure one has your name on it.
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Inde
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Posted: Thu Oct 18th, 2007 06:51 pm |
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Hi there
It sounds like you are going to be single handing so make sure the boat is set up for this. You do not say if you will be trailering or not? Where will you keep the boat when not in use? I am sure Vince can help you on all these points. I suggest you purchase one or more of Jerry Cunningham's books on the SOC. They will provide you a wealth of info. Just making a guess at your needs I would suggest a 25ft. with trailer.
Hope this helps
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JZ
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Posted: Fri Oct 19th, 2007 05:06 pm |
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I think you are getting into something much bigger than you expect. The SOC isn't anything like a lake. Make sure you prepare properly.
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bartmanaz
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Posted: Tue Oct 23rd, 2007 05:15 pm |
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We just posted a listing on the main web site for a 25 Catalina that might be of interest-check it out at http://www.sancarlosmexico.com/boats4sale.html
Bart
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ldalbin
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Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2007 10:54 pm |
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JZ, thanks for the input.
And what I'm trying to do is make sure I prepare properly. However I don't find that suggestion very specific. What would you suggest I do to prepare properly? AND any suggestions on boats to avoid or seek, in the inexpensive range?
thanks,
L D A
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JZ
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Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 08:56 pm |
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ldalbin wrote: ...a novice-ignorant soon to spend a couple months sailing the Sea.
I guess my first reaction is that what you meant when you used the words "sailing" and "cruising" the SOC was literally that. Going bay to bay around the sea.
Based on the above comment from you, that wouldn't seem like the first logical step. A better plan, to me any way, would be hanging out around San Carlos for several months and getting your feet wet. Meet and talk to others in the sailing community about the what the challenges of cruising on the ocean entail.
Last edited on Wed Nov 7th, 2007 04:15 pm by JZ
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Jimmy
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Posted: Sat Nov 3rd, 2007 09:04 pm |
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Buy a 22' Catalina swing keel.
Buy a lot of life insurance for your loved ones.
Then, go out and do whatever the heck you want to.
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Jimmy
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Posted: Sat Nov 3rd, 2007 09:04 pm |
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The best a person can say when they die; is that they were doing what they wanted to do when it happened.
Last edited on Sat Nov 3rd, 2007 09:07 pm by Jimmy
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ldalbin
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Posted: Sun Nov 4th, 2007 03:51 am |
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Thanks for this input. It is right along the line of reasoning I'm developing. 22' sounds a bit on the small side, but I suspect I could have a good couple months with such a boat, maybe a few more feet length, maybe not.
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Vince Radice
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Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 11:14 pm |
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I would go with something around the 24 to 26 foot range if I could find it at the right price. It is no harder to single hand a boat of that size compared to a 22 footer and the extra room is great to have.
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jbird
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Posted: Tue Nov 6th, 2007 02:35 am |
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Idalbin,
I have a beautiful 27ft on a trailer at Marina seca, fully equipped ready to sail, for sale contact me by private e-mail @ellie7j@yahoo.com. Boat is sailed regularly in the sea ... I am moving to a larger tri-hull.
Jbird
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mxsailor
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Posted: Tue Nov 6th, 2007 01:29 pm |
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Weather in SOC
Chubascos, Elefantes, Northers, Coromuels. Look those up...
I cruise a Morgan 33 Out Island. Singlehanding since 1997. Weighs 8 tons and the sea still tosses me around.
My suggestion: Come to SC, crew with some boats. 2-3 days in the sea will give you some insight on what you'll need and how much you are willing to pay/do/buy.
Here's my ride in Barra de Navidad, about 1300 miles south and now back in SC on a mooring. (I still go south for the winter though I live in SC).
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ldalbin
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 02:17 am |
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I'm getting good information from folks on this channel. Thanks to all of you, and I hope others will chime in. Seems like the overwhelming message is:
1. I have a workable plan.
2. Come down and work out the details after getting to the area.
3. Don't take it too lightly, look up the weather issues detailed above.
4. It's do-able.
I like the: 'look up these words', 'these are good boats', ... specific kinds of directions. Hopefully more will be coming, especially along the lines of knowledge of electronics I will be needing.
thanks,
L D A
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Mike
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Posted: Sun Nov 11th, 2007 03:33 pm |
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I just spent a week alone on the SOC in my 22 footer. Had a great time but if you ever plan on taking anyone else out for more than a day trip, you'll probably need something bigger. Single hand sailing is a chore at best. Look into self steering of some kind and make sure you bring extra gas  .
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ldalbin
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Posted: Mon Nov 12th, 2007 11:23 pm |
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| Thanks Mike, your feedback reinforces my thinking on what reality might actually look like. I've been moving towards 27' minimum size (instead of 25') and a self-steering (auto-pilot) tool being highly desirable. Useful info, thanks. What can people tell me about auto-pilots on smaller, inexpensive boats? In a catalogue (Downwind Marine, online) I saw a tiller device for $395 (up to 6500 lbs); $1495 (16,500 lbs); and a wheel device for $1195 (16,500 lbs). [all of them "AutoHelm"] What kind of information /experience/prices can folks share ? thanks, L D
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mxsailor
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Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 12:27 am |
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| A tiller pilot is a lot cheaper than a wheel pilot... I've seen tiller pilots at the local cruiser's swap meets for as little as $20 just 2 weeks ago. I've bought wheel pilots at swap meets for $400 brand new (2 months ago), got one online for $200 about 3 years ago. I won't leave on a trip without an AP and spare parts, or a whole spare AP. A tiller boat is simpler, less problems.
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ldalbin
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Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 03:30 am |
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Thanks Mxsail. Your messages have been useful. Please don't hesitate to send other thoughts, however random.
Are there brands of auto-pilots to avoid, or seek out?
And what about dingy/lifeboat/...? Is inflateable the only way to go, or styles? I very much lean to having one I row rather than motor, though what I read somewhere online (Latitude 38?) was adamant the only way to go was relatively powerful motored craft.
L D A (S T)
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mxsailor
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Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 03:45 am |
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| I favor hard dinghies. A friend of mine bought a 7 ft Livingston catamaran style here this week for $100. A 3 or 4hp outboard will push that boat pretty well. I own 2 Livingstons, a 7 ft & a 7.5. These boats have as much interior space as an 11 ft inflatable because there's no tubes... and they have built in flotation. I've had my dinghy fill with rainwater and the outboard (5hp Nissan 2 stroke) was still riding high and dry because of the flotation. Won't sink. They tow behind really well, and mine fits on the foredeck. Weighs about 65 lbs. I've owned a number of inflatables but never could keep air in'em. One trick I use is to cut a 1 inch PVC pipe in half lengthwise and epoxy the halves to the runners on the dink. Slides over the rocks really well without chewing up the fiberglass.
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mxsailor
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Posted: Tue Nov 13th, 2007 03:57 am |
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Oh, another thing.
I wouldn't cruise the SOC without an outboard motor. I take two. I've seen weather conditions come up where a rower would get blown out to sea in no time at all. In the north, you can get caught in currents that even outboards can't handle. You can't control the weather, can only prepare.
Don't think autopilot brands matter. Look for a deal. They're out there. I buy a lot of gear on eBay, but be careful about electronics there- Also, there's a number of electronic shops in Guaymas that have used, serviceable gear... radios, fishfinders (a much better deal that a depth finder), radars, etc. They're willing to negotiate a price too, and install...
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