Top 5 Small Sailboats You Can Live On! Ep 257 - Lady K Sailing
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- Опубліковано 19 гру 2023
- #tinyhouse #tinyliving #offthegridliving #sailing #sailboat
This week we look at the top five small sailboats you can live on. What makes a good off the grid liveaboard sailboat? What do you NEED to have on a sailboat to live on, sail alone solo, from roller fulrings to sailboat toilets to sailboat engines - the top five sailboats for you to buy cheap and live on.
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I was lucky enough to get a beautiful Challenger 32 for $6,500. Everything a fellow needs to live comfortably, even a hot shower! Pretty darn good shape for a '77! I am fortunate to have good health and physical ability to still be sailing and enjoying it, at 86! Keep on "Keepin' on!" John
Kudos.
Hello, where did you purchase it?
You inspired me!
I am approaching 70 and want to do the same.....looking for a boat now.....
I'm 63 and this comment gives me confidence! ❤
Go small. Go simple. Go now. Well said
Trust me: there's nothing "golden" about our "golden years".
Just bought my first sailboat a few months back, 1967 morgan 34 centerboard, 3/4 keel. paid a whopping 3750 with a running diesel engine, AC and generator. Beyond blessed for the opportunity
Wow that’s great!
I lived on an old Catalina 30 for almost 3 years. It was a dream come true and very comfortable! Highly recommend it.
Sweet. We bought a new Catalina 30 in 1989. Had it for 20 years and while we didn’t live on it full time, we did live on it with our two boys from early May through mid September, and spent at least 6 weeks (and some years as much as 12 weeks) cruising in Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. When we sold the boat in 2008 she had more than 15,000 NM on the speedo. Our old boat is now 35 years old, still in service, and still looking great. Just 3 owners in 35 years, which to me is a good testament as to the quality and sturdiness of that boat. We bought a bigger boat in 2008 and have been living aboard full time since 2011. But if we hadn’t decided to do that, I have zero doubt that we would still own the 30.
About the wheel vs. tiller. You talk about doing a 100 mile day. Anyone doing that distance is going to have a wind vane, and those are easier to set up on a tiller.
Why dont catamarans have them then? THat stick is garbage if in anything but a lake .
I'm in the UK so this may not relate but we bought a 1979 Colvic Sea Rover 28 with a furling cutter rig, for £2500 and spent the same again fixing her up. Sails great in the Irish Sea and it's comfortable. Nice to see you talking about boats with more affordable prices.
Sails great in Irish seas for less than 5000. Folks, you didn't buy a sailboat, you found the Holy Grail. Chuffed for you.
You don’t have enough following, you’re truly one of my favorite people I’ve ever watched, you have a huge heart, you’ve been beaten down,
Lost so much yet somehow, you just keep trucking on. You’re one strong man, and motovational as all hell. I look up to you and hope one day I touch as many lives as you have
Wow, thank you
Hey, you're right! I just realized I hadn't subscribed either. There! Just took care of that! Thanks.
I had a 25' Erikson, I lived on that for 4yrs. I loved it.
I have a 25' Pearson that I wonder if I could setup for extended stays aboard...
That last one looked nice.
I could have easily lived aboard that when I was single and been happy.
Small boats have a charm of their own. They’re way cheaper to run. And they’re so easy to work on.
Wheel vs tiller -- there are tiller-based autopilots, and wheel-based autopilots. Their capabilities are similar. I'd trust either of them over "just lock the wheel and go below". For ocean sailing, wind vanes also come into play -- but that's another level of complexity.
Those of us who have cruised on boats with tillers quickly learn the simple way to walk away from the tiller: a bungee led from one coaming, looped over the tiller, and a small line looped over the tiller and put under tension to a jam cleat on the other coaming. More reliable hands-off steering than a locked wheel....and after sailing, Voila! an open cockpit with the tiller raised out of the way. Tillers have other benefits over a wheel, they just require a bit more seamanship.
Tim, awesome video, really enjoyed it. But... what's your beef with tillers? I specifically was looking for a boat with a tiller and I glad I did. You can lock tiller just as you lock a wheel, look up Tiller Clutch or Tiller Tamer. I have a Tiller Tamer, but I still have it in a box, because I use the autopilot (tiller pilot) instead. Huge benefit of the tiller (besides the direct feel) is space saving - on anchor I kick the tiller up in a vertical position and have the full cockpit for myself and the guests. Last but not least, a tiller steering is 100x simpler and more reliable than steering wheel
I agree
Yup, I now own my first wheel helm sailboat and do believe of all the sailboats I have owned my favorite helm was a tiller with transom hung rudder. All around easy to inspect and maintain with the added benefit of instant input and feed back. Kicking the tiller up and out of the way when not in use is nice as well. Replacing the steering cables on my Edson helm is on my to do list but not looking forward to it. I'm all for simplicity when and where available.
I'm downsizing from my 50' steel schooner to my "first love" boat that's sat forlornly in my barnyard for more than a decade. It's a 26' twin-keeled Westerly Centaur built in 1975. When I sailed her years ago, she needed this, that and the other, just like most boats, but there was always something about her -- she was easy to single-hand and was still roomy enough for my wife when she went along. There's actually 'berthing' for 5 people on this little boat -- some of the Brits actually did that and it made a fine family cruiser. I have a number of sailing dream adventures on my bucket list and this little Centaur is a perfect "fit" for a single-hander or a couple. The biggest drawback is that it's a 5.5 kt. boat. She's just not gonna' go faster than that and once you get used to it, it's not such a bad thing after all. The twin keels work wonders for stopping any 'roll' from big wake crowd and if you watch the tides closely, you can even 'beach' her in some places. A roller furling jib is one of the refit "improvements" I'm adding, but I'm keeping with the original mainsail system where the main wraps around the boom by a nice little crank handle that sticks out the other side of the mast. For my sailing, I like simple, strong and fool-proof, and most everything about these little Centaurs is just that. There's full standing headroom in the main cabin and tons of storage space throughout the boat. It compares in space to many 30 and 35 footers I've seen. Their average price about 10 years ago was around $2,500. A lot were actually destroyed to get them out of the 'dead boat' section of boatyards. But now I see the prices coming up as people are rediscovering they don't need a big pleasure palace or a combo- racing boat and would actually enjoy sailing more with a boat that actually suited their needs as economic realities. They're tiller steered, and I've experienced exactly what you described in the video regarding the need to take a quick pee or make a sandwich or get a cold drink -- but you're chained to the tiller. There are many easy ideas for a "third hand" for the tiller, but I cured my need by buying a Simrad Tiller Steer. That thing worked so well that it literally changed my way of sailing and freed me up to enjoy sailing so much more. So, if you're looking for a smaller, comfortable, strong and safe little 'mini-cruiser,' you might want to check out the Westerly Centaurs.
Best wishes for your adventures with the Westerly. My parents had a Westerly Pageant 23 in the 1970s. Yes, it was a bit tubby, and not fast. But OMG it was built like a brick outhouse - everything was oversized and heavy duty - from the hull to all the fittings, lifelines, stays, etc. I live in the PNW now; the twin keels would be nice to have for Puget Sound.
Twin keels gives a monohull wave handling equivalent to a catamaran! I wonder why that design didn't catch on... perhaps the increased wetted surface. Nonetheless, cool.
@@SeaDadLife I'm sorry I didn't catch your reply sooner. For some reason it didn't pop up in my Y/T notifications. I'll bet you guys had a LOT of fun with the Pageant -- especially in the 1970's. The Pageant and the Centaur were both designed by the same guy and are nearly the same boat, one's just a couple of inches longer. Most of my sailing is in the Chesapeake Bay, but I think you're right that a twin-keeler would work well in Puget Sound. My timeline has been pushed back a lot due to a back problem, so it might not be until late Summer or Fall that I'll get the little twin-keeler "Mockingbird" back on the sea again. Right now, my schooner is "trapped" inside of Baltimore Harbor. The container ship that took down the Francis Scott Key Bridge probably has locked more than a thousand pleasure boats in the upper Patapsco River. The Army Corps of Engineers has cleared two shallower channels at the bridge, but they're only open to government, commercial and construction vessels working on clearing the bridge wreckage.
@@G11713 Hi! I just saw your reply to my comment (Y/T didn't notify me there was one.) and I think you're right -- twin keels is a bit like a catamaran, but with a greater 'heel,' of course. The neat thing about the twin keels is that, as the boat heels the draft gets a few inches deeper as one keel is pushed down, while the other is hiked out, creating a lot of additional stability. But, they are much, much slower than the lightweight mono hulls of today's new sailboats. For me -- now retired -- I don't have to fret about getting back to the marina early enough on Sunday to do all the 'after the outing' boat stuff then the two-hour drive home so that I'm able to make it to work on time on Monday. If the weather's turned bad or the tide's running the wrong way, I just find a nice cove, drop the hook, and have a nice, quiet night. I'm hoping I can post some videos of that stuff soon. But this back problem has sure made all the other work pile up!
@@G11713 Twin Keels very popular in the UK. Opens up a myriad of waters to explore. Some like my British Hunter 27 designed as 'twin fins'. 1 Metre draft, Heads, Galley, Diesel Engine, etc😀
I got a Morgan Out Island 33 for under 20K and it has lots of room and makes a great live aboard.
first time i saw the galley on cat 30 was amazed. i had a cal 20 so any galley amazed me. in seattle procuring a liveaboard permit at shilshole used to take years but a liveaboard permit for a small boat was instant back then. and the small boat mooring births with power are the closest to the shore and most importantly the bathrooms showers and laundry. i was on j dock closest to the bar as well :) my little cal took me everywhere singlehanded.
Learned to sail properly on a Cal 20, good boats. Before that I was playing around in a 14' Enterprise. Fun but not a 'real' sailboat.
Here in Brazil, for many years I sailed a 1974 Ranger 29 designed by Gary Mull, made in California.
Strong, ralatively fast and low cost.
After renewing she completely, I was really happy.
Such a shame that anything bigger than a 23ft is so unaffordable here in Brazil now...
I would have pick the catalina 27 over the 25.. great boat with everything a solo person would need!
I agree. I'm looking to buy on myself.
My first liveaboard was a $4500 c27 and I spent 3 years on her before upgrading. A perfect boat to learn on single handed.
Same built as C27 is Jaguar 27, that's the boat I have.
@daveg4963 try to find a mid 80s or newer with the Universal M-18 diesel engine. It's actually made by Kubota and you can find all the wearable parts cheaply (oil filter, fuel filter, injectors, etc) at farm stores. Runs like a champ too.
@@sailingindependence9927 thanks for that info! Much appreciated!
I lived on my 22ft Hunter sailboat for a year, now I did keep her in a nice marina so I had the use of nice bathroom and pool ( near Annapolis MD)
Which marina? And do you recommend the marina?
Our first boat was a brand new Catalina 25, 19k, in 1982. We sailed it 7500 miles in the Great Lakes for 5 years before we sold it and bought a 30 footer. Our current boat is 35.5 feet and we have lived on it full time for more than a decade. The Catalina 25 is still our all time favorite boat!
Could you do one video where you explane all the terms you use to describe boats?
Like sougar scoop, gally, quater bearth, furling etc...?
Thanks so much for making me feel better about the boat I bought this fall, a 1979 S2 9m (29ft). Found it for less than $3k from Boat Angel. I met the previous owners and they helped me move it to boat storage from their yacht club (only 1 mile). They donated it because they didn't want to put the work into sanding and bottom paint. It's got a running Yanmar and a roller furling jib. The deck has this great nonslip diamond pattern in the gel coat. There's even some sort of raw water cooled air conditioning system (anyone heard of this?) The last owner took out the plumbing and installed a compost toilet. Should I look into replumbing it and install a new blackwater tank? Now I just have to teach myself how to do the bottom job and learn to sail before I bring it down the ICW 90nm to the marina near my home. Eventually I plan to sail south for the winters (Florida and maybe the Caribbean). My business is seasonal so I have the winters off. Any advise on learning to sail?
Do not reinstall a holding tank but learn to use the composting unit. You might stash a camp toilet for marinas which don't approve the composting unit. The previous owner knew what he was doing when he ditched the holding tanks.
S2 is a good boat, I had an 8.5 m for 25 yrs.
@@jamesbaldwin7676
@@jamesbaldwin7676😅
6:21 Tillers are easy to lock: cord mounted across cockpit, clip on tiller. Also can use a tiller autopilot, which is pretty essential anyway (as is headsail furling). Good list of boats and excellent advice. I lived comfortably for 8 years on a Grampian 30, roomy, strong, stable though not particularly pretty. There are many other good live-aboard candidates in this class. Ones I have sailed, cruised (even raced) and liked include Alberg 30, Catalina 27, Catalina 36, Hughes-Columbia 8.7, Bavaria 32, Jeanneau Fantasia 27, Nonsuch 22. I did not like the Grampian 28, though the venerable but clunky-looking Grampian 25 can be good. All boats have advantages and disadvantages, with different ways of sailing them, and so much depends on their history of maintenance and improvements.
If I were doing this again in the Great Lakes region, I would be very interested in the Polish-made TES 28 Magnam, even the little TES 678 BT which I have chartered several times. These are Mazurian-style internal ballast centreboard (or keel-centreboard) boats with a minimum one foot draft, with a very solid and convenient mast raising/lowering system. The keel-centreboard gives a somewhat deeper minimum draft (perhaps two feet), but allows off-shore sailing (a smaller one has sailed across the Atlantic). Such a boat opens up many of the lakes and rivers of Ontario inaccessible to the predominant standard keelboats with fixed masts, while retaining their comfort and sailing qualities. The old US-made Macgregor sailboats, for example, are much less comfortable and durable than either standard keelboats or the Mazurian style boats.
I have an interview on my channel with a TES owner
@@MikeSantis Thanks! That was a very positive report on a TES 550 Master, a nicely appointed pocket cruiser. ua-cam.com/video/NCx_7YWjHks/v-deo.html
We have a 1989 Pearson 27. It's Bill Shaw design and like the P28 has a decent size head on the starboard side of the companion way and a usable stern cabin/ quarter berth on the port side. For a long trip for us it becomes the hold.
Like the P28 it has an open plan but doesn't have the separate v-berth. You've got a v-shaped setee that you could put 4-6 people around or you could slide the table down and use it as a berth. It's big enough for two to sleep without a problem. However switching it back and forth is kind of a pain so on a longer trip we use it as a bed and generally eat outside. The galley is just straight along the hull so you're limited on prep space. The ice box is decent sized. Our boat has wheel steering, a roller furler, a bimini, and we have added solar on top of the bimini.
It's been a decent small cruising boat and with its 3 ft 4-in draft you can go to a lot of places. It also sailed on the Atlantic near the coast and handled itself reasonably well in some rougher conditions. The universal medalist m2-12 diesel engine will move it along at six knots in flat conditions.
I live on a Pearson 40 full time with my wife. I own a Bristol 27 and it’s solid a rock. Literally world traveling pocket cruiser that can be had under 10k and ready to head south with 4k in addition for dingy solar and batteries. Anywhere under 15k hard to beat a Bristol 27
Like the Bristol 27 -- good things happened when Pearson and Alberg collaborated. LOVE the Pearson 40. You're winning at life.
One thing I didn’t hear you mention which is quite important for liveaboard sailors is standing headroom in the salon. The Laguna 26 ticks all your boxes plus has standing headroom for an average sized person; pretty impressive for a boat that size.
That is one thing I wish my Tanzer 26 had. The ceiling is just an inch or two short.
I just picked up a 1977 Pearson 323 and I plan on living on it. She seems plenty roomy for a big guy like me, and being claustrophobic, I haven't felt trapped at all in her. That saying, she's on the hard... But I'm hoping to have her in the water come spring!
That's awesome. Something to look forward to!
This is the video I have been waiting for! Thanks 👍
I can’t get enough of your videos. Happy to see you bringing us content. Merry Christmas
I lived on a 1972 Catalina 27. LOVED it. Then a Yorktown 32. Loved it. Great times had all around.
Great choice! My friend still has a 1973 Jaguar 27, which is basically the same boat
Thank you! This is exactly the video I've been waiting for!
Cool video! I bought my Ericson 27 for $2500 and used it as an apartment for 3 years while fixing it up and saving money. I've since moved to land but sail and anchor out on the weekends. Great boat
You ought to consider a Nonsuch 26 or 30. The accommodations on either boat feel like a much bigger boat, plus Nonsuch is a Canadian builder. Yeah, the wishbone boom cat boat rig looks a bit odd, but it is a single line. Also, if you are on a similar sized boat, don't challenge a Nonsuch to a race. They sail surprisingly well.
Nonsuch are great boats but you'll be hard pressed to even find a 22 for 10 grand.
@@allanrheaume5549 true, they are not cheap, but you get what you pay for with a Nonsuch.
I have a Catalina 25 up here in Washington state. Its perfect for the Puget Sound. Good for solo sailing. Spent over a year renovating it. I dont live on it but sleep on it quite often. I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs and fit in the V-berth quite comfortably. Love your videos Lady K!!!
Welcome everyone to the Fourth Annual Sailing Channel Awards! First, a big thanks to all of our favorite Sailing Channels who helped us vicariously crew along with you as you sail around the globe. Second, thanks to all who voted and either viewed the videos or even became patreons to help keep the content coming! With that said, our Award for Best Armchair Boat Banter goes to Lady K Sailing. Congrats on the great content, whether it is origins of sailing jargon, or guidance on solid, pre-loved boats to buy at a reasonable cost, so we can all get out there and sail, you provide the wannabe sailor community a great service and a path to go do it! Please keep at it and we will keep watching.
just awesome content you are producing and i really love how you always use actual examples and not just theoretical tipps. this makes your videos super relevant 👍🙌 please continue the good work
Great advice as always thanks. Off shopping !
I bought a 25 O'Day 1976 for around $4.5k in 2009. It needed cosmetic work only. I only had it a couple of years before I sold it but it was one of the best times I've ever had. It had 5 berths, a bathroom with a hand sink, a kitchen counter with a gas grill and an ice box, the main and jib sails, a wooden tiller, and an outboard. I had a hammock on it as well. I kept it at a nearby marina that was within walking distance in NYC. It was awesome to hang out on it and not go back to my 1 BR apartment. Totally liveable if I were a single guy... After selling it, the next guy broke it.
Thanks for the upload Tim!👍🏼👍🏼
Mr lady k you have grown on me over the years and I can truly say you are my favorite sailing UA-cam channel by a long shot ♥️❤️♥️ love ya loads and happy holidays to you and your family!!!!!!
Great video. I love my Catalina 25. My first boat, she reminds me of my first car decades and decades ago, a VW bug. Both have that small & simple, "you can count on me vibe." And both are larger on the inside than outside. Only thing, not for very tall people.
You are a master, Tim... nice episode!!
I loved my Newport 28. It was great boat for Lake Erie and we basically did live on it in the summer.
Your channel is INSPIRING ! Great job sir. 👏. Definately got me motivated for a sailboat. Greetings from the UK 🇬🇧
Merry Christmas Tim! Hope you and the kids have a great holiday together and we'll see you in the New Year!
Another great video! I hope to be on the water soon and I'll be making use of the knowledge you've shared. Merry Christmas to you too as well
Good video covering these boats!!!
I loved my Sabre 28. Great boat.
Thank you for sharing so much seasoned advice, I’m looking to live aboard out in the blue⛵️
I have a 393 Beneteau Oceanis. Love her to bits
Thanks so much! Great boat selection and recommendations. Happy holidays!
Thanks - Happy Holidays. Your videos are a 🎁
I love my '86 Catalina 30. Came with a tired diesel that I am going to rebuild soon. Lived on her for about three years now.
Thanks for the great information. I’ve always heard people talk about Catalina’s and I’m not even in the sailing community…yet!
Also, my c27 had tiller steering, but it came with an electric tiller pilot. They exist and work like a charm!
You nailed it ! Loved the Kia reference !
Wow, thanks for the info once again
Thank you, Tim. You made me happy to own a small but well made Pearson 303 again:)😅
I have an O'day 28. Solid, sails well and roomy for its size. I do not live on it, but certainly one could. When looking to purchase seriously considered the Pearson 28.
I have an O'day 272 lots of headroom and fast. I have no problem living on it.
I loved the tiller on my 28' S2. I used an Autohelm 800 autopilot to hold it in position.
Thanks so much for great content
Merry Christmas
My Father owned a 28' Tartin that we sailed the Great Lakes from SE Michigan. Loved Mackinaw Island on 4th of July 1976.
I have a Catalina 27 and love it.
Awesome tips… Thanks!
I'm really getting into the simple old cals
I recently bought a MacGregor 224. It is a fixer upper but sailable right now. so this spring I will launch her in our local lake and start learning to sail her. I started watching your videos after I bought this boat and have learned a great deal from you. Thank you for these. It inspires me and educates me on my next boat. i am a solo sailor and expect that to stay that way when i move to the coast in two years to start the salt life down south.
i know nothing about boats but love these videos
Boat math: A $34,000 Catalina 30 is cheaper than a $10,000 Catalina 30.
EXACTLY!!
What a terrific video! Now I’m thinking about a gift to me for next XMAS! Best of the holidays.
Awesome channel and analysis brother!!!
In 1992 I purchased my Ericson 25T and have lived aboard since tgen. The frikin marinas now want a minumimum of 35 footer to liveaboard in a marina. But I love my Ericson. It has a full head, nice galley, storage and comfortable sail with a nearly 10 foot beam. I have a Yanmar diesel. Tge V-berth is large and the starboard couch pulls out and doubles the sleeping area. There are lockers under every couch, V-berth and aft berth plus huge storage in the lazaretts.
My old Coronado 25 has worked out well for 10 years. I am thinking of a Catalina 30 for the added room and comfort, plus the diesel
Very nicely presented!…informative and to the point…. I live on a Catalina 30’ btw
Thank you for the ideas! I am building Howard Chapelle's 22 ft Dutch Utility Scow from the Boatbuilding book for a Great Loop voyage. Treating as an English Canoe Yawl. It will bean upgrade from the open canoes and kayaks that I've taken over 3,000 miles.
I met a guy with a westery 22 and he had 6-10 head room a inboard and was set up to cruise long term I was really impressed
OK, Here are my thoughts and a couple of comments. My Atomic 4 doesn't stink and neither should anyone else's. I do agree about wanting a diesel though, but they can actually stink pretty bad with the diesel small thing. I also rock a tiller and prefer the extra room I get. It was a pain before I got the tiller pilot, but now nobody ever touches it when we are underway... And yes I do 100 mile days all the time. I loved the video and thanks for mentioning the little fatty that could.... Catalina 30! Have a Merry Christmas
We were a family of 5. Our first boat was an O'Day 25. Spacious for the small size. Perfect starter boat on a trailer, shoal draft 18" with a retractable fiberglass keel inside the encapsulated lead keel. Since it was trailerable, we launched north of Parry sound, 1000 islands but mostly Tobermory....a one day sail to Killarney. We usually went for one or 2 weeks. A solid, inexpensive, family starter boat. You mainly talked about couples or single handing. It may be a little cozy at times, but great family fun.
Great video!
Excellent content Sir.
👍👍👍👍 you described my next boat to a T. Very useful info. If you wrote a book on this topic you would sell a ton. Skip the trailer sailer and go for a 25-30 footer with a stand up cabin, that is my goal. Thanks Tim
We have a Dixie 27 with solar (powers the fridge, induction oven, lights and any electronics needed), inboard diesel motor, septic toilet, water for 2 weeks easily. sleeps 5, we sail each summer for 4-8 weeks with no problem.
thank you for showing all these boats! 😊
Excellent voice and commentary. No AI voice over. Thanks
Hello from Sherbrooke in the province of Quebec. Thank you for this video. You confirm the result of my research on sailboat data and my plans for the next year. I've just bought a couple of months ago a 1989 Pearson 272 that I'm currently updating. The previous owner neglect it for the past few years. I've paid 8k$US and pretty happy with the quality of construction of the Pearson. Thank you!
Great review! I own a 1988 Catalina 27 that has been re-powered with an electric motor from ElectricYacht. Had a great first season with the new motor this year. In hindsight, I would have preferred the Catalina 30 just for the extra living space. However, my Catalina 27 has performed well as a coastal sailer.
I bought a Coronado 27 for $500. I love the layout where it is more like an RV with dinerre birth to srarboard and galley to port. Head and locker forward of them to v-birth. Slso has 1/4 birth. Power is from an outboard in a well giving you much more living space.
Thank You for your reasonings. excellent advise. without being a snob.
Thanks for watching!
S2 7.9 is also great, if you can find one. So much room for a 26 ft, trailerable boat (thanks daggerboard). Absolutely love mine, sails great too. Can take it anywhere.
May be your best so far, good job,.
I remember my family had a 28 ft sail boat very similar to the Catalina, and all 7 of us plus two dogs would sleep on that thing 😂. Good times on the “cinco pollos.”
I was lucky enough to find an old 1977 Bristol 30 for 4 grand. Plan on cruising her down theICW next year. For the Annapolis area to Florida and the Bahamas.
Novice sailer here, currently fixing up an Ericson 29. It has tiller steering and a dead Atomic 4. I converted the old gas tank to diesel for my space heater. Was thinking of going electric but the 8 hp outboard i got for it works plenty well for now. My plan is to use the boat as a summer home and putter around Lobster Bay
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS VIDEOOOOOO
Happy holidays. Cheers.
This is great. Thanks for your insights. Right now I belong to a sailing club in the SF Bay Area so I can try out lots of different boat. One of my favorites to sail is the Catalina 30. Totally comfortable for one or two people as a minimalist live aboard platform. Good advice on the "Catalina Smile." And you're right. They're always available for sale.
Also to emphasize your point on the Catalina 28 - there's one at the club as well. I couldn't believe how much room there was. And it had an enclosed head as well as afterberth. Very well thought out.
I really love your small boat "yacht" videos...no one can make a mistake if they just listen to all the very important tips you giving us...please keep up the excellent work...we'll done Bru!!!!
Thank you very much!
We bought an ‘88 Catalina 30 MKII last spring for less than $25k US. No soft spots, no smile, and a Universal M25 diesel. There were some leaky stanchions that we took care. We are loving this boat!
Always loved the Irwin Center cockpits for design. With a not too big boat you get a bedroom in the front and in the back. Not sure how they sail, I've never had one, I just always love the pics and vids of those boats. The Pearson looks so good and workable though.
"Merry Christmas' back at ya. Before I swallowed the anchor and moved 500 miles inland I sailed the BC coast on a Bayfield 29 (27' in reality). Loved that boat, especially in a blow and the shallow draft meant I could always find an anchor spot when arriving late in the day. GD I miss sailing at times...the occasional dream where the wind has really kicked up but the seas have yet to build, sun shining and the boat chomping at the bit.
My buddy bought a Pearson. Amazing boat for the money.