I went sailing for the first time in April. That month I bought my first boat and taught myself how to sail solo bringing the boat back from Alabama to NOLA. I've been taking it out at least every other week to get the hang of it.
Now I want a bigger boat for possible blue water trips. Thing is I also want a solo boat. One I can move out of dock and sail by myself.
Currently I have a 28' Pearson. Most of my friends have 40+ foot boats that you really need a small crew to take out. Hallards that need to be raised at mast, lots of rigging everywhere.
I keep mine simple all my winches, hallards (except Spinnaker) and sheets I can grab from the cockpit.

My main complaint is I have no galley or head (just a portable toilet) previous owner raced and took it the tanks and kitchen.

Would it make more sense to put maybe 5x what my boat is worth into my boat to get it up to par or is it better to buy a boat with everything?
Seems no boat really has everything you need and everything is expensive
Like I have a standard front sail set up. So every time I go to raise my Jib or Genoa I have to deal with a dozen hanks and tying sail down.
I want a roller furler but I can't find one for less than I paid for the entire boat.
Plus I have a super crappy outboard that runs great, except in final docking maneuvers when it likes to kill and not restart causing hilarity in docking

I guess tldr looking to see if there are sailors here and shoot the shite.

6 ...

Report Post

Posted by TrueTiger

Chicken's most valuable

Member since Sep 2004

67901 posts

Posted on 11/8/23 at 8:36 pm to Napoleon

I had a blow boat and sailed all through high school and college and loved it.

Mrs. TrueTiger preferred power boats so that's where my boating has been the last several years. But, when you learn to operate a sailboat the skills you learn are directly transferable to powerboating and will make you a better captain.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by swm0105

Member since Dec 2010

59 posts

Posted on 11/9/23 at 10:44 am to Napoleon

Post your email and I’ll send you a message - I have a boat that may check all of your boxes.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by KiwiHead

Auckland, NZ

Member since Jul 2014

27495 posts

Posted on 11/9/23 at 12:30 pm to Napoleon

I'd be careful on wanting to take blue water trips with only a year's worth of dail experience. I would take someone with a lot more time under his belt.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Slagathor

Makin' jokes about your teeny tiny

Member since Jul 2007

37811 posts

Posted on 11/9/23 at 2:23 pm to Napoleon

shoot me an email

yayslagathor at gmail

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Captain Rumbeard

Member since Jan 2014

4084 posts

Posted on 11/9/23 at 8:11 pm to Napoleon

Old sailor here. Still sail pretty regular on Cross Lake in Shreveport. Sailed most of the lakes around here that you can actually sail on, Lake of the Pines, DeGray, Ouachita, Red River, Gulf from La to Fl.

If you're single handing a Pearson 28, you can probably do the same with a 35. 40 and up generally need at least a couple.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Napoleon

Kenna

Member since Dec 2007

69078 posts

Posted on 11/9/23 at 9:13 pm to KiwiHead

Not going to the pacific. I mean like runs to Isla Mujeres (4.5 days from Nola) I have been going there via plane every other month or so. I would like to have a boat down there eventually.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Jesco

Houston

Member since May 2022

161 posts

Posted on 11/10/23 at 5:18 pm to Napoleon

The sailing and navigating is the easy part, relatively speaking. Knowing how to fix everything on and in the boat is essential for blue water cruising. A Rival 32 or 34 has similar SA/Displacement, Ballast/Displacement ratios to the Pearson 28, rudder on skeg semi fin hull design, tiller steering. Very seaworthy, affordable and fairly easily singlehanded, with quite a bit more room than a P.28, full galley, chart table. Just my opinion, it’s one of the prettiest boats out there, too.

Page 1