Any OBers into sailing, own/sail your own boat?

I don't sail, but my boss has had several boats and install to him about it quite a bit.

quote:

---

Comments on boat types (monohull vs catamaran) and sizes for comfortable live aboard for two, yet accommodate ~8 person crews for blue water cruising?

---

I think once you get above 40', it gets hard to run a boat by yourself. I think two people can live in a 40' boat just fine, but I don't think it will sleep anywhere near 8 people, if that's what you meant. But I think it would hold 8 people on a day trip. Cats are huge, but they are double the cost to keep at a marina because they take up two spots.

quote:

---

Is there a “best” location for home base

---

Probably depends on what you want to do. There are several places that seem to be sailing hubs, tons of boats in the area. Kemah, TX has a ton of sail boats, I think St. Petersburg, FL does as well. I'm sure there are a couple others on the Gulf coast as well.

If it were me and I could keep it anywhere, I would probably choose the Palm Beach, Miami area. You're like 50 miles from Bimini/Grand Bahama. That would be a huge draw for me.

I've about got my boss convinced to keep his next boat in Pensacola. It's not far from BR, there is a marina right in the middle of Pensacola Beach with walking access to the boardwalk and restaurants/bars, and there are several other marinas across the bay in Pensacola. Gulf is less than 10 miles away and the water and beaches are nice.

quote:

---

Overall costs and strategies for maintenance

---

Just like any other boat, tons of small stuff needing attention all the time. But the hulls are solid and heavy and last forever. 30 year old hulls are generally as sound as when they were built. Some hulls are more more desirable than others...

I'm not sure your logic is correct though on buying a 50' boat because all sailing is the same. I think it takes a couple people to run something like that. I would probably start with a day seller to make sure I like it and to learn the principals of sailing.

Would definitely recommend taking sailing lessons before committing to purchasing something large. I had a coworker that was big into sailing and she made extra money through college giving sailing lessons. She was based out of Southern Yacht Club in NOLA, but I’m sure any yacht club along the coast would have similar options.

Where are you located? It would be well worth your time and money to get some sailing lessons and open water experience before you make that investment. I would highly recommend getting involved at one of the yacht clubs (PYC in Mandeville or Southern in NOLA if you are local) before you try to buy. I have sailed small boats extensively and crewed on larger boats. I taught junior sailing at PYC in high school and am pretty proficient on a Sunfish, Laser, Catamaran and there is ZERO chance that I would take a larger boat into open water. I am in no way qualified to do that.

Please don't be the guy who thinks owning a boat and taking a USCG class equals being qualified to go into the Gulf. We will be posting about the search for you on here.

I tend to make grandiose plans and gradually walk them back into reality as I learn. Hence all the questions. Unfortunately, I’m land locked, so I’d have to plan ahead and travel for lessons. How do lessons normally work? Number of “sessions,” duration to become proficient? I’m assuming you can rent boats out of a marina (for real practice)—Is that a thing in most places?

If a larger boat ever materialized, it’d be the wife and I sailing at a minimum. I didn’t figure I could handle a larger boat alone, but I assume 2 could?

My comment about cruising with up to 8 people is my “wish” for friends and family to be able to join. It also would seem to drive the decision on boat size. I’ve been looking at boats online just to see available layouts, berthing, etc. Hard to tell just from photos, but I figured anything under 40-50’ would get cramped fast with that many people?

Im not a baller. I’m talking way down the road, and we’d have some significant lifestyle changes just to be able to do it. Just thinking and investigating right now.

1. Where do you live?
2. If you live near a marina that has racing, they are always needing people to crew.
2a. Crew on a racer's sailboat and learn.

3. You can get lessons, depending on where you live you can get certifications.
US Sailing Certifications

4. Look at the Moorings and charter a boat with a captain to see if you like it. BVIs would be my first choice if you have never been. Moorings Yacht Charters

5. Boat slips pricing increases after a 40 foot boat slip. That is why the 38-39 foot boat is super popular.

6. Smaller boats are harder to sail than a larger boat. (IMO). If lyou learn on a 25 footer, you will be able to sail a larger boat with no problem. (IMO).

7. Single handing a boat is hard and dangerous. You will need someone to go out with you every time.

If you ask more questions, I will try and answer them.

EDIT:
Costs:
1. Marina. Unless you get one you can trailer. Count on $200 - $400 month depending on where and how big your boat is.
2. You will need a bottom job every couple of years for your boat. Count on at least $1,000 for this. It has to be pulled out and put on the hard.
3. Fuel is going to depend on how much you sail vs. "motor sail". People will run Galveston Bay ship channel to get out to the Gulf under power. Your boat could be way back in a channel and you have to motor for 45 minutes to get into a bay, ocean, or gulf. The further in you are the cheaper the boat slip usually.
4. Insurance. Depends on the boat.
5. Get Boat US insurance. Ours is $120ish per year.
6. Maintenance will be TEAK, I would avoid teak decks.
7. Maintenance items on Generators, Diesel engine, HVAC, all vary. A marine inspection can give you a good idea on what needs to be replaced.
8. If the Chain Plates and rigging are bad, I would move on and look at another used boat. Same with the stuffing box (although not terrible if there aren't other issues.)
9. Electrical issues can be easy to fix. Depends on the hull and how easy it is to run wires.

Look at Yachtworld and search different boats.
Island Packets, Beneteau, Catalina, Jeneau, and NEW Hunters to name a few. I would avoid a canoe stern even though a Hans Christian looks awesome.
A center cockpit will have a large berth in the stern.
Sugar Scoops are really popular and I would consider a must if you are going to snorkel or dive a lot.

Only took 8 posts for the first shite-post. Before you know it, the OB will be OT quality.

Thanks to all others.

I was worried about you and the wife with that original post but your last post is much more reasonable.

I sailed the Texas racing circuit for a decade, mostly J24's (5-man crew), some J22's (3-man crew), and others. Dead weight, bowman, trimmer, driver, done it all. It can become a chore (and money pit) very quickly if you lose interest. The suggestion about crewing is a great idea, if possible, to help you know if you really like the realities of being on a sailboat and not just enamored with the idea. Also, it is a great way to learn the basics. Can look into captained sails during the weekend.

The reality is nothing like that scene in Wedding Crashers. But hey, if you got the money there are some incredible boats being built with a lot of electronics and automation that makes maneuvering the boat with a skeleton crew much easier.

NimbleCat has been spot on as well.

I recommend watching the movie summer rental.