Looking to buy a boat! Lots of questions.

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Ok so first I have never sailed. I have no grand illusions to get a boat next week and B line it across the North Atlantic. My fiancé and I have signed up for sailing lessons so that's where we'll start. We figure after we get somewhat proficient we would like to do some coastal trips.
The idea of the boat would be almost a second home for weekends some extended stays, but as I said mostly local day or two trips when we actually leave the dock, at least to start with.

After taking the initial course, is it far fetched to think I could hire someone and have them teach me how to sail on my boat? Or is the transition from beginner course to a 41ft boat to much?

I guess that wraps up my first question, I'll leave it at that for now. Thanks in advance!

PS. We are also looking at used boats so that is an option we are actively pursuing. I know I will get a lot of advice to go with a used boat at first for many reasons, but for the purpose of this discussion I'm sticking with the 415.

Travis

Edited by travalab - 07 October 2013 at 02:15

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travalab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 07 October 2013 Location: Boston Status: Offline Points: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote travalab Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Looking to buy a boat! Lots of questions. Posted: 07 October 2013 at 02:13
	Ok so first I have never sailed. I have no grand illusions to get a boat next week and B line it across the North Atlantic. My fiancé and I have signed up for sailing lessons so that's where we'll start. We figure after we get somewhat proficient we would like to do some coastal trips. The idea of the boat would be almost a second home for weekends some extended stays, but as I said mostly local day or two trips when we actually leave the dock, at least to start with. After taking the initial course, is it far fetched to think I could hire someone and have them teach me how to sail on my boat? Or is the transition from beginner course to a 41ft boat to much? I guess that wraps up my first question, I'll leave it at that for now. Thanks in advance! PS. We are also looking at used boats so that is an option we are actively pursuing. I know I will get a lot of advice to go with a used boat at first for many reasons, but for the purpose of this discussion I'm sticking with the 415. Travis Edited by travalab - 07 October 2013 at 02:15

h315idra Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 31 August 2010 Location: Italia Status: Offline Points: 298	Post Options Post Reply Quote h315idra Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 October 2013 at 06:51
	My suggestion: First: a good sailing school on sailing dinghy Second: start with a boat rental to realize problems and benefits of each boat size. Sure, you are startin' something beautiful!
	Alessandro Camerini 315#526 Marina di Salivoli, Piombino ITALY

Jesterjon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 17 October 2011 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 148	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jesterjon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 October 2013 at 07:45
	Travis, In the UK we have the RYA sail training scheme starting with the competent crew course. I would recommend before setting off on your own boat going on the first two levels, I.e. The competent crew course and the Day skipper course. Both these courses will teach you the fundamentals to get you going and teach you the art of navigation. I would read as many back issues of a decent sailing magazine as you can get which will help you learn the language of sailing and the techniques used by others. Twelve months worth of the UK magazine Yachting Monthly would be ok. Many uk sailing schools will let you charter a skipper to train you on your own boat however I would start on a sail training boat as you cannot get too much experience on different boats. To become better at sailing and sail setting join a local sailing club and crew for anyone who will have you you will pick up the skill by experience which for this dark art is the only way. Jon.
	Jonathon.

Andrew Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 20 October 2007 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 159	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andrew Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 October 2013 at 08:06
	I think it is quite reasonable to start looking for a yacht now, and in the mean time charter for a couple of weeks to get an idea of what you would like, also at the same time, start one of the training courses. It took me two years to find my beauty. Don't rush into it. You will know when you have found the right one. A relatively new second hand boat is better than a new one, because it has been debuged. Andrew

travalab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 07 October 2013 Location: Boston Status: Offline Points: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote travalab Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 October 2013 at 14:14
	Great advice! I have been doing as much reading as possible. And we are doing the beginner class which for us would be a 5 week course. Then after some practice and a little time hopefully early spring we are taking another 5 week advanced course. Around that time is when we would start putting together an order, if everything goes well. Does this seem like a reasonable time frame? Edited by travalab - 07 October 2013 at 14:15

Rubato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 12 July 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1806	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rubato Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 October 2013 at 19:17
	Congrats on the adventure that you're embarking on.... Sailing, being on the water and discovering new things is always a joy. The approach you're taking is a good one. The only thing I'd suggest, as some mentioned above, is to charter a boat a few times so you understand what works for you.... I was as enthusiastic as you and bought my first boat about 2 years after the lessons. During that time, gaining experience and understanding what kind of cruising I wanted to do along with what boat features I valued was very helpful. Oh, and I also started racing on other people's boats too which helped with the experience side of things.....
	Steve Hanse 400e, #168

travalab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 07 October 2013 Location: Boston Status: Offline Points: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote travalab Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 October 2013 at 19:31
	The school I'm planning on taking the lessons at has boats of all sizes up to 45ft I believe. I would definitely take those out a number if times to see what kind of setup works best for me. On a side note what's up with the colored hulls? My boat would be in New England almost exclusively for the first few years at least, is fading gel coat really that big of a problem, should I just forget it and go with a white hull? Does a painted hull hold up any better?

Mark&Catherine Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 18 January 2013 Location: Greece Status: Offline Points: 1219	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark&Catherine Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 October 2013 at 03:26
	Why not get it wrapped? That way you get the colour and your gelcoat is protected
	385 ubulukutu sail number GBR 3350L in Turkey and Greece with Mark and Catherine

Rubato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 12 July 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1806	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rubato Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 October 2013 at 18:24
	Sailboat rap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02HTkszOVlI :) Travis. Nothing wrong with a coloured hull but just know if anyone (broker) tells you that coloured gel (light or dark) or paint is as easy to keep shiny new as a white hull tell them they're full of winch lube.... you notice the oxidization on coloured hulls much more than white ones. Steve
	Steve Hanse 400e, #168

travalab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 07 October 2013 Location: Boston Status: Offline Points: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote travalab Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 October 2013 at 19:42
	Yeah that's what I've been reading. I know it varies but how long before a shinny new blue boat doesn't look so shinny or so new anymore? One season? A few years? 10 years? I'm at work now but I'll check out that video in a little while. Thanks!



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