New Comer

[oktarb]

Greetings!

I'm sure my tale is one often heard but bare with me for I'm still in the new and exciting phase.

For many years now I've wanted to get a sailboat/yacht. I've saved about 15k and am getting ready to enter the market. There seems to be alot to consider.

I'll start with what my dream is. I have in my mind a wooden type boat, something that needs love but is still sound. I'm not interested in racing. I look at boats as the last frontier of freedom. I want to nuture th boat and then learn to sail so I can explore. I'd start by continuing to work fulltime and not living onboard, but over the next 5 years or so I'd like to make that transition. So I'd like it to be roomyish.

I've seen catinlina's and erricksons abound, these seem very fiberglass heavy.

Does anyone have any advice for a new comer? I'm trying to take my time and learn what I can, its all a little scary actually.

[mslater]

I'd suggest spending some time with wooden boat owners before committing to one. There's no doubt that wooden sailboats have a beauty and character that fiberglass boats just can't match. But they also have higher maintenance needs, and problems that threaten the integrity of the hull can occur much more easily. (You could start with the folks at the Master Mariner's Benevelont Association (http://www.boatingsf.com/copage.php?co=409), a group of wooden sailboat owners.)

I'd also suggest visiting some yacht brokers and discussing your budget, desires, and priorities. There's an extensive list of them at www.boatingsf.com/catpage.php?category=boatdealers (http://www.boatingsf.com/catpage.php?category=boatdealers). Many focus on more expensive boats, but there are some that specialize in less-expensive offerings. Most of them have lots of boating experience, have seen hundreds of boats, and will gladly share their opinions.

You might also want to write to Latitude 38 (http://www.latitude38.com/), and start reading it if you don't already. They're at the heart of sailing activity on San Francisco Bay and have experience with many diverse boats. Their classifieds are also a good source of boat listings.