First sail boat

[eb13]

I haven't been sailing in 25 years but used to go out on a 16' Hobie cat alot as well as sunfish. I want to build a sail boat to build sailing skills on, and eventually move up to a 20' to 24' boat. I like the idea of the AD's for their cabin areas but I don't have the experience to choose. A little help please?

[chrisobee]

I think if I were planning a second boat and looking for a first boat I would keep the first one small and as easy as possible. I would choose the corsair 13 or the caravelle. In fact I did choose the caravelle but not because I was eyeballing a second boat. They say the bigger the boat the less you will use it. So go with a small easy to rig and sail boat. As I see it the only reason for a cuddy that you can actually enter is so that you can bring along folks that don't really want to be there. Now if what you want to do is camp-cruise I can see the point of a bit of cover and a bigger boat. If you want a bigger boat than those I would wait for the Sport boat 18 it will have a minimal cuddy for accomodations and be much more exciting from a sailing point of view. You just need to sit down and decide what is important to you. Every boat is a compromise. But the sure way to get a bad boat is to try and have one that does everything. This of course means that it does nothing well.

CR13 CR14 are good minimal sailboats
CV16 is a daysailer / trainer
AR 15 is a racer
CK 17 is a camp cruiser.
AD14 AD16 are mini cruisers
The VG series are cruisers.

I've left out a bunch of boats some of which I like but you can see the spectrum of use that they cover. pick a program and pick a boat.

[eb13]

Thanks, I like the idea or the camp/cruise but I think from a realistic view I need, like you said a smaller more simple layout to hone my skills on first. I also want to finish it in a reasonable amount of time (i.e. the lower the cost and complexity the quicker the build). A couple of things that I didn't mention before are that I am 6'5" tall and 260#'s and I will be using it in the large bays and along the coast here in the Freeport to Galveston area. Thank you so much for your help steering me in the right direction.

[eb13]

Which of those boats will handle chop well. I, as mentioned, will be in big bays and in the Gulf of Mexico along the coast.

[chrisobee]

Probably the ADs or the VGs.

[eb13]

I was looking at the Corsair 13 due to your advice. So you think the AD 14 would be a better choice? I won't be going out rough seas but know that when the wind is blowing good the bays are pretty choppy. I agree with you on the simplicity, size and ease/time of building issues and the AD 14 will be more of all but I don't want a boat that I won't take out.

[PJPiercey]

I'm about 6'2" and 185. I have built and sail in all kinds of conditions the V12 and the CK17. If I were you I would build the CR13 (first). It was not available when I built the V12. Most all of my sailing in the V12 is solo. The V12 is so easy to store, transport, launch, rig, and clean that it makes taking off for or a half hour sail a possibility. The CK17 by comparison takes at least a half hour at the launch site to rig. The CR13 has a traditonal main and jig sail plan that will allow you to learn the skills needed or most larger sailboats. So many good boats to choose from... it's a happy problem!

Paul
V12, CK17, FL11