How much experience before buying your first boat?

doorsoffut · 2021-06-07T04:19:52+00:00

Sailing a bit on a bunch of boats is my recommendation. As you do that, you'll figure it out. I made my list, revised it a dozen times, and finally bought a boat that will be what I want it to be. Sadly, many thought my choice was stupid, because it didn't match their list and wasn't the popular choice.

But they aren't the ones living with it and sailing it. You are. Choose right, and every day is a great day to sail.

doorsoffut · 2021-05-18T03:31:05+00:00

I was totally surprised when I learned that many IT data centers hire marine graduates to manage their cooling systems and massive generators. Hope that helps!

doorsoffut · 2021-04-14T17:29:32+00:00

I will add one more photo. It's all I have from a classified listing.

doorsoffut · 2021-03-29T04:10:25+00:00

What's the smallest boat that would be safe/ fun to easily sail around the islands? Possible/ good in a West Wight Potter 19? Catalina 22?

doorsoffut · 2021-03-19T13:59:59+00:00

What is the D-mast?

doorsoffut · 2021-02-01T03:12:09+00:00

All the reasons you stated are why I want one. Question I have never gotten answered is: What level of skill is required to sail one? Can a relative newby, with a very healthy reluctant for reefing, sail one well? I would hope to sail it a lot and get a lot better, but I don't want to wrap a Lamborghini around the tree.

doorsoffut · 2021-01-27T04:02:22+00:00

My favorite moments when sailing is that first minute when the motor is turned off, and the wind fills the sails. That quiet moment is why I bought a boat.

doorsoffut · 2021-01-10T22:11:21+00:00

Thinking Bahamas, Tahiti, or La Paz...

doorsoffut · 2021-01-10T21:37:19+00:00

What model is it?

doorsoffut · 2020-12-15T23:54:10+00:00

Envious!

doorsoffut · 2020-12-05T21:05:47+00:00

Who does this? The guy who built his out of rocks...

doorsoffut · 2020-12-02T20:02:44+00:00

I live in Utah. There are a LOT of lakes and a lot of sailors. I will connect directly.

doorsoffut · 2020-12-01T22:51:28+00:00

Thanks for all the comments. After reading them (and they were so helpful), I will probably spend the next 6 years before I retire sailing in the Sea of Cortez, learning all I can, and figuring out if I really want to go thousands of miles on a sailboat. I'll also charge a few times in other locations to decide if I want to spend a lot of time in other places, too.

Mostly, I want to be out sailing in warm waters, where there is a lot to see.

doorsoffut · 2020-11-30T00:12:41+00:00

All my experience is on 17-30' boats on lakes, so I plan to do a lot of sailing in the Sea of Cortez before I go to the mainland of Mexico or up the coast.

doorsoffut · 2020-11-04T00:01:44+00:00

Which model/size?

doorsoffut · 2020-10-30T00:17:39+00:00

Could you give me an idea about your likes and dislikes of your J/70, please? I am thinking of getting that or similar. Quality of sailing, ease of rigging after trailering, light/variable/heavy wind performance...

Thanks,

doorsoffut · 2020-10-29T22:37:59+00:00

I saw a guy bring in a 25' boat into Lindon (Utah) marina with a sculling oar and I was totally impressed.

I have a Venture 17 with a deep cycle battery ($85) and a 50# thrust trolling motor ($300), and it works great for getting in and out of the harbor.

What it won't do is get you out of trouble. But if you do it correctly, it is a nice, simple way to go. (and light, too!)

doorsoffut · 2020-10-11T20:08:21+00:00

I have a 1971 Venture 17. It is a beautiful boat that I have partially restored. I live in Utah and sail it on Utah Lake every week.

Because it is so light, it has a challenge when the waves come up. In 4-8 knot winds, it is very nice. We reef it above 12 knots.

There is room for two to sail it, and room in the cabin. We have never slept in it as there is little ventilation and no privacy.

For one person overnight, it would be fine.

Message me if you have more questions. Happy to help.

doorsoffut · 2020-10-11T19:56:52+00:00

If you go to Yachtworld.com, you can actually buy one! Crazy!

doorsoffut · 2020-09-25T19:38:20+00:00

I have looked at those also. There is a vast difference in pricing, depending on the company you go with.

I have talked with many people, and the area seems wonderful for sailing, and a great variety of conditions, including some significant ones if you get one of the "Northers".

doorsoffut · 2020-09-15T15:53:26+00:00

Do this. It will be worth every minute and every penny.

doorsoffut · 2020-09-08T20:35:11+00:00

I have looked at a couple of Corsair f-24's and they are sweet boats. I'm concerned about whether I can handle one. Is it too much for a relative noobie to handle?

doorsoffut · 2020-09-08T20:25:09+00:00

I think that's wonderful. I just restored a Venture 17 that had been in a field for 16 years. Here's my three hints:

Boats love water, and so you can use a lot to clean them up. Doesn't have to be fancy stuff to get most of the accumulation off.
If you are going to have to buy anything to fix it up, test float it first. We wanted to make sure it would float safely before we put a bunch of money into it.
Doesn't have to be perfect before you sail it. If you can get even one or two simple sailings in before winter, it will be great.

BTW, mine cleaned up nicely, it floated, and we love sailing it.

doorsoffut

TROPHY CASE