My thoughts on this "Neighborhood" would be one of information more than products. But eBay is a major center for commerce so I won't be surprised if discussions stay along that line.
Personally, I own an Ericson 25+ and I am a novice. At the age of 55 there is still so much to learn!
eBay is one of many places to find new and used stuff. I have also met some great people.
Hi- I am a Great Lakes sailor and would like to hear from anyone who has taken a boat through the locks down the Hudson River and out to blue water. Thanks!
I own a 34 C&C 1982 sailboat and have just (since may last year) discovered that sailing a bigger boat is a LOT of work, and even though you have a huge keel under you it is still unnerving when she heels over past 15 degrees. I found that there are some good things on ebay, but usually IPODs are not one of them :D I bought three ipods and none of them work right. go figure. I have sailed from Toronto to Kingston in May in a leaky boat during rain and nasty weather( my first sail with the new boat) and had many great fair weather sailing experiences. I learned the hard way to keep a good distance away from the tankers, and how American boaters sure dont like it if you dont fly Ole Glory in American waters. Will end this rant before someone moderates it out :D CHeers
Just completed our first season sailing Lake Superior out of Bayfield WI Apostle Islands. Have a 1985 30 ft. Catalina we purchased last year. Spending the winter searching ebay for working jib, information on led lights and just bought new cushions on ebay and hope they fit our boat... Need to get my mind off Minnesota sub zero temps this weekend!
Ahoy there; I was considering mast steps but found that a bos'n's chair was the way to go for me. I chose the "Top Climber", it's so easy and safe and having multiple boats can use it where and when I need it, plus a few loan outs from time to time. It's a little pricey but no damage to your rig and not much time needed to get going. Check it out at: atninc.com
Ye we just got our first sailboat too. Losts to learn... so I'm in the process. I'm also 55. Its a story... bought on ebay too as a matter of fact. I won that 87 27ft Bayliner Buccaneer last fall. $800 "ready to sail" w/running 12 hp outboard... and the man was not lying. Boat's in VG shape needs a litlle cosmestics and a clean up, but riggiung is fine as is the most of the interior. Took a chance... could just as easliy been junk. Built a trailer (with the boat never seen) for it here, and went to a little north of Green Bay to get it. Was sleeting when we lowered the mast. I did well, and it fit the trailer like a glove. We hitailed it out of there before the real weather hit. An 8500 lb trailer behind a 3/4 ton is NOT a winter road rig. Its now in its new home in my shed. Designing up a one man 2 minute mast lowering/raising system now.
Gotta go... oh check out my reply to the Apostle Islands discussion. might find it interesting... maybe a bot comical.
TO DCHeers: We live in the Midwest (USA) but also sail quite a bit in Florida. We used to charter a Beneteau out of Tampa that flew the Canadian Flag. We always had people (Americans) that assumed we were Canadian and were very friendly; waving, toasting, thumbs up, etc. I apologize for those Americans you have encountered who have used poor manners, but suggest that your real culprit here may be those rascals, the Powerboaters, who tend to be discourteous of all sailors regardless of nationality. I wish I had a dollar for everytime we narrowly avoided being swamped in the ICW by a 'luxo-barge' on half-plane, who was totally oblivious to the damage caused by his wake...
It seems to be a trend, turn 55 and buy a sailboat... Thats what i did too, last august... Bought a 1984 Macgregor 25... Former power boater/salt water sportfisherman... Now a sailor... I kind of like the quiet cruising it provides and you really can't rush anywhere so I enjoy it. Learning has been fun... Maintenence is so much less work too!!! Has a 9.9 outboard and the huill speed is 7 knots... interesting thing about latger sailboats, the hull speed is constant no matter how much power the wind or an engine supplies... Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To all those New 55 y.o. sailors out there...welcome to the real world of truly enjoying a boat....there is an old saying out there....."a power boater gets on his boat to go somewhere....a sailor gets on his boat and he is there!"
As for one comment I read regarding speed no matter how hard the wind blows or how much power you add....you must understand that in a sailboat, its a displacement hull....the hull will only go so fast..there is a limit...no matter how hard the wind blows and how much sail you have up.
As a former FJ and Laser racer, I have suddenly found myself wanting to sail again. I have been looking on ebay for something that I a single hand as well as take my wife and 3 year old out on. Looking at a great looking Starwind 19' here on Ebay. Any furthur suggestions on what I should entertain. By the way I am not 55.
I've joined just to be able to enjoy your sailing stories and experiences. I learned to sail about 20 years ago, but never really followed through with it seriously. Not because I didn't have the desire, but not close (as in "living right there") to good bluewater, which was my favorite sailing......lake sailing is a LOT of hard work!! Bluewater was easier because I had access to charters through a friend who owned a charter company out of Ft. Myers FL and I'm only about 4 hours away.
So if I just check in here once in awhile, I can live vicariously through some of you!!! And someday, when retired and funds and time allow maybe I can get back into it. I started out with 27' and sailed up to a 42' Morgan but always under the supervision of a very experienced captain.
I do remember the thrill of burying the rail though. Those stinkpots have nothing over a fast sailboat in a good wind for fun and excitement!!
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
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