trying to decide

[johnstephany65]

Thanks Dave! And everyone else. I would love a Sage, of course! But Can't afford a new boat. Maybe later in life when money is less than an issue. Thanks again for all the excellent advice!!!
I can speak more about the problems and issues with the Stevenson Project boat if anyone ever needs to know. It's a poor sailboat performance wise. It "looks" cool and all "shippy" looking, but can barely come about due to the full length keel. And going to windward, doesn't point, and has a metric TON of leeway. Grrrr. never should have built it. I inherited the hull from friends, and completed the build.

[wdscobie]

I live in Madison, Wi.

Two Sage 17s are on Lake Madison ... both owned by guys named John and moored on the north 'arm' of the lake created by the Yahara River.

looking at Google Maps satellite view you can see both in their slips.

[Charlie P. (NY)]

(That boat in my above images is 17 ft & weighs 650 lbs - the Swiss Army Knife of sailboats - and rowable as well)

Potters are interesting little boats, but the Montgomery 15 is a proper little ship.

We had a ComPac 16II and that was rugged to the extreme, but was dreadful upwind and stationary in light wind. I believe at one point we appeared on the chart of Skaneateles Lake as an obstruction. I hated the Montgomery 15 and 17 owners as they would walk us at all times and in all conditions. Note that my wife and I are lake sailors (Great, Finger and local reservoir) and the times I wished we had more sail far outweighed the time we wish we had less.

Got that out of my system with a Thistle 17 - but that's short on comfort. We did outrun a squall once and it was as frightening and exhilarating a sail as the two of use have ever had in a trailerable boat!

Which brings us to - mindset. A cruising sailor will tell you speed does not matter because they are already where they wish to be. That's commendable. The average sailor, I believe, does forgive a lot provided the boat is sea-kindly and comfortable. What you don't want is an uncomfortable, cramped and poor performing sailboat. That's a recipe for misery.

When you check out a boat remember the cockpit will be tipped 15° and the dry spots will be on the windward side. Are there spots to prop your feet to allow you a comfy position for hours at the tiller? When you're down below imagine where your gear has to be when you're both lying down . . . and someone wants to use the head.

Enjoy and best of luck! The right boat is out there.

[jeadstx]

Still think you should take a look at the Mariner. I sailed my 1973 O'Day Mariner 2+2 a few weeks ago with 4 adults in the cockpit, plenty of room. I bought my boat for $2k two years ago in very good shape. I didn't mention above that the minimum draft is 10" with board up, 4'-11" with board full down. Used Mariners can be found from $2k to $4k typically unless they are some of the newer ones (after mid 90's). Only late 1972 and 1973 models don't have cockpit storage (I had to add hatches on my 1973 model).

I sailed my boat on the Texas 200 last year and plan to again this year with 3 adults. Attached is a picture of my boat sailing on the Texas coast during the Tx200 last year.

John

[johnstephany65]

I'm open to a Mariner. How long does it take to rig?

[jeadstx]

I'm slow at rigging, but 30 to 45 minutes is generally what it takes for people not as slow as I am, some are faster. My knees are bad and I don't move very fast for anything any more (I'm the big guy in the picture). I think the last time we took a little longer, but we were adjusting some new rigging and hardware. With help, it always goes faster. I keep all my stays attached (except for the fore stay) when trailering, which helps. Boat is easy to launch since it is a centerboard model with very little draft with the board up. I think set up time depends on familiarity of what your doing and if you have help that knows what to do.

John

[Art Haberland]

personally, if I were after a small cruising boat, I would be looking at something like a Cape Cod Style catboat.

a large cockpit day sailor catboat you can't go wrong with the Com-Pac Picnic Cat, Sunday Cat or Sun Cat Daysailor. all are EASY to rig. sail well (within limitation of a gaff rigged catboat).

finding one for $5K would be a challenge ... these boats go for a premium cost and one available at $5K is likely in POOR condition.

I do not know how they sail, as I have never been aboard one.. but on the catboat association's website, you can find Marshal Sanderlings and Herreshoff America's at the $5000 level.. these are largish catboats (18ish feet) that have a decent sized cabin (big enough for a couple of bunks, portapottie, and a place to wait out a rainstorm) and a large cockpit for enjoying those sunlight afternoons afloat