new sailor

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by lingarner, Jan 18, 2009.

  1. lingarner
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 1
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: North Carolina

    lingarner New Member

    I am interested in purchasing a 26' san juan. I dont know alot about sailing, but i checked it over as much as i could. Its selling for $2900.00 and i offered $2200.00. Seller has agreed. I looked over the hull, and looks good. The boat is in the water. I went into the cabin and found no standing water. The motor is an older evinrude. He says it runs. I pulled some of the sail out, and seems good, not dryrotted. So what do you think?
     
  2. bistros

    bistros Previous Member

    Welcome. You can't lose on your purchase, although your sailing budget will probably grow some.

    Enjoy. Find a club and people interested in helping you learn the ropes. You'll need help to get things going. Go out as crew on Other People's Boats (know as OPB) as much as you can - you need some experience before setting out on your own. Take some courses on basic sailing and navigation.

    As about cradles for the boat so it can come out of the water if needed. They are probably around. You'll want to have the boat inspected by a surveyor before you can insure it - and doing so is a good experience for you and your safety.

    Don't be afraid to ask questions - the only bas questions are those that go unasked - and unasked questions are the beginning of tragedy.

    Good luck!

    --
    Bill
     
  3. alan white
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 3,730
    Likes: 123, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 1404
    Location: maine

    alan white Senior Member

    It's vital to check out any balsa-cored deck construction. To begin with, sound out the entire deck with a mallet-- a hard plastic mallet that won't mar the surface.
    Especially check around fittings! Also attempt to wiggle lifeline stanchions and also get an inside view of fittings to look for telltale signs of seepage.
    Most rigging checks are obvious, sails also.
    Look for cracks beyond normal spider-webbing everywhere on the gelcoat.
    The boat is cheap, and it sounds good at first glance. Yet you must realize that some problems could cost you so much that a $6500.00 price tag could actually be a better deal.
    And sometimes, there really are great bargains. Good luck!
     

  4. bistros

    bistros Previous Member

    Hence my nod to a professional survey. A new sailor just doesn't have the breadth of experience to know how to judge issues, so a survey will be the best teaching platform he'll get.
     
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