Rookie wants recommendations

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Dear People,
I hope my post is appropriate for this site. I am a rookie sailor and interested in getting the right boat for me. I live in Bellingham, WA, a bay-front town right next to the San Juans, Vancouver Island and Vancouver, B.C. (60 miles). I want a boat that is safe for ocean cruising, has some cabin space to stay overnight, can be sailed by one person, good record on maintanence/ease of upkeep. I'm looking at a Ranger 23, 1974. Wondered about a San Juan 21. Columbias are supposed to be solid. What do all of you think! I thank you very much! David Post

[Buc]

The Ranger is a great boat for what you suggest and better built than the San Juans or Columbias. The Columbias will likely have more room -- you'll find the SJ-21 very cramped. The R-23 is capable of sailing anywhere in the Northwest and has reasonable accommodations. My only objection to it is the location of the head under the V-berth, but this is common in a boat this size.

Note, a SJ-24 should sell in about the same price range as the R-23. If you're interested in racing, there's a big fleet of the 24s in Seattle and others scattered around the PNW. No doubt you have a few in Bellingham. That said, I'd probably still favor the R-23 even for racing.

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Hi Buc,

Thanks for your response! Here is the craigslist link to the boat. I am going to see it tomorrow and looks like I'm going to buy it!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/176147777.html

Looks and sounds amazing...whaddya think?

David