We are thinking of buying a small sail boat and I'm curious if anyone has ever owned one and can tell us what we might be in for. It would be a very small weekender-type sail boat. We have taken sailing classes but this would be our first ownership.
I scared of what I might be getting myself into.
ETA after several responces.
I haven't seen the boat yet, but these are some great things to keep in mind. The boat would have to be stored at the marina. We don't have a place to keep it yet, but they have water storage and winter storage availible. By winter, we will have a place to keep it ourselves to really work on it.
Is there regular work that needs to be done on a sail boat, or is it just cleaning andd replacing items as needed? You know, like carrs have to have the tires rotated every so often and oil changes and such. Please forgive my ignorance. We are purchasing privatly and don't even know were to go to ask these sorts of things. I've googled, oh how I've googled... but this board is full of so many helpful and knowledgable women. Thanks so much. Any other help you can give me?
My husband is a boat builder and have had his own sailboats.
How big is this boat? Do you have a place to store it when the weather gets bad? Do you have access to water? Have you sailed before? what conditions is the sails are in? Do you have covers for them? I know it can be a bit costly to maintain a boat, but if you have time to do it yourself it can also be fun. If you have any particular questions, please do fell free to ask.
m
A sailboat would be a little less upkeep than a motor boat. The parts are expensive to replace, but if stored properly, you shouldn't have to replace them often. You will be required to buy tags for your boat/trailer every year (@$60 or so). Keep it covered as the sun will destroy everything it touches. Never ever wrap up your sail unless it is completely dry! I'm so jealous as I've been wanting a small sailboat for years now! I grew up with motorboats and sailboats. It is a wonderful thing for a family to do together. I have good memories. **Another thing, make sure you have extra life jackets, at the extra large size so that you can provide for anyone who goes with you. Extra large adult life jackets can be tightened up for a regular adult. But, you don't want one too small for a larger adult.
Yes, Great advice about what to consider. WE love it, but we also have a great place to work with it and to store it close to the water. I do not know where you live, but some cities, do not allow things like this to be stored where it is visible to the street. In Austin, if a neighbor complains about it, you will be made to build a fence or a storage to place it in on your property.
Just FYI...
Unless you're planning on docking on the water then yes you'd need regular maintenance for pulling the boat in/out of the water/trailering it back & forth. If it has a generator & you have to store if for more than 4 weeks, you'll need to disconnect fuel line to generator & run generator engine til gas is emptied from carborator to prevent gas from turning into varnish & clogging carborator components otherwise, run the generator for about an hour every 4-5 wks. For boat motor, can add additive like Sta-bil (can get this at WalMart, AutoZone, etc.) to fuel (like a car needs fuel cleaner sometimes). Ck all appliances to ensure proper maintenance including batteries if you have them. Best if batteries are removed when boat is not in use to avoid corrosion. You can always ask the boat seller for helpful tips. Whether they're a private seller (non-dealership) or a boat dealer, they should be happy to help answer any questions. Boats are like RV's. If you've ever owned a self-contained RV, you have to maintain them just like a boat has to be maintained. Just depends on what the boat has in it & on it. Good luck.
We own a 30' sailboat and we really enjoy it. Our daughter was 3 when we got it, so we had to teach her to "stay safe." When we would tack we'd say "Stay Safe" and she'd go to our designated spot on the boat and hold on to the rails until we told her it was ok. That way, when my husband needed my help, we always knew where she was and we could take care of the boat in rough waters, etc. I would advise anyone with young children to do this.
As far as maintence, I only know that once every other year you should take the boat out of the water and give it a bottom job. My husband putters around on the boat, washing it down, polishing, etc. But it doesn't need lots of maintence.
We've had our boat 5 years, and we love sailing it so much that we'd like to get an even larger one. We've anchored it in the bay and camped on it for a weekend, etc. You get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, plus you bond as a family. What can be better than that?
D. C
We do not own a boat, but someone once told me that the two happiest moments of a boat owners life is the day you buy a boat and the day you sell a boat. Ha Ha Ha.
