I was lucky enough to get a beautiful Challenger 32 for $6,500. Everything a fellow needs to live comfortably, even a hot shower! Pretty darn good shape for a '77! I am fortunate to have good health and physical ability to still be sailing and enjoying it, at 86! Keep on "Keepin' on!" John
I'm in the UK so this may not relate but we bought a 1979 Colvic Sea Rover 28 with a furling cutter rig, for £2500 and spent the same again fixing her up. Sails great in the Irish Sea and it's comfortable. Nice to see you talking about boats with more affordable prices.
@@ilkeravni4247 Because you don't need it, you won't be able to find room for it, and most of these don't even have 4 cylinders. They have 2 or 3. On a displacement hull (not planning) you have what's called max theoretical hull speed. In short it means you reach the hulls "maximum" speed with a small engine and to get beyond that would take a lot more HP and fuel consumption will double or more to gain maybe 0,5-1 extra knot. There's simply no point.
Videos are just another way to go to a really large library for free, plus cost of computer and service. I have always read a lot but now I just do it at my computer. I have already traveled more here than the total on my Harley's (1st one bought in 1957 at San Diego H.D. dealership) or my old Ford truck combined. I live in New Mexico, my computer is paid for so my "ticket to travel" is my monthly electric bill and the butt time on this soft "roll around" chair, good enough for an old guy at 82 years of a younger age. "Kiss my ass, smoke that grass, drink a little beer after 5 PM and bless my soul, me and Jesus we be good friends, he and them liked wine and I enjoy a cold one after 5 P.M, every evening. Yes I go to church, no I don't preach it up your donkey, I do feed hungry folks on the streets and I know where the homeless shelter is located around here and been inside it helping a few times now and then. I'm living the best of all the lives I've ever lived right now, age 82 and still know how to ..... well you finish it if your asking, silly you.
Just bought my first sailboat a few months back, 1967 morgan 34 centerboard, 3/4 keel. paid a whopping 3750 with a running diesel engine, AC and generator. Beyond blessed for the opportunity
Our first boat was a brand new Catalina 25, 19k, in 1982. We sailed it 7500 miles in the Great Lakes for 5 years before we sold it and bought a 30 footer. Our current boat is 35.5 feet and we have lived on it full time for more than a decade. The Catalina 25 is still our all time favorite boat!
Depending on your location, and if you live in an area with winters, the seasons can greatly impact pricing. IMO the best time to buy is just before spring when owners need to move it from winter storage on land to the sea. This gives you a great opportunity to inspect the hull and even do the bottom painting etc yourself (so it gets done right TM). Usually the cheapest time is just before winter, say late October/early November when owners actually have to start working with their boats, pay for uptake + storage and the fun times are over until next year. Where I live there are plenty 30 footers in good condition for about $9K right now, but if I can drive and pick them up elsewhere it is way cheaper (some even free, but will require some work).
I have a Catalina 25. The number of sleeping arrangements is mind boggling with this boat, but it is not easy to stand up without bumping your head, a lot! I highly recommend the pop top!!
Standing headroom in 25 feet affects performance by putting "stuff" above the water line that is not sail. Pop tops, a matter of preference, are a reasonable compromise. Even in 40 feet, I need to sit when dressing for action.
I have a Catalina 25 up here in Washington state. Its perfect for the Puget Sound. Good for solo sailing. Spent over a year renovating it. I dont live on it but sleep on it quite often. I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs and fit in the V-berth quite comfortably. Love your videos Lady K!!!
Those of us who have cruised on boats with tillers quickly learn the simple way to walk away from the tiller: a bungee led from one coaming, looped over the tiller, and a small line looped over the tiller and put under tension to a jam cleat on the other coaming. More reliable hands-off steering than a locked wheel....and after sailing, Voila! an open cockpit with the tiller raised out of the way. Tillers have other benefits over a wheel, they just require a bit more seamanship.
I prefer tillers. Sailed with one for 20 years on my dads boat. Only used wheels when renting bigger boats. Tiller is nicer when you sail high up the wind and leaning but I guess its a preference thing.
@@cesarhanshoff2741 Also a simplicity 'thing' which ripples to less maintenance, reliability (no idlers, pulleys, cables, etc..) and access to a simple self-steering method I've used multiple times.
You don’t have enough following, you’re truly one of my favorite people I’ve ever watched, you have a huge heart, you’ve been beaten down, Lost so much yet somehow, you just keep trucking on. You’re one strong man, and motovational as all hell. I look up to you and hope one day I touch as many lives as you have
Sweet. We bought a new Catalina 30 in 1989. Had it for 20 years and while we didn’t live on it full time, we did live on it with our two boys from early May through mid September, and spent at least 6 weeks (and some years as much as 12 weeks) cruising in Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. When we sold the boat in 2008 she had more than 15,000 NM on the speedo. Our old boat is now 35 years old, still in service, and still looking great. Just 3 owners in 35 years, which to me is a good testament as to the quality and sturdiness of that boat. We bought a bigger boat in 2008 and have been living aboard full time since 2011. But if we hadn’t decided to do that, I have zero doubt that we would still own the 30.
@@jamesbondaygee Our home port is Bay City MI. At present we are in Bay City, or on Lake Huron or Lake Michigan for the summer. Then we go south for the winter. The last two years we have stayed in Surfside, SC and I think we are likely to do that again this year. We have been somewhat travel restricted, as all 4 of our parents were still alive, in their mid 90s and needed help. That took us back to MI for part of the year. Now my FIL is the only one left, he’s 98. So as long as he is still alive we can’t range to far afield. Plus we aren’t getting any younger get. Lol.
Here in Brazil, for many years I sailed a 1974 Ranger 29 designed by Gary Mull, made in California. Strong, ralatively fast and low cost. After renewing she completely, I was really happy.
Yes I was going to graduate to a Ranger 30 but they dropped her taking her off the hard and totalled her. I almost cried as she was soo pretty(and fast)
Cool video! I bought my Ericson 27 for $2500 and used it as an apartment for 3 years while fixing it up and saving money. I've since moved to land but sail and anchor out on the weekends. Great boat
6:21 Tillers are easy to lock: cord mounted across cockpit, clip on tiller. Also can use a tiller autopilot, which is pretty essential anyway (as is headsail furling). Good list of boats and excellent advice. I lived comfortably for 8 years on a Grampian 30, roomy, strong, stable though not particularly pretty. There are many other good live-aboard candidates in this class. Ones I have sailed, cruised (even raced) and liked include Alberg 30, Catalina 27, Catalina 36, Hughes-Columbia 8.7, Bavaria 32, Jeanneau Fantasia 27, Nonsuch 22. I did not like the Grampian 28, though the venerable but clunky-looking Grampian 25 can be good. All boats have advantages and disadvantages, with different ways of sailing them, and so much depends on their history of maintenance and improvements. If I were doing this again in the Great Lakes region, I would be very interested in the Polish-made TES 28 Magnam, even the little TES 678 BT which I have chartered several times. These are Mazurian-style internal ballast centreboard (or keel-centreboard) boats with a minimum one foot draft, with a very solid and convenient mast raising/lowering system. The keel-centreboard gives a somewhat deeper minimum draft (perhaps two feet), but allows off-shore sailing (a smaller one has sailed across the Atlantic). Such a boat opens up many of the lakes and rivers of Ontario inaccessible to the predominant standard keelboats with fixed masts, while retaining their comfort and sailing qualities. The old US-made Macgregor sailboats, for example, are much less comfortable and durable than either standard keelboats or the Mazurian style boats.
Great video. I love my Catalina 25. My first boat, she reminds me of my first car decades and decades ago, a VW bug. Both have that small & simple, "you can count on me vibe." And both are larger on the inside than outside. Only thing, not for very tall people.
My dad had a French boat when I was young and sailed it, out in the open (a 14 day passage). The boat had a bolt on keel and he absolutely s#it himself, when out there, in a storm force 12 (bay of biscay) and my dad's sailed, for over 50 years, all over the world and for money. I'm 51 now and he sailed, before I was born and he always told me, if I ever get the time to buy my first boat and get out there, to promise to my dad, never to buy a bolt on keel. It must be an integrated keel and with a skeg. I said yes dad, I promise and I agree. Top build quality, for some extra cash, but it's a life saver. Worth, every penny.
just awesome content you are producing and i really love how you always use actual examples and not just theoretical tipps. this makes your videos super relevant 👍🙌 please continue the good work
You ought to consider a Nonsuch 26 or 30. The accommodations on either boat feel like a much bigger boat, plus Nonsuch is a Canadian builder. Yeah, the wishbone boom cat boat rig looks a bit odd, but it is a single line. Also, if you are on a similar sized boat, don't challenge a Nonsuch to a race. They sail surprisingly well.
I'm downsizing from my 50' steel schooner to my "first love" boat that's sat forlornly in my barnyard for more than a decade. It's a 26' twin-keeled Westerly Centaur built in 1975. When I sailed her years ago, she needed this, that and the other, just like most boats, but there was always something about her -- she was easy to single-hand and was still roomy enough for my wife when she went along. There's actually 'berthing' for 5 people on this little boat -- some of the Brits actually did that and it made a fine family cruiser. I have a number of sailing dream adventures on my bucket list and this little Centaur is a perfect "fit" for a single-hander or a couple. The biggest drawback is that it's a 5.5 kt. boat. She's just not gonna' go faster than that and once you get used to it, it's not such a bad thing after all. The twin keels work wonders for stopping any 'roll' from big wake crowd and if you watch the tides closely, you can even 'beach' her in some places. A roller furling jib is one of the refit "improvements" I'm adding, but I'm keeping with the original mainsail system where the main wraps around the boom by a nice little crank handle that sticks out the other side of the mast. For my sailing, I like simple, strong and fool-proof, and most everything about these little Centaurs is just that. There's full standing headroom in the main cabin and tons of storage space throughout the boat. It compares in space to many 30 and 35 footers I've seen. Their average price about 10 years ago was around $2,500. A lot were actually destroyed to get them out of the 'dead boat' section of boatyards. But now I see the prices coming up as people are rediscovering they don't need a big pleasure palace or a combo- racing boat and would actually enjoy sailing more with a boat that actually suited their needs as economic realities. They're tiller steered, and I've experienced exactly what you described in the video regarding the need to take a quick pee or make a sandwich or get a cold drink -- but you're chained to the tiller. There are many easy ideas for a "third hand" for the tiller, but I cured my need by buying a Simrad Tiller Steer. That thing worked so well that it literally changed my way of sailing and freed me up to enjoy sailing so much more. So, if you're looking for a smaller, comfortable, strong and safe little 'mini-cruiser,' you might want to check out the Westerly Centaurs.
Best wishes for your adventures with the Westerly. My parents had a Westerly Pageant 23 in the 1970s. Yes, it was a bit tubby, and not fast. But OMG it was built like a brick outhouse - everything was oversized and heavy duty - from the hull to all the fittings, lifelines, stays, etc. I live in the PNW now; the twin keels would be nice to have for Puget Sound.
Twin keels gives a monohull wave handling equivalent to a catamaran! I wonder why that design didn't catch on... perhaps the increased wetted surface. Nonetheless, cool.
@@SeaDadLife I'm sorry I didn't catch your reply sooner. For some reason it didn't pop up in my Y/T notifications. I'll bet you guys had a LOT of fun with the Pageant -- especially in the 1970's. The Pageant and the Centaur were both designed by the same guy and are nearly the same boat, one's just a couple of inches longer. Most of my sailing is in the Chesapeake Bay, but I think you're right that a twin-keeler would work well in Puget Sound. My timeline has been pushed back a lot due to a back problem, so it might not be until late Summer or Fall that I'll get the little twin-keeler "Mockingbird" back on the sea again. Right now, my schooner is "trapped" inside of Baltimore Harbor. The container ship that took down the Francis Scott Key Bridge probably has locked more than a thousand pleasure boats in the upper Patapsco River. The Army Corps of Engineers has cleared two shallower channels at the bridge, but they're only open to government, commercial and construction vessels working on clearing the bridge wreckage.
@@G11713 Hi! I just saw your reply to my comment (Y/T didn't notify me there was one.) and I think you're right -- twin keels is a bit like a catamaran, but with a greater 'heel,' of course. The neat thing about the twin keels is that, as the boat heels the draft gets a few inches deeper as one keel is pushed down, while the other is hiked out, creating a lot of additional stability. But, they are much, much slower than the lightweight mono hulls of today's new sailboats. For me -- now retired -- I don't have to fret about getting back to the marina early enough on Sunday to do all the 'after the outing' boat stuff then the two-hour drive home so that I'm able to make it to work on time on Monday. If the weather's turned bad or the tide's running the wrong way, I just find a nice cove, drop the hook, and have a nice, quiet night. I'm hoping I can post some videos of that stuff soon. But this back problem has sure made all the other work pile up!
@@G11713 Twin Keels very popular in the UK. Opens up a myriad of waters to explore. Some like my British Hunter 27 designed as 'twin fins'. 1 Metre draft, Heads, Galley, Diesel Engine, etc😀
About the wheel vs. tiller. You talk about doing a 100 mile day. Anyone doing that distance is going to have a wind vane, and those are easier to set up on a tiller.
I’m a rank amateur but also prefer the tiller. I find amusing that wheeled boats often have emergency tiller access. Start with the one that’ll see you through. True for marriage as well as steering….
Lake Michigan says hold my ship wreck. Big lakes can be rougher than open ocean. When asked on blue water boats where I had sailed it was always "OK,great"
I just picked up a 1977 Pearson 323 and I plan on living on it. She seems plenty roomy for a big guy like me, and being claustrophobic, I haven't felt trapped at all in her. That saying, she's on the hard... But I'm hoping to have her in the water come spring!
I have had a Ranger 33 ( 70's) and half owner in a old over 40 footer (82). Both boats were bought in Houston area on the Gulf. Did a lot of races on the gulf with the longest being to Veracruz, Mexico. Between the two boats about 30 years. I am now retired in North Texas and am looking for a cheap old 20 to 28 footer to put on the local lake near me. I am 86 now but fairly active and want something small that one person can live on part time. I kinda like older boats as they seem to be built better. I sure do miss sailing and now seems like a good time to get back into it.
@daveg4963 try to find a mid 80s or newer with the Universal M-18 diesel engine. It's actually made by Kubota and you can find all the wearable parts cheaply (oil filter, fuel filter, injectors, etc) at farm stores. Runs like a champ too.
I live on a Pearson 40 full time with my wife. I own a Bristol 27 and it’s solid a rock. Literally world traveling pocket cruiser that can be had under 10k and ready to head south with 4k in addition for dingy solar and batteries. Anywhere under 15k hard to beat a Bristol 27
Great review! I gotta throw in my 2 cents. I live on my awesome Paceship 26. I'm told it is the hull that predated the Pearson you show here. Super well built and very roomy inside for a small boat with 6' head room! I have had 8 people aboard for a sailing day and nobody felt too crowded, just cozy. The boat even got washed ashore during a hurricane storm surge my first year of ownership, and the only damage was a snapped tiller handle. Super solid boat for a newbie like me to learn on! Because the head was shot when I bought her, I swapped the head and galley locations. Now I have a head by the cockpit- better for solo sailing turn around times, and the galley located under the opening hatches, better for venting steam. It's a lovely boat for a very low budget liveaboard like myself!
I have the best small bluewater sailing vessel. The Pacific Seacraft- Flicka 20. Only 20 feet long. Has everything you need and nothing you don’t. Sleeps 3 (V-berth, quarter berth), full galley, AND a head. Full keel. 5-11” headroom. Yanmar 1GM. Has been sailed around the world! Huge fan club. Just not easy to find on eastcoast.
Welcome everyone to the Fourth Annual Sailing Channel Awards! First, a big thanks to all of our favorite Sailing Channels who helped us vicariously crew along with you as you sail around the globe. Second, thanks to all who voted and either viewed the videos or even became patreons to help keep the content coming! With that said, our Award for Best Armchair Boat Banter goes to Lady K Sailing. Congrats on the great content, whether it is origins of sailing jargon, or guidance on solid, pre-loved boats to buy at a reasonable cost, so we can all get out there and sail, you provide the wannabe sailor community a great service and a path to go do it! Please keep at it and we will keep watching.
I bought a Coronado 27 for $500. I love the layout where it is more like an RV with dinerre birth to srarboard and galley to port. Head and locker forward of them to v-birth. Slso has 1/4 birth. Power is from an outboard in a well giving you much more living space.
I recently bought a MacGregor 224. It is a fixer upper but sailable right now. so this spring I will launch her in our local lake and start learning to sail her. I started watching your videos after I bought this boat and have learned a great deal from you. Thank you for these. It inspires me and educates me on my next boat. i am a solo sailor and expect that to stay that way when i move to the coast in two years to start the salt life down south.
YES! This is the video I've been waiting for! I'm a newbie. Quite frankly I kinda suck at sailing, but, just like fishing and sex I might not be any good at any of these things but I'll always try! Main this for me is price and there's a lot of these boats up for sale right now and not in terrible shape. I had a Pearson 26 but was forced into selling it until I find something big enough to support my kids. Thank you for this informative video!
I really love your small boat "yacht" videos...no one can make a mistake if they just listen to all the very important tips you giving us...please keep up the excellent work...we'll done Bru!!!!
Umm...tiller can be tilted out of the way to have open cockpit space (nice on a smaller boat). Tiller pilot easily takes over the steering better than any steering lock, and a pair of electric 24v 86lb thrust trolling motors is all the comfort, reliability and redundancy you'll need for coastal sailing, better than a binnacle taking up all the space (not a preference, but fact).
We were a family of 5. Our first boat was an O'Day 25. Spacious for the small size. Perfect starter boat on a trailer, shoal draft 18" with a retractable fiberglass keel inside the encapsulated lead keel. Since it was trailerable, we launched north of Parry sound, 1000 islands but mostly Tobermory....a one day sail to Killarney. We usually went for one or 2 weeks. A solid, inexpensive, family starter boat. You mainly talked about couples or single handing. It may be a little cozy at times, but great family fun.
I have lived on two so far. First was my 1984 Pearson 27 I bought for $2k and put very little money into after that. Lived on it for a year and half. My current boat is a 1983 Jeanneau Attalia 32 I bought for $3k and so far only spent $1500 on a solar and lithium setup. Great boat, terrible head but I deal with it, currently traveling the AICW on it.
Thank you, Sir, it really means a lot for you to share your wisdom with us. I'm a newly retired Veteran and looking for a good place/vessel to live on. Fair seas to you and everyone.
Totally agree with "go small and go now"! Best boat I ever had was a Beneteau First 27. Big enough for me, my girl and the cat, but small enough to handle easily on my own. Roller genoa furling as you say is a must. An anchor winch you can operate from the cockpit is another. Tiller steering wasn't a problem for me. I always kept my little Autohelm handy and just used that to hold course. The key thing is to be able to safely handle the boat on your own. Then you can invite your friends along for the ride without them having to be sailors.
One thing I didn’t hear you mention which is quite important for liveaboard sailors is standing headroom in the salon. The Laguna 26 ticks all your boxes plus has standing headroom for an average sized person; pretty impressive for a boat that size.
I have always been a Catalina 27 fan, big roomy cockpit and a substantial cabin with a wonderful galley and dining area. Many had the Atomic 4, but when you have them running well they do fine.
Tim, awesome video, really enjoyed it. But... what's your beef with tillers? I specifically was looking for a boat with a tiller and I glad I did. You can lock tiller just as you lock a wheel, look up Tiller Clutch or Tiller Tamer. I have a Tiller Tamer, but I still have it in a box, because I use the autopilot (tiller pilot) instead. Huge benefit of the tiller (besides the direct feel) is space saving - on anchor I kick the tiller up in a vertical position and have the full cockpit for myself and the guests. Last but not least, a tiller steering is 100x simpler and more reliable than steering wheel
Yup, I now own my first wheel helm sailboat and do believe of all the sailboats I have owned my favorite helm was a tiller with transom hung rudder. All around easy to inspect and maintain with the added benefit of instant input and feed back. Kicking the tiller up and out of the way when not in use is nice as well. Replacing the steering cables on my Edson helm is on my to do list but not looking forward to it. I'm all for simplicity when and where available.
Curious if you’ve ever covered Ericson? They have a great rep and lineage in the small to mid cruising area. The E27 or E29 would be in my top 5 tiny floating homes
In the summer 2021 I bought a 78 Ericson 32. Had a yanmar, solar, windlass and cheap diesel heater. Took it from Bellingham to Alaska on the Inside Passage. Did great. I could write a small book about the trip. I had no boating experience either. Lol
@justinmhuerta . Man, hope you can. It was great. I think a Cat 25 would be good also but wouldn't go any smaller. Solar, windlass, auto pilot and a cheap diesel heater. I wouldn't go without any of those. People might say a windlass isn't necessary but personally, as a solo guy, I found it invaluable.
Good video! If you do a follow-up you might mention the limited tankage on small boats - We've stayed aboard our Capri 26 for as much as three weeks, but with only 15 gallons of fresh water and 10 gallons of waste it can be autonomous for just 4-5 days with two people aboard.
Mr lady k you have grown on me over the years and I can truly say you are my favorite sailing RUclips channel by a long shot ♥️❤️♥️ love ya loads and happy holidays to you and your family!!!!!!
I'm cruising on a Catalina 27 with an 11hp vetus. If you're just living at the dock it really doesn't matter, but you absolutely without a doubt need a diesel engine.I completely agree. Get the 30.
I have an S2 9.2c which is a 30' center cockpit sloop. It packs a lot of livability into a smaller boat with reasonable sailing performance. Mine is hull number 426 which was the last one made of this model. Has a yanmar 2GM20F which is all the boat really needs but these later production boats also came with an optional yanmar 3GM30F. Another nice feature of the later production S2 sailboats is that they have vinalester bottoms which means no blisters. Love this boat.
I picked up an S2 aft cockpit this fall for a great deal. This article and your post made me feel better about my boat. It's going to need bottom sanding and paint. Any advise on the S2?
I bought an S2 8.6 and it's been great. It's got everything I need to live aboard if I ever decided to do that. One area to watch is the chain plates. They were starting to leak, so I rebedded them all. Only found one soft spot in the deck coring, and since it was small, it was an easy fix.
Legendary content. As a newcomer trying to navigate which boat to buy, your videos are worth 100x more than others. I’ll look into the Patreon, thank you!
Thanks so much for making me feel better about the boat I bought this fall, a 1979 S2 9m (29ft). Found it for less than $3k from Boat Angel. I met the previous owners and they helped me move it to boat storage from their yacht club (only 1 mile). They donated it because they didn't want to put the work into sanding and bottom paint. It's got a running Yanmar and a roller furling jib. The deck has this great nonslip diamond pattern in the gel coat. There's even some sort of raw water cooled air conditioning system (anyone heard of this?) The last owner took out the plumbing and installed a compost toilet. Should I look into replumbing it and install a new blackwater tank? Now I just have to teach myself how to do the bottom job and learn to sail before I bring it down the ICW 90nm to the marina near my home. Eventually I plan to sail south for the winters (Florida and maybe the Caribbean). My business is seasonal so I have the winters off. Any advise on learning to sail?
Do not reinstall a holding tank but learn to use the composting unit. You might stash a camp toilet for marinas which don't approve the composting unit. The previous owner knew what he was doing when he ditched the holding tanks.
It's so cool how they have a livable interior with everything even a bathroom too! I'm so curious how they actually travel with just wind & how much of the motor becomes relied upon... Therr so cool.
This is great. Thanks for your insights. Right now I belong to a sailing club in the SF Bay Area so I can try out lots of different boat. One of my favorites to sail is the Catalina 30. Totally comfortable for one or two people as a minimalist live aboard platform. Good advice on the "Catalina Smile." And you're right. They're always available for sale. Also to emphasize your point on the Catalina 28 - there's one at the club as well. I couldn't believe how much room there was. And it had an enclosed head as well as afterberth. Very well thought out.
I'm totally fascinated by sailing now after watching your videos. I have never sailed before, but I definitely want to get into buying a small boat. A few things about boat ownership that seem a bit daunting to me are: the wiring, maneuvering around a marina, managing the sails, and any engine work that might be needed.
Novice sailer here, currently fixing up an Ericson 29. It has tiller steering and a dead Atomic 4. I converted the old gas tank to diesel for my space heater. Was thinking of going electric but the 8 hp outboard i got for it works plenty well for now. My plan is to use the boat as a summer home and putter around Lobster Bay
👍👍👍👍 you described my next boat to a T. Very useful info. If you wrote a book on this topic you would sell a ton. Skip the trailer sailer and go for a 25-30 footer with a stand up cabin, that is my goal. Thanks Tim
I have been living on my '73 Ranger 29, a Gary Mull design for 10 years. I switched my tiller to a wheel using a Yamaha V-star motorcycle rear differential. My fo'sail is a hank on jib selection with a downhaul led back to the cockpit. Even tho I solo sail, it would comfortably accommodate two.
I have an O'day 28. Solid, sails well and roomy for its size. I do not live on it, but certainly one could. When looking to purchase seriously considered the Pearson 28.
We have a Dixie 27 with solar (powers the fridge, induction oven, lights and any electronics needed), inboard diesel motor, septic toilet, water for 2 weeks easily. sleeps 5, we sail each summer for 4-8 weeks with no problem. thank you for showing all these boats! 😊
I bought a 25 O'Day 1976 for around $4.5k in 2009. It needed cosmetic work only. I only had it a couple of years before I sold it but it was one of the best times I've ever had. It had 5 berths, a bathroom with a hand sink, a kitchen counter with a gas grill and an ice box, the main and jib sails, a wooden tiller, and an outboard. I had a hammock on it as well. I kept it at a nearby marina that was within walking distance in NYC. It was awesome to hang out on it and not go back to my 1 BR apartment. Totally liveable if I were a single guy... After selling it, the next guy broke it.
Great video. It was perfect. The last boat you mentioned is one I'm looking at right now in SF CA. The tips you gave are ones I made a note of. It's a 1988 Catalina 30-footer. This boat has the Universal Diesel M25 XP. It's really clean and they're asking $25k. From what you said that sounds like it might be a little on the high side. Thanks for your video.
I have a 1998 Catalina 28mii. Walk through transom, wheel Steering, Universal diesel. Wet head , stern shower, perfect pocket cruiser for weekend or even longer cruise.
We bought an ‘88 Catalina 30 MKII last spring for less than $25k US. No soft spots, no smile, and a Universal M25 diesel. There were some leaky stanchions that we took care. We are loving this boat!
Always loved the Irwin Center cockpits for design. With a not too big boat you get a bedroom in the front and in the back. Not sure how they sail, I've never had one, I just always love the pics and vids of those boats. The Pearson looks so good and workable though.
My wife and I purchased an Albin Vega with an almost new Beta Marine 16 for less than $5000 (€4500). It’s a gorgeous boat in very good condition which we can easily live on together. We bought this boat to learn to sail. We are planning a trip around England (from Holland). Eventually we are going to sell our house and buy a much larger boat. For now the Albin Vega will do very fine 😉
Great vid. This is exactly where I am currently, I am going to do one more season in my 82 Com-Pac 23. It was rough when I bought it, cracked hull just aft of the poured concrete ballast in the keel, cracked/broken deck and gel coat where the outboard fuel tank goes in the rear of the cockpit and I had to rebuild the mast tabernacle. New sails and new standing and running rigging (as well as a refurb on the main that came with it) and she was ready to sail... oh, and a brand new 9.9 Merc. So, as a solo sailor (not counting my furry first mate) I am going to be in the market for a decent 28-30' to retire on so this vid was very timely. Thank you for the great work you do and the information you provide.
not doing a live aboard but i wanted standup room, trailerable with a retractable keel for super shallow draft. I ended up with a 1985 Oday 26 and yes i did recore a section of deck and replaced the starboard bulkhead. but it came with a 4 stroke outboard, newer standing rigging, 5 sails including a spinnaker, roller furling, trailer, dingy. I love it.
Hello from Sherbrooke in the province of Quebec. Thank you for this video. You confirm the result of my research on sailboat data and my plans for the next year. I've just bought a couple of months ago a 1989 Pearson 272 that I'm currently updating. The previous owner neglect it for the past few years. I've paid 8k$US and pretty happy with the quality of construction of the Pearson. Thank you!
Tim, I literally laughed out loud when you said “ 100 miles with a tiller sucks!” Btw I own an Albin Balland 30 (with a wheel). She also has a small 13 horse Volvo Penta that sips fuel. I liked all your choices for small boats and for 5 grand, 3 years ago, she fits your qualifications. Your “Go small, go simple and go now “ is great advice. I mostly sail the Chesapeake from Virginia Beach. Being retired, I go often, and love it. Thanks for sharing. Great video! R/ Jim Grigsby R/ Jim
I get my sailing fix with a trailer sailer and that’s all I really want but daydreaming about a bigger boat I always thought of a Catalina 30 but after looking at a number of them I started shifting to the Catalina 28 for a number of reasons. Engine placement and access on the 28 seems far superior and the interior layout just seems to flow better, but I must admit I haven’t spent the night on either. Cheers and good luck.
No mention of the C&C 30? :) The truth is there are a lot of great live-aboard boats between between 27' and 32'... Pearson, Ericson, Catalina, Bristol, etc. Great episode!
Yes, I had a 1988 Catalina 30 for many years, just sold it. Very roomy inside, and a very capable boat. I used to rent my nearby beach house on Airbnb, and stay on the boat in the warmer months. That paid for all my boat expenses, however the province of BC, and the local town have outlawed that.
Columbia, Catalina, Newport, basically the same set up.. I’ve had them all 28 to 34 and enjoyed each one and each one I threw on a 15hp outboard bypassing whatever OEM. Tiller boats are great in the marina you can actually move the boat under tiller power.
Look at my 2003 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32. It’s $49,000, but it has two full berths, all lines lead aft, new sails. I lived on it for over 6 years and spent time improving everything. It’s on Yachtworld and is in Alameda, CA.
We had a Catalina 27. Great sailing boat, pretty fast, great bathroom, yanmar diesel, wheel steering, roller Genoa, wing keel. We got a Catalina 30 a few years later. Much more comfortable and spacious but not quite a fast, deeper draft, but another great boat. A little light for big water tho.
In 1992 I purchased my Ericson 25T and have lived aboard since tgen. The frikin marinas now want a minumimum of 35 footer to liveaboard in a marina. But I love my Ericson. It has a full head, nice galley, storage and comfortable sail with a nearly 10 foot beam. I have a Yanmar diesel. Tge V-berth is large and the starboard couch pulls out and doubles the sleeping area. There are lockers under every couch, V-berth and aft berth plus huge storage in the lazaretts.
I own a mirage 24 and can sleep family of 4 that includes 2 kids over weekend adventures in Georgian Bay Area. For the tiller I just use a tiller tammer. It’s also pretty fast cheep w. Roller furler and available for under $3k.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Could this 25ft Sailboat take you Anywhere? | Nimble Arctic 25 [SOLD] (Ep82)](/img/1.gif)
I was lucky enough to get a beautiful Challenger 32 for $6,500. Everything a fellow needs to live comfortably, even a hot shower! Pretty darn good shape for a '77! I am fortunate to have good health and physical ability to still be sailing and enjoying it, at 86! Keep on "Keepin' on!" John
Kudos.
Hello, where did you purchase it?
You inspired me!
I am approaching 70 and want to do the same.....looking for a boat now.....
I'm 63 and this comment gives me confidence! ❤
I'm in the UK so this may not relate but we bought a 1979 Colvic Sea Rover 28 with a furling cutter rig, for £2500 and spent the same again fixing her up. Sails great in the Irish Sea and it's comfortable. Nice to see you talking about boats with more affordable prices.
Sails great in Irish seas for less than 5000. Folks, you didn't buy a sailboat, you found the Holy Grail. Chuffed for you.
Go small. Go simple. Go now. Well said
@@130bowman why don't they have bigger motors? I prefer six cylinder engines than four cylinder motor.
@@ilkeravni4247 Because you don't need it, you won't be able to find room for it, and most of these don't even have 4 cylinders. They have 2 or 3. On a displacement hull (not planning) you have what's called max theoretical hull speed. In short it means you reach the hulls "maximum" speed with a small engine and to get beyond that would take a lot more HP and fuel consumption will double or more to gain maybe 0,5-1 extra knot. There's simply no point.
He got that from Larry Pardey: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin_and_Larry_Pardey
FYI, Wikipedia isn't an authoritative source.
Let’s gooo!!
Most are single plodders!@@ilkeravni4247
i know nothing about boats but love these videos
Funny name 😂
Videos are just another way to go to a really large library for free, plus cost of computer and service. I have always read a lot but now I just do it at my computer.
I have already traveled more here than the total on my Harley's (1st one bought in 1957 at San Diego H.D. dealership) or my old Ford truck combined.
I live in New Mexico, my computer is paid for so my "ticket to travel" is my monthly electric bill and the butt time on this soft "roll around" chair, good enough for an old guy at 82 years of a younger age. "Kiss my ass, smoke that grass, drink a little beer after 5 PM and bless my soul, me and Jesus we be good friends, he and them liked wine and I enjoy a cold one after 5 P.M, every evening. Yes I go to church, no I don't preach it up your donkey, I do feed hungry folks on the streets and I know where the homeless shelter is located around here and been inside it helping a few times now and then. I'm living the best of all the lives I've ever lived right now, age 82 and still know how to ..... well you finish it if your asking, silly you.
Just bought my first sailboat a few months back, 1967 morgan 34 centerboard, 3/4 keel. paid a whopping 3750 with a running diesel engine, AC and generator. Beyond blessed for the opportunity
Wow that’s great!
I lived on a 1972 Catalina 27. LOVED it. Then a Yorktown 32. Loved it. Great times had all around.
Great choice! My friend still has a 1973 Jaguar 27, which is basically the same boat
Our first boat was a brand new Catalina 25, 19k, in 1982. We sailed it 7500 miles in the Great Lakes for 5 years before we sold it and bought a 30 footer. Our current boat is 35.5 feet and we have lived on it full time for more than a decade. The Catalina 25 is still our all time favorite boat!
Depending on your location, and if you live in an area with winters, the seasons can greatly impact pricing. IMO the best time to buy is just before spring when owners need to move it from winter storage on land to the sea. This gives you a great opportunity to inspect the hull and even do the bottom painting etc yourself (so it gets done right TM). Usually the cheapest time is just before winter, say late October/early November when owners actually have to start working with their boats, pay for uptake + storage and the fun times are over until next year.
Where I live there are plenty 30 footers in good condition for about $9K right now, but if I can drive and pick them up elsewhere it is way cheaper (some even free, but will require some work).
I have a Catalina 25. The number of sleeping arrangements is mind boggling with this boat, but it is not easy to stand up without bumping your head, a lot! I highly recommend the pop top!!
Standing headroom in 25 feet affects performance by putting "stuff" above the water line that is not sail. Pop tops, a matter of preference, are a reasonable compromise. Even in 40 feet, I need to sit when dressing for action.
I have a Catalina 25 up here in Washington state. Its perfect for the Puget Sound. Good for solo sailing. Spent over a year renovating it. I dont live on it but sleep on it quite often. I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs and fit in the V-berth quite comfortably. Love your videos Lady K!!!
Thanks for this info!! Going to be living a similar life soon!!
I had a 25' Erikson, I lived on that for 4yrs. I loved it.
I have a 25' Pearson that I wonder if I could setup for extended stays aboard...
Those of us who have cruised on boats with tillers quickly learn the simple way to walk away from the tiller: a bungee led from one coaming, looped over the tiller, and a small line looped over the tiller and put under tension to a jam cleat on the other coaming. More reliable hands-off steering than a locked wheel....and after sailing, Voila! an open cockpit with the tiller raised out of the way. Tillers have other benefits over a wheel, they just require a bit more seamanship.
I did that a lot while cruising too !!! Under well-trimmed sails it goes smooth !!
I prefer tillers. Sailed with one for 20 years on my dads boat. Only used wheels when renting bigger boats. Tiller is nicer when you sail high up the wind and leaning but I guess its a preference thing.
@@cesarhanshoff2741 Also a simplicity 'thing' which ripples to less maintenance, reliability (no idlers, pulleys, cables, etc..) and access to a simple self-steering method I've used multiple times.
@jacktyler7599 Yeah the thing were you strap a rope on the tiller and through a roller on the beem. Useful when all else fails.
You don’t have enough following, you’re truly one of my favorite people I’ve ever watched, you have a huge heart, you’ve been beaten down,
Lost so much yet somehow, you just keep trucking on. You’re one strong man, and motovational as all hell. I look up to you and hope one day I touch as many lives as you have
Wow, thank you
Hey, you're right! I just realized I hadn't subscribed either. There! Just took care of that! Thanks.
@@colynfleming5878 can anyone advise how miles per gallon these motors do.
I lived on an old Catalina 30 for almost 3 years. It was a dream come true and very comfortable! Highly recommend it.
Sweet. We bought a new Catalina 30 in 1989. Had it for 20 years and while we didn’t live on it full time, we did live on it with our two boys from early May through mid September, and spent at least 6 weeks (and some years as much as 12 weeks) cruising in Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. When we sold the boat in 2008 she had more than 15,000 NM on the speedo. Our old boat is now 35 years old, still in service, and still looking great. Just 3 owners in 35 years, which to me is a good testament as to the quality and sturdiness of that boat. We bought a bigger boat in 2008 and have been living aboard full time since 2011. But if we hadn’t decided to do that, I have zero doubt that we would still own the 30.
I loved my Catalina 30.
Where do you live
@@jamesbondaygee Our home port is Bay City MI. At present we are in Bay City, or on Lake Huron or Lake Michigan for the summer. Then we go south for the winter. The last two years we have stayed in Surfside, SC and I think we are likely to do that again this year. We have been somewhat travel restricted, as all 4 of our parents were still alive, in their mid 90s and needed help. That took us back to MI for part of the year. Now my FIL is the only one left, he’s 98. So as long as he is still alive we can’t range to far afield. Plus we aren’t getting any younger get. Lol.
Did you do Great Circle or out the Erie canal. Illinois keeps getting in worse shape so probably never fix the bridge.
Here in Brazil, for many years I sailed a 1974 Ranger 29 designed by Gary Mull, made in California.
Strong, ralatively fast and low cost.
After renewing she completely, I was really happy.
Such a shame that anything bigger than a 23ft is so unaffordable here in Brazil now...
Seria o Prosper? o conheci e sim um ótimo barco.
@@adalbertomonteiro60 Positivo. Tive o Prosper por 8 anos.
Yes I was going to graduate to a Ranger 30 but they dropped her taking her off the hard and totalled her. I almost cried as she was soo pretty(and fast)
I lived on my 22ft Hunter sailboat for a year, now I did keep her in a nice marina so I had the use of nice bathroom and pool ( near Annapolis MD)
Which marina? And do you recommend the marina?
Cool video! I bought my Ericson 27 for $2500 and used it as an apartment for 3 years while fixing it up and saving money. I've since moved to land but sail and anchor out on the weekends. Great boat
6:21 Tillers are easy to lock: cord mounted across cockpit, clip on tiller. Also can use a tiller autopilot, which is pretty essential anyway (as is headsail furling). Good list of boats and excellent advice. I lived comfortably for 8 years on a Grampian 30, roomy, strong, stable though not particularly pretty. There are many other good live-aboard candidates in this class. Ones I have sailed, cruised (even raced) and liked include Alberg 30, Catalina 27, Catalina 36, Hughes-Columbia 8.7, Bavaria 32, Jeanneau Fantasia 27, Nonsuch 22. I did not like the Grampian 28, though the venerable but clunky-looking Grampian 25 can be good. All boats have advantages and disadvantages, with different ways of sailing them, and so much depends on their history of maintenance and improvements.
If I were doing this again in the Great Lakes region, I would be very interested in the Polish-made TES 28 Magnam, even the little TES 678 BT which I have chartered several times. These are Mazurian-style internal ballast centreboard (or keel-centreboard) boats with a minimum one foot draft, with a very solid and convenient mast raising/lowering system. The keel-centreboard gives a somewhat deeper minimum draft (perhaps two feet), but allows off-shore sailing (a smaller one has sailed across the Atlantic). Such a boat opens up many of the lakes and rivers of Ontario inaccessible to the predominant standard keelboats with fixed masts, while retaining their comfort and sailing qualities. The old US-made Macgregor sailboats, for example, are much less comfortable and durable than either standard keelboats or the Mazurian style boats.
I have an interview on my channel with a TES owner
@@MikeSantis Thanks! That was a very positive report on a TES 550 Master, a nicely appointed pocket cruiser. ruclips.net/video/NCx_7YWjHks/видео.html
Great video. I love my Catalina 25. My first boat, she reminds me of my first car decades and decades ago, a VW bug. Both have that small & simple, "you can count on me vibe." And both are larger on the inside than outside. Only thing, not for very tall people.
My dad had a French boat when I was young and sailed it, out in the open (a 14 day passage). The boat had a bolt on keel and he absolutely s#it himself, when out there, in a storm force 12 (bay of biscay) and my dad's sailed, for over 50 years, all over the world and for money. I'm 51 now and he sailed, before I was born and he always told me, if I ever get the time to buy my first boat and get out there, to promise to my dad, never to buy a bolt on keel. It must be an integrated keel and with a skeg. I said yes dad, I promise and I agree. Top build quality, for some extra cash, but it's a life saver. Worth, every penny.
just awesome content you are producing and i really love how you always use actual examples and not just theoretical tipps. this makes your videos super relevant 👍🙌 please continue the good work
You ought to consider a Nonsuch 26 or 30. The accommodations on either boat feel like a much bigger boat, plus Nonsuch is a Canadian builder. Yeah, the wishbone boom cat boat rig looks a bit odd, but it is a single line. Also, if you are on a similar sized boat, don't challenge a Nonsuch to a race. They sail surprisingly well.
Nonsuch are great boats but you'll be hard pressed to even find a 22 for 10 grand.
@@allanrheaume5549 true, they are not cheap, but you get what you pay for with a Nonsuch.
I'm downsizing from my 50' steel schooner to my "first love" boat that's sat forlornly in my barnyard for more than a decade. It's a 26' twin-keeled Westerly Centaur built in 1975. When I sailed her years ago, she needed this, that and the other, just like most boats, but there was always something about her -- she was easy to single-hand and was still roomy enough for my wife when she went along. There's actually 'berthing' for 5 people on this little boat -- some of the Brits actually did that and it made a fine family cruiser. I have a number of sailing dream adventures on my bucket list and this little Centaur is a perfect "fit" for a single-hander or a couple. The biggest drawback is that it's a 5.5 kt. boat. She's just not gonna' go faster than that and once you get used to it, it's not such a bad thing after all. The twin keels work wonders for stopping any 'roll' from big wake crowd and if you watch the tides closely, you can even 'beach' her in some places. A roller furling jib is one of the refit "improvements" I'm adding, but I'm keeping with the original mainsail system where the main wraps around the boom by a nice little crank handle that sticks out the other side of the mast. For my sailing, I like simple, strong and fool-proof, and most everything about these little Centaurs is just that. There's full standing headroom in the main cabin and tons of storage space throughout the boat. It compares in space to many 30 and 35 footers I've seen. Their average price about 10 years ago was around $2,500. A lot were actually destroyed to get them out of the 'dead boat' section of boatyards. But now I see the prices coming up as people are rediscovering they don't need a big pleasure palace or a combo- racing boat and would actually enjoy sailing more with a boat that actually suited their needs as economic realities. They're tiller steered, and I've experienced exactly what you described in the video regarding the need to take a quick pee or make a sandwich or get a cold drink -- but you're chained to the tiller. There are many easy ideas for a "third hand" for the tiller, but I cured my need by buying a Simrad Tiller Steer. That thing worked so well that it literally changed my way of sailing and freed me up to enjoy sailing so much more. So, if you're looking for a smaller, comfortable, strong and safe little 'mini-cruiser,' you might want to check out the Westerly Centaurs.
Best wishes for your adventures with the Westerly. My parents had a Westerly Pageant 23 in the 1970s. Yes, it was a bit tubby, and not fast. But OMG it was built like a brick outhouse - everything was oversized and heavy duty - from the hull to all the fittings, lifelines, stays, etc. I live in the PNW now; the twin keels would be nice to have for Puget Sound.
Twin keels gives a monohull wave handling equivalent to a catamaran! I wonder why that design didn't catch on... perhaps the increased wetted surface. Nonetheless, cool.
@@SeaDadLife I'm sorry I didn't catch your reply sooner. For some reason it didn't pop up in my Y/T notifications. I'll bet you guys had a LOT of fun with the Pageant -- especially in the 1970's. The Pageant and the Centaur were both designed by the same guy and are nearly the same boat, one's just a couple of inches longer. Most of my sailing is in the Chesapeake Bay, but I think you're right that a twin-keeler would work well in Puget Sound. My timeline has been pushed back a lot due to a back problem, so it might not be until late Summer or Fall that I'll get the little twin-keeler "Mockingbird" back on the sea again. Right now, my schooner is "trapped" inside of Baltimore Harbor. The container ship that took down the Francis Scott Key Bridge probably has locked more than a thousand pleasure boats in the upper Patapsco River. The Army Corps of Engineers has cleared two shallower channels at the bridge, but they're only open to government, commercial and construction vessels working on clearing the bridge wreckage.
@@G11713 Hi! I just saw your reply to my comment (Y/T didn't notify me there was one.) and I think you're right -- twin keels is a bit like a catamaran, but with a greater 'heel,' of course. The neat thing about the twin keels is that, as the boat heels the draft gets a few inches deeper as one keel is pushed down, while the other is hiked out, creating a lot of additional stability. But, they are much, much slower than the lightweight mono hulls of today's new sailboats. For me -- now retired -- I don't have to fret about getting back to the marina early enough on Sunday to do all the 'after the outing' boat stuff then the two-hour drive home so that I'm able to make it to work on time on Monday. If the weather's turned bad or the tide's running the wrong way, I just find a nice cove, drop the hook, and have a nice, quiet night. I'm hoping I can post some videos of that stuff soon. But this back problem has sure made all the other work pile up!
@@G11713 Twin Keels very popular in the UK. Opens up a myriad of waters to explore. Some like my British Hunter 27 designed as 'twin fins'. 1 Metre draft, Heads, Galley, Diesel Engine, etc😀
About the wheel vs. tiller. You talk about doing a 100 mile day. Anyone doing that distance is going to have a wind vane, and those are easier to set up on a tiller.
@HoytFergusmany, many oceanic vastly prefer tiller stearing over wheel.
I’m a rank amateur but also prefer the tiller. I find amusing that wheeled boats often have emergency tiller access. Start with the one that’ll see you through. True for marriage as well as steering….
Lake Michigan says hold my ship wreck. Big lakes can be rougher than open ocean. When asked on blue water boats where I had sailed it was always "OK,great"
I got a Morgan Out Island 33 for under 20K and it has lots of room and makes a great live aboard.
I just picked up a 1977 Pearson 323 and I plan on living on it. She seems plenty roomy for a big guy like me, and being claustrophobic, I haven't felt trapped at all in her. That saying, she's on the hard... But I'm hoping to have her in the water come spring!
That's awesome. Something to look forward to!
I loved my Newport 28. It was great boat for Lake Erie and we basically did live on it in the summer.
I have had a Ranger 33 ( 70's) and half owner in a old over 40 footer (82). Both boats were bought in Houston area on the Gulf. Did a lot of races on the gulf with the longest being to Veracruz, Mexico. Between the two boats about 30 years. I am now retired in North Texas and am looking for a cheap old 20 to 28 footer to put on the local lake near me. I am 86 now but fairly active and want something small that one person can live on part time. I kinda like older boats as they seem to be built better. I sure do miss sailing and now seems like a good time to get back into it.
My name is mike Giles winter and I had to look twice at this comment because of the author and I bought a 1976 Ranger 33 in 2021!
Love how this fills the sailing itch this is an incredible video with great boat options
Glad you enjoyed it!
I would have pick the catalina 27 over the 25.. great boat with everything a solo person would need!
I agree. I'm looking to buy on myself.
My first liveaboard was a $4500 c27 and I spent 3 years on her before upgrading. A perfect boat to learn on single handed.
Same built as C27 is Jaguar 27, that's the boat I have.
@daveg4963 try to find a mid 80s or newer with the Universal M-18 diesel engine. It's actually made by Kubota and you can find all the wearable parts cheaply (oil filter, fuel filter, injectors, etc) at farm stores. Runs like a champ too.
@@SailingIndependence thanks for that info! Much appreciated!
I live on a Pearson 40 full time with my wife. I own a Bristol 27 and it’s solid a rock. Literally world traveling pocket cruiser that can be had under 10k and ready to head south with 4k in addition for dingy solar and batteries. Anywhere under 15k hard to beat a Bristol 27
Like the Bristol 27 -- good things happened when Pearson and Alberg collaborated. LOVE the Pearson 40. You're winning at life.
Great review! I gotta throw in my 2 cents. I live on my awesome Paceship 26. I'm told it is the hull that predated the Pearson you show here. Super well built and very roomy inside for a small boat with 6' head room! I have had 8 people aboard for a sailing day and nobody felt too crowded, just cozy. The boat even got washed ashore during a hurricane storm surge my first year of ownership, and the only damage was a snapped tiller handle. Super solid boat for a newbie like me to learn on! Because the head was shot when I bought her, I swapped the head and galley locations. Now I have a head by the cockpit- better for solo sailing turn around times, and the galley located under the opening hatches, better for venting steam. It's a lovely boat for a very low budget liveaboard like myself!
I have the best small bluewater sailing vessel. The Pacific Seacraft- Flicka 20. Only 20 feet long. Has everything you need and nothing you don’t. Sleeps 3 (V-berth, quarter berth), full galley, AND a head. Full keel. 5-11” headroom. Yanmar 1GM. Has been sailed around the world! Huge fan club. Just not easy to find on eastcoast.
That is what I want.
Welcome everyone to the Fourth Annual Sailing Channel Awards! First, a big thanks to all of our favorite Sailing Channels who helped us vicariously crew along with you as you sail around the globe. Second, thanks to all who voted and either viewed the videos or even became patreons to help keep the content coming! With that said, our Award for Best Armchair Boat Banter goes to Lady K Sailing. Congrats on the great content, whether it is origins of sailing jargon, or guidance on solid, pre-loved boats to buy at a reasonable cost, so we can all get out there and sail, you provide the wannabe sailor community a great service and a path to go do it! Please keep at it and we will keep watching.
I bought a Coronado 27 for $500. I love the layout where it is more like an RV with dinerre birth to srarboard and galley to port. Head and locker forward of them to v-birth. Slso has 1/4 birth. Power is from an outboard in a well giving you much more living space.
Also, my c27 had tiller steering, but it came with an electric tiller pilot. They exist and work like a charm!
I recently bought a MacGregor 224. It is a fixer upper but sailable right now. so this spring I will launch her in our local lake and start learning to sail her. I started watching your videos after I bought this boat and have learned a great deal from you. Thank you for these. It inspires me and educates me on my next boat. i am a solo sailor and expect that to stay that way when i move to the coast in two years to start the salt life down south.
YES! This is the video I've been waiting for! I'm a newbie. Quite frankly I kinda suck at sailing, but, just like fishing and sex I might not be any good at any of these things but I'll always try! Main this for me is price and there's a lot of these boats up for sale right now and not in terrible shape. I had a Pearson 26 but was forced into selling it until I find something big enough to support my kids. Thank you for this informative video!
I really love your small boat "yacht" videos...no one can make a mistake if they just listen to all the very important tips you giving us...please keep up the excellent work...we'll done Bru!!!!
Thank you very much!
Umm...tiller can be tilted out of the way to have open cockpit space (nice on a smaller boat). Tiller pilot easily takes over the steering better than any steering lock, and a pair of electric 24v 86lb thrust trolling motors is all the comfort, reliability and redundancy you'll need for coastal sailing, better than a binnacle taking up all the space (not a preference, but fact).
We were a family of 5. Our first boat was an O'Day 25. Spacious for the small size. Perfect starter boat on a trailer, shoal draft 18" with a retractable fiberglass keel inside the encapsulated lead keel. Since it was trailerable, we launched north of Parry sound, 1000 islands but mostly Tobermory....a one day sail to Killarney. We usually went for one or 2 weeks. A solid, inexpensive, family starter boat. You mainly talked about couples or single handing. It may be a little cozy at times, but great family fun.
I have lived on two so far. First was my 1984 Pearson 27 I bought for $2k and put very little money into after that. Lived on it for a year and half. My current boat is a 1983 Jeanneau Attalia 32 I bought for $3k and so far only spent $1500 on a solar and lithium setup. Great boat, terrible head but I deal with it, currently traveling the AICW on it.
Could you do one video where you explane all the terms you use to describe boats?
Like sougar scoop, gally, quater bearth, furling etc...?
Thank you, Sir, it really means a lot for you to share your wisdom with us. I'm a newly retired Veteran and looking for a good place/vessel to live on. Fair seas to you and everyone.
I love my '86 Catalina 30. Came with a tired diesel that I am going to rebuild soon. Lived on her for about three years now.
Totally agree with "go small and go now"! Best boat I ever had was a Beneteau First 27. Big enough for me, my girl and the cat, but small enough to handle easily on my own. Roller genoa furling as you say is a must. An anchor winch you can operate from the cockpit is another. Tiller steering wasn't a problem for me. I always kept my little Autohelm handy and just used that to hold course. The key thing is to be able to safely handle the boat on your own. Then you can invite your friends along for the ride without them having to be sailors.
One thing I didn’t hear you mention which is quite important for liveaboard sailors is standing headroom in the salon. The Laguna 26 ticks all your boxes plus has standing headroom for an average sized person; pretty impressive for a boat that size.
That is one thing I wish my Tanzer 26 had. The ceiling is just an inch or two short.
I think he made passing reference to it discussing the first one. But that is important. However, having said that, I’m 5’7”. I’ve got options! 😎
I have always been a Catalina 27 fan, big roomy cockpit and a substantial cabin with a wonderful galley and dining area. Many had the Atomic 4, but when you have them running well they do fine.
Tim, awesome video, really enjoyed it. But... what's your beef with tillers? I specifically was looking for a boat with a tiller and I glad I did. You can lock tiller just as you lock a wheel, look up Tiller Clutch or Tiller Tamer. I have a Tiller Tamer, but I still have it in a box, because I use the autopilot (tiller pilot) instead. Huge benefit of the tiller (besides the direct feel) is space saving - on anchor I kick the tiller up in a vertical position and have the full cockpit for myself and the guests. Last but not least, a tiller steering is 100x simpler and more reliable than steering wheel
I agree
Yup, I now own my first wheel helm sailboat and do believe of all the sailboats I have owned my favorite helm was a tiller with transom hung rudder. All around easy to inspect and maintain with the added benefit of instant input and feed back. Kicking the tiller up and out of the way when not in use is nice as well. Replacing the steering cables on my Edson helm is on my to do list but not looking forward to it. I'm all for simplicity when and where available.
Retiring in 2 years and plan to chill in the Caribbean. Really appreciate your advice and tips! Thank you Lady K
Thank you for watching!
Curious if you’ve ever covered Ericson? They have a great rep and lineage in the small to mid cruising area. The E27 or E29 would be in my top 5 tiny floating homes
In the summer 2021 I bought a 78 Ericson 32. Had a yanmar, solar, windlass and cheap diesel heater. Took it from Bellingham to Alaska on the Inside Passage. Did great. I could write a small book about the trip. I had no boating experience either. Lol
@@matthewhoopes4440 awesome. Looking forward to a similar journey in the near future.
@justinmhuerta . Man, hope you can. It was great. I think a Cat 25 would be good also but wouldn't go any smaller. Solar, windlass, auto pilot and a cheap diesel heater. I wouldn't go without any of those. People might say a windlass isn't necessary but personally, as a solo guy, I found it invaluable.
My Father owned a 28' Tartin that we sailed the Great Lakes from SE Michigan. Loved Mackinaw Island on 4th of July 1976.
Good video! If you do a follow-up you might mention the limited tankage on small boats - We've stayed aboard our Capri 26 for as much as three weeks, but with only 15 gallons of fresh water and 10 gallons of waste it can be autonomous for just 4-5 days with two people aboard.
Good point.
Mr lady k you have grown on me over the years and I can truly say you are my favorite sailing RUclips channel by a long shot ♥️❤️♥️ love ya loads and happy holidays to you and your family!!!!!!
I'm cruising on a Catalina 27 with an 11hp vetus. If you're just living at the dock it really doesn't matter, but you absolutely without a doubt need a diesel engine.I completely agree. Get the 30.
I bought a Bayfield 25, and lived on it for a month and a half with my dog. Also put 300nautical miles on it. Sturdy boat. Has a yanmar yg8 on it.
I have an S2 9.2c which is a 30' center cockpit sloop. It packs a lot of livability into a smaller boat with reasonable sailing performance. Mine is hull number 426 which was the last one made of this model. Has a yanmar 2GM20F which is all the boat really needs but these later production boats also came with an optional yanmar 3GM30F. Another nice feature of the later production S2 sailboats is that they have vinalester bottoms which means no blisters. Love this boat.
I picked up an S2 aft cockpit this fall for a great deal. This article and your post made me feel better about my boat. It's going to need bottom sanding and paint. Any advise on the S2?
I bought an S2 8.6 and it's been great. It's got everything I need to live aboard if I ever decided to do that. One area to watch is the chain plates. They were starting to leak, so I rebedded them all. Only found one soft spot in the deck coring, and since it was small, it was an easy fix.
Legendary content. As a newcomer trying to navigate which boat to buy, your videos are worth 100x more than others. I’ll look into the Patreon, thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Thanks so much for making me feel better about the boat I bought this fall, a 1979 S2 9m (29ft). Found it for less than $3k from Boat Angel. I met the previous owners and they helped me move it to boat storage from their yacht club (only 1 mile). They donated it because they didn't want to put the work into sanding and bottom paint. It's got a running Yanmar and a roller furling jib. The deck has this great nonslip diamond pattern in the gel coat. There's even some sort of raw water cooled air conditioning system (anyone heard of this?) The last owner took out the plumbing and installed a compost toilet. Should I look into replumbing it and install a new blackwater tank? Now I just have to teach myself how to do the bottom job and learn to sail before I bring it down the ICW 90nm to the marina near my home. Eventually I plan to sail south for the winters (Florida and maybe the Caribbean). My business is seasonal so I have the winters off. Any advise on learning to sail?
Do not reinstall a holding tank but learn to use the composting unit. You might stash a camp toilet for marinas which don't approve the composting unit. The previous owner knew what he was doing when he ditched the holding tanks.
S2 is a good boat, I had an 8.5 m for 25 yrs.
@@jamesbaldwin7676
@@jamesbaldwin7676😅
It's so cool how they have a livable interior with everything even a bathroom too! I'm so curious how they actually travel with just wind & how much of the motor becomes relied upon... Therr so cool.
I just got a great deal, 1973 Contessa 26 for $2000. Very easy to solo sail, comfortable for myself and my dog, and a very solid design.
Thanks for sharing that .
Can you stand up?
This is great. Thanks for your insights. Right now I belong to a sailing club in the SF Bay Area so I can try out lots of different boat. One of my favorites to sail is the Catalina 30. Totally comfortable for one or two people as a minimalist live aboard platform. Good advice on the "Catalina Smile." And you're right. They're always available for sale.
Also to emphasize your point on the Catalina 28 - there's one at the club as well. I couldn't believe how much room there was. And it had an enclosed head as well as afterberth. Very well thought out.
I'm totally fascinated by sailing now after watching your videos. I have never sailed before, but I definitely want to get into buying a small boat. A few things about boat ownership that seem a bit daunting to me are: the wiring, maneuvering around a marina, managing the sails, and any engine work that might be needed.
You can do it!
Novice sailer here, currently fixing up an Ericson 29. It has tiller steering and a dead Atomic 4. I converted the old gas tank to diesel for my space heater. Was thinking of going electric but the 8 hp outboard i got for it works plenty well for now. My plan is to use the boat as a summer home and putter around Lobster Bay
👍👍👍👍 you described my next boat to a T. Very useful info. If you wrote a book on this topic you would sell a ton. Skip the trailer sailer and go for a 25-30 footer with a stand up cabin, that is my goal. Thanks Tim
I have been living on my '73 Ranger 29, a Gary Mull design for 10 years. I switched my tiller to a wheel using a Yamaha V-star motorcycle rear differential. My fo'sail is a hank on jib selection with a downhaul led back to the cockpit. Even tho I solo sail, it would comfortably accommodate two.
I have an O'day 28. Solid, sails well and roomy for its size. I do not live on it, but certainly one could. When looking to purchase seriously considered the Pearson 28.
I have an O'day 272 lots of headroom and fast. I have no problem living on it.
I loved the tiller on my 28' S2. I used an Autohelm 800 autopilot to hold it in position.
These are all good choices. I am thinking of Mirage. Tanzers always seem to be around.
Yes depends on your geo. In the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence area there's a lot of good boats from Paceship, C&C, Tanzer, CS, Bayfield, Niagara, etc.
We have a Dixie 27 with solar (powers the fridge, induction oven, lights and any electronics needed), inboard diesel motor, septic toilet, water for 2 weeks easily. sleeps 5, we sail each summer for 4-8 weeks with no problem.
thank you for showing all these boats! 😊
I bought a 25 O'Day 1976 for around $4.5k in 2009. It needed cosmetic work only. I only had it a couple of years before I sold it but it was one of the best times I've ever had. It had 5 berths, a bathroom with a hand sink, a kitchen counter with a gas grill and an ice box, the main and jib sails, a wooden tiller, and an outboard. I had a hammock on it as well. I kept it at a nearby marina that was within walking distance in NYC. It was awesome to hang out on it and not go back to my 1 BR apartment. Totally liveable if I were a single guy... After selling it, the next guy broke it.
Great video. It was perfect. The last boat you mentioned is one I'm looking at right now in SF CA. The tips you gave are ones I made a note of. It's a 1988 Catalina 30-footer. This boat has the Universal Diesel M25 XP. It's really clean and they're asking $25k. From what you said that sounds like it might be a little on the high side. Thanks for your video.
Thanks for watching!
I have a 1998 Catalina 28mii. Walk through transom, wheel Steering, Universal diesel. Wet head , stern shower, perfect pocket cruiser for weekend or even longer cruise.
We bought an ‘88 Catalina 30 MKII last spring for less than $25k US. No soft spots, no smile, and a Universal M25 diesel. There were some leaky stanchions that we took care. We are loving this boat!
Always loved the Irwin Center cockpits for design. With a not too big boat you get a bedroom in the front and in the back. Not sure how they sail, I've never had one, I just always love the pics and vids of those boats. The Pearson looks so good and workable though.
My wife and I purchased an Albin Vega with an almost new Beta Marine 16 for less than $5000 (€4500). It’s a gorgeous boat in very good condition which we can easily live on together. We bought this boat to learn to sail. We are planning a trip around England (from Holland). Eventually we are going to sell our house and buy a much larger boat. For now the Albin Vega will do very fine 😉
@LadyKsailing._-_ I watch them all 😉
Great vid. This is exactly where I am currently, I am going to do one more season in my 82 Com-Pac 23. It was rough when I bought it, cracked hull just aft of the poured concrete ballast in the keel, cracked/broken deck and gel coat where the outboard fuel tank goes in the rear of the cockpit and I had to rebuild the mast tabernacle. New sails and new standing and running rigging (as well as a refurb on the main that came with it) and she was ready to sail... oh, and a brand new 9.9 Merc. So, as a solo sailor (not counting my furry first mate) I am going to be in the market for a decent 28-30' to retire on so this vid was very timely. Thank you for the great work you do and the information you provide.
Watkins boats are a good sailing/ livaboard choice, I’ve owned 3 over the years 2 27’s and a 29’.
Love the channel, I would highly recommend a Swanson 27. Built like little tanks, yanmar powered, great hull shape.
Alice and I have lived on our Cal 2-27 for over 25years. We cruise the inside passage in summer, live in a marina in town in winter.
Thanks for the great information. I’ve always heard people talk about Catalina’s and I’m not even in the sailing community…yet!
not doing a live aboard but i wanted standup room, trailerable with a retractable keel for super shallow draft. I ended up with a 1985 Oday 26 and yes i did recore a section of deck and replaced the starboard bulkhead. but it came with a 4 stroke outboard, newer standing rigging, 5 sails including a spinnaker, roller furling, trailer, dingy. I love it.
That’s an awesome boat!
So livable the last one. Very nice.
Hello from Sherbrooke in the province of Quebec. Thank you for this video. You confirm the result of my research on sailboat data and my plans for the next year. I've just bought a couple of months ago a 1989 Pearson 272 that I'm currently updating. The previous owner neglect it for the past few years. I've paid 8k$US and pretty happy with the quality of construction of the Pearson. Thank you!
Tim,
I literally laughed out loud when you said “ 100 miles with a tiller sucks!” Btw I own an Albin Balland 30 (with a wheel). She also has a small 13 horse Volvo Penta that sips fuel. I liked all your choices for small boats and for 5 grand, 3 years ago, she fits your qualifications. Your “Go small, go simple and go now “ is great advice. I mostly sail the Chesapeake from Virginia Beach. Being retired, I go often, and love it. Thanks for sharing. Great video!
R/ Jim Grigsby
R/ Jim
I get my sailing fix with a trailer sailer and that’s all I really want but daydreaming about a bigger boat I always thought of a Catalina 30 but after looking at a number of them I started shifting to the Catalina 28 for a number of reasons. Engine placement and access on the 28 seems far superior and the interior layout just seems to flow better, but I must admit I haven’t spent the night on either. Cheers and good luck.
and (as per a commenter above) the slips are cheaper and less waiting time ü
Thank you for sharing so much seasoned advice, I’m looking to live aboard out in the blue⛵️
No mention of the C&C 30? :) The truth is there are a lot of great live-aboard boats between between 27' and 32'... Pearson, Ericson, Catalina, Bristol, etc. Great episode!
I met a guy with a westery 22 and he had 6-10 head room a inboard and was set up to cruise long term I was really impressed
Yes, I had a 1988 Catalina 30 for many years, just sold it. Very roomy inside, and a very capable boat. I used to rent my nearby beach house on Airbnb, and stay on the boat in the warmer months. That paid for all my boat expenses, however the province of BC, and the local town have outlawed that.
Columbia, Catalina, Newport, basically the same set up.. I’ve had them all 28 to 34 and enjoyed each one and each one I threw on a 15hp outboard bypassing whatever OEM. Tiller boats are great in the marina you can actually move the boat under tiller power.
That last one looked nice.
I could have easily lived aboard that when I was single and been happy.
Your channel is INSPIRING ! Great job sir. 👏. Definately got me motivated for a sailboat. Greetings from the UK 🇬🇧
Look at my 2003 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32. It’s $49,000, but it has two full berths, all lines lead aft, new sails. I lived on it for over 6 years and spent time improving everything. It’s on Yachtworld and is in Alameda, CA.
Looks nice!
Random question. How often do you see hydroponic gardens on a boat? How sustainable is growing plants on a ship? What size boats have them?
We had a Catalina 27. Great sailing boat, pretty fast, great bathroom, yanmar diesel, wheel steering, roller Genoa, wing keel. We got a Catalina 30 a few years later. Much more comfortable and spacious but not quite a fast, deeper draft, but another great boat. A little light for big water tho.
I had an 87 Pearson 33-2.. one of the best boats I ever owned
In 1992 I purchased my Ericson 25T and have lived aboard since tgen. The frikin marinas now want a minumimum of 35 footer to liveaboard in a marina. But I love my Ericson. It has a full head, nice galley, storage and comfortable sail with a nearly 10 foot beam. I have a Yanmar diesel. Tge V-berth is large and the starboard couch pulls out and doubles the sleeping area. There are lockers under every couch, V-berth and aft berth plus huge storage in the lazaretts.
I own a mirage 24 and can sleep family of 4 that includes 2 kids over weekend adventures in Georgian Bay Area. For the tiller I just use a tiller tammer. It’s also pretty fast cheep w. Roller furler and available for under $3k.
Very nicely presented!…informative and to the point…. I live on a Catalina 30’ btw