Hi all, as the title suggests, wondering what i should look at to get into sailing. Have had experience on powerboats (Dad's), but would like to buy a Sail Boat as my first boat.
Any suggestions on a good starter? I live in Perth, so would like to use it on the Swan at first, and take my family out every other weekend. Possibly once i have some experience, getting out to Rotto.
I have some experience at sailing, did a course and also raced for 5-6 months a couple of years back, before the first little one came. Obviously i think a refresher course or two would be a good idea 
As a side note, budget only goes up to around the 35k mark.
Hi Kojin
Have you looked at this one http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/spacesailer-27-high-noon-35-000-use-of-mooring-available/159185
They have aves a good reputation and the Spacesailer range are popular in WA and this one looks nice in the advert
I believe that that people have sailed 27's around the world
Don't be afraid to make a low offer if you think it might be suitable
www.spacesailer27.org.au
Regards Don
Or you could look at this one.
Nice light carbon mast for lowering under the bridges.
www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/trailer-boats/used/
Boats name is Riff Raff
Thanks for the replies so far all. Probably leaning towards are trailer boat for the first one.
And i've been reading up about the Macgregor 26X. I know it seems to be quite a contentious boat, either you love it or hate it, but would this be suitable as beginner boat?
Select to expand quoteKojin said..
Thanks for the replies so far all. Probably leaning towards are trailer boat for the first one.
And i've been reading up about the Macgregor 26X. I know it seems to be quite a contentious boat, either you love it or hate it, but would this be suitable as beginner boat?
if you don't like the idea of spending long hours fixing and maintaining a boat then get a trailer sailor. but maintaining and fixing a boat gives you time to learn about the boat, every piece of it. this makes things safer as my opinion is sailing is the easy part. to be safe at sea I want to know my boat inside and out, and understand every part and how to fix it.
if you go the route of the Macgregor you will get a boat with a sail but not a sailing boat. I think that you will also get frustrated after 12 months and want to move on to something better if sailing is your love. if you want to find out if you like sailing there are plenty of cheaper boats to dip your toe in the water.
I think that anything under 40ft can be a beginner boat. docking a bigger boat gets a bit harder.
hg02 had a link to a old walker h28 going cheap in WA. would need some work but your work would translate into boat knowledge. im bais though as I have a h28. I bought my cheap learning boat about 3 years ago and after 4 sails I realised that it was time to upgrade so 12 months later I got the h28.
Select to expand quoteKojin said..
Thanks for the replies so far all. Probably leaning towards are trailer boat for the first one.
And i've been reading up about the Macgregor 26X. I know it seems to be quite a contentious boat, either you love it or hate it, but would this be suitable as beginner boat?
you cant have your cake and eat it too !!!!
they dont sail well !
and they look stupid / weird when motoring !!
if you want a sail boat / yacht ......... dont get a Macgregor
If I have cake I most certainly want to eat it, what else is cake if not for eating?
Regarding the MacGregor, what SandS says is very true, they are a compromise and don't sail well or motor well.
Hi Kojin,
When I saw your post my immediate thought was a Columbia 27
Positives are:
Easy to sail one handed
Children can get actively involved in handling sheets ,tiller etc in light breezes
Well set out down below with plenty of headroom and even an enclosed head which equates to good for misses to get meals,sleep overnight etc.
Internal liner
Well built
Plenty of room in cockpit with the plus of the mainsheet track on coachroof
If too much sail up they round up before doing anything silly
Masthead rig which in my opinion is easier to sail
After all that I looked at the spacesailer recommended by Donk and below deck is almost identical and layout above deck the same.
I would really recommed tge spacesailer
My family of three daughters under the age of 13 plus wife plus inlaws had some great days on port phillip bay .
Then I got the racing bug and sold her .... Bugger.
Select to expand quote
Kojin said..
Thanks for the replies so far all. Probably leaning towards are trailer boat for the first one.
And i've been reading up about the Macgregor 26X. I know it seems to be quite a contentious boat, either you love it or hate it, but would this be suitable as beginner boat?
Now settle down, do not do anything rash. I thought you mentioned a sail boat.
Here is a picture of the 2014 model MacGregor, it is the second from the left
You can download a Macgregor owners manual here www.macgregor26.com/instruction_manual/OWNERS%20INSTRUCTIONS.pdf
it it is quite a interesting read as it is almost a manual for someone with no sailing experience
regards Don
Haha Riff Raff i like the photo of the 'Macgregor'. I get everyone's point on the Mac tho, i was leaning that way anyway, but needed the wife to see what others thought of it lol. She just didnt believe me...
Anway still leaning towards a trailer boat, as mooring/ boat pens etc see quite pricey? And we have lots of room to store a trailer luckily.
The Spacesailer looks nice Donk, but im guessing its not on a trailer?
Anyway, what do you all think of these?
http://yachthub.com/list/boats-for-sale/used/trailer-boats/austral-clubman-8-reduced/151369
Looks nice, but probably a bit above our budget
www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/private/used/SSE-AD-2898761/1994-Elliott-780
But... wrong state.
www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/trailer-boats/one-off-kevin-back-built-boat/147194
Cant find any info at all online about Kevin Back boats... all i get is Kevin 07..
I dunno, may be I'm getting a bit carried away with the first two? Any opinions appreciated 
Oh and the trailer weight shouldn't be to much of an issue, I'll just pinch the old mans car..
And Riff Raff looks nice enough from the photos aswell.
Hi ,
I recommend coming for a twilight sail with us
At SoPYC. Wednesday nights from 6pm.
I'll get you a ride on a few different yachts then you
Can work out which you like.
Don't buy without trying a few different types.
Pens aren't that expensive if you join a club and participate
in racing. Message me your email address and I'll organise
a sail and some free tuition.
Totally agree with the spacey 27 as a fantastic all around
Option for that price range. You would likely have change out of $35k after all costs.
After 20 years of carting a trailer around I can tell stepping onto the boat and getting on the water in under 10 mins is the answer.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
Macgregors, they are the saddest boat a Scots man ever put his name to.
But once upon time they made the beautiful Macgregor 65
I'm also considering a Mac26M at the moment.
I've read through a few forum threads and seen many experienced skippers provide alternative Trailer-Yachts to the Mac but here's my take on that....
Alternatives are either 2-3 times the age or 2-3 times the price (per foot)!
The cabins fit-outs look basic, primitive and well dated compared a Mac....any Mac!
I venture not offshore and I like to take it easy so why would I need anything more than what appeals to me ... a Mac!
Just my inexperienced 2 cents worth.
All the best.
Neo
Neo7,
I'm really offended 
my Top Hat is, wait for it, is forty six years young.
Nothing wrong with her and as some here know I'm about to do a Flinders with her.
Their age shall not weary them, only neglect and hard groundings!
I'm not sure but Cisco should have put up B.O.A.T for you
B= bring
O= on
A= another
T= thousand
Mines old as well 1977 she was built bit of TTLC and lots of hours
I feel this is not a bad buy bit of hagglinghttp://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kilsyth/sail-boats/sail-boat-kan-walker-design-like-a-h28-but-bigger-ready-to-go/1069866172
It's a long way from Perth but here is a nice starter boat.
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/thomas-31-masthead-sloop/112903
The fold up/down vanity sink in the head is an interesting touch but yeah, a lot of boat for the money.
