I'm researching sail boats for beginners, any advice or suggestions would be helpful. I live near Moreton Bay but want to eventually be able to sail in open water.

Thought there was topic on this general question recently but can't find it now so maybe not.

To get more focused answers, suggest best to advise;

1 Assume you will be sailing at least 2 up initially till you gain suitable skills and experience - is this correct?
2 Did you want a fixed keeler or trailer sailer able to tow home and up the coast to other areas?
3 Budget and age of yacht you have in mind? Are you expecting to do some maintenance and repairs etc on your initial purchase?
4 Assuming you have done some preliminary searching is there a yacht which appeals as a likely contender - eg a Tophat 25 or Spacesailer 24 or other?

Doing an introductory sailing course is recommended but not mandatory depending on your prior experience with boats and yachts, or off the beach craft. eg;

southerncrossyachting.com.au/product/introduction-to-sailing/

Insurance for an inexperienced owner and older yacht can be an issue - search the many threads on insurance on the forum. You need at least 3rd party.

Suggest also search for prior threads on standing rigging life - 10 years being the normal renewal needed by insurance companies - but as per the threads this does not mean that standing rigging is going to break after 10 years - operational use, corrosion and maintenance being a factor obviously.

I would suggest dinghy sailing first up. Find a club in your area, hang around and get a crewing spot first off then buy your own as cheap as possible. With dinghy sailing you will quickly learn all about consequences. Buying a yacht first of is never a good idea unless your over 70.

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SvenBanklin said..
I'm researching sail boats for beginners, any advice or suggestions would be helpful. I live near Moreton Bay but want to eventually be able to sail in open water.

Hey SB

Whats your budget?
What size you thinking?
Are you planning just day trips or weeks away?

I am with Ramona dinghy first.

To be honest my plan is to definitely get some professional lessons, I doubt this is something I could do with a few YouTube tutes.

I'm hoping to get something I can comfortably and safely continue to learn in whilst also exploring Moreton Bay. I also want it to be big enough to convince the missus to come out for day trips.

I like the sound of something about 18ft I can tow on a trailer and from what I've seen for sale I can pick up something in pretty reasonable condition for under 10k.

I'm yet to read about insurance but it sounds like a must have.

Buy a Corsair 16 foot dinghy on a trailer for about a grand. Very comfortable and easy to sail. Take the missus out and get her wet and have a few capsizes. Have your missus stand in the water at the boat ramp holding the boat while you get the car/trailer. Much better to toss a grand around than to drop 10 grand on a trailer sailer and find the rest of the family don't share your passion.

Or a Hartley 16 has the benefit of a bit of protection

Missus and I bought a 28 ft Santana sloop and learned to sail on Pittwater NSW. We had never sailed before but I did know how to handle paddlewheelers on the Murray River. Sailing is a whole knew adventure and with the help of this forum we were able to have thoroughly enjoyable days out. The boat is big enough to sleep on with all ' Mod Con ' but small enough to sail single handed, which I can and do. Just get the boat you like and do it. Give the forum a laugh like I did.

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woko said..
Or a Hartley 16 has the benefit of a bit of protection

I was actually just looking at a Hartley TS16. I've been getting into dinghy racing for the past year or so (Pacer, 125) and I'm confident enough to be dangerous, but would love to get something a bit bigger for day sailing with the other half and even some camping.

How radically different from dinghy sailing is it to step up to something like a Hartley or other 16ft half cab trailer sailer?

I had a Hartley TS 16 and it was a great boat. In a decent breeze they are like sailing a very heavy Sabre or something. Go quite well and a racing version will plane.
They can capsize so don't cleat the main but are pretty seaworthy otherwise. Easier to sail than a dinghy in many ways.
TBH the biggest difference you might not consider is you are committed to boat ramps for launching. Also outboard motors and wheel bearings.
l still miss that 'day at the beach feel' of a sailing dinghy.
Depends where and how you sail.

They are a bit a way of life..great boats.

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garymalmgren said..
I am with Ramona dinghy first.

You to always add a quirky perspective. I really smiled watching these two. Cheers mate.

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Ramona said..
Buy a Corsair 16 foot dinghy on a trailer for about a grand. Very comfortable and easy to sail. Take the missus out and get her wet and have a few capsizes. Have your missus stand in the water at the boat ramp holding the boat while you get the car/trailer. Much better to toss a grand around than to drop 10 grand on a trailer sailer and find the rest of the family don't share your passion.

Good advise
and a Corsair is a great camper cruiser

Like madmouse said a little outboard, trailer, wheel bearings & boat ramps become part of your boating life. One person can step the mast they are capsizeable I never managed to capsize mine it would round up if pressed too hard. I put reef points in the main and made a furler for the jib, made a great camp cruiser, sandy strait was a high light. I believe they are still actively campaigned

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capsizeoften said..

woko said..
Or a Hartley 16 has the benefit of a bit of protection

I was actually just looking at a Hartley TS16. I've been getting into dinghy racing for the past year or so (Pacer, 125) and I'm confident enough to be dangerous, but would love to get something a bit bigger for day sailing with the other half and even some camping.

How radically different from dinghy sailing is it to step up to something like a Hartley or other 16ft half cab trailer sailer?

Hartley's are fine but the accommodation is very cramped. That size boat a camping tent might be a better solution. They sail well for what they are. I had a Status 19 for a couple of years, I was still racing an OK dinghy at the same period. These are a 19 foot daysailer designed by Van de Stadt in fibreglass and a cast iron keel. Self righting and a self draining cockpit and a true delight to sail. Flat cockpit floor ideal for a camping tent. Cost wise now they are about the same as a good Hartley.

Ya want nostalgia. Here you go.
Don't pick all the (safety) faults, just relax and enjoy.
And for BB , a bit of quirky perspective (thanks)

That's such a wonderful family video.
It brought back childhood memories of holidaying on the central coast (Hiring floats at Long Jetty, snokeling at Toowoon Bay etc)
While I didn't get to sail in my formative years I have enjoyed the last twenty greatly.

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garymalmgren said..
Ya want nostalgia. Here you go.
Don't pick all the (safety) faults, just relax and enjoy.
And for BB , a bit of quirky perspective (thanks)

great vid of two lads exploring and having a great time.

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Ramona said..

capsizeoften said..

woko said..
Or a Hartley 16 has the benefit of a bit of protection

I was actually just looking at a Hartley TS16. I've been getting into dinghy racing for the past year or so (Pacer, 125) and I'm confident enough to be dangerous, but would love to get something a bit bigger for day sailing with the other half and even some camping.

How radically different from dinghy sailing is it to step up to something like a Hartley or other 16ft half cab trailer sailer?

Hartley's are fine but the accommodation is very cramped. That size boat a camping tent might be a better solution. They sail well for what they are. I had a Status 19 for a couple of years, I was still racing an OK dinghy at the same period. These are a 19 foot daysailer designed by Van de Stadt in fibreglass and a cast iron keel. Self righting and a self draining cockpit and a true delight to sail. Flat cockpit floor ideal for a camping tent. Cost wise now they are about the same as a good Hartley.

No doubt the accommodation on a TS 16 is cramped, a swag either side of the centre board case, with full sitting head room ( if you take your night cap off) the cockpit offers a similar amount of realestate, 2x swags 2x eskys little butane stove a billy, pot, frypan maybe 20l of water and a carton of beer. I digress I've not seen the status 19 but being of fibre glass & self righting has obvious benefits, I guess they aren't centerboarders ? Anyway my initial suggestion to the op was that the cuddly offered some shelter

Tilting lifting cast iron centerboard with a winch. Two people can lay down under the cuddy cabin. This was mine from a long time ago.



That yellow spinnaker was the first sail I ever made. There was an article in Seacraft on how to make a radial head spinnaker and I made it all the one colour to keep the cost down.
I only ever sailed on a Hartley once as crew in a strong Westerly and we lost the mast over the side!

Some history there ! They look like a big little boat, will keep my eye out

I would be surprised if the Status 19 was self righting. I would say about same as a Hartley 16.
Ultimate 18 is self righting if that is important to you.

120kg in the keel but has to be locked down. Hartleys stay upside down!

www.rlyachts.net/indexStatus.asp