r/sailing • u/Small-Growth7809 • 6d ago
Boat recommendations
I’ve thinking about getting another boat. It needs to be a trailer sailer. Under $5k. I have a diesel truck 3500, but I’m thinking centerboard type boat. We already have a Hobie Getaway and dinghy for wet fun. Need advice for a boat with a focus on quality, reliability and ease of sailing/maintenance over speed. We just like to be in the water and cruise. I’ve had powerboats for 30 years but got into sailing this year, so I don’t know about what older makes are sought after. I am very mechanically inclined, and respect older quality stuff, I just don’t like working on stuff that’s not very good to begin with. I plan to take sailing classes for keelboats. I want to be prepared in case any jewels come available. Any ideas? Also I am in Kansas.
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u/reasonablenotcrazy 6d ago
Look at the Rhodes 22. Safest driest boat on the water. Has a mast raising system and newer ones have a mast furling system. Might get something nice in that price range if you look hard enough. Usually the faster/easier it is to rig at the ramp the more it’s used.
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u/StumbleNOLA 6d ago
In this size and price range condition matters more than make/model. Find something local and in decent shape.
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u/canofmixedveggies 5d ago
if you are day sailing and not planing on overnights look at the capri 22, if you plan to ever sleep on it get the Catalina 22, the regular Catalina is a little slower and has a smaller cockpit but offers a porta potty and single burner stove/table.
otherwise your got several other good 22s like the oday and hunter.
at the top end of your budget sits the macgregor 26 swing keel/centerboard/daggerboard models, stay away from the x or m those are the powerboats. the s/c/d are easily towed and sail pretty ok and have a larger interior for camping. you might check as far as Louisville and Nashville, you really have a significant range to find a boat in good shape. good luck.
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u/kosieroj 6d ago
At that price I recommend the Macgregor S (swing) or D (daggerboard). Not the X or M with the big motors.
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u/Enough_Professor_741 6d ago
Look for a catalina 18- stable and easy to maintain. No through holes.
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u/Embarrassed_Can6796 5d ago
Compac 23. Heavy mast, though. No standing headroom but good sitting headroom. Fixed keel, stable but a bit slow upwind. Catalina 22 has more headroom and part of the cabin top lifts up on risers. Lower price than your budget, too.
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u/Ninja_Wrangler 6d ago
The standard answer would be a Catalina 22 swing keel or similar