| I had an O'Day Javelin before moving up to a cruising boat. In many ways
it was a pretty good quality boat. Just looking at the MacGregor's I've
seen at boat shows, I didn't see the same quality. Most surveyors and racers
I talk to don't care too much for them, but (as you said) the price causes
a tradeoff. Check the P/S article. I believe they mentioned some problems
with the mast in winds over 20 knots..
Rick
* Have you considered a used 25' boat, like a Catalina 25 or equivilent?
Given the hurricane, you have to be careful, but used boats are a pretty
good buy these days.
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| Rich:
You sound like you are on a similar pursuit to what I have done.
I started with a circa 1974 Sunfish in 1983 (which I still have),
had a used 1981 ComPac 16 in 84-85 and purchased a new ComPac 19-II in August.
I am a firm believer in buying used boats. My latest is a new boat - which
was extravagance on my part - I just HAD to have the new features on the
'85 model of the 19.
If you have $10K to spend and want to get the most boat for your money, and
get most of it back when you trade it in a few years as most of us do, I would
recommend putting your money into a well built used boat. You will get more
boat and it will be worth a lot more when you want to sell it, as well as
having fewer maintenance headaches along the way. The sort of problems one
may have with a poorly constructed boat are not necessarily minor things that
can be easily repaired. Many of them are serious structural problems.
As far as the financial aspects, It cost me $200 depreciation ($4400 - $4200)
to keep my ComPac 16 for 17 months. I believe I could sell my Sunfish for
what I paid ($600) 28 months ago. I know I will not get back that close to what
I paid for my new boat.
Several of the lower priced boats have bad reputations for quality and
durability. From reading sailing magazines, Practical Sailor, listening
to this notes file and talking with the owners of the Marina where I keep
my boat, I am convinced there are no "bargains". You get what you pay for.
Certain manufacturers advertise that their boats cost less because they have
perfected mass production techniques. It is interesting that these are the
same brand of boats whose ports pop out if the rigging is overtightened.
Bill
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| I'd stay away from the MacGregor if I were you. Morever, in the small boat
market <27', volume manufacturs like Catalina and Hunter have overwhelmed
the competition in recent years - to the point, where many manufacturers
don't even build small cruisers anymore. Catalina is a decent boat to buy
now and resale later. Hunter????
-RPR-
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| Hunters do fairly well in holding resale value. Just looking at the market
price in the globe, sailing rags, and lists from dealers, the 33 I bought
is worth as much as when I bought it. They're not the same as a Bristol,
but ok for a slob like me.
"Sail Away" new boats are often just barely that. In buying my boat used
I got oversized sheets and blocks, where the new boat might have the bare
minimum required. I got 7 winches, the new boat has 3. I got six sails
(40,80,130,150,main,spinaker) and full spinaker gear, the new boat comes with
a 110 and main. I had all my lines running back to the cockpit, the new boat
would have you go to the mast to do everything. Boom vang, adjustable backstay,
etc..etc...
These should be included when you compare prices, or total cost to put it
in the water.
Rick
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