cortezaero
New Member
I have two boats and only space and money for one.
1. 1980 Cortez 16' sailboat; good condition, just needs mostly costmetic work.
2. 1989 Sea Ray 19' Open bow runabout, 135 HP Mercury; needs engine tune-up, needs crusties cleaned off the hull/motor, may have wood rot problems; was in a slip and flooded because of rain. I'm not sure how long it was flooded.
A couple of years ago I was single and keeping just the sailboat would be an easy decision. I'm not very experienced with sailing, but I love it! However, I am now married with 3 step-kids who have no boating experience. The sailboat really only has seating for 4 topside, others would have to go in the small cabin. I grew up waterskiing and really enjoy it. I'm concerned that my kids (8, 12, and 13) will find sailing boring compared to the stinkpot.
On a trailer-sailer website someone suggested getting a stack of Sunfish and selling the other boats. I owned a Sunfish for a couple of years and have never had so much fun on the water.
Any advice on this?
Is it over-the-top to get 5 Sunfish's so that everyone can sail at once?
Can I realistically get 5 SF for about $1500 that will be in decent shape? I paid $300 for my last one and it was in decent shape; had a leak I needed to find.
I am pretty confident I could get a utility trailer and modify it to carry 3-4 boats with one another on top of my full-size van.
My sailing options are everything from Roosevelt Lake; 90 miles away, 22 miles long (great wind!). Tempe Town Lake; 30 miles away, very popular for sailing, 4-5 miles long. My neighborhood has manmade 'lakes' that are about 4 blocks long and pretty narrow, but are only a couple of blocks away (reclaimed, treated water).
I'd appreciate any advice.
My main objective is to build family time on the water while spending as little as possible!
Thanks!
1. 1980 Cortez 16' sailboat; good condition, just needs mostly costmetic work.
2. 1989 Sea Ray 19' Open bow runabout, 135 HP Mercury; needs engine tune-up, needs crusties cleaned off the hull/motor, may have wood rot problems; was in a slip and flooded because of rain. I'm not sure how long it was flooded.
A couple of years ago I was single and keeping just the sailboat would be an easy decision. I'm not very experienced with sailing, but I love it! However, I am now married with 3 step-kids who have no boating experience. The sailboat really only has seating for 4 topside, others would have to go in the small cabin. I grew up waterskiing and really enjoy it. I'm concerned that my kids (8, 12, and 13) will find sailing boring compared to the stinkpot.
On a trailer-sailer website someone suggested getting a stack of Sunfish and selling the other boats. I owned a Sunfish for a couple of years and have never had so much fun on the water.
Any advice on this?
Is it over-the-top to get 5 Sunfish's so that everyone can sail at once?
Can I realistically get 5 SF for about $1500 that will be in decent shape? I paid $300 for my last one and it was in decent shape; had a leak I needed to find.
I am pretty confident I could get a utility trailer and modify it to carry 3-4 boats with one another on top of my full-size van.
My sailing options are everything from Roosevelt Lake; 90 miles away, 22 miles long (great wind!). Tempe Town Lake; 30 miles away, very popular for sailing, 4-5 miles long. My neighborhood has manmade 'lakes' that are about 4 blocks long and pretty narrow, but are only a couple of blocks away (reclaimed, treated water).
I'd appreciate any advice.
My main objective is to build family time on the water while spending as little as possible!
Thanks!