PS Advisor
May 2009 Issue
PS Advisor: Boat Buyers on the Prowl
Down market draws out the bargain hunters.
Every so often, I find myself boat shopping and turn to the reviews in "Practical Boat Buying." I’m looking for a trailerable, 20- to 26-foot, easy to rig, singlehandable boat—and fast wouldn’t hurt either. I am a beginner, thinking about the Rhodes 22, Tanzer 22, O’Day 23, or Balboa 26. Did I mention I didn’t have a lot of money to spend? Al Otman Of the four you suggest, the Rhodes appeals to us most. We have very few serious negative comments from Rhodes owners on file. The hefty Lyle Hess- Photo by Tim Burse Tim Busse’s Brigadoon, a lovely Yankee Dolphin (Hull No. 102), awaits its next mission on Lake Carlyle, Ill. Do you have any reviews/recommendations/etc. for pocket cruisers that would be appropriate for a couple on Chesapeake Bay? Years ago, we sailed our FJ on inland lakes in Colorado and enjoyed it very much. We are now looking forward to retiring in a few years, and we would enjoy getting comfortable with a fixed-keel boat. Lately, we have enjoyed daysailing around Annapolis, Md., in a Rainbow 24 and a Rhodes 19. We are now looking for something with a cabin and head that is safe for us to take on some overnighters, for example, from Annapolis to St. Michaels. I don’t believe we are interested in racing or that we would do much trailering—however, it might be nice to have that option for storage. Tom Gargan You might consider some of the boats that came out of an appeal to readers for trailerable pocket cruisers. That query netted a wide assortment of recommendations including the 22-foot Falmouth cutter from Sam Morse and Co., the Bruce Bingham-designed Flicka 20 or Compaq 23, the Nor’ Sea 27, and for multihull fans, the Corsair F-24. There are many less-expensive coastal sailers to include. Our Cape Dory 25 comes to mind as a contender, as does the Pearson Triton. Again, we stress the importance of a well-kept boat and a stellar survey. We expect our other readers will have plenty of suggestions in this category as well. If getting sailing soon is your goal, don’t settle for a fixer upper, or you’ll wind up like us (see photo, above right) with all kinds of maintenance hobbies that don’t involve time on the water. Here are some criteria worth noting: a reputable design, solid support network, meticulous previous owner, and a sparkling survey. Hopefully some other readers will chime in with their views on the best trailer-sailer for a Great Lakes beginner with your pre-requisites.
Lake Superior, Minn.
designed Balboa is a worthy gunkholer, but the boat is heavy to tow, and it is hard to find one in good condition. The Tanzer has a loyal following and active owner’s association (
Fort Detrich, Md.
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