Probably a Dumb Question...

[johncharmon]

Hi,

I'm new to sailing and looking for a used DS around the Orlando area. I've looked a a couple already but they didn't seem to be in very good shape for the asking price. This one on eBay doesn't look too bad in the pictures but who knows until I get over to take a look. My question is that it doesn't look like the other DS I have looked at. I appreciate anything that you can tell me about this on whether it looks like a decent deal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT

Thanks,
John

[Jett]

Nice enough looking boat, but it's not a DaySailer. I can't quite make out the emblem on the sail, but it looks like a Precision sailboat, perhaps a 13 or 14. Wouldn't venture a guess as to whether it's a decent deal, but at least you should know it's not a DS1 or other variation of the DaySailer class.

[seandwyer]

Hi John,

Welcome to the forum.

This boat may be a day sailor, but it isn't a Daysailer which is a one design boat. This boat seems to be a 14 footer, with a dagger board and no cuddy cabin. I Googled P14 which is on the sail and I think the manufacturer is AMF, but since sails can always be removed from one boat and used on another I'm not certain.

A Daysailer is a 17' (16' 9" actually), centerboard sailboat with a small cuddy.

As for the boat you have here, it may be an OK deal - it does come with a motor, so really you will need to look at it and see what condition it is in.

Good luck!

[jcalvinmarks]

I'll go ahead and drop my two cents in ...

As they've said, it is not a Daysailer. I've checked the photo archives on http://www.sailingtexas.com, and it does appear to be a Precision 14.

For my money, $1,500 for a 14-footer is no great shakes, but I'm one for a real bargain. If you try, you should certainly be able to do better than that for a 14-footer, or about that for a proper Daysailer in servicable shape.[/url]

[ChrisB]

John,

No such thing as dumb questions!

This boat looks like a Precision 14 (Precision Boat Works in Palmetto, Florida). Looks like it is in fairly good condition and a good buy for the $$$. Because it is smaller, lighter, and a more open design, it will likely be a more tender boat and probably wetter than the Daysailer. Also, the daggerboard design could be more of a pain in Florida's shallow waters than a centerboard boat.

[seandwyer]

This one is far away from you, but maybe you could meet the owner half way. For the money this looks like a decent boat. I just love these - looks like the woodwork is in definite need of attention.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SAILBOAT ... 27af29d5d9

[johncharmon]

Thanks for all the help. Good point on the centerboard since the lakes I was planning on sailing are fairly shallow. I forgot to mention that I need something that I can tow a short distance behind a Ford Focus, so it has to be fairly small.

[jdubes]

With a Ford Focus, i would steer you towards your first boat choice in your post. The 19' boat in the most recent post is probably 700-1000lbs heavier than an O'Day DaySailer.

[johncharmon]

Yep, trying to keep in around 15' max. Here was the first one I looked at but it needed a lot of work. I"m sure I can find something better for the price.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/1589456698.html

[ChrisB]

Keep in mind that $1200 is fairly inexpensive for a sailboat. As long as the hull is in fairly sound condition and the sails are not completely blown out, a "fixer-upper" is to be expected in the price range. With a Focus, you can probably tow up to about 1000 pounds, particularly in the flatlands of Florida without making the car wheeze too much. That would put you up to the 17 or 18 foot range. Just for comparison, a Flying Scot is a 19 footer and is about 1200 pounds on the trailer. They can't be found for less than about $2500 though.

[seandwyer]

How about this for a little fun?
http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/1585079045.html

A little small - but interesting:
http://www.sailingtexas.com/scapedory10101.html

Seems a little pricey - but may be just the thing
http://www.sailingtexas.com/sharpoon46102.html

Another
http://www.sailingtexas.com/spirateer13108.html

[seandwyer]

John,

One more thing I'd like to interject here - I drive a Ford Escape with the same little 4 cylinder engine as the Focus. The only difference might be that mine is a stick. But the point is that when I am towing the Daysailer I hardly even know it's there - just every once in a while do you feel it - as in the on ramp to the highway - it takes me a little longer to accelerate up to speed off the ramp - but nothing terrible and certainly not dangerous. I am also usually driving with 5 kids in the car plus all their gear, so unless you consistently have as many "guests" as I, I think you will be fine - even up to that 18 or 19 foot level as long as it isn't a boat with full cabin or weighted keel which add a lot of weight.

Good Luck.

[gary l. britton]

I feel I must add to the question of towing a DS. I have an '01, Ford Ranger, 4 cyl, standard transmission. I tow "Dancing Girls II, with no problems at all. With the size engine I have the little truck struggles on hills anyway, and I seems not to make a difference whether I have a 17' boat behind me or not. Have had no problems at the ramp either. I think the Focus would do well with towing a DS.

Good luck and I think you will love the DS !!

Gary
1966, DS I
"Dancing Girls II", #3235

[johncharmon]

Would this be a decent boat even though it's a little smaller than the DSII:

http://www.sailingtexas.com/slaser191.html

[Peterw11]

Lasers are great little boats. Quick, easy to sail, have great support and there are lots of them around.

If your into racing, it makes for a terrific choice.

But it's a flat deck design with no real cockpit, and very little freeboard, so you and anything you carry with you will get wet, everytime you go out.

If you're OK with that, go for it. If you plan on doing any kind of cruising, sailing with normal clothes on, bringing a lunch or camping gear with you, etc, a Daysailer, or something similar, is what you want.