Due to budget constraints (under $1000), my selection of boats is somewhat limited. There are some that are quite a bit cheaper (around $500), but are in need of some hull repair. One from 1977 has a crack in the cockpit that the seller "believes is just aesthetic", is rough, but the sails are in pretty good shape and comes with trailer:
Poor photo of crack on listing:
Another boat for sale has a hole right in front of the dagger board slot:
From my research it seems like perhaps the cockpit crack could be ok if it's just aesthetic as the post says (aka doesn't go through the fiberglass and leak), and that it would perhaps be an easier repair if it does, but a boat in such condition is likely to have soft spots as well. Are the initial savings of such a boat worth the potential work, etc that they come along with? Are these boats even worth what they are asking, $500?
I'm not too worried about class compliance. The local club has off-season racing were this isn't much of a concern. If I eventually want to race in the season, I would most likely resell the boat and just get something else at that point. By then I would have more experience and be more invested, and I'll be traveling next racing season anyhow so am in no rush. At the moment, it seems a lot to spend nearly as much as my car is worth (yes, I know my car is cheap ha) to get into a new hobby, but I also don't want to cheap out to the point that it drastically effects my experience.
At the moment, this is the only other boat within reasonable proximity listed on FB/Craigs within my price range. It's from 1979, asking $1200, and is in good condition according to listing:
All of these boats come with everything needed to sail. I'm sure that for any of them I'm am going to need to personally inspect the hull, feel for soft spots, check the rigging and sails, etc to determine if they're worthwhile. I guess my overall goal would be to get something that will get me out on the water with the least expense/effort combined. As this will be my first sailboat purchase, I am pretty out of my depth, and appreciate any and all advice that you are able to share!
Poor photo of crack on listing:
Another boat for sale has a hole right in front of the dagger board slot:
From my research it seems like perhaps the cockpit crack could be ok if it's just aesthetic as the post says (aka doesn't go through the fiberglass and leak), and that it would perhaps be an easier repair if it does, but a boat in such condition is likely to have soft spots as well. Are the initial savings of such a boat worth the potential work, etc that they come along with? Are these boats even worth what they are asking, $500?
I'm not too worried about class compliance. The local club has off-season racing were this isn't much of a concern. If I eventually want to race in the season, I would most likely resell the boat and just get something else at that point. By then I would have more experience and be more invested, and I'll be traveling next racing season anyhow so am in no rush. At the moment, it seems a lot to spend nearly as much as my car is worth (yes, I know my car is cheap ha) to get into a new hobby, but I also don't want to cheap out to the point that it drastically effects my experience.
At the moment, this is the only other boat within reasonable proximity listed on FB/Craigs within my price range. It's from 1979, asking $1200, and is in good condition according to listing:
All of these boats come with everything needed to sail. I'm sure that for any of them I'm am going to need to personally inspect the hull, feel for soft spots, check the rigging and sails, etc to determine if they're worthwhile. I guess my overall goal would be to get something that will get me out on the water with the least expense/effort combined. As this will be my first sailboat purchase, I am pretty out of my depth, and appreciate any and all advice that you are able to share!