BEFORE BUYING A SAILBOAT - THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE - Ep 231 - Lady K Sailing 

I have binged watched your content since discovering it. I will say my wife isn’t a fan. She keeps saying your giving me bad ideas and teaching me how to pull them off. Keep this stuff coming please!

I just got a catalina capri 16 with a trailer and brand new main sail for $750. Time to learn how to sail 😂

Still don’t understand why your subscriber count is so low. The information given is outstanding and invaluable. I’d say this might be the most underrated channel in the YT sailing community.

Conversely, it might be an idea to include what isn't needed onboard. IOW, what are the bare bones electronics needed to go coastal sailing, or offshore. Particularly with classic boats, which can be beautiful things to save, but more likely to have nav suites never or barely ever upgraded. Perhaps because the owner always sailed in the same waters. I keep seeing the old Decca nav equipment and radio telephones etc in older boats, which while charming, are the equivalent of bringing a baseball bat to a gun fight. Same goes for deck equipment. Whisker and spinnaker poles solely for cruising. Anchors. Needed fore and aft? Are different anchors for different sea beds a good idea? I'm NOT touching safety gear. IMO you want the right gear for where you're going and double or maybe even triple redundancy. Engine spares. What are the core spares and tools needed? I haven't seen one. But there must be a table somewhere showing which engine parts are most likely to fail, all other things being equal. Might be a whole other episode! 🙄

As far as dockage I've never understood why some folks will come in full speed the put it in reverse when they get in or vise versa course it changed with wind and tide where you'll need a little more power. I forget who says this but I love the saying "Don't come in faster than your willing to hit something"

Honestly, if you’re a real beginner at sailing , I suggest to buy a small used cheap sailboat 22-24 ft and learn the ropes of sailing first then with that experience you can transpose it on a bigger boat in a safely manner . i’ve seen in my years of sailing and trips so many newbies not having the experience on a large boat getting in trouble . It’s the same as when you learned to drive a car easier to drive and park a small car than a big truck ! Need to learn to walk before learning to run …

The section on sleep amused me as, on my last voyage I learned I could sleep in the fore berth whilst underway with my legs leaving the mattress as we came off every wave. I was also thrown bodily from the settee in the saloon. Woke up in the air and managed to land on my feet and holding onto the galley rail!

I always give my brother a thumbs up and a comment. I want to see you doing well! Hang in there, Tim.

Hi Tim. I liked this video. I felt like it was taken from our talk. We were looking at a C380 but, after talking to you we are looking at the C42. There are a lot more of them for sale than the C380. I find it odd that Catalina waited until the middle of 2000 to start putting Yanmar's in the 380 yet the 42's had them from the start back in 1989.

Hey Tim, we're currently in the process of buying a live-aboard, mainly due to the inspiration and info learned by watching Lady K and a few others. One thing I would have found VERY helpful, would be an explanation of some of the stats at Sailboat data, such as Comfort ratio, capsize formula, S3, and such. We looked closely to compare boats, but really assumed what they meant. That would be so cool! Thanks so much for all you do!

I watched all your content and now I’m a proud Pearson 40 owner. This vessel really checked boxes and is my new liveaboard.

Oops. Too late I already registered my first boat a Hunter 23. I got it with the trailer for two grand.

"I always need reverse but, that's my goal".

A depth gage comes in handy. Orcas probably don't like loud noises underwaterif they're a worry.

love the video thank you so much for it

Great video as always Tim. You keep teaching me all the things I need to know before getting out there and purchasing my own. ⛵️❤

You're content is top-drawer! BZ! When I need a surveyor, you're the guy. I'm X-Navy and I've spent several years at sea and loved every minute of it. Ever since I moved back to cenn penn, the sea has been calling me back. One of my children has finished college and is moving abroad and the other is in the middle of college. Your knowledgeable and insightful content has lit the fires in my boilers and has me making preparations to get underway once again.

Thanks Tim! Appreciate this video!

Thank you for your Beginners Guide. We are still looking for our future sailing yachts and are grateful for any information. Warm greetings from Germany from two future circumnavigators.

GREAT stuff as always!!

Oh boy I’m so wanting to get into sailing. I’m a overlanding guy wanting to get overseas under my belt now. This gives me a good starting point on which direction to start thank you.

Thanks for your very informative videos. I am a newbie - just got a 1976, 24' C&C. Learn on it for a year or two and then look for a bigger boat. Cheers!

It would be nice to have a video fairly soon on how much of this is applicable to motor yachts. It would also be nice to have side comments for motor yacht buyers

You make a good point about keel depth. I've been thinking I want a shallow keel for less stress in the Caribbean but I probably want better stability everywhere else...

Thanks for another great video.

Superb channel. Like That Guy, below, I have been binging on your vids, you're doing such a great job. Then, you posted a new vid just a few hours ago, cool. I just helped a totally non-sailing friend of mine find and buy a 25 foot boat. It is fun to watch somebody come new into the sailing world and get totally smitten by it. We had to move it up the Hudson River about 45 miles, and he learned why leaving the previous Sunday would have given us favorable winds and currents, vs this past sunday where we had to motor almost the whole way through the narrow sections of the River against the current and into the wind. Big lessons learned fast under real conditions. You have excellent advice, so practical. In this vid you quickly gave rationale for buying a boat for where you intend to sail it - big heavies for crossing the pond, and shallow draft for tidal areas and reefy places. Really fantastic.

Well done, well done, content is superb!!

Just fantastic info! Wish you had more on catamaran purchases...

Hi Tim - I just bought a 38' Ericson and it seems that there is a significant gap in videos out there that talk about those few months after buying a boat. This video is a good example of what pops up on a search on "what to do after buying a sailboat." It's mostly what to do BEFORE buying a boat. But, now that I've bought a boat, I find that there are a number of things I think I should do just to provide myself a baseline: 1) thorough bottom job (currently being done,) 2) a thorough engine maintenance (e.g., oil, transmission, fuel filters, etc., including perhaps a compression check, and so on,) 3) ...and then I get a little stuck. On my boat, I need to add a dinghy, a life raft, and some basic accessories (e.g., I'll run jack lines on my boat.) Oh, and obviously, do some sailing. But, if you are ever looking for more/different topics, I think that this might be useful. Great channel. I look forward to each of your videos and have learned a lot along the way to finally fulfilling the dream of owning a boat.

Clearly experienced advice but patience and solid ability to read the water will allow most of the Bahamas. Carried two different sail boats with 6.5 draft (rating, usually 6'8" with all the "necessary") with about 10 years in the islands. Did have to live by the tide chart and took two tries to get from Long Island to the Jamentos and spent an interesting evening sitting "somewhere" on the banks in the Turks in Caicos. Current side drift got us both times. Cold beer helped.

Consider that smaller slips are often easier to find than slips for bigger boats. Many marinas I have seen have much shorter waiting lists for smaller slips than for big slips. In may places you could be waiting years for a slip for a 40-45 footer.

Excellent video! My wife and are beginning the search now and this series is very timely. We can't wait til the next video!

Radar is important.

Great information!!!

Cheers.

Always good, thanks

Thank you for keeping me grounded. We would love a 50ft.... but realistically a 40 to 45 would be better.

Very nice overview how to choose a sailboat for your environment. Can you do video about practical size of different tanks, like water, fuel, gas .

Congratulations for the awesome channel! Do you have any comments on Whitby 42 yachts? I own a 1979 one but haven't sailed her far yet.... what can I expect? Thank you!!

Thanks

Nice video

Hi Tim I would love to thank you for all the efforts you are putting in your both channels, it is really packed with solid information 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I been a power boating guy all my 40+ boating life, I owned a25 feet and 70feet and everything in between My question what shall I expect if I decide to convert to sail boats?

Tim, you're videos are always appreciated. You've given me more information, than anyone else. Thanks!!!!

Hey can you look at or review Bruckmann 50 pilothouse cruising sloop, or the mk 2

Thank you, One of my goals is to sail across the Atlantic. Either myself (Solo) or with my brother. I was thinking of a westsail 32. I have little experience but I am willing to learn.

Very informative. Thanks. Can you do an episode about issues/costs for Canadians buying a boat in US vs Canada. Do you have to register it in Canada and pay HST and tariffs - or can you keep it US flagged to cruise the Caribbean?

Tim, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work! I’m curious if you have any thoughts on Caliber Yachts, in particular the 40LRC. They seem to be very much in the mold of Island Packets, with a few nice improvements (such as exposed and easily visible chain plates!). We are in the PNW AND nearing retirement age, and looking for a solid boat for sailing up and down the west coast and probably into the Caribbean eventually. From what I’ve seen, Caliber seems to check the boxes for safety, interior space and relatively easy sailing. But I’m no expert! Thoughts? Possible subject for a video?

My first sailing yacht was a 42' blue water cruiser and I fount it to be way too small. It was a nice boat if you like being in a tea cup and thus sold. Get the biggest boat that you can afford and handle by yourself or as a couple. Should you desire to stay around the Caribbean, go with a cat. You get more real estate and less draft, perfect for the Bahama's and Caribbean.

I really appreciate your approach to your channel. I am considering a full time live aboard that will include passage making. I just returned from almost 1400 NM in the Pacific on an Oyster 485 with 3 other people. The 485 is a reasonably large and comfortable boat. During the 19 days on board, the boat seemed to shrink. It didn't actually get smaller. But my opinion of space changed as we spent more time aboard. Also, I drew the V-berth for a rather difficult passage. After about 3 days, I referred to it as the bouncy bed. Many nights, I would actually lift almost completely off the bed as the bow dropped off a wave. We were close-hauled almost the entire passage. When it got really bad, I would move to a settee in the saloon. I would appreciate your thoughts on boat shrinkage, comfort on passages, and how well dorade vents work to keep a boat well ventilated and dry during passages.

For a first time sailboat and also a solo sailor. What are your thoughts on steel boats good or bad. ???

Love this channel and your history one too (I'm a geek for history and boats). Only thing I would have added when you talked of space to sleep is the good and bad of a centre cockpit verse a more traditional one. My dad was always a lover of the centre cockpit and as a kid I never got it. Now I am in the market top get a long term live aboard... if I don't get a catamaran I will get a centra concept monohull and yes around 42 feet. The other thing I would have added... I love the extra beam you get between many 38s and many 42s... a lot of older 38s (not all) are too narrow for me.

My wife would probably be more upset finding out that I'm watching this than if she caught me with another woman! But I can't help myself: I just moved to Mallorca, I'm surrounded by sail boats and I want to learn....and eventually buy one. Thanks for helping to spark the interest.

Normans Cay 8 feet no problem. In fact I have sailed extensively in the Bahamas with 8 ft. How do you think the sailing cargo ships got around; on pixie dust?

I couldn’t imagine a seven foot keel I’d be running aground every day. It’s hard to find water that deep close to shore. Because you need to come to shore a lot and you don’t want to anchor so far out.

Yeah I've been watching your videos and alot of other videos out there about sailboats. I believe I'm pretty educated about what I need verses what I want. I want to be able to travel around the world but reality says I will be spending most of my time around the islands. But of course my wants keep popping up. I like to think of those as lotto days. Because I'm gonna be doing this single handed so that means 35 to 45 footer. Plus I'm the guy that can fix anything so I'm leaning towards 45 footer. Because I will need room for tools. Plus I intend on working on other people's boats. Money money money! But one thing I will not budge upon and that is a sugar scoop. Got to get stuff onto and off the boat by myself. I don't want a full keel, slow moving. So basically I'm looking at a Catalina or Catalina Morgan boat. I know about Hunter but I'm not a big fan about the swept back spreaders. I really like the Catalina boats but I hate the price. But as you know you get what you pay for. I personally would like a center cockpit. I like the aft cabin deal. I know the Catalina has an aft cabin but the head room is shallow. Maybe my wants are getting in my way again. I guess I should keep on buying lotto tickets and keep on praying! Okay thanks for all your videos and information. See ya next week.

I am doing my RYA Sailing levels 1, 2 and 3 on reservoir. Planning to buy a liveaboard sailboat sometime in future.

I agree with everything you say. But I would go one step further. What is an expectable living space is very different if you are coming from a 2100 sq foot house or bigger. We live in a 42 foot Spartan that 1/2 of it has been a construction zone. Living small takes work. Most people think that they can live in a small space and when they figure out that 35 feet is not enough room this is why the idea of sailing, van life, full time RVing comes to an end.

Enjoy your site! Can you delve into what it takes to get your 'Captain's' certificate? Thank you

If you have a deeper keel, can't you still visit these shallow places by anchoring offshore and taking your dinghy onto shore?

For me it's headroom. I'm almost 6'4" tall. A hull were I'm constantly hunched over below deck is a non starter.

Since you suggest a shorter keel for island hopping, what do you think of the twin keel boats more common in England?

How weird is it that you did this episode right around the time I was wondering if Tim had ever done or will do “A beginners guide to buying a sailboat!” Just so happens my goal is to be on a full time live aboard by summer/fall of 2024… I needed this info! Been binge watching you since I discovered your channel! And I will definitely check out “historsea!” Any blue water boats that are also race worthy? Thx bro!!!

Thanks for the episode! One question - you mention "weight" of the boat. Is that the same as the displacement value given in specs or also should add extra weight on boat during a passage? I,e, you mentioned 18K pounds weight for coastal cruising/carribean - is this 18k pounds displacement only? thank you for the great info.

Hello, Not sure if you've touched on the topic, as I have just discovered your RU-vid page but, what if I want to be able to cruise the Caribbean, Bahamas, and make a crossing?

And if you are going to buy a boat you should fall in love with it as it will take all of your time and all of your money.

Merci. ( a french man)

I’m more into comfort as oppose to speed…

That was right

What about an adjustable center board keel?

Why there aren't foiling keels that drag the boat down whitout adding weight

18,000lbs floor dry, or loaded?

I am brand new to Sailing - Do you have any opinion on a second hand 1986 Bruce Roberts Mauritius 45 at "25,242 USD"? will need another 10,500 USD to get it ocean ready + most likely another 10k for equipment. Is this a fair purchase to consider? OR is a 1988 Lavranos Vickers 41 for 49647,95 USD ocean sail ready a better option? I also have an option for a Angelo Lavranos L 36 PH for 40,240 USD ready to go. My budget is too tight to mention so I am careful not to spend too much on a cheaper bout that requires more investment, rather just purchasing a more for a ready to go boat for more.

Thank you yet again

We had a 43' But with family of 6 it was small.

Wish I saw this 4 years ago

Are you ever going to go back sailing

Im still young but my dream is it someday to safe enough money as a programmer to buy my own boat to sail along the equator. I hope i achieve this sooner than later and maybe as a programmer i could work from boat. My absolute dream boat a sailing Katamaran but in the end i guess it depends on the opportunity and price if i someday have the money. Maybe i can come to an agreement with my sister but id rather not sell one of the houses and right now i have a solid 12k euro XD

Great content and production. Sometimes I see a boat for sale in Europe (I’m American). What is the process to buy a boat in a European country sail it there and then cross the Atlantic and breath it at home in the US. Thanks

Always interesting

I bought a 38 .8 Bengur o day 1982

What about a keeles Macgregor sail boats!

I knock it out of gear 3 slips before mine, 94 Benny oceanis 400. Then berth like a woman God!

I can’t even afford the down payment on a pickup truck right now. What profession do you folks have that you can afford a $140,000 sailboat? Granted I’m supporting a family of 4 on a single income. Is sailing the islands mostly for singles and couples? Or are there entire families on your sailboats? What do sailors do for health insurance for their kids? Retirement savings? I suppose I just have so many questions regarding the transition from a 9-5 life supporting kids to a life at sea.

Is this video just for me? Email you after I watch this for our hour talk.

How about an episode about 5 things that should make you walk away from a boat.

So .... most boats over 20 years old are not insured because of the investment required?

Underwater rocks make disterbance on the surface. Stay away for safety.

I don't remember you talking about Catamarans

Its not one hand for the boat but both hands for the video.

Thank you very much for helping me to make up my mind ,i am gonna buy BENETEAU 45 ,2018 model and it will be a charted one ,i found a few of them around 190 -200 k over there somewhere ,.regards new zealand

777

It’s interesting seeing advice about old heavy full keel boats recommended for “blue water” when even if you look at races these days you’ve gotta go to the GGR to find anyone using them just for the sake of tradition. That’s just my taste though in a lot of ways. All the danger stuff is completely over hyped when it comes to production boats, and even though I plan on doing passages and circumnavigating realistically that’s not where I’m gonna spend 95% of my time. I love the new boats with the big booty beams that give you like twice the room for the same size. Also cringe when I see people having to run to the mast to put in a reef. If I need to put in a reef that’s the time I don’t wanna go forward. Although I just have different tastes than many. I HATE the look of old school boats with all the woodwork down below. Personally I love the elan GT5 and also the beneteau vision, particularly because the cockpit table is offset to the side on both. If I’m by myself I hate shimmying around the cockpit table if I want to run below real quickly to check something and then back up again. But that’s just my own taste and pet peeves.

I have a question. Why don't people put bigger diesels in their sailboats? I wouldn't mind buying something like a morgan 38 or 41 that needs a new motor. Why not put an 80 hp diesel instead of a 40 or 50? Weight is only about 55 more pounds but puts out so much more torque at even 1000 RPM's. Wouldn't use much more fuel if any with much lower RPM's. Thanks..

Okay, I hate to be the one, but you are just saying the same thing you always say. The keel, the comfort, the weight, the stability, the material, blah blah blah. What would have made this a good video for beginners would have been instructing them on good books to reference to learn before buying, how to understand the value of a survey, and a good surveyor. Even telling your viewers that there are and always will be other boats, so do not be in a hurry to buy. Think, Look, Assess, and Decide and trust your gut feeling would have been good advice. Yet you just Blah Blah Blah the same ol' drool you have said in your last 50 videos.

I don’t know why I watch this guy-I disagree with him nearly all of the time. He likes keels with wings? Ever run aground? There’s no just wiggling around a bit, heeling the boat over or an easy tow off. You’re just stuck! Hopefully, a rising tide can free you.

I am buying a catamaran. This video is limited useful.

Great channel ! a must to folllow ..!

Is buying a sailing boat from U.K is cheaper than U.S ?