Kiwifish

Exciting news everyone! We bought a boat. Catalina 7 with a ton of extra bits, perfect size even fits the dog. Tows really well behind the Hilux, happily did 90 heading south up the Bombays. Thanks for all your input guys, I'll no doubt have many more questions.....

Hi Paul, thank you. I had a look at the website and I agree it's a very active club! I'm on the evening shift this Tuesday so unfortunately cannot make it this month, I'll aim for the next one.

Going to look at a Catalina 7, Hard to find any info other than what's on NZTYA. The mast is huge! The rating shows as a slow boat, apparently heavily built. It's on trade me. On the way now so any help would be great!

Really good points being made again, thanks guys. I've started to come around. I guess I don't want to buy a boat that is a known poor performer and is hard to sell because of it. I am now realizing I don't need a fast yacht at all, and believe the wife and kids will appreciate something more sedate ( happy wife=more sailing trips right) I also enjoy working on boats, currently in the man shed I have a ski boat (sorry is that a sear word on here) I have replaced the rotten transom and just about to glass in the new stringers. I know what you mean about it taking time! I thought 3 mon

I sent the guy an email with a thousand questions. I also worry a little about a wooden boat for two reasons: one - rot (justified or not that is the perception) two - re sale, like you say people want glass boats so I will be the guy trying to sell a wood boat in a few years. We may travel over to Tauranga for a look at it. Funny a Catalina just popped up on TM, looks ok. What are they like? Stability, speed, people's perceptions? Are they an American boat?

Really good points being made, "slow boats" are still fun, and just because they are all old now doesn't mean they are rubbish. I'll have to be realistic with my budget and look around a bit with an open mind. I do like the Gazelles I had assumed out of my price range. Any opinions on this one?? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/boats-marine/yachts/trailersailer/auction-1071453613.htm

Very well put mattm, thank you for explaining that. I'm certainly now leaning toward saving another 10 for a reasonable Noelex 25. I read somewhere,maybe here? "Sooner or later everyone ends up in a Noelex"

My idea of a fun sail boat would be an AC45, but I don't think it fits my 15k budget and I know the wife and kids would run off when I hand them helmets to go sailing...... Resale is an important factor, that 780 might sail faster than it sells, it has been modified and is over 30 years old,it's not a "normal 780". It is a cool looking boat tho, I would go for a look with cash in hand if it was within my budget, anything over and I would feel I'm just going to loose too much on the resale. A Noelex may not be as fun to sail, but Im pretty sure I would feel happier in something tha

Some excellent advice on here, I really appreciate your opinions. Thanks for the heads up on the Trojans, I would prefer to sail & preferably on a fun boat! That Ross sounds like it would take a bit to sell in the future and it's been modified so that wouldn't help I imagine. Maybe I should save my pennies and find a reasonable Noelex 25. Keep it coming fellas I am learning lots. I contacted the local sailing club, Bring on summer!

Hi Weaver_74 I'm not a member.....yet, I messengered through FB a few days ago. haven't heard back as yet. Are you a member? That is an excellent idea, I would really like that.

I enquired yesterday the Ross 780 owner has his lowest price he will accept listed on TM. Cool boat boat but doesn't come with much and it's over 30 years old.... I agree that trailers are very $$$ , I have a grinder and welder happy to make it a Frankenstein trailer to get a few more years lol. The Noelexs really hold there price, what's behind that??

Yeh that is a cool looking boat, appears to be a lot sportier. Bit out of my price range unfortunately...... Are you familiar with Trojans? What's the common opinions on them?

Maths cooker lol, I saw that I messaged that guy a couple of days ago, He seems to think it weighs about 2000kg. A lot of boat for the price...... You might be right about additional load taking it over weight,I could carry stuff in the tray of ute. I plan to keep it up Kawakawa bay for the summer so wouldn't have to tow very far all that often.

Generally Friday Saturday nights out of Kawakawa Bay (live in Hamilton) perhaps twice a month and occasional week long cruise during school holidays realistically twice a year at the most.

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new to sailing and my wife and kids (7/8yrs) are even greener. We have owned power boats for awhile so not new to the Marine environment. We are going to buy a trailer sailer, please offer some suggestions and help me to clarify what is important in a TS. I am of the belief that big is better - Big=comfort Big=capable Big=longer ownership (won't grow out of it so quick) Big=7.5m & over Big=heavy (I have 3lt diesel Hilux max braked 2250Kg) Big=better.....??? Am I right? Please convince me of otherwise!!! Will us 4 fit and be happy in a smaller pa