Considering DaySailer

[DMD]

Just new to sailing. Want a cruising boat for my wife and I, on smaller lakes in Southern Wis. Found a 63 O'Day. Ad says fair condition and needs some cleanup. What might a price for a boat like this be? Your ideas?

[kokko]

You best source may be the salingtexas.com website. They have listing from all over the country

[DMD]

I would welcome your comments about this boat type vs other similar boats.
I have sailed flying scots and am taking lessons on a 21ft McGregor. Looking for a cruising boat, not a racer.....DMD

[GreenLake]

It's a great boat to take for an afternoon on a lake or bay. Or even all day. It has a large and relatively dry cockpit which is great to take friends along (or stretch out to take a nap when you're out there and want to wait for the wind to come back so you can get back.)

It tends to be rather forgiving, so it doesn't punish you while you learn.

For a description of an extended cruise with a DS look to the posts by Marshhawk, for example in this thread:
http://forum.daysailer.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2961

[s1120]

I just went through the shopping things, and got myself a early 70's DSII. Here is what I found..

These go for a pretty wide range of prices. I looked at some in the $500 range, and some in the 2K range. Be mindfull of the condition of the boat. Make sure the sails are good.[figure a grand to replace] rigging good.[what... 500 or so..] Good trailer if you plan to tow it. [about 500=700 bucks] and a solid hull.

As a example I looked at a real clean solid hulled old DSI. $600. Hull had barly a nick on it, but had a little repair near the mast. Trailer was junk, and sails had holes..... I passed it by..

I ended up with a DSII that I paid $1500 for. Some dock rash, and scrapes, and gouges. Nothing that effect its streingh, and can be fixed, but it had a real nice Galv trailer, sails that are only a few years old, and all the rigging also, are only a few years old. It did have a laps in the paperwork trail though, but other then that I think I got a great deal.

That being said.. Find the best, most compleat boat you can, and I think you can find something nice in the $1500-2k range

[DMD]

Comments are very helpful as I look for boats. I found a 63 model with trailer for $500. The dealer has had it for awhile. Bound to we some weaknesses but he advertises that is merely needs a clean up and then 'on to the water.' Good info ref sails and trailer too.

Our lake is 2K acres and can get fairly busy. All my wife and I want is to leisurely cruise with maybe a moment or two of some gusts to quicken it.
I was out on a Flying Scot and winds were at 25-30, needless to say it was not leisurely. The sailing I have done on the McGregor has been very good and I had one heavy weather day--learned a good lesson.

I will monitor for continued comments....DMD

[Peterw11]

This question has been a popular one since I joined the forum earlier this year, and if you search back you'll find a lot of responses that address initial cost as well as some idea as to what upgrades and repairs might cost.

Prices are all over the place and there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule as to what determines value. I've seen earlier boats priced at what you'd expect a late model to sell for, and vice versa.

If you've decided that the DS is what you want, you just have to keep looking to see what's out available in your area.

In my case, I found a '68 DS1,last spring, about 50 miles from my home, on Craigslist.

It had a sound, dry, hull, good trailer and working 4hp outboard. Although it was an older model, it was complete and sail ready. I paid $800 for everything. I gave it a good cleaning with a pressure washer (made a huge difference in it's appearance, btw) and put her in the water.

Since that time, I've spent another $900 or so on upgrades and repairs to all three major components. None were really critical, but I felt they were necessary.

I put about $300 into the trailer, for a new tire (to replace an aged, cracked one), a spare wheel, tire and mounting bracket, and a new coupler.

I dropped another $150 on the motor to repair a broken pull cord and for a general inspection and tune up. The motor's been in my garage since then as I've never used it.

As for the boat, I replaced the main, more for want than need. It was usable, but old and bagged out. I bought the new main from Intensity Sails for $279.00. It's half the cost of other manufacturers (it's made offshore) but works fine and after a good 2 dozen sails with it, I remain very impressed with it's performance.

(Disclaimer: I have no connection to the manufacturer or the seller).

I also dropped another $100 or so with Rudy at D&R Marine for a new vang, tabernacle pins, jib track, and other odds and ends for the rigging, and the same amount for a PFD, canoe paddle for the boat, and a battery powered bilge pump to deal with the rainwater I have to empty before every sail (this summer, anyway).

All in all, I've gotten away pretty cheap and I couldn't be happier with my purchase.

[sunapeesailor]

I picked up my '71...(oops, turns out it's a '66) on a decent trailer with a 4hp Johnson for $500 3 years ago. Standing rigging was all replaced and floorboards were complete as well. Previous owner had also repainted the inside of the hull.
Sails are in need of replacement but servicable for light cruising. I replaced the gooseneck on the boom and the centerboard gaskets as well. Additionally, I added a topping lift and a jib downhaul and just finished putting in new thwarts.
Prices will vary based on condition, but you should expect to pay from $750 to $1500. Absolutely a great boat for simple cruising...can handle both of us plus 2 kids very comfortably. Easy to rig dockside (takes me 15 minutes from arrival to launch) and a very stable platform.
I'd definitely take a good look at the dealer boat for that number. If it is all there, that's a great buy.
Fairwinds...

[algonquin]

If you are looking for a “cruising” boat the day sailor doesn’t really fit my personal definition. No cabin, no head, no bunks. Will it cruise ? Absolutely ! Albeit the accommodations are quite simple and rustic. Kinda like comparing camping in a 1970 VW Bug convertible with the top down versus a camping equipped 1968 VW bus. Depends on your expectations. You can equip your day sailor to cruise. Toss in some personal effects. Add a boom tent for the rainy nights and a poncho for the rainy days. Add a portable cooking source and some air mattresses and you are ready to cruise. Brad

[GreenLake]

I like your analogy. I consider a large cruising yacht more like the case of an RV or motor home with bedsheets hung to dry on top, reserving the VW camper for the smallest pocket cruisers. Likewise, I'd think of camping out of a backpack (or from a bicycle) as more of the analogy to cruising with a DS. Those are both fun activities and have their place

But I think what DMD had in mind is not so much "cruising" as "daysailing" on his lake of 2K acres. When boats are discussed, people talk of crusing vs. racing as opposites in terms of sailing style. When there's no actual overnighting involved, cruising just becomes daysailing and then boom tents don't enter the equation.

At least that's what I think was on the poster's mind. If so, the DS is patently a good choice.

[MrPlywood]

My boat is an older DS1 - not exactly sure of the year, but the sail is #847 and I think that's legit. The features match boats from the era. I got the boat (floorboards and coamings needed refinishing, but otherwise in pretty darn good shape), sails (older main, newer jib, new spinnaker), trailer (rough shape), '83 Evinrude 4HP longshaft (got a steal on that), brand new boom tent, and various accessories including a spring -loaded motormount.

$800CAN for the lot. It had been sitting on the trailer for years, I passed it by every once in a while and finally just knocked on the door. Very long and interesting story short, I got my boat.

Of course like any good boat owner I have upgraded/improved/made quite a few things to fine-tune it to my needs (OK, wants). I bought some new blocks for the mainsheet and jibsheet rigging, made my own boom vang and traveler (my boat had the wire type), tiller extension, topping lift (worth it's weight) etc. I don't have a running total for the additional costs (including PFDs, paddles, new gas tank, trailer hitch, emergency room visit for piece of metal in my eye acquired while installing trailer hitch, etc.) and just writing this scares me a little Maybe $600~$800?

But everytime out it's worth it.

BTW, this website is an outstanding resource, worth it's weight too...

[DMD]

Very helpful feedback. I ideally like to have a boat that can day sail with up to 4 adults. We would not be sleeping overnight. I will stay connected to this site as the info is really good for a newbie like me....

[ssawyer]

Thought I would contribute here, as I have owned mine for about 3 months. I bought an '85 Spindrift with trailer, good sails (jib and lightweight gennaker) for $1000. My boat had a bailer (the wrong one) already installed. Since I keep it on a buoy in front of my house (in salt water), I prepared the bottom, did a barrier coat, followed by bottom paint, and added the correct bailer.

Since I live in the Northwest, I also purchased the $149 cover from Instensity Sails. This keeps rain out and keeps the boom centered when waves or wake want to send the boom swinging around. This cover has been excellent.

I also added a topping lift and downhaul, with turning blocks leading both aft to cam cleats on top of the cuddy. Very happy with this setup.

I have owned a fair number of dinghys: Laser, Laser II, Hobie Cats, and a Laser Pico. I have also owned a number of keel boats.

I find the Daysailer to be a great boat. Very stable, very lively, good size rig. You can stand on the seats on either side centerboard up, without it going over. You can stand on the cuddy to rig and de-rig the jib. It will sail 4 comfortably with its big cockpit, or you can single-hand it quite easily. I was out yesterday in about 12-15, by myself and a bit over canvassed, and the boat handled great. The day before, it was 4-8 knots, and the boat still moved very well.

It is a great compromise (and all boats are compromises of one sort or the other) in terms of performance, stability, and ease of maintenance. With two friends (55 and 62) I turned over the boat, supported it on foam blocks, and did all the bottom work, including removal of the centerboard. At 585 lbs it tows behind my modest Mazda MPV minivan, and I can step the mast with my daughter.

You can still get most of the original parts, should something fail.

Best part has been the way my wife and daughter have begun taking the boat out on their own. They like the stability and ease of rigging, and can stretch out in the cockpit while they sail.

I have been very, very, pleasantly surprised.

Scott
PNW

[DMD]

I posted this string and I have found your comments to be very helpful.