The (Not) Outrageous Cost of Sailing

While the sailing world’s attention is often distracted by the latest megayacht or America’s Cup funding stories, it can be easy to miss the affordable, accessible, sensible and simply fun side of sailing. It happens off the docks or across endless numbers of community sailing programs up and down the coast. Sometimes you find it in our Classy Classifieds.

We were reminded of this when reader Rich Brazil wrote to tell us about The Floathouse Petaluma and Petaluma Yacht Club’s “Intro to Sailing” camps for kids, held in the Petaluma River Turning Basin over the summer, and the inexpensive boat they found to add to next year’s program.

“I came upon a 1969 Wayfarer, made popular in England,” Rich wrote. “The listed price of $1,000 was far out of my price range, so I sent an email politely asking if he would be interested in donating the vessel for a worthy cause. He quickly replied, ‘Yes!’ His name is Erik and he lives in the Monterey area. I drove to Monterey the very next day to witness a completely restored sailing vessel, smartly decked out and resting nicely on a trailer. I was, and still am, flabbergasted and humbled by the generous gift provided by Erik.”

The high cost of sailing is optional. The donated $1,000/(free!) Wayfarer 16 will probably take more people sailing than many of the grandest, most expensive sailing yachts anywhere.

The letter from Rich appeared in our November issue across the page from a letter on the new Wylie 80 being built in Oregon. Each to their own.

We don’t always find boats for under $1,000, but when we do, we always have a look. There are two such boats in our Classy Classifieds right now.

The first is an Islander 36, described as a “Great Sailer, No Motor.”

The Islander appears to have numerous features — “Lines led aft, navy topsides, two jibs, spinnaker, 2021 furler, 2023 batteries, charger, CNG stove, 4.108 kaput!, self-tailing cockpit winches, 8-9 knots up to 10.5! Radar & chartplotter work but need a new screen. Ready to race/liveaboard.” The ad says it’s a “comfy cruiser,” and the photos appear to support that. Check it out.

For even less money, just $1 to satisfy the paperwork requirements, you can purchase this 1975 38-ft Downeaster.

This Downeaster is described as “Free to a good home. Solid bluewater cutter project. Mostly complete, lots of new parts, replacement beta marine engine, four anchors, 250′ fresh galvanized chain, new instruments panels and engine gauges, water maker, new electric head, microwave, propane water heater, the list of new and replacement parts goes on… She needs a DIYer with youthful energy to complete. Access available to the wood, metal, and upholstery shop to complete the project. Live aboard while working on it? YouTube content opportunity? This is a solid boat! Low-cost back-hauling to San Carlos, Mexico, is likely the cheapest option to get it back in the water. Mexican TIP in place. Located in Tucson AZ.”

OK, so she’s in AZ. But she has a Mexican TIP! She’d be perfect for next year’s Baja Ha-Ha! Think about it …

There are numerous “great deals” out there but we’ve been reminded by harbormasters, yacht brokers, Leland Parsons and our stories of the Oakland-Alameda Estuary anchor-outs that before you leap, you get a clear-eyed look at the full scope of the project. Who’s Leland Parsons? He has a boat-moving business and storage yard in San Diego. He loves sailboats but hates his current job, which mostly involves crushing abandoned and derelict boats. He says, “People buy these boats but, if they can’t find a marina to accept them and don’t have insurance, they could have a rude awakening. Buyers should check on those things before purchasing.”

We’re great fans of people who find and fix up old boats. We did a podcast with Reno Cambridge, who’s living aboard while fixing up his Cape George 36. There are some great deals in the Classifieds for boats we’d love to see sailing again. Have a good browse of the Classy Classifieds — something in there may just fit under the Christmas tree.