There was an interesting post on the Cruiser Forum asking for any success stories from inexperienced buyers of large boats. I started out writing a along diatribe about my experiences buying Estrella, as, at the time, I considered myself very inexperienced. After writing for a while I realized this long story belonged on my site rather than the Cruiser forum!

I started out with zero experience at 66, well, a decade or so of kayaking so I did understand a few navigation terms. As I knew I had a very steep learning curve I decided to buy a trailer sailor. My first boat was a 2010 McGregor. I upgraded the trailer and towed her to Baja, Sea of Cortez before I put her in the water the first time. I wanted warm air and warm water to make lots of mistakes. And so I did. In the first 30 seconds I was nearly blown on to rocks, fowled the anchor, forgot to remove the travel bolts on the rudder. I managed to escape disaster only to have gone into to much wind with wind blown waves and hauling up the main only to discover the main sheet was in tangles and could not be let out. Nearly capsized the boat by heading off the wind then ripped the foot of the main sail. That was my first 15 minutes of sailing!

My partner and I did get things under control, waited out the wind by a protected beach, pulled the boat and licked our wounds.

After that we had 7 successful multi day trips.

The following fall, while cruising on my partner’s stink pot and envying all the sail boats I decided I wanted to get a big boat. I was fortunate that I had ample resources and could choose from a wide range of boats. I immediately fell in love with a Beneteau in Pender Harbor. I looked up the price of such a boat and was pleased that it was easily in my price range.

At that point I ask the question of my self, why did I like THAT boat. In short order, I determined that it was simply pleasing to the eye. Not a good reason to like a boat.

I then turned to ask myself what did I want to do with a big boat. That was easier. I didn’t want a racer. I wanted some comfort both at anchor and under way in the Pacific (coastal or passage making but not circumnavigating) I wanted enough maneuverability to manage the boat in a marina I wanted all lines led to the cockpit for single and short handing and and a rugged underwater design for the unwanted drug anchor.

I first set out to learn about hull/rudder designs and what their strengths and weaknesses were. This, by far, was my most important first decision and would narrow the field of boats I would be interested in.

I had no interest in a spade rudder and bolted on fin keel. The full keel would be great if I was going spend all my time on ocean passages. This analysis led me to the modified fin keel and skeg hung rudder. That immediately narrowed down by selection of boats!

My next decision was how large a boat did I need (not how large a boat that I want). For me, need was comfortable for two person long term and four person short term. That put me into the 33 to 40 foot range. I started by looking at 36 feet.

Other important items were an aft of center head, U shaped galley and a good passage berth along with many other sailing needs.

I quickly found that Gozzard had a boat design that met or exceeded all of my needs. I settled on a G37.

I spend the first year in or near the marina. Getting to know her systems. Upgrading and renewing where required and learning all the maintenance issues for my G37, Estrella.

The second year I took her from the Columbia river to the San Juan Islands. Spent 6 glorious weeks in and around the Islands.

Upon returning to the Columbia river, I sailed her single handed from the San Juan Islands to the Columbia river. This first voyage shook out plenty of mechanical and electrical problems! Since I was well prepared for working on Estrella, none posed any undue issues although more than one could have caused serious problems if un-attended.

After three years, Estrella and I know each other pretty good my confidence continues to rise.

Maybe 2022 will take me farther along the Pacific coast!