DS for New Sailors in Mid 50's

[itsermam]

I found mine on Craigslist and it was also posted in the Classifieds here on Daysailer.org. www.sailingtexas.com has listings from all over the country and often has a DS or two.

Local sailing clubs and the local DS Fleet are other places to look - sometimes at our club a boat will go up for sale on the clubhouse bulletin board that is not listed anywhere else. I don't know if any of them make it their, but you might also check boat specific sites like yachtworld.com, sailboatlistings.com and boattrader.com. They seem to be dominated by the bigger vessels, but there could be a dinghy or two hiding in there somewhere.

Most of all, just keep looking - took me a while to find mine, but with 10,000+ out there they come up pretty often. Good Luck!

[ChrisB]

The website below allows you to search multiple city locations for Craigslist. You enter your home zip code, what you're searching for, and how wide (in miles) you want the search to be. The tool will then returns all Craigslist postings that meet your criteria.

http://www.searchtempest.com/

[Peterw11]

I found mine on Craigslist.

Being in a strong boating area, we see a lot of boats listed, and a fair amount of DSs, but they don't stick around long. IIRC, I started looking in earnest in October and missed a few that fit my parameters (price, condition, proximity), before I found mine the following April.

By that time, I had found and missed enough potential purchases that I took to checking CL two or three times a day. I lucked out in that I made contact with the seller about 10 minutes after he posted his ad (late on a Saturday night) and made an appointment to see it the next day, with deposit in hand.

Everything was as described in the ad, and I bought it on the spot.

By the following Wednesday, it was home in my driveway. Best 800 bucks I ever spent. (1968 DS1, ready to sail, 4hp outboard ,sketchy, it turned out, but repairable, and a good trailer).

[pnichols]

DMD

My experience with where the best places are to find a DS are HERE, eBay and Craig's list. But I think anywhere boats are advertised it is possible to find one.

You just never know where you might stumble across that perfect DS

Paul

[GreenLake]

You just never know where you might stumble across that perfect DS

So true. A friend spotted mine for me. It was sitting in a driveway on his way to work with a FOR SALE sign.

Having knowledgeable friends sure helps!

[DMD]

I continue to look for a DS. One just got away yesterday.
Also became aware of Paceship (17-20) and Leeward Luger (16ft).
Opinions? Other comparables?

DMD

[algonquin]

http://lugerboats.webs.com/home/index.html

I built a Luger Voyager 30 many years ago and was quite satisfied with the quality of materials. The Luger Leeward is an owner assembled boat with good reviews but you will need to look it over pretty closely. Especially the deck to hull assembly. Brad

[DMD]

I am looking at two different boats, one is DS1 and the DS2.
I am aware that the DS2 has taken on water via centerboard/pin area at a rate of 1gal/2.5hrs. Owner says new rubber gasket replaced. What would repairs on my part entail and cost, if leak persists. Not aware of other structural issues with either.
Both are of equal price.
Any opinions?

DMD

[Imgaryo1]

Definetely the DSI. You won't have to worry about getting water between the hulls, If you do take on water over the side you simply bail and keep on sailing, you have more leg room, easier to work on the boat for maintenance or repairs, higher re-sale value especially amongst the racing crowd, you don't have to woryy about centerboard contol lines breaking or getting jammed...........

[Peterw11]

Being a DS1 owner, I can't comment on the DS2 centerboard leaking problem, although it does seem to be chronic with them.
Knock on wood, my hull is over 40 years old and it remains dry as a bone throughout the season, even though she's wet from April through October.

The gasket replacement should solve the major leaking, although they can also take in water through the cable opening. As you've probably noticed, this site has a fair amount of threads regarding the infamous DS2 centerboard.

That said, the next consideration would be overall condition, given the common price point. Which boat is in the best shape, including the expensive parts, sails, rigging, trailer, motor (if included), etc.

Age shouldn't matter, but the less you have to spend to get it ship shape, of course, the better.

Personally, I favor the DS1 because of the simpler centerboard lever operation, the larger cuddy opening, and the wood trim on the coamings.

[ChrisB]

I have had my '80 DS II since about '92 and while yes, the inner hull does take on water, in my case its more on the order of a quart or less in a day's use. Since I dry sail my boat, it hasn't bothered me enough to do anything about it. I have not had the CB jam problems mentioned elsewhere on this forum either. Early on, I did have the pin break out of the centerboard where the "down" cable attaches to the CB. I careened the boat in the backyard, removed the board and reset the cable and pin with Marine Tex and its been working fine for 17 years.

If your interests include racing, I would probably lean toward the DS I. If not, I would consider the overall condition of the hulls, trailers, and sails of both in choosing one boat over the other.

Chris[/img]

[GreenLake]

Don't let them get away from you again

A DS1 may be better than a DS2 in some respects (DS1 onwner myself) but even a DS2 beats having no boat.

Good luck!