OT: Did I make the right decision?

[tomstock]

Over the weekend I *almost* bought a 23' Grampian sailboat on a trailer for a very reasonable price because the owner had no place to store it. Problem is, it's got a 4ft fixed keel. Normally that's not a problem at all, but here in Florida I have a feeling it could be difficult to trailer and get in in the water since everywhere here is so shallow, and the boat ramps are designed more for personal water craft than for boats with 4ft draft. This was to be my first "real" sailboat, but after some thinking I decided a swing keel would be a better first choice here in the shallow waters of the gulf coast of Florida, especially for a beginner.

Too bad, because I think it was a pretty good deal with nice size cabin... did I make the right decision? Tell me oh masters of boats that I made the right decision so I can stop thinking about it.

Perhaps I should save my pennies for something already in the water and ready to sail, with less work required, and very shallow draft?

-tom

[Craig]

Tom I haven't spent enough time down there to say; however, for this neck of the water you made the right choice. The only places here you could launch that off a trailer are $15 a pop plus parking. A switch blade keel would be another matter.

[Greg Luckett]

Am am certainly not the one to advise you about buying that boat....I currently have 6 sitting in my yard, one under construction, and find myself lusting after other boats too......

[JeffM]

I hold with those who say the fewer impediments there are to sailing, the more often you'll do it. If your boat is difficult to get into the water or rig, it will just be an expensive lawn ornament. That's why I'm building a slightly smaller boat of shallow draft and unstayed rig.

[tomstock]

Thanks guys for helping me let it go...