snipe sailboat for sale florida

Buying a Used Snipe

So you've decided to sail Snipes. You're not quite sure you're ready for a brand new model (what do you do with all those lines?), but you want something that will help you learn the ropes and be competitive with the rest of the fleet. Other fleet members have suggested you look into a good used boat. But what defines a "good used boat?"

Mike McLaughlin, with 30 years experience building Snipes, including the Chubasco and McLaughlin, and now owner of Eclipse Manufacturing, gives his “tire kicking” advice.

Before shopping for a used Snipe, you should first define your intended level of racing (if any), the maximum amount of money you are willing to invest, and your projected annual budget for regattas and sailing expenses.

If you are looking for a daysailing Snipe which will never be raced, look for a self-rescuing fiberglass hull with an aluminum mast, decent sails and simple rigging. Because you needn’t worry about a minimum weight or complicated sail controls, pre-1980 era Snipes are available for very low prices and are great sailing boats.

If you are new to the Snipe Class and want to race competitively, you must have a competitive boat. You don’t have to have a new boat. I recommend buying a good used boat for your first year during which you can hone your skills, crash into marks and docks, give and receive dings, and drill holes and change fittings. You can quickly scale the learning curve and experiment with this boat and become comfortable with sail and mast controls, hiking straps and sheeting systems. As you get used to Snipe racing in general, you can upgrade your boat with new rigging, sails and blades, or buy a new boat knowing exactly what rigging options work best for you. If after this first year you decide Sniping isn’t for you (does this happen?) you can sell he boat and walk away with most of your investment and many new friends.

Let’s look at the important features of a competitive used Snipe. The first thing is hull shape. Chubasco, Eclipse, Jibetech, McLaughlin, Mueller, Persson, and Phoenix are all good shapes and will win races. The Chubasco and older Phoenix and Mueller hulls, while good shapes, may be over weight or “soft”. The advent of vacuum bonded PVC foams [i.e. Klegecel] in 1980 not only made for long lasting boats, but reduced the chance of hulls absorbing water and becoming overweight.

Weigh the prospective boat: if it is more than five pounds overweight with no visible corrector lead, look at other boats. Don’t worry about the moment of inertia; it is not that important in the big picture and most post-1980 boats will be at or near the allowable minimum.

Check the overall structure of the hull and deck. There should be no soft spots on the hull, deck, or floor liner. Most used boats will have had some rigging changes so there may be some small holes or patches. Check to see that all fittings and hiking straps are well fastened and caulked and check the overall condition of all parts.

An absolute must for a boat to be competitive is a bendy mast. Cobra II, Firestix, Sidewinder, Proctor Miracle or Bryant all will work and only the Firestix is out of production. If the boat has a Cobra I, Mueller, Proctor A, E or EX, shop on or plan to spend approximately $880.00 for a mast upgrade. Most used boats will come with at least one set of sails. If the sails are more than two years old, they might be OK for fleet racing, but plan on spending some of your sailing budget soon for a new set. Remcmber that your mast-sail combination is the key to boat speed and should have top priority!

Of lesser importance are the blades – – your daggerboard and rudder. The daggerboard should be straight and smooth and all edges should be well tapered to the l” tolerance. The leading edge may need to be sharpened but this can be done on a milling machine by parts suppliers or you can do it with a big file and much elbow grease. The rudder should be fair and stiff and should fit tightly into the transom gudgeons. The tiller should have no play with the rudder head and the tiller extension should be at least 36 inches long with a flexible rubber connector. Rudder thicknesses and shapes vary, but generally a fat(l 3/8-1 1/2″) rudder is best for big swells and lumps, and thin (1-1 1/2 “) is best for flat water sailing.

If you plan on traveling, check out the trailer carefully. Obviously inspect the welds, tires and support bunks for proper padding and fit, but always inspect the bearings, lug nuts and lights and carry a spare tire. Many regattas are remembered only for trailer problems and not the good sailing or good friends.

Information

In such short space, all Snipe construction and historical evolution can’t be fully covered. If a used Snipe interests you, find the hull number and manufacturer and call for a background check. SCIRA will only provide research for current members of the Snipe Class.  Use the Boat look-up feature on this website: “Membership/Boat Look-up” tab on the home page.  Then type in the hull number. All boats are recorded by hull number.  Any information on hulls have been entered into the online database.  If a Measurement Data Sheet exists on the boat, it will be listed here as well as the original owner and if the boat has been registered with SCIRA. 

If you are looking for a used boat, you can visit the National Websites or visit the FB Page SnipeToday Group – Snipe Buy / Sell / Charter

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Sailboats For Sale Florida

20 listings found.

2018 Seaclipper Trimaran 20′

Westerly conway 36

• United States

1984 Herreshoff Tortola-Trawler Nereia 36′ Sailboat

36 Hunter Vision 1993

Hobie Mirage Tandem Island

• Florida , United States

1972 Luders 36 by Cheoy Lee

Tartan 10 Snowballs Chance

• Connecticut

1975 Bristol 32 Sloop, Keel/CB by Ted Hood (Am’s Cup)

• Massachusetts

Used Yamaha 200 HP 4-Stroke Outboard Motor Engine

Used Yamaha 115 HP 4-Stroke Outboard Motor Engine

33ft Blue Water Sailboat

Freshwater Only – 1989 Hunter 33.5 Sloop-Rigged Cruiser, Shoal Wing Keel

F&C 44′ Ketch

Reeds Cub Scow – SOLD

Melges C Scow

470 sailboat and trailer

• Pennsylvania

1978 Hunter 30 Cheurbini

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Dinghy’s are a often preferred due to the convenience and low maintenance costs. There are different classes that can offer a range of benefits and regattas. Browse dinghy’s for sale in Florida like Thistles, Lightnings, Flying Scots, Scows, Optimists, 420’s, Lasers, VX Ones and more. Dinghy’s are also a popular choice in areas of Florida that have small bodies of water. For racers, the cost of new sails for a dinghy are far less then a large racing sailboat. Search SailTrader for your next dinghy sailboat. 

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The Sailor's Choice For Sailboats For Sale in Florida

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31 item(s) found

Posted 3 days ago by steve weber

Nice clean thistle in great shape, rails are like new, trailer is ready to go with good tires, Pictures upon request

  Boats /   Maryland / 23 views / New

$1,200.00

Blocks. Cleats, spacers

Posted 4 days ago by Scott Pakenham

Hi Class, I just finished refitting 3968 and I have some parts left over.  Perhaps your just starting a rebuild?  Perhaps just meed a couple cheek blocks? Harken gear Large to small 2- Dingy single 2- big bullet single 2- Carbo fiddle # 2655 1- Carbo fiddle with Becket #2656 2- bullet cheek 2- cleat riser 295 2- cleat riser angled 296 RONSTAN 3- 30mm swivel rf30100 2- 30mm block rf30101 3- 30mm cheek 1- 20mm double rf20202 1- 20mm double with becket rf20212 5- upright block side by side bolt rf 569 2- upright block front to back bolt...

  Parts /   Rhode Island / 186 views / New   Popular

$10.00

100% ready to sail today. 3430 GMW Kevin in RI

1975 GMW 3430   100% ready to sail!  no rerigging, no looking for lines or cleats. Buy today and sail this afternoon.   North 45 Spin Bags, North Centerboard Cover, Rooke Mast up Cover New lines (robline dingy control throughout) 2020, New stiffened stringers 2020, inside epoxy painted 2020. Hull sanded, buffed, polished and new Centerboard gasket 2023.  Rails sanded and varnished 2023. Trailer painted, new lights, hubs, bearings and wheels 2023. New England District Champion 2019 & 2023.   Longer story..... Have you met my friend Kevin? The background story, told to me and I believe them...3430 built by...

  Boats /   Rhode Island / 564 views / New   Popular

$4,500.00

Thistle #2969 For Sale

Posted 4 days ago by Paul Nelson

-Proctor sails - cleaned and repaired in 2022 by Northsails Loft in Cleveland -Measured for Certificate in 2023, but not signed off yet. -Updated most lines and sheets. -New Tiller. -Will include extra parts, and some life vests. -Extra centerboard -Trailer included - new tires in 2023. (Trailer is older - may need a little work) Make an offer. Would consider a trade for a Laser.

  Boats /   Ohio / 35 views / New   Popular

$1,800.00

Posted 6 days ago by Skylar Munger

Thistle 3939, northwest one design builder (2000 year ). Bought was bought in 2015 and raced maybe 4 regattas, stored in barn entire Time. Includes rudder and rudder cover, full travel covers in 7/10 condition, many practice sails. Fully rigged. Some wood should be revarnished. Trailer is good shape.  Two spin poles but both are missing one end ( thanks kira munger ) Time to sell I don’t sail anymore and  don’t plan to again anytime soon.  Asking $8500 open to reasonable offers but please don’t offer $2000 and a half eaten sandwich….   prefers to text number listed ,...

  Boats /   New York / 261 views / New   Popular

$8,500.00

D&M Thistle – Good to go

Posted 6 days ago by Walt Moody

Purchased used.  Added new North sails & GMW Jibmasters 2015 New rails, grates, thwart, GMW CD drum and hoist system, bow plate lever, eye-bolt, varnish, Awlgrip, Sailors Tailor mast-up cover 2021 New mast sheaves, halyards & sheets Sailed at Crystal Lake past 20+ years.  Only moved 5 miles each spring from barn to lake, then 5 miles each fall to barn. Good trailer & bunks Call (860) 550-5514

  Boats /   Connecticut / 31 views / New   Popular

$2,950.00

Thistle #3832 (GMW) for sale

Posted 1 week ago by Tim Hammer

Ready to race Measured August 2021 Teak needs stripping/refinishing. Travel covers (top & bottom) ‘tired’ but usable. Trailer has new lights and tires; wheels repacked.  

  Boats /   New York / 696 views / New   Popular

$8,000.00

Wood Thistle #994 Restored with All New Parts

Posted 2 weeks ago by Mark Agnew

Lovingly restored, #994 has a complete set of brand new hardware worth almost $6000!  Everything inside the boat is brand new, including Proctor Main $1574 and Jib $825 made in 2021, used once. Two extra mains, two extra jibs, spinnaker. Great Midwest Mast: Fully rigged, includes rope-to-wire main and jib halyards, 5/32" spinnaker halyard, six spreaders with end bolts, wire-hung topping lift block, black $1395 Great Midwest boom, - includes 6:1 internal outhaul, bottom-mounted aluminum clam cleat, self-fairleading swivel turning block, and a third track slider   $510 Great Midwest spinnaker pole, 1 1/4" aluminum tubing, stainless steel and bronze...

  Boats /   Connecticut / 491 views / New   Popular

$6,800.00

Thistle 1155

Posted 2 weeks ago by John Connelly

LAST CHANCE to save a woodie from a Chainsaw. The exterior of the hull is stripped to bare wood. The trailer is a Gator trailer with new hubs, wheels and tires. Call for additional information

  Boats /   Georgia / 845 views / New   Popular

$500.00

Posted 2 weeks ago by Chad Connors

Up for sale is a mold for thistle sailboat production. Professional built by a mold maker. Including centerboard and rudder molds. Not a lot know about it at this time but message me with questions and I’ll do my best to answer.

  Parts / 56 views / New   Popular

Silver mast

Posted 2 weeks ago by David King

Older silver mast with very little use. It has been stored hanging in a garage for at least 30 years.  I will have picture soon. Asking $500.

  Parts /   Florida / 29 views / New

Centerboard for Sale

Posted 2 weeks ago by Dennis Dunn

Some chipping on trailing edge

  Parts /   Pennsylvania / 379 views / New   Popular

$100.00

Wooden Thistle #1705 For Sale

Posted 2 weeks ago by Richard Schulz

Wooden Thistle #1705 for sale; Located in SW FL; Stored inside; Ready to sail; Good condition; Modern equipment and rigging; Roadworthy, lightweight aluminum trailer; Sailor's Tailor mast-up cover; Wooden cradle also available;

  Boats /   Florida / 43 views / New   Popular

$1,750.00

Thistle Top Cover

Posted 3 weeks ago by Bobby Sessions

North Sails top cover.  Can be used with boom in the gooseneck for parking lot storage or for travelling.  Still has lots of life left, my boat is stored inside so any sun exposure is just from regattas and travel. Happy to work with you to arrange shipping or transportation to a regatta this summer. Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S8rgJg2QJ7LGwOmaUPQRCYFdgAWZgzA5?usp=sharing

  Parts /   Ohio / 35 views / New   Popular

$250.00

thistle 4023

Posted 3 weeks ago by edward John

boat is in great shape   no damage mahogany rails twings vang controls where the middle crew be adjust 6:1  jib halyard tensioner hate to sell but i don't have suitable storage galvanized  cradle ride  trailer with tilte

  Boats / 91 views / New   Popular

$15,000.00

Thistle 1922

Refurbished boat painted white hull with red waterline stripe. All hardware has been updated, new center board gasket, bailers, hardware and lines. Cummingham, jib tensioner, and foreguy mounted on 45's.  Traveler mounted on trunk with centerboard and vang controls.  Sails and top cover   Trailer with title, new bunks and keelson support, mast support.  in great shape.   contact   [email protected]

  Boats /   Maryland / 791 views / New   Popular

$1,250.00

wooden thistle 1118 ready to sail

contact   [email protected]

  Boats /   Maryland / 750 views / New   Popular

$5,000.00

wood thistle 610 ready to sail

Posted 4 weeks ago by edward John

updated hardware,  new bailers,  clear finish hull.   contact   [email protected] photographs available,  i have been unable to upload photos

  Boats /   Maryland / 54 views / New   Popular

$4,000.00

Rudder and tiller from Thistle

Posted 4 weeks ago by Don Foster

Rudder and tiller with gudgeons and pintles. Asking $50. Pick up in Kennesaw, GA.

  Parts /   Georgia / 89 views / New   Popular

$50.00

17ft thistle class sailboat

Posted 4 weeks ago by Scott Oakes

17ft thistle class sailboat project

  Boats /   Ohio / 102 views / New   Popular

$800.00

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Second Wind Sails was established in 1995 in response to a local sailing community need for a convenient way to acquire and dispose of preowned sails in South Florida. The popularity of the service led to expanding the offering internationally.

Our mission is to make it as easy as possible to buy or sell a used sail. Our readily accessible technical expertise, economical pricing, timely evaluation process and up-to-date inventory make this happen. We stand behind every sail with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

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