A beautiful GP 14 but too risky?

Don't be too hasty to comnpletely dismiss wooden boats

Modern varnishes, paints and especially epoxy can result in very durable boats.

I had a stunning wooden Albacore that was left out all year and still looked amazing after a few years.

We have plenty of wooden boats at our club that are stored outside all year.

I recently saw a Scorpion that was 11 years old and had not been re-painted or varnished.

I think this is one case of thinking with one's heart rather than the head, and it makes sense to listen to the good advice here. We don't have a garage, and varnishing every few years and dealing with possible rot might be a bit much. We'll go back to our previous plan of either a Point Jude or a Sunfish. The place where I take lessons will be starting a community sailing program soon, so if all goes well, we can sign out a boat for short trips, provided we have enough crew.

Since that would give us access to nice sized boats, it might be fun to keep around a used Sunfish for a quick sail on the right day. On the other hand, a used Point Jude is not that much more expensive and is a nice stable boat that can be singlehanded pretty easily. It also seats three or four comfortably Nice to have options.

I've attached a photo of the GP. thanks for all the helpful advice.

Edited by Jeffisme - 29 Jun 19 at 4:30pm

I've been sailing for 30 years and still ONLY want wooden boats. You have to resign yourself to the revarnishing every so often.

You bet! I sailed  quite bit with the WSC and also on the Columbia. The kids love their Lasers. I am more of a Daysailer type. We are now in upstate New York. I miss the WSC folks.

thanks for the sensical advice. that GP sure looked enticing though.