Ahoy friends! I live in Sunnyvale and grew up sailing a Ledo 14 with my dad on CA lakes and in the SF Bay out of the Port of Redwood City, and I'm looking to get back into sailing! The Ledo was great in lakes but was a little small for the bay, so this time I'm going to go slightly bigger with a Potter 19.
btw, I'm still in the market for a nice "blue water" P19-- please let me know if you have any good leads on a quality blue water P19-- I have been eyeing a few out there but have yet to close the sale!
I'd also like to trailer her at the Port of Redwood City Dry Dock Storage, which currently has a wait list. I spoke with Larry there, and he mentioned that some of the Potter Yachters keep their boats trailered there and may be willing to share a spot; apparently Potters are small enough to share a space while most boats would require the full space. Would anyone be interested in sharing a space with me? I would be willing to help cover costs to help make it happen!
Thanks in advance for any help or encouragement!
--Teague
I have a Potter 19 and just heard of a good blue water layup for sale today but live on the east coast 3hours from the Atlantic. Good luck on your search.
Teague, I hope the search is going well. I haven't sailed my Potter 19 Star Gazer this year. 2025 has been a mixed blessing year for me. Life's concerns took up much of my time. The last few years I have sailed it 2 or 3 times a year. It is just easier for me to solo sail my Wayfarer 16 or Scamp 12. Since I joined a sailing club almost 6 years ago now, I crew in races every other week. Too many sailing options is why I haven't sailed it as much.
All that being said and even though it isn't getting used as much I find it hard to part with. It's the cabin I like. It is easy to single hand and you can beach it. The downside is the way space is used inside. The daggerboard is right in the middle. Although at anchor with it down it is less of a problem. It's comfortable though. I have had some problem with leakage around the ports and was 15 years old when I bought it in 2016 from the original owner. I thought I would post a few photos.
Going through the photos has me thinking she is the next boat I need to take sailing.
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T - I believe you mean the Lido 14 sailboat. Not very common here on the east coast, but I did sail one in a community sailing program about 40 years ago. Great boat. Potters have a good reputation according to most owners, but I've never sailed one. My advice is to keep your options open to other boat brands. You never know what may pop up locally, and there are many good ones out there. Good luck in your search.
BTW - Before I settled on the Precision 165, I looked at a lot of boats used and new. Some of the used ones were far from being in good shape, and unfortunately their owners had rose-color glasses. Check out used boats carefully, even if it is a "project" boat.
Brian N males some good points. I do like my Potter but there are other boats I would have considered at the time Like the Montgomery 17, the Windrose 18, San Juan 21, Skipper 2O, Sage 17 just to name a few. I'm a long-time backpacker so small cabins seem a bit like a luxury, but for many not so much. I have a 12-foot Scamp that I plan to camp on.
Check the sails as new sails are not cheap and decent sails make a difference in performance. If there is much work to be done on the boat is another consideration. Extra gear often comes with a used boat. Look for blisters on the hull and soft spots on the deck.
Good luck with your search. Dr. Judy that used to visit here is associated with the Potters out in Cali and would be a good resource. Noemi mentioned her contact info a while back. I investigated Potters before I built my catboat, and had almost pulled the trigger on a new 19' boat, but somehow wound up with a swimming pool instead. I really don't know how that happened but that woman that lets me live here is a tough negotiator. SO....that's the way life is I suppose, and the advice to not get fixated on one type is good advice. All good advice actually. Hope you find a good boat!
My friend Clint bought a Potter 19 after seeing mine. He sent me this photo from 4 years ago today. His has the blue water layup, whereas mine doesn't, and full batten main sail.
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