I thought it would be interesting if everyone here could say where and when they have ever seen another Dawson.  One thing I like about the forum is that I get to think about sailing my boat, in many different places.

I saw one in Oxford, MD as far in as possible, with a new outboard.  we crossed paths on the way out of the harbor there a two seasons ago.  He did say he had an old Vire that he had taken out of the boat.  I forgot his name.  

As many of these boats that have been made, it is surprising that you almost never see one.  

Bob

Good Choice, picking the Dawson.  We started with a Venture 25 that was well set up.  On San Francisco Bay, it was usually overpowered even with double reef.

We met our First Mac 26 at a launch ramp near Oakland, California.  Our first view was of the bottom of the boat.  It had capsized in 4 knots of wind, in protected water, with 6 people aboard.

Turned out, that it was a new dealer with their first boat and a set of prospects.  They managed to capsize and lose motor, cameras and some other good stuff.

We had our Van, so offered to carry some stuff home for them, since they home based in San Jose near to where we live.  They weren't anxious to talk about what happened.

The Dawson is a much different boat.  Good Luck.

Steve

Steve in San Jose
Dawson 26, "Banana Split"
Hull 270

Why did the MAC capsize?  Did they forget to suck in water?

Regarding the Lindenberg, I know someone who owns a nice one which may be for sale in the next 18 months.  Contact offline.

You can find more Lindys here:

http://www.geocities.com/Lindenberg26/l26forsale.html

It is a beamy boat (9.5'), with a huge rig.  I have nothing to back up the following statement other than on the lindy site in the past, someone mentioned a problem with gelcoat crazing below the waterline.    The few that are around here have that problem.  That repair is nontrivial and would require a bit of fairing/glasswork to correctly  stop the problem.  If you buy one, check for that problem.  Otherwise, they are a muscle car, have a cool interior, and would require marina services.  The Dawson, while likely slower (want to go fast?  windsurf), has no gelcoat problems (mine anyway), trails well, and also appears to have made excellent use of closed cell foam in some areas.

josh
duluth

VENTURE 25 and on to DAWSON @^
We started with an EL Toro which my wife, "Made me buy."  We were younger and more agile at the time.  I actually raced it on southern San Francisco Bay along with  40 other fools.  Half the boats capsized, but I managed to stay upright but ended in the weeds when my tiller broke off.  (Beer Story)
Then a Chrylser 15 which we sailed a few times on local lakes and sold a for what we paid for it.  
We found an well prepped Venture 25 and sailed it several years on San Francisco Bay and learned a lot about holding on for dear life.

One big adventure was to join the San Jose Sailing Club in their annual sail from Santa Cruz Harbor to Monterey for an overnight.  We had to trailer the boat over a mountain pass, then set it up at the launch ramp.  While setting up I noticed an odd boat that was part of the group.  It was a Parker Dawson Ketch.  I thought it was slick in a homely sort of way.  Great trip acrss the 25 miles in light fog, breaking out of the fog right at the harbor entrance.  The trip back was 15 knots of wind on a broad reach with porpoises leaping at our bow.

Over the next few years, there were several Dawsons for sale in the area at bargain prices.  (All for good reason)

Santa Cruz:  DEA auction! owner had been living on and selling drugs.
Sausalito:   OK boat with VIRE 7.  The idea of a 2 cycle inboard ??
Benecia: On trailer, engine was supposedly an, "Atomic 2."
Santa Cruz: in boatyard having saildrive hole filled. Put on open water mooring, not seen later.
San Jose: Original PD Ketch had been sold to someone out of the area. Later found this to be the guy who bought the molds and has no plans to use.
Sausalito:  Unused blue hull ketch being used to get a free parking spot in the Marina.  Store owner found this cheapest parking.

READY TO BUY Dan Underwood's boat in Florida!  It had traveled from Cape Cod, so I figured that it was a good risk. One of the few times I actually had money and time.  Had planned to take a month at Christmas to travel the southern part of the Intercoastal Waterway.
This was the year of the SARS SCARE and I was recovering from Cancer.  My Doctor scared me enough that I had to pass at the last minute.  This boat was later damaged a bit in a Hurricane, but I understand is all fixed up now.

Was about to fly to the East Coast and look at Hull 305 and 308 in Maine and Florida when Hull 270 became available a few thousand miles closer to home.  This boat had been sunk, was nicely recovered and in great shape. Spent two weeks in June and two in September cruising the San Juan Islands, making the long wait worthwhile.

Steve in San Jose
Dawson 26, "Banana Split"
Hull 270