Looking for advice on what people think is a good boat in the 20 to 25' range. Looking at O'Day, Catalina, Hunter, and MacGregor. Any other boats that anybody think are a wise choice would be appreciated too. Boat needs to be trailerable because we dont' live on the water and will want to take it to different places such as Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario and New Jersey. Boat will is also gonna be used so looking for reliable older boat. Thanks for your ideas. Dan
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Already on the right track
You have already mentioned the popular trailerable boats in the 20 to 25 foot range. Probably should look in the special forum for trailerable sail boats, as they have their own set of problems and benefits.
You have already mentioned the popular trailerable boats in the 20 to 25 foot range. Probably should look in the special forum for trailerable sail boats, as they have their own set of problems and benefits.
Plus 1'
You should include 26 footers since most of Macs recent boats are "26" and the water-ballast keeps the weight in the same trailering range.
You should include 26 footers since most of Macs recent boats are "26" and the water-ballast keeps the weight in the same trailering range.
Owner reviews
Check out the "Boat Information" > "Model Information" > "Owner Reviews" on this and related sites. This will provide great information about the different boats. Comparisons are difficult unless someone is familiar with each of the boats you have an interest in. I have a Hunter 240 and like the ability to trailer and have a boat that is fun to sail. Good luck to you. _/)
Check out the "Boat Information" > "Model Information" > "Owner Reviews" on this and related sites. This will provide great information about the different boats. Comparisons are difficult unless someone is familiar with each of the boats you have an interest in. I have a Hunter 240 and like the ability to trailer and have a boat that is fun to sail. Good luck to you. _/)
Personal advice
I've owned three different boats in this class. A Tanzer 22, Catalina 25 and O'Day 25. Mine were not trailerable but I'd have to say the O'Day 25 was the better sailing, better built boat with the maximum amount of room down below. Just sold mine last Fall and got an O'Day 30.
I've owned three different boats in this class. A Tanzer 22, Catalina 25 and O'Day 25. Mine were not trailerable but I'd have to say the O'Day 25 was the better sailing, better built boat with the maximum amount of room down below. Just sold mine last Fall and got an O'Day 30.
I agree with John
Don't over look the MacGregor 26D, 26S or 26X. They are all easy to launch, recover, setup and trailer. They are also roomier than most others their size. BoatTraderOnline on the link below lists 158 sailboats in the 20' to 26' range in the North East. It's a good place to see what all is out there. Happy sails *_/), MArk
Don't over look the MacGregor 26D, 26S or 26X. They are all easy to launch, recover, setup and trailer. They are also roomier than most others their size. BoatTraderOnline on the link below lists 158 sailboats in the 20' to 26' range in the North East. It's a good place to see what all is out there. Happy sails *_/), MArk
macgregor 26 d / c
I just bought a 1988 26d, and would recommend it. it is lightly constructed, but has most living space of any I've seen. its also fast on the race course. it came with a single axle trailer, and seems easy to pull, and stop. its also one of the easer to launch. For more offshore use, I would probably go for the catalina 25, or as big as you can pull. there are many different models of macgregors. do your homework!!! The new ones are totaly differnt than the late 80's & early 90's models.
I just bought a 1988 26d, and would recommend it. it is lightly constructed, but has most living space of any I've seen. its also fast on the race course. it came with a single axle trailer, and seems easy to pull, and stop. its also one of the easer to launch. For more offshore use, I would probably go for the catalina 25, or as big as you can pull. there are many different models of macgregors. do your homework!!! The new ones are totaly differnt than the late 80's & early 90's models.
Oday 23
The Oday 23 is your boat for sure. I had a CAtalina 22, and the Oday is far superior...much more room inside, better overall quality, classier looks and really fast. Go for a boat no older than a '77 or so, without the poptop feature of the first Oday 23s. Enjoy!
The Oday 23 is your boat for sure. I had a CAtalina 22, and the Oday is far superior...much more room inside, better overall quality, classier looks and really fast. Go for a boat no older than a '77 or so, without the poptop feature of the first Oday 23s. Enjoy!
Hunter H260
Don't count out the Hunter H260. I just bought mine in June and have spent all summer on it. It had the most room in the cabin than all I looked at and is easy to sail singlehanded. It trailers well and is a lot of fun. I would look for a new used boat rather than buying new. When you buy new, it can become expensive setting it up with bimini, sail covers, etc., etc. There are better deals in the new used ones as they are usually set up already and ready to go.
Don't count out the Hunter H260. I just bought mine in June and have spent all summer on it. It had the most room in the cabin than all I looked at and is easy to sail singlehanded. It trailers well and is a lot of fun. I would look for a new used boat rather than buying new. When you buy new, it can become expensive setting it up with bimini, sail covers, etc., etc. There are better deals in the new used ones as they are usually set up already and ready to go.
John, H260 trailering issue?
Hey John, What is your solution to the H260 trailering width issue? Do you get a special permit or do you just pray you never get caught? Maximum trailer width without a permit in Texas is 8.5'. The H260 beam (according to the Hunter website) is 8'11.5" which is illegal in all states except Hawaii. (See link below) Happy sails *_/) MArk
Hey John, What is your solution to the H260 trailering width issue? Do you get a special permit or do you just pray you never get caught? Maximum trailer width without a permit in Texas is 8.5'. The H260 beam (according to the Hunter website) is 8'11.5" which is illegal in all states except Hawaii. (See link below) Happy sails *_/) MArk
H260 Trailering
The question of "legally" trailering a H26/H260 has to be one of the most frequent issues to come up in the forums. And in the 5 years that I've owned my H26, and also been reading this site, I have NEVER heard of anyone that has gotten stopped or ticketed for pulling the boat. The anecdotal consensus seems to be that the law is generally targeted at commercial carriers, and that troopers have better things to do than pull over a boater for being 5" wide. T J ps - I'm not a lawyer, and don't play one on tv, so your mileage may vary.
The question of "legally" trailering a H26/H260 has to be one of the most frequent issues to come up in the forums. And in the 5 years that I've owned my H26, and also been reading this site, I have NEVER heard of anyone that has gotten stopped or ticketed for pulling the boat. The anecdotal consensus seems to be that the law is generally targeted at commercial carriers, and that troopers have better things to do than pull over a boater for being 5" wide. T J ps - I'm not a lawyer, and don't play one on tv, so your mileage may vary.
related message thread
Click on the link below for an extensive discussion on towing. One person just towed their 260 7,600mi. Another towed his 26 a total of around 30,000mi. Wow. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
Click on the link below for an extensive discussion on towing. One person just towed their 260 7,600mi. Another towed his 26 a total of around 30,000mi. Wow. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
Trailer Boat Options
There is a very reasonable "how to select" article in the current issue of Good Old Boat magazine.
There is a very reasonable "how to select" article in the current issue of Good Old Boat magazine.
My short list
A few years ago my short list had the following boats. Mac 25 if I could get one with the steel keel and cable in good shape. It is a fast roomy sailor and averages $5 to $6K. Mac 26 c or d Water ballast Mac that sails like the famous 25. Usually about $8 to $11K. Hunter 235 Water ballast Hunter with B&R rig and no back stay. Easiest for a person with a creaky back to rig. Most comfortable boat of the group. Open transom for easy swimming and boarding. Usually about $9 to $13K We ended up with the Hunter but I think I'd have been almost as happy with any of the other boats.
A few years ago my short list had the following boats. Mac 25 if I could get one with the steel keel and cable in good shape. It is a fast roomy sailor and averages $5 to $6K. Mac 26 c or d Water ballast Mac that sails like the famous 25. Usually about $8 to $11K. Hunter 235 Water ballast Hunter with B&R rig and no back stay. Easiest for a person with a creaky back to rig. Most comfortable boat of the group. Open transom for easy swimming and boarding. Usually about $9 to $13K We ended up with the Hunter but I think I'd have been almost as happy with any of the other boats.
San Juan
They made great boats in your range. Very fast and fun to sail. The 21 would be tight for weekending although people do. Look at the larger sizes. These boats seem to have a cult following. The SJ26 is an excellent boat and is only 8 feet wide. After owning a 21 for many years it was difficult to move up to a larger boat and equal the quality and performance I was accustomed to. I Found a Pearson 28 that is an awesome boat. Not trailerable though. Tim
They made great boats in your range. Very fast and fun to sail. The 21 would be tight for weekending although people do. Look at the larger sizes. These boats seem to have a cult following. The SJ26 is an excellent boat and is only 8 feet wide. After owning a 21 for many years it was difficult to move up to a larger boat and equal the quality and performance I was accustomed to. I Found a Pearson 28 that is an awesome boat. Not trailerable though. Tim
My Short-Short List
I'm had my O'Day 22 for 31 years....good boat seems to be the best overall quality in boat in the 22/23 ft. range. However, the O'Day 22 has a shallow fixed keel...this would be a real pain for the weekend "trailer sailor". I would suggest you look for a clean used Catalina 22, it is close in overall quality to the O'Day...Carefully check the condition of the keel, keel penant & keel hinge pin. This boat would be much easier to launch and retrieve.
I'm had my O'Day 22 for 31 years....good boat seems to be the best overall quality in boat in the 22/23 ft. range. However, the O'Day 22 has a shallow fixed keel...this would be a real pain for the weekend "trailer sailor". I would suggest you look for a clean used Catalina 22, it is close in overall quality to the O'Day...Carefully check the condition of the keel, keel penant & keel hinge pin. This boat would be much easier to launch and retrieve.
Consider the towing vehicle
No question that the 25-26 foot boats are the most comfortable, but they also require a bigger tow vehicle to be safe, such as a heavy pickup or a Suburban type SUV. Water ballast is awfully handy when it comes to towing, which makes the Hunters and McGregors interesting. The nice thing about the 22-23' class of boats is that most of them can be trailered by a mid-sized SUV. You give up a little weekend comfort in that size of boat, such as a private head, but they are just as fun to sail, and they are less expensive to buy and own, especially when you consider the need to own a heavier tow vehicle, too.
No question that the 25-26 foot boats are the most comfortable, but they also require a bigger tow vehicle to be safe, such as a heavy pickup or a Suburban type SUV. Water ballast is awfully handy when it comes to towing, which makes the Hunters and McGregors interesting. The nice thing about the 22-23' class of boats is that most of them can be trailered by a mid-sized SUV. You give up a little weekend comfort in that size of boat, such as a private head, but they are just as fun to sail, and they are less expensive to buy and own, especially when you consider the need to own a heavier tow vehicle, too.
Catalina 22 vs. MacGregor 26
Ya just gotta love all the great advice you can get on this site! Thought I'd thrown in my two cents worth. If your looking for low cost and reasonable trailer weight, the Mac 26 D or C model is pretty hard to beat. An ex-girlfriend had a Catalina 22 and it was a fun boat but really a little cramped for weekending. A late 80's or early 90's Mac 26 costs about the same as a similiar year Cat 22 (at least here in N. California) but has a LOT more room. I did a lot of research before ending-up with an "89 Mac 26D and have been REALLY happy with her. BTW, the boat was in great shape, came with jib, genoa, spinaker, 3 anchors, 400' of anchor rode, 9.9 hp kicker, VHF, stereo, trailer and a bunch of little stuff for $5k! Now that's what I call a budget pocket cruiser!(okay, so that was more like three or four cents worth, but with inflation...!) Whatever you end-up with, have a great time and sail it like you stole it!
Ya just gotta love all the great advice you can get on this site! Thought I'd thrown in my two cents worth. If your looking for low cost and reasonable trailer weight, the Mac 26 D or C model is pretty hard to beat. An ex-girlfriend had a Catalina 22 and it was a fun boat but really a little cramped for weekending. A late 80's or early 90's Mac 26 costs about the same as a similiar year Cat 22 (at least here in N. California) but has a LOT more room. I did a lot of research before ending-up with an "89 Mac 26D and have been REALLY happy with her. BTW, the boat was in great shape, came with jib, genoa, spinaker, 3 anchors, 400' of anchor rode, 9.9 hp kicker, VHF, stereo, trailer and a bunch of little stuff for $5k! Now that's what I call a budget pocket cruiser!(okay, so that was more like three or four cents worth, but with inflation...!) Whatever you end-up with, have a great time and sail it like you stole it!
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