A boat yet to be mentioned is the Seaward Fox. We started out with this boat. Original version was a sloop rig with a self tending jib, which made for easy sail handling to windward on a small lake. The newer versions have a cat rig. The wing keel (drawing 3') and 8' beam on this 17' boat made it very stable, and the high freeboard and closed stern made it very seaworthy. It's traditional styling made it look like a mini-yatch that turned heads no matter if it was on its trailer or in the water. The cabin could sleep 3 comfortably, and had a portopotty head, sink, and butane stove. This was a great little boat, and we hated to trade it. But when our family grew to 7, we needed something a bit bigger.
Don't overlook the Hunter water ballast boats, either. We currently own a 23.5, which I can rig by myself in about 40 minutes, or if I have kids helping me, in a bit less than an hour. Our family of 7 has spent as long as a week cruising Lake Erie when the kids were younger, and now that they are all grown up and gone, it is very comfortable for my wife and I.
We have sailed both of these boats on many of the inland lakes around Ohio, and all over Lake Erie, which deserves the same repsect as most near shore salt water.
Don't overlook the Hunter water ballast boats, either. We currently own a 23.5, which I can rig by myself in about 40 minutes, or if I have kids helping me, in a bit less than an hour. Our family of 7 has spent as long as a week cruising Lake Erie when the kids were younger, and now that they are all grown up and gone, it is very comfortable for my wife and I.
We have sailed both of these boats on many of the inland lakes around Ohio, and all over Lake Erie, which deserves the same repsect as most near shore salt water.