I've been sailing for 20+ years. During that time I have owned a 24' Cal and then moved up to a 28' Catalina. I sold the Catalina last August because I was not using it very much and was tired of paying for moorage, maintaining the boat, the engine and the boat's systems, etc. Not surprizingly, I spent a lot of time on the boat when I first got it but use slowed down over time (taking up golf didn't help). When I did use it, I used it mostly for daysails. So, here is the question. Now that I have focused on my primary use (daysailing with my wife or my wife and another couple), I'm thinking about a newer, smaller boat (maybe a 22' Catalina) with a good size cockpit, simple systems and no wood. For those of you who have gone this route, any words of wisdom? I know the old adage- the smaller the boat, the more it gets used. So, what do you think?
Downsizing
- Thread starter Bob Carlton
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Here is what I think
If you get a C-22 or something like that. You still have to pay for moorage and maintaining. You should have keep the 28, it was only 6 more feet!
If you get a C-22 or something like that. You still have to pay for moorage and maintaining. You should have keep the 28, it was only 6 more feet!
But the adage does not work if
the boat sits on a trailer. Having the option a boat sitting in the water will win every time.
the boat sits on a trailer. Having the option a boat sitting in the water will win every time.
Sounds Good...
The Hunter 212/216 series seems to be what you'd like. I'd suggest taking a demo sail on one. If you wanted to do it on the cheap, I'd look at a Cal 20, or others of that size and era. I would opt to keep it in a slip if at all possible since you are more inclined to use it. RD
The Hunter 212/216 series seems to be what you'd like. I'd suggest taking a demo sail on one. If you wanted to do it on the cheap, I'd look at a Cal 20, or others of that size and era. I would opt to keep it in a slip if at all possible since you are more inclined to use it. RD
Trailerable
Since you live in Portland Oregon you are close to the PNW and prime sailing season here is really only 4 months. You are tired of paying moorage? I don't blame you with the short sailing season. Get a 20' trailerable of sorts, something easy to tow & rig that you can manage easily and perhaps consider short term moorage of 4 months at a local marina.
Since you live in Portland Oregon you are close to the PNW and prime sailing season here is really only 4 months. You are tired of paying moorage? I don't blame you with the short sailing season. Get a 20' trailerable of sorts, something easy to tow & rig that you can manage easily and perhaps consider short term moorage of 4 months at a local marina.
No trailer!
My dad used to trailer our SJ-21. I hated it! It went in the water as soon as it became my boat. If you want your wife not to go start trailering!
My dad used to trailer our SJ-21. I hated it! It went in the water as soon as it became my boat. If you want your wife not to go start trailering!
Smaller & Trailer
I am not saying to trailer it around just have the trailer available, get a slip or mooring you will use it more if its in the water. What size to get is tuff something newer is less work easy to sail room for you and friends.
I am not saying to trailer it around just have the trailer available, get a slip or mooring you will use it more if its in the water. What size to get is tuff something newer is less work easy to sail room for you and friends.
You won't like downsizing in this range
You've got an amazing yacht. Sails like a big cruiser, fast, well built, exceptionally well equipped for cruisingday sailing in this size range. If you downsize to 22 you will have a cramped, slow, twitchy boat. If you trailer a sailboat you will never use it. Only racers like rigging their boats for every outing. Keep the 28. Just use it more. Find more reasons....fishing, racing, socializing, events, overnighters. Even just at the dock, especially when you add wine.....or rum. Works every time. -or- split the cost with a partner.
You've got an amazing yacht. Sails like a big cruiser, fast, well built, exceptionally well equipped for cruisingday sailing in this size range. If you downsize to 22 you will have a cramped, slow, twitchy boat. If you trailer a sailboat you will never use it. Only racers like rigging their boats for every outing. Keep the 28. Just use it more. Find more reasons....fishing, racing, socializing, events, overnighters. Even just at the dock, especially when you add wine.....or rum. Works every time. -or- split the cost with a partner.
Trailering works but slip is better
We trailered for a while and it worked pretty good. With the Mac 26 we got to where we could rig the thing and be in the water in less than 30 minutes. But it is enough work that we only sailed when we could overnight. But one year I was into flying and riding the motorcycle. We only used the boat a few weekends that year and the rest of the time it sat in a barn. Sitting unused in a barn it only got a little dusty. Sitting unused in a slip a boat becomes part of the environment. There is an unused Catalina 25 beside my present slip. Stuff is hanging off of it underwater. The sail cover is torn with green algea covering it. Heck the whole topsides of the boat is varying shades of green. That boat would be much better off in a barn. Kept dry and out of sunlight Dacron and fiberglass will last almost forever.
We trailered for a while and it worked pretty good. With the Mac 26 we got to where we could rig the thing and be in the water in less than 30 minutes. But it is enough work that we only sailed when we could overnight. But one year I was into flying and riding the motorcycle. We only used the boat a few weekends that year and the rest of the time it sat in a barn. Sitting unused in a barn it only got a little dusty. Sitting unused in a slip a boat becomes part of the environment. There is an unused Catalina 25 beside my present slip. Stuff is hanging off of it underwater. The sail cover is torn with green algea covering it. Heck the whole topsides of the boat is varying shades of green. That boat would be much better off in a barn. Kept dry and out of sunlight Dacron and fiberglass will last almost forever.
oops, you sold it
oops, I just realized you already sold the 28. Nevermind.
Yeah, the 22 is good in many categories, except foul or even medium weather. You can find used ones in good shape for cheap. Rigging is relatively easy and not too heavy. Cockpit is huge for this size range. Has alot of features for a small boat.
oops, I just realized you already sold the 28. Nevermind.
Yeah, the 22 is good in many categories, except foul or even medium weather. You can find used ones in good shape for cheap. Rigging is relatively easy and not too heavy. Cockpit is huge for this size range. Has alot of features for a small boat.
P23
Bob, I'm going the other way from a H170, but I'm looking for the same things. I found that a Precision 23 is going to be my next boat. I know it's not a Hunter, so please everyone, don't kill me. I had a chance to get on one last fall and it was very stable. I don't know if you will want a strictly board boat after having a lead keel. The P23 is stable and trailerable (read that as affordable to keep). Anyway just my 2 cents, happy sailing. JerryA
Bob, I'm going the other way from a H170, but I'm looking for the same things. I found that a Precision 23 is going to be my next boat. I know it's not a Hunter, so please everyone, don't kill me. I had a chance to get on one last fall and it was very stable. I don't know if you will want a strictly board boat after having a lead keel. The P23 is stable and trailerable (read that as affordable to keep). Anyway just my 2 cents, happy sailing. JerryA
Every one has an
opinion on this interesting subject: there are no "rights" and no "wrongs." The best small sailboat I every owned (and sometimes regret selling) was an Alberg designed, Ryder built 23 ft Seasprite. That little boat could stand up to a lot of weather with a full keel and attached rudder. It had a few small bunks inside and kneeling headroom, if there is such a thing. But it had a very large cockpit and, most importantly, would sail like a dream. Tender up to a about a 25 degree heel, it would then get into a groove and was very stable in high winds and wave conditions. I sailed that little sucker everywhere in all kinds of weather and really loved it.... Ah, the memories. If I ever moved down, that would be my boat of choice.... if I could find one. People who have them, love them and never sell ...
opinion on this interesting subject: there are no "rights" and no "wrongs." The best small sailboat I every owned (and sometimes regret selling) was an Alberg designed, Ryder built 23 ft Seasprite. That little boat could stand up to a lot of weather with a full keel and attached rudder. It had a few small bunks inside and kneeling headroom, if there is such a thing. But it had a very large cockpit and, most importantly, would sail like a dream. Tender up to a about a 25 degree heel, it would then get into a groove and was very stable in high winds and wave conditions. I sailed that little sucker everywhere in all kinds of weather and really loved it.... Ah, the memories. If I ever moved down, that would be my boat of choice.... if I could find one. People who have them, love them and never sell ...
A couple of suggestions
A later model Oday 23 (from '77 on) should be on your list. Stub keel and centerboard, large cockpit, full sitting headroom, and for the ladies, the head is behind a real door! This was a huge selling point for the Admiral in my house. The cabin top rails are teak, as are the cabin hatch runners, but the cockpit coamings are plastic, as is the toe rail (such as it is). Another boat that you should look at is the Oday Tempest. The boat is 23', but the cockpit is huge in comparison to the Oday 23 or even a Catalina 25. The cabin is correspondingly small. Of course, you can't go wrong with a Catalina 22 or 25; they hold their value, and they are very popular boats for a reason.
A later model Oday 23 (from '77 on) should be on your list. Stub keel and centerboard, large cockpit, full sitting headroom, and for the ladies, the head is behind a real door! This was a huge selling point for the Admiral in my house. The cabin top rails are teak, as are the cabin hatch runners, but the cockpit coamings are plastic, as is the toe rail (such as it is). Another boat that you should look at is the Oday Tempest. The boat is 23', but the cockpit is huge in comparison to the Oday 23 or even a Catalina 25. The cabin is correspondingly small. Of course, you can't go wrong with a Catalina 22 or 25; they hold their value, and they are very popular boats for a reason.
Think of your Trailer as a dry slip
If you have a marina that has a ramp and storage on the hard, you can just keep your trailerable sailboat on your trailer and leave it at the marina. That way you can leave the mast up, the sails on and all rigging ready to go. When we did this with our Hunter 27, we could be in the water in 15 minutes. The key is having the trailer set up so it is easy to load and unload. You can always tear down if you want to take it somewhere else. We like going new places for days or even weeks at a time so trailering across country is a great option for us. Besides, if you live in Iowa, you have about 3 lakes to sail or trailer elsewhere. Good luck Ward PS the suggestion of the Precision 23 is a good one. I never owned one, but a friend does and it is a great boat.
If you have a marina that has a ramp and storage on the hard, you can just keep your trailerable sailboat on your trailer and leave it at the marina. That way you can leave the mast up, the sails on and all rigging ready to go. When we did this with our Hunter 27, we could be in the water in 15 minutes. The key is having the trailer set up so it is easy to load and unload. You can always tear down if you want to take it somewhere else. We like going new places for days or even weeks at a time so trailering across country is a great option for us. Besides, if you live in Iowa, you have about 3 lakes to sail or trailer elsewhere. Good luck Ward PS the suggestion of the Precision 23 is a good one. I never owned one, but a friend does and it is a great boat.
I am enjoying my downsizing
You are right about maintaining all the systems. I sailed a Cheoy Lee Clipper for 25 years and have downsized to a Hunter 25. I am lucky in that I have a free slip so that is not an issue for me. I am amaized at how easy it is the maintain the hunter. My to do list never goes over 8 items. With a larger boat it was always over 2 pages. No inboard diesel, no refrigeration, no hot water heater, no marine head, no propane system, no roller furling etc. I love the simple life of the Hunter 25 and sail it often.
You are right about maintaining all the systems. I sailed a Cheoy Lee Clipper for 25 years and have downsized to a Hunter 25. I am lucky in that I have a free slip so that is not an issue for me. I am amaized at how easy it is the maintain the hunter. My to do list never goes over 8 items. With a larger boat it was always over 2 pages. No inboard diesel, no refrigeration, no hot water heater, no marine head, no propane system, no roller furling etc. I love the simple life of the Hunter 25 and sail it often.
If it's really daysailing, a C22 is too big
Get a 16 foot open boat like a CL 16 or a Wayfarer. I'm sure there are other similar boats. They plane and are fun to sail, but since they're cruising/camping boats, they don't tip over as easily as a 505 or other hot rod. One cool thing about trailer boats is you can have more than one. I have a CL 16 for easy launch, set up, and day sailing, and a Hunter 26 for cruising. With a tarp over the mast, they wait for attention without too much maintainance. Since they're next to the house(and they're glass with aluminium and SS rigs), it's easy to do the work they need, even a few minutes here and there.
Get a 16 foot open boat like a CL 16 or a Wayfarer. I'm sure there are other similar boats. They plane and are fun to sail, but since they're cruising/camping boats, they don't tip over as easily as a 505 or other hot rod. One cool thing about trailer boats is you can have more than one. I have a CL 16 for easy launch, set up, and day sailing, and a Hunter 26 for cruising. With a tarp over the mast, they wait for attention without too much maintainance. Since they're next to the house(and they're glass with aluminium and SS rigs), it's easy to do the work they need, even a few minutes here and there.
Flying Scot. This was my first boat and I still long for her. They still make them. Can fit six, can plane, stable and can sail in almost no water. flyingscot.com
Me too
I am currently downsizing from an H240 for similar reasons. You may want to look at the Hunter 216. I like it because it has a weighted keel for stability, yet is big enough for several adults to have room to move around. Based on comments I have read here, anything much smaller in a daysailer and you have more potential for capsizing. Good luck in your selection.
I am currently downsizing from an H240 for similar reasons. You may want to look at the Hunter 216. I like it because it has a weighted keel for stability, yet is big enough for several adults to have room to move around. Based on comments I have read here, anything much smaller in a daysailer and you have more potential for capsizing. Good luck in your selection.
down
In this part of the watery world, there's a boat called a Holder 20 that is very popular for club racing and daysails. A boomed jib makes handling dead easy and the cockpit is huge
In this part of the watery world, there's a boat called a Holder 20 that is very popular for club racing and daysails. A boomed jib makes handling dead easy and the cockpit is huge
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