I'm buying my first sailboat in spring of 2006, or earlier if something interesting turns up. What I'd like to be able to do is step the mast with one hand, clip on a couple of padeyes with the other and bingo I'm ready to sail. Since I'm looking at boats between 18 and 25 feet I think I'm looking at a big compromise. So how long does it take to go from trailer to sailing? Does a bigger boat naturally take longer or do some designs lend themselves to quicker setup? What boat do you sail and how long does setup take? Do you use a factory or home built mast raising system or none? Solo times are prefeable because my wife and I do NOT work well together and I'd rather not rely on helpful docksiders who may know less about sailboats than I do. If that's possible. Thanks Brian
length of time from trailer to sailing?
- Thread starter Brian Scott
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Trailer-Sailing
You're definitely looking for a compromise of sorts. From what I've seen and experienced, The smaller boats(to 18') can be rigged pretty quickly singlehanded. This is helped with a deck-stepped mast, preferably hinged or a tabernacle. In this case, you're using the jib haylard attached to the bow and then tied off as you move forward to attach the forestay clevis pin. I was able to do this with my 17' O'day type daysailer(including bending the sails on and running lines etc.) in about 20 minutes. As you move larger, some boats make it more difficult. My current Venture 21 has the mast stepped too far forward to simply walk the mast up, and requires changing from cockpit to cabin top in mid-step(so to speak). I use a home brewed version of the mast raising system offered by the macgregor factory. Setup time for this boat is better than an hour(if everything goes smoothly, since my first mate is not too coordinated physicaly). Moving up to 23' and above, I've seen guys singlehanding the mast up and ready to launch in 20 minutes. The larger boats have longer cabin tops generally, and don't seem to require location changes from the man on the mast. On my website you can see the difference in simplicity between the two different boats, I think.
You're definitely looking for a compromise of sorts. From what I've seen and experienced, The smaller boats(to 18') can be rigged pretty quickly singlehanded. This is helped with a deck-stepped mast, preferably hinged or a tabernacle. In this case, you're using the jib haylard attached to the bow and then tied off as you move forward to attach the forestay clevis pin. I was able to do this with my 17' O'day type daysailer(including bending the sails on and running lines etc.) in about 20 minutes. As you move larger, some boats make it more difficult. My current Venture 21 has the mast stepped too far forward to simply walk the mast up, and requires changing from cockpit to cabin top in mid-step(so to speak). I use a home brewed version of the mast raising system offered by the macgregor factory. Setup time for this boat is better than an hour(if everything goes smoothly, since my first mate is not too coordinated physicaly). Moving up to 23' and above, I've seen guys singlehanding the mast up and ready to launch in 20 minutes. The larger boats have longer cabin tops generally, and don't seem to require location changes from the man on the mast. On my website you can see the difference in simplicity between the two different boats, I think.
Ability to Put up Mast
Probably the single biggest factor is the mast, although it all adds up. I can put-in/take-out my American Fiberglass D-18 in about 30 minutes or less each way. I would estimate the time breakdown as follows for putting in: Untying and laying out lines and shrouds-5 minutes. Putting up mast-10 minutes. Putting on sails, motor and rudder-10 minutes. Backing into water and unloading boat-5 minutes. It takes about two to three hours each way in my MAC 23 (cutter rigged). The mast itself probably takes forty five minutes. Everthing is more difficult and time consuming. I usually only take it out and put it in once per year, so I have developed no speed, but I don't believe I could get it much under two hours regardless. I would estimate my time breakdown is as follows: Untying and laying out lines-20 minutes Preparation to put up mast-30 minutes. Putting up mast-15 minutes. Adjusting shrouds-30 minutes. Putting on sails, motor, rudder-30 minutes. Backing into water and unloading boat-10 minutes. I have never actually timed any of these, but I know what the total times are.
Probably the single biggest factor is the mast, although it all adds up. I can put-in/take-out my American Fiberglass D-18 in about 30 minutes or less each way. I would estimate the time breakdown as follows for putting in: Untying and laying out lines and shrouds-5 minutes. Putting up mast-10 minutes. Putting on sails, motor and rudder-10 minutes. Backing into water and unloading boat-5 minutes. It takes about two to three hours each way in my MAC 23 (cutter rigged). The mast itself probably takes forty five minutes. Everthing is more difficult and time consuming. I usually only take it out and put it in once per year, so I have developed no speed, but I don't believe I could get it much under two hours regardless. I would estimate my time breakdown is as follows: Untying and laying out lines-20 minutes Preparation to put up mast-30 minutes. Putting up mast-15 minutes. Adjusting shrouds-30 minutes. Putting on sails, motor, rudder-30 minutes. Backing into water and unloading boat-10 minutes. I have never actually timed any of these, but I know what the total times are.
Trailer and size
I have had an Oday 25 for about 2 years, in a slip at the lake. When I bought it, we moved it across town from one lake to another. This boat was marketed as a trailerable boat, as I understand it, but if I had to raise the mast, etc, and drop it at the end of the day, not to mention loading it on the trailer, I would hardly ever use it. A lot of work! I vote for a smaller boat if you intend to trailer. Alan
I have had an Oday 25 for about 2 years, in a slip at the lake. When I bought it, we moved it across town from one lake to another. This boat was marketed as a trailerable boat, as I understand it, but if I had to raise the mast, etc, and drop it at the end of the day, not to mention loading it on the trailer, I would hardly ever use it. A lot of work! I vote for a smaller boat if you intend to trailer. Alan
Not long
I have a 1973 Cat-22.The first time it took meabout an hour.Each time after it went quicker,now I'm down to about a half hour.The cost for the homemade mast raising system was about 15 dollars.It isall about techique not muscle.Do a search here and at the trailor sailor website under mast raising.
I have a 1973 Cat-22.The first time it took meabout an hour.Each time after it went quicker,now I'm down to about a half hour.The cost for the homemade mast raising system was about 15 dollars.It isall about techique not muscle.Do a search here and at the trailor sailor website under mast raising.
Catalina 22
hi, when I had my Catalina 22 it took me about 1 hour from the time I arrived at the ramp until the boat was floating in the water and ready to sail. Then add another hour at the end of the day. I never did it solo - it took two people to put the mast up and take it down. The two hours set and take down time got real old real quick. The next year I put the boat on a mooring and I was much happier. Then it took about 10 minutes from the time I arrived at the marina until I was motoring out to sail (or raise sail at the mooring and sail out). Barry
hi, when I had my Catalina 22 it took me about 1 hour from the time I arrived at the ramp until the boat was floating in the water and ready to sail. Then add another hour at the end of the day. I never did it solo - it took two people to put the mast up and take it down. The two hours set and take down time got real old real quick. The next year I put the boat on a mooring and I was much happier. Then it took about 10 minutes from the time I arrived at the marina until I was motoring out to sail (or raise sail at the mooring and sail out). Barry
MacGregor 26
I have a Mac 26 with a stepped mast. It does not have the "mast raising rig", so I always had to take someone with me. We have stepped the mast several times this summer before I finally gave in a rented a slip....now I just show up and go sailing. I could have purchased the "rig" for $100 or less but I also became tired up hauling out and launching from storage to ramp because the weekends are so busy with lots of boats using the ramps.
I have a Mac 26 with a stepped mast. It does not have the "mast raising rig", so I always had to take someone with me. We have stepped the mast several times this summer before I finally gave in a rented a slip....now I just show up and go sailing. I could have purchased the "rig" for $100 or less but I also became tired up hauling out and launching from storage to ramp because the weekends are so busy with lots of boats using the ramps.
About 1.5 hours
It usually takes me about 1.5 hours from the time I get to the launch ramp to the time I splash the boat. I never do this single-handed. Since the boat is on a mooring most of the summer, it's not a big deal. At some point, I'll get some lines and construct a gin pole of some type to be able to single hand the mast raising. This won't shorten the time to launch, but it will mean that I use one person's time rather than two. The hassle factor for a 22 foot boat is not too bad. I suspect that it would take me longer if I had to muscle around the mast of a bigger boat. Dave s/v Hakuna Matata O'Day 222
It usually takes me about 1.5 hours from the time I get to the launch ramp to the time I splash the boat. I never do this single-handed. Since the boat is on a mooring most of the summer, it's not a big deal. At some point, I'll get some lines and construct a gin pole of some type to be able to single hand the mast raising. This won't shorten the time to launch, but it will mean that I use one person's time rather than two. The hassle factor for a 22 foot boat is not too bad. I suspect that it would take me longer if I had to muscle around the mast of a bigger boat. Dave s/v Hakuna Matata O'Day 222
Minimize Movements
First off, the smaller boats will generally be faster to set up for splash. With our 16-ft Falcon daysailer it would take only five minutes - but we minimized work and were organized. This was many years ago but, as I recall, it went something like this after seting up near the ramp: Outboard: 3hp long shaft, transported in the car trunk and hung on stern. Put food cooler on boat. Rudder, boom, paddle, sails in their sailbags, etc. were transported inside the boat. Can't remember where the gas can was; probably in the boat otherwise it would stink up the car. Life jackets were under the cockpit seats in a storage area. Step mast. Leave shrouds attached so the only thing left was to step it and hook up the forestay. Leave boat tie-down straps on until the mast is stepped. Don't step mast with boat in water, even on a small boat (unless there are overhead powerlines (check!). Remove trailer tail lights then back up and splash. Significant other holds onto bow line while you park the rig. Total time to this point about five minutes (before parking the rig). Took a few more minutes more to set the boom gooseneck on with downhaul, hook up the main sheet, bend on the sails and you're good to go. The main halyard and jib halyard were already on the mast so that made that part easy. Untie the centerboard (had to tie it in the "up" position because it drooped down a couple inches, just enough to catch on a roller). The trick is to minimize "doing stuff". Leaving the shrouds hooked up saved several minutes by themselves. On larger trailerables setting the mast can be a major effort. I talked to people who had Catalina 25s and they said that the tall rig, even though it's mast is only a couple feet taller, is enough to really increase the difficulty in mast stepping. Stuff you carry in the boat need to be chafe protected. For example, the gooseneck on my boom had a towel wrapped around it to prevent it gouging things. I'm sure there were more details this is what the years do to you. Hopefully this gives you some ideas.
First off, the smaller boats will generally be faster to set up for splash. With our 16-ft Falcon daysailer it would take only five minutes - but we minimized work and were organized. This was many years ago but, as I recall, it went something like this after seting up near the ramp: Outboard: 3hp long shaft, transported in the car trunk and hung on stern. Put food cooler on boat. Rudder, boom, paddle, sails in their sailbags, etc. were transported inside the boat. Can't remember where the gas can was; probably in the boat otherwise it would stink up the car. Life jackets were under the cockpit seats in a storage area. Step mast. Leave shrouds attached so the only thing left was to step it and hook up the forestay. Leave boat tie-down straps on until the mast is stepped. Don't step mast with boat in water, even on a small boat (unless there are overhead powerlines (check!). Remove trailer tail lights then back up and splash. Significant other holds onto bow line while you park the rig. Total time to this point about five minutes (before parking the rig). Took a few more minutes more to set the boom gooseneck on with downhaul, hook up the main sheet, bend on the sails and you're good to go. The main halyard and jib halyard were already on the mast so that made that part easy. Untie the centerboard (had to tie it in the "up" position because it drooped down a couple inches, just enough to catch on a roller). The trick is to minimize "doing stuff". Leaving the shrouds hooked up saved several minutes by themselves. On larger trailerables setting the mast can be a major effort. I talked to people who had Catalina 25s and they said that the tall rig, even though it's mast is only a couple feet taller, is enough to really increase the difficulty in mast stepping. Stuff you carry in the boat need to be chafe protected. For example, the gooseneck on my boom had a towel wrapped around it to prevent it gouging things. I'm sure there were more details this is what the years do to you. Hopefully this gives you some ideas.
Big difference...
You do not say if you plan on trailering the boat to the ramp or leave it there. It makes a big difference. If I left the boat (H260) at the club on the trailer, I could leave the mast up and be ready to sail in 20 minutes, 30 if I have to raise the mast with the mast raising system. If I haveto trailer to the launch site, then it is almost an hour to set-up and launch. What is the most time consuming part when trailering is to tie everything down so it does not move and install shafe protection. I know several people that keep their boat on a trailer at the marina. It is a good compromise on cost and time to set-up
You do not say if you plan on trailering the boat to the ramp or leave it there. It makes a big difference. If I left the boat (H260) at the club on the trailer, I could leave the mast up and be ready to sail in 20 minutes, 30 if I have to raise the mast with the mast raising system. If I haveto trailer to the launch site, then it is almost an hour to set-up and launch. What is the most time consuming part when trailering is to tie everything down so it does not move and install shafe protection. I know several people that keep their boat on a trailer at the marina. It is a good compromise on cost and time to set-up
Used trailerables
Try to buy one from somebody who never owned a marina slip. Such a boat will be in nearly new condition as they probably didn't use it much after the first couple of years. One to three hours setup and takedown for a daysail of a few hours gets old, but that's just me (and several other posters). I paid half as much for my marina slip as my boat and couldn't do it any other way. Leaving the boat with mast up on the trailer is second best. ...RickM...
Try to buy one from somebody who never owned a marina slip. Such a boat will be in nearly new condition as they probably didn't use it much after the first couple of years. One to three hours setup and takedown for a daysail of a few hours gets old, but that's just me (and several other posters). I paid half as much for my marina slip as my boat and couldn't do it any other way. Leaving the boat with mast up on the trailer is second best. ...RickM...
I Changed My Plans
I originally planned on keeping my O'Day 25 at my house, and setting it up at the lake each trip. When I found how much of a hassle it was to step and unstep the mast, I realized I would be 90 mins to 2 hours to put it up, and 45 mins to an 1 hour taking it down and prepping it for the trip home. I opted for "dry storage" instead. The mast stays up, and the trailer gets parked in a special parking area. However, even that was a hassle, as the parking slips were really set up for smaller boats. It didnt' take as long to park as to set up the mast, but it sure seemed like it. I finally opted to bit the bullet and get a wet slip. What a difference it makes. "Get ready" time takes about 5 minutes, and post trip takes about 15 minutes. We can be eating dinner with friends who express an interest in sailing, and be on the water 45 minutes later. We would have saved a ton of money had we NOT gotten a slip, but we would have used the boat MUCH less, if at all. I suspect we probably would have lost interest and sold it by now. We do still trailer the boat down to the coast for mini-vacations once or twice a year, and the trailer's great for that. But for "regular sailing", we need a slip.
I originally planned on keeping my O'Day 25 at my house, and setting it up at the lake each trip. When I found how much of a hassle it was to step and unstep the mast, I realized I would be 90 mins to 2 hours to put it up, and 45 mins to an 1 hour taking it down and prepping it for the trip home. I opted for "dry storage" instead. The mast stays up, and the trailer gets parked in a special parking area. However, even that was a hassle, as the parking slips were really set up for smaller boats. It didnt' take as long to park as to set up the mast, but it sure seemed like it. I finally opted to bit the bullet and get a wet slip. What a difference it makes. "Get ready" time takes about 5 minutes, and post trip takes about 15 minutes. We can be eating dinner with friends who express an interest in sailing, and be on the water 45 minutes later. We would have saved a ton of money had we NOT gotten a slip, but we would have used the boat MUCH less, if at all. I suspect we probably would have lost interest and sold it by now. We do still trailer the boat down to the coast for mini-vacations once or twice a year, and the trailer's great for that. But for "regular sailing", we need a slip.
If were voting
I went from an 18'trailerable boat to an O'day 23. Setup was a pain even though is was easily trailered. Loosing an hour and a half sail time was another negative. Thought about dry storing the O'day when I got it but decided to slip it and enjoy it. As stated below, park the car, grab the cooler, step on the boat and slip the lines in 5 to 10 minutes. I can trailer it, and will when we choose to spend a few days. Can say for certain I wouldn't use it as much if we had to hassle with setup/launching/retreiving every time. We usually hit it once or twice a week and would do it more often if time allowed.
I went from an 18'trailerable boat to an O'day 23. Setup was a pain even though is was easily trailered. Loosing an hour and a half sail time was another negative. Thought about dry storing the O'day when I got it but decided to slip it and enjoy it. As stated below, park the car, grab the cooler, step on the boat and slip the lines in 5 to 10 minutes. I can trailer it, and will when we choose to spend a few days. Can say for certain I wouldn't use it as much if we had to hassle with setup/launching/retreiving every time. We usually hit it once or twice a week and would do it more often if time allowed.
All in technique...
I have an H-216 that I trailer sail. I lake sail in several different lakes in upstate California so renting a slip is not an option. My first setup was about 2 hours. I am now down to 20 minutes with my racing crew; 45 minutes with my wife and I with my wife only doing a couple things. The investment in Ball Lock Quick Release pins and snap shackles make a world of difference. I like the mast raising on the H-216 as the mast is cuddy sole mounted and is raised into a notch in the cuddy ceiling. This gives you more leverage when raising the mast. There is a pin you can insert to hold the mast in the notch while you attach the shrouds...this is a *great* feature. That is, if you are stuck with trailering and are somewhat clever, you can invent procedures and tools to minimize the effort and time involved in set up/knock down. I can setup my H-216 faster than my old Geary 18. The mast is tough on the Geary and it takes 2 people.
I have an H-216 that I trailer sail. I lake sail in several different lakes in upstate California so renting a slip is not an option. My first setup was about 2 hours. I am now down to 20 minutes with my racing crew; 45 minutes with my wife and I with my wife only doing a couple things. The investment in Ball Lock Quick Release pins and snap shackles make a world of difference. I like the mast raising on the H-216 as the mast is cuddy sole mounted and is raised into a notch in the cuddy ceiling. This gives you more leverage when raising the mast. There is a pin you can insert to hold the mast in the notch while you attach the shrouds...this is a *great* feature. That is, if you are stuck with trailering and are somewhat clever, you can invent procedures and tools to minimize the effort and time involved in set up/knock down. I can setup my H-216 faster than my old Geary 18. The mast is tough on the Geary and it takes 2 people.
Trailer-Sailing
With my hunter 23.5 the biggest time element for me, is not setting up the mast and rigging, but waiting for high tide. At some launch sites, I cannot get the trailer far enough in the water to float the boat off at low tide, and have to wait to near high tide. Obviously not a river or lake consideration, but you have to be careful with the larger trailerable boats, as to the suitability of the launch site. Now I keep it at a dock and only put in in and take it out once/year.
With my hunter 23.5 the biggest time element for me, is not setting up the mast and rigging, but waiting for high tide. At some launch sites, I cannot get the trailer far enough in the water to float the boat off at low tide, and have to wait to near high tide. Obviously not a river or lake consideration, but you have to be careful with the larger trailerable boats, as to the suitability of the launch site. Now I keep it at a dock and only put in in and take it out once/year.
Dry Storage
I have a 1979 Catalina 22. I dry store it on the trailer at the marina because it is the cheapest (so far) way of storing the boat with the mast up. It takes me 12.4 minutes to hook up the trailer, install the motor, and back it into the water and park the trailer. (seriously, I timed it!). From house, 34 miles away, to motoring out the channel is just under an hour. I briefly had it in the water and that was THE BEST. Unfortunately, it costs almost 3x as much to keep it in the water so I opted for storing it on the trailer with mast up. I have only had to raise/lower the mast a couple of times and it takes about an hour. A good "system" could reduce that time by half but raising and lowering the mast is a real pain.
I have a 1979 Catalina 22. I dry store it on the trailer at the marina because it is the cheapest (so far) way of storing the boat with the mast up. It takes me 12.4 minutes to hook up the trailer, install the motor, and back it into the water and park the trailer. (seriously, I timed it!). From house, 34 miles away, to motoring out the channel is just under an hour. I briefly had it in the water and that was THE BEST. Unfortunately, it costs almost 3x as much to keep it in the water so I opted for storing it on the trailer with mast up. I have only had to raise/lower the mast a couple of times and it takes about an hour. A good "system" could reduce that time by half but raising and lowering the mast is a real pain.
Thank you...
...for all the responses. I thought it would probably go that way. Now I have to decide on either a smallish boat at home or a larger one at the marina, wet or dry. Back to more research. ttfn Brian
...for all the responses. I thought it would probably go that way. Now I have to decide on either a smallish boat at home or a larger one at the marina, wet or dry. Back to more research. ttfn Brian
LOOK at a MAC 26.....
In your research, include looking at a MAC 26. I have a Mac 26C, and its kept in a marina, mast up, on a trailer. But I frequently take it home, and do other site sailing, and camping. Its a convenient boat because of the WATER BALLAST...check one out closely...you'll be pleased !!! Ive air conditioned it recently, easily with a portable A/C.
In your research, include looking at a MAC 26. I have a Mac 26C, and its kept in a marina, mast up, on a trailer. But I frequently take it home, and do other site sailing, and camping. Its a convenient boat because of the WATER BALLAST...check one out closely...you'll be pleased !!! Ive air conditioned it recently, easily with a portable A/C.
See this similar thread
The link below is to a similar thread (Subject: trailerable weekend cruiser) in the Ask All Sailors forum. ...RickM...
The link below is to a similar thread (Subject: trailerable weekend cruiser) in the Ask All Sailors forum. ...RickM...
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