The costs in Southern Maine for Storage of a 39 ft sailboat have become prohibitive at this point (plus I am getting older and I do all my own work). My wife and I typically spend 4-5 weeks cruising the Maine coast in the summer (yes I realize how fortunate and therefore grateful I am). I am looking for a sailboat that I can trailer (store at home) but that we can at least spend 1-2 weeks at a time living on. I have been researching shoal draft sailboats in the 25-26 ft. range that are on trailers, and have come up with: Watkins 25, Seaward 25, Com-Pac 25 (really expensive), O'day 26, Bayfield 25, Cape Dory 25, Hunter 25, and Tanzer 25. I owned a Catalina 25 long ago and felt it was poorly designed (prop to rudder location) so I left it out of the list. I would like an inboard diesel if possible, but I realize that they will all feel really small after the cruising boats I have owned (Pearson 365, Whitby 42, Cal 39). I would love some input from the folks with experience in cruising this class of sailboat. I am not looking to race, my wife loves living on the boat but she is not happy heeling more than 20 degrees. A usable head and galley are necessities as well as trailerability. Thank you for your thoughtful feedback to come.
Looking to downsize from CAL 39 MK2 to Trailerable sailboat - Coast of Maine sailing
- Thread starter andyschoenb@gmail.com
- Start date
Many years ago I owned a Tanzer 22 and cruised it on Lake Ontario. The boat was well built and sailed well, it has been my favorite for sailing. Space in the boat was tight, it will be a bit better in the 25. Tanzer has a reputation for building heavy boats, my 22 weighed in at about 3,000 lbs. The mast section was beefy for a 22 foot boat, it was the same mast section used on some of their larger boats. On the 25 you'll probably want to use a gin pole to step the mast.
As for the other boats on your list, I would look closely at the Com-pac, Seaward, and Cape Dory.
Good luck!
As for the other boats on your list, I would look closely at the Com-pac, Seaward, and Cape Dory.
Good luck!
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,406
Andy... Sensible request.
It is difficult to suggest if there is a limit to the ability to trailer the boat. If you're hauling the boat with a Subaru Forester, you need to think light and nimble with a rig of less than 2000 lbs, boat, and trailer.
If you have a Freightliner Cascadia 125, your options will be expanded.
If not sure, perhaps an indication of the towing weight would be a good place to start narrowing down the possibilities.
It is difficult to suggest if there is a limit to the ability to trailer the boat. If you're hauling the boat with a Subaru Forester, you need to think light and nimble with a rig of less than 2000 lbs, boat, and trailer.
If you have a Freightliner Cascadia 125, your options will be expanded.
If not sure, perhaps an indication of the towing weight would be a good place to start narrowing down the possibilities.
I was going to throw the MacGregor 26 into the ring but the 20-degree healing parameter popped up. It seems to me that that would eliminate any water-ballasted boats in winds approaching 15 mph. A cast-iron or bronze centerboard would be required, which or course affects the trailered weight. The thing that sets the 26S, X, and M's apart from so many other boats is the queen-sized berth under the cockpit. I have the S, but my wife would prefer an X or M because of the 6' headroom in the cabin. Of course, the X and M models being motor sailors is a big draw for many, especially those who would like the option of beating a hasty retreat when bad weather blows in.
I know that many don't think of MacGregors as "real" boats, but IMO, except for the 20-degree healing thing, they offer advantages other trailer sailors don't. At any rate, I think that you will be challenged to find a truly trailerable boat in the 26-foot size range that will satisfy the Admiral in regards to healing.
I know that many don't think of MacGregors as "real" boats, but IMO, except for the 20-degree healing thing, they offer advantages other trailer sailors don't. At any rate, I think that you will be challenged to find a truly trailerable boat in the 26-foot size range that will satisfy the Admiral in regards to healing.
Hello,
Are you looking for a boat that you launch in the spring and recover in the fall, meaning the only time the boat will be on the trailer is during the 'off' season? Or do you plan on launching and recovering multiple times a year?
If you plan on doing multiple launch / recover then a smaller boat in the 22' range would be a lot easier. However, as you note, living aboard a 22' boat for over a week is not something most people would enjoy.
Note that a trailer large enough to handle a 25' boat will probably weigh over 1000 lbs, putting at or over the towing capacity of your truck. Of course for a short drive on flat terrain you would probably be OK.
If you only will launch / recover once a year then I would suggest a boat in the 27-30' range. I would not launch or recover that myself, I would pay a yard to do it, and I would hire a transporter to move it to my properly. I used to have a Newport 28 w 5' draft that had enough amenities for a week or two (for 2 people). It had pressure hot and cold water, decent sized ice box, stove, head with holding tank and a comfortable salon and V berth. I think just about any 27-30' boat with a shoal draft would work for you.
Good luck,
Barry
Are you looking for a boat that you launch in the spring and recover in the fall, meaning the only time the boat will be on the trailer is during the 'off' season? Or do you plan on launching and recovering multiple times a year?
If you plan on doing multiple launch / recover then a smaller boat in the 22' range would be a lot easier. However, as you note, living aboard a 22' boat for over a week is not something most people would enjoy.
Note that a trailer large enough to handle a 25' boat will probably weigh over 1000 lbs, putting at or over the towing capacity of your truck. Of course for a short drive on flat terrain you would probably be OK.
If you only will launch / recover once a year then I would suggest a boat in the 27-30' range. I would not launch or recover that myself, I would pay a yard to do it, and I would hire a transporter to move it to my properly. I used to have a Newport 28 w 5' draft that had enough amenities for a week or two (for 2 people). It had pressure hot and cold water, decent sized ice box, stove, head with holding tank and a comfortable salon and V berth. I think just about any 27-30' boat with a shoal draft would work for you.
Good luck,
Barry
Allow me to add my boat (by definition the current best boat in the world) to your list. Jeanneau Tonic 23 (or the 27, or the beneteau First 23). It is in the same class as your list. It has a full, enclosed head, galley, two double berths. Standing headroom is 5', 10" max at the companionway, 5', 7" in the salon. If you get one before the early/mid 90's they are stoutly built and strong. There are both centerboard and fin keel versions, inboard diesel or outboard versions. Displacement is about 3,000 lbs, full trailer weight about 4,000 pounds. I tow it with a Toyota Highlander rated at 5,000 pounds. I regularly go on month long trips with several days at a stretch at sea.
Thank you for your suggestions. I am researching all recommendations so that I can get a better understanding of what
is out there for trailerable cruisers - I plan on trailering from the mooring to my home and storing the boat on trailer. About a 10 mile run, mostly back roads at less than 35 mph
is out there for trailerable cruisers - I plan on trailering from the mooring to my home and storing the boat on trailer. About a 10 mile run, mostly back roads at less than 35 mph
Just my thoughts - worth every penny you paid. If the ODay 26 is anything like the ODay 25 predecessor, it had too fat a rear end to ever put the rail under. It would start to heel, and the rub rail would be starting to approach the water. The big butt would immerse, causing the outboard transom-mount rudder to lose its grip. She would round up and straighten up. As it was the rudder was an inch or so deeper than the keel stub with the centerboard retracted, so a deeper rudder was impractical. Learned to reef to keep her reasonably flat. DW liked the fact I couldn't capsize the thing no matter how hard I tried.
She and I sailed the ODay 25 from Miami through the northern Bahamas for 4 weeks, from Key West to Dry Tortugas, and from Spanish, Ontario through the North Channel twice. Second time was with 3 kids. Reasonably trailerable with a Suburban for tow vehicle. 5ft cabin headroom, 28" draft, way too much boat for me now in my old age, although I miss the stability and comfort. I was so much younger then. Got rid of the stock stove, used a portable camp stove in the cockpit. Chrysler 9.9hp outboard for power. Had a used Avon dinghy with 1hp Sears outboard.
Now mostly single hand a 19ft Mariner. Tows easily behind a mid-size SUV. Room enough for max 2 to camp cruise, bare min headroom, electric outboard.
Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner 19 #4133 Sweet P
She and I sailed the ODay 25 from Miami through the northern Bahamas for 4 weeks, from Key West to Dry Tortugas, and from Spanish, Ontario through the North Channel twice. Second time was with 3 kids. Reasonably trailerable with a Suburban for tow vehicle. 5ft cabin headroom, 28" draft, way too much boat for me now in my old age, although I miss the stability and comfort. I was so much younger then. Got rid of the stock stove, used a portable camp stove in the cockpit. Chrysler 9.9hp outboard for power. Had a used Avon dinghy with 1hp Sears outboard.
Now mostly single hand a 19ft Mariner. Tows easily behind a mid-size SUV. Room enough for max 2 to camp cruise, bare min headroom, electric outboard.
Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner 19 #4133 Sweet P