Made Some Decisions

[Bad Obsession]

Most of you will remember my post about selling my Catalina 30. There are a lot of decisions that go behind this and it is something that I am working on.

After a lot of thinking, soul searching, and reflecting on my life at sea, there is no way I can give up sailing or owning a boat. I value my time aboard my boat and the cruises I have made. I count myself lucky because I have experienced this life for most of my life.

All of this being said, I have come to the decision that I intend to hold on to a very small part of the sale of the "Spirit of Liberty." How much depends on a lot of factors, mainly the sale price.

With the left over funds I intend to bank it in my "boat" account. I will begin to search for a trailer sailor to reduce my yearly boat expenditures.

Once I made that decision I can truly say that I felt a lot of peace. I also am looking forward to a new chapter and a new boat to set up how I like it. Knowing that a smaller boat with basic systems is a sacrifice, I also know that there are benefits to being smaller.

I have been in research mode for a few weeks and I am seriously considering two particular models.

I have a 2008 Toyota Tacoma with a maximum tow weight of 6500. That is pretty good and it keeps a lot of boats in the right area. I also think that keeping the price tag around 5K is the right size that still gets me into a good boat. Of course, 5K will end up being slightly more, and time is on my side. I probably won't buy right away but I intend to save up more money as I go along and search for the right boat for me. Another factor in this is that the wife wants to buy the house first and then I can get the boat. Being patient will be key.

My cruising grounds is the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. I want a capable boat.

We shall see how this goes, but I feel some relief with this decision.

 

[Rick D]

Good For You!

Those are always difficult decisions. Glad you found your path.

 

[CalebD]

Have you considered a Balboa 26'?
Sturdier than a MacGregor but still trailer able.

 

[Mikem]

I spoke with a fellow boat buddy a few days ago. He was commenting on our son's 1980 Cat 25 and waxed nostalgic about the time he was stationed in Annapolis. Seems as though he cruised the entire Chesapeake Bay in his Cat-25 and just loved it. I think the Cat-25 published weight is 4500 lbs so with a motor and some gear you would be something over 5000 lbs, still under your 6500 lb tow capacity. Check out the Catalina-Capri-25s.org website for more info on those boats. They still have great parts support.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I would not go to a MacGregor.

Some of my points are that I prefer not to have a centerboard. I have experienced them and would prefer a boat without one. There is always a worry that the pin will break, the cable will break, etc.

I would like a boat that is a little beefier. I had a Hunter 22 and while it was a nice boat and I did cross the Chesapeake Bay in it, there were a few times where the wind went over 15 knots and it was a bit nerve wracking.

 

[Bob J.]

As the saying goes, nothing is better than messing around with boats.
Once you've been bit by that bug, it's hard to find a cure.

 

[mark_swart]

I remember seeing your original post a while back and think you are making a great decision. I too have downsized due to family/finance demands (and because I hated my Hunter 34 anyway), but there is a lot of fun to be had in smaller/cheaper boats. Keep an eye on craigslist and ebay in that area and I think you will be surprised at how much boat you can find for little-to-nothing within 100 miles of you.
That being said, O'Day had a nice 23, 25 and 26 with a shoal keel and a small centerboard that was just for a little better performance, but didn't create reliability issues (the boat would probably sail just fine without it).
And remember, it's not permanent. Just another chapter in the adventure!
-Mark

 

[kenn]

I too think you've reached a very sensible decision.

You have lots of options at the $5k price point. The larger boats in that range will need some love, the smaller ones should be in good shape. The size choice could come down to how much daysailing vs how much overnighting and cruising.

 

[Stu Jackson]

WHEW!

Well put, my friend.

A Catalina 22 is "doable", but you'd probably be happier with a Catalina 25.

You're a "Catalina guy" already, right?

All the best,

Stu

 

[Old Skool Neil]

B.O.

About that maximum tow weight of 6500, if it's identified as GVWR 6500 or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, that's the combined weight of truck and trailer. Depending on the model truck it alone weighs somewhere between 4500 - 5000 lbs, leaving only 1500 - 2000 lbs. for the boat and trailer. The trailer is going to weigh around 800 lbs. leaving only 700 - 1200 lbs. for the boat.

Be safe my friend.

 

[rgranger]

Have you considered a Balboa 26'?
Sturdier than a MacGregor but still trailer able.

As Caleb already knows... I'm working on an old Balboa. Very solid boat... My scheduled splash date is this Sunday.

I'm also very fond of the Rhodes 22. I've chartered one of those and have a project Rhodes on blocks in my yard. The Rhodes 22 has a nearly plumb bow so the water line is also nearly 22'. So it is a very large 22'.


2 cents and worth every penny

 

[hewebb]

For what it is worth-I think your truck is to light to haul a boat larger than a Catalina 22, which may be pushing it. I and a couple of friends have Catalina 25's, two of which are wing keel, and use 1/2 ton trucks. Several friends have Catalina 22's and are very happy with them. Proper care on the swing keel will eliminate problems with it. We looked at a few MacGregor's and decided that they were not up to the standards we wanted after looking at Catalina's. Good to here you will continue sailing.

 

[Bad Obsession]

The Catalina 22, Oday 22, Catalina 25, Hunter 22, and Rhodes 22 are all boats that I have looked at.

So far, I like the Hake Seaward Eagle 22. It seems like a pretty good boat. Their boats seem to be up for the job.

My favorite, so far, is the Compac 23. I can find one in my budget with a trailer. From the research that I have done on them it seems like a good arrangement, a tough and well built boat, and it is trailerable. True, it maybe a slower boat and it may not go to wind that well, but that is not a big deal to me because I don't intend to race.

Use will be about what my Catalina 30 has done. Mainly overnighters or weekenders, but with an occasional longer cruise. My Hunter 22 did a good job of this.

I probably won't be trailering far most of the time. Maybe as short as a few blocks. I want to keep her in the area my current boat is located and possibly find a place to dry sail her from the trailer with the mast up (best case scenario).

I really can't get into day sailing. I use to be a racer and I enjoyed it at the time, but now I love the destination. Getting there is half of the fun, but I find the cruising more enjoyable when I have a general idea where I am going (we all know that if we are too rigid in the destination it causes problems). I love anchoring out and being self sufficient.

When the wife comes along I will go back to taking a marina at least every other night. That will keep her happier when it comes to that type of stuff. Smaller boats are cheaper to do transient slips.

As far as tow vehicle, I have an 08 Toyota Tacoma with the 6 cylinder and a tow package. It is a very capable truck and I will be in the flat areas of the Northern Neck of Virginia. As long as the trailer has brakes it will do okay. I have read of several people trailering Catalina 22s and Compac 23s on a trailer.

 

[DAVA390]

I too applaud your taking the time and thoughtfully reasoning your way to your decision. Good luck on your next choices(Plug for Precision here,even though it is centerboarded) ! On a lighter note, you have just guaranteed us pages and pages of discussions and recomendations to view and interesting (mostly) discusssions. Thank you for that!

 

[Rob19574]

I've been following this and I'm glad you are at a better place on this decision. I think most of us have grappled with this at some point in our lives. My kids now race at our local beach yacht club and they love it. On weekends sometimes, I go down with them and drop our Sunfish in and mess around with them on the bay. Its the same boat I learned how to sail on over 30 yrs ago. The size of the boat does not matter -- just that you get out on the water and dial into the moment at-hand.

- Rob

 

[tkanzler]

About that maximum tow weight of 6500, if it's identified as GVWR 6500 or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, that's the combined weight of truck and trailer. Depending on the model truck it alone weighs somewhere between 4500 - 5000 lbs, leaving only 1500 - 2000 lbs. for the boat and trailer. The trailer is going to weigh around 800 lbs. leaving only 700 - 1200 lbs. for the boat.

That's a good point. I believe the Tacoma has a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR, vehicle plus trailer) of 8100 lb, and you still can't exceed the tow rating, or the GVWR (truck's max weight plus trailer tongue weight), all at the same time. I don't know where that leaves the OP, though, as the allowable trailer gross weight comes down as the truck's loaded weight goes up. I would think the Tacoma would be a good tow vehicle for a C22 or similar, though. I towed my Aquarius 7.0 (23 ft) with my older-generation 4Runner with no problems. Just had to make sure the tongue weight was right. The trailer did have surge brakes, though, which I wouldn't tow anywhere but locally at slow speeds without.

 

[jibes138]

How about a West Wight Potter 19? Or a Pacific Seacraft 20 or 24?

 

[Bad Obsession]

West wight potter is too small. The Pacific Seacraft 20 or the Dana 24 is way too expensive.

 

[Jackdaw]

Beneteau First 235 with the wing keel.

5K is the very low end of the range of pricing that you see that at, but it happens. A great boat.

http://messingaboutintheboat.blogspot.com/p/about-beneteau-first-235.html

 

[kito]

Beneteau First 235 with the wing keel.

5K is the very low end of the range of pricing that you see that at, but it happens. A great boat.

http://messingaboutintheboat.blogspot.com/p/about-beneteau-first-235.html

Ditto on the First 235. Was my first choice for a trailer sailer but couldn't find one in my area. Interior looks big for it's size and well thought out.