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[sassynat58]

Hello, everyone. I love this forum and I don't even own a sailboat yet. I'm doing research and checking my options.

I'm looking in size range that would be trailerable (looks like 24' or so is the max) until my budget allows me to pay monthly storage fees (after both kids are out of college LOL). and I don't have a vehicle that would tow anything, so I'm researching that also.

Question right now is I've found a couple of boats on Craigslist I'm interested in, but I can't determine the weight of the boat - so how do I search for a vehicle that will tow it?

I would prefer to purchase a van or suv with a towing package, but I'm not sure they can tow the size boat I'm interested in buying.

Any suggestions/help?

Thanks.

 

[wonkodsane]

Sailboatdata.com has a lot of good info.

 

[wonkodsane]

And the "Site Search" page there is probably the best place to go, since a lot of the builders aren't listed.

LINK to sailboatdata site search

 

[tommays]

Some of the older MacGregor Venture in 21' and 24' boats sail pretty well and are on the light side as well as Catalina 22s

As you get in the 24' range it really starts to push the towing cost as even a light boat like My J24 is pushing the towing limits of car based SUVs

Its also much more work to set the boat up for the day as you go to larger trailer sailors

 

[dscribner]

There is a book called "The Complete Trailer Sailor" by Brian Gilbert. I bought it used on Amazon.com for $9. The author gives tons of information on all aspects of trailer sailing. In the back of the book he has about 50 sailboats from 14' to 26'. There are photos, drawings, specs and comparisons. It would probably be a great thing for you to pick up. Then, you could decide what vehicle you wanted too. We settled for an F150, 5.4 ltr 4WD truck, but our boat and trailer are around 5000 lbs.

 

[rejenk3]

Couple of things to keep in mind. Tow weight is trailer+boat+all the stuff in the boat+all the stuff in the car. So a 2500# boat can easily require 5000# towing capacity.

The only car based SUV I could find with 5000# capacity was a 2008+ Highlander. And it MUST have the tow prep package, otherwise 2500#.

Water balasted boats will be significantly lighter to tow. A fully retracting centerboard will allow you to beach the boat. I like my Catalina 22 but even with the keel retracted it sticks down a foot or so, preventing me from beaching. Also, that extra keel sticking down means I need to extend the trailer tounge to launch.

BTW, here I have mast up storage ($50/month). I used a 2000 V6 Camry to pull the boat 100 yards from the parking space to launch. It worked fine for that. But car wasn't really heavy enough to feel stable on the public roads.

 

[Ross]

The tail shouldn't wag the dog and you not only have to be able to tow the boat you must also be able to stop it. If you are forced to stop on the steepest grade on your towing route being able to get started again is very important.

 

[RECESS]

If you are going to be trailering you may really want a full size truck.

 

[Ken13569]

Where so you live and where do you intend to sail? These questions may help.
As an example those folks on the ICW worry about shallow water. I never do (Puget Sound in Washington State.) You may also find someone local o this board.

 

[Benny]

A boat tow vehicle must not only be able to tow the weight of the boat and trailer but also needs to have enough capacity to pull that weight of boat and trailer out of the water on an inclined ramp. Consequently you may need a heftier vehicle or a lighter boat than perhaps anticipated. When considering boats always give priority to it's sailing characteristics and consider the towing requirements secondary. There are some boats out there that may be easy to tow but perhaps not worth towing. Do your homework.