Hi, I'm currently sailing a 23 foot sailboat and I'm thinking of moving up to something in the 25-27 size. I sail in FL so I need something with shallow draft but I'm not looking for a swing keel. Keel/centerboard is ok. I'm looking for 5'11 headroom and double bed size sleeping. My plan is to leave the boat in the water during sailing season and use it as a sailboat and a place to spend weekends. I'd like to be able to pull the boat after 5 or 6 months and store it on a trailer. Lastly and most important I want something that sails well. I like the looks of the Pearson 27, I know it's not trailerable but a one time haul out from home to slip would be doable. Any thoughts on what boat might fit my needs the best? TIA, John
Next Boat 25-27
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Hi all I bought a older ODay tempest 240 a few years ago and Im happy with it,s
But I find it quite cramped so I intend to extend and raise the cabin on it because when they built this boat they did excelent work into it but they could have had a much bigger cabin which im about to do I can raise it 12 inch's and extend it back in to the cockpit about 5 feet longer which would be exactly what i want so this spring it shall be done then I will put some before and after pictures on here .I got the extinson ready to put on to it when the weather git warm but not yet it,s -38 here this morning .
But I find it quite cramped so I intend to extend and raise the cabin on it because when they built this boat they did excelent work into it but they could have had a much bigger cabin which im about to do I can raise it 12 inch's and extend it back in to the cockpit about 5 feet longer which would be exactly what i want so this spring it shall be done then I will put some before and after pictures on here .I got the extinson ready to put on to it when the weather git warm but not yet it,s -38 here this morning .
next boat
Have you considered one of the water ballast day sailers like MacGregor or Hake? MacGregor can be launched in about a foot of water, the new ones have a centerboard, nearly 6' headroom in the cabin and weigh less than 3500 pounds including trailer once the water ballast is dumped. We had pretty much the same "wants" as you list and our 26M MacGregor sure meets our needs. Brian
Have you considered one of the water ballast day sailers like MacGregor or Hake? MacGregor can be launched in about a foot of water, the new ones have a centerboard, nearly 6' headroom in the cabin and weigh less than 3500 pounds including trailer once the water ballast is dumped. We had pretty much the same "wants" as you list and our 26M MacGregor sure meets our needs. Brian
Catalina 27
I would look at the Cat 27. Tons of them out there, many in Florida. You can get a 4 ft. draft. Parts available etc. You can go inboard or outboard.
I would look at the Cat 27. Tons of them out there, many in Florida. You can get a 4 ft. draft. Parts available etc. You can go inboard or outboard.
If you can handle 23...
You can handle 30. Not that much more money but exponentially more space, speed, range, enjoyment. At least include 30s in your search and compare them to the 27s you see.
You can handle 30. Not that much more money but exponentially more space, speed, range, enjoyment. At least include 30s in your search and compare them to the 27s you see.
A trailerable 27+?
Hi John, You can trailer just about anything if you have the rig for it. You didn't mention if you were just going to store it on a trailer or move it around alot. If you stay in the 27' range you will need a 3/4 to one ton pick up. A diesel engine would be best if you plan on going long distances but you can get by with a big gas engine. A friend of mine uses a Ford F350 duelly to pull his Nor Sea 27 (combined weight of boat and trailer is about 12-13,000lbs IIRC). Failr winds, Pappy Jack
Hi John, You can trailer just about anything if you have the rig for it. You didn't mention if you were just going to store it on a trailer or move it around alot. If you stay in the 27' range you will need a 3/4 to one ton pick up. A diesel engine would be best if you plan on going long distances but you can get by with a big gas engine. A friend of mine uses a Ford F350 duelly to pull his Nor Sea 27 (combined weight of boat and trailer is about 12-13,000lbs IIRC). Failr winds, Pappy Jack
Cat 27
That is my vote. They sail decently, got a lot of room for weekending and there are a bunch of them available on the used market so you will have lots of choices and they can be put on a trailer - not off a ramp, but certainly trailerable. I had the opportunity to cruise aboard one for a week with two other guys on Lake Michigan. I liked the boat and the three of us were comfortable for the week. the only down size was the outboard which was slower and noisier than an A4, which many of those boats have.
That is my vote. They sail decently, got a lot of room for weekending and there are a bunch of them available on the used market so you will have lots of choices and they can be put on a trailer - not off a ramp, but certainly trailerable. I had the opportunity to cruise aboard one for a week with two other guys on Lake Michigan. I liked the boat and the three of us were comfortable for the week. the only down size was the outboard which was slower and noisier than an A4, which many of those boats have.
MacGregor 26M was our choice
We faced a similar choice a year ago and purchased a new MacGregor 26M. We like it very much and have trailered it to Anacortes, WA and then sailed the San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands (Canada). It is quite easy to launch and retrieve with a very effective mast raising system. While it doesn't perform like a Capri 22 (that I have as a partnership) the MacGregor is an honest boat that doesn't pull any surprises, other than a high free board which makes docking and anchoring sometimes very interesting.
We faced a similar choice a year ago and purchased a new MacGregor 26M. We like it very much and have trailered it to Anacortes, WA and then sailed the San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands (Canada). It is quite easy to launch and retrieve with a very effective mast raising system. While it doesn't perform like a Capri 22 (that I have as a partnership) the MacGregor is an honest boat that doesn't pull any surprises, other than a high free board which makes docking and anchoring sometimes very interesting.
Next boat
Thanks for all the feedback. A few more details. I want an older boat that I can afford, within 10,000 and that would include some fix up on it. As for trailering, I'm not really looking for a trailerable boat but something that I can trailer or have trailered in and out once a year. I drive a Honda Accord so I have to rent a truck every time I pull my 23. If I'm going to rent a truck I would rather have a bigger boat because either way I need to pay to have it moved. We are using the 23 in a marina for the winter because it's nice to have it in the water and when you add up the truck rental it cost about as much as the slip when you figure mileage. Anyway, I figure something big enought but small enough to still rent the truck and tow once a year. Also, it seems like slip prices go up a lot when you hit 30 feet, and the price of keeping the boat up to specs goes up with each foot. John
Thanks for all the feedback. A few more details. I want an older boat that I can afford, within 10,000 and that would include some fix up on it. As for trailering, I'm not really looking for a trailerable boat but something that I can trailer or have trailered in and out once a year. I drive a Honda Accord so I have to rent a truck every time I pull my 23. If I'm going to rent a truck I would rather have a bigger boat because either way I need to pay to have it moved. We are using the 23 in a marina for the winter because it's nice to have it in the water and when you add up the truck rental it cost about as much as the slip when you figure mileage. Anyway, I figure something big enought but small enough to still rent the truck and tow once a year. Also, it seems like slip prices go up a lot when you hit 30 feet, and the price of keeping the boat up to specs goes up with each foot. John
Oversize load
A sailbout up to ~ 26-27 feet *can* be trailered without a permit, though with 9' beam it's not legal, and *can* be ramp launched, though it's not exactly normal. Any bigger, and anything that's not a dually with a lot of HP will be inadequete for the job. Plus, you'll need to file for permits to move it, pay for a hoist launch when you get there, etc etc. If you want my opinion, get a hunter 25.5 with inboard diesel and shoal keel. Has all the "big boat" amenities but is still in the margins of reasonable trailerability.
A sailbout up to ~ 26-27 feet *can* be trailered without a permit, though with 9' beam it's not legal, and *can* be ramp launched, though it's not exactly normal. Any bigger, and anything that's not a dually with a lot of HP will be inadequete for the job. Plus, you'll need to file for permits to move it, pay for a hoist launch when you get there, etc etc. If you want my opinion, get a hunter 25.5 with inboard diesel and shoal keel. Has all the "big boat" amenities but is still in the margins of reasonable trailerability.
Free advise
John, be careful of free advise. The legal width for objects beinf towed is 8'. Wider than that you are into special premits and insurance. I have an O'day 25 and she is just 8', so you are about at your limit for towing with a 25'. The O'day 25 is a fantastic weekender for two people, and is easy to handle for one person. Like i said free advise is great but, be sure to do your own research.
John, be careful of free advise. The legal width for objects beinf towed is 8'. Wider than that you are into special premits and insurance. I have an O'day 25 and she is just 8', so you are about at your limit for towing with a 25'. The O'day 25 is a fantastic weekender for two people, and is easy to handle for one person. Like i said free advise is great but, be sure to do your own research.
I've sailed the 25 O'day
I like the O'day 25, a friend of mine had one and it's a great boat. Although I'd really like something I can stand up in. Also, the to towing requirments in FL are 8'6" max which is what I have now with the Precision 23. I thought they were the same throughout he US but maybe not? John
I like the O'day 25, a friend of mine had one and it's a great boat. Although I'd really like something I can stand up in. Also, the to towing requirments in FL are 8'6" max which is what I have now with the Precision 23. I thought they were the same throughout he US but maybe not? John
John's right
Federal limit is 102" or 8'6" for un-permitted trailering. 10', higher in many states, for permitted without a pilot car. Bigger than that is a special case. -Buck - please read the post before making a negative comment..my post states that a 9' beam is not legal to trailer without a permit
Federal limit is 102" or 8'6" for un-permitted trailering. 10', higher in many states, for permitted without a pilot car. Bigger than that is a special case. -Buck - please read the post before making a negative comment..my post states that a 9' beam is not legal to trailer without a permit
Go bigger
Here is a beautiful 32 footer with 6'5" headroom and draft of 20" to 6'6" and trailerable. It is the Seaward 32RK. http://www.seawardyachts.com/32rk.html It's little sister, the Seaward 26RK has headroom of 5'9 1/2" and draft of 15" to 6'. http://www.seawardyachts.com/26rk.html
Here is a beautiful 32 footer with 6'5" headroom and draft of 20" to 6'6" and trailerable. It is the Seaward 32RK. http://www.seawardyachts.com/32rk.html It's little sister, the Seaward 26RK has headroom of 5'9 1/2" and draft of 15" to 6'. http://www.seawardyachts.com/26rk.html
Man I love those Seawards
It wont be tomorrow and it wont be the next day, but someday soon I will have an 32RK!
It wont be tomorrow and it wont be the next day, but someday soon I will have an 32RK!
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