Seaward Questions

[CR-Mike]

I currently have a Windrose 18 we day sail and overnight on. I have been researching the Seaward 25 but finding few answers on the web... Hake only makes the 26 and 32 currently .
Facts I can get, what I really hope you all can offer is OPINIONS! I know, music to your ears. I am thinking of the wing keel and hope to do a good deal of coastal cruising. I live in central Oregon (the high desert) and will be getting serious about the purchase in a couple years. It would first be a Puget Sound / Vancouver Island cruiser and possibly the Inside Passage. Then, who knows? I have my daysailer, I am really looking for a quality, large, roomy, easy to sail and seaworthy coastal cruiser that is still trailerable . I have just retired and my First Mate will also in a few years and with some health issues, it MAY fit the bill. OPINIONS PLEASE!!!

 

[sailingdog]

Mike—

I'd highly recommend you buy and read the new book, "The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats". It lists 360 pocket cruising sailboats under 27' LOA... and would give you a really good resource in terms of what boats to look for.

The Seaward 25 was available either with an inboard diesel or an outboard. For your purposes, the inboard diesel model would make more sense, since you could get hot water, a larger alternator, etc off the inboard engine. It is one of the few pocket cruisers that was fitted with a shower in the head.

I don't know how stable or seaworthy she'd be, as her draft is only 2' 1" or so. Ramp launching her would require either a trailer tongue extension and a long ramp, or a fairly steep ramp.

Unless you've got a specific reason to look at this particular model of boat, I would recommend you get the book and do a bit more research, especially since your purchase window is still two years off.

 

[BobM]

You should be aware of this issue. I don't know how prevalent it is.

http://www.okbayou.com/bulkheadfix.html

 

[sinnettc]

Mike,

Where do you sail over there on the east side of the mountains? We sail on Fern Ridge near Eugene and are planning a run up to the San Juans this summer.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Mike...

I sailed and maintained a friend's Seaward 22 for a few years. The whole boat line is well built. He used to take off with a friend who trailered a Seaward 25 from Indiana to the Gulf and other points. The two of them would take off for a couple of weeks at a time on it.

Key West and the other Keys, the Florida panhandle, Miami and the ICW, the Hudson River, the Erie Canal, Lake Michigan--they did a number of trips. My friend had nothing but praise for the 25--as long as you knew it's limitations--all boats have them!

 

[CR-Mike]

We live near Redmond, so Haystack Res, Billy Chinook. I bought it a year ago and discovered the former owner had drilled a hole in the deck next to the bulkhead for a radio antenna.... yeah. Last fall I had to tear out the entire bulkhead and both quarterberths. I hope, to get it in the water by mid July! Good sailing! Mike