Any suggestions for a day sailor for Lake Tahoe? I would need to trailor it, as there hasn't been an available slip at the lake since 1920. I've heard the lake can pick up winds pretty fast, and there are speedboat wakes to contend with, so a I'm thinking even a day sailor would need to be at least 21' or so. I don't really have intensions to sleep onboard, so a pocket cruiser is probably overkill. Anyone had any experience up there? Thanks, Matthew
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Try these
Highlander or Flying Scott are fast, roomy, stable. The Daysailor II or Mariner is another good choice http://www.flyingscot.com/order.html http://oday.home.att.net/modindex.htm
Highlander or Flying Scott are fast, roomy, stable. The Daysailor II or Mariner is another good choice http://www.flyingscot.com/order.html http://oday.home.att.net/modindex.htm
Tahoe sailer
Matt; I would look for a catboat, 18 feet or so. Easy to sail, plenty of beam, stable, good for daysailing and picniking.
Matt; I would look for a catboat, 18 feet or so. Easy to sail, plenty of beam, stable, good for daysailing and picniking.
Your really don't want ANY boat that can tip..
Take it from me. You really do not want any boat that can tip if you are sailing on Lake Tahoe. The water temps are normally in the 50's-60's. So trying to right a boat in cold water can be very tasking especially in those temperatures. I think there are always slips available if you look around. The problem may be the price. Check out the Tahoe Keys ($20/ft/mo paid in advance). If you look in the local newspapers, you may find home owners that will rent a dock for the summer at very reasonable prices. While either place may get you a dock, you will still need to trailer the boat for storage unless you want to pay a ridiculous fee for storage during the winter too.
Take it from me. You really do not want any boat that can tip if you are sailing on Lake Tahoe. The water temps are normally in the 50's-60's. So trying to right a boat in cold water can be very tasking especially in those temperatures. I think there are always slips available if you look around. The problem may be the price. Check out the Tahoe Keys ($20/ft/mo paid in advance). If you look in the local newspapers, you may find home owners that will rent a dock for the summer at very reasonable prices. While either place may get you a dock, you will still need to trailer the boat for storage unless you want to pay a ridiculous fee for storage during the winter too.
A pretty good boat
For several years my brother trailer-sailed a Mac 21 on Tahoe, and I sailed there with him several times, including some races. He did the Trans-Tahoe race in that boat a number of times, once with me as crew. That boat is relatively easy to set up and launch (at one time he had the routine down to about 20 min each way,) and when you trailer-sail, that is the name of the game. If a boat is hard to launch or recover, you tend not to go after a few times. The boat has a drop keel and a small cabin, and he, his wife, and daughter sailed it for a week in the San Juans on two occasions. He and I overnighted it once at Emerald Bay on Tahoe. What I'm saying is that while its comforts are Spartan, it's a decent sailing boat that can handle most anything Tahoe can dish out (check the reports of the '04 race conditions), is easily trailered without using a bigger truck, is very affordable, and most of all, launches and recovers quickly. Hard to beat for that application.
For several years my brother trailer-sailed a Mac 21 on Tahoe, and I sailed there with him several times, including some races. He did the Trans-Tahoe race in that boat a number of times, once with me as crew. That boat is relatively easy to set up and launch (at one time he had the routine down to about 20 min each way,) and when you trailer-sail, that is the name of the game. If a boat is hard to launch or recover, you tend not to go after a few times. The boat has a drop keel and a small cabin, and he, his wife, and daughter sailed it for a week in the San Juans on two occasions. He and I overnighted it once at Emerald Bay on Tahoe. What I'm saying is that while its comforts are Spartan, it's a decent sailing boat that can handle most anything Tahoe can dish out (check the reports of the '04 race conditions), is easily trailered without using a bigger truck, is very affordable, and most of all, launches and recovers quickly. Hard to beat for that application.
Keel boat with centerboard.
If Steve is right about water temp then stay away from most centerboard boats. I own a Highlander and you are going to get wet. And it cannot be righted. It is a dilemma because to dry sail off the trailer you want something easy to rig. But I think you need a keel boat in the 22 foot range. A popular boat on our lake is the 22 foot Catalina with the swing keel. This is a short keel stub with a centerboard. And not much more work to launch than a Highlander/Flying Scot/Thistle. I am partial to Hunters because I own an H37C. But I am not familiar with the smaller keel versions. I am sure there is something like the Catalina 22.
If Steve is right about water temp then stay away from most centerboard boats. I own a Highlander and you are going to get wet. And it cannot be righted. It is a dilemma because to dry sail off the trailer you want something easy to rig. But I think you need a keel boat in the 22 foot range. A popular boat on our lake is the 22 foot Catalina with the swing keel. This is a short keel stub with a centerboard. And not much more work to launch than a Highlander/Flying Scot/Thistle. I am partial to Hunters because I own an H37C. But I am not familiar with the smaller keel versions. I am sure there is something like the Catalina 22.
Hunter 216
I have a Hunter 216 and haven't heard of anyone laying one on its side. Its easy to rig and launch/retrieve single handed. I do it every time I sail. Its fairly light so you don't need a BIG BIG truck to pull it. You stay dry on it. It just has a cubby cabin for storage and possible a porta-poty. Its a big 21 foot day sailor...
I have a Hunter 216 and haven't heard of anyone laying one on its side. Its easy to rig and launch/retrieve single handed. I do it every time I sail. Its fairly light so you don't need a BIG BIG truck to pull it. You stay dry on it. It just has a cubby cabin for storage and possible a porta-poty. Its a big 21 foot day sailor...
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