I am trying to find information on trailerable sailboats that can be lived aboard and coastal cruised. Any info will be appreciated.
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Anything can be a 'liveaboard'
...if you're willing to make do with the create comforts that the boat can offer. In my estimation, you need a good shower, head, shore power, stove, refrig or ice box, good storage and ventilation, at minimum. from there, it's whatever you can live with. Literally. As far as coastal cruising goes, not all trailerables are created equal. Others on this board can probably point you in the right direction as to which brands/models are more capable of handling big seas. Good luck! On any vessel it's a great lifestyle!
...if you're willing to make do with the create comforts that the boat can offer. In my estimation, you need a good shower, head, shore power, stove, refrig or ice box, good storage and ventilation, at minimum. from there, it's whatever you can live with. Literally. As far as coastal cruising goes, not all trailerables are created equal. Others on this board can probably point you in the right direction as to which brands/models are more capable of handling big seas. Good luck! On any vessel it's a great lifestyle!
I have seen the following big boats on trailers
Hunter 28, Hunter 27, Hunter 270, Hunter 280, Catalina 270 and Catalina 28 MK II. You need a big truck to pull them and because of the beam permits depending on state. These are all major trailing effects... ie stepping the mast and getting the boat in the water. You may want to look at the Hunter 260.
Hunter 28, Hunter 27, Hunter 270, Hunter 280, Catalina 270 and Catalina 28 MK II. You need a big truck to pull them and because of the beam permits depending on state. These are all major trailing effects... ie stepping the mast and getting the boat in the water. You may want to look at the Hunter 260.
My 26 Experience
I probably shouldn't be considered a true liveaboard, as I'm not staying on the boat 7 days a week. But I live about 80 miles from my boat, which is conveniently about 3 blocks from my current client. Rather than driving back and forth every day, I spend several nights a week on the boat. Marina has good shower facilities, a deli, and there are several decent restaurants in walking distance. Eating out of a cooler has its disadvantages, but not enough to push me to get a small mini-fridge. Shore power helps run gadgets, mainly my laptop. Could I stay on the boat for longer stretches, certainly by myself. Could I spend a summer trailering up the coast, living aboard, you bet. But when company shows up, it gets crowded quickly. Not sure if this helps or not, just my 2cents. T J
I probably shouldn't be considered a true liveaboard, as I'm not staying on the boat 7 days a week. But I live about 80 miles from my boat, which is conveniently about 3 blocks from my current client. Rather than driving back and forth every day, I spend several nights a week on the boat. Marina has good shower facilities, a deli, and there are several decent restaurants in walking distance. Eating out of a cooler has its disadvantages, but not enough to push me to get a small mini-fridge. Shore power helps run gadgets, mainly my laptop. Could I stay on the boat for longer stretches, certainly by myself. Could I spend a summer trailering up the coast, living aboard, you bet. But when company shows up, it gets crowded quickly. Not sure if this helps or not, just my 2cents. T J
-21 a bit small
I live aboard for two weeks at a time on my Aquarius 21 but I wouldn't recommend it for longer stretches. It's a good coastal cruiser, they're even used to cruise the Carib. but they are just too small for most of the "comforts of home" that most liveaboards want.
I live aboard for two weeks at a time on my Aquarius 21 but I wouldn't recommend it for longer stretches. It's a good coastal cruiser, they're even used to cruise the Carib. but they are just too small for most of the "comforts of home" that most liveaboards want.
Any boat can be a live aboard
I have a Catalina c22 that has never been wired for A/C current. I would like to spend the weekends on her but the cabin is too hot. I was thinking about installing a 5000 BTU Maytag in the wall air conditioner but I am not sure how to install a 30 amp twist and lock shore power system on the boat,help?
I have a Catalina c22 that has never been wired for A/C current. I would like to spend the weekends on her but the cabin is too hot. I was thinking about installing a 5000 BTU Maytag in the wall air conditioner but I am not sure how to install a 30 amp twist and lock shore power system on the boat,help?
Any boat can be a live aboard
I have a Catalina c22 that has never been wired for A/C current. I would like to spend the weekends on her but the cabin is too hot. I was thinking about installing a 5000 BTU Maytag in the wall air conditioner but I am not sure how to install a 30 amp twist and lock shore power system on the boat,What about grounding,what about a power buss, help?
I have a Catalina c22 that has never been wired for A/C current. I would like to spend the weekends on her but the cabin is too hot. I was thinking about installing a 5000 BTU Maytag in the wall air conditioner but I am not sure how to install a 30 amp twist and lock shore power system on the boat,What about grounding,what about a power buss, help?
Hunter 27 (1989-1994)
This model of Hunter weighs 5,000 pounds I trailer it with a full size 1/2 ton pickup with towing package. With my mast raising system I can put up the mast by myself (safely) and do all the rigging in about two hours. This is going slow cause I'm not as young as I used to be. I have made a keel guide on the trailer for easy loading. The boat has a 3' 6" draft lead keel Hot and cold pressure water in a 25 gallon tank It has a marine toilet with holding tank Shower sinks in head and galley Ice box 2 burner stove (no oven) shore power with 2000 watt inverter diesel with internal charging of 3 batteries. a rail mounted BBQ gas grill 9'6" dingy (stored below when trailering or marina hoping I have only had the boat a year but it has been trailered from Florida, all over the Midwest, Door County Lake Michigan. My wife and I have stayed on it two weeks at a time and next year intend to take it to Bahamas for 6-8 weeks. You can find this type boat for less than $20,000 and have a newer boat in good shape. FULL TIME liveaboard is like others have said. It is what YOU are willing to live with. Personally, I am pressing my luck with my wife getting her to stay on it 6 weeks. We will see if she drowns me.
Ward
This model of Hunter weighs 5,000 pounds I trailer it with a full size 1/2 ton pickup with towing package. With my mast raising system I can put up the mast by myself (safely) and do all the rigging in about two hours. This is going slow cause I'm not as young as I used to be. I have made a keel guide on the trailer for easy loading. The boat has a 3' 6" draft lead keel Hot and cold pressure water in a 25 gallon tank It has a marine toilet with holding tank Shower sinks in head and galley Ice box 2 burner stove (no oven) shore power with 2000 watt inverter diesel with internal charging of 3 batteries. a rail mounted BBQ gas grill 9'6" dingy (stored below when trailering or marina hoping I have only had the boat a year but it has been trailered from Florida, all over the Midwest, Door County Lake Michigan. My wife and I have stayed on it two weeks at a time and next year intend to take it to Bahamas for 6-8 weeks. You can find this type boat for less than $20,000 and have a newer boat in good shape. FULL TIME liveaboard is like others have said. It is what YOU are willing to live with. Personally, I am pressing my luck with my wife getting her to stay on it 6 weeks. We will see if she drowns me.
WardMore Info Needed
What do you want to spend? How many living on board? Towing capacity of vehicle? How much cruising versus living at the slip? Inboard or outboard? Comfort level needed? How well does it need to sail? Enclosed head? Answer these questions and you will be able to narrow down the boat you think you will want. Then test drive a few and get out your checkbook. Happy hunting! p.s. Look at the Pacific Seacraft Flicka or Dana. May not go to windward as well as some but will take you anyplace you want to go.
What do you want to spend? How many living on board? Towing capacity of vehicle? How much cruising versus living at the slip? Inboard or outboard? Comfort level needed? How well does it need to sail? Enclosed head? Answer these questions and you will be able to narrow down the boat you think you will want. Then test drive a few and get out your checkbook. Happy hunting! p.s. Look at the Pacific Seacraft Flicka or Dana. May not go to windward as well as some but will take you anyplace you want to go.
New 2003 H260 Hunter
I live aboard my H260 and love it. I have it a great marina with all the facilities I need (showers, store, etc.) I am on Lake Conroe which is a great lake to sail on (if you watch the powerboaters). It has the biggest cabin of all the trailerable sailboats that I looked at and is quiet comfortable, but I had to run 110V with surge protectors to plug my 5000btu carry-on air conditioner, coffee pot, etc. and it does not have pressurized hot & cold water. So it is kinda ruffing it, but you will be amazed at what you can live without. I work for the local school district so have alot of time off and enjoy trailering it down to Galveston. It sails great in the bay and the gulf. I don't get very far out but have no problems. I plan to keep her for a couple of years, then move up to Hunter's new 306.
I live aboard my H260 and love it. I have it a great marina with all the facilities I need (showers, store, etc.) I am on Lake Conroe which is a great lake to sail on (if you watch the powerboaters). It has the biggest cabin of all the trailerable sailboats that I looked at and is quiet comfortable, but I had to run 110V with surge protectors to plug my 5000btu carry-on air conditioner, coffee pot, etc. and it does not have pressurized hot & cold water. So it is kinda ruffing it, but you will be amazed at what you can live without. I work for the local school district so have alot of time off and enjoy trailering it down to Galveston. It sails great in the bay and the gulf. I don't get very far out but have no problems. I plan to keep her for a couple of years, then move up to Hunter's new 306.
H260
I agree on the Hunter. It is a sweet little boat that I believe still comes with an option for a trailerable with a lead keel. I was lucky enough to be the first to sail Hull #1 of this design in 97 or 98 (I am old and the memory is fading) at the Annapolis boat show. Great boat with a real lead keel and shoal draft. Roomy to live-aboard...I LOVED the huge aft birth. Live your dream! Griffin.
I agree on the Hunter. It is a sweet little boat that I believe still comes with an option for a trailerable with a lead keel. I was lucky enough to be the first to sail Hull #1 of this design in 97 or 98 (I am old and the memory is fading) at the Annapolis boat show. Great boat with a real lead keel and shoal draft. Roomy to live-aboard...I LOVED the huge aft birth. Live your dream! Griffin.
30' trailersailer that will launch at a ramp
They built 175+ of them in two types,lift keel and a fixed keel. You'd need to build your own insides to your needs as I have done! But I love the way it sails and the room,plus befor you fill it up with your crap,it's only 45oolb. for the lift keel model(2'up/5'down)
They built 175+ of them in two types,lift keel and a fixed keel. You'd need to build your own insides to your needs as I have done! But I love the way it sails and the room,plus befor you fill it up with your crap,it's only 45oolb. for the lift keel model(2'up/5'down)
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Live aboard or sleep aboard
Some are describing tied to a marina, using the marina's facilities and eating at restaurants as living aboard. To me living aboard would mean spending a lot of time at anchor. needing water, a way to cook and store food. Something to do with poop etc. Porta potties fill up too quickly!!!! If you are looking for a place to sleep at a marina anything with a comfortable place to sleep will work. We used to spend a week at a time on our Macgregor 26. It towed well and could be launched from almost any ramp. but even a catalina 22 with a fixed keel can be hard to launch. The ramp has to have the perfect slope. Too steep You can't reload it easily as it can be hard to line up the boat and trailer. Too gradual your tow vehicle gets very wet before the boat floats. Salt water isn't great for tow vehicles especially things like wheel bearings. Lots of ramps have drop offs at the end where trailer wheels like to get stuck. Did I mention a line of fishermen wanting you to get the hell out of their way. My experience with trailering a sailboat is don't do it regularly!!! We loved taking the Mac on trips a couple times a year and towed it over 700 miles several times. but on a weekly basis it was too much work and we kept the boat at a slip on the lake taking it out for trips and to redo the bottom etc.
Some are describing tied to a marina, using the marina's facilities and eating at restaurants as living aboard. To me living aboard would mean spending a lot of time at anchor. needing water, a way to cook and store food. Something to do with poop etc. Porta potties fill up too quickly!!!! If you are looking for a place to sleep at a marina anything with a comfortable place to sleep will work. We used to spend a week at a time on our Macgregor 26. It towed well and could be launched from almost any ramp. but even a catalina 22 with a fixed keel can be hard to launch. The ramp has to have the perfect slope. Too steep You can't reload it easily as it can be hard to line up the boat and trailer. Too gradual your tow vehicle gets very wet before the boat floats. Salt water isn't great for tow vehicles especially things like wheel bearings. Lots of ramps have drop offs at the end where trailer wheels like to get stuck. Did I mention a line of fishermen wanting you to get the hell out of their way. My experience with trailering a sailboat is don't do it regularly!!! We loved taking the Mac on trips a couple times a year and towed it over 700 miles several times. but on a weekly basis it was too much work and we kept the boat at a slip on the lake taking it out for trips and to redo the bottom etc.
Nimble wanderer
It't not the fastest monoslug on the water, but it really has all the amenities of home and can be trailered (big pickup needed). Follow the bouncing ball on the link for more info.
It't not the fastest monoslug on the water, but it really has all the amenities of home and can be trailered (big pickup needed). Follow the bouncing ball on the link for more info.
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