I am looking for used trailor sailor for use in Jamaica (that is, saltwater, ocean waves etc). For use on weekends and can travel along the North Coast of Jamaica when I want to. No dock facilites are available. Shallow water/beach loading are only options. 25ft would be a good size for me as thats as big as I can get up my very rough and narrow road and into my driveway. Based on my budget $4000 max it looks like i am looking at a boat that about a 20yr old or more model? Any suggestions as to brand and model would be helpful. Any particular features I should be on the look out for? Stringers? One person sailor? Thanks christian in Jamaica.
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Benny
Trade Winds, Hu!
Christian, I would recommend a Starwind 223, it has a fixed 2 feet keel with a centerboard. It is a large 22 footer with no center trunk and will comfortably sleep four. It has a small galley and the companion way hatch pops open to provide full standing room at anchor. It has a retractable rudder and even an anchor locker. We sailed the Long Island sound in one and went into Mystic, Connecticut under conditions that boats twice its size were afraid to come out. They displace about 2,800 pounds and are selling for about $4,000 including trailer and outboard. Yes, they are 20 year old boats which are no longer manufactured. It is a Jim Taylor desing just as the Precision 23 being manufactured today. For your area you do not want a boat with a swinging keel as the power of the waves can flex the pivot points and the hull. A short fixed keel with a centerboard will be much more safer. There are also water ballast boats like the Hunter 240 but they are much newer and more expensive. McGregors are lake boats. Good luck.
Christian, I would recommend a Starwind 223, it has a fixed 2 feet keel with a centerboard. It is a large 22 footer with no center trunk and will comfortably sleep four. It has a small galley and the companion way hatch pops open to provide full standing room at anchor. It has a retractable rudder and even an anchor locker. We sailed the Long Island sound in one and went into Mystic, Connecticut under conditions that boats twice its size were afraid to come out. They displace about 2,800 pounds and are selling for about $4,000 including trailer and outboard. Yes, they are 20 year old boats which are no longer manufactured. It is a Jim Taylor desing just as the Precision 23 being manufactured today. For your area you do not want a boat with a swinging keel as the power of the waves can flex the pivot points and the hull. A short fixed keel with a centerboard will be much more safer. There are also water ballast boats like the Hunter 240 but they are much newer and more expensive. McGregors are lake boats. Good luck.
Benny your clueless
Your "macgregor is a lake boat" statement is totally refutable by empiricle data! If you don't know what that is I'll simplify it for you: I've sailed my macgregor in the OCEAN many times...so have ALOT of other people. I am taking my boat to the keys...I've been Off Charleston, Pensacola, Panama city, and Tampa. If I ever get down there again I'll SHOW you in person that a The Macgregor is a great costal cruiser. It may even leave your boat behind, in the OCEAN! Your statement is clueless and WRONG. Richard
Your "macgregor is a lake boat" statement is totally refutable by empiricle data! If you don't know what that is I'll simplify it for you: I've sailed my macgregor in the OCEAN many times...so have ALOT of other people. I am taking my boat to the keys...I've been Off Charleston, Pensacola, Panama city, and Tampa. If I ever get down there again I'll SHOW you in person that a The Macgregor is a great costal cruiser. It may even leave your boat behind, in the OCEAN! Your statement is clueless and WRONG. Richard
Obviously, if you can't spell the boat name
...you probably don't know anything about the boat. Christian said he needed a coastal cruising boat, not a blue water boat. For the money (which for Christian was stated at 4,000), I'll take a newer MacGregor any day of the week. Another very satisfied, saltwater sailing, MacGregor owner.
...you probably don't know anything about the boat. Christian said he needed a coastal cruising boat, not a blue water boat. For the money (which for Christian was stated at 4,000), I'll take a newer MacGregor any day of the week. Another very satisfied, saltwater sailing, MacGregor owner.
RICHARD...yep !!
The MacGregor 26 X is a tough BOAT...very versitle...sailing, motoring, camping, and CRUIZING too.
The MacGregor 26 X is a tough BOAT...very versitle...sailing, motoring, camping, and CRUIZING too.
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Gene G
second the starwind idea
I have a Starwind 223 and I've sailed the Jamaican waters Christian is asking about, although not in the Starwind. I won't get into the MacGregor argument, as I have never been on one. I can tell you that the Starwind I have does quite well in 20 knots or more and handles well. It's a very dry boat for it's size. It does have the room and would do fine in those waters. This is an 8'6" beam boat, so that might be a problem. As I said, I've been in that area and ridden those narrow roads, although I expect it would be ok. Although it has an anchor locker up front, it is too small for anything except a smaller danforth. No plow will fit. As I only use plows I leave mine in the cockpit locker and get it out when I need to anchor, taking it up front. It works, but a larger anchor locker would certainly be a plus. I suppose a mount could be added at the bow. It is not possible to raise the mast by yourself without either building a mast on your trailer or having a gin pole. I never saw one in my Jamaican time, so it looks like the trailer mast would be needed. Or take several buddies. I'd love to go sail those waters in a small boat.
I have a Starwind 223 and I've sailed the Jamaican waters Christian is asking about, although not in the Starwind. I won't get into the MacGregor argument, as I have never been on one. I can tell you that the Starwind I have does quite well in 20 knots or more and handles well. It's a very dry boat for it's size. It does have the room and would do fine in those waters. This is an 8'6" beam boat, so that might be a problem. As I said, I've been in that area and ridden those narrow roads, although I expect it would be ok. Although it has an anchor locker up front, it is too small for anything except a smaller danforth. No plow will fit. As I only use plows I leave mine in the cockpit locker and get it out when I need to anchor, taking it up front. It works, but a larger anchor locker would certainly be a plus. I suppose a mount could be added at the bow. It is not possible to raise the mast by yourself without either building a mast on your trailer or having a gin pole. I never saw one in my Jamaican time, so it looks like the trailer mast would be needed. Or take several buddies. I'd love to go sail those waters in a small boat.
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