I'm looking for a trailerable sailboat within about 3000 lbs including trailer. Sleeps 5 ( 2 adluts and 3 teenagers). A used one because I want to pay between $6000 to $12,000 (10,000 to 20,000 can). Which boat would you buy?
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Ray Bowles
Mr. Benny, I have a bias as I own a 95 H26.
This is the largest, towable water ballast Hunter makes. The boat weighs 3,000 lbs dry and 5,000 lbs with the ballast tank filled. The Hunter dual axle trailer weighs 1400 lbs. (=/- 100 lbs.) With 5 adults this boat would be fairly crowded. The parents would sleep under the cockpit in that 2 person aft bunk and be very comfortable. The kids can sleep in the V-berth (2) and one on the table seat berth. 3 could sleep in the aft berth under the cockpit if two persons are short and want to sleep in the V-berth. If it is warm enough 2 could sleep in the cockpit. I'd get a tent and toss the kids up on the shore. The 26 is large enough to cook for all with ample room at the table to eat. The boat comes with a "porta potty" that would fill up within 2 days and probably sooner. We have a marine head with 20 Gal holding tank that lasts for 8 to 10 days with 2 people. There is room for your gear and room for water and food for up to 4 or 5 days with that size party. The problem is cost. You probably are looking in the range of 10 to 20K depending on accessories, year and condition. A 23 foot boat would be very tight but probably OK for 1 or 2 days. A boat and trailer in the 3,000 lbs area would probably be 17 to 21 feet long and you would have to troll 1 or 2 of the kids behind on fishing poles to fit all your gear onboard. Hope this helps. Ray S/V Speedy
This is the largest, towable water ballast Hunter makes. The boat weighs 3,000 lbs dry and 5,000 lbs with the ballast tank filled. The Hunter dual axle trailer weighs 1400 lbs. (=/- 100 lbs.) With 5 adults this boat would be fairly crowded. The parents would sleep under the cockpit in that 2 person aft bunk and be very comfortable. The kids can sleep in the V-berth (2) and one on the table seat berth. 3 could sleep in the aft berth under the cockpit if two persons are short and want to sleep in the V-berth. If it is warm enough 2 could sleep in the cockpit. I'd get a tent and toss the kids up on the shore. The 26 is large enough to cook for all with ample room at the table to eat. The boat comes with a "porta potty" that would fill up within 2 days and probably sooner. We have a marine head with 20 Gal holding tank that lasts for 8 to 10 days with 2 people. There is room for your gear and room for water and food for up to 4 or 5 days with that size party. The problem is cost. You probably are looking in the range of 10 to 20K depending on accessories, year and condition. A 23 foot boat would be very tight but probably OK for 1 or 2 days. A boat and trailer in the 3,000 lbs area would probably be 17 to 21 feet long and you would have to troll 1 or 2 of the kids behind on fishing poles to fit all your gear onboard. Hope this helps. Ray S/V Speedy
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Tom
Older Mac 26
An older MacGregor 26 built in the late 1980's or early 1990's might suit your needs, however, it is going to be real cozy for that many people. For more info on MacGregors, check out: http://www.macgregorowners.com/
An older MacGregor 26 built in the late 1980's or early 1990's might suit your needs, however, it is going to be real cozy for that many people. For more info on MacGregors, check out: http://www.macgregorowners.com/
What type of vehicle and how are you towing?
What type of a vehicle are you going to use to tow the boat? How far do you plan on towing? Where are you planning on sailing?
What type of a vehicle are you going to use to tow the boat? How far do you plan on towing? Where are you planning on sailing?
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C.Benny
Vehicule used to tow
I will tow the boat with a 3.8L Ford Winstar with a transmission cooler. I plan to tow it on highways, not on mountains area. Actually I used to tow an old tent trailer that weight 2200 lbs and a little sail boat DS16.
I will tow the boat with a 3.8L Ford Winstar with a transmission cooler. I plan to tow it on highways, not on mountains area. Actually I used to tow an old tent trailer that weight 2200 lbs and a little sail boat DS16.
Here are some suggestions...
I think you'll be able to find a decent boat and trailer for under US$12,000 with no problem. The trick is making sure that your tow vehicle can pull it where you want to go. Here are a couple of suggestions: 1. The water-ballast Hunters are very popular. My guess is that the Hunter 23.5/240 or the Catalina 240 would work well for you as far as weight and room. With NAFTA you should have no problem buying a used one here and hauling it home. 2. Re-post your question on the HOW Smaller Boats Forum, where there are a lot more owners of trailerable boats. 3. Try HOW Classifieds/Boats for Sale 4. Try the BoatTrader (link below). Bon chance! Peter H23 "Raven"
I think you'll be able to find a decent boat and trailer for under US$12,000 with no problem. The trick is making sure that your tow vehicle can pull it where you want to go. Here are a couple of suggestions: 1. The water-ballast Hunters are very popular. My guess is that the Hunter 23.5/240 or the Catalina 240 would work well for you as far as weight and room. With NAFTA you should have no problem buying a used one here and hauling it home. 2. Re-post your question on the HOW Smaller Boats Forum, where there are a lot more owners of trailerable boats. 3. Try HOW Classifieds/Boats for Sale 4. Try the BoatTrader (link below). Bon chance! Peter H23 "Raven"
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Rick Engel
trailerable boat
Mr. Benny: In 2000, I purchased a Hunter 26 listed on this site, trailered it back to Canada (Racine to Regina),
Mr. Benny: In 2000, I purchased a Hunter 26 listed on this site, trailered it back to Canada (Racine to Regina),
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Kevin
Trailer this...
I know you are looking for used. I bought a new H260 with a Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. What a great package! No regrets. It looks huge on the road but is manageable. My first trip was a six hour ride (not sail) when I picked up the boat in CT. There are many sailing options/destintions for me and my family. Best of luck to you !
I know you are looking for used. I bought a new H260 with a Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. What a great package! No regrets. It looks huge on the road but is manageable. My first trip was a six hour ride (not sail) when I picked up the boat in CT. There are many sailing options/destintions for me and my family. Best of luck to you !
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Jean Gosse
Small cruising boat for Five!!!
If you have two drivers, consider two boats. San Juan 21s if you must have cabins, Lightnings if you don't mind boom tents. Lighter, easy to tow, to launch and retrieve, also cheaper and easier to maintain. Also tow boats supply more ways to keep the kids busy, two tillers, two mainsheets, lots more jib, genoa and spinnaker sheets. With two teens, we had four El Toros, and a tent trailer for a base. Our sailing buddies had three kids, five El Toros and a larger tent trailer. Lots of fun for years!!! Small cabin boats are harder to sandwich people into than open boats because you are lead to expect more of the boat. A San Juan 21 has four bunks, but if you have four people there is no place to put your daytime clothes at night (or anything else). Plan on not occupying 2/3 of the available bunks.
If you have two drivers, consider two boats. San Juan 21s if you must have cabins, Lightnings if you don't mind boom tents. Lighter, easy to tow, to launch and retrieve, also cheaper and easier to maintain. Also tow boats supply more ways to keep the kids busy, two tillers, two mainsheets, lots more jib, genoa and spinnaker sheets. With two teens, we had four El Toros, and a tent trailer for a base. Our sailing buddies had three kids, five El Toros and a larger tent trailer. Lots of fun for years!!! Small cabin boats are harder to sandwich people into than open boats because you are lead to expect more of the boat. A San Juan 21 has four bunks, but if you have four people there is no place to put your daytime clothes at night (or anything else). Plan on not occupying 2/3 of the available bunks.
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