I recently finished my basic cruising cert and I will be buying a boat within a year. I have two small kids (4yr olds) that I want to feel comfortable bringing along. I have been told Catalina's are the way to go, but budget is a constraint - esp moorage. So, what is the biggest Catalina that I can trailer behind a minivan? We have a small RV (Boler circa 1960), around 1000 lbs that we tow easily with our van. Any info you can provide would be most appreciated! Thanks
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As Big As Possible
Buy the biggest vessel you can!! It is going to be hard to find a sailboat that will be comfortable for a family of four that is towable in my opinon. My wife and I started out on an O'Day 222 that we towed when it was just the two of us. We now have a Catalina 27 in a marina and a 3 year old and now that's getting tight. If fact we will be in the moarket for a Catalina 32. We do over night most every weekend on the boat. I am not sure if that's your plan. If so, I would really consider not trailering and find a marina. The cost will probably be the same in the long run and you might find you use the boat more. If day sailing only look for a Catalina 22. The Catalina 22 is a Great boat and will be a lot of fun. Enjoy!! Scott
Buy the biggest vessel you can!! It is going to be hard to find a sailboat that will be comfortable for a family of four that is towable in my opinon. My wife and I started out on an O'Day 222 that we towed when it was just the two of us. We now have a Catalina 27 in a marina and a 3 year old and now that's getting tight. If fact we will be in the moarket for a Catalina 32. We do over night most every weekend on the boat. I am not sure if that's your plan. If so, I would really consider not trailering and find a marina. The cost will probably be the same in the long run and you might find you use the boat more. If day sailing only look for a Catalina 22. The Catalina 22 is a Great boat and will be a lot of fun. Enjoy!! Scott
Buy the biggest you can afford now.
I bought a Catalina 30 late last year. I had plans to find moorage on the west coast then the price of an air ticket sky rocketed. I hauled it to a nearby lake and could not be happier with my decision. Even my non sailing wife is beginning to like it. My grown up kids come and stay over. I get in a couple of day sails each weekend plus at least one evening during the week We use it like a weekend cabin at the lake. Only problem is that I have to untie sometimes and sail her. I hope to be retired in three summers and move her back to the ocean then. I know you can find a good C30 around your area. There is lots of help and parts available too. Why not ask about renting different boats for a couple of nights each so you can try the boat out at the dock. That way you can see how small you can live with. You won't have to worry about any sailing issues that way. Good luck and let us know what you end up with. Ken. "Dancin Bear"
I bought a Catalina 30 late last year. I had plans to find moorage on the west coast then the price of an air ticket sky rocketed. I hauled it to a nearby lake and could not be happier with my decision. Even my non sailing wife is beginning to like it. My grown up kids come and stay over. I get in a couple of day sails each weekend plus at least one evening during the week We use it like a weekend cabin at the lake. Only problem is that I have to untie sometimes and sail her. I hope to be retired in three summers and move her back to the ocean then. I know you can find a good C30 around your area. There is lots of help and parts available too. Why not ask about renting different boats for a couple of nights each so you can try the boat out at the dock. That way you can see how small you can live with. You won't have to worry about any sailing issues that way. Good luck and let us know what you end up with. Ken. "Dancin Bear"
I'm with Scott
Buy the biggest boat you can afford. I started with a 22' Catalina, moared in the Harbor, when she went on the trailer she just sat. I couldn't take her out when ever I wanted, I couldn't raise the mast alone. I now Have a 27' Catalina, I can take her out alone and do quite often after work, my wife and I take her out for weekends all the time. But I would love to have a 30' bigger. If you live near the water keep her on the water. If you cannot aford moorage check into droping a mooring bouy. There are a lot of 27' Catalina's in the NW and range in price from $9,000 (US) with most early 80's inboard models going for 12-15,000 (US) As for the kids, you can net the lifelines. Best of luck
Buy the biggest boat you can afford. I started with a 22' Catalina, moared in the Harbor, when she went on the trailer she just sat. I couldn't take her out when ever I wanted, I couldn't raise the mast alone. I now Have a 27' Catalina, I can take her out alone and do quite often after work, my wife and I take her out for weekends all the time. But I would love to have a 30' bigger. If you live near the water keep her on the water. If you cannot aford moorage check into droping a mooring bouy. There are a lot of 27' Catalina's in the NW and range in price from $9,000 (US) with most early 80's inboard models going for 12-15,000 (US) As for the kids, you can net the lifelines. Best of luck
Largest trailerable Catalina
The Catalina 25 is as big as I'd probably want to trailer. It has an enclosed head that makes it better for overnighting and will accommodate a family of four. There are a lot of them around at reasonable prices. I'd also recommend keeping the boat in the water if possible because you will certainly use it more. Getting a trailerable boat, that you can haul out and put in, on a trailer on your own schedule will save you big time bucks. I have a C22 and overnighting for two is ok for my needs. Lot's of folks starting out with a couple of little ones get along fine overnighting. The C22 is a real good learning boat and there are many around to fit any pocketbook. There were so many built, parts are readily available for regular maintenance or even restoring an older boat if you can DIY. I'm not real familiar with the C27 except I hear good things about them overall. Hope this helps, Jon Happy Daze
The Catalina 25 is as big as I'd probably want to trailer. It has an enclosed head that makes it better for overnighting and will accommodate a family of four. There are a lot of them around at reasonable prices. I'd also recommend keeping the boat in the water if possible because you will certainly use it more. Getting a trailerable boat, that you can haul out and put in, on a trailer on your own schedule will save you big time bucks. I have a C22 and overnighting for two is ok for my needs. Lot's of folks starting out with a couple of little ones get along fine overnighting. The C22 is a real good learning boat and there are many around to fit any pocketbook. There were so many built, parts are readily available for regular maintenance or even restoring an older boat if you can DIY. I'm not real familiar with the C27 except I hear good things about them overall. Hope this helps, Jon Happy Daze
Oh, one more thing
The weight of my C22, trailer and stuff in the boat weigh around 3,500 lbs. You need to check the rating for towing on your minivan. Some minivans can handle that. Whatever you tow with, if you have an automatic tranny, make sure it has a cooler. I don't know what the C25 weighs but probably enough more than many minivans can handle.
The weight of my C22, trailer and stuff in the boat weigh around 3,500 lbs. You need to check the rating for towing on your minivan. Some minivans can handle that. Whatever you tow with, if you have an automatic tranny, make sure it has a cooler. I don't know what the C25 weighs but probably enough more than many minivans can handle.
lots of good advice from others
...if you are going to overnight with 2 kids a 22 is small but if used just for day sailing is ok. I started with a 25 Catalina, pop-top camper style that was even to small for more than a couple of nights. We then got a 30 and kept it for 7 years. Kids get older and don't wan to come out with parents. That didn't stop us from getting our present 36. It can become a sickness. But if you must trailer make sure you look into the water ballast boats. They can be a lot lighter to tow. I don't know much about them but maybe another reader can comment. Good luck.
...if you are going to overnight with 2 kids a 22 is small but if used just for day sailing is ok. I started with a 25 Catalina, pop-top camper style that was even to small for more than a couple of nights. We then got a 30 and kept it for 7 years. Kids get older and don't wan to come out with parents. That didn't stop us from getting our present 36. It can become a sickness. But if you must trailer make sure you look into the water ballast boats. They can be a lot lighter to tow. I don't know much about them but maybe another reader can comment. Good luck.
Boat?
Ashleen..." So, what is the biggest Catalina that I can trailer behind a minivan?" The answer to your question is 'nothing'. With your family, a C25/250 would be great, but a minvan will not tow it. Even a C22 (which would be a bit small for your family) would be marginal for your tow vehicle.
Ashleen..." So, what is the biggest Catalina that I can trailer behind a minivan?" The answer to your question is 'nothing'. With your family, a C25/250 would be great, but a minvan will not tow it. Even a C22 (which would be a bit small for your family) would be marginal for your tow vehicle.
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