Choosing a 22ft trailer sailor for six

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FairweatherDave

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It's time to expand our horizons from Chichester harbour and sometimes go west to the Solent for an overnight. I want a trailer sailor that handles like a dinghy (fun and responsive) and can take the ground and beach, and creep up the shallows. And we often/usually have 6 of us (3 adults,3 children aged 9,9 and 12). My plan is to get a four berth something that can sleep 2 in the cockpit with a cockpit/boom tent. I think we can put up with basic accommodation and we are drawn to the Jeanneau Sun 2000 and Beneteau First 211 for their spacious cockpits and lively performance. We are fair weather sailors and would avoid going out deliberately in stronger winds! Are there any other 22ft boats (max 23ft) that meet my criteria? Are my presumptions wrong? My priority has to be a roomy cockpit and be able to sleep six occasionally. I'm not looking to cross the channel or circumnavigate the IOW, just have some fun between Chichester and the Solent, and overnight if the forecast is good. Any contributions really appreciated as my head is going round and round.
 
Sleep 6 on a 22' sailing boat!!! I think that this is asking rather a lot.

We had a 22' Pandora and just about managed 4 on board overnight. The main problem was finding somewhere to put all the 'stuff' (clothes, inflatable dinghy etc). We usually ended up putting lots of stuff in the clockpit, just to make room in the cabin.

The other issue was room on the cockpit when sailing. Whilst you could get 6 people sitting in the cockpit, there isn't much room to handle the sheets when tacking.

Maybe a more modern (larger beam) boat may be better...
 
If you don't eat or drink aboard, other than water, I suppose it could be done with 2 in the cockpit.

A friend has had a Sun 2000 and a First 21.7, he said the First was the better boat, it's a bit bigger and a bit dearer, still small for 6.
 
Get an open boat, perhaps a Hawk, which will accomodate more in comfort when sailing. Then stay in nice hotels or B&Bs close to the water. Keeps everyone happy.
 
At 22ft, you can either have the accomodation or the cockpit, but you are unlikely to get both.

My Dehler 22 is a gem of a boat to sail, and could sleep six with two shortish people in the cockpit, but with a centre mainsheet sailing with more than three becomes difficult.

The roomiest smallish boat I have seen is the Pippin 20 which is roomy inside as it has little or no sidedeck, and a transom mainsheet thus giving lots of person room in the cockpit. Its a lot less sporty than some mentioned, but as a family boat for fair weather sailing I'd say it takes a lot of beating. They are also very nicely made, a lot more robust than the Jeanneau 2000 type of thing. I have no connection with them, aside from having crawled all over one at the factory three years ago, the factory is just down the road from here. There are about nine of them at Rutland Water and their owners love them. They are also an absolute doddle to trail and launch and mast raise.

(No I'm not on commission..honest)

Tim
 
if you get a boat with a lifting keel, you might be better off with a couple of tents for the children, so that you find a little cove, check the tides, and then let them play Swallows and Amazons.

That will leave more space on board for sailing. Maybe something like a Parker, or an Anderson, Evolution ?
 
"Sleep 6 on a 22' sailing boat!!! I think that this is asking rather a lot.

We had a 22' Pandora and just about managed 4 on board overnight. The main problem was finding somewhere to put all the 'stuff' (clothes, inflatable dinghy etc). We usually ended up putting lots of stuff in the clockpit, just to make room in the cabin.

The other issue was room on the cockpit when sailing. Whilst you could get 6 people sitting in the cockpit, there isn't much room to handle the sheets when tacking.

Maybe a more modern (larger beam) boat may be better... "

Thanks for the replies so far. I think the above accurately describes the issues, but we are used to being six and squeezing in. The point about the modern "larger beam" boats I have looked at is their massive cockpits, the Jeanneau could accommodate 8 in pleasant weather very comfortably. You sit out of the cockpit and rest your back on the guard rails. I know the centre mainsheet is an issue but with 6 I reckon we can avoid it sailing. With a cockpit tent anyhow I would expect to be storing stuff up on deck.

Land tents and equally hotel bills for 6 are not options for us!

I guess the boat I am looking for is a 22ft lifting centreplate that can sleep four for an overnight but with a roomy cockpit for sailing/sitting out and sleeping 2. The other boat I looked (a Red Fox) simply had too small a cockpit.
Dave
 
"At 22ft, you can either have the accomodation or the cockpit, but you are unlikely to get both."
That is my issue. I know I can't have both and so my leaning is towards the cockpit and "lively" sailing and that is the bit that needs checking out here. A cramped cockpit is surely the nail in the coffin of enjoyable sailing.
However I do want to look at others and don't want to sound defensive so my list includes a Parker 21, an Etap 22i, a Hurley 22, a Jaguar 22, a Pippin 20 and a Dehler 22.........any others? I know there are plenty but the key is really spacious cockpit and four adequate berths below (ie 2 plus a V berth in the bow).
Dave
 
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Kingfisher 20

Many moons ago some pals of mine had a wee Kingfisher 20 in the Solent, and I often used to go sailing with them.
Summer '89 we went on a 1 week summer cruise with 5 of us on board - I was the smallest, hence my bunk was on the floor in the saloon between the two settee berths (there were 2 berths in the forepeak as well)..... and I remember we all had an excellent holiday.
 
Arfa
Thanks for the link. I have read it before doing a "search" and to be honest it sells the boat to me rather than puts me off. I know I would be reefing earlier and would not be heading out into a force 6 intentionally at all. Fifty percent of my sailing would remain inside Chichester Harbour commuting to East Head and enjoying the light wind performance and beachability. However I am still keen to hear from those who have used more traditional 22 ft trailer sailors and squeezed in six (or five) one way or another (thanks Bajansailor)
Dave
 
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We had a Jeanneau Sun Odyssea 24.2 Trailer sailor. Will sleep 4 plus two in cockpit which was about 5ft 8 on the seats (I had cushions made so remeber well...still got cushions infact).

It is light enough to tow with a decent SUV (about 2450KG on trailer) and easy to launch with a lifting keel. If only fair weather sailing she will do fine. We had the O/B version with an 8HP (need bigger)

I also had a Leisure 20 but that is probably too old and heavy for you!

I like the Sunfast 2000 though it is smaller so lighter.

Good luck

Paul
 
We had some good freinds with a Sun 2000, and I'd say this is definatly a good possiblity as the cockpit is large. They had a large boom tent made and often we sailed in company with them, two adults and two small children in each boat. Dinner was usually on thier boat as it had such a large Cockpit which if the weather was good could sleep 4. They handle well, and beach very well. We sailed with them from Chichester and got as far as Salcombe. Excellent boats and fast for thier length but need real attention in a blow as they can be capsised if your trying too hard.
Might also consider the parker 235 if your budget will stretch that far.
Go for it especially if your reasonably confident of your dinghy boat handeling.
PM me if you want specific details.
 
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Thanks for that. Good to hear others think my way. My current car insurance won't go over 23ft and since we drive a Ford Galaxy 2l people carrier (not a 4x4) I am reluctant to trail much heavier than 1200kg (+300kg trailer). Still hoping for someone else to say they too have played sardines with 6 in a 22 footer and lived to tell the tale.
Dave
 
22 ft trailer sailer for 6......!

You could try a Seal 22,centreboarder,draft 18",sails like a dinghy and good performance;needs an outboard about 9.9HP in a well.Has 2 berths in main cabin 2 small berths in v forecabin and 2 berths beneath the cockpit seats the cockpit itself would be reasonable for 3-4 persons,no-one on the side sitting out though.
Purchase for around £2500-3K and may include a trailer.
Will take spinnaker or cruising chute, and easy to slab reef either from the cockpit or via the hatchway at the mast base.
You'd have to remember the lifting rudder,which is very heavy(or construct a daggerboard version to give steering in shallows.
Your problems may be with the heads (Porta Potti)or other versions.
I sail on a friend's Seal and enjoy it. I believe the draft is about 5ft with centreboard down.

There is a Seal and Parker Association which is active and will have more knowledgeable information if you need it.I assume you don't take the kitchen sink when sailing!!

ianat182
 
Theres a very neglected Seal 22 moored in Boston. Its still afloat, but i've never seen it move except up and down with the tide in 13 years. Such a shame as it still manages to look quite a nice little boat in many ways. For a budget buy its got to be on your list as well.

Tim
 
boggybrn said:
Sleep 6 on a 22' sailing boat!!! I think that this is asking rather a lot...
Click to expand...

Certainly wouldn't be my choice today - but this wouldn't have raised any eyebrows a few years back (before we got into the idea that 40 footers are routine starter boats).
A 17 foot Silhouette would often cruise with 2 plus 2 kids, a 22 foot Seal or Alacrity (aka Jaguar) "spacious" for 5, 6 fine for a weekend. All depends on the budget and preference, which seems clear in this case. If comparing with back-pack camping, a modern 22 footer could be luxury.
 
Thanks for the further replies. I think Dunedin gets my camping idea (basic) and my current preference for modern with consequent budget implications. However I have no desire to spend more than I need to if an older boat ticks the boxes. Interested that one boat (I think the Seal 22) needs a 9hp outboard engine). I presume that implies it needs that to push it along as it is heavier to get going and keep going. Whereas the Jeanneau and Beneteau can get away with perhaps 5hp. I'm keen to keep the motor off as much as possible so like the light wind performance of the more modern boats.
PS Ian When camping we have always taken the kitchen sink ! but that has been camping for 2 weeks at a time. Will try and look at a Jaguar, Seal and E boat, but if any require a lot of maintenance I'm not so keen (apologies but its those pesky kids)
 
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Even with a lighter boat, 5hp will not give you much of a safety factor. Most people don't plan to go out in bad weather; we still get caught. Also a light boat with 6 aboard is heavily loaded, especially if you have food, water, spare clothing & wet weather gear.

Outboards provide little or no charging power for you batteries, you will need to charge them at home for each trip or get a big solar panel & charging controller.
 
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