Down-size to which boat?

[Krusty]

Anticipating the inevitable, I'm hoping to draw on the vast and varied experience of subscribers to this forum.
The ideal response would tell me of a trailer-sailer with a satisfying performance in anything under F8 and an easy comfortable motion in a seaway, plus standing headroom and a price-tag under 15K!
OK, an impossible ideal, perhaps.
But what might come close? Recommendations would be much appreciated.

 

[Saguday]

Leisure 27. Sadler 26. To name but two.

Not trailer-sailors but meets all your other criteria

 

[FullCircle]

How about a Galion 22?
Certainly on my post retirement list.

5'9" headroom, a separate loo and inboard. Sail very well

Other that that - a Hurley 22, but a bit short on headroom.

Both less than 5k.

 

[Pete7]

Even with a big 4x4 you are limited to about 3500 kgs so you are looking for yachts up to about 2.5 tonnes tops, because the trailer and stuff will take the rest. That is a big load to tow, so a question first, is this a twice year trip home for the winter and then back to the water for the summer, or are you planning to trail and launch everytime you want to sail?

The other thing to consider is the time it will take to raise the mast and rig the boat once you have reached the slip. Okay if it twice a year or so but every trip will need some planning.

Pete

 

[LadyInBed]

I also give age and downsizing the occasional thought.
Nothing like your spec but I like the Yarmouth 23

 

[Cerddinen]

A MacGregor, of course. Why compromise at a pipsqueek F8? Have you not seen the video on their website of sailing in 50 knots?

 

[Krusty]

Thanks for the responses so far: Trail-ability will be essential; 100-mile trips home for the winter.
Whether the trailer is a just a transporter or submersible launcher as well is another question.

 

[Saguday]

Leisure 23 then

But then I'm biased

23ft, 2 tons, 5'10 headroom, 5 berths, twin keels, inboard diesel etc

Trailerable, I know several people who do this.

£8-9k, £2k for trailer, leaves you £4-5k towards a new 4x4 or lots of beer and diesel money

 

[Kelpie]

You don't need to spend that much on a Leisure 23. One going for sale right now on a trailer, £5k. No, not mine!

 

[rudolph_hart]

Thanks for the responses so far: Trail-ability will be essential; 100-mile trips home for the winter.
Whether the trailer is a just a transporter or submersible launcher as well is another question.

Would a Parker 27 be too big?

 

[David_Jersey]

If you looking to only trail home for the winter, what about forgetting your own trailor and simply hiring with a tow vehicle (manned or self drive) or even a flat bed lorry......with splash in and out via a crane. My thinking is that your options on boat size will not be restricted to a trailor that can be towed behind a 4x4. and not have to buy/maintain both just for 2 trips a year..........would also open up boat size options a good bit at possibly no cost by moving out of the "easy" trailor sailer market.

 

[(37645)]

Would a Parker 27 be too big?

Except Parker boats have gone bust. You might be able to get a second hand one though. How about a Seal 22, or a Super Seal 26?

 

[rudolph_hart]

Except Parker boats have gone bust. You might be able to get a second hand one though. How about a Seal 22, or a Super Seal 26?

Yes I know, and anyway a new one would bust the OP's £15k budget somewhat, but what about a 2nd hand one or its predecessor the Super Seal 26 - as you suggest?

 

[Krusty]

Thanks for more input: Interesting ideas.

Cerddinen: The MacGregor looks brilliant, but I seem to recall some sceptical reviews when it first appeared: on the lines of 'Aims to do everything, but does nothing well'; And pricey too, I think.

Dave Jersey: Hiring a tow vehicle is a good idea, but I could not do without a trailer; craning at home is not the most practical option.

Rudolph Hart: the size is limited by beam rather than length: A Corribee at 7'2" would be fine, but anything over 7'6" would present additional problems of access.

AFTERTHOUGHT; an outboard in a well would be a welcome feature.

 

[(37645)]

If you're looking for an outboard in a well, how about an Etap 22i, or maybe a Dehler 22? Both of them are trailable (they have lifting keels, in the Etap's case, a lifting keel with a bulb). Or, if you're looking for something sportier, maybe an Archambault Surprise, available with swing, twin or fin keels.

 

[Saguday]

You don't need to spend that much on a Leisure 23. One going for sale right now on a trailer, £5k. No, not mine!

23 or 23SL? Inboard Diesel? Condition?

Yes you can get them for £5-6k but a decent well equipped on in good condition with inboard is more like £8k.

Of course this one may just be a real bargain! Depends on the circumstances of the seller as well as the boat itself.

 

[Cerddinen]

My answer was a slightly tongue-in-cheek reference back to an earlier thread. If you want to see the pros and cons of a MacGregor debated you should look no further than here:

www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208811&highlight=macgregor

 

[arfa]

I don't know about the force 8 but you can certainly have alot of fun with a beneteau 211. Light, easy to trailer, goes like stink, lifting keel opening up the shallows to you and fairly reasonable to maintain with a relatively simple rig.
I know that some people have considered them for the jester but I think there a bit crazy !

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

trailer sailor

not sure whether you said you wanted to sleep on it or also what type of sailing you fancy. One from left field to consider is a Hawk 20

Launches in a puddle

sails well, stable or exiting as you want to play it

outboard works well

you can get nearly new for £15K

crewed on one and was impressed

You can then treat yourself to a room above the pub rather than camping in a boat that isn't comfortable.

You could also dry sail it and save on anti-fouling

also its relatively new and maintenance fre so no hassle.

I am not connected to them in any way - was just impressed and if i went down size would consider one

 

[RobBrown]

Before ending up buying a bigger boat, I gave serious thought to getting a trailer sailer and the one I took a fancy to was the Cape Cutter. I never sailed one, but had a long look over one at SIBS. Originally from SA, as the name suggests, it was designed for the conditions they get down there, so I believe a sea-worthy boat, now manufactured in the UK.

http://www.capecutter19.com/