fishing and sail power

[Neil]

I am looking for suggestions for a make and model for a fishing boat that is sail powered. My requirements are as follows:

16-18 ft
trailerable each trip.
easy to launch and retrieve (light)
Good deck space for fishing
to take an outboard
quick and easy to take mast up and down
Safe and stable.
easy to sail.

I started with the Texas 380, which is a little too small, but have come across two contenders, the Drascombe Lugger and the Sou'wester 18.
Any other suggestions? I normally don't go any further out than about 10 miles, though usually fairly quickly with a 60HP Merc on the back of my current cuddy fisher... I expect I'd be doing it slower.....much slower!

 

[Bajansailor]

Perhaps consider a Cornish Coble? I think they were based on the Yorkshire cobles, which were renowned as seaworthy fishing craft.
This Cornish Coble was for sale with Boatshed, but it seems to not be for sale now.... but lots of photos to show it off at http://sussex.boatshed.com/cornish_coble-boat-14742.html

 

[Malabar]

Although slightly below your minimum size, you might want to look at a Drascombe Scaffie. http://www.honnormarine.co.uk/scaffie/scaffie.htm

I owned one for several years. It sails well; has a neat outboard well and is not too big to row. Mast stepping etc is simplicity itself (no standing rigging), and the lack of a centre plate gives it a huge amount of working space inboard for fishing etc. I used to carry 3 or 4 crab pots easily.

 

[Peterduck]

Not well-known in the UK, I suspect, but the Richard Hartley designed TS16 and TS 18 [TS = trailer-sailer. These were the originals of the genre] have a lot going for them. As well as the requirements that you have outlined, they have shelter if the weather gets dirty. [I think that that happens in the UK as well as New Zealand, where Richard is from]. They were drawn for amateur building, using plywood over solid frames. They have an enduring following on both sides aof the Tasman Sea. I'm sure that you'll be able to find more information by Googling.
Peter.

 

[NicM]

The Drascombe range obviously comes to mind but don't forget the Falmouth Bass boat which is generally cheaper than the lugger.

A friend and I used to have great sport fishing for cod in the Bristol Channel in winter from his Lysander so the choice can be varied.