New boat time!

[BarryH]

Looking to go up in size a little. I started boating life in dingies with various mirrors, wayfarers and GP14's. What would you reccomend for a family chap with a non sailing wife and 2 sprogs who don't care what they're in as long as it floats. Want to keep it small enough to be towed by a Range Rover, yet big enough so that we can all sleep on it with a modicum of comfort.

So easy trailing, its gotta be bilge keel and no heavier than about 2.5 tons. Oh and the rig has got to be easy to handle for one person, namely me, with the help from the wife on the odd occasion.

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[RS123]

When you say "easy trailing" does that mean you want to trail it regularly or sometimes? I ask because I recently bought a Hunter Delta 25 which fulfils most of your criteria. Mine is lift keel but they are available as bilge keelers. Mind you, the lift keel must be easier to get on the trailer......

Having recently put her on the trailer and experienced first hand the process of dropping the mast etc, I am not of a mind to make this a frequent process. Also, despite only being 1700kgs plus 800kgs of trailer she made her presence felt when towed behind a Jeep Cherokee. I am rapidly reassessing my plan to tow her up to Scotland some time!



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[BarryH]

I have got a mooring, but do like to take to the road now and then to different cruising areas. I suppose I might be asking a lot in that regard.

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[duncan]

this is a wind up isn't it?

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[BarryH]

Unn no, I started out in sailimg boats. Its the other half that doesn't like them much. I've wanted to get back to them for a while.

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[burgundyben]

Splitter!!

nm

<hr width=100% size=1>Sod the Healey - I think I'll buy an E-Type.

 

[Twister_Ken]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.easthouse.org.uk/html/lydia.htm>Hunter Liberty</A> (lifting keel, not bilge)

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[duncan]

Re: yea right - ....

I have been looking for closet raggie tendencies for some time but you score very low this year I am afraid..........
1.Checks anchor and stays put rather than rushing back to mooring/slip every night.........score 0
2. Meanders back though Harbour with wind and tide at at hull speed enjoying pleasant surroundings....score 0.001 (feeling generous)
3. Drinks real beer.........score a full 1
4. Enjoys the beer on the way more than the ones on arrival......OK you get 0.3 'cos you clearly enjoy the beer on the way as well!

Closet raggie 4
Your score 1.301
Result You would like to be a raggie but would really prefer a solidly built 28ft single diesel motor cruiser with a mast for flying burgees and flags......./forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Neil_M]

Given the criteria you mention I'd look seriously at the water ballasted trailer sailers, in particular the Dehler 25 & MacGregor 26.

OK they may not be 'yachts' in the way that many us us would define them and are very plasticky but despite their detractors they have distinct advantages for trailering and short handed launching or sailing in moderate weather.

I've sailed a Mac 26X & although I'd advise against anything other than coastal passages and winds up to F5 they do sail surprisingly well, float on a damp lawn, sleep 4 easily, are recoverable to a trailer/riggable single handed and motor at 20+ knots if you like that sort of thing. If you don't want to do the latter (and believe me it's uncomfortable) the older Mac 26C is a better sailer and cheaper.

Take a look at the article on longer distance cruising in a 26X in PBO this month to see what they can be capable of - not sure I'd want to try it personally though...

True, they look like a house brick from behind, but worth considering at the price for your needs.


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[BarryH]

Re: yea right - ....

No its true, before this present boat I was looking at a yacht, but the other half put her foot down. She's from a sailing family, well the Irish side, but has an inbuilt dislike for it. Something about being forced when she was a girl. Which I can't see because I've tried to force her to do things and she turns into a donkey, won't budge an inch!
If she totally disallows a yacht then I'll figure someway of getting back to stick'n' rag.

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[Twister_Ken]

Double trouble

Maybe a catamaran - goes faster, sails flatter. you can get them with twin engines...

She might not notice the difference.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[duncan]

Re: yea right - ....

so she didn't want to do it as a daughter but you will persuade her as a wife..............

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[duncan]

Re: Double trouble

good call - evolution not compromise................

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