Smallest viable boat advice

[William_H]

I sympathise with OP question. One he will perhaps never really find the answer to. There is no doubt a smaller boat would be horrible in rough water. The boat OP has will be far more comfortable. But you have to use it and love it to get value from it.
Now I have had my little 21fter for 43 years. I did initially only trailer it for each outing. But for the last 40years I have kept it on a swing mooring bringing it home for 5 months each winter. I quite enjoy the small maintenance jobs that can be done with ease when it is right next to my shed. However I will never know if the boat I bought has dictated my cruising style. ie I avoid the open ocean or if it was just my choice. One thing for sure getting older I do not hanker for adventure any more.
Launching and rigging is not really a problem. 2 weeks ago I achieved with help 1 hr from sailing to home and parked. Mast raising is not a problem once you are orgainised and practiced. You do need decent ramp facilities and a shallow draft boat.
Regarding comfort inside. I don't think this is a great problem from 28ft to 20 ft. Providing you can sit up comfortably on bunks and stretch out for a snooze lack of headroom is not so much of a concern. I do find that 4 jibs and 2 spinnakers tend to fill the front cabin area. But my sailing has deteriorated to racing for a max 2.5 hrs so doesn't matter so much. No furling jibs for me.
What you must have is a cabin big enough to shelter in , a reasonably self righting hull and self draining cockpit. ie most small GRP Ts.
In the end you can only take the plunge and find out for yourself if trailer sailing is your want. But there is much to be said for being satisfied with what you have or just have no boat. ol'will

 

[Sea Change]

Have you given any thought to just keeping your Vega and getting a trailer?
We spent about £3k on a road legal trailer for our Vega. The boat has design weight of 2.3t and the trailer was rated for 3.5t total. Obviously you need a good towing vehicle- most Land Rovers, certain Shoguns, Landcruisers, and apparently some versions of Transits are rated to tow 3.5t.
We never actually tried floating the boat on and off the trailer. I'm sure it could have been done, perhaps with additional guide bars added. We only used it for winter storage so we just got in line with everybody else when the crane turned up. A Vega is light enough that a lorry mounted HIAB can do the job.
I've seen Vegas converted to feature a tabernacle. Add a gin pole and have a few able bodies around and you could feasibly get the mast up and down.
I wouldn't fancy towing a Vega a long way. We only had to get ours a few miles from the harbour back to the house. But it was really worth it to have the boat right outside where I could nip out and do a bit of work whenever I wanted.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

That nipping out to do a quick job, or measure something, is the key cost saving trailer sailer advantage. I miss that. Ours is ‘road transportable’ but not easy enough to bring home every winter, not to mention the amount of real estate she’d take up, nor the horrendous weather exposure in the garden Absolutely nothing between us and the Carolinas in the wrong wind direction.

 

[wanzap1]

I have considered getting a trailer for the Vega, but whilst a small boat in the overall picture of boating, it's just to big to make trailering home a viable option for me. My house is up a small country road and towing the Vega would be too stressful for me And I'd need serious help. But something to consider and not immediately discount. As might be a cheaper yard I can use as storage. I'll explore!!

 

[Daydream believer]

How much will the OP actually save in downsizing? Has that actually been calculated properly?

 

[wanzap1]

How much will the OP actually save in downsizing? Has that actually been calculated properly?

Yes, at least £2.5k per year.

 

[Daydream believer]

Yes, at least £2.5k per year.

But some can run an Albin Vega on that sum in the first place so are you saying a down sized boat will cost nothing?
let us see the figures first.
If one is going to use inflated figures for one then we should consider using inflated figures for the second, as it is a lifestyle choice.
you cannot take high rates for the Vega the assume penny pinching for a down sized boat.
You have to assume like with like
There are lots of things with a trailer sailer to consider. Insurance will be as high. Petrol for towing will be high. Launching costs must be considered. Maintenance could be as much. Storage?Is it taking space in your yard.? Do you need a more expensive towing vehicle? Will the hassle of actually going sailing actually reduce the sailing hours & cost per trip rise? Trailer maintenance, tyres, bearings ,trailer parking costs when off sailing etc.
Will the fuel cost of an outboard auxilliary be higher?. Does an outboard need more maintenance costs, esp if left for long periods unused?

 

[wanzap1]

But some can run an Albin Vega on that sum in the first place so are you saying a down sized boat will cost nothing?
let us see the figures first.
If one is going to use inflated figures for one then we should consider using inflated figures for the second, as it is a lifestyle choice.
you cannot take high rates for the Vega the assume penny pinching for a down sized boat.
You have to assume like with like

The sum I'm using is less than my current marina and handling fees, does not include annual maintenance and purchase of new equipment and annual inspection / maintenance of my swing mooring. I've owned a smaller boat before ( but different sailing ground) so know the costs.

 

[Davy_S]

Is a vega too heavy for a road trailer?

No, when we bought our Vega it was towed on a trailer (hired from the Vega club) from Fareham up to Skippool creek in Lancashire, then it was lifted off with the club hoist.

 

[DreadShips]

The sum I'm using is less than my current marina and handling fees, does not include annual maintenance and purchase of new equipment and annual inspection / maintenance of my swing mooring. I've owned a smaller boat before ( but different sailing ground) so know the costs.

What did you have before, and what would going back to that likely make it more/less suitable for you now? Might help people give advice about specific designs.

 

[wanzap1]

What did you have before, and what would going back to that likely make it more/less suitable for you now? Might help people give advice about specific designs.

Hi, I had an L17 before, which was great for, back then, lake sailing. The accommodation never worried me (and I did do overnighters), but the lack of waterline I suspect would quickly become stuck in a chop. Hence thinking about 19-21 ft designs. But following the good advice I'm actually now researching ways to reduce my annual costs and keep the Vega.

 

[SeasickPete]

I bought a Hunter Formula One last year and quite like it. It has a lifting keel for trailering, weighs about 950 kg, has an outboard motor on the back and most importantly I can keep up with the bigger boats my friends have and have a blast while doing so.

For sleeping, I am 6,5 and can stretch out easily. Otherwise it is more camping as it has no fixed heads or cooking arrangements. And whilst I can sit up straight comfortably it is a low and somewhat cramped boat also due to the keel box and hoisting jig that may get in the way. But that is the compromise I made by choosing the speed and thrill of a racing sailboat Vs a comfortable cruiser. It allows me to cover some reasonable distances and also have fun sailing in very light winds.

 

[steve yates]

But some can run an Albin Vega on that sum in the first place so are you saying a down sized boat will cost nothing?
let us see the figures first.
If one is going to use inflated figures for one then we should consider using inflated figures for the second, as it is a lifestyle choice.
you cannot take high rates for the Vega the assume penny pinching for a down sized boat.
You have to assume like with like
There are lots of things with a trailer sailer to consider. Insurance will be as high. Petrol for towing will be high. Launching costs must be considered. Maintenance could be as much. Storage?Is it taking space in your yard.? Do you need a more expensive towing vehicle? Will the hassle of actually going sailing actually reduce the sailing hours & cost per trip rise? Trailer maintenance, tyres, bearings ,trailer parking costs when off sailing etc.
Will the fuel cost of an outboard auxilliary be higher?. Does an outboard need more maintenance costs, esp if left for long periods unused?

Petrol towing costs high? C’mon, the guy is transporting it once at start of the season and once at the end of the season, hardly a lot! Launching costs will be the same or cheaper, as whether on a trailer or a pontoon, he will go in and come ashore once a year.

 

[wanzap1]

Petrol towing costs high? C’mon, the guy is transporting it once at start of the season and once at the end of the season, hardly a lot! Launching costs will be the same or cheaper, as whether on a trailer or a pontoon, he will go in and come ashore once a year.

You are right, based on my experience with the L17 I would save significantly per year. No marina fees, no cranage. Slippage charge is £20. Towing cost negligible. Free storage - I have plenty of space. I have assumed that maintenance and other ancillary costs would be the same (although my experience is a smaller boat will be less).

But some good advice and now I'm considering options to reduce the costs of keeping my Vega. All good discussion and food for thought

 

[Daydream believer]

Petrol towing costs high? C’mon, the guy is transporting it once at start of the season and once at the end of the season, hardly a lot! Launching costs will be the same or cheaper, as whether on a trailer or a pontoon, he will go in and come ashore once a year.

So if he is only launching once & recovering once, where is he storing it whilst in the water for a season that is so much cheaper ?

 

[wanzap1]

So if he is only launching once & recovering once where is he storing it whilst in the water for a season that is so much cheaper ?

Hi there, I have responded on this above, but luckily yard space isn't an issue for me, I have a large yard and shed for winter storage. I own my own swing mooring for summer storage, which I continue to maintain although it has vacant at the moment!

But you do raise interesting points which I need to consider. Thanks for your input.

 

[Blueboatman]

Hang on
If you have your own mooring
And storage at home
Then all you need is a big enough bilgekeeler and some means or someone to truck it to and from the water in spring and winter.
Preferably one with an outboard bracket nota diesel old money pit!
You wouldn’t even need to antifoul it, just scrub off at low tide beach.
Cheap enough to be risible

Daydream Believer hit it on the head. A Sadler that is both affordable and which sails , a passage maker .
Sorted

 

[ridgy]

Hang on
If you have your own mooring
And storage at home
Then all you need is a big enough bilgekeeler and some means or someone to truck it to and from the water in spring and winter.
Preferably one with an outboard bracket nota diesel old money pit!
You wouldn’t even need to antifoul it, just scrub off at low tide beach.
Cheap enough to be risible

Daydream Believer hit it on the head. A Sadler that is both affordable and which sails , a passage maker .
Sorted

Mostly good advice apart from the outboard on a bracket bit. You must have missed the bit where the OP wants to cross the North Channel. And also that you've only observed outboards on brackets on other peoples boats and thought it a good idea, never been subjected to it yourself.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Mostly good advice apart from the outboard on a bracket bit. You must have missed the bit where the OP wants to cross the North Channel. And also that you've only observed outboards on brackets on other peoples boats and thought it a good idea, never been subjected to it yourself.

Outboards are perfectly viable aux power provided they’re not spme sort of neglected afterthought. Ours is just as good as a diesel in most ways, and steerable. I daresay it uses a tad more fuel, but we offset that by buying it in cans from the cheapest garage.

 

[wanzap1]

Hang on
If you have your own mooring
And storage at home
Then all you need is a big enough bilgekeeler and some means or someone to truck it to and from the water in spring and winter.
Preferably one with an outboard bracket nota diesel old money pit!
You wouldn’t even need to antifoul it, just scrub off at low tide beach.
Cheap enough to be risible

Daydream Believer hit it on the head. A Sadler that is both affordable and which sails , a passage maker .
Sorted

Yip agree mostly, just concerned the size of a sadler sadler will make towing home and relaunch a big chore. But as has been pointed out, it's all compromise.

For the moment I'm looking at reducing my annual costs,keeping my Vega may he the best option