Swing keeler under 20ft

[Yachtingsouthwest]

Hi

What swing keel cruisers are there under 20ft? Something trailerable to new cruising grounds but would be happy on a mooring for the summer.

Kind Regards

 

[northwind]

Gem 550, kelt 550.. Swift 18

Or any of the other microcupper designs, or if 20ft then Red fox 200e

 

[JimC]

Hunter Medina

 

[Supertramp]

I think you need to define your requirements from the boat more clearly.

For example, a Hawk 20 is a great day sailing boat but no cabin. A Drascombe is easy to launch and rig but not a sparkling performer. Red Fox is good for accommodation (and sails OK). As mentioned in other posts, tall Bermudan masts are hard to raise and lower but give good performance. Any boat this size will offer a camping experience rather than luxury, although I have enjoyed many a comfortable night in small and simple circumstances.

Sorry - Red Fox is not swing keel, twin dagger boards.

 

[Gsailor]

Wayfarer - but is a dinghy not a cruiser.

"Skipper" I think is the correct name and 20 feet or less but not sure if swing keel or dagger board.

 

[William_H]

Don't limit your self to swing Keel. I have a vertical lift keel TS that performs really well and has very small draft when up but does intrude into cabin ol'will

 

[Yachtingsouthwest]

Thank you for the replies. I currently have a Drascombe Coaster which I like but I find the cabin slightly tight for the 22ft length not the best use of space. I like the swing keel setup as its less likely to cause damage coming into contact with anything.

The Drascombe is also not the quickest at getting to your destination over a weekend.

On the want to go shorter is due to ease of towing and driveway space.

 

[Seaway Channel]

Sailfish 18? Sailfish 18 buyer’s guide: This affordable trailer sailer is surprisingly speedy

 

[dunedin]

Gem 550, kelt 550.. Swift 18

Or any of the other microcupper designs, or if 20ft then Red fox 200e

The Red Fox does look like a brilliant design for its size, and came out very well in a comparator boat test.

 

[steve yates]

I sail a Bradwell 18 and its a great wee seaboat. Has taken me some long distances and great places

 

[veshengro]

I sail a Bradwell 18 and its a great wee seaboat. Has taken me some long distances and great places

Fabulous photos Steve, just beautiful.

A strange link too, the music The Barra Maiden. A watchmate in my first ship was Andy Macines from Castlebay, Barra.

 

[Jim@sea]

Hi

What swing keel cruisers are there under 20ft? Something trailerable to new cruising grounds but would be happy on a mooring for the summer.

Kind Regards

Although I have had 6 boats from Moody 30, Nauticat 33, Drascombe etc, a couple of years ago I came across an American Hunter Legend 240 , 21ft swing keel yacht, and it was really good, even though it was made in 1997 it was in really good condition, there was no Osmosis. (in 1982 I bought a 1973 Nauticat 33 which had already been treated for osmosis and it had re-appeared) The US Trailer was very solidly built.
I am sorry I sold it but I was offered nearly double what I paid for it. I would definately buy another if I came across a cheap one.

 

[Neil]

Thank you for the replies. I currently have a Drascombe Coaster which I like but I find the cabin slightly tight for the 22ft length not the best use of space. I like the swing keel setup as its less likely to cause damage coming into contact with anything.

The Drascombe is also not the quickest at getting to your destination over a weekend.

On the want to go shorter is due to ease of towing and driveway space.

The Swallow Yachts BayRaider expedition would be too much like the Drascombe Coaster (though more sprightly) but the Baycruiser 23 might do it for you.

 

[DownWest]

Slightly pricey compared to the second hand market!

 

[LittleSister]

There's a whole previous generation of drop keel/centre-plate boats at very modest prices if you can find a decent condition one.

I've forgotten most of the names I once knew (even ones I can still picture how they look) , and a couple of old boat guides I have are hiding, so only the Prelude (19' 3") comes to mind right now at the sort of size you're likely to be after.

Smaller is the 17'3 " Pirate (smaller sister of the Prelude), Seahawk 17', and 16' 3" Shipmate & Shipmate Dayboat (more dinghy with a lid than mini-yacht).

 

[Mark-1]

What's the term for lifting keels where the entire pivot is 'outside' the boat? (Which I guess makes it hard to sit flat when dried out but makes the whole thing more reliable and maintainable.)

Also, in general terms does routine maintainance require you to have trestles or somesuch to allow you to maintain the keel? Seems to me that a significant advantage of lifting keel is that you don't need a cradle to strore the boat ashore but if you still need that to maintain it that advantage is kind of nullified.

I'm in a constant mental quest for a hypothetical boat that costs little to moor and takes near zero maintainance. Spending my entire day yesterday grubbing around between between bilge keels has awakened that process. I guess the real answer to that quest is 'charterboat'.

 

[Stemar]

I'm in a constant mental quest for a hypothetical boat that costs little to moor and takes near zero maintainance.

I'm not sure that "boat" and "zero maintenance" belong in the same sentence,

For the OP, I reckon a lifting or swing keel that gives a flat bottom is the best bet, as it allows the use of a drying mooring. A stub keel would be OK, but would preclude spending time on board at low tide unless on soft mud.

 

[Boathook]

Hawk do a cabin version Hawk 20 Cabin – Hawk 20 but it, the cabin does look small but claims it has a cooker and toilet.

 

[MisterBaxter]

What's your weight limit for towing? That will do a lot to determine the best boat for you.

 

[TSB240]

What's your weight limit for towing? That will do a lot to determine the best boat for you.

The OPS Coaster probably weighs in a bit over 600 kgs. Trailer about 400 kgs that is about the limit with all the gear, ob, fuel anchors warps etc for any normal towing vehicle and the latest rules.

I found anything much over a metric tonne all up weight means changing to a 4 by 4. I used to have a Volvo 3.0 estate and had to change as even this well established top tow car couldn't be used.

Having said that my first test sails of trailable yachts with some weekend space included the Sunfast 20 and the Sun 2000. Both had big open space cockpits which the op would appreciate. Any of the similar Polish lake designs might suit the OP. No body has suggested the marmite boat the Big Mac yet or the fastest 22 footer in the world but that like the Bendytoy 211 falls over without supporting legs or deep mud.

The modern water ballasted designs are great but you need a big budget. What is the budget?
Top tip is in my experience the quality and functionality of the trailer is the most important part of the purchase.