The best family coastal cruiser

stu9000

stu9000

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Yes I know this question is asked endlessly. Ive been reading some great threads here and wanted to get your help to find a boat that suits my particular needs.

I have three kids (the oldest is 8) and I want them to get the experience I had when I was a kid. East coast mud up to my waist, great memories of us all in a tiny bilge keeler.

i want it all. I want a 24 foot or less trailable good sailing shallow draft boat that doesnt look too awful. Cockpits are coming in quite small on a lot. It would be nice to have 6 ft on the bench. I know, Im asking too much.

Budget is 4k

I looked at the Corribee which seems lovely but for the small cockpit. Jaguar 22 seems to offer value but is it really a lake boat? Maybe im going too "big" and should consider a Drascombe Longboat Cruiser?

It is tricky. I want to inspire my kids, not put them off, or end up getting divorced! You can get a lot for 4k but im wondering if by packing it all in you compromise too much on the core values. A Drascombe has enough of a cuddy to get the kids out of the weather, especially moored up with a tent. Its a day sailer though with no capacity for sleeping 5 on board (the youngest is 2) But im seduced by what you get by a more modern boat. Help. Confused!
 
Evolution 22 has quite a big cockpit and is lift-keel. Can be towed. Large beam gives "better-than-you'd-think" accommodation for the length, but headroom limited. You'd probably get one for that sort of money. Disadvantage is that (in my view) it's more of a "lake boat". Very light and beamy, ours just "went backwards" when sailed to windward in the short, steep waves you often get in Morecambe bay and the outboard prop would lose it's grip on the water when the boat pitched. It was fantastic fun on Windermere though.
 
Depends what you mean my trailer-able.

If its to put on the drive at the end of the year and you already have substantial tow vehicle.

I would say Trident 24...

If not I would think day boat sort of thing that can easily be launched and recovered rather than cabin cruiser...

Westerly Nimrod?

Its all a balance if you have to trail it regularly boat with cudy for weather protection and big cockpit. If occasional tailoring with crane lift on off it changes the considerations...

You might be better with Falmouth Bassboat, or Drascomb lugger Wayfarer and except its simple sailing but easy to tow.
 
There's no way a jaguar 22 is just a lake boat..... a good one is an excellent estuary/coastal pocket cruiser. When I had one, it suffered with us idiots in some blows on the east coast (F7) when I didn't or couldn't reef. It just heeled a bit more and ploughed on. I have loads of stuff I could email you on the J22 ?
Also some of those suggested before (yes, what is trailerable?),Trident, Evolution, lift keel Pegasus 700, Westerly Liberty/Minstrel, Drascombe...
 
I have seen two lift keel Jaguar 22's ashore where the hull had sagged around the keel stub like a pudding; and they were designed for American fair water sailing hence the big hatches etc.

Yes as Twister Ken predicted, here comes the suggestion for the Anderson 22, see the website in my signature below.

Please note although I run the owners association I have nothing to gain and no personal connection with boats for sale, my boat is not for sale as long as I draw my breath !

The magazine reviews by PBO & Sailing Today seemed to agree with me...

Andy
 
Having seen Seajets pictures I'd have to agree it wouldn't be a terrible choice. Sleeping 5 is going to be the decider I expect at that size since most boats are designed around 4 with a twin v birth and two quarter births. If you sell one child on EBay your choices will widen and budget will increase ;)
 
Ah decisions!
I need to get off the fence and decide whether I want something that is a day sailor (an open boat or with a cuddy) or whether to go bigger which I think will mean getting a drying mooring with all the to'ing and fro'ing that involves.

I really could do with some advice on good places to base a boat within an hour or so of Kingston Upon Thames.

Sailing, like camping and even canoeing, can sometimes seem like an endless list of jobs and expense for a couple of good weekends if you're lucky. If I get a bigger boat that I dont trail routinely the mooring will be critical. The south coast is too expensive or busy. The Deben I love, but its just a little bit too much of a journey. My Dad based himself on the Blackwater for a while and it just seemed to blow a gale the whole time. I found it a tough hard river, although the boat was bigger so I probably didnt find the cozy corners.

Its Onesea's fault really. Thanks;) Suggesting the Trident 24 has got me drooling. It ticks a lot of boxes. Shallow draft. But heavy enough to punch through a chop. A good loo will please the girls. And we might even get the kids down before dawn in that forecabin. Not quite sure where to put our two year old but I think there is enough space to work something out. An inboard engine to get you over the bar. Reasonable cockpit. Looks good. It is at the top of the budget though. I need a proper look. But it is a boat that we could grow into.

Im also giving the Jaguar 22 a proper look. And the Corribee. But please keep the suggestions coming.

The thing is, if it was just a toy for me, id be happy with an old wayfarer or open top Drascombe with a tent. In fact I love that kind of adventure sailing where you run up a beach, make a cozy camp only to disappear the next morning. I could buy a "project", keep in the garden, tow without stress, invite family and/or mates and generally have a low cost good time.

However, my lovely wife went through all that sort of thing before we were married. Im not sure she wants to go back. Keeping the kids safe, clean and dry is a factor. And it would be nice to be able to sleep all on board and not always have to beach at high tide to avoid the mud. While I keep telling myself not to get carried away, to keep it simple, light, quick to launch and cheap,,, if I go down that route I don't think Id get the whole tribe out on the water very often.

So maybe I should go, just a bit, bigger. Can you hear me talking myself into it.


Im intrigued with the possibilities of getting a drying mooring somewhere around Gillingham.
That is just over an hour away for me.
Is it easy to get a drying mooring? What does it cost? Is the sailing good out of the Medway?

Thanks for all your advice. Im reading everything on this forum. Its a great source!
 
Seajet said:
I have seen two lift keel Jaguar 22's ashore where the hull had sagged around the keel stub like a pudding; and they were designed for American fair water sailing hence the big hatches etc.

Yes as Twister Ken predicted, here comes the suggestion for the Anderson 22, see the website in my signature below.

Please note although I run the owners association I have nothing to gain and no personal connection with boats for sale, my boat is not for sale as long as I draw my breath !

The magazine reviews by PBO & Sailing Today seemed to agree with me...

Andy
Click to expand...

The Anderson 22 is indeed a cracking design as well.
However (I used to run the JOA for my sins!) the sagging that some have seen seems to be as a result of the grp bilge runners fitted to some hulls (as indeed my 22 did). These were not part of the Catalina design (and can be removed), Catalina 22s having a reputation as capable sailing boats (PBO and YM i believe has both done tests..). Although I don't currently own one, they are a robust design.(Probably why the basic design was in production for about 30 years) The swing keel mechanism is crude but very effective.... but easily (?) renovated.
They have a large cockpit with a workable layout below (I'm 6'4") although get rid of the ballhead loo if fitted!!

PS the medway offers countless possibilities and sailing for boats of this type!
 
Last edited:
stu9000 said:
Im intrigued with the possibilities of getting a drying mooring somewhere around Gillingham.
That is just over an hour away for me.
Is it easy to get a drying mooring? What does it cost? Is the sailing good out of the Medway?
Click to expand...

Plenty of good sailing based on the Medway, but local places to visit a bit limited. Plenty of mud!
I'm sure you'd find a drying mooring fairly easily if you join a local club. And deep water moorings aren't too dear either.
Many others on the river, but for example try Lower Halstow Yacht Club for drying moorings or Hoo Ness Yacht Club for deep water - we've been members of both. Both have parking and dinghy storage on site, and provide economic laying up facilities, but access is very tidal, particularly for Halstow.

No direct experience of these but the SEGAS club at Gillingham is even cheaper for deep water moorings than Hoo, and there's also the Medway Cruising Club just nearby. But if you wanted to get your kids into dinghy sailing - and racing - the Wilsonians is probably the best on the river. The premier club on the river is the Medway Yacht Club. Yacht Cruising and Racing, and dinghy instruction and racing.

Apologies to Upnor Sailing Club, and others I've not mentioned, but this should get you going. Have a Google onto the various club sites to get an idea of costs.
 
I cant make up my mind about the Anderson.
On the screen Im not in love with the shape (sorry Seajet) but reviews say she is great inside and keeps going when everyone else stops. Thats a sign of a quality boat. But if I put two kids in the forepeak, the wife goes in one mid berth and the youngster in the other,,, where do I go? Is the cockpit big enough to sleep in?

This is obviously a concern that applies to the Jag and the Trident too.

I think the Jag offers good value. Trident would be first choice but it might be out of reach. Ill keep reading!

S
 
stu9000 said:
I cant make up my mind about the Anderson.
On the screen Im not in love with the shape (sorry Seajet) but reviews say she is great inside and keeps going when everyone else stops. Thats a sign of a quality boat. But if I put two kids in the forepeak, the wife goes in one mid berth and the youngster in the other,,, where do I go? Is the cockpit big enough to sleep in?

This is obviously a concern that applies to the Jag and the Trident too.

I think the Jag offers good value. Trident would be first choice but it might be out of reach. Ill keep reading!

S
Click to expand...

Stu,

obviously there's only so much one can do within a boats' dimensions; however when I once sold my Anderson ( big relationship break -up, long story ) and bought a Carter 30, it looked great but only later did I find the berths were much narrower and shorter than the Anderson 22s' !

On the Sailing Today review I was a bit miffed when Duncan Kent said later the A22 forepeak is only suitable for children; I and my then fiancee ( both 5'9" and not skinny ) spent several 3 week cruises there, with a chum sleeping in the saloon - unlike PBO's David Harding Duncan had not run a tape measure over everything, just looked in.

It all depends on your family needs, but I would ( of course ! :) ) say the Anderson 22 is the best you'll get at the size, a good interior compared to others, separate loo and outstanding seaworthiness, fast too.

Still 4 berth though; there are ways of getting 5 but frankly I think it's a case of hand deeper in pocket and look for a considerably larger, more expensive boat; this is just a thought as I type, how about an Anderson 26 ? 2 on the market now ( 1 yet to be listed ) which is rare, only about 16 were built - on the recommendations of the 1979 Fastnet Committee findings before Andersons lost their MOD warship launch contract and went bust.

A26's still vary and to get 5 berths you may have to go larger still; the Anderson 26 was designed on the same principle of the Vancouvers, not so many people but better for long distances, unlike some French designs which could fit a whole army in the same size !

Trapper 500/501's are a well kept secret and you may get one for a good price.

Whichever boats you look at, do make a point of lying down on the bunks - I tried one boat with a much advertised aft cabin, we found our heads lower than our feet and a ' passion killler ' rudder post between us !

Yes the cockpit of the A22 is easily long enough to sleep in - if you see the website below there is a pic of my boat with a small cockpit tent for summer use - but I don't recommend it on any boat for normal use.

Feel free to PM and chat

Andy
 
Last edited:
stu9000 said:
Yes I know this question is asked endlessly. Ive been reading some great threads here and wanted to get your help to find a boat that suits my particular needs.

I have three kids (the oldest is 8) and I want them to get the experience I had when I was a kid. East coast mud up to my waist, great memories of us all in a tiny bilge keeler.

i want it all. I want a 24 foot or less trailable good sailing shallow draft boat that doesnt look too awful. Cockpits are coming in quite small on a lot. It would be nice to have 6 ft on the bench. I know, Im asking too much.

Budget is 4k

I looked at the Corribee which seems lovely but for the small cockpit. Jaguar 22 seems to offer value but is it really a lake boat? Maybe im going too "big" and should consider a Drascombe Longboat Cruiser?

It is tricky. I want to inspire my kids, not put them off, or end up getting divorced! You can get a lot for 4k but im wondering if by packing it all in you compromise too much on the core values. A Drascombe has enough of a cuddy to get the kids out of the weather, especially moored up with a tent. Its a day sailer though with no capacity for sleeping 5 on board (the youngest is 2) But im seduced by what you get by a more modern boat. Help. Confused!
Click to expand...


I have a Westerly 25 you can have for that £ as I am going to upgrade to the 30 ft mark . I have just started to sail last year and I went for a boat I could and have taken home easy if I had to due to mooring and storage cost ect but then I found Marconi sailing club ( on the Blackwater ) and it was not worth taking the boat home because the prices are very good ( some work parties and such keep the cost down to members )
and it is a club very geared towards family's easy to get to , good car park access and nice people
 
We have just moved 'up' from a Jag 22. Not sure I would want to overnight on one with 3 kids though unless they were of the very sedate variety that can sit and read a book or do a drawing for ages. Sailing-wise I found the jag 22 to be lovely and absolutely fine for coastal sailing.

Really loving our Hirondelle too. That gives you 6 ft headroom in the galley and heads, a nice big double in the saloon and two little cabins in the aft of each hull. You can still take the ground and get into the shallows and the cockpit is huge (and safe for kids). Also a lot of space on the foredeck for kids to play about. YOu are likely to be looking at more 5K+ for one though.

As for places to sail - south coast does offer a good choice and it doesn't have to be that expensive if you have the right boat (i.e. one that can go on a drying mooring). Our mooring is afloat nearly all the time but the fact that it does dry sometimes makes it a lot cheaper. You've got to factor in the amount of enjoyment you will get from where you locate the boat - it may well be paying a little bit extra to be somewhere with a better option for weekend jaunts.

Happy hunting and happy sailing.

Nicola
 
Don't overlook a triple-keel Achilles 24 - good, fast sea boat, limited headroom below but 6'6" quarterberths and a decently large forecabin. Not expensive to buy or own.

Was recently impressed by a Galion 22 - not sure if available as a bilge keel - roomier than the Achilles and another fine sea boat.
 
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