Trailer Sailer

[Stemar]

Leaving aside forum punchups, It's perfectly possible to trailer sale, but 4-5 up is a big ask. Someone knowledgeable once reviewed a boat and described it as taking two in comfort, three in discomfort and five in mortal enmity; I think that would describe most boats under about 30 ft, but racers pack 'em in and don't murder each other very often, so it can be done.

The other thing is that anything bigger than a dinghy is a fair bit of work to prepare to launch before going out and to prepare to tow afterwards. I'd venture to suggest that the majority who start trailer sailing end up getting a mooring or marina place within a year or two. A drying mooring or even a drying pontoon berth doesn't have to be hugely expensive and allows you to have the boat that will let you take mates or family out.

 

[Triassic]

There are only two reasons for getting a trailer sailor, you either want to be able to easily go sailing in a variety of locations, or you are only going to use the boat infrequently. If you're happy to just be going around the same old places week after week, or if perhaps you have the time to sail for extended periods, then they make less sense. I wonder how many people on here actually sail more than 50 miles from their home port more than once a year, and you only have to walk around any marina or boatyard to identify the scores of boats that haven't been anywhere in years?

Incidentally people still don't seem to be getting the message that a properly set up boat doesn't take huge amounts of time to set up. I really wonder if they are speaking from any kind of experience? I did promise myself I'd stop plugging the F27 so ignore the fact that there might be one or two in this video and just try and understand why some folks like trailer sailors.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da473sx8D94

 

[Seajet]

I am no troll, I just happen to disagree with TSB240 in about everything he says.

I've had my Anderson for 40 years now, the mast step is pivoted as standard and I sometimes get the rig up and down easily with a petite girlfriend.

It's not a matter of one's own set-up, it's finding a suitable slipway when the rest of the world has the same idea - and tides -

Waiting in line to launch

Somewhere to leave boat while

Finding somewhere secure to eave car and trailer

Back to boat, rig her

Sail a bit as tide allows

Do the same in reverse.

I've launched a fair few boats and among others trailed a 17'6" Osprey dinghy around the country, which was hassle enough.

I have a pretty good idea of Triassic's boat's capabilities, which is the reason why Angus was upset !

 

[steve350]

There are only two reasons for getting a trailer sailor, you either want to be able to easily go sailing in a variety of locations, or you are only going to use the boat infrequently. If you're happy to just be going around the same old places week after week, or if perhaps you have the time to sail for extended periods, then they make less sense. I wonder how many people on here actually sail more than 50 miles from their home port more than once a year, and you only have to walk around any marina or boatyard to identify the scores of boats that haven't been anywhere in years?

The above corresponds with my own observations. I guess there are many Musto clad skippers with bookshelves stocked with tales of southern ocean derring-do. The type who routinely sail their boats within the confines of the harbour. Their chins jutting out imperiously to windward as they brave another summers day.

 

[Seajet]

It's not exactly unusual to venture forth from a mooring, I think it will be found this or a marina berth is the norm; I have the whole Solent with its many choices for weekend or short sails, and the English Channel + West Country if I have a bit longer, I get plenty of trips in on my and chum's boats including out of the Solent ta.

More likely a boat kept at home stays there on its trailer as it's a pain to go sailing.

 

[shan]

Leaving aside forum punchups, It's perfectly possible to trailer sale, but 4-5 up is a big ask. Someone knowledgeable once reviewed a boat and described it as taking two in comfort, three in discomfort and five in mortal enmity; I think that would describe most boats under about 30 ft, but racers pack 'em in and don't murder each other very often, so it can be done.

The other thing is that anything bigger than a dinghy is a fair bit of work to prepare to launch before going out and to prepare to tow afterwards. I'd venture to suggest that the majority who start trailer sailing end up getting a mooring or marina place within a year or two. A drying mooring or even a drying pontoon berth doesn't have to be hugely expensive and allows you to have the boat that will let you take mates or family out.

The most sensible post on here.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

There are only two reasons for getting a trailer sailor, you either want to be able to easily go sailing in a variety of locations, or you are only going to use the boat infrequently. If you're happy to just be going around the same old places week after week, or if perhaps you have the time to sail for extended periods, then they make less sense. I wonder how many people on here actually sail more than 50 miles from their home port more than once a year, and you only have to walk around any marina or boatyard to identify the scores of boats that haven't been anywhere in years?

Incidentally people still don't seem to be getting the message that a properly set up boat doesn't take huge amounts of time to set up. I really wonder if they are speaking from any kind of experience? I did promise myself I'd stop plugging the F27 so ignore the fact that there might be one or two in this video and just try and understand why some folks like trailer sailors.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da473sx8D94

Interesting video but I couldn't see how he got the mast to start lifting at that angle with no lever between the mast and the pulley. Maybe there was another guy with a long boathook? Good looking boat though, fast and beachable ... :encouragement:

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Hi,
I sold my Sealine mobo a couple of years ago thinking that would be it.
However now I find myself wanting to get back on the water - madness I know.
I live 2 hours away from the sea so don't actually get to use a boat that much.
My ideal boat now would be something (a sailing boat) that I could trailer to avoid the marina fees and also to tinker with it outside my house as I enjoy refitting etc.
I have plenty of room here to store it.
It needs to be big as 4-5 people need to sleep on it.
What would you recommend?
Thanks
Simon

Go to YouTube and look for Swallow Yachts or Sedna ... they'll give you some idea of sizes and rigging and launching ... also try their respective websites. There are several other manufacturers but I can't remember them off-hand ... I'm sure someone else can come up with some. Good luck with your quest and I hope you enjoy sailing.

 

[ProDave]

I'll just add my 2 pence worth, a bit late to the thread.

We did it all wrong to start with (many years ago) we went and bought an 18ft lifting keel mini cruiser (I am not saying the choice of boat was wrong)

We bought the boat without a clue how or where to sail. It was only then we started to tour the locality looking at slipways and harbours.

2 things struck us. There were no really good slipways (to be really good, it needs a pontoon alongside it, and zero tidal flow) The other was how cheap harbours are here compared to say the Solent.

It was end of season when we bought it so we launched from the slipway and had it in the harbour for 3 weeks, then recovered it back to the trailer from the slipway with a great deal of difficulty. No pontoon and wind and tidal flow meant you needed 2 people in the water in waders and another 2 on land.

We concluded that "trailer sailing" with this boat was so much hassle we would never go sailing.

Since that little experiment the boat lives in a harbour for the season and on it's trailer on my drive for the winter. And we use the harbours communal crane in service to save a lot of hassle and save dunking the trailer.

So by all means look for a small cruiser you can tow twice a year to bring it home, but forget trailer sailing it. Seek out a mooring somewhere.

 

[Simon391088]

Thanks as ever for the great replies.

I appreciate that 5 people would be a tight squeeze however It's more likely that 2 or 3 people will be on it as the kids get older and decide that going to a party has more to offer them than sitting in a boat with their mum and dad.

To be honest I just want something that we can go across to the Folly Inn or Yarmouth now and again without having to spend £XXX a month to keep it somewhere.

I actually got into boating because I wanted a Macgregor 26x which seemed to tick all the boxes for me, however bought a mobo when the time came.

I would get a Mac 26x as they still seem to tick the boxes, but they don't seem to be very well respected (I know there are threads just on that so no need to expand on this)

The new Sedna looks good but i'd feel guilty drilling holes in it.

A drying mooring would keep the costs down, but we're 2 hours from the sea, so it just doesn't seem like a good idea when we could keep it on a driveway.

So there it is - maybe a Mac26x or Sedna.

Having said all that - I've done a lot of boating in the Solent/channel and I can't remember ever seeing a decent sized boat being launched down a slipway. In fact the only slipways I can think of are all at Lymington - although there are probably loads.

Once again - thanks for your comments,
I'll see you out there in something!

Simon

 

[solent clown]

There are only two reasons for getting a trailer sailor, you either want to be able to easily go sailing in a variety of locations, or you are only going to use the boat infrequently. If you're happy to just be going around the same old places week after week, or if perhaps you have the time to sail for extended periods, then they make less sense. I wonder how many people on here actually sail more than 50 miles from their home port more than once a year, and you only have to walk around any marina or boatyard to identify the scores of boats that haven't been anywhere in years?

Incidentally people still don't seem to be getting the message that a properly set up boat doesn't take huge amounts of time to set up. I really wonder if they are speaking from any kind of experience? I did promise myself I'd stop plugging the F27 so ignore the fact that there might be one or two in this video and just try and understand why some folks like trailer sailors.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da473sx8D94

we were/are dedicated trailer sailors for years, as the boat sized went up so did the hassle factor. (we are frequent sailors by anyone's standards, out at least twice a week) The 18ft yacht was easy to tow, very easy to rig, I could put up the mast alone, and only one stay needed removing. Gettting it in and out of the water was another story if there was an current. Karen does not drive, and is small so had difficulty holding the boat. while I drove the car and trailer away. Getting out of the water had similar difficulties, so from bitter experience I would say you need to have at the very least one other strong adult to do so safely. We got it wrong once and sunk the boat. Now we have moorings, and two trailer boats. This enables us to drive to anywhere we want to day sail a dinghy or small yacht, but the luxury of a pontoon berth has been a revelation to us. We are able to get straight out on the water as soon as we arrive. Of course, as frequent sailors, the grind of launching and recovering a bigger yacht got to us in the end, but if you are going to be an occasional sailor, then the economics come in to play more than the convenience.

 

[shan]

Thanks as ever for the great replies.

I appreciate that 5 people would be a tight squeeze however It's more likely that 2 or 3 people will be on it as the kids get older and decide that going to a party has more to offer them than sitting in a boat with their mum and dad.

To be honest I just want something that we can go across to the Folly Inn or Yarmouth now and again without having to spend £XXX a month to keep it somewhere.

I actually got into boating because I wanted a Macgregor 26x which seemed to tick all the boxes for me, however bought a mobo when the time came.

I would get a Mac 26x as they still seem to tick the boxes, but they don't seem to be very well respected (I know there are threads just on that so no need to expand on this)

The new Sedna looks good but i'd feel guilty drilling holes in it.

A drying mooring would keep the costs down, but we're 2 hours from the sea, so it just doesn't seem like a good idea when we could keep it on a driveway.

So there it is - maybe a Mac26x or Sedna.

Having said all that - I've done a lot of boating in the Solent/channel and I can't remember ever seeing a decent sized boat being launched down a slipway. In fact the only slipways I can think of are all at Lymington - although there are probably loads.

Once again - thanks for your comments,
I'll see you out there in something!

Simon

Trust me, you will be a lot longer than 2 hours away towing any boat over 18ft. We have a 26ft Beneteau First 26 (lifting keel) and going above 50mph is downright dangerous. We tend to stick to between 40 to 45mph.

 

[solent clown]

Trust me, you will be a lot longer than 2 hours away towing any boat over 18ft. We have a 26ft Beneteau First 26 (lifting keel) and going above 5mph is downright dangerous. We tend to stick to between 40 to 45mph.

amen to that. Maybe the Op could come along with someone like you in his area for an actual experience of towing, launching and recovery. I would have jumped at the chance a while back, but had no idea these forums exist. Hands on would tell so much more to the Op than any online advice

 

[Old Thady]

I you really have to trailersail, why not give up on the accommodation and stay in B&Bs? This would allow you to have a smaller, lighter boat which is easier to tow, launch and recover. It would limit your cruising options a bit but you'd have the promise of a hot shower, comfortable bed and cooked breakfast. The money saved by owning a smaller boat and not having to run a big, thirsty car would probably offset the cost.

 

[Impaler]

One bit of advice based on experience is to fit guide bars onto your trailer. They enable the boat to be centralised and in the event of wind or current will make your life so much easier. Plus waders. Better still for anything above a dinghy pontoons or mooring. I have the T shirt.

 

[fredrussell]

Agree with others re unpleasantness of towing a ‘larger’ sailing boat. I found towing a jaguar 23 fairly terrifying- and that was with a good sized powerful van. Never again.

 

[Triassic]

Interesting video but I couldn't see how he got the mast to start lifting at that angle with no lever between the mast and the pulley. Maybe there was another guy with a long boathook? Good looking boat though, fast and beachable ... :encouragement:

You insert a crossmember between the ends of the two forward beams which are vertical when folded and pass the halyard over the top, thus creating the initial angle to lift the mast. Once up the crossmember and the roller that supports the mast above the transom are removed and put in the car.

It's been quite interesting reading all the negative comments on here about trailer sailing, especially from those with the experience to support their views, and it's made me appreciate all the more how lucky I must have been. All I can is that it really suits my circumstances and although I have on occasion encountered some of the problems experienced by others they have never even come close to being show stoppers.

Incidentally just an observation for the OP. We met a really lovely German couple when cruising Croatia and they were in their Sedna that they had trailered down and been sailing around in for well over a month. Their biggest gripe was sleepless nights caused by their centreboard. If they left it down the noise kept them awake as it clonked back and forth in it's case, if they raised it the boat rolled about so much they kept being thrown out of bed! I fixed it for them in the end by diving underneath last thing in the day and looping a rope around the board which I then pulled tight on a jib winch!

 

[arawa]

I used to have a Parker 235 that would sleep 4 but all in one cabin. Fine for a couple and 2 children but a squeeze for 4 adults.
I trailed it behind a Subaru Forester (perhaps illegally when fully loaded) and with a good slipway and light wind I could rig and launch it single-handed. Recovering single handed in even a flat calm was almost impossible though.
It was a good sea boat and took me north around Ardnamurchan in a F8 (although I would not wish to repeat the experience!) and on through the Pentland Firth covering 435 NM in 15 days with 3 days stormbound and including a Caledonian Canal transit.
But although it was possible, I would not want to have trailed and launched the Parker on a regular basis and it had been specifically and carefully designed for that purpose.
There are several 235s, including my old one, for sale on the owners' site at present.

 

[RobF]

To echo what a number of others have said.
a) Having a boat on a trailer will significantly reduce your vehicle speed unless it's a new twin axle job (which I found to be remarkably stable and pleasant to tow)
b) My experience of a trailer sailor was that it took me at least 4 hours to fully rig and launch (although I was on my own). Same comes to recovering and de-rigging. Then there's the 2-3 hour drive. Therefore, count on a day to get to somewhere, rig the boat, launch and put the car and trailer away somewhere sensible. Same amount of time for the return. Trailer sailing for the weekend was out of the question for me.
c) If you want a boat for the occasional weekend that comfortably sleeps 4 people, a better solution might be to rent a 32 footer (or larger).
d) the thing I appreciated most about a trailer sailor was that I could take it to a new cruising ground every summer and keep it in a nice marina for reasonable berthing fees (my boat was only 20foot). In the winter I would put the boat in a secure caravan park near my house for £30 a month.
e) The other nice thing about trailer sailing is that you can do downwind summer cruises. I once cruised in company from Plymouth to Torquay via most of the harbours for a week. Rather than beating my way back against the prevailing south westerlies for 50 miles, I just put the boat on the trailer and towed it back.

 

[Nautorius]

What about a Jeanneau Sun Odysey 24.2 with an outboard? We had one and it would fulfill all your requirements. I have trailered big boats upto 26ft all over Europe. Lots of planning but it is a great way to boat!