Trailer sailor

[alanvick]

Very new member; sorry if this has been asked before.
I have good experience with power craft (RIBS mostly) but I really would like to get into sail. I want to trailer the boat rather than have a fixed mooring. I will probably be launching and sailing single handed. Have looked at Macgregor 26 which seems fine although this seems more a power boat with sail option (50 hp engine?!!). Can anyone advise what I should be looking for?

 

[Lakesailor]

Have you seen how many Macgregors are for sale? Tells a story.
I've not sailed one but the reviews all centre on the high topsides, water ballast not being ideal, compromised sailing perfomance, and also you will need a hefty 4X4 to legally tow a 26 foot sailboat with a 50 horse motor attached. Added to which single handed launching may be possible if things go well, but on a windy day and with some other crisis, you're very much relying on other yachties to lend a hand.
If that's your kind of money look at lift keel Beneteaus and Jeneaus and Etaps around the 20 -22 foot mark.
Only my opinion.

 

[FullCircle]

T_S (Trailer Sailer Dave) will be along shortly I think......

But look at lots of options....... depending on your real budget, from about 4 grand up.

 

[richardabeattie]

Don't pick the boat first - pick the launch site and work out the realities. Then all you have to do is trail the boat to the site, rig it on your own, launch it, secure the boat somewhere while you go and park. Then get out to it and start bending on the sails. Then sail for a bit and get back to the slip at the right stage in the tide to secure the boat while you go and get the car and trailer and haul her out before starting to de-rig. There will of course be no queue for the slip, parking will be available, there will be no cross tide but there will be a light offshore wind in the morning. And it is quite true - trailers never rust.

In the trailer sailing business the smaller the boat the better - less effort and more fun.

 

[gandy]

Alv,
A couple of times I've noticed people using an 18' trailed boat from our habour. They seem to spend a lot of time rigging and derigging the boat as well as launching and recovering. I wouldn't want to go through that hassle for each day's sailing. Suggest you carefully check out what's involved on any boat you're looking to buy. Of course if you expect to use it for a week at a time, that's different.

Tony S

 

[oldharry]

I quite agree with Richard. I have several times been down the trailer sailor route, and found that with a boat of any size I just dont go sailing very much. The last one was a 20 footer, which ended up on a mooring, because it took about 2 hours to launch and over an hour to retrieve, stow and lash down. And that was after taking much care to set it all up, and assuming as Richard says, that there were no complications like strong winds, cross tides, queues etc.

Keeping a boat to use like a caravan just does not work: decide to go sailing today: Get everything out, hook up and away by say 10.00am. Couple of hours travel time (its MUCH slower when you are towing!) to the coast, its mid-day. Wait half an hour to get on the slip, 2 hours to launch, rig bend on sails, and its well past luchtime, so its 3pm before you get on the water. By that time youre pretty tired anyway, and the tide has gone out....

back to the slip around 4.30, on the slip 5.30, boat stripped and lashed down by 6.30, stop for a meal, 7.45, 2 hours drive home, half an hour to get everything off and stowed at home, 10.15pm.

All for an hour and a half on the water...?

Suddenly a mooring seems a rather good idea after all.

However, trailer sailors do win out on somee points: mainly 1. Change of cruising grounds. It makes it possible to explore places that most of the rest of us just would not have time to get to by sea. 2. Winter storage and refits can be done at home.

Those who do trail/sail can get pretty well anywhere they like for the annual cruise, unlike the rest of us who have always to cover the same bit of water each time before getting to anywhere new. One couple I knew explored much of the Med and Adriatic over a number of years with their Solent based 26footer - and all within the constraints of annual leave timings!

 

[T_S]

Like everything to do with sailing its always a compromise!

If you are intending to launch and retrieve on a regular basis you first must have a trailer that piggy backs a launching trolley, this prevents the axle units and their moving parts from being attacked by salt water.

As for the Macgregor do you still want water ski? cos thats about all its really fit for, along with the odd sailing of light winds only!

Trailer sailors are great boats and once involved there are huge advantages to the weekend sailor, i.e not having expensive mooring fees etc and being able to tow your boat almost anywhere. Oh and course no winter storage fees!

The money saved by not owning a large boat is then spent on bareboat charter holidays in the med or the latest gizmos for your own pride and joy. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Hope my more positive input helps you!

Regards.......Dave

 

[T_S]

P.S nearly forgot! There are trailor systems now that hoist and lower your mast in a mere few minutes, I saw one at the boat show which looked very easy to operate and quite easy to make!

 

[tp1]

Hi Alv

I've owned a Shipmate Senior (5 metres / 16 ') for over 10 yrs & have great fun sailing her. I've whitled the time down for rigging / de-rigging to about an hour [long enbough to let the trailer wheels cool before sticking it in salt water!] I sail single-handed these days & have no trouble.
I agree with others that the larger the boat, the more hassle. I've a friend with an 18' Juno, but he now keeps it on a mooring as trailing was quite a strain on his car.
PBO have done reviews of similar sized boats, but you may find 16-18 ft a little too small? Depends on your tastes.
I've sailed mine round England with no problems.
Regards
Tony

 

[fastjedi]

For most it's an interesting and valuable tranisionary step to a cruiser. We had great fun and experiences with ours, but unless you are lucky enough to live within half an hour of your chosen slipway it's VERY hard work for a day / weekend sail.
Top Tips
1. Buy the smallest boat that meets your requirements (18'?)
2. Pay (even) more attention to the trailer than the boat
3. Be honest about the amount you will spent on the 'extras'
4. It's harder to find launch sites that will accomadate your car and trailer in safety than you think!
5. Do it! .. but your on the road to a proper yacht! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Avocet]

Exactly our experience. First boat was a Leisure 17 - perfect little first trailer sailer. Then we moved up to an Evolution 22 and the difference in hassle was ENOURMOUS! Everything just took so much longer - especially setting up the rig each time. Recovering in an onshore wind could be difficult too! Suffice it to say that we only launched and recovered from our "home port" about half a dozen times before thinking "stuff this for a game of soldiers!" and putting it in the nearby marina.

On the other hand, its absolutely true about being able to change cruising grounds - we enjoyed the West coast of Scotland and North Wales in the same season one year!

If I was getting another trailer sailer, I'd go for a smaller one with a simple masthead rig and as few "toys" as possible.

 

[alanvick]

Thanks for all the replies and for pointing out the downsides to trailering. Guess I will have to think on this one. It's just those mooring fees!

 

[xcw]

Don't be put off by all those doom merchants, just go into it with your eyes open. I owners a Macgregor 26C (the classic sailing version not the hybrid sail/power) for 9 years. I kept her on the hard at Chichester Marina for the sailing season and trailed her home in the winter. Thus benefitting from reduced mooring fees, no antifoul required and I could keep her rigged during the season. From arriving at the marina to setting sail took less than 20 minutes (hitch up, launch, park trailer and go) - all with a normal family car.

We had 9 years hugely enjoyable, low cost sailing. Despite what many people say (who have normally never stepped on a Macgregor) the 26C is a great boat for what they are designed to do and very spacious for a trailer sailer and light and easy to tow. We sailed mainly in Chichester Harbour and the Solent. We have sailed back from The IOW in a F7, but we would not normally venture out in anything more than a F4. If you consider it to be a large dingy with accomodation you won't go far wrong. Horses for courses is what it is all about.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[William_H]

Hello Alv I have had the same 21 ft trailer sailer for 24 years. True I keep it on a swing mooring but retrieval or launch takes l ess than 1/2 hr. True we have a steep ramp and no tide to be concerned about but it can be done single handed. it all depends on the launch site. I have used the same trailer for 24 years ( wouldn't dream of using a launch trolley it all goes under in salt water)and yes you need to keep up the maintenance on brakes bearings and structure but it is doable.
As for boat type many people here have standard fin keel boats up to 22ft that they tow home on licensed trailer with only a little more difficulty launching retrieving by releasing the trailer from the car and letting in on a long rope until the boat and trailer are in 1.7 metres of water. You need a good trailer with guides for the keel or be prepared to get in the water to guide it on.
Trailer sailing is a variable feast and you need to research launching sites first. You will need a big car and it is likely you will untimately get a mooring to save the trailering but it is still good to be able to winter at home or take off to far away places. have a look at http://au.msusers.com/TrailerSailerPlace for a Oz forum slant on trailer sailers by the thousands regards olewill PS recently visited UK and I appreciate sailors have a battle at every point to get out there.