Which Trailer Sailer 23-25ft

Gordononline

New Member
Joined
19 Oct 2005
Messages
3
Visit site
Looking for a S/H Trailer sailer boat 23-25ft. There are some items I would like it to have, Inboard diesel engine, keel that lifts right in to hull so can beach anywhere (not stub keel), Toilet, sleeps 4, chart table, Can be trailed behind a landy 110. Not too difficult to mount mast single handed. If any one has any ideas, I have been looking online. But hard to find flatish hull with inboard, is there a reason for this? Thanks
 
Yes.
If the boat takes the ground then a lot of the weight may end up on the "P" bracket/prop. Not desirable.
Either go for an outboard (which can be lifted) or some form of keel which will offer protection for the vulnerable bits underneath.
I'm not sure how you want to use the boat but, for most people, the ability to be able to beach anywhere will be low on their list of priorities. Most would anchor off and go inshore in a dinghy.......dinghies really can be beached anywhere!
 
Thks Tisme for the reply. The reason for a flatish hull, is really for the easier ability to load on/off trailer. I imagine with stub/bilge keel it is harder. Also would really prefer inboard engine. Surely there must be a yacht that fits the bill?
 
Evolution 25.

Try searching on any posts by Clive G. He has bought one recently. I had one for 6 or 7 years, but never towed it. Lifting Keel great for the East Coast. As much use as a chocolate fireguard down Solent way really, unless you oput it on a mooring.
Inboard performance never was much good.
Its not easy to trail any boat that size, as the recovery is hardly a one man effort. Still, we have a bet with Clive he will look for a proper mooring by the end of the season.
 
How about a Norfolk Gypsy. An expensive way of buying a small boat. But meets your criteria and a totally brilliant boat. We have spent 3 weeks with 2 adults and 3 kids on one.

gypsy_big.jpg



Or the Cornish Shrimper, a cheaper version of a similar concept


GermanShrimper_jpg.jpg
 
What is the maximum length of trailer (or boat and trailer) that you can tow without being a HGV driver? Or is the restriction practicle rather than legal?
 
Practical, although recently issued driving licences have different rules. For most car drivers it's what their vehicle can safely tow - for a Land-Rover this is 3.5 tons of braked trailer.
 
Maybe you should read the NTTA page as well. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Maximum Trailer Dimensions

Towing vehicle up to 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0 m
Width Maximum 2.3 m

Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 12 m (min 4 wheels)
Width Maximum 2.55 m
Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 m
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 m

Marking of rear overhang

* Between 1m and 2m, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar.
* Between 2m and 3.05m, a marker board as defined in the Regulations must be fitted and illuminated at night.
* If the overhang is more than 3.05m, an attendant must be carried and the police must be notified 2 days before commencing the journey.


"Long Vehicle" Marker Plate:

* Not required for light trailers.
* These are a legal requirement only for trailers over 3500kg or where the towing vehicle is over 7500kg gross weight. When they are required, different plates are required depending on the length of the vehicle. Details can be found in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, Schedule 18.
* Loads must not project more than 305mm either side of the trailer, up to a maximum width of 2.9m.
* Loads over 2.9m in width are classed as abnormal loads and the police must be notified two days before a journey commences.


Recommended maximum height:

* 3.0m high or 1.7 times the wheel track. (horizontal distance between centre lines of tyre treads).
* There is no legal requirement, but this is an accepted guideline.
* If however the height does exceed 3.0m then a notice giving the height details must be displayed in the cab of the towing vehicle.

(Only buses are subject to a maximum height regulation).

[/ QUOTE ]
 
I have, but I don't think its definitive of the size of boat because the boat can (and often does) overhang the trailer, so a 7m trailer could be taking a 9m boat (which would probably get to the limit of practicality with a big 4x4). I think this is how some of the commercial delivery services manage to deliver larger boats with a 4x4. The pre & post '97 licence differences are explained here.

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dl_towing_trailers.htm

All that being said, I would not want to tow the full 3500Kgs that my Land-Rover is rated for - case of the tail wagging the dog /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Steve
 
Problem with an inboard is that the shaft & prop sticks out of the bottom of the hull which would be a point of possible damage when launching or recovering in less-than-ideal conditions. Also inboard = heavy, outboard = light, heavy being a disadvantage when moving boats on and off trailers.

If you could go with an outboard (and modern longshaft 4 strokes are p.d.g) it opens up your markets quite a bit.
 
Would think very hard about inboard vs outboard in a boat this size, especially if you want to trail it. If you think inboard engines are trouble free, think again! I'm not saying don't get one, just advising that you should have some really solid reasons for putting up with weight, vulnerability to prop fouls, prop drag, and cost that's a large fraction of total cost of boat.
 
Inboards are definitely more work, more holes in the hull to watch etc. I don't know about many models, but something like the Hurley 24 has an outboard well which keeps the outboard inboard and concealed, and with bilge keels is a trailerable proposition.
 
I dunno much about trailer sailing in practice, but regarding a motor I would go for an outboard. If you have bought a boat with a duff engine it is cheaper and easier to replace, and a lot easier to find a good s/h o/b than a GOOD s/h inboard (and fitting bits).

I forget what your Budget is, but a Macgregor 26 with a 50hp O/b sounds like a lottta fun! (I think around £16-18k), and I think it has a flat bottom, with also wayer ballast?? I beleive they may have also done a version with a more normal silaing yacht sized O/b, I guess cheaper.
 
Macgregor 26X at Ferry Nab, Windermere. Uses water as ballast so it discharges it when you slip it. Keel non-existent on trailer.
Not a fantastic sail, but ?

Macgreggor.jpg


In it's defence he actually motored it onto the trailer, snapped on the winch cable and then drove out of the water. Single handed. It was, however, very calm.
(Did like the ladder on his winch post, could be going down that route myself)
 
Top