Do Used Sailboats 27-30' Usually Come with their Trailer?

[slik pak]

All of the sailboats I'm interested in they're far away. Closest one is 700+ miles away. I work a man camp type shift so I get a couple weeks off at a time and I don't have a problem driving my truck and picking up a 5 tonner but there's usually no mentions of a trailer in listings. Most sailboats I'm looking at are saltwater boats even though I prefer freshwater boats and I'm familiarizing myself with saltwater boats. Now I'm really taking this slow and I don't make any calls because my purchase time frame is in Novemberish. Does anyone have any experience with yachtworld/sailboat listings etc. with tralers? I may even just pay to ship it out here because its splitting hairs cost wise for me to drive out with my truck. Is it easy to buy a used sailboat trailer for a 27-30 footer?

For the record i'd fly out and inspect it first.

[denverd0n]

That's at the very top end of "trailerable," so most boats in that range will probably not have a trailer. Further, in that size range, you are likely going to have to have a trailer custom built, if the seller doesn't already have one.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

That's at the very top end of "trailerable," so most boats in that range will probably not have a trailer. Further, in that size range, you are likely going to have to have a trailer custom built, if the seller doesn't already have one.

That pretty much says it. For sailboats, once you get much bigger than 22-23' range trailers are rare. One problem is the larger boats generally have larger, deeper, heavier keels and cannot be launched from a regular boat ramp. Even in the 22-23' range most boats will have some kind of lifting keel, centerboard or similar to fit a trailer and boat ramp.

You would probably have to custom build a trailer or get a heavy duty, flatbed trailer and build a cradle on the trailer to hold the boat. Friend of mine did that and it worked out quite well. Plus he now has a heavy duty trailer for all sorts of other hauling.

Paying a hauler to move the boat may be more expensive than you think. Search some of the previous threads on the forum for what others have paid. Cost me over $1000 plus boat yard fees to move my boat 80 miles but it's 42' and a wide/tall load that required a chase car and special permits.

[Sailmonkey]

What type of 27-30' boats are you looking at? The stripped down race versions will likely live on a trailer and only be launched to sail. But most cruising boats either are too wide to trailer normally, too heavy, or have never been on a trailer a day in their lives.

[Stumpkiller]

Other than a Sea Pearl 28 I don't recall ever seeing a 27 to 30 ft sailboat with trailer.

[slik pak]

Then how are sailboats transported?

[slik pak]

Originally Posted by skipmac

That pretty much says it. For sailboats, once you get much bigger than 22-23' range trailers are rare. One problem is the larger boats generally have larger, deeper, heavier keels and cannot be launched from a regular boat ramp. Even in the 22-23' range most boats will have some kind of lifting keel, centerboard or similar to fit a trailer and boat ramp.

You would probably have to custom build a trailer or get a heavy duty, flatbed trailer and build a cradle on the trailer to hold the boat. Friend of mine did that and it worked out quite well. Plus he now has a heavy duty trailer for all sorts of other hauling.

Paying a hauler to move the boat may be more expensive than you think. Search some of the previous threads on the forum for what others have paid. Cost me over $1000 plus boat yard fees to move my boat 80 miles but it's 42' and a wide/tall load that required a chase car and special permits.

Well I've been quoted 3k for a full transportation which is a lot but I don't know in terms of diesel fuel how much cheaper it would be to drive my truck 1400+ miles round trip. I know I would save money but i'd save time if I paid someone else to do it.

[slik pak]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

What type of 27-30' boats are you looking at? The stripped down race versions will likely live on a trailer and only be launched to sail. But most cruising boats either are too wide to trailer normally, too heavy, or have never been on a trailer a day in their lives.

Well I've got a 2011 GMC Sierra Duramax/Alison combo and I'ts max recommended trailer weight is like 23,700 or something. I know with trucks it's how much it can safely brake and I've pulled 29000#'s with a weaker Duramax before. That trailer did have it's own brakes though.

Probably a Catalina 27-30 foot cruiser. I don't think width is an issue because ive seen twin engine 33 foot cabin cruisers at the 2 square mile lake I would be taking it too.

[slik pak]

Here is what I was picturing. looks to be a 27 footer (I think)

[terminalcitygrl]

Many "pocket cruisers" have trailers. I've seen quite a few ads for Nor'seas and Danas with trailers. They are in the 27 foot range. I've read towing that kind of weight though takes some skill. If its only a one-time move I'd surely look seriously at a marine transport specialist and save yourself the headache...

[roverhi]

Occasionally you'll see a Norsea 28 offered with a trailer. That's about as large a boat that you'll find with a trailer. Great sea boats that you could take almost anywhere.

Have seen other largish boats with trailers but 8' max width for normal road use is a big limiter. Go wider than that and all sorts of regulations and additional costs kick in. As others have said, racing boats like the Hobie 33 have retractable keels and quite often have a trailer. I wouldn't even think about living aboard one as they have no head, minimal furniture, creature comforts and headroom.

[slik pak]

Originally Posted by terminalcitygrl

Many "pocket cruisers" have trailers. I've seen quite a few ads for Nor'seas and Danas with trailers. They are in the 27 foot range. I've read towing that kind of weight though takes some skill. If its only a one-time move I'd surely look seriously at a marine transport specialist and save yourself the headache...

Well the interim lake is a 2 square mile lake until I move back to the ozarks I would have to take out in the winter (Colorado) and store it so even though I could pay a transport I would still need a trailer to pull it out of the water and store it. Thank you guys for your help. I did find a company that builds custom trailers.

[Richard5]

TWO mile square lake? How much of that postage stamp is useable even with a swing keel?

May I suggest an alternative, take that approx. $6,000 (cost to haul to CO and from CO when you move to the Ozarks) and instead use that money to travel to the boat which is located on a more sizeable body of water. I reckon accessibility is desirable yet it makes so much more sense to place the boat where it will be more functional.

BTW: I would let someone else make the haul. It makes fiscal sense when you include exposure to potential liability. Unless you are looking to the adventure of pulling a boat all that way, in that case it doesn't have to make sense since that isn't what it's about.

[CPseudonym]

I believe Clipper Marine made a 30 or 32 foot by 8 foot wide trailerable. They are not common to find but when you do they'll most likely be on a trailer.

Good luck in your quest.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by slik pak

Here is what I was picturing. looks to be a 27 footer (I think)

Yes, putting a Catalina 27 on a trailer is feasible, though not done on a regular basis. From sailboat data the cat27 is 8.83' wide. Over width by a hair! Then comes the launch problem. You will typically need to crane off and on the trailer. It's not impossible to put a monster tongue extension or dolly on the trailer to launch, but not usually done.

This just isn't what you do more than once a year. It may work for you, but like you've found you're going to need a custom trailer.