Light Trailer Sailor Advice

[OS2Dude]

My previous boat was an O'Day 23. It was a trailerable boat with a centerboard in a partial keel. Only drew 18" with the centerboard retracted. Great boat for a night or two on the water, but only 4' 6" headroom with the hatches closed. Had a porta-potty head and a small galley. Total weight was about 3500 pounds.

[Lake-Effect]

Our boat (Sandpiper 565) comes in a bit under 2000 lb including trailer. It's a simple, sturdy, fun-to-sail boat. Draft is about 2' 10" keel down, or less than a foot with keel up.

They're found mainly around the lower Great Lakes and in Quebec and can often be purchased for $4000 or less. There's not many of them in Florida but I do know people who have towed theirs down and had a great time on the Gulf coast.

[capnjack.morton]

Thanks yet again for continuing contributions, and suggestions of small, light, trailerable sailboats suitable for a couple, for daysailing and short camping trips. A number of contenders now to check out.
Jack

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha CapnJack,

Our club has a West Wight Potter 19. It is easy to tow, light and can accomodate a couple easily. I've weekended it several times towing it from Hilo to Kona and return and sailing both coasts of the big island. I'm 6' plus and 70 and I have a hard time moving about the interior. That, to me, is the only drawback and one that would encourage me not to buy one. If you are nimble, smaller and of less age you would, no doubt, be very happy with one. They seem to hold their price very high and I can't really understand why but that's not for me to determine.

The boat I would choose now would be a Catalina 22 or 25 and probably lean more toward the 25. I've owned a 22 and had 4 people aboard for a weekend when I was very much younger.

Caution: Stay away from a wing keel.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

[Petrel]

Another biased WW Potter owner, easy to tow,launch, and set up. The steel daggerboard keeps the boat extremely stable. Easily beached because the board fully retracts. Sails just fine in 15 20 mph winds. I am 6'2" and have no problem with the size of the cabin and bunks.

[CatboatWilly]

If you're in Florida Look up the West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron on the web and talk to them as they are small boat specialists. Also, the most underrated boat for your shallow water is a catboat.......

[Scout 30]

The original post is a little confusing. I assume 2,000 lbs on the trailer means it includes the trailer. If it does the WW Potter, A well regarded boat but with a dry weight of 1,950 lbs, will be a little heavy & the Catalina 22 is way too heavy. Regarding the Sea pearl that you're considering, that is a great boat. I'd go for the mono hull version but either way it's a great expedition cruiser & suitable for the Everglades Challenge it you're up to it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6tLgJX9niM

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by Petrel

Another biased WW Potter owner, easy to tow,launch, and set up. The steel daggerboard keeps the boat extremely stable. Easily beached because the board fully retracts. Sails just fine in 15 20 mph winds. I am 6'2" and have no problem with the size of the cabin and bunks.

I think I'm not quite as bendy as you.