Comfortable Trailer Sailer

[craboutofwater]

I am relatively new to sailing and find myself in a dilemma. I live in New Mexico, but have become smitten with sailing and the possibility of cruising. I am working on a plan to become either a full time or part time cruiser based on the coast.

In the meantime, I am learning to sail at the local lake here, Elephant Butte. It is an agricultural reservoir and is severely reduced in size by the past few years of drought.

A few months ago, I acquired a perfectly maintained MacGregor 26m, and have loved sailing her around the lake. As I have done so, I am beginning to realize that part of the allure of this lifestyle for me is to be able to stay at the lake and on the boat in comfort. The MacGregor is a bit shy on creature comforts.

Realistically, my plan is going to take a minimum of three years to move to the coast, and I want the option to trailer my boat to the coast (Sea of Cortez, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, etc.) and take a few coastal cruises.

So what I am looking for is the most comfort I can get out of a sailboat that I can put on a trailer and tow behind a 3/4 ton diesel pickup. Any suggestions I can get here would be greatly appreciated.

[dceggert]

Wow, actually something I know about!

I have no clue what your budget is but take a look at the Seaward 25 or the later model 26RK. If that is too small then there is the Seaward Eagle 32 RK. But these options are just for launch from a ramp or beach.

If you want something trailerable and launch from a travel lift I have seen many 4' shoaldraft boats on custom trailers ranging all the way up to whatever the limit of your towing capacity is. Anything over 8.5' wide would need a oversize permit to take on the road though. The Seaward Eagle 32 RK, for instance, requires a permit.

Good luck and happy hunting!

regards,
Dan

[Terra Nova]

Compare your MacGregor 26 with the Classic Yacht 26.
Classic Yacht 26, 1992, Monticello, Indiana, sailboat for sale from Sailing Texas

You can go longer. But you will still be fighting a beam limitation. So you won't get that much more interior space by going longer. 26' or 28' range is easily manageable.

[Ramblingman]

It's tough as once you break 28 feet the trailer sailor market thins fast but here is something with a little more cabin than the MG26.

1987 O'Day 272 sailboat for sale in Nebraska

If you can afford it a Dragonfly 28 is nice Dragonfly 28 trimaran - a fast trailerable multihull yacht with 5 berths, unsinkable folding trimaran

Add Catalina, Cal, and others but again, breaking 28 feet is where it is hard.

What about improving your Mac26? It's a nifty boat and few sailboats can tow a water skier.

Guide to selecting a trailer sailer | Sailingmates

Of course I think I'd consider a Stiletto as an option too.

[Sea Dreaming]

We have a mac 26x. I agree they are not as comfortable as one might want. But thet do have the benefit of being fully trailerable. Getting a boat with more comfort that you can trailer with you truck will be a challenge.
If I were you (actually, we are very similar in that we live in Colorado with a mac), I would keep the M but add a few things to improve the comfort in the short term.
Look for a full keel boat in Texas in a year or two.
But, you can take the M and coastal cruise in the gulf with good weather planning.
Dang, I hope Im making sense. Im on my phone and I cant see what Ive already written.
Any way we went with the x because it was a more comfortable trailerable boat than most of the rest. We liked the x layout better than the M.
Good luck

[denverd0n]

The obvious question (I'm surprised no one has asked) is, what do you mean by "shy on creature comforts?" Is it that the bed is too short? You want more kitchen-like cooking arrangements? Need a real head? Just "shy on creature comforts" doesn't really tell us much. Can you be more specific about what is uncomfortable for you, and what you want more (or less) of in order to be more comfortable?

[Colin A]

For very occasional trailer up to 30' is possible. Maximum width before extra permits is 8'6" in most states. If your only going to pull once a year or so you can get permits in most states, but check states rules vary, and at some widths you need to hire a chase car.
I think the Seaward suggestion is a good one.
This page should give you some ideas.
Custom Sailboat Trailers 25' - 30'

[Terra Nova]

On that page, the Northsea 27 is quite a lot of boat and seaworthy.

Northsea 27

Also the Com-Pac 27.

http://triadtrailers.com/triad-trail...et/com-pac-27/

[Cheechako]

I think the Seaward mentioned is great. Also the Compac boats. On the cheap a Chrysler 26 is a sturdy stiff boat with some room. I wouldn't go much over 26-27 with a 3/4 ton pickup. The key is shallow draft or swing keel for trailering.

[Terra Nova]

But the key is deeper draft for seaworthiness.

[Cheechako]

Yeah, I've trailered a 26 with 5 ft draft. It's not near as easy. Take a ladder, the deck is 8-9 ft off the ground. Plenty of blue water big boats with shoal draft.

[Steadman Uhlich]

A few more boats that are trailerable and could be fun for different reasons.

Hobie 33
Has a lifting keel. Trailerable.
Beam is just 8 feet.
Considered a light boat, (faster) and could be fun sailing if you like speed. I raced on one and enjoyed it. Interiors can be Spartan or fitted out with cushions etc.
used prices as low as $10,000 including a trailer.

I have to upload the photos separately from my iPad for some reason. ???

[Steadman Uhlich]

Another view of Hobie 33

[Steadman Uhlich]

Hobie 33

[Steadman Uhlich]

Com-PAC makes some interesting boats that can be trailered.
I like the Horizon Cat. It is a cat boat style, is just 20 feet long, has a nice cockpit and cabin, and is roomy for its length because of the design. It sits low on the trailer, and can even be stored inside a home garage. It has a very easy to raise mast system, which I think is important if you want to trailer sail any boat.

Com-Pac Sailboats