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26-08-2016, 07:39
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 17
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Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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.
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26-08-2016, 08:13
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Boat: 1995 Seaward 25
Posts: 9
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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
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26-08-2016, 08:40
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Marina del Rey, California
Boat: President 43 Sportfish
Posts: 4,105
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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.
__________________
1st rule of yachting: When a collision is unavoidable, aim for something cheap.
"whatever spare parts you bring, you'll never need"--goboatingnow
"Id rather drown than have computers take over my life."--d design
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26-08-2016, 09:05
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Whoo! Finally made it back to Mexico!
Boat: Cheoy Lee Offshore 38
Posts: 1,458
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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
__________________
If toast always lands butter side down, and cats always land on their feet, what would happen if you strapped toast to a cat's back and dropped it? - Steven Wright
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26-08-2016, 12:42
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 5,014
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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?
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26-08-2016, 12:46
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: East of the river CT
Boat: Oday Mariner 19 , Four Winns Marquis 16 OB, Kingfisher III
Posts: 657
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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'
__________________
mysite: Colinism.com
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26-08-2016, 12:52
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Marina del Rey, California
Boat: President 43 Sportfish
Posts: 4,105
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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/
__________________
1st rule of yachting: When a collision is unavoidable, aim for something cheap.
"whatever spare parts you bring, you'll never need"--goboatingnow
"Id rather drown than have computers take over my life."--d design
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26-08-2016, 13:16
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,514
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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26-08-2016, 13:20
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Marina del Rey, California
Boat: President 43 Sportfish
Posts: 4,105
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
But the key is deeper draft for seaworthiness.
__________________
1st rule of yachting: When a collision is unavoidable, aim for something cheap.
"whatever spare parts you bring, you'll never need"--goboatingnow
"Id rather drown than have computers take over my life."--d design
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26-08-2016, 13:30
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,514
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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26-08-2016, 14:16
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#12
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,103
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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. ???
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26-08-2016, 14:18
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#13
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,103
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
Another view of Hobie 33
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26-08-2016, 14:19
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#14
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,103
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
Hobie 33
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26-08-2016, 14:22
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#15
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,103
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Re: Comfortable Trailer Sailer
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
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