Trailerable blue-ocean: exists?

[john61ct]

To repeat, trailerability without any permitting = 8.5" max beam is a hard requirement, non-negotiable, dealbreaker condition.

There are so many variables, getting familiar with dozens of boats already a challenge, restricting choice actually makes the job easier.

As posted above

Originally Posted by john61ct

Please only post boat suggestions here that fit the OP request. I now realize that means 8.5' beam as a hard max, ability to lower and ideally to raise the mast without yard facilities and a minimum number of helpers.

It's fine to discuss other "grey area" factors like safety and comfort within that framework

If you think none / some of the smaller boats are safe for blue water, specific feedback would be appreciated.

But to discuss too-big boats, please use another thread.

Thanks

[Don C L]

Ok, quick look through bluewaterboats.org and atomvoyages.com for boats with an 8' or less beam include

Nor'Sea 27 (expensive)
Columbia 29 / Defender
Bristol 24
Cape Dory 25, 25D, 26
Pacific Seacraft 25
Bristol 27
Pearson Ariel
Contessa 26
Elizabethan 29
Taipan 28
Rhodes Ranger 28/29
Halcyon 27
Dockrel 27
Cheoy Lee Newell Cadet / Offshore 27
Kaiser 26
International (IF) or Nordic Folkboat 26
Columbia 26 (classic model)
Rhodes Meridian 25
Bayfield 25
Falmouth Cutter 22
Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20

AND I would definitely add
Columbia 24
(not sure why its not in there if those other little boats are. It is certainly one of the roomiest, toughest and best sailing of all the old-school 24s)
Islander 24 too
Lapworth 24 (worked for Robin Graham!)


Of THAT list, again, I think the best choice is the Columbia 29/Defender, and yes I am biased. But I think many would agree.

[john61ct]

Wow, thanks Don!

Yes those do seem to get spoken of very highly in other threads and forums as well.

Were you able to generate that list through some automated search / filtering tool, or did you just look manually at each possibility?

For example, looking at keel type, bilge/twin seems interesting, or those that will work with an outboard motor.

[john61ct]

Wanted to add Twister 28

TWISTER 28 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

Not sure about the living comfort side but 8' beam and sure sound tough.

[boatman61]

Hurley 27.. 8ft beam, 4ft draught. 6ft headroom

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Hurley 27.. 8ft beam, 4ft draught. 6ft headroom

Interesting, they say family related to the Twister, but a heck lot lighter!

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Wanted to add Twister 28

TWISTER 28 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

Not sure about the living comfort side but 8' beam and sure sound tough.

Definitely one to consider if you can find one.

[john61ct]

Not sure about 5' draft and 10K weight, good thing not planning on frequent trailering 8-)

and don't think she'll do well upwind?

But a tough beast to be sure.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Not sure about 5' draft and 10K weight, good thing not planning on frequent trailering 8-)

and don't think she'll do well upwind?

But a tough beast to be sure.

Actually I think she will do very well upwind with that deep and heavy ballast. You won't need to reef as early as my boat, that's for sure! She'll need the rigging checked because her righting moment will be putting more stress on it than your typical 28 footer! In light air she may be a little sluggish, but hard to find a more "bluewater" boat at 28'. There are two members here who just commented on theirs in another thread, can't remember who now. Maybe that "full or fin keel for offshore" thread.
I will say that Olin Stephens would probably say that boat's displacement to length ratio is too high at well over 400 per the book "Heavy Weather Sailing."

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Actually I think she will do very well upwind with that deep and heavy ballast.
...
In light air she may be a little sluggish

I saw " sa/d = 12 ".

Not sure if that directly applies to pointing, but apparently it is very low by modern standards?

But I have been saying (against opposition) that speed is not important to me, and solid build quality is.

The response is a slow boat causing a blue passage to take much longer increases the chances of weather windows closing up.

Nothing like an extreme example to highlight the trade-offs?

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by john61ct

I saw " sa/d = 12 ".

Not sure if that directly applies to pointing, but apparently it is very low by modern standards?

But I have been saying (against opposition) that speed is not important to me, and solid build quality is.

The response is a slow boat causing a blue passage to take much longer increases the chances of weather windows closing up.

Nothing like an extreme example to highlight the trade-offs?

Oh yeah, that SA/D of 12 is really low. Hence the comment about it being sluggish especially in light air, but on the plus side you'll do better in the VMG category! This is a UK boat and those crazy folks like to go out sailing in all kinds of weather! I go out often on my friend's Luders 30 (CL) and its numbers are not so different when you look at displacement and waterline and draaft, and it pokes along at a good clip once you have a good breeze. I can beat him easily in light air, but he can keep more sail up longer and he has a little better VMG as a result. (But I still prefer my boat! Don't tell him.)

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=5296

[Jim Cate]

Oh yeah, that SA/D of 12 is really low. Hence the comment about it being sluggish especially in light air, but on the plus side you'll do better in the VMG category!

Dunno how you come to that conclusion, Don. There is no inherent advantage in VMG from low SA to D under any circumstances that I am aware of.

Jim

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Dunno how you come to that conclusion, Don. There is no inherent advantage in VMG from low SA to D under any circumstances that I am aware of.

Jim

Oh yeah, I didn't mean to relate SA/D to VMG. I mean that 5 foot deep keel and the 4600# down there! I'd be inclined to adding a taller rig to that boat!

[sully75]

Originally Posted by john61ct

I saw " sa/d = 12 ".

Not sure if that directly applies to pointing, but apparently it is very low by modern standards?

But I have been saying (against opposition) that speed is not important to me, and solid build quality is.

The response is a slow boat causing a blue passage to take much longer increases the chances of weather windows closing up.

Nothing like an extreme example to highlight the trade-offs?

My guess is when you say "speed is not important to me", you've never been wet, cold, doing 1 knot with 10 to go, sun going down, no anchorages between you and anywhere you'd like to be, lots of rocks around and finding yourself making dumber and dumber choices? I used to think like that too!

[john61ct]

Yes I now understand that it is not a factor to be ignored.

On the other hand, as a novice I don't yet understand how much strength/stability needs to be sacrificed in order to get "reasonable" speed.

Same with liveaboard semi-comfort, it seems also in opposition to speed.

I do know to eliminate all those boats designed specifically for racing, that is definitely of no interest to me.

So to me "reasonable speed" can only be defined for now as "not so slow as to be unsafe"