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Originally Posted by Thorpydo  Thank you all for the kind words and suggestions.
I'm going to start a new thread asking for recommendations of boats based on what I'm looking to do with it but I thought I would also ask those questions here as well since this is where my quest originated.
So, as you guys are aware, I would like to make a passage along the California coast. I'd like to be able to be able to make it out to Catalina and down the Baja Mexico. Sailing for the day or even only a couple hours is also something I'd like to be able to do.
I'm not rolling in money and need to be able to trailer the boat. I can't and won't afford dock space or a mooring even if it were available. Ideally, I would like something that I can rig myself, solo. I don't know how difficult it is to step and unstep a mast but I'm sure there will be times that I'd like to go out sailing for the day and won't have a friend to lend a hand.
I understand foldable keels and daggerboards make trailering much easier. Will I be in for trouble trying to take a boat with a foldable keel on such a trip as I listed above?
I've got a '05 tacoma truck. I'll have to look up the recommended towing loads but I presume it will be able to handle anything I'm looking at.
I'm not sure what I need in the cabin (stove, fridge, head, etc). What are my options if the boat doesn't have these sorts of things? I'm a fairy tall lad, 6'1" and the berths that I've seen look small though I'll admit that the last time I slept in one I was probably 6 years old. Will a 22'-30' boat be able to sleep 3 people of my size?
My budget is about 5 grande but if there is something just up of that please mention it and I will take a look.
Thanks again for all the help. I really do appreciate it.
Adam |
You can tow a pretty large sailboat with your Toyota. I use a 2000 Tacoma 4 cylinder 4x4 and have towed an International Folkboat (26' full keel) over some steep terrain. I could have towed a larger boat just fine.
Depending on the type of sailing you want to do there are many good boats in your area and just up the coast near LA for sale. The older Pearsons with full or 3/4 keels can be made trailerable and will take bluewater punishment even for a 26ft length. Try to talk your way aboard a few that might meet your needs and see what might fit you.
Kind regards,
JohnL