Want To Buy: Trailerable sailboat, 26 to 30?

[BugzyCan]

Originally Posted by rbk

Just a 2700 mile Sunday drive...

Haha, yea, 4k for the boat and 4k for the gas. Probably doesn't have a trailer either, so there is 4k for a trailer, and 4k for a truck to tow it.


Somehow I think it would be difficult to sail it home from there, and then I still have no trailer.


Thank you for the suggestion though Adelie. I think that is just a bit far.

[Adelie]

Ad says it has a trailer or I would not have suggested it.

5200mi round trip.
At 15mpg and $3/gal that about $1,000 for fuel.

The C&C is about 1,000lb heavier than the Macgregor.

Regardless of which boat you get you are going to need a significant tow vehicle. Even pulling it from your house to a local ramp you are going to need a truck. If you don’t have one or don’t have the budget for one or don’t have one you can borrow regularly then you have a problem.

[BugzyCan]

We have a van with a 3500lb towing capacity.
Did you post a link to the boat? I didn't see it, maybe I just missed it.

[john61ct]

Point in favour of the Mac then.

Sure, focus on your local market, but stay open to elsewhere too.

Quality example
Low price
Near to home

pick two

[Adelie]

I didn’t bother because I didn’t think you’d be interested in going that far.
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ga-30-3510325/

For the MacGregor it’s going to be right around 3500# with the trailer. Figure another 750-1000 for gear. You can probably get away with that for local use but I’d have the family get the the ramp in a separate car. If you want to go further afield I’d borrow a bigger tow vehicle.

For the C&C you’d need a bigger vehicle anytime you tow, local or long distance.

[AKA-None]

Remember that no matter what you tow with you also need to be able to pull it back up a boat ramp. Front wheel drive can be an issue with some ramps.

[Augi]

Originally Posted by BugzyCan

I have been looking at the MacGregor 26 boats, and they look close to what I want at this time. Something I can get the whole family out on, something we can sleep in for a few nights, to get a feeling for living on the water and sailing.


Planning on a larger boat later perhaps, and maybe renting the house and living full time on it in future (the larger boat, not this one).


So hoping to find a boat, 26 to 30ft, on a trailer, or with a trailer, under 10K, that is in decent shape, in Canadian South West (BC Canada) or not too many miles away from there.


Maybe someone here has a Mac they want to unload to move up? Send me a PM if you do.
Thank you.

Take a look at Seward 32 RK and 26 Rk

[Adelie]

32rk would be 12,000lb on trailer with gear. That means a much bigger towing rig. Also it’s 10.5’ beam means an oversized permit is required for any haulage and maybe a pilot car.

The Hake 26 RK is 3500lb plus trailer and gear so 5500lb. OP would need to buy or borrow a tow rig for every haul. 8’4” beam is trailerable, probably can sneak by without a permit.

[Dr. Sea]

If you are looking at other boats besides MacGregor, you should take a look at a Hunter 26. There are some different models. Mine has a center board that raises into a very short keel plus water ballast. This makes it trailerable if you have a vehicle with good stout suspension. Compared to a keel boat, it rides much lower on the trailer and can float in less than 2 feet of water. When you pull it out of the water you can open a drain and empty 1000 pounds of water ballast out of it. When you get to the next lake or sea, the water ballast is readily available.

It can sleep 4 adults or 4 adults and 2 kids if you really want to fill a boat that full. It has an enclosed head and a very simple galley. The cockpit is huge. For day sailing I've taken 10-12 people on occasion. A 10-15 hp motor would be ideal. You might be able to use up to a 25 hp outboard.

You can find some older ones in the 10k range, but you might have to drive a good distance to get it.

[Sand crab]

My buddy has a 26M and I sailed it a lot. It also has a 70 HP Tohatsu outboard! It will do 20 mph and he has towed his grandkids skiing behind it. On the other hand that engine weighs 300 to 350# or maybe a bit more.

But because the OP is so close to max trailer weight he might want to consider a smaller engine or perhaps one of the earlier models.


Also consider one south of the border. Here's a 26x with trailer but no motor for $6000. Needs some electrical repairs but not a bad price.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...860512471.html

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

Remember that no matter what you tow with you also need to be able to pull it back up a boat ramp. Front wheel drive can be an issue with some ramps.

Yep, you need 4wd for sure. Dont ask how I know... option is to have it lifted in...

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Yep, you need 4wd for sure. Dont ask how I know... option is to have it lifted in...

Yup. I kayak a fair bit and usually use a boat ramp because with our 18' tide range it can be a struggle getting the 60# yak all the way to the water without a ramp. The lower mostly submerged part of the ramp is mostly slippery algae. I put my truck in 4wd frequently. I pulled a van/boat/trailer out because he was just spinning. I am his new best friend.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Adelie

If you can drive outside your area there’s a C&C Mega 30 in Ontario for about $4,000Can.

I have no connection to this boat, but its not far from where I live. Its been for sale a long time, which should mean a negotiable price. I think it was $4000 last fall, and the price has been increased for spring.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-sailboat/kin...ationFlag=true

The C&C Mega 30 is widely known as the worst boat ever made by C&C yachts.

From the ad:

Clean boat,no new!
Race boat! 8 ft wide with trailer,
Trailer launch and storage is the real value of this boat and that it is fast.please google :
c&c mega 30
Sleeps 4
Bright inside with lots windows.
Porta potti
Not a family cruiser, a race boat.
Light 3o foot boat,about half or third the weight of other 10 foot wide 30 ft boats!
This is made for easy launch by trailer and pick up truck and easy to travel.Weight about 3300 lbs.
Save marina $$$.
Included is a strong double axle roadworthy trailer,once the brakes are redone one one axle.
Serviced 9.9 hp longshaft mariner(mercury) 2 stroke.
No trades please.
No $$$ offers before viewing.
Price $7500

[Secondshift]

We have the Mac 26C (centerboard) and have enjoyed it for years.

More room than a Catalina 22 (had one of those to) for less weight on the trailer once the ballast is emptied. Under 3500# on the road fully provisioned.

Shallow draft, easy launching and sails well.

Mine is soon to be for sale in Florida. Surely a bit too far.

Seaward RK's are not near the specified price range or towing capacity.

Good Luck

[Jhhastie]

I sail a Macgregor 26 s. Forget the 3500 lbs. Bost and trailer are much lighter. A swing keel is preferred for rocky areas as it is less prone to damage ( it can swing up)

I have sailed a 26m. It is very hard to steer at slow motor speeds.

I like the interior of the 26x.

My boat behaves like a true sailboat (which it is). The motor gets me in and out of harbors and moorings. Remember that the x and m are motorsailors.