Which Trailer Sailer?

[yintong6]

Hi,
Not only new to sailing, but haven't even got my feet wet yet, the upside of which is that I've not had chance to gain any preconceptions or prejudices toward anything on the market.
I will be looking to buying a sailboat in the future: something that my wife and I can use for general inshore/weekend sailing maybe with the added bonus of some offshore sailing as we get bolder.
It would have to be trailerable as we live in the UK about as far from the sea as you can possibly get, and there's no way I can afford marina fees (the good thing is that being as far from the sea as you can get means that, conversley, I'm also nearer to any given point.)
There are plenty of trailerable boats out there (mine would have to be pre-owned from a budget point of view) and whatever I eventually buy would have to be 'relatively' easy to sail, and to learn in; would have to sleep at least 2 (preferably together) and would have to have the facilities we currently get in our caravan including a reasonable amount of space down below.
Another thing - enclosed heads, without which I'll never get my wife interested in entering the beautiful briny.
So, if anybody can assist me in this I'd be most appreciative.
Stu

[nautical62]

I've seen many Westerly Pageants for sale in the U.K. with a trailer. Solid boats, at a good price with more standing head room and livability than any other boat I've seen in that size range. They come equipped with either an outboard or inboard. I've never owned one, but been on one and owned the Centaur which is the 26-foot version of similar design. The Centaur I had was actually trailerable as well, but definately not easy to trailer or launch.

My experience has been that there is often a trade-off between boats that are very easy to trailer and launch (trailer-sailors) and boats that are trailerable, but more typical of solid cruising boats which often are not quite as quick or easy to trailer, launch or rig. Give some thoughts to which characteristics are most important to you and your intended use.

Also, remember when looking at used boats to give thought to the trailer and not focus completely on the boat. With may boats of that sort, you can spend as much on a trailer and outboard as the boat is worth!

[s/v Moondancer]

Just as important as what you sail is where you sail... UK waters can be very chalenging and dangerous for beginners. I would start in the Lake District and then progress to protected waters with little tide such as the Clyde.

As someone who used to teach in the UK I would suggest very strongly that you both do the theory and practical portions of RYA Day Skipper before you venture out. It is impossible to sail safely in UK coastal waters without a good basis in tidal theory. Even an inland city like York has a very good club programme.

Mama will not appreciate it if you find yourseves sailing backwards at 3 knots if you get in one of the dangerous tidal streams or you run aground on a falling tide and find yourselves 25 ft vertical feet above the low water mark.

Phil

[Pblais]

You might consider some of the smaller boats for island use as a beginning. They become easier to rig and trailer. If you have waters closer to home you sail more and drive less. Sailing is far more enjoyable than driving. The size of vehicle you need on the larger boats is a real issue as well. You should find out the towing capacity of your vehicle.

[yintong6]

Thanks to all of your replies, my company has a Yacht Club so it might be a good idea to get myself with them to start with to not only get some practical experience, but also see how they can assist with certified training.

A trailer sailor, yes, I do appreciate running before I can walk, would be ideal as I could sail it on inland waters and not have specialist equipment to move it to the coast. My vehicle is an Isuzu with comparative towing limits to Jeep or Land Rover, so barring a heavy goods licence, I'm satisfied on that count.

I like Nautical62's notes on the Westerly Pageant, enclosed heads and a large saloon may not be high on everybodys list of priorities, but 'her indoors' will not wish to go down the 'bucket and chuck it' route.

Thanks all again,
Stu

[Québec 1]

The Macgregor is a true trailer sailor and there are a few on the islands!

Check this web site out.
MacGregorSailors.com • View active topics

I am a convert!!!
Q1

[Squeaks]

I've owned and extesivly cruised a Westerly Pageant since 1976 and it would be hard to find a more roomy and rugged boat of her size. That said, I found raising and lowering the mast a bit of of an ordeal even with a proper gin pole setup - it's not a lightweight mast. That might keep her from being used for anything short of a couple of weeks cruise.
With your limited experience, I would reccomend learning in day trips in something smaller. The club instruction is a great resource.
John

[yintong6]

Thanks again to all.

[VA-Y-MEL-O]

Take a look at the Macgregor 26 M or X
http://www.macgregor26.com/