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yorkville · 20-12-2019, 22:05

I am looking to buy a small pocket cruiser type of boat to do some day cruising and occasionally staying on it overnight.

As I only have dinghy sailing experience before and new to driving and docking a powerboat, I like to start small for both ease of handling and maintenance.

In addition, my marina only allows overnight stay if the boat is equipped with a marine head and holding tank.

Looking through spec sheets on manufactuer websites, do not always give a clear indication. So I am here looking for advice on the smallest pocket cruiser with marine head.

many thanks in advance.

ranger58sb · 21-12-2019, 04:48

Don't know, but even most of the center consoles can be had with head/holding tank starting in about the 26' range.

A "holding tank" feature -- and capacity -- in manufacturer's specs would be the likeliest giveaway.

-Chris

**boatman61** · 21-12-2019, 05:01

Why does your marina not allow a chemical toilet with built in holding tank.. have you asked.???

**tkeithlu** · 21-12-2019, 05:46

It amazes me that our local dealer has 28 foot diesel pocket cruisers that have galleys, bow thrusters, and shower equipped heads. There's been a lot of design work done in this area of late.

I have less contact with the sailing side of this, but note that the cockpit then takes up more space and the profile may need to be lower to accommodate the boom. Hull shape may reduce internal space as well.

**a64pilot** · 21-12-2019, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Don't know, but even most of the center consoles can be had with head/holding tank starting in about the 26' range.

A "holding tank" feature -- and capacity -- in manufacturer's specs would be the likeliest giveaway.

-Chris

Our 21’ CC that we outfitted as a dive boat had a head, we never used it, but it was there. It was actually a portal potty, but did have a deck pump put fitting.
I chose the 21’ as it’s was pushing the size for a ski boat for the kids on lakes etc.

ebsail · 21-12-2019, 08:35

A Porta-Poty is a self contained head as its base will hold about 5 gallons. It can be emptied into an ordinary land based toilet and will not cause any problem. My Oday 25 has one and we have had no problem with it for 8 years. You can replace it with a new one for less than $200 although we have never needed to. It's also currently for sale at $6000 in excellent sail away condition

TideTime · 21-12-2019, 08:51

I highly recommend a CD25D (Cape Dory 25 diesel) if you are looking for a "small" blue water cruiser with marine head. The head takes up the forward area, or the V-berth area on most boats. Go to the Cape Dory website to check for any boats presently for sale, although many sellers will hold off placing on market until spring. I doubt if anyone can recommend a better boat, new or used, for the money!

gdecon · 21-12-2019, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by TideTime

I highly recommend a CD25D (Cape Dory 25 diesel) if you are looking for a "small" blue water cruiser with marine head. The head takes up the forward area, or the V-berth area on most boats. Go to the Cape Dory website to check for any boats presently for sale, although many sellers will hold off placing on market until spring. I doubt if anyone can recommend a better boat, new or used, for the money!

The Cape Dory 26 is the same design but with an outboard well (i.e.) a lot more storage

letoile · 21-12-2019, 09:59

The Beneteau First 235 and the Jenneau Tonic 23 both fall into that category. We have the F235 and love it. Just a word of warning despite their small size, they still are as much work to sail as a larger sailboat but can give you a dinghy like ride in a blow.

Kelkara · 21-12-2019, 10:03

The OP diesn't say where he is located, but his username suggests it might be in Ontario ... so it is worth pointing out that Ontario does not allow porta-potties unless they are secured to the boat and plumbed to a deck pumpout.

Cadence · 21-12-2019, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkville

I am looking to buy a small pocket cruiser type of boat to do some day cruising and occasionally staying on it overnight.

As I only have dinghy sailing experience before and new to driving and docking a powerboat, I like to start small for both ease of handling and maintenance.

In addition, my marina only allows overnight stay if the boat is equipped with a marine head and holding tank.

Looking through spec sheets on manufactuer websites, do not always give a clear indication. So I am here looking for advice on the smallest pocket cruiser with marine head.

many thanks in advance.

I would question the marina about a Porta Potti fitting the there requirement.

bbowman294 · 21-12-2019, 10:21

I believe the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 has a marine head and holding tank.
Check it out on Yacht world.

Lake-Effect · 21-12-2019, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkville

I am looking to buy a small pocket cruiser type of boat to do some day cruising and occasionally staying on it overnight.

As I only have dinghy sailing experience before and new to driving and docking a powerboat, I like to start small for both ease of handling and maintenance.

In addition, my marina only allows overnight stay if the boat is equipped with a marine head and holding tank.

Looking through spec sheets on manufactuer websites, do not always give a clear indication. So I am here looking for advice on the smallest pocket cruiser with marine head.

many thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome.

Your requirement are about exactly what we get from our current boat (19' Sandpiper 565)

inexpensive to buy and maintain
more stable than a dinghy but still a breeze to handle.
fun to sail
has a MSD III type head with deck pumpout (can also be dumped like any portapotty), which meets Ontario requirements
reasonably comfortable for two people to sleep in
easy to cruise for up to 4 days away from the dock; or longer if you can take marina breaks for restocking and showers
because it's trailerable, we're able to easily reach cruising areas areas that would take a week or more of travelling by water. In particular we can take her to all the larger cottage lakes in Ontario, which are some of my favourite sailing/overnighting areas
the sandpiper has a pretty active group of users who share advice, and we have gotten together every August at different locations for 3 days of cruising and exploring

There are a number of other trailerable microcruisers in the 19 to < 25 ft range with similar characteristics.

I'm under no illusion that this is a 'real' cruising boat, and she's smaller than most on CF would consider, but she has gotten us out there. We have been considering a larger boat for some time, but while we are locked to jobs and don't have the time for extended cruising, this has really scratched the itch... for 12 years now.We have really enjoyed our time and adventures with her.

We do get out on friends' 'big' boats as well, and this year we did our first bareboat charter on a 41' Jeanneau in the Caribbean. so we are now getting the best of both worlds...

Hope this helps.