Many sailors balk at the idea of leaving their boat in the water at a marina. Slip fees are expensive, and maintenance bills get bigger the longer you leave a boat in the water. However, if you want a boat under 30 feet long, there are trailerable sailboats that will fit the bill.
Like any boat purchase, you’ll need to analyze precisely what kind of trailer sailer you want. Will a simple weekend sailboat suffice, or do you really need the best trailerable cruising sailboat you can find?
Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of the best trailerable sailboat. Plus, we’ll look at how to compare them for your purposes.
Table of Contents
Best trailerable sailboats, easy to launch trailerable sailboats, quick setup time, towing weight, catalina 22/25 “pop-top”, com-pac horizon cat for classic coastal cruising, marshall sanderling — small, portable, classy, west wight potter 19 — the tiny go-anywhere sailboat, seaward 26rk with retractable lead keel, corsair f-24 trimaran – sporty sailing, macgregor 26m — maximum speed meets maximum living space, long-range cruising boats, 7 best trailerable boats – a recap, what’s the best trailerable sailboat for a cruise, trailerable sailboats faqs.
Catalina 22/25
Com-Pac Horizon Cat
Marshall Sanderling
West Wight Potter 19
Seaward 26RK
Corsair F-24 Trimaran
MacGregor 26M
Boat
Pros
Cons
Catalina 22/25 with Pop-Top
Standing headroom when pop-top extended; Feels much larger than it is; Allows freedom of movement for cooking, changing, etc
Pop-top only provides headroom in small section of boat; Later models lacked this feature
Com-Pac Horizon Cat
Well built; Quick-rig system for fast & simple setup; Separate head; Space to lounge
No mention of cons
Marshall Sanderling
Easy to sail & tow; Traditional charm; Fiberglass hull; Option for electric motor
Very small for cruising; No galley; Toilet not enclosed
High quality construction; Retractable keel provides stability & shallow draft; Lots of amenities
Heavy – 6,000 lb towing weight
Corsair F-24 Trimaran
Very lightweight & easy to tow; Offers adrenaline-pumping performance sailing
Not ideal for offshore/rough conditions
MacGregor 26M
Massive interior space; Towable behind most vehicles; Fast powerboat & sailboat capabilities
Not built for offshore use; Not appealing for hardcore sailors
We’ll get into more detail about each brand in my post today, so hang tight!
What Is a Trailerable Sailboat, Exactly?
For this article, the priorities for a trailerable sailboat are:
Easy to launch
Require minimum setup to launch and store
Lightweight enough to be towed by the average vehicle
Before you can really classify a sailboat as trailerable, you need to evaluate and narrow your search criteria. Truthfully, 50-plus-foot ocean-going sailboats are regularly put on trailers. But that’s done commercially, on a big rig, with special permits for oversized loads, and even led cars.
That probably isn’t what most people mean when they think of a trailerable sailboat. But what is the priority here, the trailerable part or the sailboat part? Compromises are going to have to be made somewhere.
If you’re looking at the 20-foot-and-under sailboat crowd, finding a trailerable example should not be hard. Most sailboats this size are designed for trailers anyway since they aren’t the sort of boats people want to pay to leave in a slip year-round.
Things get more interesting when you look at the 20 to 30-foot boats. In this class, there are stout ocean-going cruisers with deep keels and lightweight centerboard trailer sailboats designed from the get-go to be trailered by the average car or SUV. The differences between these boats are night and day.
Sailboats often have a hard time at boat ramps. First, deep keels mean that the trailer must extend farther into the water than the average boat ramp allows. This means the ramp needs to go back far enough, and the trailer tongue needs to be long enough not to swamp the car.
If you have a boat like this, you’ll need to find the right boat ramps. Unfortunately, not all ramps are created equally. If your boat draws more than two or three feet on the trailer, you’re going to be limited to steep, paved, and high-quality boat ramps. Unfortunately, those aren’t standard features, so your cruising grounds are going to be limited.
Usually, ramps aren’t built steeply because they are often slippery. Your tow vehicle will need excellent traction and torque to pull your fully loaded boat out of a steep ramp. The steeper the ramp, the more trouble you’ll have.
The alternative to finding steep ramps is to use a trailer tongue extender. This lets you get the trailer into deeper water without swamping the tow vehicle. But it also means that the ramp needs to extend deep enough. Many ramps end abruptly. Allowing your trailer to sink off the edge is an excellent way to get stuck or pop a tire.
Pick a boat as easy to launch and retrieve as a similarly sized powerboat to remove all of these boat ramp problems. The soft chines of most sailboats will always require a little more water, but a swing keel and the hinged rudder raised mean that the boat can sit low on the trailer bunks. That way, you only need one or two feet of water to launch, an easy feat at nearly every boat ramp you can find.
The next consideration for a sailboat to be portable enough to call it “trailerable” is the amount of time it takes to step the mast and get it ready to cruise.
To accomplish this, you need a mast that can be stepped by a two-person team–maximum. Ideally, it will have some tabernacle hardware to enable one person to do the task for solo sailing.
There is an entire family of pocket cruisers that could ideally fit on trailers. But you won’t find the Fickas or the Falmouth cutters on my list, simply because they aren’t easy to launch or easy to rig. But, of course, they’re also too heavy for most vehicles to tow, which leads us to the final point of excluding them this trailable pocket cruiser’s list.
One of the most significant financial burdens the trailer sailer faces is their tow vehicle. You are all set if you already drive a two-ton dually diesel pickup truck. But if your daily driver is an SUV or light pickup, you need to think long and hard about the math of the towing equation.
Whatever boat you buy cannot exceed the towing rating limits of your tow vehicle. If you don’t have a tow vehicle, you’ll need to buy one. This will double or triple the cost of getting a trailer sailer in most cases. For the same money, you may want to look at a boat that stays in the water at a traditional boat slip. For the cost of a trailer sailer and a tow vehicle, you can probably step into a nice boat that is larger and more comfortable than any towable.
If you have a tow vehicle, you need a light enough vessel for it to tow. Most modern SUVs tow less than 2,500 pounds. Anything more than 5,000 will require a full-size pickup. Remember that the tow weight isn’t just the boat’s displacement—it’s the empty hull weight, plus the weight of the trailer and any extra gear you need to pack into the boat.
Finding a vessel that fits these limitations on weight isn’t easy. If the manufacturer’s goal is to make it towable, immediate limits are placed on the materials they can use. This means less seaworthiness since boats are built light and thin. As far as stability goes, lead keels are generally out, and water ballast systems or centerboards might be used instead. It doesn’t mean these boats aren’t safe and fun, but they aren’t designed for rough conditions, crossing oceans, or living on in the water full-time .
7 Best Trailerable Cruising Sailboats
There are more trailerable sailboats out there than you might imagine. Here’s a look at seven popular options of all shapes and sizes to give you a taste of what you might want to take to sea.
The boats here are selected for their storage and living space. With these boats and a little outfitting, you can spend weeks gunk-holing in the Chesapeake Bay or island hopping the Bahamas. If you broaden your scope to include daysailers with no cabin space, there are countless more options.
One of the worst parts of a small trailerable sailboat or pocket cruiser is the lack of stand-up headroom. One clever solution that you’ll find on some weekend sailboat types is the pop-top.
The pop-top is simply an area around the companionway hatch that extends upward on struts. So when you’re at the dock or anchor, you get standing headroom down below—at least right inside the pop-top.
You can build a canvas enclosure for your pop-top to use it in all weather. A pop-top makes your boat feel much larger than it is and allows you to move freely to cook or get changed down below or even do a nice boat bed area.
Later models of the Catalina Sport 22 and Capri 22s lacked this cool pop-top feature, so if you want it, you’ll need to seek out an older model on the used market.
Com-Pac has been building small sailboats since the early 1970s. They currently sell two lines, each with various-sized boats. All are well built, and a majority of their boats are trailerable.
Most interesting at the Com-Pac traditional catboats . The rigging is more straightforward than modern sloops, with only one large mainsail. Com-Pac boats come with a unique quick-rig system to make getting on the water fast and simple.
The Horizon Cat Coastal Cruising has a displacement of 2,500 pounds with a 2’2″ draft when the board is up. She has a separate head forward and space to lounge either topside or down below. The smaller Sun Cat has slightly few amenities but shaves off a few feet and pounds, making it easier to tow and it is one of these amazing small sailboats. Com-Pacs features stub keels, so their centerboard and hinged rudder do not take up space in the cabin.
On the sloop rig side, the Com-Pac 23 comes in a 3,000-pound traditional sailboat or a very interesting pilothouse. Both are incredibly livable for their size , with shallow two-foot-long fixed keels and high-quality construction.
Another option if you like catboats is the Marshall Sanderling. This salty 18-footer oozes traditional charm , all while being easy to sail and easier to tow. And while she has wooden boat lines, she has a modern laminated fiberglass hull.
The Sanderling has a 2,200-pound displacement, so tow weights will be around 3,000 pounds. At only 18-feet, she’s on the small side for cruising. The cuddy cabin has no galley, and the portable toilet is not enclosed. But that small size means a simple boat that’s easy to maintain and take anywhere.
An electric motor package is an exciting option on this weekend sailboat!
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You can’t mention tiny trailer sailers without touching on the famous West Wight Potter . These 15 and 19-foot pocket cruisers have earned a worldwide reputation as the ultimate go-anywhere coastal cruiser.
The West Wight Potter 19 offers the most living space for staying aboard and cruising. So even though its dimensions are diminutive, this little boat packs a lot in. There’s a single burner hotplate and sink and a porta-potty tucked under a cushion. Yes, it’s tight—but the company claims the little boat can sleep five people. Any more than two will feel pretty crowded, however.
The boat comes standard with a mast-raising system that a single person can manage alone. It has a daggerboard for a shallow draft of a half-foot when the board is up. The total towing weight is around 1,500 pounds, which means nearly any car can tow a West Wight Potter.
This little-known trailer sailer is produced at the same Florida factory that makes Island Packet Yachts. That should give you a little bit of an idea of what sort of boat it is—trailerable, yes, but also high-quality, beautiful, and built for cruising. In other words, it’s one of the nicest all round pocket cruisers and it feels like a much larger boat.
The Seaward is easily the saltiest boat on this list . It’s beefy and seaworthy. Instead of a lightweight centerboard, Seaward fits the RK with a bulb-shaped retracting keel. Other big-boat items include a Yanmar diesel inboard motor and an enclosed head. The spacious cabin of the boat features a double berth and is ready for salt water cruising.
According to sailboatdata.com , the tow weight of the 26RK is 6,000 pounds. With the keel up, the draft is 1.25 feet.
Multihull sailors need not feel left out from the trailer sailer club and the pocket cruiser. Beyond the ubiquitous beach Hobie Cat, there are not many options for catamarans. But trimarans are uniquely suited to be towed.
Why? For one thing, performance oriented boats like trimarans are based on it being built light. There is no ballast—a trimaran’s stability comes from its two outer hulls. Additionally, the living space is entirely housed in the central hull–the outer floats are small and sometimes foldable. Finally, there are no keels on tris, so they are extremely shallow draft and perfect for trailering.
If you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping sporty and fun sailing, it’s impossible to beat what a trimaran will offer. Let’s not beat around the bush—most of the trailer sailers on this list have hull speeds around five knots. The Corsair has no such limits, routinely sailing at 15 knots or more .
The new Corsair 880 trimaran has an unloaded weight of 3,659 pounds. It is trailerable behind a big SUV or small pickup and is probably the most fun sailing option that is trailerable at all.
An even more portable option is the older Corsair F-24. It has a light displacement of under 2,000 pounds—so nearly any SUV can tow it.
MacGregor owns the market on trailerable motor sailers since they more or less created the product to fit the bill. The MacGregor 26 is not like other boats. The design combines a planing powerboat with a centerboard sailboat. Imagine scooting along at 20 knots or more when the wind is down or enjoying a sporty sail on a breezy day–in the same boat.
The entire boat is built from the ground up for towing and long-range sailing. So if you want a big sailboat that you can tow behind pretty much any SUV, the MacGregor has to be on your list.
Depending on the model, the 26-foot-long boats have incredibly light dry weights of between 1,650 and 2,350 pounds. Considering the massive volume of the roomy cabin, the ability to tow such a large vessel opens up an entire world of opportunities for owners.
It’s not all good news, of course. MacGregor owners love their boats, but they are built light and are not ideally suited for offshore cruising or rough weather. But in bays and for coastal sailing on nice days, few boats can get as much use as a MacGregor.
The motorboat capability of the 26M and 26X might not appeal to hardcore sailors, but for those looking to maximize their use of the boat depending on the weather, their mood, or location, it makes a lot of sense.
MacGregor shut down in 2015, but the daughter and son-in-law of the original owners took over production and renamed the boat the Tattoo 26 . The company will soon release a smaller version, the Tattoo 22 .
If the 26 is a bit big to make your list of best trailerable small sailboats, consider the smaller Powersailer 19. It’s nearly identical to the 26, just smaller and lighter.
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What Do You Want Your Trailer Sailer To Do?
After you’ve settled on how you will tow and launch your trailer sailer, now it’s time to dream about what you want it to do. Where will it take you?
The beauty of a towable boat is that you can travel anywhere. A boat in the water might take weeks or months to move a few hundred miles. But if you can attach it to your car and do 65 mph on the interstate, you could sail on the Pacific on Monday, the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, and the Atlantic on Friday.
We can divide our trailerable sailboats into three groups – daysailers, weekenders, and cruisers.
These are designed with open cockpits and no space to sleep. This is a majority of the sub-22-foot boats on the market. They are designed to be launched, play for the day, and return to the ramp or dock.
A weekender will have rudimentary sleeping facilities. Think of it as a floating tent—it’s not a five-star hotel, but you can sleep under the stars or get out of the rain. Conceivably you could stay aboard indefinitely, but it doesn’t have much room for gear. So most people are ready to get off after a day or two.
A cruising boat has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities built-in. These might be small and simple, but in any quantity, they mean you can disconnect from shore for a long time. Unfortunately, squeezing all of this into a tow-friendly package isn’t easy, and very few boats do it well.
Boat
Advantages
Catalina 22/25 “Pop-Top”
– Standing headroom below deck – Feels much larger than it is – Freedom to move below deck
Com-Pac Horizon Cat
– Simple catboat rigging – Quick-rig system – Shallow 2′ draft – Quality construction
Marshall Sanderling
– Traditional charm – Easy to maintain – Electric motor option
West Wight Potter 19
– Go anywhere reputation – Packs in amenities – Towable by any vehicle
Seaward 26RK
– Quality construction – Big boat features – Retractable keel
Corsair F-24 Trimaran
– Very light/easy to tow – Shallow draft – Fast performance
MacGregor 26M
– Massive interior space – Planing hull enables speed – Towable by most SUVs
The best trailer sailor for your adventures will depend on many factors. Like any boat, whatever you decide on will be a compromise – boats always are. But there are plenty of choices out there, no matter what size your tow vehicle is and no matter what sailing adventures you have in mind.
What size sailboat is trailerable?
Even large yachts are routinely transported by towing across land, so the question is more of how big a sailboat can you tow? Your tow vehicle will be the limiting factor. The upper limit for most large SUVs and trucks is usually a sailboat around 26 feet long.
Sailboats are generally very heavily built, with ballast and lead keels. Sailboats specifically made to be trailer sailers are lighter. They may use drainable water ballast tanks instead of fixed ballast and have fewer fixtures and amenities.
To find the best trailer sailer, you need to balance the total tow weight, the ease of rig setup at the boat ramp, and the boat’s draft. Shallow draft boats with centerboards are the easiest to launch and retrieve.
Is a Hunter 27 trailerable?
No. The Hunter 27 is a one of those fixed-keel larger boats built from 1974 to 1984. The boat’s displacement is 7,000 pounds, not including trailer and gear. That alone makes it too heavy to tow by all but the beefiest diesel trucks.
Furthermore, the fixed keels had drafts between 3.25 and 5 feet, all of which are too much for most boat ramps. In short, the standard Hunter Marine 27 is too big to tow for most people.
On the other hand, Hunter has made several good trailer sailers over the years. For example, the Hunter 240 and 260 were explicitly designed for trailering. They have drainable water ballast and shallow keel/centerboard drafts less than two feet.
Is a Catalina 22 trailerable?
Yes, the Catalina 22 is easily trailerable and makes a wonderful weekend sailboat. In fact, there were over 15,000 Catalina 22s made and sold over the years.
The boat’s displacement is 2,250 pounds, which means your total tow weight with trailer and gear will be under 3,000 pounds. This is within the capabilities of most mid to full-size SUVs and light trucks. Be sure to check your vehicle’s towing capacity, of course.
The centerboard on the Catalina 22 is another factor in its easy towing. With the board up, the boat draws only two feet. This makes it easy to float off the trailer at nearly any boat ramp. You should avoid fixed keel versions of the 22 for towing unless you have access to extra deep ramps.
Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.
Can someone tell me why no other manufacturer makes pop tops? Those who have them, love them. Makes sense for head space with a trailerable boat too. Catalina stopped making them decades ago, yet people still swear by them. So, why isn’t there any newer models?
MacGregor put pop tops on many of its trailerables
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13 Biggest Trailerable Sailboats: Cheap But Good
If you're looking for a sailboat that's easy to transport and store, trailerable sailboats are the way to go. These vessels provide the perfect balance between portability and performance if you want the flexibility to explore various destinations without the hassle of marina storage fees or dependence on docking facilities.
The biggest trailerable sailboats that are cost-effective and good are:
MacGregor 26
Catalina 22, san juan 21, precision 21, com-pac horizon cat, seaward 26rk, beneteau first 235, west wight potter 19, cape dory 28, marshall sanderling, islander 24.
These 13 sailboats are all relatively lightweight and compact. Generally, a mid-size SUV or pickup truck with a towing capacity of 3,500 to 5,000 pounds should be sufficient to tow most of these sailboats.
Smaller trailerable boats are perfect for relaxed weekend outings, while larger ones are suited for extended coastal cruising.
Among the list, Cape Dory 28 is the largest, widest, and heaviest trailerable sailboat.
Most of these sailboats can accommodate 4 to 6 people onboard.
The not-so-cheap item on the list, the Seaward 26RK, costs between $30,000 and $50,000.
On this page:
Biggest trailerable sailboats, the size of sailboat you can trailer, what makes a good, cheap, and big trailerable sailboat.
Size (Length)
Beam (Width)
Weight
Accommodation
Price Range
26 feet
7'9"
2,500 lbs
6-8 people
$10,000-$25,000
22 feet
7'8"
2,500 lbs
4-6 people
$5,000-$15,000
23 feet
8'3"
2,500 lbs
4-6 people
$5,000-$15,000
21 feet
7'9"
1,300 lbs
2-4 people
$3,000-$10,000
21 feet
8'4"
1,900 lbs
4-6 people
$5,000-$15,000
20 feet
8'4"
2,500 lbs
4-6 people
$20,000-$30,000
24 feet
8'2"
3,200 lbs
4-6 people
$8,000-$20,000
26 feet
8'4"
4,000 lbs
4-6 people
$30,000-$50,000
23 feet
8'2"
3,600 lbs
4-6 people
$10,000-$25,000
19 feet
7'6"
1,500 lbs
2-4 people
$5,000-$15,000
28 feet
8'10"
8,000 lbs
4-6 people
$20,000-$40,000
18 feet
7'4"
1,500 lbs
2-4 people
$5,000-$15,000
24 feet
8'0"
3,000 lbs
4-6 people
$5,000-$15,000
The MacGregor 26 offers a hybrid between a sailboat and a powerboat. It can reach high speeds with an outboard engine. The boat’s water ballast system enhances stability, and its spacious layout makes it suitable for family outings or exciting weekend getaways.
The MacGregor 26 is 26 feet long and weighs around 2,500 lbs, and is best suited for calm or moderate conditions. Retractable keel and rudder allow it to be easily trailered and launched in shallow waters.
MacGregor 26 is one of the 7 trailerable sailboats that have standing headroom . It's also listed as one of the 13 popular trailerable sailboats with lifting keels .
The Catalina 22 is a popular, affordable, and versatile option for any sailor. Known for its easy handling and stability, it makes the perfect entry-level choice for those new to sailing and experienced sailors alike. With a retractable keel, you can easily tow it and enjoy sailing in various water conditions.
Catalina 22 is 22 feet long, weighs around 2,500 lbs, and is best suited for coastal cruising. Spacious cockpit and comfortable cabin make it a popular choice for day sailing and weekend trips. Swing keel allows it to be easily trailered and launched in a variety of locations.
The Hunter 23 is 23 feet long and weighs around 2,500 lbs. It is designed to be easy to handle and maintain, with a simple rigging system and user-friendly features. It is a stable and reliable boat that can handle a range of conditions, although it is best suited for coastal cruising. Water ballast system provides stability and performance under sail. Easy to trailer and launch.
The San Juan 21 is 21 feet long and weighs around 1,300 lbs. The San Juan 21 is a simple and easy-to-use boat that is well-suited for beginners or casual sailors. The San Juan 21 is a stable and reliable boat that can handle a range of conditions, although it is best suited for coastal cruising. It's a simple and affordable option for exploring coastal waters.
The Precision 21 is 21 feet long and weighs around 1,900 lbs. It is designed to be easy to handle and maintain, with a simple rigging system and user-friendly features. The Precision 21 is a stable and reliable boat that can handle a range of conditions, although it is best suited for coastal cruising. Modern design with high-aspect ratio keel and rudder for excellent performance under sail. It has comfortable cabin and enough storage space.
What's the Largest Sailboat You Can Trailer?
Enjoy classic coastal cruising with the Com-Pac Horizon Cat. This charming catboat is renowned for its simplicity, ease of sailing, and unique gaff-rigged sail. With plenty of room in the cockpit and a cozy cabin below, the boat makes for enjoyable days out on the water. Shallow draft allows it to be easily trailered and launched in shallow waters. It is 20 feet long, weighs around 2,500 lbs.
The O'Day 240 is a popular choice for many sailors because of its exceptional handling and trailering abilities. It has a shoal draft keel for shallow water sailing and is relatively easy to maneuver. Its design ensures both performance and comfort on the water. Roomy cabin with amenities including a galley and a head. Swing keel allows it to be easily trailered and launched in a variety of locations. It is 24 feet long, weighs around 3,200 lbs, and is best suited for coastal cruising.
The Seaward 26RK is an innovative boat with a retractable lead keel. This feature allows you to adjust the boat's draft, making it suitable for sailing in shallow waters. Its modern design offers comfort and performance, with a roomy interior and excellent sailing characteristics. It is 26 feet long, weighs around 4,000 lbs, and is designed for offshore sailing.
The Seaward 26RK is a high-quality sailboat with performance under sail and comfortable cabin. Retractable keel and rudder allow it to be easily trailered and launched in shallow waters.
The Beneteau First 235 is 23 feet long and weighs around 3,600 lbs. It is designed to be easy to handle and maintain, with user-friendly features such as a roller furling jib and a self-bailing cockpit. The Beneteau First 235 is a stable and reliable boat that can handle a range of conditions, including offshore sailing. It's a high-performance sailboat designed for racing and cruising. Deep keel and large sail plan provide excellent performance under sail. It has comfortable cabin with amenities.
If you're looking for a compact sailboat, the West Wight Potter 19 is an ideal choice. This small sailboat is very portable, easy to rig, and can go nearly anywhere. With a fully-retracting keel and rudder, the Potter 19 can be easily launched from a trailer and is perfect for weekend getaways.
The West Wight Potter 19 is well-suited for beginners or casual sailors, and can handle a range of conditions, although it is best suited for coastal cruising. The boat has a small cabin and limited storage space, but is relatively easy to assemble and launch, and is built with durable materials.
The Cape Dory 28 is another fantastic choice for a full-keel, trailerable sailboat. Known for its solid construction, seagoing capabilities, and classic design, it provides a great sailing experience for anyone looking for a larger, more capable boat that can still be towed.
The Cape Dory 28 is designed to be easy to maintain, with user-friendly features such as a roller furling jib and a self-bailing cockpit. The boat is stable and reliable, and can handle a range of conditions, including offshore sailing. It has a comfortable cabin and adequate storage space, and is relatively easy to assemble and launch, with a simple rigging system and straightforward instructions.
The Marshall Sanderling is a classic, portable, and elegant catboat. Featuring a single gaff-rigged sail, it's known for its easy handling and stability in various conditions. Its modest draft allows you to sail in shallow waters, and the traditional wooden mast adds charm to this timeless boat. It is a simple and easy-to-use boat that is well-suited for beginners or casual sailors. It is 18 feet long, weighs around 1,500 lbs, and is stable and reliable, although best suited for coastal cruising.
The Islander 24 is a versatile trailerable sailboat for day sailing or overnight trips. This boat offers a good balance of sailing performance, onboard comfort, and ease of trailering. With its retractable centerboard, it's perfect for sailing in shallow waters or cruising in deeper conditions. It has a comfortable cabin with enough storage space. Swing keel allows it to be easily trailered and launched in a variety of locations.
The Islander 24 is 24 feet long, weighs around 3,000 lbs, and is designed to be easy to handle and maintain, with user-friendly features such as a roller furling jib and a self-bailing cockpit. It is also stable and reliable, although best suited for coastal cruising.
You can trailer sailboats that are around 30 feet or less in length and have a beam (width) of 8.5 feet or less, with a standard trailer and towed by a vehicle with a towing capacity of 3,500 to 5,000 pounds.
Sailboats that are trailerable typically range in size from 14 feet to 30 feet in length. However, the actual size of the sailboat that can be trailed will depend on the towing vehicle's capacity and the trailer's design.
It is important to check the specific regulations and requirements in your area before attempting to trailer a sailboat.
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Here are a few elements to keep in mind so you can ensure that your chosen boat not only suits your needs but is also budget-friendly and easy to transport:
Size and weight
A boat that is easy enough to tow—usually, sailboats up to 27 feet in length can be trailered safely on the roads. Keep in mind the weight restrictions of your towing vehicle, as well as the boat's beam and overall height .
This not only affects its towing requirements and ease of handling on the water, but also has implications for storage, maintenance, launching, and recovery. It's optimal to choose a sailboat that will fit your needs but is also light enough to tow with your vehicle and can be easily launched and retrieved.
Ease of assembly and disassembly
Consider how easy it will be to step the mast, rig the sails, and set up any other required equipment each time you want to take your sailboat out on the water. A boat with a simple and efficient assembly process will enable you to spend more time sailing and less time setting up.
A good trailerable sailboat should offer features that make it easy to transport, like a retractable or lifting keel , mast raising system , and simple rigging . These features simplify the process of prepping your boat for travel and minimize the time needed to set it up for sailing once you arrive at your destination.
A high-quality, well-built boat will not only last longer, but will also require less maintenance in the long run. Keep an eye out for boats made of durable materials like fiberglass and aluminum , with well-designed hulls and rigging systems that can withstand regular use and exposure to harsh weather and water conditions.
Seaworthiness
Even though you're looking for a budget-friendly option, make sure the boat is seaworthy and safe. A well-designed hull , sturdy construction , and manageable sail plan are characteristics of a good, cheap, and big trailerable sailboat.
Functionality
Think about your needs and sailing preferences. Do you plan to sail mostly on weekends, or are you looking forward to longer cruising trips? The interior space , storage capacity , and available amenities on your boat should match your sailing objectives.
Last but not least, make sure you find a boat that fits your budget. There are plenty of used boats on the market that can provide good value for money. In this list, you can find the best deal for a trailerable sailboat that meets all the criteria mentioned above.
While it can be tempting to opt for the least expensive option, it’s essential to weigh the cost with features like ease of assembly, durability, and size. A slightly more expensive sailboat may save you money in the long run if it requires less frequent repairs and is easier to set up and use. Finding a balance between quality and affordability will ensure you make a smart investment in a sailboat that suits both your budget and your sailing needs.
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Sailboat Reviews
Like the Volkswagen Beetle, this pocket cruiser has been much refined over the years. While most of the innovations are clever, some, at least occasionally, are a bother.
As with many of our used boat reports, we invited owners of the Rhodes 22 to comment on its design, construction, quality of workmanship, performance, and customer service from the factory. We received a greater response, and a more uniformly enthusiastic response, than we’ve had to any similar request in recent years. Impressive, especially when you consider that only 50 of these boats are built each year. When we got an opportunity to take one out and put it through its paces, we gained some insight into just what prompted all this loyalty.
Designed by Phillip Rhodes back in 1960, the Rhodes 22 is a trailerable cruiser for a couple that wants the amenities of a larger boat without putting up with the hassles and expenses of a larger boat. It’s clearly not a racing boat. It’s also not a “shoehorn special,” whose claim to fame is how many persons it can sleep. And it’s not an inexpensive boat for its size. The Rhodes 22, from its inception, has been a purpose-built boat. And, with a history of detail improvements and some innovative thinking, it meets that purpose quite well.
The Rhodes 22 has a fairly long waterline—20′. Overhangs are minimal. This is clearly the first step towards cramming a lot of cruising conveniences into what is, after all, a small boat.
The most readily noticeable feature of its hull is a pronounced flare at the gunwales, much like that found on a 505 or similar racing dinghy. The look is odd on a keelboat, but the flare provides a few notable advantages: The compound curvature stiffens the hull, provides a hiking seat to reduce heeling, helps deflect spray, and provides some extra buoyancy when the boat is heeled over, helping to prevent capsize, according to Stan Spitzer, the owner of General Boats.
Unlike most trailerable sailboats sold today, the Rhodes 22 uses neither a swing keel nor water ballast. Instead, there’s a shoal keel with a centerboard built in. With the board up, the boat draws 20″; 48″ with the board down.
Compared to a swing keel, this arrangement may lose a bit of stiffness because the keel’s weight is carried higher; but it has the advantages of eliminating the swing keel’s highly stressed pivot pin as well as the necessity for a winch and a cable to haul up the keel (which may hum annoyingly when you’re underway).
Compared to water ballast of the same weight, the shoal keel/centerboard arrangement carries its weight lower, making the boat stiffer. In any case, the Rhodes 22 can be sailed in 20″ of water with the board up; it sails just fine that way, though it can’t point as high as it can with the board down. The board is designed to kick up if it strikes an obstruction.
The 100-sq. ft. mainsail rolls up into a 26′ mast and a 175% 200-sq. ft. genoa is roller-furled on the forestay. The arrangement does not make the most efficient sail shape, particularly with a partially-furled jib in heavier weather, and without battens to support a large mainsail roach. But it’s hard to argue with the convenience of this rig. A less-obvious advantage is that you don’t have to deal with the problem of finding a place to store bulky sailbags belowdecks.
The Rhodes 22 makes up for whatever loss of sail efficiency may be caused by its furling features by providing a generous 300 sq. ft. of sail. Other sail options are available, including a self-tending jib and conventional hank-on sails.
The hinged mast is well-supported by a forestay, a pair of backstays, upper shrouds, forward and aft lowers. Each of these has its own chainplate. One nice thing about having all this standing rigging is that the loss of any one stay shouldn’t bring the mast crashing down. (If the forestay breaks, the forward lower shrouds hopefully will keep the mast up until you can jury-rig a new forestay.)
Chainplates are mounted solidly. The forestay’s padeye is through-bolted to the deck and hull, while the two backstay plates are bolted through the corners of the transom. The upper shroud chainplates are bolted through the hull-deck joint, while the four lower shroud chainplates are glassed into the cabin top. This location provides a “corridor” between the upper and lower shrouds that facilitates movement fore and aft on deck.
Construction
The Rhodes 22’s construction is best described as conventional, with good attention to detail. The hull is laid up with a layer of chop on the skin, followed by a layer of roving, followed by Coremat. The deck uses a glass syntactic foam core, making it and the cabin top about 1″ thick.
Twenty-five different molds provide finished surfaces where otherwise none would exist. The lazarette hatch, for example, has a finished liner instead of a rough fiberglass surface, and coaming compartments have finished, built-in storage shelves. Galley doors are molded in two separate sections and cemented together to avoid warping.
The hull-to-deck joint is a “shoebox” design, with a vertical deck flange slipping over the hull. The joint is screwed together with stainless steel fasteners and then caulked. There are heavier through-bolts at the bow and stern, and at chainplate areas, which are preferable. The joint is covered with a rub rail.
The Rhodes 22 has two molded foam sections glassed into the hull; one under the forward bunk and one under the cockpit sole. Spitzer said that these make the boat unsinkable, an important safety feature not found in most small cruisers.
The keel is a molded-in, integral part of the hull, eliminating problems of keelbolts as well as reinforcing the boat’s bottom. Inside, there’s a separately molded centerboard trunk, and 630 lbs. of encapsulated-shot ballast. The centerboard’s pivot is inside the boat and can’t leak; the 70-lb. centerboard requires no hold-down line while sailing, but is still light enough to be raised by a braided pennant and secured with a cleat. It’s made of molded fiberglass with some ballast inside.
Hardware is of good quality throughout. Cleats, for instance, are four-bolt 10″ stainless steel open base models; hand rails, including a unique one at the aft end of the cabin trunk, are stainless steel, though teak is available. Winches are made by Lewmar.
Working on the theory that most cruisers spend much of their time in the cockpit, the Rhodes 22 was designed with a huge cockpit that’s 7′ 4″ long and nearly 8′ wide. It’s self-bailing, with a full-length bench seat on each side. The benches have open fronts, which makes for comfortable seating (closed-front benches force you to keep your legs extended), are independently self-bailing, and there’s room underneath for plastic storage bins. Aft, there’s a transverse bench covering a lazarette, which opens to a 6′ wide area that provides access to transom-mounted hardware as well as a great deal of storage space.
The coamings, which function as backrests, have a pair of compartments, each with two shelves. The flared gunwales are comfortable for hiking out. And there’s a socket in the sole so that a table can be moved from belowdecks to the cockpit. The stern rail is mounted on the side decks, outboard of the coaming, to make sitting on the coaming tops more comfortable. Optional are a pair of swivel seats—complete with backrest and padded armrest on the rail—that mount on the coaming.
The cabin door is hinged horizontally halfway up, with a stainless steel piano hinge. This can be folded out to make a chart table or card table depending upon your inclinations; there’s a molded-in socket for a supporting leg. Or, you can fold the top section down to let you see what the kids are doing in the cabin. Or, you can remove the door completely and stow it inside the gunwale.
All the controls are cockpit-mounted and fall readily to hand. The roller furling control line for the genoa is cleated on the cabin top. The mainsail roller furling is controlled by the outhaul and a control line that passes through the boom, with boom-mounted cleats. The boom can be raised via a topping lift to clear the pop-top, or lowered to reduce heeling. There is no vang, which is unfortunate.
The jib sheets run through adjustable track-mounted blocks to a pair of winches located aft so that they can be handled conveniently by the helmsman for single-handing. The traveler is very unique. It rides on a stainless steel rod mounted transversely across the twin backstays. The mainsheet cleat is mounted on the traveler block; the traveler controls are at the ends of the rod. This arrangement, odd as it may look, keeps the traveler from intruding into the cockpit space, and provides a bit of shock absorption in case of an accidental jibe. We tried it, and it works.
The tiller swings up for stand-up sailing or for easier maneuvering around the cockpit. A hiking stick lets one sail the boat from just about anywhere in the cockpit or up on the coamings, and there are even a pair of clips mounted on the aft rail that hold the tiller in any position in which it is set. The rudder kicks up if it strikes an obstruction, and can be adjusted to provide as heavy or as light a helm as you prefer.
The cabin top features a pop-top with 6′ 4″ headroom; when down, there’s about 50″ of sitting headroom. The boat can be sailed with the top in either position.
Like so many other pieces of equipment on the Rhodes 22, the pop-top is a unique design. Unlike most pop-tops, which are supported by pivoting arms, the aft section of the Rhodes 22’s top is supported by a pair of telescoping stainless steel tubes, with spring-loaded detents. To raise the top, you start by lifting the rear portion—lifting only half the top’s weight—until the detents lock into position. A fitting on the forward edge of the pop-top rides in the mast’s sail slot.
There are two side-by-side opening hatches in the deck forward of the pop-top, one above the head and one above the dinette. There’s no gasket between the pop-top and the rest of the cabin—a generous overhang and deep lip allow air to circulate and prevent water leaks. The sliding companionway hatch has a built-in key lock.
The cabin layout of the Rhodes 22 is roomy and remarkably livable. It is, in large part, a tribute to the idea of making a firm decision about what you want a boat to be, and then resisting all temptations to make it something else. The Rhodes 22 is a cruiser for a couple, with possibly several youngsters.
Sleeping accommodations for the couple consist of a 6′ 6″ double berth on the port side of the dinette area; the secondary bunks consist of 6′ V-berths. If you need more sleeping room than this, there’s an optional boom-supported canopy system that General Boats calls a “Boom Room.” It converts the cockpit to a standing-headroom second cabin with a padded floor, and provides luxurious camp-aboard accommodations, though with minimal privacy.
When the dinette berth isn’t in use, half the “mattress” sections become backrest cushions for a settee, while a rotating, telescoping-base table that helps form the center section can be raised to table height and used in the dinette, or moved out to the cockpit, or stored in tracks under the forward deck.
The galley and head are on the starboard side. The galley features a 4-1/2′ counter containing a sink, stove and a large, front-opening icebox with adjustable shelves and an ice-water tap. There’s a large open storage shelf just below the portlights, and a deep cabinet just below that. There’s more storage underneath the counter. Built into the face of the top shelf are 12-volt DC and 110-volt AC outlets. Access to plumbing and electrical connections is good.
Spitzer (who has a weakness for puns) describes the Rhodes 22’s head as The Swell Head. When we compare it to the primitive accommodations on most small cruisers, we must agree. It’s fully enclosed, with a clever multi-paneled door that opens up to provide a large, non-claustrophobic space, or closes to occupy a minimum of floor space when it’s not in use. Inside, there’s a marine toilet, with sea cock-controlled water intake, holding tank and fittings for dockside pump-out or macerated discharge.
Inside, there is a mirror, cosmetic shelf, toilet paper holder, medicine cabinet, towel rack, magazine rack lighting and a 110-volt outlet for a hairdryer or electric shaver. The sole is tiled. For showering, Spitzer suggests that you take a solar-heated shower in the self-bailing cockpit. The head can be accessed from either the dinette or the V-berths.
The large hatch over the head, aside from providing ventilation and light, performs another function when the pop-top is down. If the 50″ of headroom isn’t enough to permit convenient use of the head, you can open the hatch and let your upper body emerge—presumably with a relieved smile—while you use the head in relative privacy.
Miscellaneous
The Rhodes 22 has so many gadgets that it’s hard to list them all. One particularly nice one is its adjustable motor mount. Instead of the usual recalcitrant jointed aluminum affair, it slides up and down on a pair of low-friction plastic tracks on the port side of the transom. To raise the engine, you pull a rope lanyard that passes through a 6:1 purchase magic box—almost no effort, and excellent position control. There’s a three-step boarding ladder attached to the starboard side of the transom.
Performance
We took the Rhodes 22 out on a breezy day—18-20 knots, with a 1′-3′ chop. Getting underway was as easy as advertised; we started out with the full 175% genoa and full main.
The boat is initially tender, but stiffens up quickly as it heels. The flared gunwales make hiking-out easy (and not particularly demanding athletically); putting two people on the rail did a great deal towards flattening out the ride. We suspect that if we’d been single-handing the boat, we would have reduced sail, just to help keep the boat sailing on her lines.
The Rhodes sailed nicely with the board down, and presentably with it up, though pointing ability naturally suffered.
We tried sailing the boat under jib alone, which worked fine, with no problems tacking. We did the same under main alone with similar results. As with any boat, the more a sail is furled, the poorer its shape; after about 30% has been furled, ideally you’d switch to as smaller sail. But when you’re starting with a 175% genoa, you’ll still have a lot of sail up even after furling a third.
In any case, we found the Rhodes 22 to be a lively-feeling boat that’s fun to sail, which is probably more important in a cruiser than absolute speed. The hull is fast, especially off the wind. The Rhodes has a PHRF rating of about 258, which is a bit faster than, say, the Catalina 22 (270), the O’Day 22 (279) or the Chrysler 22 (282) It’s by no means a racing boat (the J-22 has a rating of 177).
The Rhodes 22 is an easy boat to sail, with enough basic adjustments to satisfy most sailors, though we do wish for a boom vang. Controls are very well laid out for sailing from just about anywhere in the cockpit, though we’d like to see foot rests or toe straps to help keep the skipper and crew from sliding about in the large open cockpit.
Conclusions
It’s nice to see a boat that does what it’s intended to do as well as the Rhodes 22 does. It’s a cruiser, and packs a lot of cruising capability into a small trailerable boat. You can daysail it, obviously, but it’s really on the pricey side if a daysailer is all you want. Andyou can squeeze some more adults aboard for cruising, but at the expense of comfort, privacy or both. As a cruiser for two, it’s hard to beat without going up considerably in size and price. The reports we’ve received from readers are almost universally enthusiastic.
General sells the Rhodes 22 in a variety of models, depending upon equipment, from $19,000 to $29,000. General Boats has a buy-back policy for used boats, so that factory-reconditioned models are available, at prices starting from about $10,000.
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Steering from inside the pilothouse during inclement weather, in addition to tiller steering in the aft cockpit
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Better Sailing
Best Small and Trailerable Sailboats
Cruising with a trailerable sailboat means that you can voyage in a small and comfy sailboat with the advantage of saving some serious costs. Having a trailerable sailboat saves you money for storage fees, boatyard haulout, and boat insurance, among others. There are two main categories of trailerable sailboats; performance-oriented boats and all-round pocket cruisers. So, if you’re a part-time sailor but still want to experience the joys of sailing continue reading this article so as to find out which are the best small and trailerable sailboats on today’s market. Know that there are many decent trailerable sailboats that managed both offshore and coastal cruising. So, keep reading and find the one that suits you best!
Catalina 22 Sport – The Best Trailerable Sailboat
Catalina brand is one of the most constructed sailboats in the US and has manufactured a great deal of capable and robust sailboats. The Catalina 22 Sport is one of the most preferred pocket and race cruisers since 2004. The model pioneers for the one-piece hull liner that has become standard in most high volume small boats. Furthermore, it has enough trim along with a well-proportioned rig and a hand-laid fiberglass hull construction. Other great features include a retractable lead keel, a roomy cabin, a spacious cockpit, and a fractional rig with a mainsail and a roller-furling jib. You can get a used Catalina 22 for as low as $5,000 and a brand spanking new one for around $40,000.
>>Also Read: Beneteau vs. Catalina: Which Is a Better Sailboat?
West Wight Potter 15
The West Wight Potter 15 is one of the best small trailerable and seaworthy 15-foot sailboats of all time. It’s easy to handle and great for both coastal and offshore cruising. She has an aluminum mast and tiller, a small cabin that comfortably sleeps a couple and also we can’t miss referring to her elegant design. Furthermore, it can be easily stored, it’s relatively cheap to buy and can be purchased both as a new or used boat, as many sailors prefer it for stepping up from a dinghy to a pocket cruiser.
>>Also Read: Best Pocket Cruisers Under 20 Feet
This small trailerable boat features a modern design and can be a top choice for many sailors, both for beginners or even for experienced ones. She surprisingly manages well in different weather conditions and she’s also relatively easy to handle. As a result, she has earned by right the title of a truly seaworthy small cruising vessel. Moreover, her robust design from the masthead to keel design is proven to be highly durable and comes with a mainsail and 110% genoa. A great feature of this model is the comfy and interior layout that offers a great amount of space for her size.
And that’s why the Hunter 27 is a great liveable sailboat having enough storage space, 6ft of standing headroom, berths, as well as plenty of counter space and seatings. Lastly, as a true trailer sailor, she has a shoal draft of under 4ft and a displacement of less than 8,000lbs. You can find her in today’s market as a used or brand-new model with a price ranging from $20,000 to $45,000.
>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k
BayRaider
The BayRaider from UK’s Swallow boats is a somehow newcomer to the small trailerable boat market in the US. She features a large and open cockpit, is ketch-rigged, and has a gunter-style mainmast. As for the topmast and mizzen, they’re both carbon-fiber; you can also apply this to the mainmast. This model can be sailed with a dry hull in lighter weather conditions or if you want to maximize its stability you can do so by removing the 300lbs of water ballast. The water ballast offers great performance in light to medium winds and makes the boat suitable for different sailing or weather conditions and levels of experience. Lastly, as she has the centerboard and hinged rudder raised she can be maneuvered even in the thinnest water. She has a self-tacking rig and is easy to trailer; all these features make her a great choice for novices.
>>Also Read: Most Popular Sailboats
Contessa 26
The Contessa 26 is an all-time-classic and small trailerable sailboat. Even if this vessel is quite small she has proven her seaworthiness and is still preferred as an ideal pocket cruiser. She has a roomy cabin and comfortable cockpit, so there’s no need to worry about below deck space. As for the rigging, it’s quite easy to handle and is rigged as a masthead sloop. Also, her construction comprises of a deep keel and hull-mounted rudder; and that’s why she was also used as a racer. The main downside is her narrow beam which contributes to heeling although she stiffens up quickly and becomes easy to sail. In any case, there are many who admit that she’s one of the most reliable sailboats in the mid-size category.
The Hunter 22 is a great daysailer and features an open-transom cockpit and sloop rig, making her the ideal choice for friends and family outings. Moreover, the considerable amount of below-deck space has twin bunks, a roomy cabin, and a portable toilet. Rigging also includes an asymmetric spinnaker and a mainsheet traveler in case you’re keen on racing. Her construction is made out of laminated fiberglass hull and deck, molded-in nonskid, and a hydraulic lifting centerboard. Last but not least, she’s fast, stable, responsive, and is, therefore, an ideal starter-boat for novices.
Islander 24
The 24-foot Islander is a classic choice in the small trailerable sailboat market. This fiberglass model features a sturdy design and has proven her seaworthiness for coastal and family-day cruising. This model was first built in 1961 but is still available on the used market. She has a masthead sloop rig, simple overall rigging, and is appropriate for single-handing. As for below-deck space, she has a spacious cabin for two with a V-berth, and space for a head. Last but not least, many sailors admit that she’s a lot more capable than many of the later model boats in this size range.
>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet
Macgregor 25
This trailerable cruising sloop is a safe, easy-handling, and robust sailboat for 2 persons; perfectly suitable for coastal cruising. The boat has a spacious cabin and great safety features like foam flotation as well as the ability to self-right. Its innovative design features a retracting keel, pop-up rudder, and an easy mast-stepping system that enhances its cruising performance. Moreover, it has a large foredeck and cockpit and its lifelines and shrouds are equipped with handholds. You can easily find a Macgregor 25 on the used market with just $9,500.
>>Also Read: Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World
Cape Dory 28
The Cape Dory 28 is a popular trailerable sailboat known for its great performance both offshore and inland. Even though it has a small size it offers comfortable living spaces below the deck. In addition, she has proven to be more capable than other larger sailboats. It’s designed with a well-balanced deck arrangement along with a full-length keel with an attached rudder, a low freeboard, and a well-proportioned traditional trunk cabin. These sailboats were originally rigged as sloops with self-tending and club-footed jibs. This sail plan is really great for stiff weather conditions. Lastly, it can be easily hauled-out and transported regardless of its 28ft size. Ideal for salt-water cruising and for tighter coastal waters you can find a used model for $12,900.
>>Also Read: How Much Do Sailboats Weigh?
The Newport 27 is an all-time-classic that was first built in 1971 and is still considered a common choice for small sailboats amongst sailors. Although it has a small size it doesn’t lack interior space. The standing headroom is just over 6ft, there’s a V-berth, a head, and a hanging locker forward of the bulkhead. Also, settees measure 6ft in length and extend to either side of the saloon. Some variations include a fixed dinette with raised seating fore and aft, a starboard quarter berth, and an aft-placed head. You can find them on the used market from $10,000 to $18,000, depending on their condition and any possible upgrades. Even though it’s not a really robust offshore cruiser, the Newport 27 is still a capable trailerable sailboat and if upgraded and equipped accordingly it can definitely offer decent coastal cruising to a singlehander or a couple.
>>Also Read: What Are The Best Beginner Sailboats?
Trailerable sailboats are a great choice for beginner sailors as well as for couple and family outings. Keep in mind that the aforementioned boats are not the only options on today’s market. I recommend these boats because they’re easy to handle, small but roomy, easy to trailer, and have an overall robust design. Generally, a trailer sailor will save you costs for purchasing but also for marina fees. Keep in mind that many sailors choose to sail overseas with a trailerable sailboat, so there are suitable models for a long-passage voyage. Lastly, small sailboats can offer different kinds of sailing adventures; weekend cruising, coastal cruising, island hopping, and sometimes an offshore voyage. I hope that you enjoyed reading this article and that it will help you out in order to pick the right trailerable sailboat for your needs.
Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.
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First 27 SE brings high-tech performance, events and community know-how from the cutting edge of racing sports into recreational sailors' hands. She delivers extraordinary sailing experiences that were once reserved for professional racers. Sailors can challenge themselves on One Design long-distance races or enjoy fast adventure cruises in the best sailing spots, as she is also wholly trailable.
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First 27 SE is a real high-performance planing sailboat, easily achieving thrilling double-digit speeds and delivering an incomparable sailing experience, resulting from modern design and building technologies.
Her superb seaworthiness, which crowned the boat with the B category, results from exceptional boat design, cutting-edge building technology and many safety features: three separate unsinkable chambers, a swinging keel system in case of grounding and increased bow volume with crash box.
The One Design racing calendar is comprised of fully crewed windward-leeward races and adventurous long-distance double-handed or solo challenges. Whichever you choose, you can count on the friendly community that will give you a proper challenge.
Sitting low on the trailer due to her hydraulically operated swinging keel, light structure, beam just below the width limit and light carbon mast, she is wholly trailable to different locations, for racing or cruising purposes.
SAILING EXPERIENCE
Planing at double-digit speeds is easier than ever. The First 27 SE promises a thrilling and pure sailing experience. Her performance is rooted in her modern hull design and light but stiff vacuum-infused hull construction. She has a hull with very high initial stability, a deep lead-bulb keel, and an easily handled carbon rig with a large square-top mainsail without a backstay or runners. All this power is nothing if you can't manage it, so she's been designed with well-thought cockpit ergonomics and a balanced twin-rudder steering system. No matter if you're sailing solo, double-handed or fully crewed, First 27 SE will reward you with an astonishing sailing experience and pure joy under sail.
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Camping on a keel - trailer sailers for cruisers.
Here's a throwback to , our Helms 25 and very first boat
The end!
Great compendium Kevin. Also a sensible choice for those who've done the conventional cruising and are looking at phase 2 options. All the best.
While I'm not sure how old this post is, Ill add another boat to consider using your criteria above. We have a S2 7.9 Gran Slam which we cruise locally in Milwaukee and also take a few weeks out of the summer and trailer to better cruising grounds. We pull it with a Chevy Suburban and are quite please with having a performance boat that is straight forward to launch and rig. The beam is actually over legal limit at 9', but these boats have been trailered extensively to one design regattas over many years and I have never heard of anyone being stopped by the hi way revenuers.
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Trailerable Sailboat Reviews: Small Boats, Big Adventures
By Herb McCormick
Updated: May 24, 2024
We were approaching the trickiest, most hazardous stretch of the Northwest Passage , high in the Canadian Arctic, when we happened upon a sight more wondrous in its own way than all the ice, polar bears and other assorted wildlife that preceded it. Tucked up against a barren shoreline, its anchor embedded in a handy ice floe, was a nifty little trailer-sailer, what we soon discovered was a NorseBoat 17.5 Classic.
Hopping in the dinghy from our rather cushy 64-foot steel cutter, we pulled alongside and were greeted by a pair of strapping Royal Marines named Kevin Oliver and Tony Lancaster. They were on military leave for a busman’s holiday of sorts: sailing, rowing and occasionally dragging their open boat, with a simple cuddy for accommodations, through the notoriously challenging high northern latitudes. One thing was clear: If these dudes were running the British Empire, there’d still be one.
Those chaps, and that boat, captured my imagination. I thought about them again late last fall on a road trip from New England to Florida with my daughter as we passed one compact camper after another. We both love camping, and we were debating the merits of one mini Gulf Stream to another tiny Winnebago when she said something profound: “Why not have a trailerable sailboat as your RV? You could sleep in it while traveling, then when you reached your destination, you could go sailing.” Why not indeed?
I’ve owned many fully found, systems-rich cruising boats but have always been enamored with the simplicity and versatility of something small and trailerable that you could tow and launch from just about anywhere: the Florida Keys, the coast of Maine, the Sea of Cortez, the Pacific Northwest. (The closest I’ve personally come is a J/24, which can be trailered anywhere, but which is more of a dedicated racer than a pocket cruiser.) There’s something seriously appealing about the idea. Which is why, over the years, I’ve kept a short list of the boats I think could fill the bill, having sailed them to test their potential. What follows are a few of my favorites.
– TOW LIKE A PRO – Remember to leave extra stopping room when trailering your boat. At the ramp, be considerate of others but take the time you need to launch and recover your boat safely. Always check tie-downs, safety chains, lights – and the drain plug. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
For the Hearty at Heart
I’ll always relate to those hardened Brit lads in the Arctic when I think of the NorseBoat 17.5 Classic. (Perhaps to underscore their no-nonsense attitude, they co-authored a book about their adventure entitled—what else?— Blokes Up North. ) The boat’s Canadian builder has an appropriate nickname for its vessels, which include 12.5 and 21.5 models: the “Swiss Army knife of boats.” The 17.5 Classic is one salty-looking craft, with a pronounced bow, sweeping sheerline, lapstrake fiberglass hull, pivoting carbon-fiber gaff-rigged spar, fully battened mainsail, kick-up rudder, and a pair of rowing stations with a set of 9-foot oars. Options include a full-size tent that encapsulates the entire open boat, though the cuddy works well for most outings, and motor mounts for a 2 or 4 hp outboard. Talk about distinctive. NorseBoat says that the boat can be towed by a midsize car, fits in a standard garage, and is ideal for “cruising sailors who want to downsize, sea kayakers who are moving up, and daysailors who want a high-performance boat with lovely traditional lines.” I agree with that assessment. It will also work, ahem, for grizzled soldiers looking for a “relaxing” break from the front lines. norseboat.com
The Trailerable “Legend”
My lasting memory of the Catalina 22 is a visit I paid to the Southern California plant where they were built some four decades ago. From a balcony overlooking the factory floor, I saw four production lines knocking out the classic little 22-footer, each line producing a boat per day (another facility on the East Coast also churned out one daily). It was the Golden Age of American boatbuilding, and I’ve always considered this compact craft to be the gold standard of trailerables (longtime Catalina designer Gerry Douglas prefers to call it “the Miller Genuine Draft of sailboats: cheap and cheerful”). Seeing that almost 16,000 have been launched over the years, “ubiquitous” also works. The early models were bare bones: no winches, lifelines, nothing. But over the years, Douglas says, “the options grew, and it morphed into a cruiser,” with galleys, heads, holding tanks and other accoutrements. The trouble with all the stuff was that many sailors liked racing their 22s, and the extra gear made the boats heavier and noncompetitive. Douglas eventually went back to the drawing board and designed a lighter version, the Catalina 22 Sport. It was competitive with the older, original boats—and is still produced today. “If you opened up a dictionary with a picture of a sailboat, it would be the Catalina 22,” Douglas says. “I think it has a place in the history of our sport. It was simple, with no bad habits. It introduced a lot of people to sailing and provided a lot of pleasure over the years.” And continues to do so. I’ll take one anytime. catalinayachts.com
Fast and Fun
My first exposure to the Seascape line of quick and trim racers/cruisers—a brand built and launched from Slovenia, which is a rather sailing-crazed nation—came from my colleagues at our sister publication Sailing World , a dedicated racing magazine. They raved about the quality of construction and sailing experience. Then, in 2018, Seascape was acquired by Groupe Beneteau, and all previous Seascape models were integrated into the Beneteau First product range. It provided the line with the sort of widespread, mainstream marketing punch that it deserved. I’ve since sailed a pair of larger models produced by their collaborative effort, but if I were inclined to go the trailer-sailer route, my choice would definitely be the Beneteau First 24 SE (the SE standing for Seascape Edition). It’s a high-tech version of the previous First 24 with a serious boost in performance. The SE line’s sweet spot, in the company’s own assessment, is as a dual-threat boat aimed at competitive one-design racing and adventure sailing. I reckon that 24 feet is an ideal size for both, and the 24SE delivers on the promise with a carbon rig; swing keel with lead bulb; laminate sails; and light, high-tech, infused-vinylester construction. With removable crew bags and modular components that can also be stored ashore when racing, the 24 SE can be set up quickly and easily for cruising or competition. beneteau.com
– LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES – Know the “Rules of the Road” that govern all boat traffic. Be courteous and never assume other boaters can see you. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
One Sharp Sharpie
The late Rodger Martin was a South Africa-born naval architect who is probably best known for the robust round-the-world racers he conceived for solo legend Mike Plant, which is when I first met him. Tellingly, however, when it came to designing his own personal boat, he produced the very cool Presto 30. The 30-footer was an offshoot of the Outward Bound Hurricane Island 30 that he designed for the wilderness program based in Maine, but that was a hybrid sailing/rowing boat. To upgrade it for cruising, Martin basically designed a sharpie, based on the straight-sided 18th-century fishing boats with a hard chine, flat bottom and centerboard for access to shallow water. With a beam of 8 feet, 6 inches, the boat is eminently trailerable, and Martin regularly towed it south from New England in the wintertime for cruising forays across the Gulf Stream and into the Bahamas. Due to that shallow draft and minimal freeboard, the rig required a low center of effort, which Martin addressed with a simple cat-ketch rig. With the addition of a slightly raised cabin top, he was able to insert basic interior accommodations (which were also somewhat compromised by the centerboard trunk). For a couple who can embrace camper-style cruising, however, it fit the bill. In recent years, a couple of Presto fans have tried to put the boat back into production, which has yet to happen. But if you can find a used one, you’ll have a boat with a fine and unusual pedigree. rodgermartindesign.com
An Upgraded Ensign
A couple of years ago, I got myself a 1963 Pearson Ensign, a venerable daysailer designed by the great Carl Alberg that measures in at a smidgen under 23 feet with a full keel and a spacious cockpit. I quite enjoy my Ensign, but designer Tim Jackett has taken some of the ancient classic’s best features and incorporated them into a thoroughly modern upgrade: the Tartan 245. Conceived as an ideal tool for teaching sailing, the 245 replaces that massive keel with a lifting one that has 900 pounds of ballast, which makes it just as stiff as the old-timer. With the board down, it draws 4 feet, 6 inches, but once raised, the draft is just 1 foot, 8 inches—and with its kick-up rudder, you can nudge into the shallows that the Ensign could only dream about. Like the full-size members of the Tartan clan, the 245 has a carbon-fiber spar that’s stepped on deck and is easily raised and lowered. A retractable bowsprit is ideal for flying off-wind reachers; for working sail, there’s a choice of an overlapping headsail or a self-tacking jib. The little cuddy space forward is another feature reminiscent of the Ensign; it can be employed, along with the handy tiller, for camper-style cruising. You may be able to have more kicks on a little sailboat, but I’m not sure how. tartanyachts.com
– LOWER YOUR RATES – Taking a boating safety course won’t just make you a better skipper. It could also help you save big on insurance. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Happy Little Girl
And now for something completely different: the Pacific Seacraft Flicka (Swedish for “happy little girl”). It’s a 20-foot, heavy-displacement, full-keel pocket cruiser that, yes, you can pop on a trailer and wheel to destinations of your heart’s content. Designed by Bruce Bingham—an illustrator and sailor who, for many years, penned this magazine’s Workbench column—the boat was originally offered in kit form, and then bounced around to a couple of builders before finding a permanent home at Pacific Seacraft, which produced the grand majority of them (reportedly, roughly 400 Flickas were ultimately produced). Bingham loved his, sailing his pretty Sabrina all over creation, which is when I became enamored with the boat. The Flicka certainly fits the definition of a cult boat, and these days, if you look hard enough, you can find one in almost any configuration: sloop, cutter, yawl, schooner, even gaff-rigged. With a startlingly roomy interior, the Flicka is cozy but certainly not the fastest 20-footer you can find. You might not get where you’re going quickly, but you will get there. flicka20.com
To the Third Power
Talk about a boat that was ahead of its time. Any list of good trailerable boats has to include a multihull, and few have reached the overall popularity of the Corsair F-27, the prototype for which was originally launched way back in 1985. It’s designed by Kiwi Ian Farrier, based on another little trimaran he’d created a decade earlier. The signature feature of the three-hulled 27-footer is the folding outrigger system—better known as the Farrier Folding System—which reduces the beam from a significant 19 feet to a mere 8 feet, 2 inches, which makes it eminently trailerable. You can still see (and find) F-27s just about everywhere. They have active one-design racing fleets all over the place, and they make for tidy pocket cruisers when they’re not zipping around the racecourse. From a pure sailing point of view, there’s nothing more enjoyable than finding yourself perched out on an ama of an F-27, coursing along at double-digit boatspeeds, with a light touch on a long tiller extension. We’re talking joy, cubed. corsairmarine.com
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Trailerable pocket cruiser with standing headroom...
Add to quote
By "trailerable" I don't mean like my Siren which I tow to the launch, rig, and launch every weekend with very little fuss. I mean something that can be put in the water in the spring by me, and removed a couple times a year for trips elsewhere, say to Florida, my grandmother has a condo in St. Augustine, and one in Turtle Cay, I would like to be able to sail between these two points, and anywhere on Lake Erie and Ontario. So I guess I'm looking for something with a decent keel but not a deep one, standing headroom, 25-27 feet, and under 8000lbs. Cape Dory 25D? Any similar to that? MUST have standing headroom (I'm 5'11) My budget will not be much, say $10,000 and under. Not buying right now, just trying to narrow down the choices for my 2nd boat. Maybe as soon as next year, maybe a few years from now. I'm 33 years old and we are just now trying to start a family, so a safe roomy boat that doesn't cost a lot is a priority. A fixer-upper is ok, I'm a mechanic so if it's broke, I can fix it.
Check out the US Yachts 27 - for a 27 it has great interior room, sails quite well too...6000lb, Made in early 80s, Mine is constructed suprisingly well...you should be able to find one for under 10k - probably under 8k...
Oh, yeah... forgot to mention, 6ft headroom
There is one at RCR yachts here in Buffalo, I was just there an hour ago but that was before reading your post. It has a really deep draft though 5' 2". (edit) Oh, wait, I see they make 2 versions, one with a 3'6" shoal keel. That might work, I think I'll go poke around that one near me. It's only 3 miles away.
many of the smaller westerly designs would fit the bill...but aren't particularly trailerable imho.
I think the Pageant and Nomad are very trailerable. (The fin keel models like the Cirrus would be problematic.)
Mike- A Pearson 27 isn't really a trailerable boat IMHO. The boat could be stored on a trailer, but it would require a travellift or crane to launch it or haul it out of the water.
That's what I mean by "trailerable", something I can tow home and store in my backyard off-season (3 miles). And I can easily launch this boat at the ramp I launch at, it only draws 3'4". Our ramp is nice and steep and deep.
oday s are good trailer boats
my o-day 25 we stay over the weekend its draft is 2'6" - 6' swing keel pricees go from 2500 up google oday 25 to look at some for sail
As stated in my first post, standing headroom is a must, the O'day 25 has 5'6" of headroom and I am 5'11" tall.
Older Catalina 27 or 25 Catalina 27 About the same size as the Pearson 27 with 6' headroom. Draft is 4'. Displacement is about 6000 lb. The 25 is is smaller and has less draft and has 6' 6" headroom in a pop-up companion way. 25 would be trailerable (4500 lbs) easily with a normal truck. The Pearson and Catalina 27 would require extra lifting stuff and a BIGGER truck. DrB
I like the Catalina 27's a lot, and have not been able to poke around in a 25. One thing that shocked me is how BIG a 27' boat is in person, a 25 might work.
Ted Brewer designed Nimble Artic or Kodiak, both are trailerable and the same hull shape, the Kodiak has a bigger pilothouse. 6'7" headroom in the Kodiak PH. Trailerable by a larger size suv, truck. My yawl version runs somewhere around 6000#, 18 hp diesel and a shoal draft keel of 2'4" draft and 1300# of lead in the keel. Lots of windage, points like a barndoor but sails like a banshee on a reach, likes 10-15 kts wind and sails best with a good 10-15 degree heel to minimize pounding into headseas. Sharpie hulled double ender. She is truly a coastal boat with a tabernackle for droping the mast that I wound NOT take offshore. I've been there and done that and REALLY this is not the boat to be stuck in out there but for inshore gunkholing and coastal cruising I think it shines. Robust construction and used the best of materials in the build, solid glass decks, all bronze hardware and through-hulls. It's a kinda boxy trailerable-trawler-motorsailer combination, you either think it's great or hate it - lol. Unfortunately these were expensive builds and Nimble Boat Works went out of business with the untimely death of it's founder. Not sure how many were made but seems few are for sale and those that are for sale are in the 30-40K range used. Mine is in Havre de Grace, Md -- head of the Chesapeake Bay where shoal draft makes a huge difference in cruising grounds. Karlheinz
Don't know anything about the Seafarers but looking at the pics I don't think that it is very strongly built....
sidiag said: You might check out the Grampian 26. (Not that I am biased or anything ) There are usually quite a few for sale in the area of the North American Inland Seas (Grt Lakes to those who do not respect them) Click to expand...
I saw a Macgregor the other day that might fit the bill, not beautiful to look at. Looks like a cabin cruiser with a mast stuck on it, but it sailed well vs our 35' Ericcson and seems to be pretty well thought out, guy had a 90 horse outboard on it and when he was done for the day, he fired it up and ran away at about 20 knots. It's trailerable and seaworthy and if you're sitting in it you don't realize how ugly it is. Lot's of headroom and below deck space, large cockpit. GG.
How 'bout a Flicka?
A Flicka in my price range would likely need more work than the price of the boat.
seafarer Check out the seafarer u liked. At 5200 pounds it's not lightly built and it's only a dollar a pound. Cheaper than hamburger.
Perfect boat The needs you describe are all met by the Chrysler 26 designed by Herreshoff. Most come with a trailer. Google Chrysler Sailing Association for specs. You will also need a boat with a mast raising system. Jim
Sidiad Wrote: "I'll disagree with that though. Mine lives on a trailer. Her 8'4" beam is legal anywhere in the lower 48." I agree to disagree with you - 8' max in the empire state, as well as a few other lower 48s. The MacGregor has allways been under 8' in order to conform with all continental US states and sell in all as well. A little research will show that 8'6" is not country wide and that there are some jurisdictions that have an 8' limit, New York being the most nortorious. Had look at your Grampian 26, then did a google on a few more, not the prettiest boat but they would certainly fit my bill, very practical, seaworthy, & roomy for a trailerable and a great alternative to the MacGregor and other trailierables. Too bad they don't make them anymore, it would be nice to try one out here on the west coast.
What is a ballpark price for a Pearson 27 with trailer?
Along the lines of a Grampian... Just bought an '80 Nash 26 - standing headroom throughout - Not too many for sale. Most owners tend to like theirs. A little less boxy (but not much) than a Grampian. Company was started by a former Grampian guy. Prices start at 5K and go up from there - there's 3 on yachtworld right now. The only downside is the OMC saildrive engine - they don't make it anymore. Tom
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What is a good Trailer Sailboat?
Thread starter ShalomOrchard
Start date Dec 15, 2022
Forums for All Owners
Trailer Sailors
ShalomOrchard
What is a Good Trailer Sailboat? My Criteria? Smaller then 30 ft. Can be ?easily? launched from a trailer on a ramp... Is livable for a week long trip or so. Older / Classic Sailboat that can bought inexpensively Decent Headroom? Can be sailed Single handed. A Cabin with at least a couple decent sized windows, instead of small portholes. I'm considering downsizing from a Pearson 30, to something that can be trailered, not daily or per sail, as it would be on a mooring during the season, or can be trailered elsewhere to sail. Many Thanks, Jim.
Leeward Rail
ShalomOrchard said: Is livable for a week long trip or so. Click to expand
ShalomOrchard said: A Cabin with at least a couple decent sized windows, instead of small portholes Click to expand
ShalomOrchard said: Older / Classic Sailboat that can bought inexpensively Click to expand
Hi, Unfortunately the sailboat you are looking does not exist (as far as I know). Once the boat gets bigger than 22' or so, launching and retrieving becomes very difficult. My first boat was a Catalina 22. A nice, fun, easy to sail boat. I trailer sailed it for one year. Even after lots of practice it took at least one hour to launch and another hour to recover. While that boat was relatively easy to sail and had a small cabin, I would state it was livable for a week. The Catalina 25 can be trailered, but it's a lot of work and very difficult to raise the mast, launch, recover, etc. I have HEARD of someone trailering a Catalina 27, but that seems crazy to me. Good luck, Barry
Will Gilmore
ComPac 23. Comes also in a pilot house version. -Will
"Liveable is totally subjective. Some people think a Catalina 22 is liveable for a week... Others would say nothing under 30ft need apply." Since it is subjective, I would depend on other people's description of the boat.... I could then decide if it met my standards. "On a boat under 30 feet that is unlikely." I swear I've seen I boat like that. I can't recall what it was, but I think It may have been some variety of Pearson. The aft end of the cabin was a bit higher then usual, and had two decent sized windows with a dinette on one side and the galley on the other. "Define inexpensive.. That term is also subjective. What price range ?" Let's say an older boat under $10,000. I bought my P30 for $4k. If I can only find a suitable boat for more money, I'll have to figure something out. "What are you using for trailering ? SUV ? 1 ton pickup ?" I doubt that will be an issue. I expect other factors will be a problem before the tow vehicle becomes a problem. As of now, I have a E450SD Shuttlebus to pull my P30. But I just use it to pull it from the boatyard to home and vice versa once a year. "Seawards are nice" I looked at them, they seemed quite nice, but I imagine very expensive. Thanks for responding!
Hayden Watson
By two previous boats were both trailer-sailed and over 25'. My first was a Clipper Marine 26 swing keel and the second was a Catalina C25 swing keel. I could step the mast on both with one helper. They had a tabernacle mast base that allowed the mast to rotate at the base. I carried the mast on deck with the head towards the stern. I would rig a gin-pole that held the jib halyard up about 8' above the deck to the tabernacle mast base with lateral support lines. Raising the mast was a matter of walking the mast back to connect the base, attaching the aft lower, uppers and aftstay than cranking on the jib halyard to raise the mast. It took about an hour to rig and launch. Of the two, the Clipper was lighter and easier to to tow. The Catalina was more comfortable.
"ComPac 23. Comes also in a pilot house version." VERY Interesting. How does the "hideaway" galley work?
9 Best Trailerable Sailboats | Life of Sailing
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Will Gilmore said: ComPac 23. Comes also in a pilot house version. Click to expand
I’ve owned two macgregor 21 sailboats, A McGregor 22, Coronado 23, Coronado 25, a Balboa 26, A Rhodes 22, and a Hunter 26. of those boats the roads 22 and the hunter 26 are the only two that I would consider comfortable to stay on for a week or more that are also easy to launch and easy to retrieve. The Balboa 26 is a very spacious boat but it is a beast to launch. The Coronado 25 is not trailerable
Crazy Dave Condon
@rgranger Sent the poster a pm if he wants to talk with a former dealer
ShalomOrchard said: "Seawards are nice" I looked at them, they seemed quite nice, but I imagine very expensive. Click to expand
Used sailboats, sailboats for sale
“Man is that pilothouse version ugly !” oh come on, it’s not THAT Bad…. For my taste they could have raised the cabintop half as high and cut the window in almost to the deck. Just as big a window, half as high.
Leeward Rail said: Man is that pilothouse version ugly !...Looks like someone glued a shed on a boat... Click to expand
2024 Com-Pac Pilothouse Cruiser for sale - YachtWorld
ShalomOrchard said: For my taste they could have raised the cabintop half as high and cut the window in almost to the deck. Click to expand
SailingLoto
I like my c25. Trailerable with a half to truck. 2 people can step the mast relatively easily. It's reasonably roomy. I trailer mine like you stated. It's slipped spring-fall and trailers out in the winter. This year it has stayed in the water this far, but due to working on it through most of the summer, it's only been in the water since August.
I think that it would be hard to beat a Hunter 260 or a 26. I settled on a Hunter 240 but she is a little small for a week on the water unless you are by yourself. She is easy to pull though, even with my six cylinder Mountaineer. Also I don't know of any boats with an easier mast raising system.
One thing that I've noticed during my searching is that not all manufacturers put adequate thought/provisioning towards mast raising on a trailer sailor. My current Hunter 23.5 actually has a fairly elegant and simple solution. I've seen a few others that were not as well thought out. As for headroom, that's gonna be difficult. Not impossible, but add week long + 6' headroom + easily launchable and you are very quickly going to exceed $10K budget. There is a couple at my marina that have a Seaward 26 that would fit the bill, but you won't find one of those anywhere close to $10K. Any Mac26 (M or X) that I've found is minimum $13K, and most are over $20K if well equipped. One thing you didn't mention is how many people you plan to have aboard for that week long trip? I would have loved to find a Hunter 26 or 260, as they have a fair amount more room below. But, I bought my 23.5 for less than half of what I could find for ANY 260, and it was almost local. Anything else was at least 18hrs of drive time away. One thing I would suggest in your search is to plan on spending a LOT of time aboard potential boats, and take notes of what you like and don't like. We found that very useful. No boat has everything we would want, but the 23.5 does check most of the boxes for us.
"One thing that I've noticed during my searching is that not all manufacturers put adequate thought/provisioning towards mast raising on a trailer sailor. My current Hunter 23.5 actually has a fairly elegant and simple solution. I've seen a few others that were not as well thought out." Good to Know "As for headroom, that's gonna be difficult. Not impossible, but add week long + 6' headroom + easily launchable and you are very quickly going to exceed $10K budget. There is a couple at my marina that have a Seaward 26 that would fit the bill, but you won't find one of those anywhere close to $10K. Any Mac26 (M or X) that I've found is minimum $13K, and most are over $20K if well equipped." Yeah, headroom is actually a little lower on the priority then price, trailer ability, and ramp launch, self mast raising. I have a Pearson 30, but I'm trying to downsize to something trailerable. Also high on my priorities is having a couple decent sized ports to be able to sit and look out, instead of feeling like you're in a hole. "One thing you didn't mention is how many people you plan to have aboard for that week long trip?" Well, conceivably it would be just me most of the time. I hope to convince my wife to come along some of the time. Her mobility is limited, so she can't be counted as crew. The biggest problem is the border collie and Australian Shepherd she will want to bring along. "I would have loved to find a Hunter 26 or 260, as they have a fair amount more room below. But, I bought my 23.5 for less than half of what I could find for ANY 260, and it was almost local. Anything else was at least 18hrs of drive time away." "One thing I would suggest in your search is to plan on spending a LOT of time aboard potential boats, and take notes of what you like and don't like. We found that very useful. No boat has everything we would want, but the 23.5 does check most of the boxes for us." Yes, I will be spending at least a year looking until I find something to replace the Pearson 30 with. It's very hard to sail by myself, and expensive to have a yard step the mast, launch, and then lower the mast and pull out each year. Plus a mooring. Thankfully I have a trailer, so I don't have to pay them to store it.
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10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet)
Compact, easy to trailer, simple to rig, easy to maintain and manage, and affordable, the best small boats all have one thing in common: they offer loads of fun while out there on the water.
So whether you're on a budget or just looking for something that can offer ultimate daytime rides without compromising on safety, aesthetic sensibilities, alternate propulsion, and speed, the best small sailboats under 20 feet should be the only way to go.
Let's be brutally honest here; not everyone needs a 30-foot sailboat to go sailing. They come with lots of features such as electronics, entertainment, refrigeration, bunks, a galley, and even a head. But do you really need all these features to go sailing? We don't think so.
All you need to go sailing is a hull, a mast, rudder, and, of course, a sail. And whether you refer to them as daysailers, trailerable sailboats , a weekender sailboat, or pocket cruisers, there's no better way to enjoy the thrills of coastal sailing than on small sailboats.
There are a wide range of small boats measuring less than 20 feet available in the market. These are hot products in the market given that they offer immense thrills out on the sea without the commitment required to cruise on a 30-footer. A small sailboat will not only give you the feel of every breeze but will also give you the chance to instantly sense every change in trim.
In this article, we'll highlight 10 best small sailboats under 20 feet . Most models in this list are time-tested, easy to rig, simple to sail, extremely fun, and perfect either for solo sailing or for sailing with friends and family. So if you've been looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats , you've come to the right place.
So without further ado, let's roll on.
Table of contents
{{boat-info="/boats/hunter-15"}}
The Marlow-Hunter 15 is not only easy to own since it's one of the most affordable small sailboats but also lots of fun to sail. This is a safe and versatile sailboat for everyone. Whether you're sailing with your family or as a greenhorn, you'll love the Hunter 15 thanks to its raised boom, high freeboard, and sturdy FRP construction.
With high sides, a comfortable wide beam, a contoured self-bailing cockpit, and fiberglass construction, the Hunter 15 is certainly designed with the novice sailor in mind. This is why you can do a lot with this boat without falling out, breaking it, or capsizing. Its contoured self-baiting cockpit will enable you to find a fast exit while its wide beam will keep it steady and stable no matter what jibes or weight shifts happen along the way.
This is a small sailboat that can hold up to four people. It's designed to give you a confident feeling and peace of mind even when sailing with kids. It's easy to trailer, easy to rig, and easy to launch. With a price tag of about $10k, the Hunter 15 is a fun, affordable, and versatile boat that is perfect for both seasoned sailors and novices. It's a low-maintenance sailboat that can be great for teaching kids a thing or two about sailing.
Catalina 16.5
{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-16-5"}}
Catalina Yachts are synonymous with bigger boats but they have some great and smaller boats too such as Catalina 16.5. This is one of the best small sailboats that are ideal for family outings given that it has a big and roomy cockpit, as well as a large storage locker. Designed with a hand-laminated fiberglass sloop, the Catalina 16.5 is versatile and is available in two designs: the centerboard model and the keel model.
The centerboard model is designed with a powerful sailplane that remains balanced as a result of the fiberglass centerboard, the stable hull form, and the rudder. It also comes with a tiller extension, adjustable hiking straps, and adjustable overhaul. It's important to note that these are standard equipment in the two models.
As far as the keel model is concerned, this is designed with a high aspect keel as the cast lead and is attached with stainless steel keel bolts, which makes this model perfect for mooring or docking whenever it's not in use. In essence, the centerboard model is perfect if you'll store it in a trailer while the keel model can remain at the dock.
All in all, the Catalina 16.5 is one of the best small sailboats that you can get your hands on for as low as $10,000. This is certainly a great example of exactly what a daysailer should be.
{{boat-info="/boats/hobie-16"}}
There's no list of small, trailerable, and fun sailboats that can be complete without the inclusion of the classic Hobie 16. This is a durable design that has been around and diligently graced various waters across the globe since its debut way back in 1969 in Southern California. In addition to being durable, the Hobie 16 is trailerable, great for speed, weighs only 320 pounds, great for four people, and more importantly, offers absolute fun.
With a remarkable figure of over 100,000 launched since its debut, it's easy to see that the Hobie 16 is highly popular. Part of this popularity comes from its asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam sandwiched hulls that include kick-up rudders. This is a great feature that allows it to sail up to the beach.
For about $12,000, the Hobie 16 will provide you with endless fun throughout the summer. It's equipped with a spinnaker, trailer, and douse kit. This is a high-speed sailboat that has a large trampoline to offer lots of space not just for your feet but also to hand off the double trapezes.
Montgomery 17
{{boat-info="/boats/montgomery-17"}}
Popularly known as the M-17, The Montgomery 17 was designed by Lyle C. Hess in conjunction with Jerry Montgomery in Ontario, California for Montgomery Boats. Designed either with keel or centerboard models, the M-17 is more stable than most boats of her size. This boat is small enough to be trailered but also capable of doing moderate offshore passages.
This small sailboat is designed with a masthead and toe rail that can fit most foresails. It also has enough space for two thanks to its cuddly cabin, which offers a sitting headroom, a portable toilet, a pair of bunks, a DC power, and optional shore, and a proper amount of storage. That's not all; you can easily raise the deck-stepped mast using a four-part tackle.
In terms of performance, the M-17 is one of the giant-killers out there. This is a small sailboat that will excel in the extremes and make its way past larger boats such as the Catalina 22. It glides along beautifully and is a dog in light air, though it won't sail against a 25-knot wind, which can be frustrating. Other than that, the Montgomery 17 is a great small sailboat that can be yours for about $14,000.
Norseboat 17.5
{{boat-info="/boats/norseboat-17-5"}}
As a versatile daysailer, Norseboat 17.5 follows a simple concept of seaworthiness and high-performance. This small sailboat perfectly combines both contemporary construction and traditional aesthetics. Imagine a sailboat that calls itself the "Swiss Army Knife of Boats!" Well, this is a boat that can sail and row equally well.
Whether you're stepping down from a larger cruiser or stepping up from a sea kayak, the unique Norseboat 17.5 is balanced, attractive, and salty. It has curvaceous wishbone gaff, it is saucy, and has a stubby bow-sprit that makes it attractive to the eyes. In addition to her beauty, the Norseboat 17.5 offers an energy-pinching challenge, is self-sufficient, and offers more than what you're used to.
This is a small, lightweight, low-maintenance sailboat that offers a ticket to both sailing and rowing adventures all at the same time. At about 400 pounds, it's very portable and highly convenient. Its mainsails may look small but you'll be surprised at how the boat is responsive to it. With a $12,500 price tag, this is a good small sailboat that offers you the versatility to either row or sail.
{{boat-info="/boats/sage-marine-sage-17"}}
If you've been looking for a pocket cruiser that inspires confidence, especially in shoal water, look no further than the Sage 17. Designed by Jerry Montgomery in 2009, the Sage 17 is stable and should heel to 10 degrees while stiffening up. And because you want to feel secure while sailing, stability is an integral feature of the Sage 17.
This is a sailboat that will remain solid and stable no matter which part of the boat you stand on. Its cabin roof and the balsa-cored carbon-fiber deck are so strong that the mast doesn't require any form of compression post. The self-draining cockpit is long enough and capable of sleeping at 6 feet 6 inches.
The Sage 17 may be expensive at $25k but is a true sea warrior that's worth look at. This is a boat that will not only serve you right but will also turn heads at the marina.
{{boat-info="/boats/laserperformance-laser-sb3"}}
Having been chosen as the overall boat of the year for 2008 by the Sailing World Magazine, the Laser SB3 is one of the coolest boats you'll ever encounter. When sailing upwind, this boat will lock into the groove while its absolute simplicity is legendary. In terms of downwind sailing, having this boat will be a dream come true while it remains incredibly stable even at extraordinary speed.
Since its debut in 2004, the Laser SB3 has surged in terms of popularity thanks to the fact that it's designed to put all the controls at your fingertips. In addition to a lightweight mast, its T- bulb keel can be hauled and launched painlessly. For about $18,000, the Laser SB3 ushers you into the world of sports sailing and what it feels to own and use a sports boat.
{{boat-info="/boats/fareast-18"}}
As a manufacturer, Fareast is a Chinese boat manufacturer that has been around for less than two decades. But even with that, the Fareast 18 remains a very capable cruiser-racer that will take your sailing to the next level. In addition to its good looks, this boat comes with a retractable keel with ballast bulb, a powerful rig, and an enclosed cabin.
Its narrow design with a closed stern may be rare in sailboats of this size, but that's not a problem for the Fareast 18. This design not only emphasizes speed but also makes it a lot easier to maintain this boat. Perfect for about 6 people, this boat punches above its weight. It's, however, designed to be rigged and launched by one person.
This is a relatively affordable boat. It's agile, safe, well-thought-out, well built, and very sporty.
{{boat-info="/boats/chuck-paine-paine-14"}}
If you're in the market looking for a small sailboat that offers contemporary performance with classic beauty, the Paine 14 should be your ideal option. Named after its famous designer, Chuck Paine, this boat is intentionally designed after the classic Herreshoff 12.5 both in terms of dimensions and features.
This is a lightweight design that brings forth modern fin keel and spade rudder, which makes it agile, stable, and faster. The Paine 14 is built using cold-molded wood or west epoxy. It has varnished gunnels and transoms to give it an old-time charm. To make it somehow modern, this boat is designed with a carbon mast and a modern way to attach sails so that it's ready to sail in minutes.
You can rest easy knowing that the Paine 14 will not only serve you well but will turn heads while out there.
{{boat-info="/boats/wd-schock-lido-14"}}
Many sailors will attest that their first sailing outing was in a Lido 14. This is a classic sailboat that has been around for over four decades and still proves to be a perfect match to modern small boats, especially for those still learning the ropes of sailing.
With seating for six people, the Lido 14 can be perfect for solo sailing , single-handed sailing, or if you're planning for shorthanded sailing. While new Lido 14 boats are no longer available, go for a functional used Lido 14 and you'll never regret this decision. It will serve you well and your kids will probably fall in love with sailing if Lido 14 becomes their main vessel during weekends or long summer holidays.
Bottom Line
There you have it; these are some of the best small sailboats you can go for. While there are endless small sailboats in the market, the above-described sailboat will serve you right and make you enjoy the wind.
Choose the perfect sailboat, invest in it, and go out there and have some good fun!
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Daniel Wade
I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.
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7 Trailerable Sailboats That Have Standing Headroom
Westerly Pageant. Built by Westerly Marine in the 1970s, the Pageant is a 23' bilge keeled cruiser with full standing headroom in the saloon. At 4,300 pounds, it's heavy for its size and is known more for comfort than speed. The bilge keels may make getting onto a trailer interesting and require modifications to accommodate its under water layout.
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Some examples of small sailboats with standing headroom include the Catalina 25, Grampian 26, and the Beneteau First 27. Keep in mind that some of these might be older boats and are considered trailerable sailboats. Not all small trailerable sailboat brands will have great headroom. Based on previous experience, there are plenty of family ...
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The best trailerable sailboats: 1. Catalina 22/25 "Pop-Top" 2. Com-Pac Horizon Cat 3. Marshall Sanderling 4. West Wight Potter 19 5. Seaward 26RK 6. Corsair F-24 Trimaran ... Standing headroom when pop-top extended; Feels much larger than it is; Allows freedom of movement for cooking, changing, etc:
9 Best Trailerable Sailboats
Instead of docking a large boat, you can purchase a small trailerable sailboat. A trailerable sailboat is a perfect option for part-time sailors and people with busy lives. ... Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Popular Posts.
13 Biggest Trailerable Sailboats: Cheap But Good
These vessels provide the perfect balance between portability and performance if you want the flexibility to explore various destinations without the hassle of marina storage fees or dependence on docking facilities. The biggest trailerable sailboats that are cost-effective and good are: MacGregor 26. Catalina 22. Hunter 23.
Best Pocket Cruiser Sailboats, Small Cruising Sailboats
It's a small trailerable sailboat, typically under 30 feet in length, that's ideal for cruising big lakes, bays, coastal ocean waters, and occasionally bluewater cruising. ... the local racing scene. For a modest 27-footer, the Newport 27 has an unusually spacious interrior with over 6 feet of standing headroom. With 4 berths, a table, nav ...
Rhodes 22
Unlike most trailerable sailboats sold today, the Rhodes 22 uses neither a swing keel nor water ballast. Instead, there's a shoal keel with a centerboard built in. With the board up, the boat draws 20″; 48″ with the board down. ... It converts the cockpit to a standing-headroom second cabin with a padded floor, and provides luxurious camp ...
CP 23 Pilothouse, A Trailerable Cruising Sailboat from ...
Com-Pac Yachts / Hutchins Co., Inc. 1195 Kapp Dr., Clearwater, Florida 33765 USA. Call Us: 727-443-4408. E-mail Us: [email protected]. With abundant storage, standing headroom, and excellent light and ventilation, the CP 23 Pilothouse is a great trailerable cruiser.
Trailerable Sailboats Comparison
An additional consideration is weight. A trailerable sailboat should weigh less than around 7,000 pounds, as this is the upper towing limit for most typical Class C vehicles. Most trailerable sailboats can be towed behind a typical half ton pickup or SUV. ... The cabins usually feature a full galley, standing headroom, ahead with a shower, a V ...
Best Small and Trailerable Sailboats
Cruising with a trailerable sailboat means that you can voyage in a small and comfy sailboat with the advantage of saving some serious costs. Having a trailerable sailboat saves you money for storage fees, boatyard haulout, and boat insurance, among others. ... The standing headroom is just over 6ft, there's a V-berth, a head, and a hanging ...
BENETEAU First 27 SE
LIVING ONBOARD. The First 27 SE is the only B category, trailerable 8m boat on the market with a fully functional interior. While it may look minimalistic, her extremely weight-sensitive interior is outfitted with components that also function as part of the boat's structure. She can accommodate up to 6 adults, two in a separate bow cabin and 4 ...
Trailerable Boats with Comfort and Speed
To this end, there's full standing headroom in the saloon and room for six to sleep in comfort, with 15 percent more interior volume aboard the Cruze than the C31, and a larger galley and heads. "I love sailing trimarans (not swimming apartments), so I don't need a grand toilet/bath," says Cruze 970 sailor Andreas Hofmaier.
Catalina 250 Sailboat Review
The Catalina 250 is a flooding-water-ballast trailerable boat. There is no fixed ballast, and for tracking the boat relies on an unweighted centerboard. Righting ... companionway pop top is deployed for full standing headroom below. Forward there is a small V-berth suitable for kids or stowage. Under the mast there is a
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Camping on a Keel
Other than an additional 10 inches and a bit more buoyancy, the 21 and 22 are the same. These Sirius sailboats are fitted with a lifting keel (A few fixed keel 22s were produced before the builder went out of business in 1987), an outboard, a generous cockpit and standing headroom in the cabin under the pop-top.
Smallest Sailboats with Standing Headroom in the Cabin and/or Inboard
Hello, I think that you should be able to find a boat in the 27-28' range that meets your requirements. My first 'big' boat was a Newport 28. That was the smallest boat I liked that had inboard diesel, standing headroom (I'm 5'7" so I don't know if it has 6' headroom everywhere), real marine head with holding tank, pressure hot and cold water, and a decent galley with stove, oven, and icebox.
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Launched in 1985, the speedy Corsair F-27 delivers double-digit boat speeds. Courtesy The Manufacturer. Talk about a boat that was ahead of its time. Any list of good trailerable boats has to include a multihull, and few have reached the overall popularity of the Corsair F-27, the prototype for which was originally launched way back in 1985.
Biggest Trailerable Sailboats
The best and largest trailerable sailboats are the Cal 20, the Catalina 22, the O'Day 240, The Islander 24, the Moore 24, the Cal 25, the Helms 25, the MacGregor 26, and the Nor'Sea 27. ... Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Popular Posts.
Trailerable pocket cruiser with standing headroom...
Older Catalina 27 or 25. Catalina 27 About the same size as the Pearson 27 with 6' headroom. Draft is 4'. Displacement is about 6000 lb. The 25 is is smaller and has less draft and has 6' 6" headroom in a pop-up companion way. 25 would be trailerable (4500 lbs) easily with a normal truck.
The Working Man's Guide to Trailer Sailing
Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Discover the Magic of Hydrofoil Sailboats. Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K. Hunter Sailboats: Are They Built for Bluewater Cruising? ... A trailerable sailboat is in many ways better than a keel boat or a dinghy. You can get a trailer down a boat ramp, it stores for free in your backyard, and it ...
What is a good Trailer Sailboat?
7 Trailerable Sailboats That Have Standing Headroom Trailering your boat is a great way to sail in a lot of different places while keeping your boat budget in control. You can take a smaller boat a long way to launch it somewhere new, and you don't get saddled with a lot of mooring and dockage fees while your boat sits around unused.
10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet)
There's no list of small, trailerable, and fun sailboats that can be complete without the inclusion of the classic Hobie 16. This is a durable design that has been around and diligently graced various waters across the globe since its debut way back in 1969 in Southern California. ... Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Daniel Wade ...
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Westerly Pageant. Built by Westerly Marine in the 1970s, the Pageant is a 23' bilge keeled cruiser with full standing headroom in the saloon. At 4,300 pounds, it's heavy for its size and is known more for comfort than speed. The bilge keels may make getting onto a trailer interesting and require modifications to accommodate its under water layout.
Some examples of small sailboats with standing headroom include the Catalina 25, Grampian 26, and the Beneteau First 27. Keep in mind that some of these might be older boats and are considered trailerable sailboats. Not all small trailerable sailboat brands will have great headroom. Based on previous experience, there are plenty of family ...
The best trailerable sailboats: 1. Catalina 22/25 "Pop-Top" 2. Com-Pac Horizon Cat 3. Marshall Sanderling 4. West Wight Potter 19 5. Seaward 26RK 6. Corsair F-24 Trimaran ... Standing headroom when pop-top extended; Feels much larger than it is; Allows freedom of movement for cooking, changing, etc:
Instead of docking a large boat, you can purchase a small trailerable sailboat. A trailerable sailboat is a perfect option for part-time sailors and people with busy lives. ... Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Popular Posts.
These vessels provide the perfect balance between portability and performance if you want the flexibility to explore various destinations without the hassle of marina storage fees or dependence on docking facilities. The biggest trailerable sailboats that are cost-effective and good are: MacGregor 26. Catalina 22. Hunter 23.
It's a small trailerable sailboat, typically under 30 feet in length, that's ideal for cruising big lakes, bays, coastal ocean waters, and occasionally bluewater cruising. ... the local racing scene. For a modest 27-footer, the Newport 27 has an unusually spacious interrior with over 6 feet of standing headroom. With 4 berths, a table, nav ...
Unlike most trailerable sailboats sold today, the Rhodes 22 uses neither a swing keel nor water ballast. Instead, there's a shoal keel with a centerboard built in. With the board up, the boat draws 20″; 48″ with the board down. ... It converts the cockpit to a standing-headroom second cabin with a padded floor, and provides luxurious camp ...
Com-Pac Yachts / Hutchins Co., Inc. 1195 Kapp Dr., Clearwater, Florida 33765 USA. Call Us: 727-443-4408. E-mail Us: [email protected]. With abundant storage, standing headroom, and excellent light and ventilation, the CP 23 Pilothouse is a great trailerable cruiser.
An additional consideration is weight. A trailerable sailboat should weigh less than around 7,000 pounds, as this is the upper towing limit for most typical Class C vehicles. Most trailerable sailboats can be towed behind a typical half ton pickup or SUV. ... The cabins usually feature a full galley, standing headroom, ahead with a shower, a V ...
Cruising with a trailerable sailboat means that you can voyage in a small and comfy sailboat with the advantage of saving some serious costs. Having a trailerable sailboat saves you money for storage fees, boatyard haulout, and boat insurance, among others. ... The standing headroom is just over 6ft, there's a V-berth, a head, and a hanging ...
LIVING ONBOARD. The First 27 SE is the only B category, trailerable 8m boat on the market with a fully functional interior. While it may look minimalistic, her extremely weight-sensitive interior is outfitted with components that also function as part of the boat's structure. She can accommodate up to 6 adults, two in a separate bow cabin and 4 ...
To this end, there's full standing headroom in the saloon and room for six to sleep in comfort, with 15 percent more interior volume aboard the Cruze than the C31, and a larger galley and heads. "I love sailing trimarans (not swimming apartments), so I don't need a grand toilet/bath," says Cruze 970 sailor Andreas Hofmaier.
The Catalina 250 is a flooding-water-ballast trailerable boat. There is no fixed ballast, and for tracking the boat relies on an unweighted centerboard. Righting ... companionway pop top is deployed for full standing headroom below. Forward there is a small V-berth suitable for kids or stowage. Under the mast there is a
Trailerable sailboats are the perfect solution for weekend or day cruisers. They're easy to store, transport, and set up, which gets you on the water fast. ... Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Popular Posts.
Other than an additional 10 inches and a bit more buoyancy, the 21 and 22 are the same. These Sirius sailboats are fitted with a lifting keel (A few fixed keel 22s were produced before the builder went out of business in 1987), an outboard, a generous cockpit and standing headroom in the cabin under the pop-top.
Hello, I think that you should be able to find a boat in the 27-28' range that meets your requirements. My first 'big' boat was a Newport 28. That was the smallest boat I liked that had inboard diesel, standing headroom (I'm 5'7" so I don't know if it has 6' headroom everywhere), real marine head with holding tank, pressure hot and cold water, and a decent galley with stove, oven, and icebox.
Launched in 1985, the speedy Corsair F-27 delivers double-digit boat speeds. Courtesy The Manufacturer. Talk about a boat that was ahead of its time. Any list of good trailerable boats has to include a multihull, and few have reached the overall popularity of the Corsair F-27, the prototype for which was originally launched way back in 1985.
The best and largest trailerable sailboats are the Cal 20, the Catalina 22, the O'Day 240, The Islander 24, the Moore 24, the Cal 25, the Helms 25, the MacGregor 26, and the Nor'Sea 27. ... Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K. Daniel Wade. December 28, 2023. Popular Posts.
Older Catalina 27 or 25. Catalina 27 About the same size as the Pearson 27 with 6' headroom. Draft is 4'. Displacement is about 6000 lb. The 25 is is smaller and has less draft and has 6' 6" headroom in a pop-up companion way. 25 would be trailerable (4500 lbs) easily with a normal truck.
Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Discover the Magic of Hydrofoil Sailboats. Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K. Hunter Sailboats: Are They Built for Bluewater Cruising? ... A trailerable sailboat is in many ways better than a keel boat or a dinghy. You can get a trailer down a boat ramp, it stores for free in your backyard, and it ...
7 Trailerable Sailboats That Have Standing Headroom Trailering your boat is a great way to sail in a lot of different places while keeping your boat budget in control. You can take a smaller boat a long way to launch it somewhere new, and you don't get saddled with a lot of mooring and dockage fees while your boat sits around unused.
There's no list of small, trailerable, and fun sailboats that can be complete without the inclusion of the classic Hobie 16. This is a durable design that has been around and diligently graced various waters across the globe since its debut way back in 1969 in Southern California. ... Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom. Daniel Wade ...