Now tell me about 15' - 17' boats...

[arbarnhart]

I started the other thread about longer boats, but then getting out to see a 17' (one of the biggest there is) made it obvious that it must be a small 17' or it must be shorter. So now I want to hear about AMF Sunbirds, WWP 15s, etc. I think a Venture 17 or Siren 17 may still work; they are light and skinny so their tongues should not be too long and they can slant across a space a little. Bring it on...

[sailingdog]

Compac makes a 16' 6" boat that might be of interest to you.

[CapnHand]

Your choices for boats of this size with a cabin become limited. There is a Mistral 16 cabin version. The West Wight Potter comes in a 15. There were the DS-16 and the Scirocco 16 made in Ontario.

As far as other options, this website has a pretty complete listing of midget cuisers that you can go through http://www.shortypen.com/boats/pocket/

With all of these boats, both the cockpit and the cabin become small. The cabin is ok for one, cramped for two. Having more than 2 adults in the cockpit is going to be cramped. You might be better off with an open boat. At least that way there is room for 3 or 4 people.

[JohnRPollard]

Since you mentioned the WWPs, you should also look at the Montgomery 15 and 17. A friend had one and he speaks very highly of it, although he has a strong preference for the earlier boats that were built before the company was sold to the Nor'Sea guy.

[arbarnhart]

Originally Posted by CapnHand

With all of these boats, both the cockpit and the cabin become small. The cabin is ok for one, cramped for two. Having more than 2 adults in the cockpit is going to be cramped. You might be better off with an open boat. At least that way there is room for 3 or 4 people.

I am starting to see that as being more realistic. I am trying to get a compromise that really isn't there when you go too small. The Potters and Montys have tiny cockpits and that may be too big a price to pay for the luxury of a place to have a camping toilet and a tiny berth. The other choice I need to look hard at is the DaySailor and Sunbird design where the "cabin" is really just storage but might have room for a tired kid to lay on a cushion and the camping toilet may require stopping and popping up a kids' hoop tent for limited privacy. Camping done ashore or with a boom tent. I hate being realistic.

[arbarnhart]

Anyone familar with the Newports? They have a 17' and 16' and they seem to show up from time to time. I am inquiring about a 17' that is near where I will be this weekend, but don't have high hopes (old ad). There is a 16 about 3 hours away.

[Sapperwhite]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Compac makes a 16' 6" boat that might be of interest to you.

I'll second the Compac boats. There is a Compac 16 in my boatyard, and every now and then I stop and take a long look at her. Its a very pretty boat. The 16' is called a Legacy, and there are also the Picnic Cat and Suncat boats.

http://www.com-pacyachts.com/

[txmatt]

Originally Posted by Sapperwhite

I'll second the Compac boats. There is a Compac 16 in my boatyard, and every now and then I stop and take a long look at her. Its a very pretty boat. The 16' is called a Legacy, and there are also the Picnic Cat and Suncat boats.

http://www.com-pacyachts.com/

I'll third that. Here's a video of a Compac 16 sailing on Lake LBJ. If I had to go small (and a Victoria 18 wasn't small enough) it would be at the top of my list.

Good luck

[arbarnhart]

Older Compac 16s do fall down into my range sometimes, but I would definitely be looking at a removeable/foldable trailer tongue. That shoal keel requires you to stick the trailer deep in the water. Of all the boats I have seen in this size range, it is probably the one I would most like to be in if I got caught out in some rough stuff.

[arbarnhart]

My running monologue continues...

What's an A-16? May have a line on one. Was described as "more of a day sailor with a cabin than a cruiser".