Trailerable pocket cruiser with standing headroom...

eMKay · #1 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007

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.

wabisabi · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007

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...

wabisabi · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007

Oh, yeah... forgot to mention, 6ft headroom

eMKay · #4 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007

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.

Trekka · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007

Look for a Westerly Pageant. 23ft LOA, 8ft beam, twin keels with apx 2.8ft draft, very sturdy construction, about 4300lbs and 6ft of headroom.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007

many of the smaller westerly designs would fit the bill...but aren't particularly trailerable imho.

Trekka · #7 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

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.)

eMKay · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007

I think I have found an ideal type of boat, it's a pearson 27, this is what I had in mind. A boat that can be trailered, has a shower, and a huge open and airy interior. But how would this boat handle a cruise from Florida to the Bahamas? (may be only ever done once or twice) Or a cruise across lake Ontario? (this would be done once a year). Only problem is it's a recent design and still very expensive. Are there any older boats with a similar design?

I love the interior but it seems lightly built. But perhaps I have to get a lightly built boat for now if I want to trailer it and forget ocean cruising. I'm not at the stage in my life where I want a boat that is not transportable, maybe when I retire I'll be ready for a REAL yacht.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007

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.

davideureka · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007

oday s are good trailer boats