want a light, towable cruiser

[pilotlarry]

My enquiry is similar to another current thread, but a little more limiting. Sailboats I've owned have been the stay-in-the-water 30+' range, but now I want a trailerable sailboat that can be pulled by my car. The car is a straight shift Audi with all wheel drive, so it wouldn't have any automatic transmission overheat problem, but there's only 240 hp, and of course tongue weight to consider. I'd like a boat to cruise protected waters (Puget Sound, mostly) and want a pocket cruiser sort of interior. It doesn't have to have full stand-up headroom. The Catalina 22 comes to mind, but it may be heavier than practical for towing with my car, and I don't want to buy a different towing vehicle. I'd appreciate comments from anyone with experience towing a boat of this size/wt. with a similar vehicle. Also, any ideas of other boats that might fill the bill? There may be some 18' - 20' designs out there that I'm not aware of. I think a retractable keel most likely for trailer launching considerations, or maybe a bilge keel design. I don't want to have a normal fixed keel because of the high CG for towing, and for launching complications. Price range is around $8,000 max, with motor and trailer. Thanks for all ideas and comments, Larry

[mazzy]

Larry,
Check out the Trailer Sailor BBS at trailersailor dot com . Lot's of activity, lots of info. They were instrumental in my boat choice, even though I don't tow.
Mike

[Lancer28]

I would point you towards a nice lancer 25,26 or 28.

The 25 could be towed by your audi.

[Andyman]

I have an Aquarius 23' I pull it with my Dodge Dakota. I have it on a dual axle trailer. Great little day sailer and weekender plus.

Andy

[bobmcgov]

The obvious answer is the Clark San Juan 21 or 23 -- built for those very waters, quite lightweight, excellent sailors. The SJ21 + trailer is only 2000 lbs. Mark 1 has more cockpit but small cabin; Mark 2 has bigger cabin but smaller cockpit. But don't you go buying mine, darn it!

ETA: Look also into the Ensenada 20 or the Cal 21. Both shallow draft, lightweight boats beloved by most owners.

[bogdog]

We are here sitting out rain waiting for a break in the weather to pull our Santana 23 from the lake for the winter. We pull it with a Jeep with no problems. My guess is your Audi would do fine. The Santana is a water ballast for lighter towing, with a drop down center board for up wind sailing. It has a nice cabin (wide beam) with a pop top (we rarely felt we needed the extra head room).
My wife likes the enclosed head and we have stayed (camped) weekends with good comfort and slept in the V-birth with plenty of room for my 6' 2"s.
It sails very well and fast. With a 30' mast, boom furled main and furled head sail we readily handled 20 to 25 knot winds with puffs well above 35k and loved it. Although we always kept it on a pin in the water it is easy to trailer, rig and sail. It comes with a mast raising system and with the shallow draft hull, with the board is up, it glides up on our trailer like a dream. Too bad your so far away, we have bought a Irwin 30 for next year on L. Michigan and plan on selling (we think) the Santana. I'm sure there are some for sale in your area. It is made by Schock in Calf. and should be in your price range.