Trailerable Cruiser

[Sailorgirl346]

We are just starting to look for a sailboat (25-28') that we can trailer, cruise on for a week or two, and cross back and forth to the Bahamas (we live in FL) during good weather and do weekends on her. I've been looking at Catalina 25 & Bayfield 25s on the internet. We are thinking in the price range of 15,000.

We are both somewhat experienced sailors. We did some off shore & ICW of the East Coast and went to the Bahamas from Key Biscayne to Norman's Cay and back.

I am really open to any suggestions or ideas!

[JohnRPollard]

Another make to consider is the Hake/Seaward line. Many have lifting keels and shoal draft.

Here's an example: Seaward 23

They have other models going up in size and price.

Another little boat I like is the Beneteau First 235. It might be a bit smaller than what you're looking for, though. But when folks mention "trailerable", I always try to keep the suggestions as modest as possible in size.

[lbdavis]

Another option could be a Compac23.

[kwaltersmi]

Check out the Nimble 26. She's a small pilothouse (almost trawler-like) sailboat that's easily trailerable and liveable for a couple.

[BlueWaterMD]

Owning a ComPac 23, I am very biased. It is a great little boat, but it may be a little small for what you plan on doing. I spent a week on mine by myself, and by the end of the week it was getting very small. My fiancee and I overnight on it, and for that it is perfect. It is a wonderful little boat for daysailing, and weekends in relatively protected waters. I don't think I would want to go for an extended cruise on it. It will take some weather, but I don't think I would want to get into anything too nasty. So far we have had her out in winds to 25 knots and she did just fine, but doesn't like the chop too much. For crossing to the bahamas, I would definitely want something a bit bigger (27+).

What kind of vehicle do you have? What is its towing capacity? Also do you plan on keeping it in the water and towing it occasionally, or will you be keeping it on a trailer? There is a big difference between a trailer sailer and a boat that you will only occasionally trailer. If you have a big enough truck, the Cat 27 would be a great boat as long as you plan on keeping it in the water. I wouldn't want to have to set it up each time I went sailing. Also there are a number of them within your price range.

[Selkirk]

Cape Dory 25D. Do not confuse the 25D with the 25.

The 25 D's lines are shown in my avatar.

She is trailerable only in the sense that she is 8 1/2 feet wide. It would not be a good choice for someone who wants to take her out to the water for a couple of days and then take her back home.

The attraction to me is that she is transportable, has standing headroom (5'11") and does not have a V berth. I don't like V berths.

[danoswede]

I have a simmilar dream but less expirience and a smaller budget. I was thinking a cape dory 25, morgan 25, bristol 24, and of course a contessa 26 [probably out of my price range or hard to find]. any opinions?

[BeneteauMark]

I've got a Beneteau 235, and she's a wonderful boat. These things are built like tanks. The downside is that, while trailerable, I wouldn't call them trailer sailers. Getting the hull lined up on my trailer takes a boat hoist because of the wing keel. Also, raising the mast without a gin pole or crane is a challenge, though various people have their solutions on Beneteau First 235 - A pocket racer with cruising aspirations! beneteau235.com.

The Seaward 25 with a shoal keel goes off and on a trailer quite easily. A friend of mine has one, and launches and recovers from boat ramps. Also, walking the mast up isn't particularly difficult. Can be done with two, but three is easier.

Hope this helps.
Mark

[mazzy]

Another vote for the Seaward 25. Mast handling is easy. Cabin is fine for 2, though headroom is < 5'9". Comes with a real head and a 2-burner galley. Factory is in Stuart, FL. They made a shoal draft version, which I have, as well as some pre-89 centerboard ones.
Great community on the Trailersailor BBS

[sailingdog]

Just curious, what do you mean by trailerable. There are a lot of boats in the 25-28' range that can be stored and transported on a trailer, but can not be launched from the trailer without using a crane or travellift. Those boats are not "trailerable" IMHO.

The Cape Dory 25D is a great boat, and more than capable of making such a journey as you're requesting, but it isn't a trailerable boat IMHO.

Some of the truly trailerable boats, like the Compacs and smaller Catalinas/Hunters aren't really all that suitable for crossing to the Bahamas IMHO, without a really good weather window. Some aren't even qualified for that.