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I used to have a little 19' keelboat, which I loved, but which came with the usual dock fees, divers, haul out, etc, but without the real size to do much beyond overnights to the (California Channel) islands. This was fine, as with my job etc, I couldn't do much more than overnights to the islands. Since we parted ways, I've been crewing off and on for friends, and having an ok time of it, but the people I crewed for have all since quit sailing, so I'm looking at getting back into the game. this time however, I don't necessarily want to sail around the world or anything so grandeous, just to be able to take myself and a friend or 2 out to the islands for a weekend.
I've been told that the Potter 14/15 is small enough that even my tiny car could tow it (Scion xb) and that with a retractable keel, it is both self righting and beachable, which sounds almost too good to be true. I know she'll be small, and so really 2 or 3 people is going to be the absolute max, but I think I'm ok with that.
I've just about dug myself out of the debt I acrewed as a younger man, and I'm hoping I'll be able to buy a used boat this winter, and have time to do some freshwater tests and the little repairs and improvements that always come with a "new" boat.
Anyone have any thoughts on this, or another small trailerable boat appropriate for the California Channel Islands?
I used to spend more time at the Trailer Sailor website which is where you will find more information on this type of boat, including owners groups for a number of trailerable boat manufacturers.
My impression, just from reading on the TSBB is the P15 is a great solo boat, and good for a couple who are very efficient. Although I think Larry Brown the author of sailing on a micro budget spend weeks with his family of 4 on the P15. Bu the P19 is a better boat for 2 or more. Another similar boat that is well though of is the Montgomery 17, designed by Lyle Hess, who designs some very salty little boats see Bristol Channel Cutter.
Thanks. The more I look at it, the more it looks like I'm going to need to get myself a new car, so I can tow a bigger boat. I love my little (30mpg) toaster, but if I want to be a trailer sailor, it's either 2 cars (can't afford the maintenance, insurance etc on 2) or or just upgrading to, perhaps an fj cruiser or something like it.
There is a boat called the SIREN which would be ideal for you. It weighs about 700 lbs total, so you could easily pull it with your car, the tongue weight is negligible. It has a huge cockpit that is really comfortable for four adults and a cuddy that you could overnight in if you wanted to. Check out the owner's site and you can see some amazing mods that owners have done.
I must have said something really smart with this last comment, because my rep power went from 0 to 8 in one posting.
I am in a similar situation with not enough vehicle for what I want to tow. I have a Ford Explorer that can tow 5000 lbs but want a 25 footer, weighing in at 8000 with trailer.
Between my fiance and I we have 3 vehicles and the extra cost per year is minimal maybe $400/year in insurance and that is because all 3 get driven regularly. If you buy an old truck that is only used for the boat it might be very cheap to insure. Since I work long hours and do my own maintenance having an extra car around when it takes a week or so to get the broken one running I feel it is worth the hassle. 2 cars get 30+ mpg and the Explorer gets 16. I am trouble rationalizing another vehicle though.
Not sure where you are in Socal but when I learned to sail in college I joined a sailing club in Oxnard that had a monthly minimum fee maybe $45. You could sail the 22' free during the week. I rearranged my schedule to sail 2-3 days a week for free, and got my buddies to pitch in and rent a bigger boat once a month. I am not sure if this club is still around but it seems like a too good to be true setup nowadays.
Another option is to find a marina with dry storage, nearby a ramp. I have heard stories of a system where you could dry store your boat for $100/mos. Keep the boat with the mast up and lock away anything valuable down below. Dragging a boat that is slightly heavy across the parking lot and launching it won't take much of a toll on your car. Plus the ease of getting your boat in the water in a short time would make the storage fees worth it in extra sailing each year. Just make sure you find a cruising buddy with a bigger car for road trips
The only club I knew of that was doing that was Offshore Islands (which I was, for a short time, a member of) I have some friends who were jeep fanatics, and so I'm tempted to get an older Cherokee, but the first thing I'm doing is meeting up with the "SoCal Potters" and going to try to bum a ride on a day sail with one of them to check out the boats. If a potter 15 seems like it'll fit the bill, then I might be good just where I'm at.
Thanks for all the advice, from everyone
I'll update in a month or two after I get a chance to check out the Potters.
-- James
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