Potter 19?

Reddirt · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009

My wife and I are looking for a trailerable sailboat. It will be our first. We live in southern Utah. The lakes are small - except for Powell. We want to find a small boat, but one we can camp in (sleep 2 to 4).

So, we are thinking that the Potter 19 would fill the bill.

What would you recommend?

Thanks,
Reddirt

Jim H · #2 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009

I've been on the Potter 15 and 19. The 19 seems quite a bit larger, but still light. The 15 looks like it would be very easy to trailer around (the 19, a bit more of a challenge, just because of size).

Spars and rigging are also light, but should be fine for your uses. There are very good Potter web sites that might be able to answer your questions in greater detail. One example:

The Official Web Site of the Potter Yachters

There may also be a local potters group in your area.

tager · #3 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009

I am a fan of those boats, but let me suggest a wayfarer dinghy. Cruised by Frank Dye and Lee Hughes. By all reports they are fine boats, and would be a sight more exciting to daysail/cruise than a potter.

casioqv · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009

A Catalina 22 is a lot cheaper and easier to find that an Potter 19, and is a very good boat!

I say go for whatever you can find locally for a good price on Craigslist (for me it was a C22 for $800 only 3 miles from my house) and don't be set on a specific model. Instead develop a criteria of features, price, and quality and buy anything that meets it.

Used Potter 19s are nearly impossible to find.

ArcherBowman · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009

Ah, but when you CAN find one, they're delightful. I've got about 20 hours on mine so far, and I'm very happy with it. Not fast, but moves in light air, and very, very stable.

MarkCK · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009

The Potter and the C22 are both good choices if interior room is your primary concern. Two people should be able to camp cruise on either. Four people would be pretty cramped but doable if personal space isnt that big of an agenda.

The Catalina will be easier to find but there are plenty of Potters out there also. Neither boat is built with racing in mind but I suspect that the Catalina is a much faster boat.

COOL · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009

There are many older designs
that would perform much better
under sail, and can be acquired
for little investment.
As mentioned a swing keel Cat 22 is
a good little boat, and quite a bit
larger than the WWP 19.
A Cal 21, Santana 21, San Juan 21
or a Venture 21, would all be worth
some consideration.