[jephotog]

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.

To get some more info see
Judy B's West Wight Potter Pages
or
Trailer Sailor Discussion Forum - Message Index
for Trailerable boat info.

 

[jephotog]

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