9 Best Trailerable Sailboats
9 Best Trailerable Sailboats Are you a sailing aficionado wanting to hit the water without the burden of ongoing docking fees? Or maybe you’re a mariner eager to navigate coastal waters effortlessly? Dive into the realm of trailerable sailboats, where exploration meets practicality! This guide will present nine outstanding trailerable sailboats, each with distinctive features and advantages tailored to your sailing preferences.
We’ll examine our top selections for trailerable vessels, ranging from compact models ideal for weekend escapes to larger options designed for extended adventures. Additionally, we’ll share essential characteristics, useful advice, and real-life examples to assist you in making an informed choice. Let’s embark on this journey!
West Wight Potter 15: The Compact Cruiser
The West Wight Potter 15 is a nimble yet sturdy 15-foot sailboat that delivers impressive performance despite its size. Renowned for its manageability and solid construction, it’s perfect for various cruising escapades.
Key Features:
This sloop is equipped with an aluminum mast and tiller, plus a cozy cabin that sleeps two comfortably. Its minimalist design appeals to those who value functionality.
Seaworthiness:
Don’t underestimate its small stature; the West Wight Potter 15 boasts an impressive cruising history, including a voyage from England to Sweden across the North Atlantic. Its trailer-friendly design allows for easy storage in most garages—making it ideal for both inland and coastal adventures.
West Wight Potter 19: The Bigger Sibling
The West Wight Potter 19 expands on the features of its smaller counterpart by providing enhanced comfort and improved cabin space. This fiberglass vessel measures 19 feet and includes significant positive flotation, rendering it nearly unsinkable.
Cabin Comfort:
Inside, you’ll find accommodations that include a vee-berth, small stove, sink, and even an option for electrical wiring—ideal for longer excursions.
Proven Toughness:
With notable voyages such as one solo trip from California to Hawaii under its belt, the Potter 19 showcases remarkable seaworthiness. It’s well-suited for larger lakes as well as coastal cruising.
Newport 27: The Comfortable Cruiser
The Newport 27 represents a substantial upgrade at 27 feet long with a flush-deck design that emerged in 1971. It offers generous space and standing headroom—perfectly suited for longer journeys.
Handling and Accommodations:
Despite its size advantage, this boat handles surprisingly well while providing full standing headroom of six feet within the cabin—ensuring comfort during extended trips.
Proven Design:
As an iconic pocket cruiser ideal for those dreaming of extensive voyages but frequently navigating local ports, this classic model remains accessible through a vibrant second-hand market since it’s no longer manufactured.
Cape Dory 28: A Traditionalist’s Delight
Created by designer Carl Alberg, the Cape Dory 28 is celebrated for its spacious living quarters combined with balanced performance characteristics. With traditional aesthetics featuring varnished teak and brass accents over its length of 28 feet—it appeals greatly to traditional sailors.
Versatility:
This vessel performs admirably in both offshore environments as well as inland waters while being manageable in tight coastal zones despite having a draft of four feet which limits shoal capabilities.
Long-Haul Ready:
Equipped with features suitable for prolonged journeys—the Cape Dory thrives equally whether docked or moored permanently thanks to reliable rigging adaptable across different conditions.
Islander 24: The Classic Pick
The Islander 24 is made from fiberglass—a time-tested classic serving weekenders and cruisers alike over four decades now. This robustly designed boat spans over twenty-four feet making it popular among those who prefer trailer sailing due to ease of maintenance.
Cabin Features:
It provides ample room accommodating two or more individuals complete with forward vee berth space along with facilities such as tables designated either stove use or navigation activities—all while being simple enough even when single-handedly operated during stowage processes.
Commonality:
Easily found on pre-owned markets—the Islander continues being regarded favorably among sailors looking into both inland explorations alongside coastlines alike!
Contessa 26: A Cult Favorite
Renowned since its debut in ’65—the Contessa26 has built quite the reputation owing largely towards reliability accompanied by ease-of-handling traits establishing itself firmly within avid sailor circles seeking out modestly sized yet capable vessels!
Spacious Cabin:
It boasts generous cockpit areas alongside numerous possible upgrades catering specifically towards cruising purposes whilst resembling rigs typically associated only larger boats thus enhancing overall appeal amongst experienced seafarers!
Hard-to-Find:
With just around three hundred units produced—discovering one available within used markets can prove challenging but certainly worthwhile investment aimed at minimalistic cruising experiences!
Hunter27: The Modern Marvel
A contemporary marvel—the Hunter27 combines durability alongside superb handling capabilities ensuring popular choice amongst modern-day sailors seeking adventure effortlessly.
Livable Accommodations:
Its interior includes fully-equipped galley spaces along heads plus showers ensuring comfortable living arrangements throughout extended trips boasting over six-feet standing heights granting plenty roominess!
Durable Design:
Built tough featuring solid rig constructions coupled shoal drafts below four-feet allowing navigational prowess across varying conditions whether purchased new or utilized previously remains highly sought-after amongst enthusiasts keen on trailering their vessels!
Cal20: Speedy Underdog
Dating back into sixties/seventies era—the Cal20 stands out among racers offering big-boat handling encapsulated compact forms recognized primarily speed/safety attributes catering particularly well inland passages/coastal jaunts alike.
Cozy Cabin:
Though minimalist accommodations exist—it contains sitting headroom provisions coupled berths/tables designated stove/sink usage ensuring entry-level experience without compromising quality voyages undertaken previously!
Enormous Cockpit:
Large cockpit area suits day-trips perfectly shared friends/family providing fun reliable.
Also Read : Which Sailboats Hold Their Value?