Hi
I've been threatening to buy a trailer sailer for years now and I finally feel like it's actually time.
I have no sailing experience other than a 2-week sailing trip I did with a mate many years back and have always romanticised about getting my own boat.
I don't really want to spend more than $10k.
I live on the central coast and would love to spend the weekends sailing around the Hawkesbury over the weekend and staying overnight.
I'm married with 1 kid (4yr) the wife is keen to get involved.
Is it possible to do what I want with family for that price? I have seen plenty for under $10k with little sleeping area and kitchen. The problem is I have no idea what I'm looking at.
I'd most likely get the boat surveyed before I purchase and find someone that can help me understand the survey report.
I'm also quite handy so I'm hoping I'd be able to make repairs or alterations myself
Any advice is welcome, thank you in advance.
Craig
Hi Craig
There are heaps of great trailer sailers around. I love the Farrs but used to race against Timpennys and they went surprisingly well. Here is one in your price range.
yachthub.com/list/boats-for-sale/used/trailer-boats/timpenny-670/171363
Good luck looking and I hope you get a good one.
Cheers Bill
something a sonata 7 or northwind 7 [ the Nth wind is older version of the sonata ] may be the go.... you may find one for around 10 k . Keep looking.
change the keel wire to spectra and swap that for new spectra every two years ... good sailing yachts . most run about a 6 hp ob . https://www.boatsales.com.au/boats/northwind/7/
+ 1 for the timpennys self tacking jib and sail great !!!
the Farrs are great boats and more roomy but may be more expensive though, not sure .
Hi Craig,
Firstly I suggest you join
www.trailersailerplace.com.au/
and talk to them. The reason I say this is a trailer sailer is more than the boat. It's the trailer ,which can cost to fix , and it's what loads your vehicle can tow. Getting it surveyed will not cover the trailer .
You need to decide if you want a swing keel or drop keel . They both have their pluses and minus .If the keel is cast iron be wary of rust . read up and ask questions.
The Timpenny above looks a cracker and could be bought for a couple of grand less than asking I reckon. They are pretty quick.
BTW I sail a Sonata solo in my old age and love the advantages of a ts.
You can even take it home to play with 
Terry
I am biased, but the Investigator 563 is well within your price range, and has the big advantage of safety. With a child on board, and not a lot of experience, you need a boat that will look after you when a wind gust hits. The Investigator will bounce back.
Www.Investigator 563. Com
Select to expand quoteYara said..
I am biased, but the Investigator 563 is well within your price range, and has the big advantage of safety. With a child on board, and not a lot of experience, you need a boat that will look after you when a wind gust hits. The Investigator will bounce back.
Www.Investigator 563. Com
A great safe little ts with surprising cabin room for a family new to sailing.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
Windrush Wildfire!! Only way to go.
Nice boats for daysailing, but aren't they pretty small down below?
The Timpenny's are a nice boat to race, I crewed on one 40 years ago in the state championships. However in your situation the obvious choice is a Careel 22. These used to have their own race series years ago but a primarily cruising trailer yachts that happen to sail very well. Also I would look at Boomaroo 22's which are just Catalina 22's that were made in Australia. There are hundreds of thousands of these world wide for a very good reason.
Friend recently sold his 35 foot yacht and bought a Careel 22 and he can't get the grin off his face! With a wife and small child these are about as large as you want to go in a trailer sailer.https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/coolongolook/sail-boats/careel-22-trailer-sailer/1194990838
Hi Craig
What you end up with will be what is available in a couple of hundred kilo radius from your place.
So you will get lots of recommendations of good boats to buy, but they won't help if they are too far away.
Banana is on the game by pointing you to Trailer Sailer Place (TSP.)
Here is their page for boats for sale on line.
www.trailersailerplace.com.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=7719&start=13875
It is kept pretty well up to date and you can go back and see what you have missed out on.
BEWARE a shonky trailer.
Gary
Select to expand quoteChris249 said..cisco said..
Windrush Wildfire!! Only way to go.
Nice boats for daysailing, but aren't they pretty small down below?
Yes they are small down below but they have a cockpit that is bigger than what you get with many 40 footers.
With a well built boom tent that can be closed at the front the cockpit doubles as the saloon. Maybe not warm and cosy in colder climes but perfect for Queensland.
They have a watertight bulk head midships creating two cabins. The aft cabin is warm and cosy for sleeping two adults and a child. The fwd cabin has two full single berths and a galley/stove shelf.
As with all small boats there is a compromise but the Wildfires are uncompromising when it comes to performance.
Select to expand quoteDunnsailing said..
Hi
I've been threatening to buy a trailer sailer for years now and I finally feel like it's actually time.
I have no sailing experience other than a 2-week sailing trip I did with a mate many years back and have always romanticised about getting my own boat.
I don't really want to spend more than $10k.
I live on the central coast and would love to spend the weekends sailing around the Hawkesbury over the weekend and staying overnight.
I'm married with 1 kid (4yr) the wife is keen to get involved.
Is it possible to do what I want with family for that price? I have seen plenty for under $10k with little sleeping area and kitchen. The problem is I have no idea what I'm looking at.
I'd most likely get the boat surveyed before I purchase and find someone that can help me understand the survey report.
I'm also quite handy so I'm hoping I'd be able to make repairs or alterations myself
Any advice is welcome, thank you in advance.
Craig
Hi Craig,
You mentioned you live on the Central Coast. In that case, it might be worth a visit to the Saratoga Sailing Club.
They race a fairly large fleet of Hartleys on Sundays.
I'm not sure if their Sailing season is still running but there is likely to be a trailer sailer enthusiast lurking about the club.
It might pay to give them a call.
Cheers Chris.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
Windrush Wildfire!! Only way to go.
Great boat, but rare as hens teeth. Reasonably heavy tow.
The starting point apart from the safety issue, is your tow vehicle. Check the rated towing weight. Unfortunately the published weight including trailer, of many ts boats is often way below the actual weight. Towing a weight greater than your vehicle is rated at, can cause awful consequences.
Select to expand quoteYara said..
Great boat, but rare as hens teeth. Reasonably heavy tow.
That is incorrect. They are a very light tow.
Standard trailer they came with was only single axle (actually one each side because the were duratorque axles).
I towed mine behind my 6 cyl manual XD Falcon and there was never a hint of the tail wagging the dog.
I believe there were 56 built but only about a dozen of them came to the east coast. The rest are over west or S.A.
I have a Castle 650 trailable yacht and love it. Its fairly flighty.
If you are a beginner and want something forgiving perhaps consider an Ultimate 18. You will get a good one for 10k. Swing keel pref. Its similar to an Investigator but doesnt have the skeg keel. Others in this size range include Careel 18 but check keel weight.
Farr 6000 is a great boat and possible near 10k.
Make sure whatever you get its in good condition on a good trailer and has a good motor. Also stick with the popular brands .
What are you towing with?
Select to expand quotecisco said..
That is incorrect. They are a very light tow.
Standard trailer they came with was only single axle (actually one each side because the were duratorque axles).
I towed mine behind my 6 cyl manual XD Falcon and there was never a hint of the tail wagging the dog.
I believe there were 56 built but only about a dozen of them came to the east coast. The rest are over west or S.A.
The local one has just changed hands. That was an exceptional buy!
Select to expand quoteDonk107 said..
Hi Ramona
I found this info on the rules and restrictions for towing over width boats in Australia www.boatsales.com.au/editorial/details/trailerboat-towing-regulations-guide-59777/
Regards Don
Interesting rules! I reckon you could tow it and no one would bother you. I could live with the oversize signs and flags anyway if I wanted the boat badly.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
I believe that rule has been altered now. There are a few boats over the limit that are trailered about these days. Loosechange will be along shortly with the correct answer! This E boat and others are obviously traveling our roads.
Yeah OK, ya want me to comment on this ... here goes. That particular E-Boat has a trailer which allows the boat to be carried tilted at an angle to bring it within the 2.5m width restriction, similar to what you do with a Tornado cat.
OK, comment done.
