Forums > Sailing General

advice on small sailboat

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Created by thierry58 6 months ago, 22 May 2025
thierry58
15 posts
22 May 2025 7:45AM
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hi,
looking at 20ft ish boats to sail in syd harbour for fun...a trailer sailer is the cheaper option which i could moor as well and pull out for maintenance and be single handed, all of these fit..
the list.
1- sportscraft sensation 18ft
2- investigator 563
3-red jacket 18ft.
4 -cole swing keel.
5- adams 21ft
6- compass careel
7- ultimate 16ft
8- young 25ft
all in the $5000 price group...

any thoughts
thx

r13
NSW, 1712 posts
22 May 2025 12:00PM
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Assume you've gone through this link;
johncrawfordmarine.com.au/advice/trailer-sailer
I would include the Castle 550 and 650 in your list - but a bit more $s.
johncrawfordmarine.com.au/advice/trailer-sailer
Of the 8 in your list the Adams 21 imho is at the top.
You don't include any Sonata boats? See these - note the 6.7 has runners which are a pain.
www.boatsales.com.au/boats/sonata/6.7
au.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=sonata+6.7+yacht&type=E210AU885G0#id=2&vid=c2a52623203ddc35594f685603b52e01&action=click
Assume you have posted here
trailersailerplace.com.au/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=49&sid=7fa523b907a3050d8690bf00c1121795

Ramona
NSW, 7722 posts
22 May 2025 5:37PM
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From that list I would select a Careel 22. I would most likely look for an E-boat though.

Planter
NSW, 161 posts
23 May 2025 8:17AM
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Investigator - Will sit nicely on a mooring,plus can bring ashore for maintenance on a registered trailer = avoid slipping !

Ramona
NSW, 7722 posts
23 May 2025 8:38AM
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Select to expand quote
Planter said..
Investigator - Will sit nicely on a mooring,plus can bring ashore for maintenance on a registered trailer = avoid slipping !


The problem with this type of trailer sailer that resides on a mooring is antifouling the lift keel. It's not just a matter of towing the boat home. That keel is hard to get to. Trailer sailer with a lift keel with the keel up through the cabin top will require some clever engineering and strong nerves but would be a better solution.
Probably a better solution if the boat was to reside on a mooring would be a fixed shallow draft keel like the Red Jacket. I think the Red Jacket is too small but there are a few alternatives about. There was a shallow draft Hood 23 locally that would suit. Also the Jedda 670 came out with fixed twin keels as well as twin lifting keels.

Planter
NSW, 161 posts
23 May 2025 9:31AM
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+ Pacific 747,with shoal draft of 2foot.
( One on Gumtree for $1 ! )
Had one on the Myall River/Lakes = great !
Still just trail able,so can bring ashore .

Lifting keel maintenance ashore dependent on whether one can lay over,but then becomes fraught if scale/weight an issue. Can easily come unstruck very quickly = careful !! .
Keel case not designed to work in that situation,so deep thought/planning essential.otherwise trip to Tip/Hospital !!

cisco
QLD, 12361 posts
23 May 2025 11:21AM
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If you just want pure sailing fun and do not want to camp on board you should try a Flying 15.
If you want to camp onboard occasionally try a Windrush Wildfire.
Both easily handled off and on a trailer.

Chris 249
NSW, 3513 posts
23 May 2025 12:19PM
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The Flying 15* is a great little boat and since there are so many around interstate they can be found in good condition for a great price.

(To the OP - it's 20' overall and 15ft on the waterline and an open-cockpit very light keelboat/yacht, not a trailer sailer with a lid). Quite a lot like an Etchells 22. Actually the Etchells could be a good idea if you don't need a lid.



www.flying15.org.au/aus-3307-flying-boat/

Chris 249
NSW, 3513 posts
23 May 2025 12:37PM
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Select to expand quote
thierry58 said..
hi,
looking at 20ft ish boats to sail in syd harbour for fun...a trailer sailer is the cheaper option which i could moor as well and pull out for maintenance and be single handed, all of these fit..
the list.
1- sportscraft sensation 18ft
2- investigator 563
3-red jacket 18ft.
4 -cole swing keel.
5- adams 21ft
6- compass careel
7- ultimate 16ft
8- young 25ft
all in the $5000 price group...

any thoughts
thx


One thing - check out the minimum LOA for a mooring. I think anything under 5.5m requires special permission but it could be 6m. Clearly some shorter boats (Red Jackets, Ultimate 16s) may be able get on a mooring but it may be a hassle these days.

Planter
NSW, 161 posts
23 May 2025 1:40PM
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Yes - Boat has to be 16ft+ to get a private mooring,as had a 5m Jarcat,that was too small,but 18ft6in DeHavilland Rambler was allowed,and had a mooring on Lake Macquarie - in the old days !

Be aware that now the process of mooring application has become fraught,with environmental/cultural considerations,as more than MSB involved !!

Ensure due diligence,or will end up on commercial mooring/marina = + 1 for TrailerSailer

( ? May explain plethora of free/giveaway yachts,at present,as all becomes too hard ? )

JonE
VIC, 536 posts
23 May 2025 4:44PM
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That Slipstream looks like an absolute hoot!

Ramona
NSW, 7722 posts
23 May 2025 5:43PM
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Select to expand quote
JonE said..
That Slipstream looks like an absolute hoot!


I owned a Status 19 for a couple of years. Slipstream without a lid. Superb boat to sail. If you're looking for fixed keel boats on good trailers this J24 locally has been for sale for awhile.
www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/521580323795783/?ref=saved&referral_code=null

If you're looking at Etchells then a 5.5 might be a good choice too.
www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/369157922182379/?ref=saved&referral_code=null







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"advice on small sailboat" started by thierry58