trailerable catamaran with cabin

Copyright (c) 2012 Piotr Kopczyński - N700K,trail able multihull, trailerable cat,trailerable cruising catamaran,trailerable racer catamaran, trailerable cruiser catamaran, carbon, trailerable catamaran, catamaran,cruising catamaran,fast cruising catamaran,Nawiatr 700K,trailable catamaran,trailable multihulls,shipyard Poland,trailerable offshore catamaran,Astus,Weta,Corsair,X-Cat,Dragonfly,trailerable catamaran,trailerable catamaran for sale,trailerable cruising catamaran for sale,trailerable multihull sailboats,trailerable multihull,trailerable sailing catamaran,trailerable sailboats,trailerable cabin cruisers,trailerable multihulls for sale,trailerable multihulls for sale,fastest trailerable catamaran,len surtees catamaran,biggest trailerable catamaran,multihull solution,multihullsolution

performance in cruising catamarans

Stiletto Catamarans opens up a whole new world of performance in cruising!

The Stiletto® Catamaran is no ordinary Sailboat! She is one of the most advanced production sailboats available anywhere. In fact, Stiletto represents the most significant advance in materials and construction, since fiberglass replaced wood in this industry about 75 years ago.

Stiletto® is built of a honeycomb composite that is state-of-the-art in the aerospace industry.

The entire laminate is baked at 250 degrees for an hour and a half, while under 14 p.s.i. vacuum pressure. The result is a tightly compressed laminate that is absolutely uniform and flawless and very tough. The composite used to build Stiletto® has the highest strength-to-weight and rigidity-to-weight ratios of any material currently available. It is, for example, 74% stronger and 32% stiffer than an equivalent foam sandwich. And an added bonus of honeycomb construction is integral floatation.

Stiletto® will not sink; even if holed and filled with water.

Stiletto® was conceived and designed as a trailerable high performance coastwise cruiser, a concept that has resulted in unparalleled versatility.

Trailering her is a breeze and two people can set her up for sailing in just over one hour. Her shoal draft (9 inches) and kick-up rudders means you can safely sail her right up onto the beach. With head, berths, galley. Sleeping tent and other amenities, Stiletto is a catamaran cruiser’s dream. As a daysailer- you just can’t beat Stiletto®. She is sea kindly and very easy to sail. Her huge bridge deck (80 sq. ft.) is comfortable and dry and features molded in bench seats and back rests. Forward of the cockpit is an equally large trampoline that will soon become the favorite sunning and lounging spot for your crew. Altogether, there is enough bridge deck and deck space for 8-10 people to day sail in comfort. And for those who like the speed and excitement of racing, imagine (if you can) sailing a 27-foot boat at 25-plus m.p.h. It’s an experience that’s impossible to describe. As a racer, Stiletto® is rapidly accumulating an impressive list of victories including Yachting’s 10th One-Of-A Kind Regatta.

Stiletto® is virtually maintenance-free, thanks to a lustrous polyurethane coating.

And she is designed to provide maximum sailing pleasure and performance over a wide range of wind and sea conditions. Her versatility means you get more use out of your boat because there is so much more you can do with a Stiletto®. You have the freedom to trailer your boat anywhere easily and quickly- to cruise all those enchanting places you’ve been wanting to see, not just your own backyard. She is ideal for areas where dock space is limited because she can be stored right on the trailer, all set up and ready for launching. The Stiletto® Catamaran is a quality boat. Note the detailing on her and the thought that has gone into her sophisticated design, the care that is shown in her construction.

Stiletto® is less expensive than the average 27-foot sailboat.

Stiletto® is proving her seaworthiness and speed all across North America and in Europe and the Caribbean. But why don’t you see for yourself why Stiletto® is a wonderful racing or cruising cat?  Or, please feel free call directly and talk about Stiletto® Catamarans. It’s our favorite subject!

Thank you for your interest in Stiletto® Catamarans.

Farrier International

a Division of Daedalus

The F-32 is a plan version of the F-33, the availability of which has unfortunately been restricted due to unfavorable currency exchange rates, and a limited production capability, making it just too expensive for most markets. However, the F-32 helps overcome this by providing a close alternative that can be built anywhere by anyone.

The F-32 is available in several forms, the F-32A, F-32AX, or F-32R and F-32RX, with both aft cabin and aft cockpit versions, and all can be built by home or professional builders.

The F-32 is a modern ‘state of the art’ design, with most of the F-33 features such as larger floats, new beam to main hull connection system, improved higher set beams and folding system, retractable bow pole, carbon chainplates, synthetic rigging, daggerboard rudder, carbon fiber traveler, higher cockpit (more room underneath), improved sliding hatch, and shorter beams for lower trailering height.

Beams and folding system come with a completely new and simplified hull mounting system that is virtually identical to the F-33, with no annoying hull notches, and virtually no interior intrusion. It does not have the F-33 carbon fiber folding system anchors in the hull, as these are a little tricky for amateur builders. However, they are incorporated in the ready made F-32 beams.

The F-32 has one major advantage over the F-33 – there is a narrow 2.5m (8′ 2 1/2″) version (F-32A), which is the largest legally trailerable trimaran (without permit) in the world. The F-32AX version is the wider (permit required) version, and very similar to the F-33, with its additional interior room, plus there is an R version of both.

Like the F-33, the F-32 has been designed with an ocean going capability in mind, for those intrepid sailors who cannot resist going offshore in what may intended to be a trailerable yacht for bay and coastal sailing, such as the F-9. If one can’t stop such sailors from ocean crossing, then one may as well make the boat as safe as possible, with all the necessary structural and safety features for extended offshore sailing designed in.

F-32AX Aft Cockpit Interior – the one with Xtra room

F-32A Aft Cockpit Interior – the one trailerable without a permit

Interior can be varied considerably to suit owner/builder’s preferences. The layouts shown are intended as general guides only, and can be mixed and matched as required, provided designated structural bulkheads remain as designed. Full size patterns for all internal bulkheads and most interior panels are included in plans along with optional DXF files for having all these items machine cut.

F-32AX Aft Cabin Interior with aft double bunk

F-32A Aft Cabin Interior – with traditional layout

Centerboard Option

F-32ax aft cabin version shown.

A ‘kick back’ centerboard option has now been added to the F-32 design series. This will give a ‘roomier feel’ to the main cabin, and a much larger cabin table (can easily seat 6) is now possible. The settee seatbacks can also be dropped in between settees to form a very spacious main cabin double.

The other major advantage is the ability for the board to ‘kick back’ should one run aground, and this can be a very useful safety feature in shallower waters. Board is a higher aspect foil, and little deeper than the standard daggerboard, so it will be slightly more effective. This will make up for the extra slot drag associated with a centerboard case, and overall performance should be about the same.

Centerboard is now an option for both F-32A and F-32AX (F-32AX shown), with full construction drawings currently in process, and these will be ready by the end of July.

Note that ‘kick up’ centerboards are more complicated than a daggerboard, so will take longer to build, and the extra complexity may also mean more maintenance being required. However, having used such offset centerboards for all the original Trailertri designs, and the F-82, F-36 and F-39, the configuration used has been very well developed and tested. Follow the plans and it should be virtually trouble free.

F-32AX interior and room are very similar to F-33, as shown in following photos:

The F-32 cost to build is similar or just slightly more than the F-9 series. Though a little larger, the F-32 structure is more efficient in many areas.

The F-32 beams , new and unique “Beam Mounts “ (for mounting the beams and folding system into main hull), and the folding system are all available ready made to maximize ease and speed of construction. Plans for self made beams (though not as advanced as the ready made version) are included in the plans which will cut cost of ready made items required to less than $4000.

Particular care has also been taken to eliminate or reduce spray at high speeds, as with the F-33. Beams and folding struts are higher and further away from wave tops, and have been designed to trap and deflect any spray downwards.

Trailering beam varies depending on the float and beam configuration. The narrowest trailering beam (2.5m – 8′ 2 1/2″) for the F-32A will require self made beams.

Many F-33 parts are interchangeable, such as rudder, daggerboard, daggerboard case etc., but not the beams or folding system. The F-32 has the ability to fold down to a legally trailerable (without permit) beam, and the F-33 beams are not configured for this.

F-32R – Short Cabin Version

Cabin can be lower and shorter again if wished

F-32AX Deck Layout

F-32 Aft Cockpit Version

Models Defined:

F-32A – the standard version, legally trailerable without permit, the ‘A’ signifying Amateur builder

F-32AX – a wider, roomier version, that will require a permit for trailering, the ‘X’ standing for extra room. The best choice for ocean work with a greater load carrying capacity, and a wider overall beam.

F-32R & F-32RX – racing versions for experienced sailors, with a taller rig, the ‘R’ standing for Race.

Each set of plans cover all options, including details on aft cabin and aft cockpit versions, and all ‘R’ features, the only choice required initially being between ‘A’ and ‘AX’ models, which have different Full Size Patterns.

List of F-32 Plan Contents

Thanks again for the great plans – they are one of the best plans I have seen and that is including the AC (America’s Cup) plans or Volvo 60 plans, all boats I have worked on at different times. Chris Boucher, F-32AX, Auckland, New Zealand

F-32 Specifications L.O.A………………………………. 32′ 3″ (9.83m) B.O.A………………………………. 23′ (7.0m) …. F-32AX – 23′ 8″ (7.2m) L.W.L………………………………. 31′ (9.45m) F-32 Folded beam………………. 8′ 2 1/2″ – 8′ 6″ (2.5 – 2.6m) – depends on beams used F-32AX Folded beam…………. 9′ 6″ – 9′ 8″ (2.9 – 2.95m) Approx. bare weight …………… 2800 – 3700lbs (1270 – 1680kg) depending on model Load Carrying Capacity ……… 2600lbs to 3000lbs (1180 – 1360kg) depending on model & weight F-32 rotating mast ……………….43.3′ (13.2m) aluminum or carbon mast F-32 sail area (main & jib)…… 638sq.ft (59.2sq.m.) F-32R rotating mast …………….46′ (14m) – carbon mast F-32R sail area……………………682sq.ft (63.3sq.m.) Stability …………………………….56,000ft.lbs …. F-32AX – 57,500ft.lbs Draft (board up)…………………. 1′ 5″ (0.42m) Draft (d/board down)………….. 5′ 10″ (1.78m) Draft (centerboard down)…….. 6′ 2″ (1.88m) Aft Cabin Cockpit length………4′ 10″ (1.46m) Aft Cockpit length……………….7′ 7″ (2.3m) Interior Headroom ……………….6′ 2 to 6′ 4″ (1.88 – 1.93m) depending on interior layout Auxiliary…………………………… Outboard or Inboard optional All bunks can be a minimum of 6′ 6″ (2m) long or longer if required.

More Photos:

Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

The best trailer sailer boats for weekend cruising… or longer

• Duncan Kent
• July 12, 2023

Duncan Kent reviews a selection of new and used trailer sailer boats that are large enough to accommodate crew for a weekend, but small enough to launch and recover single-handed

The Beneteau first 20 has a roomy cockpit and is spacious below. Credit: Jean Marie Liot/Beneteau Credit: Jean Marie Liot/Beneteau

The best trailer sailer boats for weekend cruising

If you’re happy just day sailing in fair weather then you won’t really need more than a sprayhood to duck in out of the odd shower or to make a brew.

But many more enthusiasts, especially those with young families or grandchildren, like to get involved in more than just the sailing.

To some, especially youngsters, the ‘camping’ element is crucial to the whole experience.

Yes, many dayboats could support a full cockpit tent for the occasional night on board in the summer, but it soon gets tedious if you try to spend more than one night under canvas without at least some of the basics of home living such as a cooker, running water, electricity, a proper toilet and enough room to stow a few changes of clothes.

Take a step up from the 16-18-footers into a weekender-size boat, say 19-21ft, and you get a lot, lot more to make life not just bearable on board, but in some cases positively comfortable.

New trailer sailer boats

Beneteau first 20.

The Beneteau First 20 is a trailable, modern, mini cruiser race. Credit: Jean Marie Liot/Beneteau

Finot-Conq’s Beneteau First has been around in various guises (210, 211, 21.7 and currently the First 20) for a while.

A modern mini-cruiser/racer, the F20 sports a 7⁄8ths fractional sloop rig with option for a furling asymmetric.

Having no backstay allows the mainsail to be flat-topped, thereby increasing the sail area.

It has also enabled the mast to be shortened, lowering the centre of effort on the sails and resulting in her being noticeably stiffer.

Beneath the waterline sporty, shallow sections extend out to a wide, flat stern.

Twin rudders keep a bite on the water when heeled and windward ability is hugely assisted by her 6ft (1.83m) deep, lifting fin keel.

She has a well-arranged and roomy cockpit and, though she’ll accommodate four adults, the position of the sheets enables her to be easily single-handed.

The F20 only has provision for an outboard but, thanks to the twin rudders, this is positioned centrally on the transom .

While you won’t get any useful prop wash, the outboard can be steered for manoeuvring into tight spaces.

Below she has a spacious and practical open-plan layout with a structural inner moulding creating the furniture, as well as providing enough hull rigidity to do away with bulkheads.

There are bunks for four adults on a vee-berth and settees, and basic facilities for living aboard such as dry stowage, a small galley cabinet and an optional loo.

Headroom is 1.45m (4ft 9in) maximum and there’s a privacy curtain across the forepeak.

Although not as easy to launch and recover as some, due to her keel protrusion when lifted, she is trailerable.

Having fixed ballast adds to the gross towing weight, however, which is a hefty 1,500kg (3,307lb) all up.

Beneteau First 20 specifications:

LOD: 6.25m/20.5ft Beam: 2.48m/8.1ft Draught: 0.70-1.78m/2.2ft-5.8ft Dry weight: 1,245kg/2,744lbs Ballast: 300kg/661lbs SA: 25.50m2/274 sq ft Keel: Lifting Motor: 10hp outboard Sail plan: Bermudan sloop RCD category: C New price: From £29,350 Used price: From around £20,000 Contact: Beneteau Yachts, www.beneteau.com

Windhunter 19

The Windhunter 19 is inspired by Bristol Channel working boats

Built in Poland, the design of the gaff-rigged , GRP Windhunter 19 was inspired by the old Bristol Channel working boats.

Though most compact trailer-sailers have gone the swing-, or lifting-keel route, usually with added water ballast, the WH19 has a long, fixed shoal keel containing 400kg (881lb) of lead ballast.

This, plus the additional stability created by her ample beam, results in a stiff boat that is easily capable of cruising northern European coastal waters safely and in comfort.

Being a long keel also adds to her directional stability too, something some of the centre-boarders can lack, and deep bilge-boards mean she can take the ground safely and remain level – in fact she’s pretty much a triple-keeler.

The downside of fixed ballast is extra towing weight which, at around 1.5 tonnes calls for a fairly powerful towing vehicle.

Her deep, self-draining cockpit isn’t huge, but it’s secure with high coamings and all sails can be easily controlled from here with coaming-mounted jib sheet winches and main sheet horse astern.

She has a transom-hung rudder and an outboard well, into which a 5hp motor mounts.

Although the prop is ahead of the rudder, being offset from the centreline does mean you lose the benefit of propwash over the rudder when close- quarter manoeuvring.

Her rig is a simple sloop with a high-peaked gaff mainsail and a smallish jib tacked down on a wooden bowsprit.

Her sail area isn’t huge, but this is ideal for those who want easy control when single-handing. Spars can be of either wood or aluminium.

Having a long cabin might reduce cockpit space, but the payback is below, where she feels like a 22-footer at least.

There’s a large vee-berth, a good galley area with a GRP moulding containing sink, hob and stowage and two lengthy quarter berths.

However, if you choose the 3-berth model you get something that is very rare in a boat of this size – a separate, private heads compartment.

Windhunter 19 specifications:

LOD: 5.80m/19.02ft Beam: 2.20m/7.21ft Draught: 0.55m/1.80ft Dry weight: 1,100kg/2,425lbs Ballast: 450kg/992lbs SA: 21.50m2/231.42 sq ft Keel: Fixed Motor: 5hp outboard Sail plan: Gaff sloop RCD category: C New price: From £27,900 Used price: From £18,000 Contact: Character Boats UK, 07976 406768, www.characterboats.co.uk

Cape Cutter 19

Cape Cutter 19: classic looks with all the mod cons

In 2001 Dudley Dix created this traditional, lapstrake-hulled pocket cruiser to be sound enough to take on an ocean passage with confidence.

Though she looks like a classic working gaffer, she boasts all the mod-cons of a modern cruising yacht in a package small enough to trail.

First built in South Africa, she was given a plumb stem and transom to provide the longest waterline possible, while still fitting into a 20ft (6.10m)-long shipping container.

Her hull is a solid GRP laminate, reinforced with stringers, and her balsa-cored deck is bolted to the hull and glassed over.

Three-quarters of her ballast is lead shot, bonded into the bilges. The remainder is provided by her cast-iron centreplate, which hinges up into the saloon using a 6:1 tackle.

Her mast and spars are wood, and she comes with either a high-peaked gaff or Bermudan cutter rig, to keep her sails manageable.

A tabernacle supports the mast safely for rigging and provides a rigid mounting for the boom gooseneck.

Her genoa/yankee is on a furler, anchored to the tip of her 1.40m-long bowsprit, while her hanked-on staysail tack terminates at the stem head .

All lines, including throat and peak halyards , can be controlled using jammers and winches in the deep cockpit.

Below, she is basic, but surprisingly spacious and comfortable. There’s a 1.92m (6ft 3in)-long forepeak vee-berth, under which is a portable toilet .

Then there’s a small GRP moulding each side – one containing the galley sink, the other a small hob.

Aft of these are two 1.90m (6ft 3in)-long settees.

Her performance under sail is impressive for a small boat, thanks to a sleek underwater profile, long waterline and generous sail area.

Her deep centreplate reduces leeway to a minimum and she tacks nimbly.

She can also be motored easily using a 4-6hp outboard in the well, which is positioned forward of the rudder.

Cape Cutter 19 specifications:

LOD: 5.80m/19.02ft Beam: 2.20m/7.21ft Draught: 0.45-1.22m/1.47ft-4ft Dry weight: 1,150kg/2,535lbs Ballast: 400kg/881lbs SA: 27.40m2/294.93lbs Keel: Pivoting centreboard Motor: 6hp outboard Sail plan: Gaff or Berm cutter RCD category: C New price: From £30,250 Used price: From £16,000 Contact: Cape Cutter Marine, 01377 538110, www.capecutter19.com

Continues below…

What I learned from towing my 24ft keelboat 1,000 miles from Italy to the UK

The J24 World Championships in Italy were coming to an end and talk turned to the journey home. We’d originally…

How to restore a 22ft trailer-sailer in 10 easy steps

I’ve been hooked on boats since before I could walk, and have spent over 30 years repairing and sailing them.…

Pocket cruisers: the best boats between 17-20ft

Whether you’re moving on from dinghies, or downsizing to a boat that’s fun without being a financial millstone, here’s a…

Best portable toilet: From compostable to flushable units

We’ve all been there; middle of the night, you need a pee. The marina toilet or camping block is just…

Norfolk Gypsy 20

The Norfolk Gypsy 20 has a deep cockpit which can seat six. Credit: Neil Foster/Waterfront Yachting

The Norfolk Gypsy is a classic 20ft (6.10m) gunter-rigged micro-cruiser with a high-peaked gaff, spruce spars, bronze fittings and hardwood trimmings.

Her hull is hand-laid GRP, and for stability combines internal ballast with firm bilges.

A shallow draught and bilge runners enable her to be beached comfortably.

The modest gaff rig offers a fair performance in light airs and strong winds, and she’s easy to handle, even in rough weather.

In gusts, the lightweight, flexible gaff tends to bow around the mast, automatically flattening the sail.

Tweaking the peak halyard also allows you to make useful sail shape adjustments, while the slab-reefed mainsail and genoa furler make reefing easier and safer.

The centreboard is lowered and raised by a winch, with the control rope led into the cockpit for the helmsman.

Her deep cockpit is roomy enough for six, although four is more sensible.

Everything is to hand for the helmsman, with the mainsheet aft and jib cam cleats atop each coaming.

Being below the waterline it isn’t self-draining, but a manual bilge pump is supplied.

Decks are moulded non-slip, while the cabin top has Treadmaster. The foredeck is lowered to provide a safe working area and there is a stout Samson post .

Below, her sitting room-only interior is cosy with plenty of nice wood, although white deckhead and hull sides plus several portholes brighten it up.

A GRP furniture moulding incorporates the berths, galley and lockers, and a child-size vee-berth adjoins the two adult-length saloon settees.

The centreboard intrudes into the footwell a little, but there’s a swing-out table around the kingpost and a small chart table aft, below which is the optional loo.

There are outboard (6-8hp) and inboard (Yanmar 10hp) motor options. The former in a well ahead of the rudder, the latter situated under the bridge deck.

Norfolk Gypsy 20 specifications:

LOD: 6.10m/20.01ft Beam: 2.30m/7.5ft Draught: 0.51-1.20m/1.6ft-3.93ft Dry weight: 1,300kg/2,866lbs Ballast: 420kg/925lbs SA: 19.70m2/212 sq ft Keel: Pivoting centreboard Motor: 6hp outboard/10hp inboard Sail plan: Gaff sloop RCD category: C New price: From £50,090 Used price: Around £29,000 Contact: Neil Thompson Boats, 01263 741172, www.neilthompsonboats.co.uk

Bay Cruiser 20

The Bay Cruiser 20 features high tech construction

Apparently, the initial plan was to fit a cabin to the Bay Raider 20, but it quickly transpired it would require a taller cabin for sufficient headroom, making her less attractive and, more importantly, less stable.

So instead a brand-new hull was developed with a wider beam and higher freeboard.

Construction is an epoxy composite of ply, GRP and Airex polymer foam to produce a very strong, yet very lightweight (451kg dry) boat that can be towed by a saloon car on an unbraked trailer.

Like the BR20 she is water ballasted, storing 400kg of water in two tanks beneath the waterline, which fill automatically when launched. A high- capacity hand pump allows them to be emptied afloat, or they drain by gravity when recovered to the trailer.

The ketch rig enables her to sail in windier conditions under mizzen and jib alone, and means the sails are small and easy to handle.

Unlike the BR20 she comes with a one-piece carbon mast and a conventional boom for easy reefing .

All sail controls lead into the cockpit, which has angled coamings for comfort and is sized to allow the crew to brace against the seat opposite.

An optional sprayhood covers half the cockpit, providing shelter for crew and helmsman alike.

She will accommodate a 6hp outboard in her centreline well, which can be tilted up out of the water when sailing.

On the foredeck raised bulwarks offer security and there are two lockers plus a stout Samson post.

Below, she has a large vee-berth forward and one quarter berth under the cockpit seating to port.

A small galley unit sits between the two, while to starboard is a short settee, allowing for a deep cockpit locker.

The centreboard is disguised by a folding saloon table and there’s room for a portable toilet under the bridge deck.

Storage is underneath the seats and berths, and behind backrests.

A 40-litre, hand-pumped freshwater system is optional, as is cabin lighting, and the layout can be customised to a degree.

Bay Cruiser 20 specifications:

LOD: 6.17m/20.24ft Beam: 2.32m/7.6ft Draught: 0.25-1.20m/0.82ft-3.93ft Dry weight: 451kg/914lbs Ballast: 380kg/837lbs SA: 20.60m2/221.7 sq ft Keel: Pivoting centreboard Motor: 6hp outboard Sail plan: Bermudan ketch RCD category: C New price: From £40,895 Contact: Swallow Yachts, 01239 615482, www.swallowyachts.com

Cornish Shrimper 19

The popular Cornish Shrimper 19, which has a planking style GRP hull

The Roger Dongray-designed Shrimper 19 has the classic multiple chine with lapstrake planking style GRP hull which, together with her gaff rig, wooden spars, low-profile coachroof, gentle sheer line and raked transom make her a very pretty little boat indeed.

Beneath her waterline is a long, very shallow keel, which is just deep enough to keep her on the straight and narrow downwind.

She has encapsulated internal iron ballast beneath the sole plus a heavy galvanised steel centreplate to keep her powering to windward with the minimum of heel and leeway.

As standard, she has an offset well for a 5-6hp outboard motor, although unusually for a 19ft (5.79m) boat, the Shrimper 19 offers the option of having an inboard 9hp Yanmar diesel engine and shaft driven prop – though this increases the towing weight.

She has a long and deep, self-draining cockpit with tall seat backs and all the sheets and centreplate tackle are within easy reach of the helm for single-handing. Below she offers two layout choices –classic, with two quarter berths and a large galley in the forepeak, or 4-berth vee-berth and a smaller galley.

The latter has space for a portaloo under the vee-berth.

She is available as the traditional Shrimper, with a high-peaked gaff mainsail and spruce mast and spars.

Alternatively, there’s the Adventure 19 with alloy spars and a modern Bermudan sloop rig.

Cornish Shrimper 19 specifications:

LOD: 5.86m/19.22ft Beam: 2.18m/7.15ft Draught: 0.45-1.20m/1.47ft-3.93ft Dry weight: 1,500kg/3,306lbs Ballast: 440kg/970lbs SA: 18.02m2/193.96 sq ft Keel: Pivoting centreboard Motor: 6hp outboard/9hp inboard Sail plan: Gaff sloop RCD category: C New price: From £32,1200 Used price: From £9,000 Contact: Cornish Crabbers, 01208 862666, www.cornishcrabbers.co.uk

Secondhand trailer sailer boats

Red fox 200.

Red Fox was a David Thomas design. Credit: David Lewin

The 1993 David Thomas -designed Red Fox 200 was available as the RF200/200E (cruising version), the RF200S (sport, larger cockpit, lower coachroof, twin rudders), the RF200T (twin fixed keels) and, after Select Yachts took it over, the Hunter 20.

The twin daggerboard design was the same in all except the 200T and greatly simplified launching and recovering, as did the mast A-frame.

She had a solid GRP hull and a sheathed plywood deck , later changed to a GRP/foam sandwich. Internal ballast is bonded in beneath the floor.

A vertical stem and transom gives her the volume of a 25-footer, further boosted by the lack of a keel box.

The open-plan layout has a small vee-berth and two adult settee berths.

Headroom is a generous 1.83m (6ft) under the hatch and she even boasts a private heads.

She has a modern fractional sloop rig with alloy mast and boom. Under sail she’s quick, with minimal leeway.

The boards are asymmetric, providing lift and allowing her to point higher. Downwind you can lift both halfway to reduce drag.

While swapping boards adds another procedure to tacking, the reward is worth it.

Depending on model the outboard is either mounted off-centre on the transom, or in an outboard well ahead of the rudder.

Red Fox 200 specifications:

LOD: 6.17m/20.24ft Beam: 2.50m/8.2ft Draught: 0.20-0.89m/0.65ft-2.91ft Dry weight: 1,160kg/2,557lbs Ballast: 400kg/881lbs SA: 18.70 m2/201.2 sq ft Keel: Twin daggerboard Motor: 6hp outboard /9hp inboard Sail plan: Bermudan sloop RCD category: C Used price: £7,500-£12,500

Jeanneau Sun 2000

No frills, but fast – the Jeanneau Sun 2000. Credit: David Harding

This modern, ‘no frills’ centreboarder had a sailing performance to match many racing yachts in her time.

Just under 22ft (6.71m) and 1,150kg (2,535lb), she is trailerable with a large car, but you might need help at the slipway.

Though good value, the standard spec was rudimentary.

Owners wanting to race usually bought better sails than the standard Dacron wardrobe, but skimped on an outboard.

She’s so slippery, however, that just 4hp is enough to reach hull speed.

Below she has just 1.3m (4ft 3in) headroom, a child-sized vee-berth and two adult quarterberths.

Between the two there’s a small sink and a galley unit, but stowage is limited to beneath the berths.

The ‘Comfort Pack’ included ‘luxuries’ such as water tank, portable loo, battery, lights, saloon table, etc.

A large forehatch lets in light and air, and is also ideal for quickly dumping the spinnaker .

Her self-draining cockpit is 2.4m (7ft 10in) long, with stowage under the seats. Side decks are wide, and she even has an anchor locker and bow roller.

With her 7⁄8ths fractional sloop rig, swept-back spreaders, adjustable backstay and removable bowsprit, she’s well set up for sailing.

The mainsheet is easily reached by the helm, but the genoa winches are on the coachroof , which isn’t ideal.

Under sail, speeds of over 6 knots are common, planing downwind at 10 knots not unheard of!

Jeanneau Sun 2000 specifications:

LOD: 6.64m/21.7ft Beam: 2.55m/8.36ft Draught: 0.30-1.60m/0.9ft-5.24ft Dry weight: 1,150kg/2,535lbs Ballast: 390kg/859lbs SA: 23.10 m2/227.1 sq ft Keel: Pivoting centreboard Motor: 6hp outboard/9hp inboard Sail plan: Bermudan sloop RCD category: C Used price: £7,500 -£15,000

Others trailer sailer boats to consider

• Caravela 22
• Jaguar 21/22
• Hunter Sonata 21
• Mirror Offshore (19)
• Westerly Nimrod 18

Towing laws

Apart from the legal regulations you must adhere to there’s a good deal more to towing a large load than just knowing the figures add up.

Some vehicles tow well, others don’t, even though they might look the part. Thought should also be given to launching and recovering the boat.

Your large saloon might be able to tow her without problems on the highway but could well be useless down a steep and slippery launch ramp.

Many of these boats weigh up to 1,500kg (3,306lb) when they’ve got everything strapped onto them.

Choose your tow vehicle wisely – not all are up to the job. Credit: Roy Procter

Then there’s the extra gear you’ll have in the car, such as fuel tanks, outboard, provisions, etc.

In all, you’ll be driving a pretty heavy load along the highway and if you’ve never tried it before then a little bit of training might be in order.

There are trailer-training schools all over the UK that’ll give invaluable advice and safety tips.

Take your own trailer fully loaded and they’ll advise you on how best it should be balanced.

License notes

The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.

In England, Scotland and Wales, if you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997 you can:

• Drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). View your driving licence information to check.
• You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM

If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997 onwards you can:

• tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM.

The law on towing was updated on 16 December 2021. Details here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021

There are different rule for towing if you live in Northern Ireland

Important rules for towing trailer sailer boats

There are myriad rules and regulations regarding the towing of trailers in the UK and Europe.

A typical single axle braked trailer

Here is a summary of the most important rules you must heed and the commonly used acronyms referring to them:

• MAM – Maximum Authorised Mass is the maximum weight a vehicle or trailer is designed to carry. It includes the vehicle or trailer weight plus its load.
• MGW – Maximum Gross Weight is the maximum total weight as set by the manufacturer.
• GTW – Gross Train Weight is the maximum weight a vehicle can move on a road and should be engraved on the vehicle’s VIN plate.
• MTL – Maximum Towing Limit is the total weight the vehicle can move from a 12% hill start. The vehicle must be able to repeat this procedure five times in five minutes. This limit must never be exceeded and should not be used as a guide to your vehicle’s towing ability. GVW – Gross Vehicle Weight is the total weight (load and trailer all-up) a vehicle is designed to carry.
• KW – Kerbside Weight is the weight of the towing vehicle without passengers, but with 90% fuel and oil. In the EU this includes the weight of the driver plus 7kg of luggage.
• Nose weight – the maximum downward pressure on your trailer’s tow-hitch. The maximum must be no greater than that stated in your vehicle’s handbook and is usually between 50-100kg (typically 75kg).
• Car to Caravan weight ratio – It is strongly recommended that you do not exceed an 85% trailer to car weight ratio, ie. your fully-loaded trailer should not be more than 85% of your car’s KW (or maximum tow weight if this is lower).
• Maximum Trailer Width for any towing vehicle is 2.55m.
• Maximum Trailer Length (not including the A-frame) when towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg is 7m.
• Towing Mirrors must be fitted if your trailer is wider than the rear of your car.
• Brakes – Your trailer must have a working brake system if the fully-loaded trailer weighs over 750kg.

Enjoyed reading The best trailer sailer boats for weekend cruising?

A subscription to Practical Boat Owner magazine costs around 40% less than the cover price .

Print and digital editions are available through Magazines Direct – where you can also find the latest deals .

PBO is packed with information to help you get the most from boat ownership – whether sail or power.

• Take your DIY skills to the next level with trusted advice on boat maintenance and repairs
• Impartial in-depth gear reviews
• Practical cruising tips for making the most of your time afloat

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter

ArrowCat Power Catamarans Unmatched Craftsmanship Meets Unyielding Spirit

Experience the thrill of the open water with unparalleled comfort and tailored craftsmanship. Whether you are cruising the coastlines or anchored in serene bays, your ArrowCat power catamaran is your gateway to a life of adventure and tranquility.

Introducing Our Newest Addition, The 20' Power Cat Center Console Model

We intentionally designed this model to be simple and plain – simple to take the boat out, simple to use and to maintain, plain by allowing you the flexibility to customize it according to your preferences.

ArrowCat 20cc

This 20-foot center console is built with strength and purpose, designed for ease and simplicity. Effortlessly take it out on the water, and enjoy straightforward maintenance and operation. Its clean, adaptable design allows for extensive customization, whether on your own or through a dealer.

Fully Planing Hull Design LOA: 19′ 4″ / 5.89 meters Beam: 8′ 4″ / 2.54 meters Draft: 10″ / 0.254 meters

Explore Our 32' and 42' Signature Cabin Models

Perfect for inshore and offshore cruising, long distance and overnight trips, cold off seasons and hot boating seasons, and much more. The ArrowCat 32-foot and 42-foot models provide an exciting and versatile experience on the water. Explore to see which one could best suit your boating lifestyle.

ArrowCat 320

Merging express cruiser elegance with catamaran stability, the ArrowCat 320 Coupe features a planing hull design for smooth, swift rides. Powered by twin outboard motors, it promises dynamic performance and exhilarating adventures on every voyage.

Standard Layout: 2 Cabins/ 1 Wet Head Optional Tower Option LOA: 31′ 2″ / 9.5 meters Beam: 10’ / 3.05 meters Draft: 20″ / 0.508 meters

ArrowCat 420 Coupe

The ArrowCat 420 Coupe combines the luxury of an express cruiser yacht with the stability of a catamaran hull. Designed with a planing hull for agile, efficient navigation and powered by twin outboard motors, it delivers unmatched performance for your ocean adventures.

Standard Layout: 2 Cabins/ 1 Full Head LOA: 41′ 9″ / 12.73 meters Beam: 14′ 9″ / 4.50 meters Draft: 18″ / 0.46 meters

ArrowCat 420 Flybridge

 This luxury express cruiser yacht boasts a catamaran hull for superior stability and a planing hull design that ensures efficient, agile handling. Powered by twin outboard motors, it offers robust performance. The addition of a flybridge enhances your view and enjoyment, making every journey unforgettable.

Standard Layout: 2 Cabins/ 1 Full Head LOA: 41′ 9″ / 12.73 meters Beam: 14′ 9″ / 4.50 meters Draft: 20″ / 0.51 meters

Our Unique Design

Enjoy your boat year-round and stay warm and dry during cooler weather or overnight trips, while also having a comfortable and private space to retreat for whenever you need a break. Here are a few reasons why an ArrowCat power cat is an excellent boat to consider.

Catamarans have two hulls, which provide more stability in the water. They are less likely to roll or pitch, which means they offer a more comfortable ride, especially in rough conditions and for people who are prone to seasickness.

Power catamarans are typically more fuel-efficient than monohull boats of the same size. It requires less energy and yields more performance per HP. The two hulls create little to no drag or resistance to get on plane, resulting in greater fuel economy. Allowing for longer journeys with fewer refueling stops. 

Power catamarans have a shallow draft which means they can navigate diverse cruising grounds – beaches, islands, rivers, channels, and coastal areas with limited water depth. 

Express Cruiser

Cabin boats are designed with comfortable sleeping quarters and living spaces. They feature a sleeping space with a bed, a galley with a stove, sink, and refrigerator, and a head with a shower and toilet.

Cabin boats provide protection from the elements, such as wind, sun, and rain. This allows for comfortable cruising in a variety of weather conditions, as well as providing a haven during storms

Express cruisers are designed for efficient and fast navigation, offering higher speeds compared to traditional cruising boats. They usually have powerful engines that enable them to cover long distances quickly, making them ideal for day trips or weekend getaways.

Powered By Outboard Motors

Outboard motors can provide excellent performance and speed. They can often reach higher speeds than inboard motors of the same horsepower.

Outboard motors have a simple and standard design and are relatively easy to install, they do not require additional components such as a transmission, propeller shaft, couplings, and struts, that inboard engines do. They are easily assessable and cost less to maintain than inboard motors because they are mounted outside at the rear of the boat.

Outboard motors are often designed with features that make them easy to maneuver. For example, they can be tilted or rotated to provide precise control and handling in tight spaces and shallower waters.

About ArrowCat

Crafting Versatility and Adventure on the Water Since 2008

At ArrowCat, we believe in creating boats that are ready for anything. Our American-owned company builds versatile, multi-functional catamarans designed not just for a specific activity, but for a lifestyle that demands freedom and reliability. Whether you’re cruising, fishing, or exploring, our boats deliver superior performance in all conditions.

Trusted by seasoned mariners across coastal and saltwater environments, ArrowCat power catamarans embody the spirit of adventure and the promise of quality.

Learn More About Us

Experience A Smooth, Fast, And Stable Ride

Discover the unparalleled stability and speed of an ArrowCat power catamaran. Connect with our experts to schedule your sea trial today and experience the thrill firsthand.

Privacy Policy

Trailerable Sailboats Comparison

Trailerable sailboats come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These vessels can be used for everything from racing to offshore cruising.

In this article, we'll compare six of the most common trailerable sailboat types along with their uses. Additionally, we'll cover vessel design elements that distinguish different types of trailerable sailboats.

The most common types of trailerable sailboats include dinghies, racers, open-top cruising sailboats, pocket cruisers, coastal cruisers, and compact offshore sailboats. These vessels differ by size, rig type, hull type, and weight.

The information contained in this article was sourced from sailing guides and vessel identification records. Additionally, we took into consideration the opinions of sailors with experience on a variety of trailerable sailboats.

Table of contents

Defining Trailerable Sailboats

What distinguishes a trailerable sailboat from any other small cruising craft? The first and most obvious consideration is size. A trailerable sailboat has to meet the dimensional requirements set forth by the Department of Transportation. In other words, it must fit on a trailer that's small enough to travel on the road.

An additional consideration is weight. A trailerable sailboat should weigh less than around 7,000 pounds, as this is the upper towing limit for most typical Class C vehicles. Most trailerable sailboats can be towed behind a typical half ton pickup or SUV.

Additionally, most trailerable sailboats have a swing keel or centerboard. This makes it possible to rest a boat on a low trailer. Most displacement keels are simply too tall, though there are a few exceptions. The maximum trailer load height in most states is 14 ft, which a trailerable sailboat should clear without trouble.

Length is a consideration, though it's not as important as width. The maximum beam of a trailerable sailboat is 8 ft 6 in, as this is the limit for standard trailers on American highways. Typically, trailerable sailboats don't exceed 30 feet in length, as the length to beam ratio of a longer boat would lead to poor handling characteristics.

The final consideration is rigging. Due to height requirements, trailerable sailboats must have collapsible masts. Additionally, rudders and other items that extend beyond the hull must fold or stow in some manner.

Types of Trailerable Sailboats

Trailerable sailboats come in many varieties, weights, in sizes. These vessels are designed for specific uses, such as racing, cruising, fishing, or training. Here are the most common kinds of trailerable sailboats, along with what they're used for.

1. Dinghies

Dinghies are small, open sailing craft that usually don't exceed 15 feet in length. Dinghies are designed for use in protected waters. They're sometimes used to shuttle between an anchored sailboat and the shore. Dinghies are popular racing vessels, and many sailing schools use them for sailing instruction.

Popular Trailerable Dinghies:

• Optimist “Optie” (7 ft 9 in LOA)
• Minto (9 ft LOA)
• Wayfarer (16 ft)

Trailerable racing sailboats are long and narrow. They're designed for speed and agility, not comfort or offshore cruising. These boats generally have a low profile, and they're often open-top and lack sleeping accommodations.

Racing sailboats are lightweight and easy to tow. That said, trailerable racing sailboats are designed for experienced sailors as they're easier to capsize in high winds. These vessels range in size from 15 feet to over 25 feet.

Popular Trailerable Racing Sailboats:

• National 12 (12 ft)
• Sunfish (13 ft 9 in)
• Merlin Rocket (14 ft)

3. Open-Top Cruisers

Open-top cruising sailboats lack a cabin. However, these seaworthy craft are more than capable of coastal cruising in a variety of conditions. Many of these vessels are based on proven workboat designs that date back over a century. These vessels are ideal for harbor sailing and cruising on lakes.

Some people use open-top cruising sailboats for camping, as these traditional vessels are long enough to lay down a cot or sleeping bag. They make a great starter sailboat, as they're safe and easy to store in the garage or driveway.

Popular Trailerable Open-Top Cruisers

• Norseboat (17 ft 6 in)
• Bay Rider (20 ft)
• Com-Pac Legacy (23)

4. Pocket Cruisers

Pocket cruisers are similar to coastal cruisers, though they're distinguishable by their size and amenities. Generally speaking, a pocket cruiser is a small sailboat (under 25 feet in length) that features a cabin, galley, self-draining cockpit, and other 'big boat' accommodations.

Pocket cruisers usually aren't designed for serious offshore cruising, but they are comfortable for extended coastal or inland voyages. They weigh more than racing vessels, as stability is a key aspect of their design. Pocket cruisers are popular because they offer impressive capabilities in a small package.

Popular Trailerable Pocket Cruisers

• Sandpiper (15 ft)
• Sanderling (18 ft)
• West Wight Potter (19 ft)

5. Coastal Cruisers

Coastal cruisers are some of the most popular trailerable sailboats on the market. These vessels usually feature a cabin with a V-berth and a sink, though they occasionally include a head and a complete galley. Coastal cruisers are seaworthy enough for most near-shore and inland weather conditions.

Some adventurous sailors have taken coastal cruisers on extended bluewater voyages, though it's not particularly common. The size and sailing characteristics of these vessels is often not their greatest limiting factor.

There's only so many provisions you can store aboard a 22 to 25-foot sailboat, which is why coastal cruisers are generally considered impractical for offshore voyaging. Coastal cruisers handle well, and they're easy to sail, which is why this type of trailerable sailboat is popular in bays and harbors across the country.

Popular Trailerable Coastal Cruisers

• Cal 20 (20 ft)
• Catalina 22 (22 ft)
• Hunter 22 (22 ft)

6. Compact Offshore Sailboats

Compact offshore sailboats are the rarest and most capable type of trailerable sailboat. These vessels are a big boat in a compressed package. They typically feature a long displacement keel, a wide beam, and a cramped but feature-filled cabin.

These vessels are true cruising boats inside and out. The cabins usually feature a full galley, standing headroom, ahead with a shower, a V-berth upfront, and provisions for navigation. Their rigging is strong enough to handle offshore weather conditions.

Compact offshore sailboats usually have the greatest displacement, as their deep draft and wide beam keep them stable in rolling seas. This also contributes to greater dry weight, which is why they can't be towed by small vehicles.

Vessels of this type are technically trailerable, as they meet the dimensional requirements to travel on the highway. That's said, moving one of these boats is difficult. Owners generally keep these vessels in the water or in dry storage most of the year to avoid the hazard and hassle of towing such a hefty boat.

Popular Compact Offshore Cruisers

• Flicka 20 (20 ft)
• Dana 24 (24 ft)
• Nor'Sea 27 (27 ft)

The keel of a sailboat keeps it stable and tracking a straight course. Most trailerable sailboats have retractable keels of some variety, though some have fixed (permanently lowered) keels. Here are the most common types of trailerable sailboat keels in order of their popularity.

1. Centerboard

A centerboard is a form of retractable keel that's common on the smallest types of trailerable sailboats. A centerboard is essentially a long, thin blade that descends through a hole in the bottom of the boat.

Half of the centerboard remains inside the boat in a box called the 'centerboard trunk.' Centerboards are simple and easy to use, but the centerboard trunk takes up useful space in the cockpit or cabin.

2. Swing Keel

The swing keel is a type of retractable keel that eliminates the inconvenient centerboard trunk. A swing keel is a centerboard with a hinge on one end. It lives in a trunk, typically below the base of the hull, and swings down when in use.

Swing keels allow the sailboat to ride low on a trailer, which makes them a popular choice for pocket cruisers and trailer-sailers. Swing keels raise and lower using a  block and tackle system or a crank, usually located near the bilge or under a seat.

3. Fin Keel

Fin keels are less common on trailerable sailboats than they are on larger cruising boats. This type of keel is fixed to the bottom of the hull. A fin keel blade extends between 12 inches and 3 feet below the hull, and it occasionally includes a hydrodynamic bulb on the end. Fin keels are most often found on racing boats.

4. Semi-Displacement

Semi-displacement keels are long, fixed keels that run along the aft 2/3 of the hull. This type of keel is designed for cruising boats that value speed but still want to retain the stability and seaworthiness of a full keel.

Some trailerable sailboats have semi-displacement keels, especially if they're designed for offshore use. The benefits of a semi-displacement keel over a full keel are negligible on a trailer, as both types have a deep draft and high ride height.

5. Displacement (Full Keel)

Displacement keels are traditional and highly seaworthy. This type of keel runs across the entire length of the hull, usually reaching its deepest point at the stern. Displacement keels are found on vessels that are designed for offshore use.

Displacement keels are uncommon on trailerable sailboats, as they're long and cause the vessel to ride high on a trailer. Additionally, the type of vessel that uses a displacement keel is often wide and heavy, which isn't ideal for trailering.

Collapsable rigging is a hallmark of trailerable sailboats. The best trailerable sailboats have collapsible masts that stow securely across the deck. These vessels typically have a fork-shaped mast boot that acts as a hinge, allowing sailors to easily lower and secure the mast.

Many trailerable sailboats are gaff rigged. Though the traditional gaff rig is more complex than a modern Bermuda rigs, it uses a shorter and stronger mast. This has obvious benefits for trailerable boats, as the mast and spars store more easily.

Trailer Types

There are multiple types of trailers used to tow and store sailboats. The most common kind of sailboat trailer is the single-axle trailer. These trailers have one wheel on each side, and you can tow them with a standard Class IV trailer hitch.

Larger sailboats, such as heavy offshore cruising vessels, require something a bit sturdier. These vessels typically ride on dual-axle trailers, which have two wheels on each side.

Larger trailers, such as those with two axles, connect to a standard trailer hitch or to a fifth wheel hitch, which is mounted in the bed of a truck. Fifth-wheel trailers are the least common type of sailboat trailer.

Sailboat Weight and Towing

Dry weight is an important factor to consider when comparing trailerable sailboats. It's important to avoid confusing displacement and weight, even though both values use the same units.

Displacement is the weight of the water displaced by the vessel, whereas dry weight determines how much the boat weighs with its tanks empty and bilge dry. The ideal towing weight of a typical trailerable sailboat is between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds. This weight is within the towing capabilities of most trucks and full-size SUVs.

Larger trailerable vessels, such as many coastal cruisers and offshore trailer-sailers, can weigh 7,500 pounds or more. A sailboat of this magnitude requires a heavy-duty towing vehicle, such as a 1-ton diesel pickup truck.

Best Trailerable Sailboat for Cruising

For protected cruising, such as in a bay or after the river, it's hard to overlook the Catalina 22. This iconic fiberglass sailboat is known for easy handling and fun sailing characteristics. It has a comfortable cabin with plenty of room for a weekend on the water.

For more extensive cruising, especially offshore, the best trailerable sailboat is the Nor'Sea 27. This vessel is ideal due to its spacious interior and full accommodations. It has a full keel for stability, along with a head, galley, and sleeping arrangements down below.

Best Trailerable Sailboat for Weekend Sailing

The ideal weekend cruiser should be easy to tow in fast to rig, as larger and more complex vessels take too much time and effort the launch. With this in mind, it's a tie between the Wayfarer dinghy and the West Wight Potter. Both of these vessels are well-designed, fast to launch, and fun to sail.

Related Articles

Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

How To Choose The Right Sailing Instructor

August 16, 2023

Cost To Sail Around The World

May 16, 2023

Small Sailboat Sizes: A Complete Guide

October 30, 2022

Popular Posts

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

December 28, 2023

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

June 15, 2022

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy

Trailering a Boat Opens Up a World of Options

Today’s modern vehicles and modern vessels combine design and technology to deliver more. Larger boats provide more onboard space and accommodations, have enhanced offshore capabilities but can still be handled easily with electronic engine controls and some combination of bow and/or stern thrusters. Larger pick-up trucks and SUVs have the capacity to launch, retrieve, and tow even substantial vessels. Trailers are no longer just reserved for tenders, daysailers, fishing skiffs, or other small boats. Many boaters want the comfort and accommodations larger vessel afford but still relish the convenience of trailerability.

Trailerable models from Aspen combine space and seakeeping with the easy haulout, storage, launch, and transport capabilities.

Not only are Aspens easy to launch and retrieve but trailerability gives owners the ability to commute snowbird style from colder climates to warmer ones for the winter. Aspens have ample accommodation spaces so owners can stay on the vessel both while they commute and when they arrive at their destination. Easy trailering means owners can save money on slips and allows owners to haul their boats for the winter themselves instead of paying Travelift and storage fees. Trailerability also helps resale values: Buyers from all over North America can purchase a trailerable Aspen and it is relatively easy and cost-effective to transport the boat to a different location.

Aspen Power Catamarans Make Sense as a Trailerable Boat

Here are three good reasons that Aspens work well as a trailerable boat:

• Less Weight: For towing, Aspen models are often substantially lighter than both monohulls and other catamarans of similar LOA. A 27’ Aspen is under 7,000 pounds with an aluminum trailer compared to more than 8,500 pounds for a comparably sized catamaran, and more than 9,000 pounds for a monohull.
• Deck Space: Many boaters “outgrow” towable boats because they want more room aboard. That same Aspen compares favorably with useful deck space of nearly 200 square feet, as opposed to an estimated square footage of less than 175 for the Glacier Bay catamaran and less than 150 for the monohull Grady-White.
• Cruising Accommodations: The patented proa hull design means Aspen owners have better cruising performance and amenities when compared to boats of other designs with a comparable LOA. Even the smaller Aspens have king size master beds unheard of in other trailerable boats. Aspens light weight and slippery, low-drag hulls that provide a smooth ride and unparalleled efficiency. They also provide the kind of performance that experienced cruisers look for when dealing with rough water. The bottom line: Boaters who choose an Aspen aren’t giving up anything—instead they are getting the convenience of trailerability as a bonus.

Patent No. US 8,109,221 B2

Stay Up to Date with Aspen Sign up to receive our enewsletter.

11656 Knudson Rd. Burlington, WA 98233

Privacy Policy

Tell us your Aspen Story .

© Copyright 2012 - 2024 | Aspen Power Catamarans

(360) 668-4347 EMAIL US

8 Best Catamarans That Are 30 Feet or Less

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site.

Large-sized catamarans are appealing due to their ample spacing and comfort. Therefore, a cruising family or couple looking to buy a boat is more likely to go for one of these. But are there small cruising catamarans that provide the performance, comfort, and amenities found in larger boats?  

The best catamarans under 30 feet (9.14 m) include the TomCat 6.2, Cadillac 27and 30, Gemini 30, Endeavour 30, and Maine Cat. These time-tested cruising cats are easy to handle, premium built, and are great for daytime sailing, overnight trips, and some even suitable for long-range sea passages. 

In this article, you’ll find a list of the best cruising catamarans below 30 feet (9.14 m). Keep reading to discover which catamarans make this list, what they have to offer, their pros and cons, and how much they cost.

If you are unsure whether or not 30ft is too small for your needs, then I suggest you check out another article I wrote named Best Size Catamaran , it will discuss why length matters and how it affects safety.

Unlike most catamarans designed for racing purposes, the TomCat 6.2 is a medium-sized cat that’s well-suited to daytime cruising. It boasts high-quality construction, vacuum-bagged hulls, and a plywood-reinforced deck.

This 20 footer (6.09 m) comes with an 11-foot (3.35 m) beam and not only offers you safety and comfort but performance and versatility as well. 

This boat has a centrally placed outboard engine and two rudders that allow it to turn quickly and maneuver confidently into and out of marina slips. The 9.9 hp outboard propels it to speeds of around 8 knots (9.21 mph or 14.8 kph), though the boat has the potential to move faster if desired.

This simpler type of cat (just one engine as an example) also allows for cheaper and easier maintenance. Maintenance costs are something most people underestimate when getting a cat, if you want to get some real numbers from actual sailors then I suggest you read this article (How much does it cost to maintain a cat).

The boat sails with minimal heeling, comfortably accommodate 6-8 people, and you can sail it single-handed or take a crew. 

High and narrow hulls bearing arched bottoms allow for a low wetted surface. The hull design provides low resistance and a great deal of reserved buoyancy and also enables you to drive through closely spaced waves.

On most 20-footers (6.1 m), driving through waves generates a smooth but wet ride, but with the TomCat’s enclosed deck (link to parts names explained here ), you are safe and protected behind a windshield and the high bulwark.

The TomCat makes an excellent cruiser because it performs impressively well both under sail and power. It combines the performance of a modern sailing cat with the comfort, style, and convenience of a powerboat. It’s also trailerable since you can detach the hulls from the deck , winch up the deck on a trailer, and slide the hulls underneath.

But the best part is that it’s easy on the pocket, with the price ranging between $36,750 and $44,580 .

Catalac 30 (9M)

The Catalac brand consists of strongly built vessels that sport thick hulls, glass windows, narrow beams, and vertical transoms . Catalac 30 was the first vessel in this popular British cruising line designed by Tom Lack in the late 60s. The boat’s appeal was attributed to its safety, ample spacing, well-built interior, and load-carrying abilities.

These characteristics are extremely important on a safe catamaran, overloading your cat makes it sit lower in the water, increases drag, reduces handling and speed, there is stuff you should know about this (so that you can make an educated buy). I have created an article where I try to explain the basics of a safe cat ( link here )

Sporting 5 berths, a massive galley, plus a cockpit with a sheltered steering position, the 30-foot (9.1 m) Catalac makes an excellent floating home for a cruising family. It sails exceptionally well, doesn’t heel ( heeling explained here ), and delivers a reasonable motor-sailer level of performance.

Furthermore, the hulls provide adequate headroom, allowing those on board to move around comfortably, and there’s enough space on the deck for sunbathing. 

The Catalac’s structure features solid fiberglass, chined hulls, and a staggered sheerline that allows easy aft access. With a modest rig that’s easy to handle, the Catalac can deliver top speeds of up to 12-14 knots (13.81-16.11 mph / 22.22-25.9 kph) under sail.

Given that the boat’s design focuses more on comfort than speed, this is a spectacular performance.  

Catalac 9M requires a skilled hand when turning into the wind as it is prone to blowing sideways. This is because the boat lacks ballast (which helps in keeping momentum during a tack) but also centerboards ( explained here ).

Skills are always the most essential things to bring aboard and you can acquire them in many ways, my two favorite ways are through NauticEd courses (two free courses here ) or by reading books (my top 15 books here )

Back to the boat! This model came in two versions; the standard layout contained a 30-40hp outboard, while the second option had duo engines. The latter is easier to maneuver into a marina. 

These cats retain their value pretty well. However, they might not be easy to come by since most owners find it challenging to get their hands on a larger boat with similar qualities and performance.

A Catalac 30 (9M) goes for between $33,000 and $55,000.

Catalac 27 (8M)

The Catalac 27 8M is a pocket cruiser that boasts a strong reputation for high quality, durability, and strength. Besides, the boat’s design makes it somewhat suitable for bluewater sailing ( understand why the small size is an offshore problem).

Built like a battleship, the boat contains solid fiberglass hulls. Additionally, it comes with double engines, a large cockpit fitted with cushions all around, and features standing headroom in each hull.

Like the Catalac 9M, this boat comes with two different layouts; a twin inboard diesel engine or an outboard engine. The twin-engine models can motor up to 1000 km (621 miles, read more on cat fuel consumption here ) without needing to refuel, while the 70 amps of charge plus water tanks (70 gallons / 265 liters) make these vessels remarkable coastal cruisers. 

Catalacs equipped with outboard engines sail faster since you can raise the engine during sailing and are also lighter. This helps to minimize drag . Catalac 8M sports a short but thick mast that helps make the boat stable. 

Though small in size, this catamaran packs a lot of features in its small frame. It has a full-sized berth, a large galley that’s almost 8 feet (2.4 m) long, a quarter berth, head, and navigation station.

What’s more, the cockpit is as large as that of a 38 to 40-foot (11.5 to 12.1 m) cat.

Catalac 27 costs about $31,836.

The Endeavour 30 

The Endeavour 30 catamaran is a boat characterized by stability, ample deck space, and a spacious interior. It boasts fast cruising speeds under both sail and power.

The boat has mini keels and rudders plus symmetrical hulls separated by a hydra-cell. The latter is a center section with a characteristic V-shape. 

The boat’s vacuum-bagged construction helps enhance strength and stiffness while reducing weight. Furthermore, the interior has a fiberglass mold, providing extra strength and rigidity. With sufficient breeze, this vessel can deliver reasonable off-the-wind and doable upwind speeds.

As such, you can expect to attain speeds of about ~10 knots (11.51 mph or 18.5 kph) on power reaches. Below is a video showing a panoramic tour of the Endeavour 30:

This vessel has the internal capacity of a 40-foot (12.1 m) monohull. And you can tell this from the unique layout merging the cabin and cockpit with wide doors to the numerous features packed into this 30-foot (9.14 m) vessel.

It has a spacious salon, an enormous galley, two queen berth staterooms with plenty of storage space, a head with separate showers, and a sizable U-shaped dinette. 

You can get this boat for under $50,000 .

The Geminis by Tony Smith were the United States’s first production cruising cats. Today, these vessels remain the most appealing American-built cruising catamarans. Built between 1981 and 1990, the Gemini 30 does not have a contemporary design, but it works remarkably well for cruisers desiring generous living space in a small affordable sailboat.

At only 14 feet (4.2 m) across, Gemini cats are somewhat narrow. But this mean s they can easily fit into most of the regular marina berths.

Besides, the boats still contain enough interior space for a queen-size double berth and two smaller doubles housed in separate guest rooms.

There’s also a modest but serviceable saloon with duo settees and a collapsible table that can transform into an additional double berth.

For the Gemini 30, this translates to a cruising cat with standing headroom that can comfortably accommodate 3 couples in private cabins or a family with small children. A good-sized galley, a spacious head with a shower, nav desk, and a large comfy cockpit make up the Gemini 30’s cruising palace.

Catamaran layout is highly personal and if you want to learn more about different characteristics then I suggest you read my article Designing the perfect catamaran layout ( Link )

While not that fast, the Gemini 30 will easily outsail the Endeavor 30 discussed above. Its daggerboards (which are explained in detail here ) can point well, and if you keep it light, it can do 7-8 knots (12.9-14.8 km/hr) under sail.

Besides, raising the daggerboards reduces the wetted surface area, and increases the speed downwind.

The Gemini 30 tends to pound and hobbyhorse a little when sailing in choppy waters – particularly when overloaded (more on load carrying capabilities in this article ), but the deep pivoting daggerboards provide stability and lift underwater.

Furthermore, the Gemini’s retractable rudders enable it to venture into shallow waters.

This is a very popular cruising cat that’ll give you a lot of bang for your bucks.

You can find a Gemini for less than $65,000.

Maine Cat 30 

The Maine Cat 30 combines premium quality construction materials with the most advanced building techniques to create a lightweight vessel capable of handling most offshore conditions. What’s more, this boat can remain trouble-free for years on end with little effort.

If you are in the market for a simple liveaboard cruiser that you can use for a short weekend getaway or a cruising voyage, this is it.

The boat has a sizable primary stateroom berth with ample overhead space and a dresser fitted with a hanging storage cabinet. The enormous head includes a toilet, sink, 20-gallon (75.71 L) holding tank, vanity, and a pressurized shower.

Covering the open bridgedeck is a permanent hardtop. This spacious bridgedeck can hold quite a crowd and comes with a convertible dinette that turns into an extra berth. If need be, you can even enclose the entire space using acrylic windows or screens. Gabo

The 360-degree visibility from the cockpit allows the captain plus the crew a panoramic view, and all sail controls go back to the cockpit, which is very useful if wanting to sail single-handedly.

I believe that most boats should be set up in this way since sooner or later you might be in a situation where there is only one person to handle the controls, such as in an emergency. But more on that in another article ( Link ).

The Maine Cat 30 is a classic boat that delivers on high-performance multihull sailing. Designed to offer much better performance than catamarans bearing tall and heavy bridge decks, this cat weighs less and suffers less windage thanks to the acrylic windows.

The boat’s interior layout allows for easy cleaning as surfaces sport a smooth gel coat and satin-finished cherry trim. The solid but lightweight furniture bears the same Core-Cell foam core employed on the hull, deck, and hardtop. Plus, there’s ample storage for all your sailing equipment, cleaning supplies, and provisions.

A Maine Cat 30 can cost up to $110,000.

Heavenly Twins 27

The overall design of this well-equipped catamaran makes it a superb pocket cruiser.

Heavenly Twins 27 manages to fit not one but two coachroofs on hulls that are only 27 feet (8.20 m) long. Canoe sterns and a central cockpit separating the duo coachroofs form the boat’s other prominent features. 

Famous for their excellent build quality, medium-depth draft, and narrow beams, Heavenly Twins 27 appeals to a wide range of boating enthusiasts.

These include solo sailors, weekend sailors, cruising families, circumnavigators, beginner sailors, and experienced liveaboards such as this famous Youtube channel “Kittiwake”.

The vessels house double cabins in the hulls while the forward starboard contains the heads and, to port, the galley. You can easily access the bar from the well-protected cockpit while the Comfordesk accommodation converts into a double dock. 

A stoop through allows access from below-deck to the aft compartment without going through the cockpit. There’s ample storage space throughout the boat, plus you can section off the large stateroom into smaller double compartments if desired.

The price range for this boat is $ 20,098 to $24,193. (I believe that kittiwake is for sale too)

The last cruising catamaran on my list is the Aquilon 26 . This French-built cruising vessel is light in weight and trailerable, which means you can disassemble it in a few hours or transport it as-is.

Designing a boat that is possible to disassemble usually means that it is structurally less strong, which by no means is a problem during coastal sailing but the Aquilon 26 is mostly attractive to sailors who prefer inland lake sailing. It’s also suitable for beginner sailors.

Although there are no real “beginner cats” there are specs to consider if you are a beginner with catamarans, most of them I have listed in another article ( here ). Gabo

This 26-footer (7.92 m) has the potential for good speed though its layout is anything but conventional- which forms part of its appeal.

The cockpit works as the saloon, and a full bimini protects the crew from lousy weather. The starboard hull contains a dinette and galley, and the port has a double berth stateroom. The windows are quite unusual, but they provide lots of light, remarkably enhancing interior visibility.

Aquilon 26 can deliver an average cruising speed of 10knots (11.51 mph or 18.5 kph).

On a beam reach, you can expect around 25 knots (28.77 mph or 46.3 kph) with an adequate breeze ( I have never sailed at 25knots but researching this boat supposedly it is possible).

You can get this boat for under $50,000.

What Makes Small Cruising Cats Attractive?

Small cruising cats are ideal for sailing along the coast. But that’s not all. Under capable hands, properly fitted smaller cats can also deliver spectacular offshore passages similar to their larger counterpart (Heres a list of full-sized bluewater cats).

They can operate over long cruise ranges, cross oceans , and circumnavigate the globe . Smaller cats are also suitable for day sailing, overnight trips, and coastal or inland voyages. 

For most sailors, comfort on board is crucial, so they’ll look for a vessel that guarantees a comfortable cruising experience. The good thing is that smaller vessels provide almost the same qualities and amenities that bigger vessels offer. Plus, you can do quite a bit with the available space, especially if it’s well laid out.  

You’ll find that most 30-footer (9.14 m) or more miniature cruising cats comprise a galley, head, bunks, navigation and entertainment electronics, and refrigeration.

Sailors usually talk about these benefits of smaller cats:

• They’re less expensive. Large boats are costly to buy. They also cost more to hire, maintain, and dock. You can buy a small-sized boat at a much lower price, and parts tend to cost less too. Besides, you get to use smaller sails, winches, and lighter lines than those applicable on a larger boat. And since marine services such as moorings and haul-outs get billed via boat length, a smaller cat makes sailing more affordable.
• They boast superior builds. Most cruising boats under 30 feet (9.14 m) feature designs that are 30+ years old. In those days, weather forecasts were hard to come by and not as accurate, so boat builders used hulls with thicker fiberglass than the type found in today’s builds. Furthermore, everything in the boat, including rigs, rudders, hulls, keels and decks, was designed to withstand strong winds and high waves. 
• They have simpler systems. This means less time spent fixing and maintaining your boat. For instance, most small cruising cats often lack water-makers, hot water systems, or electric anchor windlasses. 
• They’re easier to handle. Smaller cats are simpler to sail than larger cats. It’s also easier to sail one single-handed or with a small crew.

What is the largest cat on person can sail?

The Disadvantages of Smaller Cruising Cats

Below are some of the most discussed downsides of small cats:

• They have limited living space, storage, and amenities.
• Though they don’t heel much, they are less comfortable than larger boats since they get tossed around much more easily in big ocean swells.
• It’s not easy to accommodate crew for extended periods; hence there are fewer hands to share work.
• They are slower and take longer to get to their destination.

Though fewer are on the cruising trails than their larger counterparts, small catamarans make ideal cruisers because they are simple, seaworthy, and pocket-friendly.

When choosing the best cat for your needs, focus on quality rather than size. A well-planned 30-footer (9.14 m) is reliable and provides ample space for your accommodation, dining, and relaxation, plus a storage room for provisions and any spare parts you might need. 

And if you want even more info than I have presented to you in this article I would recommend a book from Serj, he makes it easy to understand why size matters and how to find a cat suited for your needs (amazon link )

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

Must-Have Boat Gear for Catamaran Sailors!

Sailing is probably the most gear-intensive activity I've ever done; there are so many decisions to be made about what gear to buy now, for tomorrow, and what to definitely never buy. The gear on...

6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing

Having a boat costs a lot of money, even when you are not using it, marina fees, etc. And once it is in the water most sailors never go very far from their "home marina" and sailing will be somewhat...

Our Cats Love the Water!

Catamaran Cruisers Houseboats

Our 10'x35' Catamaran Cruiser is an equally wonderful choice for the first-time houseboat owner or an old-salt who knows their starboard from their port. Though simple and streamlined, it still packs a lot of amenities into a 21’ cabin. You’ll get a 58” galley with full-sized fridge and bathroom with room to maneuver. Don’t forget, the 300 square feet of outside deck space for entertaining or relaxing. Watching the sunset over the water may just be your new favorite way to wrap up the day.  

This model is a great option for those looking for something just a bit roomier than our trailerable Lil Hobo. It’s also more economical than our 12’ and 14’ wide boats.  The Catamaran Cruiser 10’ x 35’ is really the sweet spot where affordability meets practicality.

CATAMARAN CRUISER 10X35

Click the box in the lower right corner of each virtual tour pic for a full screen view.

Living Area/ Galley

Midship & bathroom, sorry, the disembodied feet in the stateroom closet are not a standard option. .

(Some options shown)

Catamaran Cruisers Factory Direct Houseboats

Catamaran Cruisers 10' x 35' Houseboat Yamaha Motor

Catamaran Cruisers Houseboat Upper Deck