The largest trailerable boat?

[Christopher Cutshall]

I'm looking for advice on the largest practical trailerable sailboat. I would like to be able move between cruising grounds once or twice a season and stand the rigging without yard assistance assuming I have the right technique and human/mechanical advantage. I am committed to an Alberg design as the boat will be off shore in the Gulf of Maine. Usage will be day sailing and short term cruising with a small family. The CD25 would seem capable but I lust for more boat. Am I nuts to think a could tow, launch, and rig a larger vessel? Also, any thoughts on towing vehicle consideration would be a help. Thanks, I really enjoy this site.



cutshall@nh.ultranet.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>I would like to be able move between cruising grounds once or twice a season ...<<

Where are you planning on cruising? It might make more sense to just pay a delivery skipper to move the boat for you. Either that, or move *once* a season.

>>The CD25 would seem capable but I lust for more boat.<<

I can't see towing and launching a CD 27 or 28. My 28 weighs 9,000 lbs and draws 4'. How would you haul that up a ramp? And forget about getting the mast up without a crane.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



nr_gordon@compuserve.com

[Harvey Wilson]

I'm looking for advice on the largest practical trailerable sailboat. I would like to be able move between cruising grounds once or twice a season and stand the rigging without yard assistance assuming I have the right technique and human/mechanical advantage.

Hi Chris..

Is your CD-25 the 25D or outboard engine model?? There's a significant difference in the interior layout and sailing qualities of the two boats, even though they're the same size.

Nor'Sea makes a 27 foot trailerable bluewater boat. Their website is www.norseayachts.com. A cyberfriend on Compuserve bought a used one
a few months ago, and is very pleased with it.

They're designed by Lyle Hess, who shares the same philosophy as
Alberg in boat design. Check out the website..it's got a wealth of information on the designer and boat.

Harvey/ Ga

s/v Stargazer




harveywilson@compuserve.com

[Larry Austin]

Chris... go to the main page of this site , click on CCDO Note,
then click on Winter 1998 Issue, then click on Welcome New Calif. Members ...there is a photo of a Cape Dory 27 on a trailer.
Happy New Year!



laustin@us.ibm.com

[Jerry and Arlene]

I'm looking for advice on the largest practical trailerable sailboat. I would like to be able move between cruising grounds once or twice a season and stand the rigging without yard assistance assuming I have the right technique and human/mechanical advantage. I am committed to an Alberg design as the boat will be off shore in the Gulf of Maine. Usage will be day sailing and short term cruising with a small family. The CD25 would seem capable but I lust for more boat. Am I nuts to think a could tow, launch, and rig a larger vessel? Also, any thoughts on towing vehicle consideration would be a help. Thanks, I really enjoy this site.

Christopher
We have trailered a 25D from Colorado to the Sea of Cortez, Annacortes Wa. and sailed to Desolation Sound in BC, the Chesapeake, Florida to the Bahamas, Maine to Nova Scotia.
We can also raise the mast using the trailer winch. The boat and trailer go a little over 9,000lbs. Do not assume the displacement is the dry weight. By weighing the boat and trailer and then the empty trailer our 25D weighs 6790lbs. This directly affects the trailer capacity and the towing vechicle engine and axle ratio. One of our sailing friends has sailed the old 25 in most of the same areas. He now owns a 25D and tows with us on most trips.It is possible and you can sail a variety of areas and conditions. Try it.
Jerry



jlecocq@milehigh.net

[Catherine Monaghan]

Chris,

You cannot tow anything wider than 8.5 feet on America's roadways, so beam is a definite factor as well as weight when it comes to towing. Besides Alberg designs, there are other small, trailerable, bluewater boats, such as the NorSea 27, the Flicka and Dana (Pacific Seacraft), the the Com-Pac 23 and 25 (Hutchins).

Good luck in your search.

catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay

I'm looking for advice on the largest practical trailerable sailboat. I would like to be able move between cruising grounds once or twice a season and stand the rigging without yard assistance assuming I have the right technique and human/mechanical advantage. I am committed to an Alberg design as the boat will be off shore in the Gulf of Maine. Usage will be day sailing and short term cruising with a small family. The CD25 would seem capable but I lust for more boat. Am I nuts to think a could tow, launch, and rig a larger vessel? Also, any thoughts on towing vehicle consideration would be a help. Thanks, I really enjoy this site.

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[Dave and Jane Olson]

Christopher,
Jane and I had exactly the same interest and criteria for the purchase of a new boat. We bought a CD25D and feel that it is just right! It's larger the 25 on the inside and as far as towing is concerned it seems like quite a load.

At 5120 LBS. plus 1500 LBS. for the Triad tandem axle trailer you're talking 6600 LBS. Add "stuff" and you have yourself a handful. We custom ordered a Ford Expedition with everything set up for towing. It's max. is 8,000 LBS.

We towed it home from Appleton, WI to Minnetonka MN; 300 miles. When we started out Jane advised me that I may have to pull over at any moment so she could throw up! After 50 miles she got used to it and hopped in the back-seat to make me a sandwich! After another 50 miles she asked me to speed it up cuz she was ready to be home now...

We feel that this will be the maximum size that we would be willing to tow any distance, launch from a ramp and rig ourselves. We think that the next size up will be too big for us to do these three things ourselves.

We really are glad that we paid the extra money and bought a 25D; we were looking at the 25. we paid $21,000 for boat and trailer 1984 model.

Good Luck!

Dave and Jane Olson

I'm looking for advice on the largest practical trailerable sailboat. I would like to be able move between cruising grounds once or twice a season and stand the rigging without yard assistance assuming I have the right technique and human/mechanical advantage. I am committed to an Alberg design as the boat will be off shore in the Gulf of Maine. Usage will be day sailing and short term cruising with a small family. The CD25 would seem capable but I lust for more boat. Am I nuts to think a could tow, launch, and rig a larger vessel? Also, any thoughts on towing vehicle consideration would be a help. Thanks, I really enjoy this site.

102065.2666@compuserve.com

[Brewer Ezzell]

Chris,

Include in your search the Frances 26 designed by Chuck Paine. At 26 feet and width of 8'2", 3'10" full keel draft and 6,800 pounds displacement, she can be trailered. But plan on a yard to get her on and off the trailer. The mast is also keel stepped. In addition, she has 6' standing head room below. The boats built by Morris Yachts are high quality and are great sailing vessels. There have been numerous Atlantic crossings with this boat. The same hull is also built by Victoria Yachts in the UK.

Another eligible boat would be the Falmouth Cutter (22 feet) built by Sam L Morse on the west coast. Another boat with a history of bluewater crossings.

With either of these two boats, you will have to fight off people wanting to see your beautiful boat.



bemf249@murphyfarms.com