| There are many reasons sailors choose trailerable | | | | Vessel type can determine location |
| sailboats. The range on offer compliments those | | | | Not just in terms of water depth. Think about how far |
| reasons. From a 14' Laser dinghy through to a Colgate | | | | you plan to travel with your boat. Distances take |
| 26' or beyond. Common sense should tell you that | | | | longer to cover. This will eat in to your leisure time. |
| your best plan does not involve purchasing the first | | | | Depending of course on whether you keep her at |
| boat you see. Whether it be in a boat yard or online! | | | | home or on the hard standing of a marina. |
| You need to get on the water if at all possible to | | | | Where will the boat be kept? |
| check her out. | | | | There are several options here. In the water, on a |
| Comparison | | | | pontoon or swinging on a buoy. At the marina on hard |
| It's best to compare options first. But before that, | | | | standing or at home. There are costs to weighed up |
| parameters have to be considered and written down. | | | | over the mooring fees and antifoul versus lifting fees |
| There is no use buying a 25' vessel if your only using it | | | | or hauling if you have a larger boat. Of course hauling |
| a few times each year. Factors to bare in mind include: | | | | a Sunfish is much easier at 150 pounds, than a 2,600 |
| * The level of experience of those interested in sailing | | | | pound Colgate! |
| on board. | | | | Are you working to a budget? |
| * What purpose will the vessel serve? IE as a learning | | | | As we know there are a multitude of out goings with |
| experience or for weekend trips etc | | | | any boat. Trailerable sailboats are no different! Of |
| * Type of craft may determine where you can sail. IE | | | | course scale is a factor. Here a few to consider: |
| depth of water in inland tributaries | | | | * The condition of the boat versus cost for |
| * Where will the boat be kept? | | | | replacement parts |
| * Are you working to a budget? | | | | * Getting a survey done by an insurance approved |
| * What is the realistic amount of time the boat will be | | | | surveyor |
| sailed and maintained? | | | | * Mooring fees, lift fees, insurance, fuel and so on |
| These factors will help guide first timers and also act | | | | Determine what is realistic before being disappointed. |
| as a checklist for experienced sailors. On the face of | | | | Do lots of research. Become an expert! Ask friends, |
| it, they seem a bunch of niggling questions! Which to be | | | | ask owners - get a balanced view. You can then |
| fair they are. However down the line when you hear a | | | | compare opportunities. Vessels of any description if |
| terrible scrapping noise as you launch off unknown | | | | carefully maintained will hold their value over time. Of |
| public slipway. You may wish to kick yourself for not | | | | course finding out whether they have been raced is |
| finding out whether the slip is suitable for pocket | | | | important. This has pricing issues. Racing puts much |
| cruisers. | | | | higher stress and load through the hull and rigging. |
| Taking the questions in turn let's go through the list | | | | Dinghy hulls can actually change shape! |
| Level of experience | | | | Manufacturers to explore for trailerable sailboats |
| If your trained and accredited then you'll be aware of | | | | include: |
| the safety aspects involved with larger vessels. | | | | * Laser |
| Dinghies are generally designed to be less complicated | | | | * Sunfish |
| to sail. With fewer ropes and halyards, smaller sails, so | | | | * Precision |
| less powerful if things get hairy. Try telling the recent | | | | * Columbia |
| Olympic champions dinghies are for wimps! | | | | * Catalina |
| What purpose will the vessel serve? | | | | * Colgate |
| Looking to teach your kids to sail, is different from | | | | * Beneteau |
| weekend cruising. Days out on dinghies are more | | | | * Hunter |
| rewarding for a young crew in terms of knowledge | | | | You can get information from forums or dedicated |
| gained. If you want more than day sailing the more | | | | websites specific to the make - but not run by the |
| invested overall is required. As confidence and skills | | | | manufacturer! You'll get an enthusiastic reception and |
| grow, then larger boats become easier to handle. | | | | relevant advice. Good luck and great sailing! |