Better Sailing

Best Sailboats Under 25 Feet

Best Sailboats Under 25 Feet

Love fishing, going out on open water, and love the gentle rocking of waves? Then, now is the time to think of investing in a sailboat. Sailboats are silent, eco-friendly, and a great mode of transportation for water lovers. In addition, you can choose smaller boats for family sailing excursions. 

Why Get a Sailboat Under 25 Feet?

Owning a sailboat can be amazing for those who like an adventure. Having a small sailboat for some weekend fun can be a big achievement for people who like boats, water, and adventurous outings. These sailboats are a great way to have fun on the water, but they can also often accommodate a couple or a small family for a weekend. Here are some reasons why owning a sailboat is not a bad idea:

  • Eco-friendly : Sailboats use wind energy to sail on water. This makes these boats eco-friendly because it is safer for the environment. This keeps the water clean and the marine life safe from any pollutants. The sailboats are also less noisy. 
  • Power : Modern sailboats are quite different from the older versions. These days, boats have engineer power included. Yes, most of the navigation is done manually using the sails. Still, the engine gives a certain boost to the performance. This makes sailing an easier task and also provides more enjoyment for people on board.
  • Right-of-Way : When it comes to sailboats, they do not stop easily. That means they are required to have the right-of-way while on the water. You can easily pass through the water because nobody expects the sailboat to stop.
  • Affordable:  Most sailboats in the 25-and-under feet category are affordable and much cheaper to have fun with than pretty much any other weekend vehicle. You do not have to worry about fuel expenses or anything like that and 
  • Travel : A small sailboat under 25 feet can be a great way to go through the water for those who like to travel. Those who love sailing the water’s calmness and want to drift through less traffic should invest in a beautiful sailboat. Also, you can take your family with you without having to pay for separate tickets. 
  • Variety : Lastly, you can choose from a large variety of boats. There are hundreds of types to pick from based on their size, features, and ability to sail in various water bodies. This gives you a choice based on your budget, making it a convenient mode of transportation without spending too much. 

Here Are The 5 Best Sailboats Under 25 Feet:

Catalina 22 sport.

Catalina 22 is a very popular choice for smaller sailboats that can be trailered easily. The Catalina 22 sport is the updated version that has some added features. This sailboat is perfect for the weekend sailing excursion. 

  • Retractable keel made of lead
  • Roller furling jib
  • The fractional rig has the mainsail
  • The large cabin that can sleep four people
  • Engine, cloth cushions, and swim ladders are optional

Catalina 22 Sport Sailboat

>>Also Read:  Best Sailboats Under 100k

Montgomery 17

This is another smaller pocket sailboat. This sailboat can be trailered easily when required. It is a bit stout in looks, and the entire body is made of fiberglass. 

  • The deck-stepped mast can be used with a 4-part tackle
  • The boat is about 2 feet in depth
  • Comes in 15 and 23-foot models
  • Bunk beds in the cabin
  • Has a portable toilet
  • The boat has a lot of storage space
  • DC power is optional

montgomery 17 sailboat

>>Also Read:  Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

This is one of the best family vacation sailboats in a smaller size. It has an open transom cockpit, which is quite large and comfortable. This is a perfect two-person sailboat:

  • Hull and deck have laminated fiberglass
  • The centerboard can be lifted through hydraulics
  • The deck is molded as nonskid
  • Has a cuddy cabin with a bunk bed 
  • Portable toilet screened ports and an optional electrical system 

Hunter 22 Sailboat

>>Also Read: Best Small Sailboats Under 20 Feet

Norseboat 17.5

This is Canadian-made and is fit for both sailing and rowing. This is a comparatively recent addition to the sailboat market. It has an open cockpit that is enough for a two-man team.

  • The rig has a curved raff type
  • Two rowing stations
  • Carbon fiber mast
  • Fiberglass hull with ply interiors 
  • 9-foot oars as well

Norseboat 17.5 Sailboat

>>Also Read: Best Small and Trailerable Sailboats

Small Sailboat Buying Guide

Finding the right sailboat is not child’s play. These are not some simple appliances for the kitchen. Sailboats are large vehicles with many components and specifications. That is why you should pay attention to the overall features and details regarding the sailboat before. Choosing the right sailboat is about the size and the power, navigation controls, space, deck, and durability. Here are a few things that should be paid attention to when picking a sailboat for traveling:

  • Used or new : The first question you need to ask is whether to choose a new boat or a used one. New sailboats are expensive and are going to cost more than buying a used one. Also, the new ones will depreciate quickly as compared to the older boats. With new boats, you can take them to the water almost immediately. But with old ones, you will probably have to hire someone to make repairs and maybe upgrades. This will cost you some extra money too. It is always wiser to check the engine; the hull and deck should be dry and intact. Also, you should hire an experienced electrician to get the electric system upgraded. I am always a big believer in used sailboats, but you need to shop around for a good deal.
  • Small or big : Another big question that needs to be answered is whether the boat should be small or big. You can easily find smaller-sized boats under 25 feet, but also lavish 40-foot sailboats. Yes, the bigger ones do look great and enticing. But the larger the boat, the larger the expenses on it. If you are new to sailboats, then buying a smaller one is the best option. It will be easier to learn. Another thing to keep in mind is that larger boats are not that safe and beginner-friendly. It requires a lot of practice to navigate a bigger boat.
  • Ocean or lake : You should also consider where you will sail. Sailing on a calm lake is much different than sailing on an open ocean. Therefore, the boat choice should be decided based on that. You should ask whether you will sail inland or offshore. If you will sail on the ocean, then choose one sturdy and built for ocean sailing. Smaller sailboats work just fine if you plan to sail on a lake because they don’t need to be too bulky or fancy.
  • Leisure or adventure : Some people are serious sailors who like to reach the bigger waves and have an adventure on rough ocean waters. Others like to go fishing with their family on a lake. Now, the choice of sailboat should be made, considering the purpose of the sailboat. You should also consider how many people will be on board before buying a boat. Users should pick a boat that will be comfortable for everyone, especially for longer vacations. 
  • Cheap or expensive : Lastly, consider the cost of owning a sailboat. The sailboat cost is not just the buying price you need to pay. The cost of owning a sailboat will include all the upkeep, maintenance, and upgrading costs that the sailboat will incur over time. Always keep in mind the time you are planning to keep the sailboat. If the sailboat is for a shorter time, then investing too much is not smart. Also, you should be careful of the repair costs for older sailboats that need to be paid. 

Best Sailboats Under 25 Ft – Final Thoughts

Sailboats are a great way to have memorable vacations even when they are under 25 feet long. You can enjoy open waters, comfortable sailing, and some fun and quality family time on them. The best thing is that there are so many of them to choose from. Smaller sailboats are best for inland water sailing, weekend trips, and during holidays for a great fishing experience. Get ready to become a sailboat owner!

Peter

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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The Catalina 25

Like most catalinas, the 25 represents good value for the money, but sailing performance and construction quality are average at best..

[Updated December 6, 2018]

catalina 25 specs

The Catalina 25 is not exceptionally fast, stylish, or spacious compared to newer widebody models, and while the construction and workmanship are adequate, they too are not exceptional. But because of the builders strict adherence to a philosophy of offering a relatively spacious design, relatively well made, at a reasonable price, and backing up the product with generally good customer service, the Catalina 25 has turned out to be one of the most successful small cruising sailboats ever built, with 5,332 boats sold between 1976 and 1990, when the company ceased producing the model as demand tailed off.

The Catalina 25 Design

During those 14 years of production, the design went through a complete metamorphosis, starting out as a very simple and inexpensive trailerable swing-keel design, and ending as a relatively sophisticated minicruiser. As vice-president and chief designer Gerry Douglas says, The last boats we built had diesel inboards, hot and cold pressure water systems, and extremely complex electrical systems. They were like little Catalina 34s. It was what people wanted in the late 1980s.

If you consider all model years, you can find Catalina 25s with five different keel configurations: cast iron swing-keel, cast iron fixed keel, cast lead wing keel, cast lead fin keel without glass jacket, and in later boats, a lead keel encased in fiberglass. In the later boats there was a choice of fin keel, wing keel, or swing keel, and standard rig or tall rig. However, the swing-keel model, with a board-up draft of 2′ 8″, accounted for well over half of total production. Most Catalina buyers over the years have been cruisers rather than performance-oriented racers, and for many cruisers, the attractiveness of a boat suitable for shoal waters and trailering is undeniable. Relatively few Catalina buyers are avid racers, it seems. If the hundred or so owners who answered our survey request are an indicator, only a small percentage rate as important either the fin keels much more efficient foil shape and lower turbulence, or the greater light-air efficiency of a two-foot longer tall rig mast that increases sail area by almost 10 percent.

As the design developed over time, features changed enough so that in a number of respects the early boats are very different than 1987 and later model years. As a consequence, its imperative for prospective buyers to know what model year theyre looking at when shopping for used boats. Prices can vary from less than $5,000 to more than $16,000, not only dependent on condition, but also model year and features.

catalina 25 hull

For example, at various times there was a choice of two different interiors: a dinette arrangement, and opposing settees. A flip-top (Catalinas version of the pop-top), which provided standing headroom, was a popular feature that was optional until 1987, at which time it became standard. In fact, in 1987 the entire boat underwent a major design change, yielding among other things a more contemporary deck and a more refined interior, with less teak and more fiberglass.

Performance and Handling of the Catalina 25

The Catalina 25, with a PHRF rating of around 228 for the standard rig or 222 for the tall rig, is not especially fast for its size. In fact, the swing-keel version, which is noticeably slower upwind than the fin-keel version, probably deserves an even higher time allowance than its been given. The fin keel is generally acknowledged to sail close to its rating, at least once the breeze pipes up to 10 knots or so. The swing keel is not as hydrodynamically sleek, and the keel lifting cable is out in the open where it causes extra drag, intensified if seaweed gets hung up on it.

The boat (especially the keel version) balances relatively well, tracks satisfactorily, and is quite maneuverable if sails are properly trimmed; it can be unforgiving if they are not. Several owners com plained to us of a heavy weather helm in a breeze.

The tall rig is a bit more tender than the standard rig, but definitely adds speed in light air. One just reefs a little earlier to maintain helm balance. But despite its virtues, the tall rig has a drawback mentioned by several owners: Unless you have a sailmaker chop off the bottom 12″ of the sail, the boom swings too low over the cockpit. This, however, may be the fault of some sailmakers; the consensus is that Catalina-supplied sails were not as well-made or well-shaped as those obtained from other sailmakers.

Under power, the Catalina 25 will make about 5- 1/2 knots with a 6-hp. outboard, and you can coax an extra 1/2 to 3/4 knot or so out of the boat with an 8- hp. or 9.9-hp. engine. (Theoretical maximum hull speed in ideal conditions is around 6.3 knots.)

The outboard is mounted on a fold-up transom bracket mounted off center to accommodate the outboard rudder. Some owners complained that the motor is difficult to raise and lower. Others observed that, in rough seas, when the boat pitches, an ordinary 20″ shaft outboard prop has a tendency to ventilate, particularly if the auxiliary is used under sail and the boat heels away from the side on which the engine is mounted. The owner consensus is that a 25″ extra long shaft largely solves that problem.

An inboard diesel engine would also solve the problem, but is not recommended; an owner of a 1986 model equipped with a 10-hp. Universal engine reports his boat is very slow under power, at least with the two-blade prop hes currently using. A three-blade prop might help, but would also significantly increase drag under sail.

Another disadvantage of the transom-mounted outboard is that its difficult for the helmsman to control. One owner who told us hed rigged remote engine controls in the cockpit said, Its the best thing weve done.

The boat needs to be reefed in 15 knots of wind (a jiffy reefing main was standard in later boats, though a roller furler for the jib was not). Above 15 knots, weather helm becomes very heavy if the main is left unreefed; one owner observed that she tends to round up in strong winds, or if heeled more than 15 degrees.

A short traveler is integrated into the stern pulpit, and although this works well while cruising, and

permits use of a bimini to protect crew from too much sun, mid-boom sheeting and a mid-cockpit traveler work better for single-handed daysailing and racing. Consequently, many owners have added the inboard traveler, some with a snap-on mainsheet block so they can switch back and forth.

A peculiarity of the design is that the distribution of the boats components evidently caused listing, in some boats to starboard, in others to port. For example, in the 1981 dinette model, owners complained that the dinette, engine, fuel tank, galley, and head were all on the port side, causing the boat to list noticeably to port. Catalina evidently took these complaints to heart, but the results were not totally effective; an owner of a 1982 model complained that batteries, holding tank, and outboard on the starboard side produced a list in that direction.

Other owner responses to our questionnaire included the following:

The absence of a bridge deck is a possible safety hazard when sailing offshore in a big following sea.

Narrow (7″ wide) sidedecks make going forward somewhat difficult. So do the 22″ high stanchions when the boat is heeled, impeding passage forward on the high side; shorter stanchions would help, but wouldnt be as safe.

The lifelines don’t lead to the top of the bow pulpit, but instead run to the deck at the bow to provide a slot for a deck-sweeping genoa. This can make the foredeck area insecure in adverse weather conditions. Bails on the top of the pulpit and pelican hooks on the lifelines would be an improvement, since it would then be possible to raise the lifelines in heavy weather or when a high-clew jib is being used.

Catalina 25 Interior

Compared to other boats available in the 1970s an early 1980s, the Catalina 25 is relatively spacious below, though some readers complained that the aft double is really only a single quarter berth and that the port side settee berth is not long enough for an adult. Newer beamier designs, of course, have the advantage of more elbow room below.

At least one owner improved sleeping accommodations by building a plywood platform which fits between the table on the port side and the settee on the starboard. The aft berth cushion, under the cockpit sole, was shortened slightly to fit on this platform. When in place, the platform results in an athwartships berth about 6′ 4″ long and 5′ 1″ wide, big enough for a double sleeping bag. When not in use, the plywood platform stows on the aft berth.

catalina 25 specs

Light and ventilation below is very adequate, as long as theres a breeze from forward. Because the forward hatch slopes down the forward edge of the cabin trunk, when open it becomes a very effective windscoop. Boats with pop-tops have additional ventilation.

The pop-top was an extra-cost option, and a very popular one. Reader praise of the pop-top is almost universal, with comments from Buyer interest is much higher on boats with pop-tops to Contrary to what some folks say, this pop-top does not leak in the rain or spray. Headroom is 6′ 4″ with the pop-top raised.

Until the 1983 model year, when the company redesigned the icebox so it would, as one owner reported, keep block ice for three days, the icebox was severely under-insulated; many owners reported that it would only hold ice for less than a day. Another complaint was that the icebox drains directly overboard, and as a consequence, if the drain is left open when the boat heels, water enters the icebox. One reader killed two birds with one stone: We keep our trash in the built-in cooler where it is out of sight, and use an Igloo cooler which is bigger and works better.

Construction of the Catalina 25

The Catalina 25 has a full fiberglass hull liner, which makes it easier to keep the boat clean but at the same time can make repairs and adding owner-installed custom components more difficult.

Several owners judged that Florida-built Catalina 25 hulls, though adequate in strength, are not as well finished as the California-built boats. And several others commented on gel coat chipping and cracking, voids, pits, and crazing, particularly in stressed areas such as at sharp changes of direction in the cockpit, and corners of hatch covers, though these problems didnt seem to be a function of builder location.

Bottom blistering seems to have been a fairly common problem on Catalina 25s when an epoxy bottom coat had not been applied under the antifouling paint to prevent water incursion. Catalina now has a 10-year no-blister warranty, but during the era of the Catalina 25, the company had a five-year warranty with gradually diminishing payments during the period. Judging from reader response to our questionnaire, some owners were not entirely satisfied with that arrangement.

In the swing-keel version, Catalina used an ordinary galvanized steel trailer winch to hoist the keel, and although there are no doubt some 20-year-old boats that still have the original winch, many owners have had to repair or replace some or all of it, particularly when the boat is sailed in saltwater.

Another problem with early swing keel models involved breaking the pennant. At the lifting point on the trailing edge of the swing-keel there is a tapped hole on a flat area into which screws a stainless steel eye. A swaged fork fits over the eye and pivots on it as the keel swings up or down. The factory fixed the eye in place with Loctite, but over the years the eye could rotate, so that the clevis pin became parallel to the keel instead of perpendicular to it. Then it would bind, and eventually end up bending and then breaking the wire at the joint of the wire and the swaged fitting. To solve the problem, Catalina came up with a device to keep the eye from rotating, but some older boats may not be retrofitted. Owners and prospective buyers of older boats should examine the swing keel to be sure the eye is solidly fixed in place.

Several owners complained that there is no mechanical lock to stop movement of the swing keel,

which even at anchor can move laterally in its trunk, banging, thumping, and making it, according to one owner, hard to sleep through the night. Catalina offers a retrofit kit to alleviate the problem, composed of nylon or neoprene washers -but according to some owners, this cure is only partially effective.

The surface of the cast iron swing keel was said by some of the performance-oriented owners to be comparatively rough as it came from the factory. They advise filling and sanding fair and smooth for better sailing speed. We would add that the keel should be checked regularly for corrosion, and an epoxy barrier coat should be maintained on the surface to prevent excessive rusting and deterioration.

Deck and cabin hardware, while generally adequate, is considered sub-par by some owners, particularly on the early models. For example, the type of closed-barrel turnbuckles Catalina used are hard to inspect without disassembly, and as a result tend to corrode internally, sometimes freezing or completely failing. Later models have the open-barrel type, which is preferable.

The forward hatch for several model years was attached with self-tapping screws rather than throughbolted, causing the hatch to become loose in some cases. By 1983, bolts had replaced the screws. Other relatively common complaints include rusty screws on deck fittings, broken boom goosenecks, insufficient bow eye backing plates, tillers splitting (on one boat the tiller split twice), and problems with rudders delaminating and splitting along the edge.

A particularly common problem noted is that rudder gudgeons and pintles break or come adrift

from the transom. The repair involves installing a handhole inspection port on the inside of the transom to gain access to the fastening bolts. One reader said his lower pintle had broken under racing conditions, but that he had cured the problem by adding a third pintle and gudgeon halfway between the top and bottom fittings.

Several other readers reported that their boats had loose gudgeon bolts, stress cracks in the transom at the gudgeon attachment points, and transom leaks. One owner reported the transom cracked below the motor bracket because of lack of reinforcement behind the bracket.

The hull-deck joint on some models used selftapping screws rather than through-bolts. Several readers experienced rain and spray leaks along the rail. Portlights also have been a source of leakage problems, as have cockpit scuppers, rudder gudgeons, and various pieces of dealer-installed deck hardware, mostly due, we guess, to inadequate bedding procedures and backup plates.

Trailering the Catalina 25

Despite the fact that a bare Catalina 25 weighs approximately 4,150 lbs., the boat plus trailer, loaded for a weeks cruise, can easily weigh over 6,000 pounds. That means its necessary to tow with a big pickup or van equipped with a towing package, and virtually eliminates prospective trailer-sailors who only have access to an ordinary passenger vehicle, no matter how powerful. (An exception: Big cars built before the advent of downsizing and integral frames. For example, one reader says he pulls his 6,000-lb. rig successfully with a 1973 Olds 98).

The Catalina 25s mast is deck-stepped on a hinge, but several readers complained that no factory method is offered to make mast-raising safer and easier. Still, some owners have devised their own systems, with which they seem to be satisfied. One who made extensive modifications figures it takes him a mere 45 to 60 minutes from the time he pulls into the parking lot at the launching ramp until hes sailing away-and only a little longer than that to reverse the procedure.

One reader pointed out that with the swing keel model the rudder is deeper than the retracted keel (unless its a folding rudder, which Catalina offered as an option in some model years), which can produce problems at the launching ramp under some conditions. Another owner feels that his fin-keel is as easy to ramp-launch as a swing keel, provided an extra-long trailer tongue extension is used. We think that might be true on some ramps, but not on others.

If youre shopping for a Catalina 25 already equipped with a trailer, check the GVWR (Gross

Vehicle Weight Rating) decal before you buy. It indicates the loaded weight of the trailer in pounds, i.e. the sum of the carrying capacity of the trailer plus the weight of the trailer itself. One reader ordered (from a Florida dealer) and paid for a trailer with a 7,000 lb. capacity rating. What he got was one rated for only 5,000 lbs. He was prompted to check the decal because, he says, The trailer looked skimpy. He weighed the combination with the boat stripped and it came to 5,620 lbs. The dealer claimed it was the same trailer they always use for this boat an the dealer passed me off to the Florida plant, who passed me off to the trailer manufacturer, who finally made good after Frank Butler got into the act-after seven months of hassling.

New or unseasoned sailors making their first or second foray into the boat-buying game may find that the Catalina 25 is an attractive choice. The boat is relatively easy to handle, can be single-handed without too much trouble, and while not fast in the racing sense, is fast enough to satisfy many cruisers. The interior is big enough for two to cruise in relative comfort, while the overall size of the boat is not daunting to most newcomers to the sport. Other advantages for new sailors are that Catalina, in most cases, does a good job with customer service, and theres a quarterly 100-page glossy publication for all Catalina owners (from 8′ Sabots to all the way to Catalina 42s) called Mainsheet which offers support and helps to keep communications open between owners.

Asking prices on used Catalina 25s range from around $4,000 for older (late 1970s) models that probably need some work, to around $16,000 for newish (late 1980s) models fully equipped and in like-new condition, probably with an inboard engine and a trailer included. A price of $7,000 to

$8,000 is typical for early to mid-1980s boats, though we noticed a wide range, presumably based on condition and accessories.

Prospective buyers should check for bottom blisters (which can be expensive to repair), evidence of problems around the keel bolts or pivot on the swing keel, rudder connection problems, cracks in turnbuckles or rigging terminals, leaks around windows and hull-deck connection, and other common (and correctable) flaws.

Also check for which of the many extra-cost options have been installed-options which many experienced sailors would say should have been standard: boom vang, genoa winches, pop-top with canvas enclosure (originally two separate options), basic electrical system with running lights and cabin lights, galley equipment, head, lifelines and stanchions, and sails. Check especially the brand of sails; many readers report that they have been dissatisfied with Catalinas own brand of sails.

Overall, we think the Catalina 25 is not fancy or fast, but is economical, a fair sailer, and roomy for its size-a good boat for non-racers who don’t have a big budget and for relatively new sailors who want to get their feet wet in the sport.

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12 comments.

Mr Nicholson,

Thank you for the report on the Catalina “25” I’ve Been searching for an older (less expensive) under 30’ single handed sailboat for the past several months and finally today someone posted a Catalina 25’ on buy, sell, or trade in the Destin Florida area. The elder gentleman wanted to restore it but a bad hip has preventing that, so he sold it to me. I started sailing about 20 years ago with a Balboa 27’ with a swing keel (what a life saver). Lost it in the divorce. There are many sand banks and shoals here in Choctawhatchee Bay and a swing keel is what a newbie needs. I don’t think this Catalina has a swing keel, at least I don’t see the crank in the cabin. The ships dimensions in your report help immensely. I have not done an inventory yet on board (they left a lot of stuff) I hoping the main is useable and I have already inspected and cleaned the storm jib, I don’t see a Genoa (Bimini) or any other jib sail hidden away. Anyways, thanks for your report I look forward to getting it under sail.

We’ve had a 1985 Catalina 25 swing keel since 2006. I’ve sailed a lot of different boats over more than fifty years. This boat has been a good investment for fun and reliability. I’ve never reefed in the near fifteen years sailing it on the Monterey Bay. We’ve burried the rails on more than one occasion and while it does weather helm in heavy winds, it’s easily managed and I’ve never been worried about a knockdown.

Have 1985 Catalina 25 swing keel, #K4978. I don’t know if it’s the standard or tall rig. Can I tell from the HIN#?

i am new owner of a 25ft 1981 catalina and i need 1 simple measurement .. height of wing keel from the bottom of keel to the bottom of the boat as i am building a trailer to get it home with..

sorry fin keel

I am looking to buy a fixed keel Catalina 25. The keel seems short ar 4 ft when I would have expected 5 ft for a boat this size. My question is does this make the boat more tender with ballast less lower in the keel. And how does this affect performance say against the swing keel model

Did you get to sail ‘er this summer? We have a 1980 fin keel and as long as your co-captain doesn’t mind 10 to 15 degree heel, you’re not afraid to reef the main in a blow and you’re not sailing in a hurricane, you’ll find that 4 feet of keel is plenty.

Hi Peter, We’ve had our 1986 C25 SR SK for four years now. Our mooring mates have an 81 TR FK and we oftentimes run them together. While the Tall Rig makes theirs a little tender, proper trim seems to mitigate most puffs. As for our Swing Keel, typically deployed fully, we notice we cannot point as high but routinely we are keeping up around 6kts. I do notice in the SK, with the other owners aboard, that we have gain positive comments for our sails so I guess that is where you have a tough time making scientific comparisons, lots of variables. We have an even less fair comparison, a C25 Capri who has newer nicer sails and a seasoned skipper who wins most regattas and that fin easily allows him to point with a larger sail plan. The more I write, the less I think this will help you; however, for a swing keel, we’re plenty happy from a non-competitive perspective and don’t have envy/regrets when looking on those with fixed.

We have a Catalina 25 from 1983. We are in a humid area. We love the boat! Our son wants to add an air conditioner of some form to make it more tolerable to sleep on hot nights. I do not want to overwhelm the interior where I sit at the table to prepare meals and do artwork. What suggestions might you have for our situation? Thank you!

Pardon it is an 89 not an 83 Catalina !

I have a 1985 22ft and the cable for the keel broke can this be loaded onto a trailer?

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My Cruiser Life Magazine

7 Best Trailerable Sailboats for Cruising

Many sailors balk at the idea of leaving their boat in the water at a marina. Slip fees are expensive, and maintenance bills get bigger the longer you leave a boat in the water. However, if you want a boat under 30 feet long, there are trailerable sailboats that will fit the bill.

Like any boat purchase, you’ll need to analyze precisely what kind of trailer sailer you want. Will a simple weekend sailboat suffice, or do you really need the best trailerable cruising sailboat you can find? 

Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of the best trailerable sailboat. Plus, we’ll look at how to compare them for your purposes.

trailerable sailboat

Table of Contents

Best trailerable sailboats, easy to launch trailerable sailboats, quick setup time, towing weight, catalina 22/25 “pop-top”, com-pac horizon cat for classic coastal cruising, marshall sanderling — small, portable, classy, west wight potter 19 — the tiny go-anywhere sailboat, seaward 26rk with retractable lead keel, corsair f-24 trimaran – sporty sailing, macgregor 26m — maximum speed meets maximum living space, long-range cruising boats, 7 best trailerable boats – a recap, what’s the best trailerable sailboat for a cruise, trailerable sailboats faqs.

  • Catalina 22/25
  • Com-Pac Horizon Cat
  • Marshall Sanderling
  • West Wight Potter 19
  • Seaward 26RK
  • Corsair F-24 Trimaran
  • MacGregor 26M
BoatProsCons
Catalina 22/25 with Pop-TopStanding headroom when pop-top extended; Feels much larger than it is; Allows freedom of movement for cooking, changing, etcPop-top only provides headroom in small section of boat; Later models lacked this feature
Com-Pac Horizon CatWell built; Quick-rig system for fast & simple setup; Separate head; Space to loungeNo mention of cons
Marshall SanderlingEasy to sail & tow; Traditional charm; Fiberglass hull; Option for electric motorVery small for cruising; No galley; Toilet not enclosed
West Wight Potter 19Reputation for go-anywhere cruiser; Hotplate, sink & porta-potty packed in; Easy setup & towingExtremely tight quarters; No mention of cons
Seaward 26RKHigh quality construction; Retractable keel provides stability & shallow draft; Lots of amenitiesHeavy – 6,000 lb towing weight
Corsair F-24 TrimaranVery lightweight & easy to tow; Offers adrenaline-pumping performance sailingNot ideal for offshore/rough conditions
MacGregor 26MMassive interior space; Towable behind most vehicles; Fast powerboat & sailboat capabilitiesNot built for offshore use; Not appealing for hardcore sailors

We’ll get into more detail about each brand in my post today, so hang tight!

What Is a Trailerable Sailboat, Exactly?

For this article, the priorities for a trailerable sailboat are:

  • Easy to launch
  • Require minimum setup to launch and store
  • Lightweight enough to be towed by the average vehicle

Before you can really classify a sailboat as trailerable, you need to evaluate and narrow your search criteria. Truthfully, 50-plus-foot ocean-going sailboats are regularly put on trailers. But that’s done commercially, on a big rig, with special permits for oversized loads, and even led cars.  

That probably isn’t what most people mean when they think of a trailerable sailboat. But what is the priority here, the trailerable part or the sailboat part? Compromises are going to have to be made somewhere. 

If you’re looking at the 20-foot-and-under sailboat crowd, finding a trailerable example should not be hard. Most sailboats this size are designed for trailers anyway since they aren’t the sort of boats people want to pay to leave in a slip year-round.

Things get more interesting when you look at the 20 to 30-foot boats. In this class, there are stout ocean-going cruisers with deep keels and lightweight centerboard trailer sailboats designed from the get-go to be trailered by the average car or SUV. The differences between these boats are night and day.

Sailboats often have a hard time at boat ramps. First, deep keels mean that the trailer must extend farther into the water than the average boat ramp allows. This means the ramp needs to go back far enough, and the trailer tongue needs to be long enough not to swamp the car. 

If you have a boat like this, you’ll need to find the right boat ramps. Unfortunately, not all ramps are created equally. If your boat draws more than two or three feet on the trailer, you’re going to be limited to steep, paved, and high-quality boat ramps. Unfortunately, those aren’t standard features, so your cruising grounds are going to be limited.

Usually, ramps aren’t built steeply because they are often slippery. Your tow vehicle will need excellent traction and torque to pull your fully loaded boat out of a steep ramp. The steeper the ramp, the more trouble you’ll have. 

The alternative to finding steep ramps is to use a trailer tongue extender. This lets you get the trailer into deeper water without swamping the tow vehicle. But it also means that the ramp needs to extend deep enough. Many ramps end abruptly. Allowing your trailer to sink off the edge is an excellent way to get stuck or pop a tire.

Pick a boat as easy to launch and retrieve as a similarly sized powerboat to remove all of these boat ramp problems. The soft chines of most sailboats will always require a little more water, but a swing keel and the hinged rudder raised mean that the boat can sit low on the trailer bunks. That way, you only need one or two feet of water to launch, an easy feat at nearly every boat ramp you can find.

The next consideration for a sailboat to be portable enough to call it “trailerable” is the amount of time it takes to step the mast and get it ready to cruise. 

To accomplish this, you need a mast that can be stepped by a two-person team–maximum. Ideally, it will have some tabernacle hardware to enable one person to do the task for solo sailing.

There is an entire family of pocket cruisers that could ideally fit on trailers. But you won’t find the Fickas or the Falmouth cutters on my list, simply because they aren’t easy to launch or easy to rig. But, of course, they’re also too heavy for most vehicles to tow, which leads us to the final point of excluding them this trailable pocket cruiser’s list.

One of the most significant financial burdens the trailer sailer faces is their tow vehicle. You are all set if you already drive a two-ton dually diesel pickup truck. But if your daily driver is an SUV or light pickup, you need to think long and hard about the math of the towing equation. 

Whatever boat you buy cannot exceed the towing rating limits of your tow vehicle. If you don’t have a tow vehicle, you’ll need to buy one. This will double or triple the cost of getting a trailer sailer in most cases. For the same money, you may want to look at a boat that stays in the water at a traditional boat slip. For the cost of a trailer sailer and a tow vehicle, you can probably step into a nice boat that is larger and more comfortable than any towable.

If you have a tow vehicle, you need a light enough vessel for it to tow. Most modern SUVs tow less than 2,500 pounds. Anything more than 5,000 will require a full-size pickup. Remember that the tow weight isn’t just the boat’s displacement—it’s the empty hull weight, plus the weight of the trailer and any extra gear you need to pack into the boat. 

Finding a vessel that fits these limitations on weight isn’t easy. If the manufacturer’s goal is to make it towable, immediate limits are placed on the materials they can use. This means less seaworthiness since boats are built light and thin. As far as stability goes, lead keels are generally out, and water ballast systems or centerboards might be used instead. It doesn’t mean these boats aren’t safe and fun, but they aren’t designed for rough conditions, crossing oceans, or living on in the water full-time .

Trailerable sailboats are usually limited to the best paved ramps

7 Best Trailerable Cruising Sailboats

There are more trailerable sailboats out there than you might imagine. Here’s a look at seven popular options of all shapes and sizes to give you a taste of what you might want to take to sea.

The boats here are selected for their storage and living space. With these boats and a little outfitting, you can spend weeks gunk-holing in the Chesapeake Bay or island hopping the Bahamas. If you broaden your scope to include daysailers with no cabin space, there are countless more options.

One of the worst parts of a small trailerable sailboat or pocket cruiser is the lack of stand-up headroom. One clever solution that you’ll find on some weekend sailboat types is the pop-top. 

The pop-top is simply an area around the companionway hatch that extends upward on struts. So when you’re at the dock or anchor, you get standing headroom down below—at least right inside the pop-top.

You can build a canvas enclosure for your pop-top to use it in all weather. A pop-top makes your boat feel much larger than it is and allows you to move freely to cook or get changed down below or even do a nice boat bed area. 

Later models of the Catalina Sport 22 and Capri 22s lacked this cool pop-top feature, so if you want it, you’ll need to seek out an older model on the used market.

Com-Pac has been building small sailboats since the early 1970s. They currently sell two lines, each with various-sized boats. All are well built, and a majority of their boats are trailerable. 

Most interesting at the Com-Pac traditional catboats . The rigging is more straightforward than modern sloops, with only one large mainsail. Com-Pac boats come with a unique quick-rig system to make getting on the water fast and simple.

The Horizon Cat Coastal Cruising has a displacement of 2,500 pounds with a 2’2″ draft when the board is up. She has a separate head forward and space to lounge either topside or down below. The smaller Sun Cat has slightly few amenities but shaves off a few feet and pounds, making it easier to tow and it is one of these amazing small sailboats. Com-Pacs features stub keels, so their centerboard and hinged rudder do not take up space in the cabin.

On the sloop rig side, the Com-Pac 23 comes in a 3,000-pound traditional sailboat or a very interesting pilothouse. Both are incredibly livable for their size , with shallow two-foot-long fixed keels and high-quality construction.

Another option if you like catboats is the Marshall Sanderling. This salty 18-footer oozes traditional charm , all while being easy to sail and easier to tow. And while she has wooden boat lines, she has a modern laminated fiberglass hull.

The Sanderling has a 2,200-pound displacement, so tow weights will be around 3,000 pounds. At only 18-feet, she’s on the small side for cruising. The cuddy cabin has no galley, and the portable toilet is not enclosed. But that small size means a simple boat that’s easy to maintain and take anywhere. 

An electric motor package is an exciting option on this weekend sailboat!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @marshallmarinecat

You can’t mention tiny trailer sailers without touching on the famous West Wight Potter . These 15 and 19-foot pocket cruisers have earned a worldwide reputation as the ultimate go-anywhere coastal cruiser.

The West Wight Potter 19 offers the most living space for staying aboard and cruising. So even though its dimensions are diminutive, this little boat packs a lot in. There’s a single burner hotplate and sink and a porta-potty tucked under a cushion. Yes, it’s tight—but the company claims the little boat can sleep five people. Any more than two will feel pretty crowded, however.

The boat comes standard with a mast-raising system that a single person can manage alone. It has a daggerboard for a shallow draft of a half-foot when the board is up. The total towing weight is around 1,500 pounds, which means nearly any car can tow a West Wight Potter.

This little-known trailer sailer is produced at the same Florida factory that makes Island Packet Yachts. That should give you a little bit of an idea of what sort of boat it is—trailerable, yes, but also high-quality, beautiful, and built for cruising. In other words, it’s one of the nicest all round pocket cruisers and it feels like a much larger boat.

The Seaward is easily the saltiest boat on this list . It’s beefy and seaworthy. Instead of a lightweight centerboard, Seaward fits the RK with a bulb-shaped retracting keel. Other big-boat items include a Yanmar diesel inboard motor and an enclosed head. The spacious cabin of the boat features a double berth and is ready for salt water cruising.

According to sailboatdata.com , the tow weight of the 26RK is 6,000 pounds. With the keel up, the draft is 1.25 feet.

Multihull sailors need not feel left out from the trailer sailer club and the pocket cruiser. Beyond the ubiquitous beach Hobie Cat, there are not many options for catamarans. But trimarans are uniquely suited to be towed.

Why? For one thing, performance oriented boats like trimarans are based on it being built light. There is no ballast—a trimaran’s stability comes from its two outer hulls. Additionally, the living space is entirely housed in the central hull–the outer floats are small and sometimes foldable. Finally, there are no keels on tris, so they are extremely shallow draft and perfect for trailering.

If you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping sporty and fun sailing, it’s impossible to beat what a trimaran will offer. Let’s not beat around the bush—most of the trailer sailers on this list have hull speeds around five knots. The Corsair has no such limits, routinely sailing at 15 knots or more .

The new Corsair 880 trimaran has an unloaded weight of 3,659 pounds. It is trailerable behind a big SUV or small pickup and is probably the most fun sailing option that is trailerable at all.

An even more portable option is the older Corsair F-24. It has a light displacement of under 2,000 pounds—so nearly any SUV can tow it.

MacGregor owns the market on trailerable motor sailers since they more or less created the product to fit the bill. The MacGregor 26 is not like other boats. The design combines a planing powerboat with a centerboard sailboat. Imagine scooting along at 20 knots or more when the wind is down or enjoying a sporty sail on a breezy day–in the same boat.

The entire boat is built from the ground up for towing and long-range sailing. So if you want a big sailboat that you can tow behind pretty much any SUV, the MacGregor has to be on your list. 

Depending on the model, the 26-foot-long boats have incredibly light dry weights of between 1,650 and 2,350 pounds. Considering the massive volume of the roomy cabin, the ability to tow such a large vessel opens up an entire world of opportunities for owners. 

It’s not all good news, of course. MacGregor owners love their boats, but they are built light and are not ideally suited for offshore cruising or rough weather. But in bays and for coastal sailing on nice days, few boats can get as much use as a MacGregor. 

The motorboat capability of the 26M and 26X might not appeal to hardcore sailors, but for those looking to maximize their use of the boat depending on the weather, their mood, or location, it makes a lot of sense. 

MacGregor shut down in 2015, but the daughter and son-in-law of the original owners took over production and renamed the boat the Tattoo 26 . The company will soon release a smaller version, the Tattoo 22 .

If the 26 is a bit big to make your list of best trailerable small sailboats, consider the smaller Powersailer 19. It’s nearly identical to the 26, just smaller and lighter.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dale Roddick (@droddick33)

What Do You Want Your Trailer Sailer To Do?

After you’ve settled on how you will tow and launch your trailer sailer, now it’s time to dream about what you want it to do. Where will it take you? 

The beauty of a towable boat is that you can travel anywhere. A boat in the water might take weeks or months to move a few hundred miles. But if you can attach it to your car and do 65 mph on the interstate, you could sail on the Pacific on Monday, the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, and the Atlantic on Friday.

We can divide our trailerable sailboats into three groups – daysailers, weekenders, and cruisers.

These are designed with open cockpits and no space to sleep. This is a majority of the sub-22-foot boats on the market. They are designed to be launched, play for the day, and return to the ramp or dock.

A weekender will have rudimentary sleeping facilities. Think of it as a floating tent—it’s not a five-star hotel, but you can sleep under the stars or get out of the rain. Conceivably you could stay aboard indefinitely, but it doesn’t have much room for gear. So most people are ready to get off after a day or two. 

A cruising boat has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities built-in. These might be small and simple, but in any quantity, they mean you can disconnect from shore for a long time. Unfortunately, squeezing all of this into a tow-friendly package isn’t easy, and very few boats do it well. 

Trailer sailer adventures

BoatAdvantages
Catalina 22/25 “Pop-Top”– Standing headroom below deck
– Feels much larger than it is
– Freedom to move below deck
Com-Pac Horizon Cat– Simple catboat rigging 
– Quick-rig system
– Shallow 2′ draft
– Quality construction
Marshall Sanderling– Traditional charm
– Easy to maintain
– Electric motor option
West Wight Potter 19– Go anywhere reputation
– Packs in amenities
– Towable by any vehicle
Seaward 26RK– Quality construction
– Big boat features
– Retractable keel
Corsair F-24 Trimaran– Very light/easy to tow
– Shallow draft
– Fast performance
MacGregor 26M– Massive interior space
– Planing hull enables speed
– Towable by most SUVs

The best trailer sailor for your adventures will depend on many factors. Like any boat, whatever you decide on will be a compromise – boats always are. But there are plenty of choices out there, no matter what size your tow vehicle is and no matter what sailing adventures you have in mind.

What size sailboat is trailerable?

Even large yachts are routinely transported by towing across land, so the question is more of how big a sailboat can you tow? Your tow vehicle will be the limiting factor. The upper limit for most large SUVs and trucks is usually a sailboat around 26 feet long.

Sailboats are generally very heavily built, with ballast and lead keels. Sailboats specifically made to be trailer sailers are lighter. They may use drainable water ballast tanks instead of fixed ballast and have fewer fixtures and amenities.

To find the best trailer sailer, you need to balance the total tow weight, the ease of rig setup at the boat ramp, and the boat’s draft. Shallow draft boats with centerboards are the easiest to launch and retrieve.

Is a Hunter 27 trailerable?

No. The Hunter 27 is a one of those fixed-keel larger boats built from 1974 to 1984. The boat’s displacement is 7,000 pounds, not including trailer and gear. That alone makes it too heavy to tow by all but the beefiest diesel trucks. 

Furthermore, the fixed keels had drafts between 3.25 and 5 feet, all of which are too much for most boat ramps. In short, the standard Hunter Marine 27 is too big to tow for most people.

On the other hand, Hunter has made several good trailer sailers over the years. For example, the Hunter 240 and 260 were explicitly designed for trailering. They have drainable water ballast and shallow keel/centerboard drafts less than two feet. 

Is a Catalina 22 trailerable?

Yes, the Catalina 22 is easily trailerable and makes a wonderful weekend sailboat. In fact, there were over 15,000 Catalina 22s made and sold over the years. 

The boat’s displacement is 2,250 pounds, which means your total tow weight with trailer and gear will be under 3,000 pounds. This is within the capabilities of most mid to full-size SUVs and light trucks. Be sure to check your vehicle’s towing capacity, of course.

The centerboard on the Catalina 22 is another factor in its easy towing. With the board up, the boat draws only two feet. This makes it easy to float off the trailer at nearly any boat ramp. You should avoid fixed keel versions of the 22 for towing unless you have access to extra deep ramps. 

23 foot catalina sailboat

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

Can someone tell me why no other manufacturer makes pop tops? Those who have them, love them. Makes sense for head space with a trailerable boat too. Catalina stopped making them decades ago, yet people still swear by them. So, why isn’t there any newer models?

MacGregor put pop tops on many of its trailerables

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20 Best Small Sailboats for the Weekender

  • By Mark Pillsbury
  • Updated: May 24, 2024

In order to go cruising, most of us require a sailboat with a head, a galley, and bunks. The boat, likely a 30-footer and more often a 40-footer, will have electronics for navigation and entertainment, refrigeration if the trip is longer than a coastal hop, an engine for light wind, and, depending on our appetites for food and fun, perhaps a genset to power our toys and appliances.

To go sailing , however, all we really need is a hull, mast, rudder, and sail. To experience the pure joy of sheeting in and scooting off across a lake, bay, or even the open ocean, there’s nothing better than a small sailboat – we’re talking sailboats under 25 feet. You can literally reach out and touch the water as it flows past. You instantly feel every puff of breeze and sense every change in trim.

Some of the boats in this list are new designs, others are time-tested models from small sailboat manufacturers, but every one is easy to rig, simple to sail, and looks like a whole lot of fun either for a solo outing on a breezy afternoon or to keep family and friends entertained throughout your entire sailing season. This list is made up of all types of sailboats , and if you’re looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats for beginners, you’ll find exactly that here.

Any one of these popular boats could be labeled as a trailerable sailboat, daysailer, or even a weekender sailboat. And while most would be labeled as a one or two person sailboat, some could comfortably fit three or even four people.

– CHECK THE WEATHER – The weather changes all the time. Always check the forecast and prepare for the worst case. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Marblehead 22 Daysailer

Marblehead 22 Daysailer

If you have an eye for elegant lines and your heart goes pitter-patter over just the right amount of overhang beneath a counter transom, the Marblehead 22 daysailer, designed by Doug Zurn and built by Samoset Boatworks in Boothbay, Maine, will definitely raise your pulse. Traditional-looking above the waterline and modern beneath, the cold-molded hull sports a deep bulb keel and a Hall Spars carbon-fiber mast with a wishbone rig and square-top main. The 11-foot-9-inch cockpit can seat a crowd, and a small cuddy forward will let you stow your friends’ gear for the day. samosetboatworks.com

Catalina 22 Sport

Catalina 22 Sport

Many a harbor plays host to an active fleet of Catalina 22s, one of the most popular small sailboats over the years, given its basic amenities and retractable keel, which allows it to be easily trailered. Recently, the company introduced the Catalina 22 Sport, an updated design that can compete with the older 22s. The boat features a retractable lead keel; a cabin that can sleep four, with a forward hatch for ventilation; and a fractional rig with a mainsail and a roller-furling jib. Lifelines, a swim ladder, and an engine are options, as are cloth cushions; vinyl cushions are standard. The large cockpit will seat a crowd or let a mom-and-pop crew stretch out and enjoy their sail. It’s clear why the Catalina 22 is one of the best sailboats under 25 feet. catalinayachts.com

Hunter 22

With its large, open-transom cockpit and sloop rig, the Hunter 22 makes a comfortable daysailer for family and friends. But with its cuddy cabin, twin bunks, optional electrical system, opening screened ports, and portable toilet, a parent and child or a couple could comfortably slip away for an overnight or weekend. Add in the optional performance package, which includes an asymmetric spinnaker, a pole, and a mainsheet traveler, and you could be off to the races. The boat features a laminated fiberglass hull and deck, molded-in nonskid, and a hydraulic lifting centerboard. Mount a small outboard on the stern bracket, and you’re set to go. marlow-hunter.com

the Daysailer

Not sure whether you want to race, cruise or just go out for an afternoon sail? Since 1958, sailors have been having a ball aboard the Uffa Fox/George O’Day-designed Daysailer. Fox, who in the 1950s was on the cutting edge of planning-dinghy design, collaborated with Fall River, Massachusetts boatbuilder O’Day Corp. to build the 16-foot Daysailer, a boat that features a slippery hull and a small cuddy cabin that covers the boat roughly from the mast forward. Thousands of Daysailers were built by various builders, and they can be found used for quite affordable prices. There are active racing fleets around the US, and new Daysailers are still in production today, built by Cape Cod Ship Building. capecodshipbuilding.com

BayRaider from Swallow Boats

BayRaider from Swallow Boats

Easy to rig and trailer, the BayRaider from England’s Swallow Yachts is a relative newcomer to the small-boat market in the United States. Nearly all of its 19 feet 9 inches is open cockpit, though a spray hood can be added to keep the forward sections dry. The BayRaider is ketch-rigged with a gunter-style mainmast. The topmast and mizzen are both carbon-fiber, which is an option for the mainmast as well. The BayRaider can be sailed with a dry hull in lighter conditions or with 300 pounds of water ballast to increase its stability. With the centerboard and hinged rudder raised, the boat can maneuver in even the thinnest water.

$28,900, (904) 234-8779, swallowyachts.com

12 1/2 foot Beetle Cat

Big fun can come in small packages, especially if your vessel of choice happens to be the 12 ½-foot Beetle Cat. Designed by John Beetle and first built in 1921, the wooden shallow draft sailboat is still in production today in Wareham, Massachusetts at the Beetle Boat Shop. With a draft of just 2 feet, the boat is well-suited for shallow bays, but equally at home in open coastal waters. The single gaff-rigged sail provides plenty of power in light air and can be quickly reefed down to handle a blow. In a word, sailing a Beetle Cat is fun. beetlecat.com

– LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES – Know the “Rules of the Road” that govern all boat traffic. Be courteous and never assume other boaters can see you. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

West Wight Potter P 19

West Wight Potter P 19

With berths for four and a workable galley featuring a cooler, a sink, and a stove, West Wight Potter has packed a lot into its 19-foot-long P 19. First launched in 1971, this is a line of boats that’s attracted a true following among trailer-sailors. The P 19′s fully retractable keel means that you can pull up just about anywhere and go exploring. Closed-cell foam fore and aft makes the boat unsinkable, and thanks to its hard chine, the boat is reportedly quite stable under way. westwightpotter.com

NorseBoat 17.5

NorseBoat 17.5

Designed for rowing and sailing (a motor mount is optional), the Canadian-built NorseBoat 17.5—one of which was spotted by a CW editor making its way through the Northwest Passage with a two-man crew—features an open cockpit, a carbon-fiber mast, and a curved-gaff rig, with an optional furling headsail set on a sprit. The lapstrake hull is fiberglass; the interior is ply and epoxy. The boat comes standard with two rowing stations and one set of 9-foot oars. The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form.

$19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com

Montgomery 17

Montgomery 17

Billed as a trailerable pocket cruiser, the Montgomery 17 is a stout-looking sloop designed by Lyle Hess and built out of fiberglass in Ontario, California, by Montgomery Boats. With a keel and centerboard, the boat draws just under 2 feet with the board up and can be easily beached when you’re gunkholing. In the cuddy cabin you’ll find sitting headroom, a pair of bunks, a portable toilet, optional shore and DC power, and an impressive amount of storage space. The deck-stepped mast can be easily raised using a four-part tackle. The builder reports taking his own boat on trips across the Golfo de California and on visits to California’s coastal islands. Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. If you’re in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list.

CW Hood 32 Daysailer small sailboat

With long overhangs and shiny brightwork, the CW Hood 32 is on the larger end of the daysailer spectrum. Designers Chris Hood and Ben Stoddard made a conscious decision to forego a cabin and head in favor of an open cockpit big enough to bring 4 or 5 friends or family out for an afternoon on the water. The CW Hood 32 is sleek and graceful through the water and quick enough to do some racing, but keeps things simple with a self-tacking jib and controls that can be lead back to a single-handed skipper. A top-furling asymmetrical, electric sail drive and Torqeedo outboard are all optional. The CW Hood 32 makes for a great small family sailboat.  cwhoodyachts.com

Sun Cat from Com-Pac

Sun Cat from Com-Pac

Shallow U.S. East Coast bays and rock-strewn coasts have long been graced by cat boats, whose large, gaff-rigged mainsails proved simple and powerful both on the wind and, better yet, when reaching and running. The 17-foot-4-inch Sun Cat, built by Com-Pac Yachts, updates the classic wooden cat with its fiberglass hull and deck and the easy-to-step Mastender Rigging System, which incorporates a hinged tabernacle to make stepping the mast a one-person job. If you want a personal sailboat ideal for solo sailing, the Sun Can is a great choice. Belowdecks, the twin 6-foot-5-inch berths and many other features and amenities make this cat a willing weekender.

$19,800, (727) 443-4408, com-pacyachts.com

Catalina 16.5

Catalina 16.5

The Catalina 16.5 sits right in the middle of Catalina Yachts’ line of small sailboats, which range from the 12.5 to the 22 Capri and Sport, and it comes in both an easy-to-trailer centerboard model and a shoal-draft fixed-keel configuration. With the fiberglass board up, the 17-foot-2-inch boat draws just 5 inches of water; with the board down, the 4-foot-5-inch draft suggests good windward performance. Hull and deck are hand-laminated fiberglass. The roomy cockpit is self-bailing, and the bow harbors a good-sized storage area with a waterproof hatch. catalinayachts.com

Hobie 16

No roundup of best small sailboats (trailerable and fun too) would be complete without a mention of the venerable Hobie 16, which made its debut in Southern California way back in 1969. The company has introduced many other multihulls since, but more than 100,000 of the 16s have been launched, a remarkable figure. The Hobie’s asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam hulls eliminate the need for daggerboards, and with its kick-up rudders, the 16 can be sailed right up to the beach. Its large trampoline offers lots of space to move about or a good place to plant one’s feet when hanging off the double trapezes with a hull flying. The boat comes with a main and a jib; a spinnaker, douse kit, trailer, and beach dolly are optional features. hobiecat.com

Hunter 15

Novice sailors or old salts looking for simplicity could both enjoy sailing the Hunter 15. With a fiberglass hull and deck and foam flotation, the boat is sturdily built. The ample freeboard and wide beam provide stability under way, and the heavy-duty rubrail and kick-up rudder mean that you won’t have to worry when the dock looms or the going grows shallow. Both the 15 and its slightly larger 18-foot sibling come standard with roller-furling jibs.

$6,900/$9,500 (boat-show prices for the 15 and 18 includes trailers), (386) 462-3077, marlow-hunter.com

– CHECK THE FIT – Follow these guidelines to make sure your life jacket looks good, stays comfortable and works when you need it. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Super Snark

Super Snark

Under various owners, the Snark brand of sailboats, now built by Meyers Boat Co., has been around since the early 1970s. The Super Snark, at 11 feet, is a simple, easily car-topped daysailer that’s fit out with a lateen rig and sail. Billed as unsinkable, the five boats in the company’s line are built with E.P.S. foam, with the external hull and deck vacuum-formed to the core using an A.B.S. polymer. The Super Snark weighs in at 50 pounds, and with a payload capacity of 310 pounds, the boat can carry two.

$970, (800) 247-6275, meyersboat.com

Norseboat 21.5

Norseboat 21.5

Built in Canada, the NorseBoat 21.5 is a rugged looking craft that comes in a couple of configurations: one with an open cockpit and small doghouse, and another with a smaller cockpit and cabin that houses a double berth for two adults and optional quarter berths for the kids. Both carry NorseBoat’s distinctive looking carbon fiber gaff-rigged mast with main and jib (a sprit-set drifter is optional), and come with a ballasted stub keel and centerboard. Because of its lightweight design, the boat can be rowed and is easily trailered.

$36,000 (starting), 902-659-2790, norseboat.com

Flying Scot

Flying Scot

Talk about time-tested, the 19-foot Flying Scot has been in production since 1957 and remains a popular design today. Sloop rigged, with a conventional spinnaker for downwind work, the boat is an easily sailed family boat as well as a competitive racer, with over 130 racing fleets across the U.S. Its roomy cockpit can seat six to eight, though the boat is often sailed by a pair or solo. Hull and deck are a fiberglass and balsa core sandwich. With the centerboard up, the boat draws only eight inches. Though intended to be a daysailer, owners have rigged boom tents and berths for overnight trips, and one adventurous Scot sailor cruised his along inland waterways from Philadelphia to New Orleans.

RS Venture

Known primarily for its line of racing dinghys, RS Sailing also builds the 16-foot, 4-inch Venture, which it describes as a cruising and training dinghy. The Venture features a large, self-draining cockpit that will accommodate a family or pack of kids. A furling jib and mainsail with slab reefing come standard with the boat; a gennaker and trapeze kit are options, as is an outboard motor mount and transom swim ladder. The deck and hull are laid up in a fiberglass and Coremat sandwich. The Venture’s designed to be both a good performer under sail, but also stable, making it a good boat for those learning the sport.

$14,900, 203-259-7808, rssailing.com

Topaz Taz

Topper makes a range of mono- and multihull rotomolded boats, but the model that caught one editor’s eye at Strictly Sail Chicago was the Topaz Taz. At 9 feet, 8 inches LOA and weighing in at 88 pounds, the Taz is not going to take the whole crowd out for the day. But, with the optional mainsail and jib package (main alone is for a single child), the Taz can carry two or three kids or an adult and one child, and would make a fun escape pod when tied behind the big boat and towed to some scenic harbor. The hull features Topper’s Trilam construction, a plastic and foam sandwich that creates a boat that’s stiff, light, and durable, and shouldn’t mind being dragged up on the beach when it’s time for a break.

$2,900 (includes main and jib), 410-286-1960, topazsailboats.com

WindRider WRTango

WindRider WRTango

WRTango, a fast, sturdy, 10-foot trimaran that’s easy to sail, is the newest portable craft from WindRider International. It joins a line that includes the WR16 and WR17 trimarans. The Tango features forward-facing seating, foot-pedal steering, and a low center of gravity that mimics the sensation of sitting in a kayak. It weighs 125 pounds (including the outriggers and carbon-fiber mast), is extremely stable, and has single-sheet sail control. The six-inch draft and kick-up rudder make it great for beaching, while the hull and outriggers are made of rotomolded polyethylene, so it can withstand running into docks and being dragged over rocks.

$3,000, 612-338-2170, windrider.com

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23 foot catalina sailboat

    Beam:  8.83'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  13'9'    Draft:  4'11'
    Beam:  11'9'    Draft:  4'3'
    Beam:  8'10'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  11.75'    Draft:  4.25'
    Beam:  13'    Draft:  5'
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    Beam:  13'8"'    Draft:  5'0"'
    Beam:  5'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  11'6"'    Draft:  4'4"'
    Beam:  8.5'    Draft:  5.75'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  11'11'    Draft:  4'6'
    Beam:  9.5'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  8'
    Beam:  12'    Draft:  6'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  3.5'
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    Beam:  7.58'    Draft:  2.33'
    Beam:  13'    Draft:  4'6'
    Beam:  7'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  10'10'    Draft:  5'3'
    Beam:  10'10'    Draft:  3'10'
    Beam:  8-10'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  11.9'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  2.5'
    Beam:  12'    Draft:  4.4'
    Beam:  10.83'    Draft:  5.25'
    Beam:  7.67'    Draft:  2-5'
    Beam:  12'    Draft:  4.6'
    Beam:  11'7'    Draft:  4'3'
    Beam:  8'10'    Draft:  3'6'
    Beam:  8'6'    Draft:  3'5'
    Beam:  11'7'    Draft:  4'5'
    Beam:  11.8'    Draft:  4.3'
    Beam:  7.5'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  11.9'    Draft:  4.8'
    Beam:  7.67'    Draft:  2'
    Beam:  11'    Draft:  5.25'
    Beam:  13.10'    Draft:  4.10'
    Beam:  8.2'    Draft:  2.8'
    Beam:  7.8'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  8.5'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  11'    Draft:  4'5'
    Beam:  8.6'    Draft:  3.5'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  2.83'
    Beam:  11.5'    Draft:  4.5'
    Beam:  11.9'    Draft:  5.9'
    Beam:  12'
    Beam:  13''    Draft:  4'6'
    Beam:  8.8'    Draft:  3'
    Beam:  10'10'    Draft:  5'3''
    Beam:  10'    Draft:  5'3'
    Beam:  10'10'    Draft:  3'10'
    Beam:  10.17'    Draft:  5.25'
    Beam:  11.9'    Draft:  5.75'

23 foot catalina sailboat

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Best Pocket Cruiser 23ft or under?

  • Thread starter henrynlouisville
  • Start date Apr 15, 2009
  • Forums for All Owners
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henrynlouisville

Hello Experts, I am going to purchase a pocket cruiser at 23ft or under. My budget is $10,000 after all the haggling is over. I am a novice at sailboats but an expert with the Local River and powerboats. I have been sailing as a kid on sunfish, hobbiecat, and an old O’day. I am going to take my wife and 3yr old girl out on it. On occasion I am going to take a few in-laws. I will probably overnight once or twice a year. The wind is light here in Louisville’s Ohio River valley. Geez...this forum is huge. I am having a hard time finding suggestions. What I’m looking for are suggestions of brands and models that I can research. I am the typical non-sailor that is currently looking at a 1994 Catalina 22 to 10K. I know that this is a fine boat for my needs but I really like nice things. I prefer to research and purchase faster, easier, better built boats…and maybe pay more OR go a little older to get it. I would really like more cabin than a true racer and I need comfortable seats for the older family members. I’m not sure if I will ever actually race but I know I don’t want a dog. Single handing the boat is a major factor. So please…give me some short opinions on the Catalina 22, Beneteau 235, or similar sailboat that is around 1985 model or newer. I really need suggestions of brands and models that I can research. • 23ft or under • Trailerable with retractable or wing keel • Around $10,000 or less • Able to single-hand • Overnight accommodations • Comfortable • Not a dog • Good build quality • Seat four adults in cockpit Thank You Very Much. Your time and comments are GREATLY appreciated!  

How about a Com-Pac 23,I think you could find one in your range and is a better value than the catalina 22 im my opinion,the bennie 235 is a fine boat but more on the performance side rather than a cruiser. Nathan  

48dodge

A good book to read that might give you a good idea on some trailerables is Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat by Jerry Cardwell. Also, if your budget is $10K, you may want to save a little bit of that money for outfitting it and initial expenses. All sorts of good boats around that size for that money.  

Chris Blubaugh

Take a look at Precision sailboats. Both a 21 and 23-foot model are available - but you should consider what your tow vehicle can handle and add up the weight of boat, trailer, accessories and passengers you intend to have... Are you familiar with Strictly Sail, in Cincinnati? You can look them up on the web and see what they have in-stock. Not too far from where you are, I think (2 hrs). Good luck!  

Broke sailor SV Marcell

Broke sailor SV Marcell

Pacific Seacraft Flika or a Lyle Hess Falmouth Cutter. The best small boats made.  

Steve W (NY)

I think you will like a Catalina 22 just fine. They aren't fast, but they aren't slow either. They trailer well. Broke Sailor must have missed the trailering requirement. The Precisions are good, but with a budget of 10,000, you are going to be tight. I'd get a C22, and sail it for a few years. Your mind may change, and you'll be unloading the most poular 22 footer ever built. I've sailed on a lot of boats, and a C22 with a pop top and a swing keel is the most bang for the buck ever made, when sailed in conditions it was designed for. Take Care, Steve  

Ron20324

I was looking at 25-foot boats, but when I looked at the Beneteau 235 I was hooked on the smaller size. I'd say the Beneteau 235 is the boat for you. A great performer, has a marine head, aluminum toe rail (with holes), and big deck cleats like you will not find on Catalina's. There is a terrific 235 owner's web site. Nice quarterberth, and with the filler in the vee, it's bigger than you'll find on larger boats. The Beneteau company has a good parts web page. An extra long shaft Honda 8 pushed the boat nicely. I added shore power, which was a good addition. I think 92 was the last year they made them.  

look into a rhodes 22 they can be over priced but a good one could be had around 10k....check out website google rhodes22 general boats...cheers frank  

higgs

Forget the Flicka or the Falmoth Cutter. Both are fine boats but will be a waste of money unless you are going offshore ocean. Do not, under any circumstances, spend the 10k you are considering on a C22. If you go with a recognized builder you can, in your price range, find some very nice boats and many that will fit your needs for 5k or less. If you are looking to spend 10k, I would suggest looking 25 to 30 ft.  

sailingdog

Broke Sailor said: Pacific Seacraft Flika or a Lyle Hess Falmouth Cutter. The best small boats made. Click to expand

sailormanbigd

sailormanbigd

gotta chime in. The term "pocket cruiser" does'nt really fit your criteria, namely fast-but not a racer. I think you pretty much describe the Catalina 22, Hunter 23 (the wing keeled version sails pretty fast nd feels like a bigger boat in my opinion. I agree wqith not spending 10k on initial purchase. Maybe 5-6k and leave 4k for all the goodies you will think you need later, say auto pilot, killer sound system, new canvass bimini, new sails-they make it go faster and look good, etc, etc. You did'nt say you were gonna bluewater the boat so stay away from the full keelers. The swing keel boats are more tender but are easy to trailer, launch, retrieve and almost beachable with the board up. Just about anything under 27ft should be ok to single hand.  

higgs said: Forget the Flicka or the Falmoth Cutter. Both are fine boats but will be a waste of money unless you are going offshore ocean. Do not, under any circumstances, spend the 10k you are considering on a C22. If you go with a recognized builder you can, in your price range, find some very nice boats and many that will fit your needs for 5k or less. If you are looking to spend 10k, I would suggest looking 25 to 30 ft. Click to expand

hey Henry, the link of the 22 looks good but alot unsaid. What added items besides sails does it have, vhf, gps, extra winches, stereo, anchors, boarding lader, etc. These things add up real fast-REAL fast. I know your not going cheap but something else to consider. Just cuz it might have a vhf for example does'nt mean it is a "current technology" radio with all the new features. You can easily spend thousands for new cool stuff if boat is not already current.  

hey henry, i forgot to address your last question. There is always a bigger boat you might wish you had gotten instead-BUT-bigger is not always better! It cost more for parts/repair, is harder to trailer, step mast, launch, handle, etc, etc. There is a point where the extra "WORK" of a bigger boat makes it less fun to go sailing, and can even cause you to not go for the amount of work involved, especially if you intend to "dry" sail her-launch from trailer and reload when done sailing. Just my opinion.  

Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

henrynlouisville said: The only thing that concerns me is that most sailors that I have talked to say go with at least a 25'. "you wont be happy with the 22' for long". Is there a lot of merit with this? Click to expand

Capt. Kermie

Capt. Kermie

henrynlouisville said: I love this comment! Your right...should spend less to see if I like sailing. Here is a nice example: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1987/Catalina-Pop-Top-1971814/Muskegon/MI/United-States The only thing that concerns me is that most sailors that I have talked to say go with at least a 25'. "you wont be happy with the 22' for long". Is there a lot of merit with this ? Click to expand

BobM

I am assuming that the $10K includes the trailer. This is a key point as a decent trailer can double the price of a boat alone and the quality of the trailer is an important factor in easy of launch / retrieval. The trailer should be in good condition, a good fit for the boat and have an extended tongue for launching. Look at some boats because you are going to find significant differences in boats in this size range, in my opinion. There are a ton of 80's Hunter 23's out there in your price range, but it has a pretty big stick and the wing keel will make launching on some ramps a challenge. Don't underestimate how much fun raising/lowering a good sized mast will be, especially if you plan to raise and lower it often. Don't get me wrong...it can be done and has been done by many folk on this site...my Wife wouldn't deal with the added "fun and enjoyment" well though. If you want a family friendly boat something with heavier displacement like a Chrysler 22 or O'day 23 may also suit you. Personally in a boat this size I'd prefer a swing keel or keel /enterboard for ease of loading and good performance when the keel / board is down. The relatively short stick on the O'day will be easier to deal with too and it is a big boat for its LOA. For newer boats the water ballasted Hunter 23.5 which is right around $10K now for a mid 90's boat. There is also a larger model (26) if you get the itch for more space (but bigger boat = more work). Both are roomy with centerboards. The Rhodes 22 has something that a lot of boats in this size range may lack...an enclosed head (O'day has one too, I beleive). An enclosed head is VERY likely to be high on the admiral's list and even your 3 year olds. If you want newer and faster the Precision 23 is a good option, but I thought I had read that it may be a challenging boat for a beginner. If you want to maintain flexibility a Macgregor power sailor may also be a good option. Have fun, Bob  

JerryA

I know you said 23 or less, but don't rule out a Hunter 240. I looked at one that sailed in your area on the river before buying my P23. You might have a hard time finding one under $10k though, but in this economy bargins are out there. JerryA  

Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

Precision may be your best choice ... It sounds like you are looking for better performance. Spend only half (or less) of your $10 K on the boat and allocate the rest for upgrades such as sails, hardware to set up the boat the way you like it (you'll soon figure out what your desires are) and maintenance projects. If your budget is tight, don't underestimate the costs involved in maintaining a slip or mooring and winter storage. Trailerable will serve you well in your location but gets tiresome quickly (especially for your wife and kids). You'll soon want to keep it in the water so that your trailering adventures are only occasional. If you can't find a Precision for that price (because they are newer) you can look at Starwinds which have the same designer (Jim Taylor - who also designs Sabres) but were built in the 80's by a few different builders. Ours was built by Wellcraft which is known for quality. Starwinds are also known for their performance. There is not much difference in space or headroom from 22' to 25' and you will be cramped inside regardless. You probably will be better off with generous cockpit size rather than cabin size and you won't want a boat with a lot of headroom anyway because at that length, anything with more headroom will have too much windage, spoiling performance. If you are sailing on a river, such as the Ohio, current will be a factor, so better upwind performance will help deal with contrary currents and windage will be your enemy. Take a look at what is being sailed most prevalently in your area and pay attention ... they are probably the boat that will be best suited anyway.  

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    ft. m. Price. to. USD. Year. to. Class. Power. Power-all-power. All power. Power-cruiser. Cruiser. ... Catalina boats for sale on YachtWorld are offered at a range of prices from $7,881 on the relatively lower-priced models, with costs up to $469,309 for the highly-specialized, bespoke models. ... Catalina 42 MkII 23 listings . Catalina 34 22 ...

  5. Catalina 425

    Catalina 425 at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, Annapolis MD Catalina 425 in Annapolis MD Catalina 425 in Annapolis MD ... 865 ft 2. Sail Area - Displacement Wing Keel: 19.4. Sail Area - Displacement Fin Keel: 20 ... Aft. 23 gal. Total Holding: 54 gal. Fuel: Primary Tank 62 gal, Optional Auxiliary Tank 18 gal. ENGINE & CONTROLS. Yanmar 4JH57CR ...

  6. Best Sailboats Under 25 Feet

    Here Are The 5 Best Sailboats Under 25 Feet: Catalina 22 Sport. ... Comes in 15 and 23-foot models; Bunk beds in the cabin; Has a portable toilet; ... You can easily find smaller-sized boats under 25 feet, but also lavish 40-foot sailboats. Yes, the bigger ones do look great and enticing. But the larger the boat, the larger the expenses on it.

  7. The Catalina 25

    Under power, the Catalina 25 will make about 5- 1/2 knots with a 6-hp. outboard, and you can coax an extra 1/2 to 3/4 knot or so out of the boat with an 8- hp. or 9.9-hp. engine. (Theoretical maximum hull speed in ideal conditions is around 6.3 knots.)

  8. Catalina 30 boats for sale

    1984 Catalina 30. US$19,900. Yachts New England | Noank, Connecticut. <. 1. 2. >. * Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price. Boats Group does not guarantee the accuracy of conversion rates and rates may differ than those provided by financial institutions at the time of transaction.

  9. Catalina boats for sale

    Catalina boats for sale 501 Boats Available. Currency $ - USD - US Dollar Sort Sort Order List View Gallery View Submit. Advertisement. Save This Boat. Catalina 34 . Sandusky, Ohio. 1993. $49,500 Seller Waypoint Marine Sales 23. Contact. 419-540-4101. ×. New Arrival. Save This Boat. Catalina 42 MkII . Washington, North Carolina ... 23. Contact ...

  10. Catalina 22 boats for sale

    1984. $6,500. 1984 Catalina 22 sailboat plus trailer in very good shape and well maintained. Sailboat resided in Dana Point Harbor Marina, CA, up to 2017, used only for saltwater sailing. Transferred to the Hood Canal WA in 2017 and thoroughly serviced and refurbished (keel repaired and bottom painted; new standing rigging kit, mast stepper ...

  11. 23 Ft Sailboats Boats for sale

    34 Ft Catalina Sailboat. 1989 Catalina 34 Ft sailboat. Roller Furling, 150% Genoa, inbrd 23 Hp diesel with approx. 1200 hrs, Bimini, sail cover, 12,000 BTU A/C with reverse heat, stereo CD, Compass, microwave, refrigeration system, 6 gallon hot water heater, pressure water system, Gimbal propane stove with oven. Sleeps 6.

  12. 7 Best Trailerable Sailboats for Cruising

    The best trailerable sailboats: 1. Catalina 22/25 "Pop-Top" 2. Com-Pac Horizon Cat 3. Marshall Sanderling 4. West Wight Potter 19 5. ... the Com-Pac 23 comes in a 3,000-pound traditional sailboat or a very interesting pilothouse. ... This is a majority of the sub-22-foot boats on the market. They are designed to be launched, play for the ...

  13. Chris-Craft Catalina 23 boats for sale

    The starting price is $49,900, the most expensive is $59,900, and the average price of $55,948. Related boats include the following models: Launch 27, Catalina 30 and Launch 25 GT. Boat Trader works with thousands of boat dealers and brokers to bring you one of the largest collections of Chris-Craft Catalina 23 boats on the market.

  14. Catalina Yachts for sale

    Catalina boats for sale on Boat Trader are available for an assortment of prices, valued from $3,600 on the moderate end all the way up to $445,000 for the most expensive boats. Higher performance models now listed are rigged with motors up to 75 horsepower, while shorter, more affordable more functional models may have as modest as 6 ...

  15. Best Small Sailboats, Beginner and Trailerable Sailboats

    Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. If you're in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list. CW Hood 32. CW Hood 32 Walter Cooper. ... The Catalina 16.5 sits right in the middle of Catalina Yachts' line of small sailboats, which range from the 12.5 to the 22 Capri and Sport, and ...

  16. Catalina 14.2

    The Catalina 14.2 is the perfect combination of day sailing comfort and racing performance for the active sailing family or couple. Stability and easy handling make the 14.2 an ideal boat to learn in, while the experienced skipper will enjoy the active one design racing class. The14.2 is available in two keel designs: Centerboard model with ...

  17. Catalina 22 boats for sale

    1942 Luders 24. $74,000. Portsmouth, RI 02871 | Latitude Yacht Brokerage, LLC. Request Info. <. 1. >. Find 19 Catalina 22 boats for sale near you, including boat prices, photos, and more. Locate Catalina boat dealers and find your boat at Boat Trader!

  18. catalina sailboats for sale by owner.

    catalina preowned sailboats for sale by owner. catalina used sailboats for sale by owner. Home. Register & Post. ... Sailboat Added 23-Jun-2024 More Details: Featured Sailboat: Catalina MKII 30: ... Ft Walton Destin, Florida Asking $40,000. 33.6' Moody Aft cabin 34 Vero Beach, Florida

  19. Chris-craft Catalina 23 boats for sale

    2008 Chris-Craft Catalina 23. US$49,900. US $441/mo. Estimated monthly payment based on a 180-month loan at 6.74% APR. Manatee Pocket Yacht Sales | Vero Beach, Florida. New Arrival.

  20. Avalon Catalina 23 boats for sale

    The starting price is $32,995, the most expensive is $99,070, and the average price of $57,571. Related boats include the following models: LSZ Quad Lounger, Catalina - 23 FT Quad Lounger and Catalina - 25 FT Elite. Boat Trader works with thousands of boat dealers and brokers to bring you one of the largest collections of Avalon Catalina 23 ...

  21. CATALINA 25

    It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5

  22. Best Pocket Cruiser 23ft or under?

    Balboa 26 Louisville. Apr 15, 2009. #1. Hello Experts, I am going to purchase a pocket cruiser at 23ft or under. My budget is $10,000 after all the haggling is over. I am a novice at sailboats but an expert with the Local River and powerboats. I have been sailing as a kid on sunfish, hobbiecat, and an old O'day.