can you trailer a 30 foot sailboat

• Forums New posts Unanswered threads Register Top Posts Email
• What's new New posts New Posts (legacy) Latest activity New media
• Media New media New comments
• Boat Info Downloads Weekly Quiz Topic FAQ 10000boatnames.com
• Classifieds Sell Your Boat Used Gear for Sale
• Parts General Marine Parts Hunter Beneteau Catalina MacGregor Oday
• Help Terms of Use Monday Mail Subscribe Monday Mail Unsubscribe

Trailering a Catalina 30

• Thread starter sail_MN
• Start date Dec 14, 2013
• Catalina Owner Forums
• Ask A Catalina Owner

Just curious if anybody has done or attempted to trailer their 30 foot sailboat. I am well aware of the need for a decent tow vehicle and the oversize road permits. My cruising grounds are about 2 1/2 hours away from my house but having the ability to bring the boat home during the winter and being able to work on it would be great. I've seen pictures on the internet of C-30's on trailers but there isn't much for discussion on the subject. I would like to hear from others about their experiences towing a boat this large.  

I think if you have a trailer that is stable and reliable there should be no problem towing with the right vehicle.  

Like Pic says. I have friends that trailer their 35 foot First 36.7s and J/109s home for winter. Big rig and a custom trailer. An easy job with the right gear and help. Just do the math and see it it makes sense. It is NOT a job to go cheap on. Don't do it if you are looking just to save a few bucks at the yard.  

I should have taken a picture of the one yesterday in the boat yard, OMG, huge !!! While I'm sure it could be done I think it just looking at the size it would need to be left to a professional mover, unless you already had a huge dually pick up already. I'd be curious what a permit costs and if you can use your own chase vehicle or it has to be driven by some sort of professional....  

Jackdaw- Definatly won't be cheap to find a trailer. The main advantage I have is the space at home to store and work on the boat. I would be very interested in learning about your friends experiences towing a 35 footer. If they are in Bayfield, there is a good chance I could run into them next summer.  

having hauled oversized loads for many years I would advise you to leave it to a pro. there are too many things that can go wrong, I also doubt that your insurance would not question your credentials if there were an accident  

Many, if not all, states require a Class A license to tow a trailer load of more than 10,000 lbs., which a Cat 30 most definitely is. If you are in Minnesota, it does.  

Picflight said: I think if you have a trailer that is stable and reliable there should be no problem towing with the right vehicle. Click to expand

jimg said: Many, if not all, states require a Class A license to tow a trailer load of more than 10,000 lbs., which a Cat 30 most definitely is. If you are in Minnesota, it does. Click to expand

MN does require a class A license for trailers exceeding 10,000 lbs if it is for commercial use. However if it is for private use, the combined weight of the tow vehicle and trailer can not exceed 26,000 lbs. In the case we are talking about here my truck weighs 9200 lbs, boat weighs 10,200 lbs, trailer approx 4000 lbs for a combined total of 23,400 lbs. The truck also has a maximum towing capacity of 15,600 lbs. As Big Windy stated earlier, there are a lot of big 5th wheels being hauled around the country, MN included, that weigh just as much as a Catalina 30 if not more.  

Barnacle Bill

I have a CDL and haul boats all of the time and I have a 30' sailboat on a triple axle trailer that I tow behind a Chevy 3500 dually Duramax w/Allison tranny and it is not a problem at all. Be aware that you have to have permits for anything over 8.5 feet wide to be legal. If you travel on state highways, you have to have a permit for each state you travel in. If you are going to haul it over county roads, you need to have a wide load permit for county roads. The boat must be flagged if over 9' and signed if over 11'. The boat must be under 13'6" high to be legal and the boat has to be secured to the trailer. Your trailer has to have brakes and a break away switch. I know lots of private boat owners who haul their boats across country with no problem, but they have proper and legal equipment and get permits. You should also make sure your insurance covers your trip(s).  

sail_MN said: Jackdaw- Definatly won't be cheap to find a trailer. The main advantage I have is the space at home to store and work on the boat. I would be very interested in learning about your friends experiences towing a 35 footer. If they are in Bayfield, there is a good chance I could run into them next summer. Click to expand

the 5th wheel trailers are not oversized....the boat is.....big difference  

Barnacle Bill said: I have a CDL and haul boats all of the time and I have a 30' sailboat on a triple axle trailer that I tow behind a Chevy 3500 dually Duramax w/Allison tranny and it is not a problem at all. Be aware that you have to have permits for anything over 8.5 feet wide to be legal. If you travel on state highways, you have to have a permit for each state you travel in. If you are going to haul it over county roads, you need to have a wide load permit for county roads. The boat must be flagged if over 9' and signed if over 11'. The boat must be under 13'6" high to be legal and the boat has to be secured to the trailer. Your trailer has to have brakes and a break away switch. I know lots of private boat owners who haul their boats across country with no problem, but they have proper and legal equipment and get permits. You should also make sure your insurance covers your trip(s). Click to expand

CaptainNasty

Now we are getting somewhere with this thread. The video of the mast going up is really neat. You guys make it look pretty easy. I would like to find out more about your home made crane because that sure could save some money.  

There are a couple of those contraptions installed near boat ramps on our lake. We call it a Yard Arm, or Mast-raising pole, or whatever. They were built by the generation of sailors who preceded me, in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers who regulate the land. It's a pretty tall and sturdy pole, with a block at the top. I attach an electric winch to do the work. The winch is not necessary for a lighter mast, such as that of my MacGregor 25. Another procedure just as intriguing is launching the boat. My camera ran out of battery else that would have been on the video. We back the boat down the ramp to the water, block the wheels, unhitch, add a 30 foot hitch extension and then back it way out into the water. The thing is, we're not doing this to save money by side-stepping the boat yard. There is no boat yard. Those mast-raising poles and 4 precious moorings are the entire infrastructure related to sailing here, on this big lake. In the 80's, this area had half a dozen or more sailors. Now I am the only one out there, except for a 3 or 4 trailer sailors who visit for a few days during the season. My Catalina 30 is the only fixed-keel boat in the water in the summer. In the winter it must be removed because the lake freezes. While I dislike the label "Do-It-Yourself," it is a matter of necessity for absolutely everything related to my boat. There's nobody to haul the boat, no crane to hire, no mechanic that will work on it, not even someone to patch fiberglass. There are no slips to handle her either. I sometimes wish there was more of a sailing scene here. Maybe I'm one of the last, but I sure do love it.  

CaptainNasty said: While I dislike the label "Do-It-Yourself," it is a matter of necessity for absolutely everything related to my boat. There's nobody to haul the boat, no crane to hire, no mechanic that will work on it, not even someone to patch fiberglass. There are no slips to handle her either. I sometimes wish there was more of a sailing scene here. Maybe I'm one of the last, but I sure do love it. Click to expand

Jackdaw said: Nasty, I hope I didn't give that impression with my post. I TOTALLY get that on some lakes, often this is the only way to get the job done. When that is the case, often the owner creates a system that rivals how a commercial outfit would do it. Sounds like what you are doing. I was advising people to NOT skip that path. Click to expand

Running Late

C.N. Great video both the prep/mast raising and the sailing, but loved the picture you posted. You have now identified the single best home addition ever-the gangplank from house to boat is fantastic. My wife on the other hand, was having none of this and immediately noted the similarity between the large toy on the trailer and the one in the corner of the picture...  

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

Custom Sailboat Trailers 25′ – 30′

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.

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

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 .

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. 

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. 

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

Leave a comment

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

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

• Articles and Guides

Best Trailerable Sailboat Brands to Cruise or Race

18th dec 2023 by samantha wilson.

Being able to trailer your sailboat opens up many possibilities, from cost saving  boat storage solutions to being able to take your boat to new cruising grounds. It's common to see trailered motorboats on the roads in the United States, Canada, and Europe, but sailboats tend to be trailered in smaller numbers.

Of course the act of trailering a sailboat involves a bit more preparation, namely lowering the mast, but as we'll see there are many excellent brands out there ensuring that the sailboats they build can be trailered nearly as easily as a RIB or center console. And they're not just bathtub-sized sailboats either. Some of the best trailerable sailboats are up to 30 feet in length. While it's trickier to trailer a large catamaran due to its wide beam, the multihull world hasn't been left behind, as you can find clever trimarans that fold up in different ways.

We have picked out some of our favorite trailerable sailboat brands in this article but it's important to remember there are many excellent brands building excellent boats.

Corsair Marine photo. 

What Is the Biggest Sailboat I Can Trailer?

Daysailers have long been trailered, thanks to their compact size, simple rigs, and easily lowered, relatively short mast. For those who want a slightly larger boat that they can take the whole family out on or use for overnight trips, then a 20- to 25-foot sailboat may be more useful than a 16- to 19-foot one. Going up a size category allows for a whole new range of activities, with proper galleys, running water, electricity, and an enclosed head to provide more substantial home comforts. But how big is too big to trailer?

You might be surprised to hear that in the United States, sailboats up to around 31 feet in length can be trailered legally. In fact, it typically depends less on length, and more on the weight, beam, and height of the vessel and the trailer together, must meet several legal requirements.

• Weight : While there is no specific weight limit to be towed, the sailboat has to be able to be towed easily by your vehicle, usually a pickup-style truck or full-size SUV with substantial power. Most single- and tandem-axle trailers can handle a maximum combined load of 7,000 to 8,000 pounds, so your weight limit will also be dictated by your trailer.
• Beam : To travel without permits, the trailer and vessel must fit on the road in regular traffic. In the US, that's a maximum width of 8 foot 6 inches (a couple inches less in the EU at 2.55 meters). Most trailerable monohull sailboats will be less than this for ease of maneuvering in traffic, but when it comes to catamarans and trimarans, adjustments have to be made (we'll look at those later).
• Length : The upper length limit of a sailboat can be anything up to 65 feet, but that's a moot point because vessels of that size would never meet the width limits. In reality, a 30-footer is the longest sailboat you're likely to tow, with 15- to 25-footers being much more common.
• Height : Your trailer and sailboat have to fit under bridges and highway overpasses and so for most states the maximum height is 14 feet. This will obviously require lowering the mast onto the deck and including that into your height calculation.

For more advice on the practicalities of trailering see our guide to Buying a Boat Trailer .

The Best Trailerable Cruising Sailboats

The best trailerable cruising sailboat brands.

• Catalina Yachts : As one of North America's best-known sailboat brands of sailboats, Catalina has a long history of building trailerable models. Their entire Sport line cruising boats—except for the 275—can easily be trailered, and the 22 and 22 Sport, in particular, make for a great step up from daysailing to enjoying a pocket cruiser.
• Beneteau : Beneteau 's reputation for affordable, capable yachts spans the globe, and their skill at building trailerable sailboats up to 30 feet is just one of many attributes. Take the First 27SE and 24; they are not luxury cruiser (although the 27SE can sleep six crew!) but they sure can sail fast on short distance races or fast adventure cruises. With impeccable and high-quality design featuring double rudders, these are some of the nicest fast cruisers on the market.

Beneteau First 27SE. Beneteau photo. 

The Best Trailerable Sport Sailboats

Several brands on this list create high performance sports sailboats , and one of the top names you think of in this sector is Laser whose speedy tiny racers are now an Olympic event in themselves. But there are many excellent brands building ultra-fast sports sailboats – several on our list are considerably bigger than a Laser too. Here we take a look at some of our favorite sports dinghies which are the quintessential trailerable sports boat.

The Best Trailerable Sport Sailboat Brands

• Melges : Founded in 1945 by Harry C. Melges, Sr., this is an iconic Midwestern brand made famous, in part, by Harry's son, Harry “Buddy” Melges Jr, an Olympic medalist in the ‘60s and National Sailing Hall of Fame member. Today the business is run by Harry III, also a championship sailor, who oversees a range of high performance vessels from the award-winning Melges 14 and 15 dinghies, to A, C, E and MC scow classes, and international sportboat classes, the Melges 20 and 24—the latter has more than 900 boats sailing competitively all over the world. All of their models are trailerable, allowing them to be transported easily to competitions. Melges boats for sale
• J/Boats : The most successful volume builder of trailerable, performance keelboats is also a family-run brand founded by brothers Rod and Bob Johnstone and now led by second-generation Johnstones—Jeff, Al and Stuart. Starting with the J/24 (more than 5,500 boats built) and most recently with the J/70, the company has popularized a series of international racing classes from 22 to 26 feet while also building many popular larger racer/cruiser-style models that don't fit easily on a trailer.  J/Boats for sale
• RS Sailing : British-built RS Sailing performance dinghies and keelboats are spreading in popularity across the world. Distributed widely on the east coast of the US, they're excellent pocket racing dinghies, easily trailered and ultra-fast. Their range of boats runs from 12 feet and 21 feet and includes dinghies, catamarans, and keelboats, allowing you to find exactly the right boat for your experience level and interest, but it's their Racing Series which sets them apart as high performers in the market. They're lightweight, simple in their design, and well-suited to being trailered thanks to their compact sizes.

Melges 24. Melges photo. 

The Best Trailerable Youth Sailboats

Trailerable sailboats designed for younger sailors are lightweight, easy to rig, and easy to sail. They should offer a simple platform in which to learn the mechanics of sailing, the movement of the boat on the water, and the basic maintenance of a sailboat. For more guidance check out our guide to choosing the best beginner sailboat .

The Best Trailerable Youth Sailboat Brands

• ILCA : Formerly known as the Laser, the ILCA design is one of the most popular sailboats of all time, a responsive yet high-performance one-person sailboat that is an excellent step up, particularly for sailors who outgrow their smaller dinghies as teenagers. As a racing class, ILCA offers three different mast sizes so sailors can start in what's called the ILCA 4 class and as they gain weight, move to ILCA 6 and 7. By that time, you're in a class of boat that can take you all the way to the Olympics. Designed in the 1970s by Canadian sailor Bruce Kirby, the 13'10.5” boat teaches high-performance skills, subtle steering and trimming techniques, and astounding speed once on a plane.
• Hobie Cat : We've put Hobie Cat in this category simply because of the brand's long-standing legacy of creating fun, simple, and compact catamarans that are loved by families and easily trailered. The classic Hobie 16 model with more than 100,000 built remains an active international class worldwide for the young and the young at heart; newer models provide a good, stable platform for a variety of off-the-beach and daysailing contexts. Catamarans are obviously wider than their monohull counterparts, but beach cats like the ones made by Hobie are well within the maximum width allowance to be towed on American roads. And because of their lightweight fiberglass or rotomolded hulls, they can be towed by much less powerful vehicles too.

Laser sailboats. Laser Performance photo. 

The Best Small Trailerable Sailboats

There are many benefits to opting for a small towable sailboat , and plenty of excellent brands out there are producing high performance pocket cruisers. A smaller sailboat won't require a large trailer and together they will weigh less and be able to be towed by a regular family car rather than a pick-up truck. Navigating smaller roads or heavier traffic will be less of a consideration, plus getting your sailboat launched will be a simpler affair. Several brands on our list could be in this category but special mention must be made of:

The Best Small Trailerable Sailboats Brands

• Cape Cutter : The traditional beauty of these sailboats, twinned with modern-day advancements, makes them really stand out from the rest. The design originates from the classic gaff cutter work boats, but today it's one of the fastest small gaffers in the world. The interior is cleverly spacious, with four berths, as well as a simple galley area. With quick rigging, it can be sailed solo, but is also able to accommodate small groups, making it a capable and hugely versatile pocket cruiser. At 22 feet long, 7 foot 7 inches wide, and under 5 foot in height with the mast lowered, it's perfect for trailering too. Cape Cutter boats for sale.
• NorseBoat : These beautiful, hand-crafted, and impressively versatile Canadian-built sailboats offer good performance and are described by the manufacturer as "the Swiss Army Knives of sailboats". Whether it's the 12.5 model, which can be sailed, rowed, and motored, or the 17.5 or 21.5 models, they can all be trailered, easily beached, and even used as camp cruisers, allowing for overnight adventures. And with traditional styling they're absolute head-turners whether you're cruising along the road or water.

NorseBoat 17.5. NorseBoat photo. 

The Best Trailerable Catamaran and Trimaran Sailboats

Multihulls have gained popularity in the last 20 years thanks to their stability, lack of keel, performance, and increased space on board compared to a monohull of the same length. Yet there are obvious challenges when it comes to trailering a sailboat with a very wide beam such as a catamaran or even more so a trimaran. In fact, by having three hulls, the trimaran type has bred for some innovative engineering, folding in the two outer hulls thus creating a smaller overall beam for transport. This is trickier with catamarans as they're not foldable in the same way. We've mentioned the well-known Hobie Cat brand of small beach cats above but there are some other innovative brands out there making it easier to trailer multihulls.

The Best Trailerable Catamaran and Trimaran Sailboat Brands

• Nacra : Catamarans are difficult to trailer because their beam is likely to exceed the legal road limits due to their double hull structure. Having said that, small models such as Nacra's lightning fast racing cats will squeeze within the beam limits at 8 foot 5 inches wide including the 15, F16, and F18 Infusion. If you're after trailerable performance and some competition, these cats provide a whole different level for serious and athletic sailors.
• Corsair : Corsair makes some of the best trailerable trimaran sailboats on the market and were pioneers in the folding trimaran sector for more than three decades. Yes you read that correctly…foldable trimarans up to 20 feet in length. With technology straight out of a Transformers movie, a 15-foot beam folds down into a neat little 8-foot wide package ready for trailering. Even the 31 foot 10 inch long 970 Cruze, with its standing room cabin, can be put on a trailer thanks to the folding system and retractable daggerboard and rudder.
• Dragonfly : With a focus on beautiful, cruise-worthy, high-quality, and high-performance trimarans up to 40 feet, Dragonfly offers two models— the 25 and 28—that can be folded and trailered for ease of transport and to allow you the freedom to access different cruising grounds. At a folded width of 8 feet 3 inches, the 28 is still just within legal width for towing on US roads, while offering you a true weekend cruiser complete with saloon, cabin, and galley.

Dragonfly 28.1. Dragonfly photo. 

Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

More from: Samantha Wilson

Related Articles and Guides

12th Jul 2024

Top Performance-Boat Brands, Where There’s Something For Everyone

28th Jun 2024

Best Center Console Boats: The Best Brands Across the Spectrum

23rd Jun 2024

Small Sailboat Types: Sail Smaller and Savor It All

22nd Jun 2024

The Best Wake Boat Brands, a Complete Guide

• Explore Rightboat
• Boats for Sale
• Boating Articles
• Buyers Guide
• About RightBoat
• Sell Your Boat
• Boat Selling Advice
• All manufacturers
• All categories

Enter your email to keep up to date with the latest news

Join for free

Sign up now for free and discover how easy it is to keep up to date with THE latest boats for sale. Find your right boat, and tailor your voyage to finding your next boat.

Benefits of becoming a member:

• Set up tailored alerts
• Personalise your experience
• Download full specifications and broker details
• Keep tabs on your favourite boats

Are you a broker? Join as a Broker

Rightboat - join for free.

Do you have an account already? Login

Save this search

Save your search and receive new boats in your email..

You can unsubscribe from your alerts whenever you like. By pressing the button you accept the Legal Terms and conditions

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• All Topics Sailing
• General Sailing Discussions
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

30 feet on trailer

• Add to quote

I am looking for 28-30 feet boat. The question I have: can I put 30 feet boat on trailer to haul to water? Does those range boats have folding mast.  

Well, obviously not all 30 foot boats can be easily trailered... but some of them certainly can. The hobie 33 is trailerable from the factory and sets up in about 2 hours. When you say 'folding mast' I assume you are thinking of some form of deck-stepped mast that can be raised and lowered without the use of a crane/bridge etc. And there are a bunch of deck-stepped 30 footers out there. The problem you'll run into, if I can be so bold as to make a gross oversimplification, is that any trailerable boat gives up a fair amount of draft and displacement. So, again - this is very general - a trailerable 30' boat will be more tender and have somewhat less windward performance than a non-trailerable 30. Of course, there are a zillion other factors that apply, but in the balancing game of sailboats, having an easily trailered boat means having less draft and lower ballast ratios. But it's certainly possible. Most of the bulk producers make something in that range.  

CapTim said: So, again - this is very general - a trailerable 30' boat will be more tender and have somewhat less windward performance than a non-trailerable 30. Of course, there are a zillion other factors that apply, but in the balancing game of sailboats, having an easily trailered boat means having less draft and lower ballast ratios. But it's certainly possible. Most of the bulk producers make something in that range. Click to expand...

In most cases no. And the truck you would need is going to be large. There are a couple of trimarans with folding outer hulls that are possibilities.  

Most of the trailerable boats stop at about 26' LOA. There are exceptions, but most are trailerable trimarans, like my Telstar 28. Most boats don't have a good mast-raising system, certainly nothing as easy as that on the Telstar, which uses a single line run back to a genoa sheet winch to raise the mast. Stepping the mast on a boat over 28' LOA becomes a bit of an issue, as the mast is too heavy to easily step without either multiple people or a really good system.  

I tough about using 12v winch. When I was young, I was part of crew on small sailboat (Omega) and we had to lay down the mast before bridge and raise after we past it. I never learn the sailing and navigation secrets. I would like to go trough intercostal, but there are some low bridges.  

Some boats are rigged with a 'tabernacle' mast which is designed to help drop and raise the rig relatively quickly.  

Dupek, the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway (ICW} should be just fine for most boats up to about 40 feet long with masts up to about 50 tall and still leave room for a radio antenna just above the mast (and many of the bridges are 65 feet tall). Some of the bridges swing or raise on certain schedules and you will want to get a guidebook that has information on the bridges and navigation of the waterway. Sometimes you call the bridge tender on the VHF radio to get the bridge to open, or you may be able to call a telephone number, or you may have to wait for the bridge to open at certain scheduled times. A few ports have self-service mast-raising cranes that you and a couple of helpers could use to step your own mast. In other places you might be able to use a " gin pole " to step a mast for boats about 25 to 33 feet LOA. And for really large boats with tall masts that are keel-stepped you may have to pay a boatyard to step and rig your mast. There are many ways to learn sailing and navigation. Classes, books, and videos are good. So is learning on a small boat; that is a very cheap and quick way to learn basic skills that are good for all sizes of boats. Most yacht and sailing clubs have lists on their websites for people who want to crew on racing or cruising sailboats. This is a great way to learn. Of course hanging around marinas, looking at bulletin boards at boat supply stores, and joining an inexpensive sailing club, cooperative, or one of the less formal, less expensive, and more water-focused yacht clubs would also be good. Some states require that younger boaters complete a boating safety class. These are good for all sailors. The classes usually are for one day (or can be taken on the computer) and teach the basic legal requirements for boat safety equipment, registration, and basic safe operation. They teach a little bit about buoys and navigation aids, reading nautical charts, navigation lights, and sound signals. The US Coast Guard and US Power Squadrons teach more extensive classes; these may meet for one evening a week for a couple of months or for a couple of weekends. Once you have some more sailing experience, you might be able to get a crew position on a boat that is in a long-distance race or being delivered to a new location.  

Some ways of dividing up the definition of trailering Maybe it would be useful to think of trailering in this way... Ordinary Trailering -- Something we do frequently, maybe every other weekend, usually for relatively short distances (no more than a few hours), and with boats that two people can rig in less than an hour. Heavy-duty Trailering -- Towing boats cross country on multiple-day trips and towing heavier loads that require powered trailer brakes and full-sized pick-ups or SUVs with heavy duty hitches and "towing packages"; towing weights 3500 - 10 000 lbs. Large boat self-transport -- Moving and rigging a large, complex boat that requires a gin pole, mast pole, or rental crane and may take half a day to rig and launch, usually only done a few times a year at most. This might be for a 27- to 35-foot keelboat that "summers" in the Great Lakes and "winters" in Florida, for example. It might also be done for a racing keelboat that usually is in a marina slip but is taken on the road for major regattas a few times a year. Most of these boats require wide-load signs and permits. Typical towing vehicles are 250/2500 or 350/3500 dually one-ton large pickups to mid-sized (5500/6500 etc.) commercial trucks; typical towing weights are 10 000 - 20 000 lbs. Large Yacht Relocation -- Moving a boat that is so large that it requires the professional assistance of a boat moving company or for a do-it-yourself owner to have an equivalent amount of training and equipment. Requires wide-load permits, route planning, and most likely requires a commercial driver's license. Might require pilot vehicles and over-length/over-weight permits and/or utility guidance and re-location (over-height) or specialized low-boy trailers. Might require keel and rudder dis-assembly and re-assembly as well as removal of some deck structures.  

Thank you all. I guess, that I was aiming too high. I wanted to spend some time on water and want to feel comfortable. I will look into some smaller boats.  

Look at a Catalina 22. 2 people can raise the mast in safety [ 3 is better ] and it is reasonably easy to launch and recover. If you intend to go any great distance look for one with a 4 wheel trailor. Sail well. Mk II claims to be able to sleep 6 [ sardines ] I had a mk I and liked it a lot.  

Folks pull J105 around, with 1 ton duallys, and trailers that put the boat on the trailer angled, so it is not more than 8.5' wide. I believe "Hake" has a CB 30' boat that is trailerable. Bob Perrys 40' container boat should also be trailerable as it is under 8.5' wide. A trailer should make it about 45 or so feet long, a pickup in front, and you are under the max length laws to. Again, a 1ton dually should have no issues towing that boat. If you want to go wider than 8.5', you could still tow up to about 10' wide, with out too many issues, and still be legal. Again, 1 ton duallies would pull most boats that are in the 10-12K range alone, add in a trailer at 2-3K lbs, and you are at about 15K, no issues for 1 ton duallies. At least I would pull any of the above boats with my GM deisel dually crew cab pickup. You would need for most boats that size, some type of help getting the mast up, be it a crane, or a winch etc to pull the thing up. marty  

What is the purpose of the boat? Racing, cruising, or a combo? There are alot of advantages and disadvantages to a trailer, but the bigger the boat generally the longer the setup time. Are you able to store the boat on the trailer mast up?  

I just want to cruise with some comfort. Spend 2 or 3 days on boat. I live 15 mil from boat ramp, so will not make much sense to rent a slip. Just an option I am considering.  

You can find 25' boats that will meet your criteria. Of course you will have more set up time and the weight of the boat and trailer are going to tell you what size vehicle you will need to tow it all. To really be on a trailer that you can go anywhere with you are probably looking at something with a shoal keel or a swing keel/centerboard set up. Lots of these boats are available. Look at Sailboat Listings, Yacht World, Boat Trader, Craigs List, etc... As some have said, there are some very ingenious mast rasing systems that people have come up with. Have a look around for those as well and if you need to, maybe you can adapt one for the boat you find.  

Trailer sailing is a mix of comfort and ease and what is more importain to you. My C-22 is very easy to tow, (600 miles once) step the mast in less then an hour spend 3 days on it comfortably. (And for sale) Our C-26 4' keel is just as easy to step the mast and said to be trailerable, (don't see it happening) I know I would need a bigger truck , A bigger trailer would be needed and everyone else off the road when it happened. I wouldn't need or even try to sail the C-26 on the lake I sail the C-22 but would really like to sail the C-22 at the coast if I could find a reason for having 2 boats there.  

Okay, maybe we need to start at the other end. What kind of vehicle do you have for towing a boat? Are you willing to buy another vehicle just to be able to tow a larger boat? Then, when you talk about "comfort" what do you mean? I spent a lot of years hiking and hunting in Colorado, living for up to a week at a time in a very small tent. To me, it was quite the epitome of "comfort" when I would use the big tent that I could stand up in, rather than the little back-packing tent that was just barely tall enough for me to sit on my butt on the ground in. Point being, "comfort" is an entirely subjective term. You need to be more specific. So, do you want to be able to stand up inside your boat? Do you need a separate head? Shower? Do you need dedicated berths? Or are you willing to convert the settee where you sit for dinner into your berth at night for sleeping? Do you require a stateroom that is separate from your saloon? You need to consider and answer all of these questions (and probably many more) before you will be able to narrow down your choice.  

This might as well be my first post. There are boats in the size you look for, that are designed to be trailerable, easy to launch and even more easier to raise and drop the mast "on the fly", even on pretty rough waters. I am not sure whether or not you can get them in US, but they are certainly available in Canada. I am talking here about boats that swing every day on the Mediterranean, Adriatic or the coast of France. Such boats are widely available in the EU, and only recently became available on this side of the pond. For starters, looking at the boat available right now in North America, there is the TES 28 Magnam, which has the CE "B" certification and does have over 6ft standing height and onboard hot water shower. You can google it, it had recent test and review in Canadian Yachting Magazine. You may also check out Delphia range, from North Lakes Yachting. If you would prefer something from US (again, european import), there is the F-280C from Freedom Boat Works. No, these are not fixed keel vessels, but rather swing keel with solid ballast. You would still need to be able to tow about 8000lbs with your vehicle....  

my nimble 30 express is about 7,000 lbs i pull the keel stepped mast with the marina's crane , with help from 3 friends. i leave it there for the winter. they load the boat on my 9'000lb cap 6 wheel trailer. i tow it home with my dodge 1500 850 ft up & 25 miles to my house.(315 engine)  

Hake Seawind Eagle, 32 foot and trailerable with a 3/4 ton truck. Most owners have given up their dagger board in favor of permanently mounting a keel which screws up the trailerability. Hake also has an apparatus to step and unstep the mast.  

Backing Up Trailer I do not know how much trailer handling you have done. When I was a kid I used to help my uncle on a farm. Eventually on a tractor I could look over my shoulder while backing up and just automatically turn the steering wheel to make the trailer go where I wanted it. With my day sail I can look out the back window and still have that reflex, but on a larger sailboat I have to use mirrors which meant I have to think about what I am doing and backing up becomes frustrating and time consuming. Eventually I hope using mirrors will become reflexive also. Those folks that whip into a U turn at the boat launch ramp and back in there at a really fast walk without having to pull ahead occasionally because the trailer turns too sharpely have a lot of practice. It helps to have someone guide you who is not overly excitable. I find I cannot depend on my wife for help backing up.  

Overloading Tow Vehicle To who it may concern: If you want to exceed the recommended limits in your vehicle owners manual for trailer weight, be aware that spring loading, brakes, engine power, radiator, automatic transmission cooling, steering, frame strength, accelleration, steepness of hills (boat ramp?) and other items are all considerations engineers take into account when putting a limit on what a vehicle can tow. In recent years manufacturers of pickup trucks have let the marketing people push the engineers into increasing the load limit with no changes in basic design. If I had a good cooling system, a really long trailer hitch so the tow vehicle is not jerked around as much, and electric brakes that are strong enough to lock up when applied manually, or hydraulic that lock up when disconnect from trailer ball is sensed, then I feel I could push it some on weight if I kept the speed down. However, If I were really sensible, I would buy a vehicle with 30% more towing capacity than recommended in the owners manual if the vehicle is less than 15 years old and be a lot more relaxed while towing. If I bought a 1995 Ford F350 diesel dually (which I have), I would not exceed the owner's manual limit of 10,000 on the back bumper and forget the 30%. I prefer a manual transmission because I would not have to worry about an automatic blowing up on the road. Also, keep in mind that many of the diesel engines used in pickup trucks are commercial engines that are good for 1,000,000 miles with a valve job at 500,000.  

LakeSuperiorGeezer said: To who it may concern: If you want to exceed the recommended limits in your vehicle owners manual for trailer weight, be aware that spring loading, brakes, engine power, radiator, automatic transmission cooling, steering, frame strength, accelleration, steepness of hills (boat ramp?) and other items are all considerations engineers take into account when putting a limit on what a vehicle can tow. In recent years manufacturers of pickup trucks have let the marketing people push the engineers into increasing the load limit with no changes in basic design. If I had a good cooling system, a really long trailer hitch so the tow vehicle is not jerked around as much, and electric brakes that are strong enough to lock up when applied manually, or hydraulic that lock up when disconnect from trailer ball is sensed, then I feel I could push it some on weight if I kept the speed down. However, If I were really sensible, I would buy a vehicle with 30% more towing capacity than recommended in the owners manual if the vehicle is less than 15 years old and be a lot more relaxed while towing. If I bought a 1995 Ford F350 diesel dually (which I have), I would not exceed the owner's manual limit of 10,000 on the back bumper and forget the 30%. I prefer a manual transmission because I would not have to worry about an automatic blowing up on the road. Also, keep in mind that many of the diesel engines used in pickup trucks are commercial engines that are good for 1,000,000 miles with a valve job at 500,000. Click to expand...

How about this bad-boy. I think these have a rep as "blue-water" boats, but if you don't want to sail it to the next destination, well hell, just drive it!!! 1981 27ft. Norsea Sailboat  

The Norsea 27 is very seaworthy and I'm a bit puzzled as to how one ended up in Montana...  

sailingdog said: and I'm a bit puzzled as to how one ended up in Montana... Click to expand...

• ?            
• 175.5K members

Top Contributors this Month

• Search forums

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.

• Maintenance/Other Stuff

30ft+/ Oversized load Trailering. Lets see your tow rigs.

• Thread starter ADR
• Start date Apr 27, 2019

• Apr 27, 2019

Can we talk specifically about big boats/rigs for trailering? If all goes well my wife and I will be new to us owners of SR 370 Venture by Memorial weekend. Although we will keep it in a slip most of the time on Lk St. Claire, MI; we intend to trailer this boat several times a year (maybe not trailering until next year tho..). Some trailering will take us all the way to Florida and back and to other interesting large bodies of water. Would be great to see rigs / setups of others in this size category with some specific details of: - boat: Model, beam, dry/ship'g weight, needs to lower radar arch (how?), special work/needs to trailer safely, etc. - trailer: make, model, types of construction (alum.? I-beam?), hitches, brakes, axles, tires, paint, overhang, etc. -Rig: make, model, specials add-ons or packages for trailering, GVWR, GCWR, tires, receiver type, etc. - Licensing, permits, signage/ flags, needed etc. Doesn't look like there's a ton of us in this trailering category. But it would be great to be able to share tips, specs and pics to do it safely. I can only share pending boat purchase specs so far: 370 Venture 37' 2" LOA 11' 3" beam 15,432lbs dry 12' 9" bottom of keel to top of radar arch (so it will need taken down or hinged for regular trailering to stay at or under 13' 6" hwy rating) Details and pics of your setup would be great!  

• May 4, 2019

Well-Known Member

I tow my 30 footer with a stock 04 Duramax crew cab dually. It's a piece of cake. I get the appropriate overwide permits for Washington and Idaho and then I just go. I can't tow at night in Idaho but that's not usually when we are arriving or leaving any of the larger lakes up there anyway. We tow to the San Juan's periodically and to the Snake and Columbia river weekly. I store it inside at home so we can load it the night before and go. The only frustrating part is not being able to tow after noon on Sunday of Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends. On the WEST side of the state, I can understand that. Where I live, there isn't that much traffic and it doesn't make any sense. So we either leave at midnight on Monday or before noon Sunday morning. As far as flags, I have a sign front and back indicating "Over Size" that I attach to the front bumper of the truck. The one on the back it attached to the cleats and the supports for the swim step. I also have two orange flags that are supposed to go on the widest point which would be the mid cleat, but I just attach them to the rear cleat since no one can tell where the widest point really is. My height is 12' 6" so I don't have to worry about being too tall. My unloaded weight on the trailer is around 13,000 lbs and I can add another 1,500 with fuel, water and gear. The 37 footer will be over 12 feet wide and will probably require at least one pilot car if not two depending on the route. That's why I made sure I was UNDER 12 feet wide.  

I'm really close to buying a traer for my 310, which is 14,000 lbs dry. I have a 2000 F350 7.3 4x4. I plan on hinging my arch, that will be next winters project.  

• May 6, 2019

wyrman said: I'm really close to buying a traer for my 310, which is 14,000 lbs dry. I have a 2000 F350 7.3 4x4. I plan on hinging my arch, that will be next winters project. Click to expand...

I will know definitely once I get the trailer, but I'm sure I will have to hinge it. I'm looking forward to having a trailer, the San Juan's, and Lake Chelan would be great with this boat.  

Active Member

Stee6043 said: Meh, I think you guys are making this far more difficult than necessary. This vintage diesel F250 seemed to handle 25,000lbs with no problem. A little light on the front springs but otherwise this seems cross-country worthy. You'll just want to aim the headlights down a bit for those overnight hauls. Click to expand...

• May 7, 2019

wyrman said: I will know definitely once I get the trailer, but I'm sure I will have to hinge it. I'm looking forward to having a trailer, the San Juan's, and Lake Chelan would be great with this boat. Click to expand...

• May 9, 2019

JimG said: 2007 310DA 14,500 lbs. dry 10.5' beam 33' LOA Just under 15' high on the trailer Steel trailer View attachment 69577 Click to expand...

wyrman said: What brand of trailer do you have Jim? Click to expand...

Do any of you use a trailer toad to take the weight off the tongue?  

• May 10, 2019

• May 11, 2019

Thanks everyone for sending in your boat, rig and trailer info / pics! Greatly appreciated! Sea trail for me and wifey is next Saturday. If all goes well I'll be a SR owner in 1 week! Then I start my trailer search. Would like to see more oversized setups if your out there!  

Forum statistics

13 Popular Trailerable Sailboats with Lifting Keels

Trailerable boats come in a wide range of styles, sizes and capabilities. Dinghies and small sport boats are easy to trailer and even car top, but what if you're looking for something you can take some place, and maybe spend a weekend on board?

One good way to open a lot of shallow cruising grounds and gunkholes and to make your trailering life easier is to add a lifting or swing keel to the boat. With drafts under a foot on some models, these boats will give you a lot less trouble with overpasses, wires and launching.

While this isn't an exhaustive list, these thirteen popular boats will give you an idea of the range of trailerable boats with lifting keels you can find on the market. Some are older and no longer built, and you can find some of them at the boat shows and ready for purchase new today. Whether you're looking for a day sailer or a weekender for a couple to gunkhole along the coast, here are some great boats to consider.

Catalina 22 Sport

• Com Pac Eclipse

Flying Scot

• Islander 24

MacGregor 26

Montgomery 17, norseboat 17.5.

• Seaward 26 RK
• West Wight Potter 15/19

Most of these builders have several boat models, and several them have specialized in pocket cruisers, trailerable boats, and smaller hulls. Remember the specific model listed may be a good sample of their work, but check their entire lineup for something closest to what you want.

13 Biggest Trailerable Sailboats: Cheap But Good

Also - not all these boats are still in production, though they you can find them for sail used. Links are to the builder where possible, or to information pages to learn more if the builder is no longer around. Because we're looking at smaller boats, they won't likely be listed on brokerage sites, so you'll need to search for them on places like Craigslist, class association sites, and smaller regional boat sales sites and for sale boards.

On this page:

Com-pac eclipse, seaward 26rk, west wight potter (15 and 19), finding your boat.

First introduced in 1970, the Catalina 22 has been one of the most popular trailerable boats since its inception, though the Mk II update added a few inches of beam and couldn't race the Mk1 boats under one design class rules. The 22 Sport updates the classic original, while returning to the specifications for class legal racing out of the box with the original 22. It has a retractable lead keel, or an fixed keel option, and has berths below for up to four people. It's an easy weekender to launch and sail, with ready made fleets for fun, competitive racing.

Find the specs here

Com-Pac specializes in small, compact trailerable sailboats. The Eclipse is a solid example of their sloop-rigged boats. With a 21 foot overall length, 7'4" beam, and a 2,200 lbs displacement, it will tow easily with a modest vehicle. Down below, you'll find a double v-berth and space for cooking and food preparation. This converts to sleeping space with two additional quarter berths.

When looking for a trailerable pocket cruiser, look at the entire Com-Pac line.

Over five hundred CS 22 hulls were built in their production run in the early 70s, and this sturdy little cruiser is still a popular boat if you can find one on the used market. They conceived it as a lightweight, trailerable cruiser. It has a stubby externally ballasted keel with centerboard for added stability and pointing.

Though small, the interior has sleeping accommodations for four, a small galley, and a space for a portable toilet, making it a suitable choice for short expeditions and weekending. Though scarce today, the CS 22 is a good example of compact design that helped set the standard for later pocket cruisers.

The Flying Scot is a day sailer, and a popular design with over a hundred racing fleets around the U.S. It's an older design, having been in production for over fifty years, but this 19 foot sloop will still get a small group out on the water for a day of sailing and fun. Although it doesn't have an interior, clever and adventurous sailors have rigged up boom tents and other means to spend the night on their boats. Options on new boats include space for motor mounts, swim platforms, and higher end racing packages, and there is a strong market for parts and equipment.

The Hunter 22 is an updated replacement for the retired Hunter 216, another popular trailerable boat. The boat can be configured in a cruising setup with a V-berth and portable toilet, or a performance package with a sprit and asymmetrical spinnaker. For the size, it's a good value mini-cruiser with good performance and enough comfort to keep a small crew for a weekend. Depending how you configure your Hunter 22, it can run the gamut from comfy pocket cruiser to sporty day sailer.

Note: Hunter Marine changed names to Marlow-Hunter, though there is an enormous base of used boats with the Hunter brand.

There are several varieties of the MacGregor 26 beyond the base boat, including the 26D (1986-89), 26S (1990-95), 26X (1995-2003) and 26M (2002-2013). MacGregor boats have proven very popular trailerable boats, selling over 38,000 boats during the company's lifetime.

The Mac 26 differs from many small sailboats by two things - water ballast for stability, and the ability to take what is, by small sailboat standards, a massive outboard engine. A seventy horsepower engine on a 26' sailboat can make it hit planing speeds under power. This popular boat is a compromise - the water ballast, hull design, and smallish rig make it a somewhat underpowered sailboat, but it will sail. But if there is no wind, the Mac owners will still beat everyone back to the bar even while towing a water skier.

Their blend of form, function and design have made them controversial boats with experienced sailors, but there is no doubt the MacGregor 26 has gotten thousands of new boats on the water and built a loyal following for one of the most popular trailerable boats ever sold.

After the closure of MacGregor yachts, the Tattoo 26 was developed from the Mac 26 and is almost identical in performance capabilities and design.

Built at first with a fixed keel with an optional centerboard, orders for the keel/centerboard version outstripped the original and more centerboard versions were built. If you're looking for one, make sure it's the right version.

Lyle Hess and Jerry Montgomery designed the Montgomery 17 as a cruising capable, trailerable boat. The lapstrake fiberglass hull deflects spray and chop, and the 1,550 lb boat gives a stiff, dry sail. The cuddy cabin below has comfortable space for two adults, space for a portable toilet, and ample storage for gear and supplies. A four-part tackle rig makes raising the deck stepped a snap.

NorseBoats specializes in lighter day sailers and trailerable boats with a classic look but modern build and design concepts. Marketed as the "Swiss army knife" of boats, any of their offerings meet the criteria for an easy to trailer and handle boat with a shallow draft. The 17.5 can take a small outboard, has two rowing stations, and comes with a carbon fiber, rotating mast for easy setup and break down and solid performance under sail.

The larger NorseBoat 21.5 has an optional cabin version, with more sheltered space for sleeping and living than the open version.

The venture is a sixteen foot day sailer, and a modern design which can be sailed by up to eight people. The Venture has options for fixed keel, a centerboard, or a ballasted centerboard. As a forgiving design, it's a popular boat for inexperienced sailors and sail training, but still has enough power to be interesting and fun for skilled sailors as well. The RS Venture Connect features a lifting keel.

RS Sailing develops and sells many performance oriented small dinghies and day sailors aimed at a range of sailing skill and applications, from sail training dinghies to high performance racing skiffs.

Hand built with carbon fiber and vinylester resin over balsa core, this little boat is lighter than expected, but still sails well with options for a fixed keel or centerboard. At 16'10" overall, a 6'9" beam, and 1,300 lbs it's an easy boat to handle. But down below it's got a V-berth sized for adults and seating for two down below. The lapstrake designed hull deflects water and spray for a drier, more comfortable ride.

The smaller Sage 15 is another option for a lightweight boat using the same modern materials and techniques in a classically styled package.

The Seaward 26RK is the successor to Nick Hakes’ Seaward 25, with an edge to more comfort and better performance in a similar price to the last generation yacht. The result is the 26RK with more waterline, more buoyancy aft, and a lifting keel.

One of the larger boats on this list, the Seaward 26 RK, is still easy to move over land with a trailered weight under 6,000 pounds. The boat alone displaces 3,800 pounds, with 1,200 lbs. of that in retractable ballast with a bulb on the bottom. The keel lifts with an electric motor and is simple to operate. The cockpit is comfortable for four and has options for wheel or tiller steering.

Down below you'll find four six-foot berths and seating for four. Interior configurations include options for an enclosed head and v-berth, and a two-burner stove in a small galley.

Seaward Sailboats began sharing construction facilities with Island Packet Yachts and are sold through the same dealer network.

For over fifty years, the West Wight Potter has been a compact, trailerable option for a weekender and vacation boat. The fifteen and nineteen foot models have been fixtures at boat shows and in harbors, and sailors have even crossed oceans in these doughty little boats. The fifteen displaces only 475 pounds, with 165 pounds of ballast in the lifting keel. It's self righting and self bailing, with added foam for stability and floatation. The 19 is heavier at 1,225 pounds with 370 pounds of ballast, but the extra volume adds two more quarter berths, more headroom, space below, and more waterline.

With a kick up rudder and retracting keel, these little cruisers can be beached or taken in shallow waters. They designed the hull for stability and reduce spray for a dry and comfortable sail. Factory options include several creature comforts, sail options, and even trailers. With over 2,600 West Wight Potter 15s built and 1600 of the nineteen footer, there's a ready market of these pocket cruisers for sale.

While the big boats get the glory and high profile spots at the shows, smaller trailerable boats are what most people can buy. The corners of the shows where you see the West Wight Potters and Com-pacs to be just as exciting to me as the main docks filled with forty and fifty footers, because these smaller boats invoke a different adventure. An attainable adventure, for so many more people.

There's an array of smaller boats you can store in your garage or backyard and take out for everything from a casual day sail to a long summer vacation. This list gives you a flavor of what's out there in the trailerable boat market, but it's up to you to decide where you want to go and how you want to get here.

The article is headed by a photo of a S2 7.9 but that boat did not make your list. IMO the best trailer boat .

Leave a comment

You may also like, what is a swing or lifting keel 14 pros and cons explained.

If you need to know what a swing keel is, like me, this article is for you. I'm trying to decide what keel type is right for me, so I dove into the swing keel.

Sailboat Keel Types: Illustrated Guide (Bilge, Fin, Full)

Centerboard (Swing Keel) vs. Fixed Keel: Pros and Cons

• CREATE AN ACCOUNT
• Boat Cover Finder
• Bimini Top Finder
• Boat Propeller Finder
• Engine Parts Finder
• Anchor & Dock
• Watersports
• Clothing and Footwear
• Engine Parts
• Cabin and Galley
• Covers and Biminis
• Electronics
• Paint and Maintenance
• Pumps and Plumbing
• Anchor Chains & Ropes
• Boat Fenders
• Boat Mooring
• Boat Protection
• Dock Storage & Protection
• Ladders, Steps, & Platforms
• Top Sellers

• Fishing Rods
• Fishing Reels
• Fishing Rod & Reel Combos
• Fishing Tools & Tackle Boxes
• Fishing Line
• Fly Fishing
• Fishing Bait & Fishing Lures
• Fishing Rod Holders & Storage Racks
• Fish Finders, Sounders & Sonar
• Trolling Motors
• Fishing Nets
• Fishing Downriggers & Acessories
• Fishing Outriggers & Acessories
• Fishing Kayaks
• Fish Cleaning Tables

• Inflatable Rafts
• Paddle Boarding
• Paddles & Oars
• Wakeboard, Wakesurf & Ski
• Wakeboard Towers
• Tow Ropes & Handles
• Life Jackets & PFDs
• Snow Sports
• Roof Racks, Carriers, Dollies

Men's Clothing

• Accessories

Men's Footwear

• Atheltic Shoes
• Water Shoes

Women's Clothing

• Dresses & Skirts

Women's Footwear

• Fuel Systems
• Sacrificial Anodes & Zincs
• Generator Parts
• Inflatable Boats
• Propeller Parts & Accessories
• Boat Manuals
• PWC Parts & Accessories

• Fishing Boat Seats
• Offshore Boat Seats
• Ski Boat Seats
• Pontoon Boat Seats & Furniture
• Boat Seat Pedestals & Hardware
• Boat Seats by Manufacturer
• Boat Tables & Hardware
• Boat Seat Covers
• Boat Seat Vinyl
• Floating Boat Cushions

• Barbeque Grills
• Boat Drink Holders
• Cabin Accessories & Hardware
• Boat Ventilation
• Interior & Cabin Lighting
• Marine Teak Products
• Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
• Binoculars & Telescopes

Boat Bimini Tops

• Bimini Top Accessories
• Pontoon Bimini Tops
• Other Biminis
• RV & Trailer Covers
• Boat Shrink Wrap & Accessories
• Boat Shelters

Boat Covers

• Boat Cover Accessories
• Boat Lift Canopy Covers
• Other Covers
• Boat Wiring & Cable
• Marine Batteries & Accessories
• Marine DC Power Plugs & Sockets
• Marine Electrical Meters
• Boat Lights
• Marine Electrical Panels & Circuit Breakers
• Power Packs & Jump Starters
• Marine Solar Power Accessories
• Marine Electrical Terminals
• Marine Fuse Blocks & Terminal Blocks
• Marine Switches
• Shore Power & AC Distribution

• Marine Audio & Video
• GPS Chartplotters & Accessories
• Electronic Navigation Charts & Software
• Digital Instruments
• Display Mounts
• VHF Radios & Communication
• Marine Radar
• Auto Pilot Systems
• Action Cameras

• Fiberglass & Epoxy Boat Repair
• Boat Paint & Varnish
• Marine Adhesives, Sealant, & Caulking
• Marine Engine Maintenance
• Boat Cleaners & Waxes
• Boat Cleaning Supplies

• Fresh Water Boat Systems
• Bilge Pumps
• Marine Plumbing Parts
• Wash Down Pumps
• Livewell Aerator Pumps & Live Bait Wells
• Toilet & Waste Pumps
• Marine Pump Replacement Parts

• Tires, Rims, & Hub Kits
• Boat Trailer Winches
• Boat Motor Supports & Transom Savers
• Boat Trailer Guides & Rollers
• Boat Trailer Fenders
• Boat Trailer Lights
• Boat Trailer Hardware
• Boat Trailer Jacks
• Boat Trailer Brakes & Axles
• Boat Trailer Tie Downs
• Couplers, Mounts, Hitches, & Locks

• Boat Deck Harware
• Marine Nuts, Bolts, & Screws
• Boat Handles, Pulls, & Rings
• Prop Nut Kits & Hardware
• Boat Cabin Hardware
• Marine Fasteners
• Boat Windshield Parts
• Boat Tubing & Rails
• Boat Mirrors
• Marine Tools & Tool Kits
• Boat Lettering

• Women's Clothing Deals
• Men's Clothing Deals
• Fishing Deals
• Anchor & Dock Deals
• Electrical Deals
• Electronics Deals
• Paint & Maintenance Deals
• Pumps & Plumbing Deals
• Boat Seats Deals
• Trailering Deals
• Camping & RV Deals
• Dealer Login

• Forums Login

• Search forums
• General Boating/Outdoors Activities
• Trailers and Towing

How to size a trailer for a boat??

• Thread starter tractorboy
• Start date Feb 8, 2012
• Feb 8, 2012

I pretty much KNOW my trailer is too big for my boat. IS there any information out there were I can properly know what size trailer to get for my boat. MY BIL is the orig. owner and has bragged that is is the smallest boat that will fit on that trailer...and it does fit and tow nice. The problem is that the boat sits too far UP on the current Roller trailer. At the docks whenever we go I have to go down the ramp a couple of times and slam on brakes to get sucker to roll/drop off. and when putting back on I basically have to winch it up onto the trailer with the strap like 20'. Im trying to get my trailer info now but its a 91 sunbird swl 207 so its basically 21' and about 3500 lbs roughly. My touch is way long and the uprights for the bow stop is PAST the back there the trailer branches out for the sides from the tongue...... I can lower the boat any on the trailer and the gun walls are about 1.25" above the fender. Widening the rollers doesnt get it sit lower either. It tows fine Im more concerned about high she sits and properly and safely getting in and out of the water. It FALLS into the water when I launch it. When I have a dock it was once or twice a year but we are not docking anymore and I need to know what size trailer. she how a big teak bow platforms that extends out making it say 20.7' but the boat is a 19' I think. Any help greatly appreciated.  

Vice Admiral

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? got some pics? As in a BUNCH  

smokeonthewater

Fleet admiral.

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? general rule of thumb is that the overall trailer length should be 10% more than the base boat length not including added swim platform or bow pulpit.... This is just a starting point..... Of course there are other measurements.... on some trailers the bunks aren't adjustable so they need to match up too.  

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? I will get a BUNCH OF PICS...as im sure that will help.....maybe I make it a BUNK trailer?? OK...LOOK FORWARD TO IDEAS and what not. trying to find info on trailer...a karavan....only have VIN ..need to look up and see where model # might be. Thanks  

Chief Petty Officer

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? are you using an electric winch?  

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? Hard to tell in the pic but can you move the roller beams out from center.... If you can, that will lower the boat.  

• Feb 9, 2012

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? View attachment 132326 View attachment 132327 View attachment 132328 View attachment 132329 View attachment 132330  

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? does not want to allow me to upload more pics but I have more..and will try later. But I think my only option to lower say 10" is go to bunk. is 3200 or more lbs too much for a bunk trailer. I looked at all the parts for karavan trailers and no lower beams. I think I might gain an inch reversing the rollers if possible as they curve up but.... Do I need keel rollers? Todd  

NYGiants said: are you using an electric winch? Click to expand...

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? you have a high profile setup on that trailer. You can get different brackets to lower the rollers http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/it...ailer+Pivot+Bar+Brackets+&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc= http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/it...+Roller+Bars,+(Magictilt)&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc= http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/it...er+Assemblies+(Load+Rite)&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=  

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? If you decide that you want a bunk trailer, just find a good deal on one and sell this one... converting is less than ideal and not a cheap as you might think.  

smokeonthewater said: If you decide that you want a bunk trailer, just find a good deal on one and sell this one... converting is less than ideal and not a cheap as you might think. Click to expand...

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? From your pics it looks like you have an ideal setup, plus the size of the trailer looks real good! If I were looking for a used boat and saw your rig with that trailer under her, I'd jump at it in a minute. I agree it rides high, but part of the reason is its not a low slung frame. Its not like you have a squatty cuddy, so what's the difference? Don't take offense, but maybe you need some instructions on how to launch and load. The winch is there to load the boat, so the fact that you have to crank on 20' sounds proper to me. When I load mine I crank her up the full length of the trailer. A couple of things to look at.... When the boat is off, make sure all the rollers are free. Lube them up just to be sure. Next, be sure that you don't have any aft rollers that are higher than the keel. One time I inadvertently adjusted the last roller up too high and I could never get the boat to move. Once I moved the boat back a foot, it then came off like greased lightnin. I dropped the roller an inch and all was well after that. "Bump and brake" isn't really a problem. I have one ramp I use that is nearly horizontal, plus shallow water besides. The only way I can launch there is a hard brake with the car. I'd hate to use that ramp with a bunk trailer. It would never come off, even if the front wheels of the car were under water!  

tractorboy said: no..not allowed in NY finger lakes for whatever reason. If so I'd install as I have to let out all the strap and basically winch onto the boat...and thats with the fender buried in the water! Click to expand...

• Feb 10, 2012

Re: How to size a trailer for a boat?? That trailer does look a bit long but also looks like it fits very well. Looks like you could move the aft roller bunk all the way out to the frame rails to lower it though I don't think that's what I'd do. Long isn't always a bad thing. The trailer I'm using was designed for a boat 14-16' long and the tongue does look long on it. But it is set up properly. The balance and tongue weight are good so the axle is also positioned correctly. The advantage with this comes as I launch at many very shallow ramps and the added length allows me to no have to back the truck into the water. I was once at a ramp that was so shallow that I had to step out of the truck into the water and the transom of the boat still was not touching the water. Thank God for tiltbed roller trailers!  

Trailerable Sailboats Comparison

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

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

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

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

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

Table of contents

Defining Trailerable Sailboats

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

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

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

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

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

Types of Trailerable Sailboats

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

1. Dinghies

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

Popular Trailerable Dinghies:

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

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

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

Popular Trailerable Racing Sailboats:

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

3. Open-Top Cruisers

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

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

Popular Trailerable Open-Top Cruisers

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

4. Pocket Cruisers

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

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

Popular Trailerable Pocket Cruisers

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

5. Coastal Cruisers

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

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

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

Popular Trailerable Coastal Cruisers

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

6. Compact Offshore Sailboats

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

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

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

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

Popular Compact Offshore Cruisers

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

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

1. Centerboard

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

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

2. Swing Keel

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

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

3. Fin Keel

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

4. Semi-Displacement

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

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

5. Displacement (Full Keel)

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

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

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

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

Trailer Types

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

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

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

Sailboat Weight and Towing

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

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

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

Best Trailerable Sailboat for Cruising

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

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

Best Trailerable Sailboat for Weekend Sailing

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

Related Articles

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

by this author

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

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

Similar Posts

How To Choose The Right Sailing Instructor

August 16, 2023

Cost To Sail Around The World

May 16, 2023

Small Sailboat Sizes: A Complete Guide

October 30, 2022

Popular Posts

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

December 28, 2023

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

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

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (866) 342-SAIL

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