Sub 20' pocket cruising (cabin) sailboats

Sweet... looks like a hybrid racing dinghy and cabin cruiser! That should appeal to the more athletic go fast types! My inclination is to keep my Glutes firmly planted on the seats rather than hanging over the rails however. My knees are no longer up to the task of providing leverage like that.

 

I disagree in that small boats get used a lot, but do think that simple boats get used a lot. A small, yet complex to setup or load boat, no matter of size will not get much use, but a boat that is easy to setup and load will, regardless of size (to a point). I had a 35' yawl that was as simple as hoisting and going. No engine, just a sweep and I'd back her out of the slip under sail, most of the time. This boat got lots of use, because you could be underway in less than 5 minutes. Another 26' boat I had didn't see much use because it took 45 minutes to stand it's rig up.

I have several designs that easily fit the bill listed above, most 18' on deck or less, some with free standing rigs, which makes things about as simple as you can ask.

 

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No, sorry... I wish I could afford to build a prototype!(or have it built)

 

I expect that 35 ft yawl wasn't parked in your driveway though. I am much of the same mind... I think I did kind of address most of that if not in those exact words. However... most of the small boats I envision for this thread aren't very complicated either. I am looking for the boat you can hook up and be off on a Saturday morning of a long weekend and be back in time for supper on Monday, sun burnt and happy as a clam while not being totally wiped out from over work on set up and tear down.

Stick 'em up here for all to consider if you will... I'd like to see them. It isn't advertizing because I'm asking and it fits the thread...

 

Perhaps a model.......?

 

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Thanks, Steve. The thing that caught a lot of attention at boat shows was the sort of circular cockpit and "sculpted" seats that were very,very comfotable and the rear view windows that were at the perfect height when sitting inside to give a great view.
Plans were with the company when it burned down some time after they arbitrarily stopped building the boat.
She had a unique swing keel that didn't take up much interior room. Also had a kick-up rudder.
Enough sleeping space for two adults and two kids. There were 88 built- you might find a used one particularly in the southeast. Make sure it has the worm gear keel winch-a few of the original boats went out with, basically, a trailer winch-no good.

 

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I think I may have one more boat in me and I think it will be the Crossbow. http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/sailboats/crossbow-fl-43615.html
But a model of the scow might be worthwhile down the line.

 

Did you sell all rights to the plans? If not then I expect a "revival" of a dead design wouldn't be out of order. If they are totally out of business and you did sell the rights... you might be able to reclaim the rights by default.

 

Hey Doug,

That's a nice little boat. What happened to the molds?

Hi Steve,

We've been building this one (http://www.sagemarine.us/) for about a year and a half. Be happy to share experiences and thoughts with you.

sal

 

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Sal if you're talking about the 18(picture below), the molds were bought by somebody who didn't want to build boats but just wanted a place thatlooked they built boats. A special kind of business.... Sad end to a great boat that was way ahead of its time in 1974-75.

 

maxi mini?

IMO, there is very little difference between trailing a 14' and 20' boat, so go for the larger end of the range. A 19' boat is usually has an easily stepped mast, gives you the most room above and below deck, and in small boats, waterline matters a lot. I once had a 19' (a Mirage 5.5) that I probably used more than any other boat I have owned- I think because it was so portable, and fairly comfortable. It was fairly light, about 1200 lbs, (some people would call it flimsy ) and fast enough for its size to give many larger boats a good run. I could launch in less than 20 minutes single handed. I used it hard, racing and cruising, and it never broke.
There are many fine small pocket cruisers, but in my experience, I would first want a boat that sailed well, and next demand that it had at least good bunks for two and some storage. Out in the real world, most everything else is secondary.
B

 

That's too bad. It looks like a very nice design. I believe that trailer sailors are going to become more popular over the next decade. Especially pocket cruisers.

sal

 

this is a great post. hits the nail right on the head . i know people that don't use their small runabouts because the trailers are crap and they have to get in the water and wrestle the things into position. a bit of research and time spent making launch and retrieval a pleasure rather than a hassel makes a huge difference to the amount of use a boat gets, power or sail. also a trailer sailer that takes more than 20 minutes to rig is a pain in the donkey.

 

Precision 18 (and others in the Precision line)
Starwind, although quality is questionable through different years

 

I don't know if he is in Ukraine, but he wrote in Ukrainian. And the apartments in the background look very Khrushchyovka ....



But, in truth, Krushchev housing was 5 story - my apartment is in one. But, a lot of Ukrainians feel above 5 story was a Krushchev style .... And Stalinsky were mostly 2 story .... But, I feel most 2 to 5 story were in the Stalinsky style, and most (but not all) 8 and above were Khrushchyovka (Krushchev style)

Here is an 8+ story Stalinsky masterpiece from Moscow - most were not this 'grand.' If you remove the Church looking pieces and the castle looking towers, you have what most large buildings look like around 'Soviet' countries ....

First image from wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kotelincheskaya_Naberezhnaja_Moscow.jpg

Second from http://4ekel.blogspot.com/2013/08/blog-post_25.html