I am hooked, live near Western Port Bay in Vic and need advice on a trailer sailer for two of us.
Can tow 1.5 tonne and am completely confused about all the brands on offer.
Would be very happy to hear people's experiences with this type of sailing, am not interested in mooring anything, am very interested in the ability to travel down to the lakes, or to mornington etc, cannot spend over 10K and really am a newbie. Have used boat ramps for tinnies etc. But any advice or pointing to another Australian resources (have read up on wikipedia) would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in anticipation.
Hartley 16 (Seek advise from the local TS16 Asscn, there is a vast difference between boats $500 to $15k). Careel 18, $5k-$12k, good accom, fair performance. Status 580, (Minimal cabin, good performance), $3-$6k. Status Slipstream (5.8m higher performance version of 580, lock up cabin, $5-8k. Sonata 6m, good accom and performance, $8-14k. Austral 20 worth a look. Cole, good but expensive. Over 6m become a struggle to rig, launch and retrieve and require more expensive trailers. Avoid, Embassy and Clipper, and look closely at any TS that has been moored. Many TS asscn's will list boats for sail and their performance and condition will be known. RL24 is the most TS you can buy for your money, but not for the newbie. All TS,s can and will capsize in bad conditions, so learn to sail first and don't be afraid to ask for advise.
Oldn, I too got hooked, but very quickly realised that a trailer sailer was a bit of an effort to get sailing. So, I'll go through my reasoning for you, as a devil's advocate.
I first went to have a look at a few locally, on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. The one I like the most was an Investigator 563, followed by a Careel 18.
The trailersailerplace.com.au web forum is the bees knees for all things Trailer. As is this library. johncrawfordmarine.com.au/trailer-sailer
Once I'd had a look at a few, I weighed up the time, distance and effort involved in going sailing. Thinking a trailer sailer was a cheaper alternative to a moored boat. I was a little wrong, depending on what size you're happy with.
For me, storage of the boat on a trailer was also a consideration, it would be street parking or a really awkward reverse into my front yard. The bride wasn't happy about that bit. The next consideration was how long it took to rig and get sailing. Reports and opinions were anything from 15 minutes to an hour to launch, rig and hoist sails, plus the reverse on the retrieval.
Initially I thought this wouldn't be an issue, but I then recalled my old water skiing days, where there would be two hours dedicated to launching, retrieving and washing the boat before putting it away. This, coupled with the wish to have a much more versatile boat in the weather stakes sent me off to check out how expensive a moored boat would be.
In the end, I bought an average condition Top Hat for $10k. It takes me 5 minutes to load the dinghy on the car, then unload at the beach, 5 minutes to motor out to the mooring and 10 minutes to uncover and unlock the boat before dropping the mooring. In all, from walking out the door to opening the first beer is usually less than an hour and I'm a 40 minute drive from the boat.
Ongoing costs are different to a TS, slipping once a year on average is about $1300, mooring fees in Sydney are $380 per year where I am and mooring service is about the same if they need parts. There is always a job or two to do, but we've owned our Top Hat for almost three years and we still haven't spent any more than about $16k including mooring, antifoul, some running rig, timber and electrical work. Of which most was voluntary, not necessity. Our standing rig is due to be done, but amortised over a 10 year period is less than $500 per year. In reality, if you get a good one, no more expensive than running a motorcycle or 4WD.
The only draw back of a moored boat is that, for a day sail, you're limited to how far you can sail from your mooring. With a TS, you can go further afield.
I hope this helps with finding the right boat for you, regardless of trailered or moored.
Michael
I have both, trailer sailer at the yacht club with mast up and cruiser moored in a pen.The Trailer sailer is cheaper by far and all i have to do is back it down a ramp,the moored boat is more expensive to moor and also maintence costs are more as it needs more living in the water.I have both on the gippsland lakes.Mast up storage is the best option.
Mast up storage $520 a year.
Cruiser in pen $880 a year.
Welcome to the world of trailering hooked. Firstly, make sure the trailer is in good nick and registered, secondly,make sure the boat is seaworthy i.e. ask the seller to take you for a sail in it, third, join trailersailerplace.com.au , what you will pick up on there is invaluable.
Now check this outhttp://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=11712235
good price for a very capable T/S and a very sturdy boat.
I should know, I own one
Cheers
Ken
Yes I miss My TS 16 Big Bird where is she now??? A jem to sail and fun match racing. $4000 to $7000 for a good one. Make sure it has a lock to lock the centre plate down when sailing as they can invert and make a mess of the case!! If you want more info I did a total re-bulid of mine and alot of research.
Hi Oldnhooked
I downgraded to T/ S and currently keep it in Yaringa. You ring them and by the time you get there, boats is on the water and you off. You wont to go to lakes, no problem.
Ask what you wont a known? There is a few decision to be made - how often you plan to go, how much space or comfort than you pick the size. Next to me is very good Bomaroo 22, on the market. Owner told me nearly new trailer and motor. He is sailing often and keep it in the water. Overnight to Cowes or Flinders, crazy.
Many options, but not many cheap ones.
Get yourself a Windrush Wildfire. Most advanced trailer sailer ever built in Australia.
Great choice!And a bargain.Do you have much exp working with wood?Because you will!You wont lose on it tho.
I would not think that ts18 is a bargin by the looks of it thats what shes worth,Intresting to see how much rain water,leaves and stuff is in the bilge rotting away.
its $1250.oo. all subject for having a look of course.Buts its a cheap boat if your hands on.
hull and
rot $500, trailer with grinding wheel bearings $250, 1979 mast and sails $250! but yes it still floats and sails and perhaps doesnt leak. haha
sorry mate.I didnt realise you had seen it.Anyway back to the original question my mates got a hartley 16 and its a great boat.So i imagine the 18 would be aswell.I have heard somewhere that the 16 is a bit quicker.And it probably makes sence because thats what everyone seems to race.
But i would think they have a bit more room in them.But if southass has had a look at its not to good then you will need to have a real good look.Pref take someone with you that knows his shiat.When i see 1250 dollars i am already thinking less than 1 grand.Goodluck.
No mate I have not looked at it....I just know that bargins a rare and dont last long.....well put it this way a good hartly 16 with no rot and a reasonble trailer starts at $3000 and thats just a day sailer set up to race you would need to spend at least $2000 on new sails and fittings. unless the guy thats selling the 18 as no such idea on the pricing I would not think it would be a bargin more along the lines of what u get is what u pay for....
Well it just sold today, so I guess I will not be buying it. (This means I am still looking for a cheapish trailer sailer).
I did a lot of sailing in TS16's years ago and have owned a Careel 18 for many years, they actually handle quite a lot differently. The TS16 handles like a "Big" little boat where as the Careel 18 handles like a "Little" big boat.
that is cheap here, a pen in a marina: Hillary's about $ 7000-00 a year no services included and none available, waiting list full! A bit cheaper in Two Rocks marina about $ 3000-00 a year, if you own a swing mooring tax is about $ 400 a year and to buy one will cost you from $ 5000-00 up. My hard stand is the most economic way! And no bird crap to deal with.
that is cheap here, a pen in a marina: Hillary's about $ 7000-00 a year no services included and none available, waiting list full! A bit cheaper in Two Rocks marina about $ 3000-00 a year, if you own a swing mooring tax is about $ 400 a year and to buy one will cost you from $ 5000-00 up. My hard stand is the most economic way! And no bird crap to deal with.
done the owl, cd's, snakes, feather dusters (el natural version, not flouro fluffy pink), only thing that works for me is netting.
it sucks to put it on/off, but better than scrubbing comorant ** everytime you want to go for a sail.
the other downside, no birds means more spiders + webs.
Always amazes me how many spiders are around even though the boat is on a swing mooring.
there must be a better way of getting rid of the shags.
Dreamt about rigging the solar panel up to a capacitor on a timer, that discharges through the lifelines. They'd probably still end up **ting before they leave in fright...
Agree with Cisco - Windrus Wildfire, as i have one.
Can accommodate a family overnight, ccreate sailing boat if you put a bit more sail area on it.
Mine is modified so it has a little more sail, assy
can hit 13.8 knots in race trim.....
