fishing from a trailer sailer

[bazzacuda]

Beer and fuel - they will only increase in price. I think fishing from a planing hull may be moving beyond my reach.
I'm going to retire about March next year and I've been giving some thought to how an old bloke on a small pension might be finally able to go fishing as much as he wants.
It seems that there is a growing number of people fishing off kayaks, but I don't think that's for me, but I've been wondering if any Ausfish members have experience fishing off trailer/sailers. I have in mind something like a 18'or 21' Hartley trailer /sailer. With a small outboard this might be a good solution but I don't know. Bar crossings might be out of the question - and yet ? Any comments/experience ?

[Dodge41]

bazzacuda

Great to hear retirement is on its way in March, I'm 66 and retired October last year and is something to enjoy after the work years.

I've had boats for 30 years and sold the last 4 years ago 22' diesel 4 berth bay cruiser. and after a lot of research am one of those who is taking up SOT kayak fishing, if you enjoy reasonable health I think it the way to go for cost, storage and portability, and much easier to use solo, we took delivery of a new one last Saturday and its only 22.5kgs, my wifes is 18.5kgs.

It is amazing the interest in this branch of the sport when you look closely into it, and already have come across other older blokes on yaks.

2 months ago this would not have been a consideration but it is heavily part of my retirement enjoyment now.

All the best in your decision making
Richo

[rando]

My first boat was a 17 ft trailer sailer, a Gordancraft Griffen, ( about 1979)not much of a performance boat but perfect to learn on. Had 4 berths, a stove , portapotti, and an 8 horse O/B.
In my opinion the craft you describe in your post would make a wonderful fishing platform. I would do some research on what is available in the size range you prefer, particularly if you want to attempt bar crossings and the emphasis would be on seaworthyness. I do not think a Hartley quite meets the requirement.
I would also investigate what the largest outboard, whichever vessal you settle on, can carry. If my memory serves me I think my 17 fter was good for about 8-10 knots , so If it was me I would be thinking a 15-20 horse motor would give you good economy and a reasonable turn of speed for when you want /need it.
Then of course when you are not in a hurry or want a liesurely troll up go the sails. no noise, no fumes, no cost & when you want to fish some shallow areas lift the keel and in you go.
want to have a kip. keel down,,,, not much rocking . AHHH lovely little sailboats
as a matter of fact give me a call when your ready and Ill go with you.
cheers
rando
PS have a look at an RL24, MASRM720 or even a Trailertri.

[Hoges]

Maybe this could be the best of both Worlds’ a 26ft Trailer sailer that can get up on the plane and tow a water skier or get you out fishing in a hurray with a comfortable sail home whilst a trolling line astern.
I have been looking at these Macgregor yachts here in Melb for a couple of mates and still trying to get them together for a test sail. Talking to the brokers a good second hand unit sells for around AUD$50,000.


MACGREGOR 26 FACTORY WEB SITE
http://www.macgregor26.com/table.htm

THE MACGREGOR 26 IS A REALLY GOOD POWERBOAT. At high speed, it has a remarkably comfortable, stable ride. The very sharp entry slices thru waves efficiently. It is highly manoeuvrable, and only a light touch on the wheel is required to hold a perfect course. Ample fuel storage is provided. There are storage hatches in the cockpit that will hold 2 standard 12 gallon fuel tanks. If you are not interested in high speed powering, the boat performs well with a 5 or 10 horsepower engine.

We limited the engine size to 50 hp for a number of reasons. An electric start 50 hp motor provides lots of speed, yet it is light enough so that sailing performance is not compromised. It is about the largest engine that can be started by hand, a nice feature if your battery goes dead. Also, the heavier, higher horsepower engines really eat up gas.

WHEEL STEERING. It is easier and more natural to drive the boat with a steering wheel than with a tiller, and a lot more comfortable. The steering pedestal mounts on a narrow pylon to allow lots of foot room in the cockpit.

THE 26 HAS TWO ENGINES, THE SAILS AND THE MOTOR. If a conventional powerboat's engine quits when you are away from land, or on a remote part of a lake, you are stuck there until outside help arrives. In many cases, attempts to start the engine drain the batteries so even radio communication becomes impossible. With the 26, simply raise the sails, and head for home. There are calms now and then, but there will usually be enough wind to get you on your way.


POWERING AND WATERSKIING: With the 50 horsepower outboard, the 26 will go about 22 mph. It will easily pull a water-skier. This adds one more bit of fun to the voyage. It will actually pull most adults at high enough speeds to create some real excitement. (Forget about pulling a crowd.)

SAILING PERFORMANCE: If you are buying a sailboat for the first time, performance and racing may seem of little interest to you. However, a boat that performs well is generally safer and easier to sail. It will certainly yield greater long term enjoyment.

The 26 balances beautifully. The big twin rudders give excellent control. The boat is light. A light boat like this requires less sail area to sail fast, so sail handling is easy. The 26’s light weight and its powerboat underbelly allow the boat to get up on top of the water and plane in heavy winds. In such conditions, these boats have exceeded 17 mph under sail. Most small sailboats, with their round bottoms, have speeds limited to around 5 to 6 mph.

[Hoges]

Interior shot.

[Hoges]

Layout.

[Dodge41]

Hoges
What an incredible boat
Richo

[Hoges]

...and away she goes!

[Hoges]

Hoges
What an incredible boat
Richo

Hi Richo, it certainly seems to be and can't wait to have a test sail/run in one.
I saw one on the hard down here a few years ago and thought it looked quite ugly out of the water with it's square looking stern but from these pictures it does not look too bad on the water.
Something like this would suit me seeing I love sailing and fishing.
The good points being...
Enjoying a relaxing sail.
Being able to get home in a hurray if the need arises.
No mooring fees.
To be able to trailer it to different areas.
...and also being able to use it for your accomodation when you get there.

[Hoges]

...under sail.

[Hoges]

Last one.
Just to hit my 200th post. lol

[GBC]

How about a farrier tri for less than 30K? Stick a 25 on it and even bars would be doable..

Like the first line of the macgregor speil says, they make a great power boat, but for their waterline length they don't sail too great esp to windward.
Of course you could up the rig size and have a large planing skiff?
Look out skandia the new breed of maniac downhillers have arrived, and they tow pakulas for 'hoo too. I can see it now. Getting the stink boaters to understand 'STARBOARD!' while trying to carve gybe at Hutchies will start a whole new era of boat rage.... Bring it on.

[cabfisher]

Nice looking Trailor sailor But a lot of money .
Some 25 years ago I retired and bought a H28 Yacht a long keel boat on this I sailed from Sydney to Airly Beach and all ports in between it was great I did live on it for about 4 1/2 years .
And that is my experance not that I am a know all but it seams a bit more than our Friend needs He was talking about a kayak maybe a small Tinny would do at a cosy of say $3-4000-00 boat motor and trailor .
If you like give me a call and I am happy to chat with you . Oh I am now 67 cheers Harry

[bazzacuda]

Hoges,

now isn't that a pretty toy. The 2005 version of a motor sailer. and you can park it down the side of the house (if there's room and the boss lets you)

thanks for that

Barry

[rando]

The McGregor is an american boat and at a "biggish" 26 ft might be a handfull to launch and retrieve alone. There are a whole lot of aussie designs in the 18-21 ft range that might suit the task . I dont think many could carry a 50 horse though.

I like the trailer tri ,though the later ones are probably quite expensive.
the earlier ones were made by Haines and were solid glass construction and very heavy, the later ones were composite construction and can "go like the clappers" the early ones were Daysailers, and they made the later ones with an aft cabin . They are all good boats. some of the early ones had a problem with the centreboard case leaking.
The aft cabin models are certainly offshore capable and a 25 horse motor would really drive it along.
cheers
rando