Should I do it?
Sun Cat, Potter, Fox, Catalina 22—so many choices!
Reader, Roy Curet, could use some advice on which of several popular trailersailers he should look for. He writes:
I’m a 64 year old fairly new sailor and would be first time boat owner. I don’t want to build. I’m looking for a boat that I can trailer to the lakes of Northwest Montana and the region with an eye towards participating in the Salish 100. For that event I would need a boat under 22 feet which fits in with my other goals and desires. I’d like a cabin where two can sleep and a cockpit big enough for four adults. Easy rigging and trailering are essential.
I know that what I get will be mostly determined by what becomes available in my area. My short list of boats I’m interested in include the Com-Pac Sun Cat, the West Wight Potter 19, the Seward Fox and the Catalina 22. Other variations such as the Capri 18 or Com-Pac Legacy would be worth a look.
What advice can the collective wisdom of SCA give me? •SCA•
Without question the SunCat is the boat for you. And I've had four in the cockpit without issue (maybe one in the companionway or sitting on the high side cabin top if everybody's big, but manageable). The fact that you don't have jib sheets to manage makes the cockpit that much bigger. You're 64... I was 64 6 years ago. Those 6 years go quick, especially when you're sailing an having fun!. Rigging the boat doesn't get easier and the SunCat is a breeze. I've owned several (as well as many other boats) and the gaff rigging is not a hinderance. Just tweak the gaff halyard slightly to get the right shape for your point of sail and don't close haul the boom too much. The same sailor will probably be able to point a few degrees higher when beating with a sloop, but are you racing??? If you are, no-one will touch you on the broad reach and downwind leg. The short mast positioned well forward offers tremendous advantages above, below, rigging and storing, and the floppy stays mean you're not constantly trying to tune your rig. After having a gallows.... how does anyone live without one? And step onto any of those boats from the dock and then step on the SunCat... it doesn't buck you off, feels like a much bigger boat. Go SunCat for sure! Clark Mills knew what he was doing.
ANY of them will provide big adventures in small boats. No. 1 is see what’s available in your area. No. 2 take a boaty friend with you to help check it over. Focus on the pricey bits like sails, rigging, engine, trailer. Then check for the cost of other defects you can’t fix yourself. Everyone has opinions about boats. Important thing is to find a good one and spend time on the water with it.