Trailersailing America
Reader seeks tips for land-camping aboard his boat
We have a reader who’s planning to trailer-sail most of America. Since he plans to spend a fair number of nights aboard his boat on its trailer—at campgrounds and such—he’s wondering if readers have any tips or suggestions for making a boat more comfortable on the hard.
I’ve used my boat this way several times, but never for multiple days on end. The primary consideration on one of my bigger boats was finding a way to coexist with the mast and spars. Otherwise I was mostly comfortable.
Have you camped aboard your boat on the hard? Any suggestions for our reader? Let him know in the comments below. —Josh
Years ago I was waiting for the Cook Strait ferry with my 20 footer on the trailer behind me, the ferry is a 20k ton monster that travels between our south and north islands. It was late, the ferry was not going to run until morning, and it was in the depths of winter and howling down with rain.
Being late the town was shut, no food, nothing. The car behind mine had what looked like a young mum and dad, a small child and a baby, crammed in with a heap of luggage. They were going to have to spend a very uncomfortable night in there so I tapped on the window, pointed to my boat, explained that I had room on board and could heat up something to eat.
They accepted the invitation, hot soup and bread, mum 'n dad with baby took the big vee double forward, the child got one quarter berth and I the other. I had enough blankets to keep everyone warm.
It was a nice night, they were very pleasant people and the child though it was a great adventure, I was happy to help.
Driving to Maine last summer with a Montgomery 15, tried to make it one day, couldn't, too exhausted after 10 hrs driving, it was going to be dark soon; motel rates were ridiculous, the one nearby campground was full... saw a sign - "County Park" with an arrow down a narrow road. Okay. Drove down it a quarter mile, just a field, a few tennis courts and a large paved area for cars and... a Montgomery 15 for the next 8 hours.