Downsizing

[John Bailey]

Hi all,  I've not posted often on this site for the last few years, but I've kept up with most of the discussions as I enjoy the philosophy of the site.

A few years ago I got some great advice here and bought a Herreshoff H-28.  Here's a picture of the boat as bought and number one son who helped me sail it from Muskegon, Michigan north to Charlevoix, Michigan.



We stripped the interior, which was in bad shape, and added a galley and a composting toilet.



Added a nice sailing dinghy.



Then painted it proper Herreshoff colours -- white topsides and green bottom paint -- and put it on a mooring.



It's been a great boat and a lot of fun.  However, I would like to downsize so I can easily trailer a boat to places like Baja, Inside Passage, Northeast Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast and Intercoastal Waterway.

So, this coming spring I'm going to sell the Herreshoff and look for a smaller boat I can trailer.  The Herreshoff with a beam of 8'9" and weight of 12,000 lbs, is a bit much to "easily" trailer.  Right now I'm considering the following:

On the light side --  Alberg 22, Cape Dory 25
On the heavier side -- Pearson Ariel, Seafarer Meridian and Cape Dory 25D

Any comments and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,  John

[CharlieJ]

Welcome back- I recall you posting about the H-28.

Of your three "heavier " boats, the Meridian would be the smallest. Less beam, and somewhat less interior room, but 5'8 head room.

Having said that, I love my Meridian, and I can pull it with my step son's Jeep Grand Cherokee, but not my Laredo.

[John Bailey]

I'm not too concerned with headroom.  I've been living with 4'10" in the Herreshoff and I've found it adequate.

The Meridian is my favorite for looks.  Rhodes sure knew how to draw a shear line.  My favorite boat for looks has always been a Pearson Vanguard, and the Meridian is a dead ringer at a distance.  Great looking boat.

How are the settee's for sleeping.  I like the arrangement of the head taking up the forward v-berth space and I would likely rebuild that area up front for storage and a head, so I'd have to sleep in the main cabin.  By the way, most of the time I'd be single handing.  I'd need a place for the wife occasionally, but mostly I'd be by myself.

My 2003 Tacoma has 290,000 miles on it.  It still runs great, but I had to put $1,800 in it this year, and I think it's time to trade.  So, I can get something that would tow any of the boats I've listed.

Do you have an outboard for yours?  How does that work and what kind of hourly gas usage do you have?  Also, would I be able to make the mast so I could lower it myself?  I see some boats have a hinge arrangement that I could easily have fabricated.

Later,  John

[CharlieJ]

Pearson Vanguard i s a Meridian on  steroids. Another Rhodes design.

Yes I use an outboard, in the well. An 8 hp Yamaha 4 stroke. In flat water, no wind, running at just over the start setting, I get right at hull speed, and about 15 mpg (ICW running) A 6 gallon tank of fuel lasts pretty close to 8  hours..

I closed off the foot of the port settee turning that into under counter pots, pans and dishes storage. Also added settee back shelving on both sides, which reduced the settee width a bit, but not much. Have had several guests aboard who did ok on the settees.

Personally I prefer sleeping in the vee berth, but many don't. I added lockers each side, so reduced that berth to 4 feet wide at head. Ex and I spent many many nights up there quite comfortably

I would post some pics, but my documents library is screwed up at the moment and I can't tell which pic is which. But you can see a few things in the album on the SailFar gallery

http://sailfar.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=20