Pocket Cruiser

[FF]

Some months ago I started liiking for a Pocket Cruiser, a trailerable boat to drag to all the places behind a lovck, un reachable from the sea.

Would also plan on running the Inside Passage to AK, so the boat needs enough volume for extended use.

Many great sugestions were made ,

Here is one I found on the web , but havent yet seen .

www.caledonboatworks.com/

Anyone familiar with it?

 

[dwhatty]

One of those is on the hard near where our boat is stored for the winter. Good looking boat. Did not get a chance to peer inside before she was covered.

 

[Baker]

Very nice. Doesn't look cheap!!! I think my favorite in that range is still the C-dory Tom Cat.

 

[Phil Fill]

We have a lot of trailer able 25 to 30 ft boats in the Puget Sound area as most of the know name brand are build here.* Also Everett has a very popular 16 lane boat ramp.* I been sort of looking and playing with the idea of pulling a 20+ ft boat, so I been looking at them.* I would prefer an inboard/outboard over an out board so the stern and engine can be completely enclosed protected.** Also it has to a very deep V hull and low profile.*
*

We trailer our 28 ft Reinel behind a motor home for several years.* We found many time the boat to big for some of the rivers/lakes and even the Puget Sound.* If you are planning on trailer to a location and then dump it in, motor around and *come back to sleep eat at the RV it does not have to be very big.* Heck we have taken our 19 ft run about to many places in the PNW, and its a lot cheaper to tow.* Anyway, I/O, deep V, low profile and completely protect/enclosed, about 20 ft that can get up and scoot.
True Funny Story.

When we first bought the 58 ft, and I found PMM*I was really a green newbie.* There was a discussion of Pocket Boats/Trawler, so I ask what is a pocket and why do they call them a pocket.* I think FF or one of the old guys says, Its because their little engine make a pok pok sound.* **Well, I took it hook line and sinker!* They played me for a couple of days on that one.*

That when I figure out the FF had a sense of humor.

-- Edited by Phil Fill on Saturday 11th of December 2010 09:48:22 AM

-- Edited by Phil Fill on Saturday 11th of December 2010 09:50:14 AM

 

[healhustler]

It's hard to imagine a better tow-able cruiser line than C-Dory, but I fell in love with Minor Offshore Boats at while in Europe these last three years. *I tried to post a pic here, but won't upload. *The new 25 is a cozy, sea-worthy inboard alternative, though a bit deeper in the water than the Dory's.

www.[b]minoroffshore.fi[/b]

 

[bshanafelt]

take a look at some of Devlins boats

http://www.devlinboat.com/


got several choices that are ' trailerable'


You can charter several models to try out before you buy.


I saw a 30' for sale not too long ago with pretty low hrs for around 50k.


He does pretty nice work

 

[FF]

Size , on the trailer is our big hassle.

We are rebuilding a 1956 Flxible VL 100 bus conversion (330hp 1200ft lbs torque and auto tranny).

The coach is 35 ft long and the LAW sez 65 ft is as long as we can be , end to end , counting the outboard or out-drive.

This presents a problem for the "I think my favorite in that range is still the C-dory Tom Cat."as with two hulls to turn and not hit the rear of the coach, the trailer has to be about 32 ft.

Even as close coupled as we dare over 27ft will be hard.

www.minoroffshore.fi

Was at a local dealer , its OK , but we will not accept the 40% loss on a new boat , a used boat makes more sense for an OK round trip.

WE will run the inside passage to AK , so return nightly to the coach is out , we need something big enough to be aboard for a month or more.


http://www.devlinboat.com/

Stich and glue is a great amateur method of creating a one of. , but for similar effort I work in Airex and the "wooden boat" at reasle time bugaboo doesnt come up.

We have thought about* scaling back our "box boat" from 39* to 27 and adding a foot of beam to get to 8ft 6 , and having a hull built in Aluminum , just doing the interior , but used* is always cheaper than brand new , even if I do all the work.

Keep up the ideas!!



-- Edited by FF on Sunday 12th of December 2010 07:14:00 AM

-- Edited by FF on Sunday 12th of December 2010 07:15:05 AM

 

[Phil Fill]

I dont know about FF but I am looking for something in the early 80 late 90 so they are not so expensive.* The C Dory and Rangers are relatively new and about 100+ grand.**A lot of boats tow Grade Whites as they are stable and have a cuddy cabin, but are mostly OB.** If I do buy something I want something that we can afford to cut/loose, bang around , go a ground, *not worry about and the total around trip is a break even.** Older hard top Glasply look interesting?***


*

 

[RCook]

Hi FF,

We've been cruising the Inside Passage through BC and SE Alaska in trailerable boats since 1993, several weeks to 3.5 months at a time.*

We started with a C-Dory 22 cruiser, a fuel efficient, very seaworthy, and tremendously well laid-out tiny cruiser for a couple.* It was a bit on the spartan side, but it sure worked, including a two-month SE AK cruise.* For small light cheap and seaworthy, but modest creature comforts, it's excellent.*

Another small alternative that could fit behind your big rig is the C-Dory Venture 23.* It's a little heavier than the 22 cruiser, rides better in the chop, and has a nicer interior, including insulation to reduce condensation.* Add a Webasto or Espar heater, and it could be a fine choice for SE AK.

The C-Dory 25 Cruiser or Venture 26 are more spacious and well laid out outboard cruisers, but may require a shorter land yacht.* The Tom Cat is particularly nice if you want to be able to go fast (25+ knot cruise).

We upgraded 12 years ago to our Bounty 257 (externally similar to a Sea Sport 26 or 27 Navigator, but with a nicer interior).* She has a Volvo diesel with Duo-Prop I/O.* Heavy deep-V, smooth ride, lots more creature comforts.* Max cruise speed about 18 knots, at 1.75 nmpg, or comfortable and relaxing slow cruise at 6+ knots, 4.5 nmpg.* The I/O is its most vulnerable part, and requires religious regular maintenance, but our engine has 4300 hours on it so far, and seems to have many more to go.

I like the diesel I/O over outboards for fuel efficiency in a heavy comfortable boat, and the additional creature comforts like easy heat and hot water, but a carefully thought out and equipped outboard cruiser could be very nice too.*

For a detailed exposition on the choices tradeoffs and equipping of trailerable cruisers for the PNW, you might take a peek at our book, "Cruising In a Big Way", found on Lulu.com, Amazon, or iPad bookstore.* You can get it hard copy, or download in pdf format (which also works on the Kindle).




-- Edited by RCook on Sunday 12th of December 2010 10:30:54 AM

 

[Codger2]

IMHO, this is an excellent post. Informative, entertaining, concise and well written.

 

[RCook]

Thanks, Walt!

 

[sunchaser]

Right in there with the boats R Cook suggests is Osprey. I've been on several and am impressed with the quality and their big sea capability. My brother has the 30 Osprey which went on its own bottom from Seattle to SE AK the past two years.

 

[Nomad Willy]

Hi Tom,
Going to SE Alaska on "ones own bottom" is not that big a deal. When I was a teenager in Seattle I remember a magazine presentation called "with the outboarders" that was dedicated exclusively to cruising to SE in 17 to 19' (typ) outboard cruisers. Most were powered by 30 and 35hp Johnsonrude twins. I don't think the 40 was out yet.
I can't relate to all this talk about the Sea Dory and the Osprey being so sea worthy.
I'd say they were about average. There are quite a few Sea Dories here in SE but I think it's their styling that attracts people to them. They are without a doubt very good looking boats. With a Banks dory one can identify the features that make them sea worthy. I'm not saying they are bad boats*** ....just over rated.

 

[FF]

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1989/Rosborough-Rf-246-Diesel-2243464/Montreal/Canada

This looks like a real possibility , cheap and mostly interior, BUT with the 90 hp Perkins its maybe a 12K boat.

So a question is a 12K cruise OK for such a small boat to do the inside passage to AK?

A big* boat can simply slug it out (if needed) , I was thinking 18K in a tiny boat would be better .

Since a bunch of folks live there and have made the run, opinions folks?

It should have 200 miles of range fairly easy.





-- Edited by FF on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 03:27:41 PM

 

[RCook]

We used to travel at 18 knots, but now run about 6.5 knots most of the time.* It's quieter and less tiring, we don't have to stare unceasingly at the water ahead looking to avoid floating wood etc, we enjoy the scenery and critters more, and we get almost three times the fuel economy.** When the chop gets up to 3-4 feet, sometimes we can travel much more comfortably by cranking her up to a slow plane, 13-15 knots.* Depends on the situation, wind vs tidal current, direction of travel, etc.* Nice to have the choice of speeds.

We typically travel 2000-2600 NM per summer, in 2.5-3 months.* Enough to do a fine job of either BC or SE AK, but not both in the same summer.

With 110 gallons of diesel our safe range staying at 6.5 most of the time is 250-300+ NM.* I'd guess the Rosborough would do as well or better, but not at 12 knots.** At that size, efficient speed would be 6 knots.* I don't think it would plane very well on 90hp - and it might bust a gut trying to maintain 12 knots.

If you want cheap and fuel efficient, even at 18 knots, the CD 22 Cruiser or CD Venture 23 are probably the ultimate.* If those are too tiny, the various 25-27 footers can be a lot nicer, but will cost a lot more fuel too, unless you travel slow.




-- Edited by RCook on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 03:57:28 PM

-- Edited by RCook on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:05:28 PM

 

[Carey]

RCook wrote:

We used to travel at 18 knots, but now run about 6.5 knots most of the time.* It's quieter and less tiring, we don't have to stare unceasingly at the water ahead looking to avoid floating wood etc, we enjoy the scenery and critters more, and we get almost three times the fuel economy.** When the chop gets up to 3-4 feet, sometimes we can travel much more comfortably by cranking her up to a slow plane, 13-15 knots.* Depends on the situation, wind vs tidal current, direction of travel, etc.* Nice to have the choice of speeds.

We typically travel 2000-2600 NM per summer, in 2.5-3 months.* Enough to do a fine job of either BC or SE AK, but not both in the same summer.

With 110 gallons of diesel our safe range staying at 6.5 most of the time is 250-300+ NM.* I'd guess the Rosborough would do as well or better, but not at 12 knots.**

If you want cheap and fuel efficient, even at 18 knots, the CD 22 Cruiser or CD Venture 23 are probably the ultimate.* If those are too tiny, the various 25-27 footers can be a lot nicer, but will cost a lot more fuel too, unless you travel slow.

-- Edited by RCook on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 03:57:28 PM

I'm curious as to why you say nay to the Rosborough at 12 knots.

*

 

[RCook]

Just updated my post above. Without personal experience in a 90hp R-24, I may be guessing wrong, but I don't think it will plane well with 90hp, and might bust a gut trying. 12 knots seems to be its max with that motor, and I think not a workable planing speed laden for a long cruise. I'd think you'd need more hp, and would want to get up to 15 knots or more for an efficient plane with any sort of load.

Our CD 22 cruiser, a good 40% lighter than the R24, needed an upgrade from 70 to 90 hp to carry a long-cruise load decently.


P.S. Here's the Rosborough you want for a long cruise:

http://www.rosboroughboats.com/sedan_cruiser.html

-- Edited by RCook on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:21:29 PM

 

[Carey]

RCook wrote:

Just updated my post above. Without personal experience in a 90hp R-24, I may be guessing wrong, but I don't think it will plane well with 90hp, and might bust a gut trying. 12 knots seems to be its max with that motor, and I think not a workable planing speed laden for a long cruise. I'd think you'd need more hp, and would want to get up to 15 knots or more for an efficient plane with any sort of load.

Our CD 22 cruiser, a good 40% lighter than the R24, needed an upgrade from 70 to 90 hp to carry a long-cruise load decently.

-- Edited by RCook on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:12:42 PM

OK, I see. I missed the 90hp factor. Rosborough touts a 30 mph potential, which I know the hull can handle, but that was with twin 150s. I thought it would be a great fit for FF, given his proximity to many used Rosboroughs, as well as what I know to be a fine little boat. I'd sure like to see what it could do with a single 150 horse.

*

 

[healhustler]

FF: *I like the Rosborough too. *I've been holding this one back until I saw something more like it. *It's built on a Nasset 28 hull, and comes with the trailer.

http://shoebox28.blogspot.com/


-- Edited by healhustler on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:46:16 PM

-- Edited by healhustler on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:46:55 PM

 

[Carey]

healhustler wrote:

FF: *I like the Rosborough too. *I've been holding this one back until I saw something more like it. *It's built on a Nasset 28 hull, and comes with the trailer.
http://shoebox28.blogspot.com/

-- Edited by healhustler on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:46:16 PM

-- Edited by healhustler on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:46:55 PM

OMGCan you say "Sail Area". Just try docking that without seven bow thrusters.

*

 

[Carey]

healhustler wrote:

FF: *I like the Rosborough too. *I've been holding this one back until I saw something more like it. *It's built on a Nasset 28 hull, and comes with the trailer.
http://shoebox28.blogspot.com/

-- Edited by healhustler on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:46:16 PM

-- Edited by healhustler on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 04:46:55 PM

OK, I am not a fan of this particular boat, but it made me think about Freds other option, which is to buy a hull, or hull and house from one of the plethora of east coast companies selling kit lobster boats. What a fun project. They are available from about 24ft to 28ft for a trailerable version. Seems like it'd be right up FF's alley.

*

 

[Marin]

healhustler wrote:

It's built on a Nasset 28 hull, and comes with the trailer. http://shoebox28.blogspot.com/

Hmm....* Well, in the interest of saying something positive I suppose it looks great from the inside looking out.

*

 

[Nomad Willy]

I took this picture of this boat in Craig several months ago. Has twin volvos w douprop outdrives. Motivated seller. I can't remember if I posted this boat or not. I'm going back to Craig thursday so could check then.

 

[Marin]

Eric--- That looks like the water taxis and ecco-tour boats that run around in the bazillions of islands from Campbell River up to Port McNeil, between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland.

 

[FF]

The Shoe box is interesting (but pug ugly) , but at 10 ft 3 beam its double hard to move without pounds of permits.

So far the Bayliner 24 Cierra seems best as a bloat boat , and with various brands of Chevvys and IO would be quick enough.

Unfortuniatly the Bayliners are bottom of the quality bucket so have Volvo conversions , instead of the far better Crusaider.

Used seem to run from $1500 to almost $20K for a real cherry one.

The concept of order of preference would be inboard , IO, outboards.

The reason is with a std boat the drives don't add to the LOA on the trailer and a 25 ft boat is pretty small.

Actually I would prefer an inboard GAS engine , as I hate the extra maint on a diesel, but these do not seem to have been made.

IO looks like the easiest compromise for maint that is readily available , and here in FL many tiny boats are rack kept , so the usual io problems may be less.

Interestingly I am finding Lakes boats , with no FW cooling!I guess folks know how short a salt cooled engine lasts , some are really low priced.

A friend bought a 12,000lb trailer for $1K, 30 ft Renker was free , take it away!!

Talk about low priced boats!!

 

[Phil Fill]

Now the *picture that Eric posted is what I am talking about for a PNW boat.* I am assuming is either inboard or IO.* Looks to have a hard stern top that can be canvas enclosed, seems to have good space with plenty of window area and ugly enough to be towed behind our ugly trawler.* (-;*

For some reason the emoticon do not work on my work computer?* I know some of you are*very happy about that.****I*did click the spell checker and there were no miss spelled words, so miracles do happen.* ***

 

[healhustler]

FF wrote:



So far the Bayliner 24 Cierra seems best as a bloat boat , and with various brands of Chevvys and IO would be quick enough.

Unfortuniatly the Bayliners are bottom of the quality bucket so have Volvo conversions , instead of the far better Crusaider.

Used seem to run from $1500 to almost $20K for a real cherry one.

*

FF: * *My last Miami boat was a Sierra 2452 with a Mag 300 HP and duo-prop. *It was easy to clean, maintain, and probably a decent boat on plane (19 mph minimum). *This boat would actually do 50 mph with a clean bottom in calm water, but it was unforgiving in a chop of any size, it wallowed terribly in wakes, and just here in Biscayne Bay, it worked me to death trying to keep the thing trimmed. *Worst of all, it was a laborious curse to cruise at idle and in no-wake zones on the ICW at anything under plane speed. *(Not sure if you have any no wake areas up there.) *The boat simply would not go straight no matter how I trimmed it or balanced it. *I had a system of steerage recovery that I did half corrections, perhaps every 10-15 seconds, but if the boat was in any current or wind, I couldn't even do that. *A plus is the enclosed pilot area which is no good for Miami, but great for you up there. *Make sure you try the slow cruise before you buy. *Off plane, they're too flat to grab hold, and they work you to death at the helm. *Passing another boat at any close quarters took helm, throttle and often trim. *No rest.

 

[FF]

AS always the choice between mostly flat bottom , faster better on the plane , shallower draft ,VS a more seaworthy deep V , good high speed rough ride , but with higher fuel burn is the compromise.

Happily I.m not in a hurry , and prefer little work.

The boat posted would be a great transplant for a 305 Crusaider , as all that wood in the after tent is probably heavy.

An honest 200hp should get the boat up and going , but the engine , prop and shafting would need to be tossed. Sounds like work!