Little boat that fits on a drive?

[HereBeMonsters]

Having owned various kayaks and such, I've decided it's too much of a lonely pursuit (even with a two man one, you're both facing the same way) and want to "upgrade" to a little boat.

Basically, looking for something that will fit 4 people, some beers and some fishing rods, and we can go sailing around the Solent, up and down the rivers, all while not getting in serious sailors' ways and not being squashed by container ships or cruise liners.

So I'd like a small outboard, simple sails, and overall dimensions not much bigger than your average car, so I can stow it in the car port on my drive. I guess this means I need a detachable mast as well.

Does such a thing exist? A friend of mine has a Laser, but it's just too small, and too "serious sailing" for me. I used to have one when I was a kid, and it was great fun, but I'm more looking for something I can just anchor up somewhere quiet, chat and run some fishing lines with no intent of actually catching anything. Lazy summer days etc.

Any replies greatly appreciated. I must admit I've not done much research bar wandering around a boat show or two, as I'm not sure where to start. Shall I just get on eBay and start bidding?

[Simpo Two]

Defo get a copy of this - check the reviews:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avoid-Huge-Ships-John-Trim...

[mybrainhurts]

Eyup, Noah....

[Fishtigua]

MacGregor 19?

http://www.go-sail.co.uk/mcgregor19.asp

[XJSJohn]

sounds like you need a drascombe

http://www.drascombe.co.uk/

[paintman]

Falmouth Bass Boat. Friend of mine had a 16' & very nice it was too - for both fishing & sailing.
http://falmouthbassboat.weebly.com/fbb-16-specific...

[HereBeMonsters]

Simpo Two said:

Defo get a copy of this - check the reviews:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avoid-Huge-Ships-John-Trim...

Haha, brilliant. The waters round here are definitely busy with their fair share of huge ships!


Thanks for all the replies chaps, managing to keep it sensible! I love the look of the McGregor, but fear it may just be too big for my carport. I'll need to measure it precisely, but I can't see it being more than about 1.8 metres. It's a squeeze to get out of my 205 on there!

[Huntsman]

There must be hundreds of small boats that will do this perfectly.

Get on ebay/apolloduck/boatsandoutboards and have a look see what takes your fancy. Plenty of slipways about to use too.

[s2kjock]

XJSJohn said:

sounds like you need a drascombe

http://www.drascombe.co.uk/

Absolutely. Cut my sailing teeth on them, moved to bigger boats, and now am downsizing again. Currently have a rare wooden variant of the Dabber (Dipper) and a larger Drifter with cabin which we are doing up. My sister has a GRP Dabber. Plenty variants in the range to choose from, although not all are still made.

Great seaboats, easy to sail, traditional looks with modern materials (mostly), roomy, sturdy, great for kids, beaching, fishing, unsinkable etc.

Shouldn't lose money on a used one if you look after it.

[c7xlg]

Another vote for a Drascombe. I pretty much learnt to sail on a Drascombe Dabber (in combination with enterprises) at the RAF sailing club on the Thames 25 years ago. In fact I'm off to visit the boats owner who has retired to Wales this weekend, and hope to take my son out in the very same Drascombe for his first ever sail!

[wetny]

What about an Eagle 525? 17ft long, huge cockpit for a small boat, twin lifting keels that are cheap and easy to repair unlike my old Etap. Small 2 + 2 cabin with sink and two burner hob. Skipper 17 is older cheaper alternative.

This is mine.....

DSC_0141 by wetny, on Flickr
GOPR0519 by wetny, on Flickr IMG_2444 by wetny, on Flickr

Edited by wetny on Thursday 19th June 20:20

[wetny]

What about an Eagle 525? 17ft long, huge cockpit for a small boat, twin lifting keels that are cheap and easy to repair unlike my old Etap. Small 2 + 2 cabin with sink and two burner hob. Skipper 17 is older cheaper alternative.

This is mine.....

DSC_0141 by wetny, on Flickr
GOPR0519 by wetny, on Flickr IMG_2444 by wetny, on Flickr

Edited by wetny on Thursday 19th June 20:21

[mybrainhurts]

Would you be able to park a U boat on your drive if you stood it up on the blunt end?

[TTwiggy]

I bet you appreciate the furling headsail on her - it's a long walk to the pointy end!

[wetny]

Pointy end not made for big feet! You learn to do everything from he cockpit.

[Condi]

Do you want a fishing boat, a sailing boat, a power boat, or something else?!

As someone else has said, ebay/apolloduck are your friends. Lots and lots of boats will do what you want, costing from £500-50,000.

[Huntsman]

You just missed a glorious weekend afloat.

I would also look carefully and something just big enough for kipping on, bucket and chuckit will do for lavatorial requirements. Camping stove in a bucket for brewing up and maybe frying bacon. Solent becomes a fab play ground.

If you need any advice, I'm in Hamble and been boating locally for 35 years.

[Fishtigua]

Condi said:

Do you want a fishing boat, a sailing boat, a power boat, or something else?!

Or something else?

I do happen to be the agent for Cigarette. They do a jolly nice line in dayfishers.

5 supercharged 6 cylinder outboards at 350hp each may sound a bit silly, but they do go awfully well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGGYkACsx4g

Edited by Fishtigua on Sunday 22 June 23:16

[HereBeMonsters]

Fishtigua said:

Condi said:

Do you want a fishing boat, a sailing boat, a power boat, or something else?!

Or something else?

I do happen to be the agent for Cigarette. They do a jolly nice line in dayfishers.

5 supercharged V6 outboards at 350hp each may sound a bit silly, but they do go awfully well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGGYkACsx4g

If you can prove that fits in my car port, I'll buy it.

[Simpo Two]

'The Huntress is priced from $690,000 to $990,000, depending on the four- or five-engine configuration and other upgrades.'

It fits in a UK single car port, is only 1.8m long and easily afforded by the average cash-strapped Brit. Win win!