Hi All,
I'm looking to get into sailing, thinking of buying a small 14ft trailer sailer type boat to start/learn on.
My experience is, sailed a couple of times on small 'topaz' back in the uk (many years ago) and had a few runs on the fun cats in Sth Perth.
Mainly planning to do day trips up along the swan river or on local lakes until I gain some experience and then move onto (invest into) something bigger if I really get into it.
Saw this on gumtree, would this be a good starter?
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bassendean/sail-boats/sailboat-dingy-tinny-motorboat-4-3-m-trailer-day-sailer/1287771955
Also, where do I go for advice on sailing rules on the water or can I just launch anywhere along the Swan and go for it?!?
Thanks for any advice.
Hi Craig
As too the ad, no trailer is mentioned.
For any trailer sailer boat, many buyers are starry eyed about the boat and don't notice the pile of (painted) rust that it is sitting on.
Trailers are EXPENSIVE.
Check any trailer very carefully and turn away if the sellers say, " Yeah, I know it's not registered and the lights don't work, but it will only take a few dollars to fix."
gary
Thanks for the advice Gary, however the add says:
'It comes with Main Sail, Jib and Center Board och Rudder, ready for sailing everything in good condition as well as licensed trailer for easy transportation.'
I'm confident with inspecting the trailer to make sure its road worthy. I just don't know much about inspecting a boat, what to look for etc?
Good thread here;
www.trailersailerplace.com.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2983
And the full chapter and verse here;
www.boatdesign.net/threads/self-service-sailboat-inspection.36082/
For the last part of your post see this thread and local guides eg;
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Swan-River-Launching?page=1
www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/licensing/MAC_G_Boating_SwanCanningRiver.pdf
DPAW management plan...........
www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/conservation-management/riverpark/Management/Boating%20Management%20Strategy%20for%20the%20Swan%20Canning%20Riverpark.pdf
Great info r13, thanks for that. Enough reading material there to keep me busy for a while.
I'll go and have a look at the little boat, he told me it doesn't come with an outboard motor (shown in the advert photos), but he will sell me one if I want. Is an outboard really necessary for a little boat like that??
Depends what you want to do with the sailing boat. If you like the boat as it is for starting out sailing again and it is serviceable would suggest you buy it without an outboard but ensure it has suitable length oars and rowlocks to get you back to base in case of an unexpected drama. After a few sails you can decide if an outboard is needed - for example to go fishing. Would only need a 2-3hp outboard a Tohatsu 3.5hp 2 stroke is very light but they are hard to come by 2nd hand and are spendy.
I wouldn't be looking at the swan.
Buy something for Cockburn sound, Rockingham. Garden island, Carnac and Rotto
Select to expand quoteJolene said..
I wouldn't be looking at the swan.
Buy something for Cockburn sound, Rockingham. Garden island, Carnac and Rotto
I'm thinking of the Swan due to living fair way North, up near Quinns Rocks. So heading all the way to Rockingham for a sail would be a fair old hike.
Having said that, what would you recommend in terms of something for Cockburn, Rocko, Garden Island etc.?
I would suggest a Red Witch trailer sailer. They have a shallow fixed keel and you are going to get wet launching and recovering. If you wanted to spend more money then a Sorcerer. There are large numbers of them in WA and are good value. Try to avoid unusual boats that are going to be hard to move when you want to upgrade.
Select to expand quotecraigu said..
Hi All,
I'm looking to get into sailing, thinking of buying a small 14ft trailer sailer type boat to start/learn on.
My experience is, sailed a couple of times on small 'topaz' back in the uk (many years ago) and had a few runs on the fun cats in Sth Perth.
Mainly planning to do day trips up along the swan river or on local lakes until I gain some experience and then move onto (invest into) something bigger if I really get into it.
Saw this on gumtree, would this be a good starter?
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bassendean/sail-boats/sailboat-dingy-tinny-motorboat-4-3-m-trailer-day-sailer/1287771955
Also, where do I go for advice on sailing rules on the water or can I just launch anywhere along the Swan and go for it?!?
Thanks for any advice.
That thing would probably put you off sailing ever again. Plenty of better options.
Select to expand quotecraigu said..Jolene said..
I wouldn't be looking at the swan.
Buy something for Cockburn sound, Rockingham. Garden island, Carnac and Rotto
I'm thinking of the Swan due to living fair way North, up near Quinns Rocks. So heading all the way to Rockingham for a sail would be a fair old hike.
Having said that, what would you recommend in terms of something for Cockburn, Rocko, Garden Island etc.?
Something like a Court 650 or a Swarbrick s 20
Maybe a mild Ultimate 18 or an Investigator 563
All of them are great little boats and there are many out there similar.
I personally like the boats with the stub keel ballast and a swinging dagger board.
Woodman point has good ramp facilities,,
And the boats I have mentioned will get you under the Garden island causeway.
Cripes are we saying Craigu as a beginner needs to and must buy something to launch out into the Indian Ocean? How many trailer sailers are zipping around the Swan River, not to mention fixed keelers. For sure "that thing" is not all that flash but making that comment without recommending (in your opinion) an alternative solution is not helpful for a beginner. The Investigator 563 would be a good alternative to "that thing" but I would hesitate to take the 563 to Rotto as a beginner - rather sail around the Swan for a year or two and then plan the voyage out there with a suitable weather window. Then upgrade as you see fit. Please start on the Swan River.
The reason you need an outboard is because you will be launching at ramps and not off the beach.
Sailing on and off ramp pontoons is a sketchy business with powerboats everywhere.
Which also begs the question why not simplify things and get an off the beach boat? Good for learning to sail.
If your thinking of crossing to Rottnest then one of the WA designed and built trailer sailers is the go. If you are looking for an alternative to that thing to just sail the Swan then the obvious choice is a Corsair 16. You wont need an outboard but I guess an electric unit on the transom would be OK. Comfortable and easy to sail and there will be plenty about in WA. The armed forces used them on the Swan.
Thanks for the info everyone.
Think I'll give 'that thing' on gumtree a miss. However, I've no plans to sail off into the sunset just yet. I think the Swan will be fine to learn on and I'm planning to take my kids out on the boat aswell, so don't want to tackle the high seas just yet.
Theres a GP14 on gumtree, how would they suit my intended use?
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/golden-bay/sail-boats/trailer-sailer-yacht-with-licensed-trailer/1278206733
Windrush Wildfire!! As good or better than all mentioned above. There is a guy in Perth who has been single handing his out to Rottnest for decades.
The Wildfire is a yacht that will take you from beginner to racing and limited offshore. Add a boom tent and make it a perfect pocket cruiser. I would be confident sailing one from Brisbane to Cairns. I rate them as the best trailer sailer ever.
One for sail here.
beldon.australialisted.com/6027/boats-yachts-parts/windrush-wildfire-trailer-sailer_18447769.html
Few people who have them ever want to sell so resale is no problem.
www.trailersailerplace.com.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=16958
Good enough for Sail Ability.
www.facebook.com/sailabilityalbany/photos/this-wonderful-windrush-wildfire-now-belongs-to-sailability-albany-and-was-launc/1764991473756455
Select to expand quotecraigu said..
Thanks for the info everyone.
Think I'll give 'that thing' on gumtree a miss. However, I've no plans to sail off into the sunset just yet. I think the Swan will be fine to learn on and I'm planning to take my kids out on the boat aswell, so don't want to tackle the high seas just yet.
Theres a GP14 on gumtree, how would they suit my intended use?
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/golden-bay/sail-boats/trailer-sailer-yacht-with-licensed-trailer/1278206733
Imho it would certainly suit your intended use.
Select to expand quoter13 said..
Cripes are we saying Craigu as a beginner needs to and must buy something to launch out into the Indian Ocean? How many trailer sailers are zipping around the Swan River, not to mention fixed keelers. For sure "that thing" is not all that flash but making that comment without recommending (in your opinion) an alternative solution is not helpful for a beginner. The Investigator 563 would be a good alternative to "that thing" but I would hesitate to take the 563 to Rotto as a beginner - rather sail around the Swan for a year or two and then plan the voyage out there with a suitable weather window. Then upgrade as you see fit. Please start on the Swan River.
No one is saying he must launch anywhere,.
No one is telling him what boat he must buy.
People are commenting to basically give food for thought.
I personally don't like sailing in the swan and my comments are based on the presumption that Craigu may find the boat he buys for the swan limited if and when he decides to venture out to places like the beautiful sailing grounds of Cockburn sound. That might be a week after he buys a boat or it may be never
Given that I know nothing about Craigu I figured that an epic novel length reply to his post would be unnecessary and if he had wanted more of my opinion on my remarks,, he may just ask .
For the Swan river launching from a trailer I would look at a Hartley 16. My brother had one and it was real easy to launch from a trailer, plus a seaworthy little boat. Red Witches with their fixed keel are a bit harder to launch. I used to have one at SPYC and kept in in a pen. Another option for regularly launching would be a Red Jacket or a Red Eagle, bit easy to launch with the shorter keel.
Pick a sunny day and go down to Nedlands Yacht Club and have a look around. They have just about every dinghy and trailer sailer available in Perth. They race Sunday afternoons so you can have a chat to people down their, They have a notice board which usually has a few for sale signs, could pick up a bargain.
A GP14 would be a good training boat, but note they are a dinghy, not a trailer sailer. So expect to carry out capsize drills, wear life jackets constantly, etc. A trailer sailer is a bit more civilised. That one on Gumtree looks expensive at $1,500, but maybe thats what you have to pay nowadays.
NB, any trailer sailer in the Swan River I would still plan to get an outboard. The Fremantle Doctor / afternoon seabreeze would be almost impossible to row against.
Ilenart
Agree TS 16 is a great first boat. Tough and fun to sail.
Not self righting so stay in the river.
+1 for the Hartley & I also grinningly agree with the comment about trailer sailors being more civilised, I like dingy sailing but it is a wet affair, all part of the joy I guess
Hi Craigu,
yes, you can use any public launching ramp on the river (although some are a bit shallow IMHO). A boat with a swing keel is a necessity for trailering. You COULD trailer a fixed keel boat, but you'll soon get sick of that. The ramps inside yacht clubs are for members only.
I started out my sailing journey just like you - lived up in Duncraig and got hold of a dinghy to sail in the river. The dinghy got very small very quickly, so I upgraded to a Hartley TS16. I used to launch at Matilda Bay ramp and pull up on the beach next to it before setting out.
I didn't have an outboard, but as long as there is wind you can sail. It's when the wind dies and you find yourself 2km from the ramp that you will wish for one. But a small boat only needs a small motor.
The Hartley would be a great boat - nice and stable, easy to launch, spacious and much drier than a dinghy. There's one on facebook at the moment: www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/906557633316305/
I haven't seen the boat, but one thing to be aware of with all Hartleys - they are old boats made of ply over timber frames. Check carefully for rot and delamination of the timber. Also, be aware that the ply is not as strong as fibreglass, so will break on impacts where fibreglass would bounce (ask me how I know).
While that boat on Facebook might be a Hartley hull it's not a really one. The TS16 has a cabin.
While we are on about Hartleys i all ways thought that the 16' would be a big open boat, the 18' would be an enormous open boat. Lucky it's way way too far from home.
See here good background to the excellent TS16. Richard Hartley was (is?) a sublime yacht designer but the TS16 can and will capsize as indicated above. As will any yacht when pressed over beyond their limit. Certainly agree a great boat for the Swan River and very versatile. Tohatsu 3.5 2 stroke outboard recommended.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartley_TS16
www.dsc.org.au/sailing/club-racing/ts-16/
www.australianhartleyts16.org.au/index.php
www.australianhartleyts16.org.au/boats/specifications
I had a TS16 and it was weatherly due to hull shape.
While all yachts can capsize the TS16 doesn't self right and would be difficult to right (unlike an off the beach boat).
Just don't cleat the main and make sure the jib un-cleats easily. 
Select to expand quoteMadmouse said..
I had a TS16 and it was weatherly due to hull shape.
While all yachts can capsize the TS16 doesn't self right and would be difficult to right (unlike an off the beach boat).
Just don't cleat the main and make sure the jib un-cleats easily.
So would you say it's a good boat for a novice with children on board?
Select to expand quoteJolene said..Madmouse said..
I had a TS16 and it was weatherly due to hull shape.
While all yachts can capsize the TS16 doesn't self right and would be difficult to right (unlike an off the beach boat).
Just don't cleat the main and make sure the jib un-cleats easily.
So would you say it's a good boat for a novice with children on board?
Each person must make up their own mind but its something to bear in mind. Nearly all capsizes occur racing not putting around with kids.
Select to expand quotecraigu said..
Thanks for the info everyone.
Think I'll give 'that thing' on gumtree a miss. However, I've no plans to sail off into the sunset just yet. I think the Swan will be fine to learn on and I'm planning to take my kids out on the boat aswell, so don't want to tackle the high seas just yet.
Theres a GP14 on gumtree, how would they suit my intended use?
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/golden-bay/sail-boats/trailer-sailer-yacht-with-licensed-trailer/1278206733
I paid $1000 for my Corsair 16 on a really good galvanised trailer. I bought it for the grandkids to learn with. Normal crew is 3 and they have a comfortable cockpit. Construction is all fibreglass.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsair_(dinghy)
The GP14 is the next step up from a Heron and by the same designer. That one seems to be a bit overpriced. The Hartley 16 is a good boat that sails Ok but I think it will be a bit much for a young crew. I've managed to lose the mast on a Hartley in fresh conditions. There is a fair bit of windage and it might be a handful recovering on to a trailer in breezy conditions.
