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

Good one Craig.
I didn't hit the "More" button.

gary

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??

I wouldn't be looking at the swan.
Buy something for Cockburn sound, Rockingham. Garden island, Carnac and Rotto

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.

craigu 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.

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.

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.

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

r13 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 .

Agree TS 16 is a great first boat. Tough and fun to sail.

Not self righting so stay in the river.

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 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.

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.

Jolene 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.