I am of retiring age, and finally I do not have the constraints of time (time is on my side.......if only sightly deluded).
I have tried a 24' trimaran, which turned out to be awkward pulling off the water , ramps are not wide enough nor I am not able to run up front on a trampoline. I gather marina too would be difficult. I really enjoyed motoring my TS 12, as I am not keen to sail a dingy on my own. I had a TS18 which gave me a long and lovely time renovating.
I have decided to stop playing games and get a useful boat for a change.
I need a boat that will really be self righting, like a modified RL24 (with lots of extra ballast). Easy to rig like the NIS23, lovely interior as the Bonito 22, well behaved and cheap as the Austral 20. Small enough for single handling as an Ultimate 18. May be a Carell 18 although I believed it is cramped and small inside. My suffering wife has a preference for a larger, potentially safer boat! I really like the RL24, but not the accommodations (on which I could work on)!
Most likely I would be sailing alone, the boat will live on the hard at a marina/yacht club. I am intending on sailing the S.A. Golf regions and Kangaroo Island where I have a pied a-terre!
Is there another trailer sailer that I should be considering? I love the NIS but $ probably out of my league. One in Qld for 17k, but that my $ outer limit, and the tyranny of distance.

For different reasons to you, I recently purchased a Cole 23. Good room downstairs with the pop top (but I am not 6'), well made and easy to sail with the right choice of headsail, even single handed.
Apart from the condition of the boat, the 2 biggest things on my list were the trailer (near new fully gal) and the outboard (a 4 stroke, electric start with 60 hours). That is where the big dollars go.
There are 2 for sale at the moment and both look in good nick, but I haven't seen them.

https://www.boatsales.com.au/boats/cole/23/

EC31 said..
For different reasons to you, I recently purchased a Cole 23. Good room downstairs with the pop top (but I am not 6'), well made and easy to sail with the right choice of headsail, even single handed.
Apart from the condition of the boat, the 2 biggest things on my list were the trailer (near new fully gal) and the outboard (a 4 stroke, electric start with 60 hours). That is where the big dollars go.
There are 2 for sale at the moment and both look in good nick, but I haven't seen them.

https://www.boatsales.com.au/boats/cole/23/

The Cole is a good one with a bonus of it having a hydraulic keel .

Cole 23 ticks all the boxes. In good condition it may be at the top of my affordability (15K= purchase + inevitable updates on a 40-50 years old boat). Don't know much about Careel, except for its really intrusive centreboard. Doesn't appeal.
Sunmaid 20 has a traveller out of the way, next to the tiller, and it is a bit smaller, more manageable? and affordable. I believe it has a bit of a weather helm and rounds up readily. Is it a problem? Does anyone own or have sailed on one of these?
Although I like some aspect of the RL24, and is affordable, I can see that it is not a boat for me.

I recently sold my Austral 20 and bought a Cavalier 28.

In future, if I were to move back to a trailer sailer on retirement, my advice to my future-self would be ...
* Its a buyers' market, so take a look at several boats
* See the boat in the flesh. Its a bit like trying on a pair of shoes. You can do it on the internet, but there is only one way to find if they fit.
* Buy local, because you should see the boat in the flesh, and travelling interstate is not good value for a $10K to $20K purchase. Also, the previous owner might be able to help out with various post-purchase niggles or tips and tricks.
* When it comes to 30-year old boats, the make and model is not as important as condition. So, don't narrow your search to a particular type of boat (e.g. RL24), but broaden it a little to a range (e.g. 20 to 25 ft)
* Look at the trailer first. If the trailer is cactus, walk away.
* Size and ease of rigging is more important than you might think.

Let's put some numbers to this last point
* If I recall, trailers above 2000kg need a breakaway braking system, which is extra cost and weight. As a rule of thumb, most twin axle trailers with 25ft boats (e.g. Noelex 25) would be in this range.
* You could get a lighter boat, but it will not be as sea-worthy. Its a trade-off. Heavier boats are better at handling heavy weather.
* Twin axle trailers are more difficult to maneouvre. A single-axle trailer is more nimble, but restricts you to the lighter boats, see above.
* The maximum beam, without needing "overload" constraints, is 2.5m. This restricts headroom to, typically, less than 6ft without a pop-top. I'm just under 6ft and the only trailer-sailer I've stood upright in is an RL28. There are other TS's that have full headroom, but they are heavy boats, see above.
* The maximum trailer length you can park on a road (for more than 1 hour) is 7.5m. I took some measurements earlier, and worked out that the maximum boat (plus trailer) that would fit into this constraint was about 22ft. And, that's ignoring the mast. A work-around would be a gaff rig, like the Cygnet 20 (carbon spars, and only available as a new build), but you might think twice about leaving a $70K (?) boat parked on the road.
* Do you actually need a cabin? Would you be OK with a cuddy-cabin or a tent? If you don't need a big cabin, then a large dingy could be the answer. e.g. an Amity dingy with a gaff rig.
* Enclosed heads are only found on the bigger, heavier boats, see above.

So, the answer is in the resolution of a number of compromises. I hope you find something that suits your needs best.

Well, with regard to the Careel, I have indicated that I am not too keen. However when/if one Careel 22 is for sale in my area I will look it in the flesh.
My 4WD can tow 2T. So whithin reasons, I am not too limited.
My strongly working class yacht club (Small Boat Club off Garden Island) can be reached via a long tidal channel that is both narrow and shallow (1.4m at low tide). And yes, a good trailer is important, even so that it will mostly stay inside the club. I am not going to limit my options from the start. Someone said that in this size of boat I am interested in, it make little sense to choose a keel boat over a lifting keel! Except that there are a lot of good and cheap 30' keel boats around, but then the cost of upkeep is prohibitive. And there is limited access to the club!!
I take the point that I should look at a range within 20 to 25', the implication is that I should forego 18 footers. However looking at the specs and review for the Investigator 563, I am interested. Less can be more, and I like the shoal draft keel plus centerboard ala Wood 20/22. I accept that a low headroom is a trade off. You sit in a boat anyway, except in the companion way ( with a tent, pop-top etc...).
Noelex 25 is too heavy and expensive to purchase.
Living aboard for short stay , hence a semblance of comfort, is a requirement (retiring, not a widower!!!).
Next bit of advice is that I should look locally. I agree, although I am limited by the small South Australian market, compared to our Neighbours in Victoria. Should something really really interesting be showing in Vic, I might, err read; will, check it out (lov' shopping in Melbourne, in fact I love Melbourne)!!!! There is a Sunmaid for sale in Flinders Vic, if not sold within the next 6 weeks I might be able to look at. Asking $13000, if in good nick and with a bit of negotiation on the price, I might be able to purchase.
I will be looking at a couple of Austral 20 this week and a Bonito 22 Monday next (at $17000 the Bonito is really too expensive)
Looking at the drooping thingy, I think, is a must for this vintage of boats. This is why I am not keen on spending top dollars up front. Old electronics for a start is a bin job as far as I am concerned!

The Farr range (to my understanding) sail well, are relatively spacious (with pop-top), and have a good reputation. The 7500s often go for high teens, and the smaller ones are cheaper. I sail my Elliott 7 single handed, but I wouldn't call it easy or relaxing a lot of the time!

Nice. However too Farr from me, too big and too expensive. No trailer (more $) and too heavy for me to tow .
I am getting more interested in the 20ish range as a compromise of space, weight and price, not to mention ease for single handedness!
I like popups and discreet centreboard cases. Hence shoal draft, bulb and drop keel or a very well designed interior. I might start reducing the scope of my search, while maybe increasing my overall purchase power from 10K to 15K (Aim at overall $20K cost).

SeaLice, the TrailerSailerPlace forum has regular updates on TS's for sale, here trailersailerplace.com.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=7719&start=14875

Also a good place to browse and ask questions.

SeaLice said..
Nice. However too Farr from me, too big and too expensive. No trailer (more $) and too heavy for me to tow .
I am getting more interested in the 20ish range as a compromise of space, weight and price, not to mention ease for single handedness!
I like popups and discreet centreboard cases. Hence shoal draft, bulb and drop keel or a very well designed interior. I might start reducing the scope of my search, while maybe increasing my overall purchase power from 10K to 15K (Aim at overall $20K cost).

Keep an eye out for the Farr 6000s, often pop up for a good price. 6' headroom under pop top. Sail well. https://www.boatsales.com.au/boats/farr/6000/ Current list.... some of these look very well cared for, with good trailers aln lots of accessories... if I were in the market for a cruiser...

This is a great resource for trailer sailers... johncrawfordmarine.com.au/trailer-sailer

You seem to be jumping about a bit here! Is the Adams 21 the aluminum version? The Sonata 7 is a really big boat as is the Blazer and I think they are too big to be referred to as trailer sailers. The ones I sailed against years ago always had 4 or 5 in the crew! I crewed on a Young 6 for a season and we raced 2 up against a Sonata 7 and several other trailer sailers including a Blazer.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/6m-young?page=1
A mate of mine has owned a Cole 23 for quite a few years and has yet to put it in the water! The Cole 23 is a well-built boat but was designed when IOR yacht design set the fashion for some trailer sailers. It's a headsail driven yacht whereas a trailer sailer needs to be mainsail driven. Your wife will not enjoy dancing about on the foredeck! The problem with trailer sailers is the handling around boat ramps, off and on the trailer, how hard are they to control in a cross wind while the wife fetches the trailer. Or how deep the wife has to be in holding the boat while you get the trailer. The club I raced at had a wharf alongside the boat ramp and the large trailer sailers were controlled with stern ropes to get them on the trailer but still needed extra hands to assist. This is the major reason I'm sure why there are so many trailer sailers rotting in yacht club parking spots around the country.
I would suggest taking your time with this purchase.

Ramona said..
You seem to be jumping about a bit here! Is the Adams 21 the aluminum version? The Sonata 7 is a really big boat as is the Blazer and I think they are too big to be referred to as trailer sailers. The ones I sailed against years ago always had 4 or 5 in the crew! I crewed on a Young 6 for a season and we raced 2 up against a Sonata 7 and several other trailer sailers including a Blazer.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/6m-young?page=1
A mate of mine has owned a Cole 23 for quite a few years and has yet to put it in the water! The Cole 23 is a well-built boat but was designed when IOR yacht design set the fashion for some trailer sailers. It's a headsail driven yacht whereas a trailer sailer needs to be mainsail driven. Your wife will not enjoy dancing about on the foredeck! The problem with trailer sailers is the handling around boat ramps, off and on the trailer, how hard are they to control in a cross wind while the wife fetches the trailer. Or how deep the wife has to be in holding the boat while you get the trailer. The club I raced at had a wharf alongside the boat ramp and the large trailer sailers were controlled with stern ropes to get them on the trailer but still needed extra hands to assist. This is the major reason I'm sure why there are so many trailer sailers rotting in yacht club parking spots around the country.
I would suggest taking your time with this purchase.

Ramona is spot on with regard to the launch/retrieve. Possible without a helper, but difficult in cross wind conditions. Again, single handed you need the long pontoon next to the ramp, or a nice beach that you can walk the boat to the ramp from, after you have fetched the trailer from the car park. A good crew makes the world of difference!

We are going round in circles. If you are OK with a marina berth, then you can get a good solid keelboat that will take you in safety to K island. And 10k will get you a decent one around 25 to 27 ft.
Tell us about a pied a terre on the island. Sounds great. Might even make SA a place to be for retirees.

SeaLice said..
Ramona, I listen to what you said, concentrate on 20 to 24 foot boats. Which is what I am doing. With the Sonata 7 I reflected on what many people's opinion were. I personally would be more comfy with the 6.3 version, specially with regard to standing height and size.
The Young surely cannot be considered big, nor heavy, and with water ballast at 60% of empty displacement, this should make it a fairly safe boat?
However, because I require shallow draft, I am looking at TS only, and being on the hard (mast up!). Should this give me launching grief, I would consider a marina birth (not that expensive) and deal with the extra in-water maintenance. I am not too fussed!
Someone said for what I am considering to do, some coastal and some rough water off KI as well, I would be better of with a slightly bigger and heavier boat. My main concern is can I manage it on my own, solo... That why a simple boat like a Norwalk Island 23 (NIS23) appeals to me. However price wise, they are out of my league, except perhaps that chicky one for sale @Mermaid. I would like to stay around 10K of purchase price if I may.
As for fractional vs .. , I must admit I had not thought about it. Good point, thank you.
I shall enter into more rumination now...

Which ever boat you decide to buy , if it has a movable keel make sure it has , or you fit a lock down system to the keel so in the advent of a knock down your keel stays in the down position where it needs to be !!
Or now you say you dont mind about keeping in the water , you would be way better buying a fixed keel yacht . Especially for around KI and ocean work like that . you will get more boat for you buck too !! Way better to have a bit of weight in the open water ...

Lots of great info in this thread. My 2 cents:
As Ramona said, rigging and launching is a pain.
Go for the simplest and lightest rig possible. Same with the boat - not too big and heavy.
Trailer is very important. You want a trailer that is low to the ground and set up so you can just drive the boat on and off it. Often there is no finger pontoon, and man handling anything more than a Hartley 16 in a cross wind is near impossible on your own.
Big pop tops are great. You don't wan't to be crouched over all the time.
Make sure it's practical to have a bimini.
Spend the money on a good boat. You will get it back when you sell it.