Every one is pointing out the nuisance it is to (single handed) slip a trailer boat in the water. My previous boat, the 25'trimaran was on a slip mooring where currents and wind would make retrieving my mooring almost impossible. The only other way is having a marina berth (with associated yearly maintenance etc).
Yara, I appreciate your thinking, that we (ie I) are/am going in circles. But not really, I am just taking in all the comments and trying to make sense of them. Getting a spot on the hard cost $270 or thereabout. A mooring will cost me around $1300 a year. Difference is $1k, not insignificant given that there are other costs associated with a wet berth, but perhaps I have not valued the convenience ( and the extra days sailing because of it?). I still cannot consider a keel boat in the shallow waters I inhibit! Also a trailer simplify slipping and maintenance.
I have a holiday house in American River. Beautiful 180* views of the bay. Again tidal flats, and water only accessible from a ramp or a mooring. I had a mooring....never again! Anchoring is Ok, it is retrieving, with cross wind and current, which is the issue.
So I am quite clear on that, no keel boat.
Ramona, after seeing the Blazer in the flesh, I was horrified. It is big, tall mast, awkward boat everywhere, from shin breaking traveler to interior access. Look good on paper, but that's about it. The Young was so cute, I wanted to take it home! But cruising? I wouldn't know where to stow my tooth brush! I saw a Bonito at anchor, and God doesn't it look good. While I was talking about my search for the Holy Grail to the Blazer's skipper, he reckoned that the Bonito in question would suit me, and yes he knew a club member selling his. Here is the catch, he is downsizing to something more manageable! Hello! Alarm bells ringing in my head.
This leads to the last boat I ventured to look at. The 20 years abandoned Austral 20. Son is selling his long departed father's boat, keen to sell it in fact, want it gone. The boat was sound and the sails looked clean and crisp ( as new). It is a plump little thing, probably not terribly fast, but giving a feeling of being safe. Horrible traveler but unlike the Blazer, not in the way of a shin breaker. The thing is I feel I can handle it, nothing too difficult. I also, despite the centreboard being...well there, I still could easily move around. It is a simple arrangement but not cramped as I was expecting it to be , and the height inside, I found it to be, adequate. I also think that despite the fact a complete refit is required, this not a difficult nor an expensive job. Trailer is good, but the tires are cooked and bearings are dry. If I offer 3K, I think it could be mine.
I am getting there...
I have not seen a Castle 650, or a Careel 22 yet. And yes I will keep to the well tested and affordable brands of the 80ish. So the list is getting shorter.
Next, Friday, I will look at a $11K Austral 20, and the Bonito 22 (no price yet mentioned, he is working it out!).

SeaLice said..

This leads to the last boat I ventured to look at. The 20 years abandoned Austral 20. Son is selling his long departed father's boat, keen to sell it in fact, want it gone. The boat was sound and the sails looked clean and crisp ( as new). It is a plump little thing, probably not terribly fast, but giving a feeling of being safe. Horrible traveler but unlike the Blazer, not in the way of a shin breaker. The thing is I feel I can handle it, nothing too difficult. I also, despite the centreboard being...well there, I still could easily move around. It is a simple arrangement but not cramped as I was expecting it to be , and the height inside, I found it to be, adequate. I also think that despite the fact a complete refit is required, this not a difficult nor an expensive job. Trailer is good, but the tires are cooked and bearings are dry. If I offer 3K, I think it could be mine.
I am getting there...
I have not seen a Castle 650, or a Careel 22 yet. And yes I will keep to the well tested and affordable brands of the 80ish. So the list is getting shorter.
Next, Friday, I will look at a $11K Austral 20, and the Bonito 22 (no price yet mentioned, he is working it out!).

I have only ever looked at one Austral 20 and that was a long time ago in SA. At the time a big TS was 22 foot [Careel] It looked big to me but I was sailing a Status 19 at the time. Price wise it sounds tempting. The jobs on the trailer would probably be no different from most second hand TS that have been sitting about for years, 90% of them!
There were several Castle 650's in our club and at the time there was a two year waiting list to purchase new. These are one of the prettiest TS about and now the prices of secondhand units have dropped to reasonable levels. They are classy boats!

Yes! I would grab that Austral 20. Bit of TLC and it will fit the bill on performance, price, compromise.

Achermar, thank you for that insight, much appreciated. I think this is right for me. When I was young, I had a long keel 28' carvel ketch, a sea going vessel which had gone around the world. And I loved it. Going close to the wind was an affair to be avoided, just motor in. I think I can see what I am getting into, and I don't think I will be disappointed. I never could afford a "new boat", and old boats are quirky, part of their charms. For mostly a day sailer and going solo, in term of space, it looks to me like an enormous cavern!!!!

Boomaroo/Catalina 22. Like most American trailer sailers has a nice long clear cockpit that you can stretch out in and sleep on. Any of these trailer sailers are too stuffy and hot to sleep down below in summer.

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rowville/sail-boats/boomaroo-22-trailer-sailer-yacht-bargain/1234892796

Achernar, I have already passed the point of no return. My wife, when shown the more expensive boat (11k) that we saw today, absolutely loved it.
I wasn't interested in this particular one, due to high asking price, many maintenance issues, old Rude and not too new main sail, but I can refit the one I previously inspected, within my budget and with superior, new equipment.
The seller wants 5K, and I offered 3K only, because the trailer is un-braked ( adding a cost of possibly $1200 to my bottom line). He is keen to sell, and the boat suit my purpose, so hopefully we will get there. I know that I am a bit mean, but I'm not in any hurry, and money is money, hard to get! As it is, I will fork out 10k on this project!
I am now well and truly committed. And thanks for all the lovely advice, and suggestions, it has helped me tremendously.

I owned a Boomerang B63, which I loved, but sold to go up to a small keel-boat - TopHat 25. The B63 had all the features that keep cropping up, and sailed very well. It was basically a Boomerang 20, but with a slightly raised, modern styled deck. 7/8 Fractional rig, with genoa furler, and I made a great mast-raising system. Pop-top, 9.8 Tohatsu, drop-keel. Good to tow behind Rodeo with only cable brakes. Not many ever built, and most likely to come up in VIC. Closest alternative would be Sonata 6/7. I would have kept her for Port Phillip, but the open ocean beckoned.

Reply and confirm to all!
We are all different and thank goodness for that! And so is our taste on boats.
I detest Faars's. They have big cockpits which remind me of Plymouth and Deville American cars. Large Arses and awkard looks. Personal tates indeed, and I Hate the corrugated look on their flanks. I know it is the eyes of the beholder( me) and many people think they are great boats. They probably are...but not a thing I can love.
No, I did buy the 1991 Austral 20 (for $4000) which had been abandonned for 20 years. I know that I will spend 10 K overall , but I think it is worth it. It is a pedigree boat with reputable race successes, and a safe boat designed for cruising. The boat and sails are sound, all in good condition. Frankly , the Bonito 22 would have been my first choice, if I could have got one at a good price ( but it is bigger, and bigger ain't necessarily better). So overall, a difficult decision, but one I think I can live with.

That Careel 22 for sale in Goolwa has reappeared!

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/goolwa/sail-boats/compass-careel/1236019187

Hey Sealice, is that A20 at Clayton Bay boat club, if so I just bought it. Thank you Archenar, your blog is coming in very handy as I'm needing to repair many of the same problems as you experienced with such an old girl. As you have stated, there is not much about in the way of technical drawings etc. You have saved me countless hours of work and research and have therefore been promoted to LEDGEND! If you ever want a sail on a A20 let us know ... I might even let you fix something. Edit .... probably a different A20 as you are down the road at Goolwa, see you out there Sealice.