Sport boats easy to single-hand and will accommodate 5 for daysails

[tradewinds]

Hey Everybody, first post and new to the SA forums.  In the market for a possible unicorn here and looking for input so I don't miss any great options.

In short, is there a boat out there I can plane solo...and will daysail comfortably with 5 people?

Looking for a trailer-able sporty keelboat (~18-24' range) I can manage setting up on my own yet will accommodate my family of five for some lake and coastal daysailing.  I started looking at the Melges 24 and J/70 by a friend's recommendation.  As far as I can tell, those boats can be single-handed for sure, but probably not without significant performance limitations (and probably not fun to rig alone). I've also looked at First/Seascape 18/24, just don't know much about them.

I'm thinking the 18-20' range might let me get my kicks single-handing...however not sure how comfortable they are with 5 or 6 people on board.

Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[Editor]

Seascape sounds like it might fit the bill.

 

[gbkersey]

If you remove the keelboat requirement, I'd say a Corsair Sprint 750 ticks all the boxes and it will plane upwind as well as downwind.

 

[Firefly-DC]

not really a sport boat but it looks like it is nearby.  The owner made some major renovations that he documented on the now gone Yahoo group but they were done well, better than the original builder. 

https://sailingtexas.com/202101/sranger23115.html

 

[jcf1093]

Seascape/First 24 is what you want for sure. If you really want the cruisability, you're even better stepping up to the 27 that I have. The added space, berth areas, head, and freshwater shower make a big difference. Only question that really comes next is how much you're willing to spend. Melges 24s and J/70s are in a totally different price bracket than the Seascapes. 

 

[WCB]

Seascape/First 24 is what you want for sure. If you really want the cruisability, you're even better stepping up to the 27 that I have. The added space, berth areas, head, and freshwater shower make a big difference. Only question that really comes next is how much you're willing to spend. Melges 24s and J/70s are in a totally different price bracket than the Seascapes. 

You can get a nice Melges 24 for $15k.  J70 not so much. 

 

[apophenia]

A J/80, or the new J/9 would probably be a better casual daysailor than the J/70. Both have huge cockpits like the Seascapes.

 

[#13]

Look at an Ultimate 20 or Ultimate 24.  Better accommodations, easy to trailer, and certainly the 20 has a large fleet.

 

[efrank]

If you remove the keelboat requirement, I'd say a Corsair Sprint 750 ticks all the boxes and it will plane upwind as well as downwind.

100%.  Perfect for your mission.  Had an F-27 for 13 or 14 years and used it for daysailing 90% of the time, solo or with crew.  Fun, fun boat.  Regret selling it.

Or look at Patmos thread in multihull anarchy on his Maine Sail 21 (Newick cat) "I want to go fast and party too".

 

[eastern motors]

A J/80, or the new J/9 would probably be a better casual daysailor than the J/70. Both have huge cockpits like the Seascapes.

Can get a Seascape 27 for same money as a J9 and it will actually plane.

 

[apophenia]

Can get a Seascape 27 for same money as a J9 and it will actually plane.

Don't underestimate the J/9 - it's displacement:length ratio is 115, and SA is 27. The Seascape is lighter and more powerful, and the bendy carbon SE rig might depower more easily. Both boats are worth considering if you are willing to spend low six figures on a daysailor. And probably used Alerions as well. But all of these boats (except the SS/First 24) are above the specified length of 18-24'. And the Alerion is probably not much fun to trailer.

 

[Santanasailor]

No one mentions it, but a J22 will easily plane, maybe not in the unlimited hydroplane class, but she will move out.  With the class jib its not that hard to tack and even under main alone she moves pretty good.  Plus its easy to get five on her, since we did it easily in our Santana 20.  (Once had nine aboard but it was stacked pretty tight and while the boat handled it, it wasn’t much fun for the helmsman which would be me). 

 

[Rum Runner]

No one mentions it, but a J22 will easily plane, maybe not in the unlimited hydroplane class, but she will move out.  With the class jib its not that hard to tack and even under main alone she moves pretty good.  Plus its easy to get five on her, since we did it easily in our Santana 20.  (Once had nine aboard but it was stacked pretty tight and while the boat handled it, it wasn’t much fun for the helmsman which would be me). 

Also lots of used boats available.

 

[d'ranger]

J22 worlds in Corpus next month, always a bunch of good boats for sale after these events.

 

[pvpaisano]

I've had my Seascape 24 for 3 years now and really love it.  It is certainly not as sporty as a Melges 24 or J70, but it is a really comfortable, stable and easy to sail boat.  It is in and out of the water easily and not really that difficult to raise or lower the mast by yourself if you have the A frame hoist.  It's certainly more expensive than some of the other options others have listed, but I don't regret the purchase at all.  

 

[Moore Play]

I know it is 2' longer than the OP's desired size range, but how about the Colgate 26? Easy to rig and launch, massive cockpit, stiff but also forgiving to sail, I don't know about planing, but it's no slouch, heck it's a training boat!! Also well built (from what I understand).

 

[Qingdaosog]

I have moved from a J70 to a First 27.  (Seascape 27  with aluminium rig and diesel) The J70 is  a great boat but not great for shorthanded sailing in my opinion. Mainsail hoist and drop usually  requires climbing out of the cockpit well away from the tiller if something goes wrong and with no forward lifelines not much to protect you if you have to go forward and so not an option for family lounging in front of the mast .  Tiller of the J70 is very responsive but will not hold a  course if you have to let go. Hull shape means that you need weight to shift around to get the best out of it. My first impressions of the First 27 are very good  both for sailing and usability wise . (Take a look at "No frills sailing" website  if you are interested in reading how a new owner is getting on with a Seascape/First 27 SE). I haven't seen or sailed the Seascape/First 24 but given that it has the same characteristics and DNA as the 27 and probably more convenient to trailer than the 27 that might well  be a very good choice  for you.

 

[RobbieB]

Seascape sounds like it might fit the bill.

There's an 18 sitting here in Charleston on a trailer with the rig up for sale by St. Barts.  It definitely looks like it could fit the bill. 

 

[Grrr...]

This thread is a total failure of traditional values.  Seriously.  Every person posting in here should be ashamed.  An offering of girlfriend funbits is required.  J22 would fit the bill, but it'd be nicer to have a lifting keel for launching in a variety of locations I'd imagine.  Ultimate 20 maybe?