HI all, I currently sail a kestrel dinghy and I have to get a more stable boat (2 year old son) I wold like a gaff cutter. The boat has to be trailerble and so 20 feet or less, cost under £5000. I have looked around for a couple of months as I am no real hurry.

Do I wait and see if a traditional wooden boat comes up or get a plastic one?
I have come across the privateer 20 on the net(3-4K) it seems to fit the bill. The other thought and reason for the posting what abut getting a cheaper trailrsailer ie sailfish 18 at 1-2000 and convert it to gaff cutter.

Could I start with adding the bow sprit and latter add a gaff main or would the two be required at the same time. What would the like cost be would it be worth it.

Any avice would be much appreciated.
Graham

If you buy new spars & sails then you spend a lot more money than you will ever realise when you come to sell. Have you seen this:

http://www.anglia-yacht.co.uk/pdf/ayb00297_prototype.pdf

Mike

hi I would find a Drascombe lugger not a cutter but a great gaffer.
Its easily trailable makes a great family boat and they hold their value if you look after it

Hi try this

http://galawebsite.co.uk/?page_id=142

HI f27kinetik Why would you pick the Drascombe lugger, other than they hold there value?

I have seen the Tosher 18 add already. A very nice boat. A wee bit above budget and no mention of a trailer.
T
hanks for the suggestions.
Graham

Well you could always try an offer on the Tosher.
The Tosher is a real boat, not a toy.

H because
1.i used to own a coaster and had great fun with it.
they have a very active association
2. they are much lighter than say a Tosher so much easier to get on and off the trailer it is not necessary to submerge the trailer too so the trailer lasts much longer and gives few problems.
the sails can be left rigged on the spares reducing the set up times
they are stable and sail well
they have a motor well so the engine is protected and eay to work on when afloat and can be left on the boat when trailing
there are quite a few of them around all over the country so you may find one near you within your budget.
I have owned qite a few boats from the superb Farrier F27 trimaran through to a cornish crabber the coaster and at the moment a Tamarisk 24 gaff cutter and others in between too.
I still beleive i got most fun per £ out of the coaster
, the lugger is a smaller version of the coaster and they sail much better than the Dabber and scaffie
Most of all i think it is because of the ease of use especially getting it on and off the trailer

having said all i have have you seen the advert on the site for maggie H
looks great and within your budget

Erm, who says Drascombe Luggers sail better than Dabbers? I suppose it depends what you mean by better; but at least the Dabber is a lugger, so has a yard which helps to carry sail downwind. And I don't think the Lugger goes as close to the wind as a well-sailed Dabber either. Also the Dabber seems to be generally faster (up to hull speed, or course). Guess which I've got... :-)

Hi about the Dabber just a feeling i got when sailing them, i also thought the dabber my mate had was under ruddered, the lugger and coaster felt as though it had a better grip on the water . can you sleep in a Dabber with a tent? i know quite a few who do in luggers by modifiying a vango flysheet

I finally took the plunge and got a gaff cutter. "Black Pig" a privateer 19 or 20. Some people seem to call it a 20 others a 19. (the trailer was left behind at Walton Marine, Portishead. If you want it contact them and make a donation to the RNLI)

Anyway got he boat back to Scotland (on a new trailer) and hope to start putting the thing back together on Tuesday. I plan on trailing the boat for a day or two sailing trip . Does anyone have any hints and tips for rigging and d rigging quickly.

Also is there a good guide to sailing gaff cutters.

Graham

In answer to your last request get hold of Tom Cunliffe's book 'Hand, Reef & Steer' £19.99 (but I got my new copy from Amazon, new & used at a fraction of that). Really a great read.
Les

thanks its on order
GRaham