Little boats and boom covers

Lets face it. A small boat is, well... a small boat. They weren't designed for individuals over 6 foot, never mind two of them. They sail more like a dinghy than a cruiser and so aren't always as forgiving (but this isn't always a bad thing.) So there are a few things to think about when you have a small boat...

Some people take little boats to the extreme, but I'm in it for the fun

PBO and Pocket Cruisers

This months PBO has some great articles on Smaller boats and in particular has a detailed article on smaller cruisers that can be had (as project boats from as little as £500)

There is also a great article on a Kelt 550 having its rig tweaked for better performance to windward too.

Peter Poland (of Hunter Boats fame) is obviously very well experienced in smaller yachts and rather than discuss his own option on boats he offers other peoples insight into their own experience of smaller craft so that they can 'own small and charter large.'

The list is varied but I took heart from a number of boats that are not on my 'Nano' budget and would be keen to investigate.


New to the list from the article has come the following pocket rockets.

1. Prelude 19
2. Sailfish 18
3. Express Pirate

The magazine is also packed with relevant projects tips and reviews such as Non Slip paints and Electric vs Propane outboards and all the usual.

Priced almost the same as a paper back book all magazines are becoming an expensive luxury, but I do love a good thumb through, but the digital lovers you can subscribe at a much reduced rate here http://www.pbo.co.uk/digital-editions/uk

Less is more?

Lets be frank, money is becoming ever thinner on the ground and with 2 young children I don't see the finances coming through any time soon, unless our number some up on a scratch card or Saturday night!?

To this end I have come up with a further reduction in the finances and have born out 2 further sub categories to my sailing options.

Nano (nano – n – billionth) and Pico (pico – p – trillionth) budgets have been established to allow to to have a possibility of actually making it out on the water. 

Nano sailing has made me look to the older smaller pocket cruisers such as the Hunter 18 and the very attractive Leisure 17. I have seen these boats for as little as £500 and as they have a much more trimmed down and basic set up the overhaul of such a boat should be vastly reduced.

Pico sailing is set to take it all back to basics and look at sailing lakes and coastal waters in the likes of a Mirror Dinghy or GP14. This option makes simple weekend camping trips very possible with less than £1000 to spend.

I am very excited that these 2 options have been established and I am especially keen to look into the Pico option for New Zealand whether we are there for 2 months or 2 years.