Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Jerry Cardwell (Author) "It is necessary, I think, to begin with a true confession-I am not a lifelong sailor..." (more)
Key Phrases: Coast Guard, Intracoastal Waterway, Catalina Yachts (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Jerry Cardwell believes that small trailerable sailboats can take sailors on big adventures. He believes that with a little imagination and suitable preparation, a small trailerable sailboat can be as much a magic carpet as any full-sized cruising boat. He argues that the little boat can be the same sort of self-contained world as the larger vessel, that with the right frame of mind the small boat cruise can be as exciting as a passage to Tahiti. I think he's right....This book can resurrect dreams and that's worth while. -- MidGulf Sailing, August 1993

Product Description
Anyone dreaming about owning an affordable sailboat will be attracted by this book which provides a good introduction to trailer-sailing. The author shows how cruising on a small boat that can be kept at home and towed behind the family car is a satisfying and not very costly exercise.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House; 2nd edition (January 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574090070
• ISBN-13: 978-1574090079
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #739,017 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Case for the Trailerable Sailboat , January 6, 2006

By	Mark L. Corson (Lakewood, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have a copy of the second edition published in 1997. This is book for people who are considering buying a trailerable boat in the 22' to 26' range that has some overnight sleeping accomodations. "Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat" builds the case for a trailerable sailboat and reviews the features of four popular trailerable sailboats. I think the author has done a excellent job in his narrow focus. Some of the specs of the four boats he uses as examples have changed in recent years and could use a bit of updating.

I have a concern in that Cardwell only has four pages (pages 115 to 118) on the subject of "Heavy Weather." On Lake Erie where I sail, we get squalls and other sudden storms with rapidly building wind and waves. There would be value in a book that explicitly gives more information on what happens on these types of boats when the wind rises to over 16 knots and waves start running over 3 feet, in other words Force 5 conditions.

I have friends who sail and cruise on Lake Erie. They are McGregor 26X owners. Caldwell gave high marks to the McGregor. My friends get very nervous when the wind goes over 16 knots and head for the nearest harbour. They have owned the boat for 3 years. They are in the process of upgrading to a larger and non-trailerable fixed keel sloop. They are tired of running for the nearest port when a squall blows through or the wind picks up. I generally agree with what Cardwell wrote, however I think he underplayed the challenges of being able to handle these types of boats in Force 5 conditions. I read the book and seriously considered a trailor sailor, but I bought a used Catalina 30. I do not regret my choice.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book on getting the most out of 22'-25' sailboat, September 18, 1998

By A Customer

This is a wonderful book for those that own or are looking to own a sailboat in the 22' to 25' range. Mr. Cardwell covers all aspects of selecting and outfitting a sailboat of this size.

His main point: Spend fewer dollars on a smaller boat and have enough money left over to fully outfit it rather than spend your last dollar on a somewhat larger boat.

I really enjoyed Mr. Cardwell's conversational tone and his many anecdotes. This updated edition also gives a short review of the Catalina 22MKII, the Catalina 250, the McGregor 26x and the Hunter 240. I highly recommend this book.

Sadly, J.D. Cardwell's wife tells us in the closing note to the book of her husband's untimely death from a heart attack while doing one the things he loved most: Sailing.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too opinionated for it's own good, March 18, 1999

By A Customer

While the subject matter is excellent, the authours opinion is too prevalent.

JD Cardwell considers all sailboats under 22' as "not really cruisers". There are many on the water that would disagree. While a bigger trailerable may be more comfortable, it's also harder to tow, and more expensive.

The authour needlessly runs the risk of pushing the dream beyond the scope of those with limited resources.

This book may be considered valuable by those with or considering boats between 22 to 26 feet, but probably not to others.

Lastly, the authour obviously places more importance on creature comfort than seaworthiness, O.K. for the marina crowd, but offensive to the true cruising sailor.