Review of Montgomery 15
Basic specs..
The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season. And outside the sailing season, just bottom cleaning and perhaps anti-fouling painting once a year - a few hours of work, that's all.
The boat equipped with a fractional rig. A fractional rig has smaller headsails which make tacking easier, which is an advantage for cruisers and racers, of course. The downside is that having the wind from behind often requires a genaker or a spinnaker for optimal speed.
CentreBoard
The Montgomery 15 is equipped with a centreboard keel. A centreboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters.
The boat can sail close to the beach as the draft is just 0.38 - 0.48 meter (1.25 - 1.55 ft) dependent of the load. See immersion rate below.
Sailing characteristics
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?
The capsize screening value for Montgomery 15 is 2.72, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.
What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?
The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 4.9 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Montgomery 15 is about 50 kg/cm, alternatively 284 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 50 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 284 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
What is a Ballast Ratio?
What is Displacement Length Ratio?
SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio) Indicates how fast the boat is in light wind: - Cruising Boats have ratios 10-15 - Cruiser-Racers have ratios 16-20 - Racers have ratios above 20 - High-Performance Racers have ratios above 24 Sail-area/displacement ratio (SA/D ratio): 23.65
Maintenance
When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 8m 2 (86 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.
If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.
| Usage | Length | Diameter | ||
| Jib sheet | 4.6 m | (15.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Genoa sheet | 4.6 m | (15.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Mainsheet | 11.4 m | (37.5 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Spinnaker sheet | 10.1 m | (33.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.
Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.
We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Montgomery 15 it would be a great help.
If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.
Small Craft Advisor
Drascombe Lugger vs Montgomery 15
A round 1 mini-cruiser madness match-up.
We’ll get some hate mail for pairing these two fan favorites, but match-ups were intentionally random. Few small boats have the celebrated history of the rugged Drascombe Lugger , but the Jerry Montgomery-designed M-15 is arguably the best boat of its specific type and exceptionally popular with our readers.
As for our opinion of the M-15, we haven’t been shy. We wrote: Is the Montgomery 15 the perfect microcruiser? No boat can be. But, if like Jerry Montgomery, your idea of perfection is a speedy, capable 15-footer with just enough cabin to do some comfortable cruising—this boat comes awfully close.
On her seaworthiness: We were able to uncover only a few reports of knockdowns, and in each case the 15 righted herself promptly. Owners were unanimously positive about the 15’s relative seaworthiness. That skipper Mike Mann sailed a mostly stock M-15 from California to Hawaii lends some additional credence to claims that the 15 is seaworthy for her size.
We even went so far as to rank her slightly above her bigger sibling, the Montgomery 17: …we think pound-for-pound the 15 is superior—offering similar capability, performance and comfort at roughly half the total weight and required effort.
The Drascombe Lugger, designed by John L. Watkinson and first built in 1968, is known for its shallow creek crawling prowess but also its seaworthiness. Maybe the strongest endorsement is how many famous adventurers have picked this design for their passages.
Webb Chiles sailed his undecked Chidiock Tichborne more than 20,000 miles and called the Lugger “A truly great little boat.” When we asked him about heavy-weather (Issue #122) he wrote:
I think a yawl rig has great safety advantages on small, open boats. You can lower the main completely and sail under jib and mizzen. Also she hove-to better than any of my other boats which were sloops and one cutter. Furl her jib. Lower the main. Put the centerboard three-fourths down. Tie the tiller amidships. Flatten the mizzen and it weathercocked the bow right into the wind. Generally in heavy weather, assuming sea room, which I usually had, I would head off down wind in extreme conditions under bare poles letting the wind vane self-steering device on those of my boats that had one steer as long as it could. When waves began to overwhelm it, I simply lay ahull.
We also interviewed David Pyle(issue #126), who voyaged from England to France then down the Tigris to the Middle East and finally to Australia on his Drascombe Lugger Hermes. We asked him why he chose that boat for such an ambitious trip:
I was going to design and build my own 18-foot boat for the voyage to Australia and would have closely copied (hull-wise) the Yorkshire Coble which had survived as a tough, seaworthy fishing vessel for well over 100 years, but during 1968 I went to the London Boat Show and saw for the first time the Drascombe Lugger and immediately fell in love with it. The hull shape was almost exactly what I had sketched in my mind so I ordered one, but only the hull was standard and the rest—foredeck, aft deck, side decks—I asked to be altered. The aft deck had waterproof hatches, the foredeck was raised, and I had side seats boxed in for extra stowage.
Two good designs for sure. Now it’s your turn to vote! • SCA •
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- Sailboat Guide
Montgomery 15
Montgomery 15 is a 14 ′ 11 ″ / 4.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Jerry Montgomery and built by Montgomery Marine Products starting in 1980.
- 2 / 6 Oakland, CA, US 1988 Montgomery 15 $5,995 USD View
- 3 / 6 Oakland, CA, US 1988 Montgomery 15 $5,995 USD View
- 4 / 6 Oakland, CA, US 1988 Montgomery 15 $5,995 USD View
- 5 / 6 Oakland, CA, US 1988 Montgomery 15 $5,995 USD View
- 6 / 6 Oakland, CA, US 1988 Montgomery 15 $5,995 USD View
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
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- About Sailboat Guide
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One Hundred Choices for the Best Small Cruiser
| Fifteen Cruisers | Fifteen Cruisers for | Fourteen Cruisers for Easy | Thirteen Single-Masted |
| for a Family of Four | Around-the-Buoys Racing | Ramp-Launching and Trailering Character Boats | |
| Montgomery 17* (46) | Capri 18 (25) | Peep Hen 14 (51) | Marshall Sanderling 18 (40) |
| Com-Pac 19 (27) | Cal 20 (89) | West Wight Potter 15* (64) | Blue Water Blackwatch 19 (21) |
| Jeanneau Bahia 23 (20)* (106) | Santana 20 (131) | Com-Pac Legacy 17 (69) | Menger 19 (43) |
| O'Day 22 (21) (118) | Ranger 22 (21) (124) | Montgomery 17* (46) | Skipper 20 (18) (57) |
| Jeanneau Tonic 23 (22) (180) | J/22 (179) | Precision 18 (17) (55) | Bay Hen 21 (85) |
| Precision 23 (245) | Catalina 22 Mk I (157) | West Wight Potter 19* (65) | Falmouth Cutter 22 (170) |
| Dolphin 24 (O'Day) (285) | Santana 22 (198) | Alerion Express Cat 19* (20) | Bluejacket Motorsailer 23 (222) |
| Freedom 25 (24) (291) | Tanzer 22 (23) (259) | ETAP 20 (98) | Stone Horse 23 (258) |
| Seaward 25 (24) (310) | Blazer 23 (221) | Jeanneau Bahia 23 (20)* (106) | Eastward Ho 24 (288) |
| Irwin 10/4 (25) (347) | J/24 (294) | Santana 21 (132) | Nimble 24/25 (361) |
| Cal 25 Mk I (327) | Olson 25 (24) (301) | S2 6.9 (21) (128) | La Paz 25 (353) |
| Catalina 25 (332) | Shark 24 (312) | Dehler 22* (167) | Newman Friendship 25 (360) |
| Beneteau First 26 (25) (323) | Morgan 24 (25) (358) | Sirius 22* (139) | Parker Dawson 26 (25) (364) |
| Ericson 25 Mk I (341) | Montego 25 (357) | Terrapin 24 (371) | |
| O'Day 26 (25) (362) | Capri 25 (331) | ||
| Thirteen Cruisers for a | Twelve Bluewater | Thirteen High-End | Twelve Two-Masted Character |
| Couple | Cruisers | Cruisers | Boats |
| Corinthian 19 (20) (95) | West Wight Potter 15* (64) | Cornish Crabber 17 (31) | Nimble 20 (21) (116) |
| Sirius 22* (139) | Cape Typhoon 18 (19) (23) | Alerion Express Cat 19* (20) | Parker Dawson Poacher 21 (121) |
| Beneteau First 235 (22) (152) | West Wight Potter 19* (65) | Cornish Shrimper 19 (32) | Sea Pearl 21 (136) |
| Ranger 23 (22) (193) | Golif 21 (99) | Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 (120) | Menger Oysterman 23 (237) |
| Nonsuch 22 (185) | Freedom 21 (22) (171) | Cornish Crabber 22 (164) | Rob Roy 23 (246) |
| Bayfield 23/25 (23) (220) | Allegra 24 (267) | Dehler 22* (167) | South Coast Seacraft 23 (368) |
| Capri 26 (24) (282) | Blue Water 24 (274) | ETAP 23 (22) (169) | Bahama Sandpiper 24 (272) |
| Pearson Lark 24 (305) | Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 (303) | Herreshoff Prudence 23 (233) | Sand Hen 24 (308) |
| Quickstep 24 (306) | Vancouver 25 (372) | Dehler 25 (23) (227) | Beachcomber 25 (322) |
| Elite 25 (24) (289) | Vertue II 25 (373) | Bridges Point 24 (275) | Nimble 24/25 (361) |
| C&C 25 (326) | Contessa 26 (25) (337) | Cornish Crabber 24 (284) | Fisher 25 (343) |
| Cape Dory 25D (330) | Cheoy Lee Flyer III (25) (334) | Eastsail 25 (340) | South Coast Marine 25 (380) |
| Com-Pac 25 (336) | New Moon 25 (379) | ||
* = Seven boats appear in above lists twice.
Listed on the opposite page are one hundred choices for the "Best Small Cruiser." There are, of course, many more than one hundred choices for the "best" small cruising sailboat. In fact, there are 360 choices reported in this guide alone, and at least a few boats beyond those, on which we failed to find sufficient data to include here. In any case, as the saying goes, one man's meat is another man's poison. That is, a sailboat that one person does not like at all can be one that someone else likes very much.
One of the main reasons for this is that different boats are designed for different purposes: boats best for cruising in shallow bay waters versus deep ocean waters, for example. Styles vary to suit different tastes: traditional versus modern design, for example. Boats that do well in around-the-buoy racing may not be so well suited to cruising. A boat built to the highest standards of quality may not suit the pocketbook of the casual weekend trailer-sailor. And the range of choices goes on and on.
To help narrow the field of choices for the reader who is eager to find the right boat to buy, and doesn't have the patience to wade through all the facts and figures on all 360 boats presented in this guide, we have (somewhat arbitrarily)
devised a hundred choices, broken into groups of a dozen or so. Are you looking for a single-masted character boat? We list thirteen of them here, from 18 to 25 feet on deck. Do you yen for a two-masted yawl or ketch? We list every one of the dozen covered in this guide. Do you prefer a custom- built boat or at least very high quality construction? We show thirteen "high-end" choices, though you could find others in these pages. We also list fifteen good cruising boats for a family of four, and another thirteen for a cruising couple without children or guests aboard. We choose fifteen round-the-buoys racers for your consideration, and a dozen blue water cruisers, including a 15-footer that has sailed from California to Hawaii (though some may not agree that such a feat qualifies such a boat for offshore work).
Although there isn't space to include photos of every boat in this book, or even the one-hundred choices listed as "best," we have dug up representative sample photos from our vast collection of boat sales brochures to include on the following pages. They are arranged in roughly alphabetical order. If you don't find a picture of the boat you're interested in, try searching Google. There's a huge cache of photos there.
Alerion Express Cat 19 (details on page 20) is a high-end cruiser designed, among other things, for easy trailering and ramp launching.
Bay Hen 21 (page 85) is a character boat that's easy to launch and trailer.
Beneteau First 26 (25) (page 323) will nicely accommodate a family of four for cruising.
Bluejacket Motorsailer 23 (page 222) is a character boat with great comfort for cruising two.
Beneteau First 235 (22) (page 152) is a good boat for a cruising couple.
Blazer 23 (page 221) is a competitive racer. The author (trimming jib) is sailing here with other writers John Rousmaniere (steering) and Freeman Pittman, tech editor at Sail magazine.
Bluejacket Motorsailer 23 interior (also see to left) is particularly comfortable when cruising in rainy weather.
Bridges Point 24 (page 275) is available either as a finished boat or a kit.
Cape Dory Typhoon 18 (19) (page 23) has enough ballast to stand up well in a blow.
Cal 20 (page 89), produced from 1961 to 1977, is still raced in several fleets around the country.
Cape Dory 25D (page 330) comes close to being the ideal trailerable cruising boat.
Capri 26 (24) (page 282) features a cabin big enough to "drink ten."
Capri 18 (page 25) was introduced in 1985 and is still being sold today.
Cheoy Lee Flyer III (25) (page 334) has a Folkboat style hull.
Catalina 22 Mk I (page 157) wins the all-time popularity prize for cruising boats.
Catalina 25 (page 332) came in a great variety of configurations.
Com-Pac 19 (page 27) was drawn by Island Packet designer Bob Johnson.
Com-Pac 25 (page 336) has an unusual volume of interior space for her length.
Cornish Crabber 17 (page 31) is elegantly finished on deck and below. Cornish Crabber 22 (page 164) sports a gaff cutter rig.
Cornish Crabber 24 (page 284) is a well-built gaff-rigged character boat.
Cornish Shrimper 19 (page 32), a character boat, has an elegant finish, but is short on headroom.
Dehler 22 (page 167) has a number of high quality features.
Dolphin 24 (O'Day) (page 285) was available either as a kit or as a finished boat.
Dehler 25 (23) (page 227) also uses a "slipway trolley."
Elite 25 (24) (page 289) is fitted out in France, and features the French style of careful interior design.
Eastsail 25 (page 340) is generally built to a customer's specifications with extended offshore cruising in mind.
ETAP 20 (page 98) is built to a high standard of quality and is unsinkable.
ETAP 23 (22) (page 169) like other ETAP boats, she is double-skinned in a foam sandwich for flotation.
Golif 21 (page 99) from France has an unusual cabin ventilation system.
Irwin 10/4 (25) (page 347), as the saying goes, can drink ten, eat six, and sleep four.
J/24 (page 294) is said to be the world's most popular one-design keelboat.
La Paz 25 (page 353) features an open cockpit for deck chairs and berths for six below.
Jeanneau Bahia 23 (20) (page 106) features a clever cabin table design.
Menger Oysterman 23 (page 237) Montgomery 15 (page 71) and is a character boat based on the Montgomery 17 (page 46) both have molded
Chesapeake Bay Skipjack. lapstrake hulls.
Marshall Sanderling 18 (page 40) has been in production for almost fifty years, and continues to be popular.
Morgan 24/25 (25) (page 358) is fast and weatherly, especially in light air.
Newman Friendship Sloop 25 (page 360) conjures romantic memories of Maine fishermen.
Nimble 24/25 (25) (page 361) was produced in several configurations, including both a sloop and a yawl rig.
New Moon 25 (page 379) can be fitted out to the customer's specifications.
Nimble 24/25 (25) (page 361) is available as a pilothouse with six feet of headroom, great for cold weather cruising.
Nimble 20 (21) (page 116) features a yawl rig, rare in a boat so small.
Nonsuch 22 (page 185) was designed with the idea of elegant simplicity.
O'Day 26 (25) (page 362) is a near sistership to the O'Day 25.
Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 (page 120) is generally considered a very high quality product, commanding a premium price in the used boat market.
Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 (page 303) is solidly built to cruise in a bay or an ocean.
Parker Dawson 26 (page 364) has two separate cabins, and a center cockpit enclosed in canvas can be a third.
Quickstep 24 (page 306) was built by several firms, giving a choice of several accommodations plans.
Rob Roy 23 (page 246) has the makings of a classic small yacht.
Sand Hen 24 (page 308), with lightweight spars and no shrouds, should be easy to trailer and launch.
Santana 20 (page 131) was a very early entry in the "sport boat" market and is still popular.
Santana 21 (page 132), with a D/L ratio of only 86, is classified as an ultralight.
Santana 22 (page 198), an ageless design, is still popular after over 40 years.
Sea Pearl 21 (page 136) is simple, light, and shallow draft, perfect for casual beach cruising.
Seaward 25 (24) (page 310) has a sleek and salty look and is well built.
Shark 24 (page 312) has done well in racing over the years.
South Coast 23 (page 255) was converted to a yawl from a sloop (see photo bottom left).
South Coast 23 (page 255) Stone Horse 23 (page 258) is a classic shown here was built from a kit. designed over 75 years ago.
Tanzer 22 (23) (page 259) has a strong class association that promotes both one-design racing and cruising get-togethers (two views, left and right).
Terrapin 24 (25) (page 371) ^ |ike her Vancouver 25 (page 372) is well namesake, slow but comfortable. equipped for extended cruising.
Vertue II 25 (page 373) is a no-nonsense heavy cruiser made for ocean passages.
West Wight Potter 15 (page 64) has made some long distance cruises, including one from California to Hawaii.
West Wight Potter 19 (page 65) is still selling well after over thirty years of production.
Continue reading here: Authors Gallery of Photos
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Readers' Questions
What similar boat to cornish crabber 17 plans?
The Colvic Watson 25 Sailer is a similar boat to the Cornish Crabber 17. It has a traditional long keel and tiller steering. It is a roomy boat and makes a superb cruising boat for coastal and inland waters.
How is beneteau and jenneau related?
Beneteau and Jeanneau are both subsidiaries of the French group, Beneteau Group. The two brands have been part of the Beneteau Group since 2000, when Beneteau acquired Jeanneau. Both brands specialize in sailboats, motorboats, and powerboats.
Is the Com Pac sailboat considered a high end production?
No, the Com Pac sailboat is not considered a high end production boat.
What is the headroom in a dehler 25 sailboat?
The headroom in a Dehler 25 sailboat is approximately 1.85m (6 ft).
Are etap sailing boats still made?
Yes, Etap sailing boats are still made. Etap produces a wide range of sailing boat models, including the Cruiser and Cruiser Club series, the 21, 22 and 23 meters, and the Open and Weekender series. Many of the Etap sailing boats are still in production today, offering quality and innovation that continues to make them popular among sailing enthusiasts.
How many sirius 21 sailboats are still sailing?
It is difficult to accurately quantify the number of Sirus 21 sailboats that are still sailing. Most estimates place the number at around 200, though it is likely that the actual figure is higher.
Is the Sirius 21 sailboat really Unsinkable?
No. While Sirius 21 sailboats are designed to be safe and stable, no boat is truly unsinkable.
Has any one done any blue water sailing on an Eastward Ho 24' sailboat ?
No, I have not done any blue water sailing on an Eastward Ho 24' sailboat. However, I do know a few people who have owned Eastward Ho 24' sailboats, and some of them have taken them out for extended cruises, so it is possible that someone has done blue water sailing in one.
Is the rob roy 23 a bluewater boat?
No, the Rob Roy 23 is not a bluewater boat. It is more suited for inland lake and river cruising.
Is beneteau 235 unsinkable?
No, the Beneteau 235 is not unsinkable. Like all sailboats, the Beneteau 235 is susceptible to water taking on board. Water can enter the boat through a breach in the hull or through open hatches and ports.
Are compac 19 good boats?
The Compac 19 is an excellent boat that is great for short day cruises, fishing, and weekend getaways. It is often praised for its excellent maneuverability, easy handling, and low maintenance cost. The boat features a functional and reliable design, making it an attractive choice for both recreational and commercial use. Additionally, the Compac 19 has a spacious cabin, large cockpit, and ample storage for overnight trips.
How to rig sirius 21 sailboat?
Rigging a Sirius 21 sailboat is a straightforward process, but it should be done carefully to ensure the safety of the boat and its crew. Attach the mainsail halyard to the handle at the top of the mast and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the spinnaker halyard, also known as the topping lift, to the aft side of the mast and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the jib halyard to the clew of the jib and thread it through the mast sheave. Attach the mainsheet to the end of the boom, then attach the boom vang and the outhaul to the boom. Attach the jib sheet to the clew of the jib and run it through the pulley at the base of the mast. Attach the main and jib traveler lines to the tracks on the deck and thread them through the blocks at the mast base. Attach the mainsail to the mast and boom and the jib to the fore stay. Attach the main tack to the clew and then attach the clew to the boom. Attach the jib tack and clew to the forestay. Finally, attach all of the running rigging lines and adjust the tension as needed.
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20 Best Small Sailboats for the Weekender
- By Mark Pillsbury
- Updated: May 24, 2024
In order to go cruising, most of us require a sailboat with a head, a galley, and bunks. The boat, likely a 30-footer and more often a 40-footer, will have electronics for navigation and entertainment, refrigeration if the trip is longer than a coastal hop, an engine for light wind, and, depending on our appetites for food and fun, perhaps a genset to power our toys and appliances.
To go sailing , however, all we really need is a hull, mast, rudder, and sail. To experience the pure joy of sheeting in and scooting off across a lake, bay, or even the open ocean, there’s nothing better than a small sailboat – we’re talking sailboats under 25 feet. You can literally reach out and touch the water as it flows past. You instantly feel every puff of breeze and sense every change in trim.
Some of the boats in this list are new designs, others are time-tested models from small sailboat manufacturers, but every one is easy to rig, simple to sail, and looks like a whole lot of fun either for a solo outing on a breezy afternoon or to keep family and friends entertained throughout your entire sailing season. This list is made up of all types of sailboats , and if you’re looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats for beginners, you’ll find exactly that here.
Any one of these popular boats could be labeled as a trailerable sailboat, daysailer, or even a weekender sailboat. And while most would be labeled as a one or two person sailboat, some could comfortably fit three or even four people.
– CHECK THE WEATHER – The weather changes all the time. Always check the forecast and prepare for the worst case. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Marblehead 22 Daysailer
If you have an eye for elegant lines and your heart goes pitter-patter over just the right amount of overhang beneath a counter transom, the Marblehead 22 daysailer, designed by Doug Zurn and built by Samoset Boatworks in Boothbay, Maine, will definitely raise your pulse. Traditional-looking above the waterline and modern beneath, the cold-molded hull sports a deep bulb keel and a Hall Spars carbon-fiber mast with a wishbone rig and square-top main. The 11-foot-9-inch cockpit can seat a crowd, and a small cuddy forward will let you stow your friends’ gear for the day. samosetboatworks.com
Catalina 22 Sport
Many a harbor plays host to an active fleet of Catalina 22s, one of the most popular small sailboats over the years, given its basic amenities and retractable keel, which allows it to be easily trailered. Recently, the company introduced the Catalina 22 Sport, an updated design that can compete with the older 22s. The boat features a retractable lead keel; a cabin that can sleep four, with a forward hatch for ventilation; and a fractional rig with a mainsail and a roller-furling jib. Lifelines, a swim ladder, and an engine are options, as are cloth cushions; vinyl cushions are standard. The large cockpit will seat a crowd or let a mom-and-pop crew stretch out and enjoy their sail. It’s clear why the Catalina 22 is one of the best sailboats under 25 feet. catalinayachts.com
With its large, open-transom cockpit and sloop rig, the Hunter 22 makes a comfortable daysailer for family and friends. But with its cuddy cabin, twin bunks, optional electrical system, opening screened ports, and portable toilet, a parent and child or a couple could comfortably slip away for an overnight or weekend. Add in the optional performance package, which includes an asymmetric spinnaker, a pole, and a mainsheet traveler, and you could be off to the races. The boat features a laminated fiberglass hull and deck, molded-in nonskid, and a hydraulic lifting centerboard. Mount a small outboard on the stern bracket, and you’re set to go. marlow-hunter.com
Not sure whether you want to race, cruise or just go out for an afternoon sail? Since 1958, sailors have been having a ball aboard the Uffa Fox/George O’Day-designed Daysailer. Fox, who in the 1950s was on the cutting edge of planning-dinghy design, collaborated with Fall River, Massachusetts boatbuilder O’Day Corp. to build the 16-foot Daysailer, a boat that features a slippery hull and a small cuddy cabin that covers the boat roughly from the mast forward. Thousands of Daysailers were built by various builders, and they can be found used for quite affordable prices. There are active racing fleets around the US, and new Daysailers are still in production today, built by Cape Cod Ship Building. capecodshipbuilding.com
BayRaider from Swallow Boats
Easy to rig and trailer, the BayRaider from England’s Swallow Yachts is a relative newcomer to the small-boat market in the United States. Nearly all of its 19 feet 9 inches is open cockpit, though a spray hood can be added to keep the forward sections dry. The BayRaider is ketch-rigged with a gunter-style mainmast. The topmast and mizzen are both carbon-fiber, which is an option for the mainmast as well. The BayRaider can be sailed with a dry hull in lighter conditions or with 300 pounds of water ballast to increase its stability. With the centerboard and hinged rudder raised, the boat can maneuver in even the thinnest water.
$28,900, (904) 234-8779, swallowyachts.com
Big fun can come in small packages, especially if your vessel of choice happens to be the 12 ½-foot Beetle Cat. Designed by John Beetle and first built in 1921, the wooden shallow draft sailboat is still in production today in Wareham, Massachusetts at the Beetle Boat Shop. With a draft of just 2 feet, the boat is well-suited for shallow bays, but equally at home in open coastal waters. The single gaff-rigged sail provides plenty of power in light air and can be quickly reefed down to handle a blow. In a word, sailing a Beetle Cat is fun. beetlecat.com
– LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES – Know the “Rules of the Road” that govern all boat traffic. Be courteous and never assume other boaters can see you. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
West Wight Potter P 19
With berths for four and a workable galley featuring a cooler, a sink, and a stove, West Wight Potter has packed a lot into its 19-foot-long P 19. First launched in 1971, this is a line of boats that’s attracted a true following among trailer-sailors. The P 19′s fully retractable keel means that you can pull up just about anywhere and go exploring. Closed-cell foam fore and aft makes the boat unsinkable, and thanks to its hard chine, the boat is reportedly quite stable under way. westwightpotter.com
NorseBoat 17.5
Designed for rowing and sailing (a motor mount is optional), the Canadian-built NorseBoat 17.5—one of which was spotted by a CW editor making its way through the Northwest Passage with a two-man crew—features an open cockpit, a carbon-fiber mast, and a curved-gaff rig, with an optional furling headsail set on a sprit. The lapstrake hull is fiberglass; the interior is ply and epoxy. The boat comes standard with two rowing stations and one set of 9-foot oars. The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form.
$19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com
Montgomery 17
Billed as a trailerable pocket cruiser, the Montgomery 17 is a stout-looking sloop designed by Lyle Hess and built out of fiberglass in Ontario, California, by Montgomery Boats. With a keel and centerboard, the boat draws just under 2 feet with the board up and can be easily beached when you’re gunkholing. In the cuddy cabin you’ll find sitting headroom, a pair of bunks, a portable toilet, optional shore and DC power, and an impressive amount of storage space. The deck-stepped mast can be easily raised using a four-part tackle. The builder reports taking his own boat on trips across the Golfo de California and on visits to California’s coastal islands. Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. If you’re in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list.
With long overhangs and shiny brightwork, the CW Hood 32 is on the larger end of the daysailer spectrum. Designers Chris Hood and Ben Stoddard made a conscious decision to forego a cabin and head in favor of an open cockpit big enough to bring 4 or 5 friends or family out for an afternoon on the water. The CW Hood 32 is sleek and graceful through the water and quick enough to do some racing, but keeps things simple with a self-tacking jib and controls that can be lead back to a single-handed skipper. A top-furling asymmetrical, electric sail drive and Torqeedo outboard are all optional. The CW Hood 32 makes for a great small family sailboat. cwhoodyachts.com
Sun Cat from Com-Pac
Shallow U.S. East Coast bays and rock-strewn coasts have long been graced by cat boats, whose large, gaff-rigged mainsails proved simple and powerful both on the wind and, better yet, when reaching and running. The 17-foot-4-inch Sun Cat, built by Com-Pac Yachts, updates the classic wooden cat with its fiberglass hull and deck and the easy-to-step Mastender Rigging System, which incorporates a hinged tabernacle to make stepping the mast a one-person job. If you want a personal sailboat ideal for solo sailing, the Sun Can is a great choice. Belowdecks, the twin 6-foot-5-inch berths and many other features and amenities make this cat a willing weekender.
$19,800, (727) 443-4408, com-pacyachts.com
Catalina 16.5
The Catalina 16.5 sits right in the middle of Catalina Yachts’ line of small sailboats, which range from the 12.5 to the 22 Capri and Sport, and it comes in both an easy-to-trailer centerboard model and a shoal-draft fixed-keel configuration. With the fiberglass board up, the 17-foot-2-inch boat draws just 5 inches of water; with the board down, the 4-foot-5-inch draft suggests good windward performance. Hull and deck are hand-laminated fiberglass. The roomy cockpit is self-bailing, and the bow harbors a good-sized storage area with a waterproof hatch. catalinayachts.com
No roundup of best small sailboats (trailerable and fun too) would be complete without a mention of the venerable Hobie 16, which made its debut in Southern California way back in 1969. The company has introduced many other multihulls since, but more than 100,000 of the 16s have been launched, a remarkable figure. The Hobie’s asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam hulls eliminate the need for daggerboards, and with its kick-up rudders, the 16 can be sailed right up to the beach. Its large trampoline offers lots of space to move about or a good place to plant one’s feet when hanging off the double trapezes with a hull flying. The boat comes with a main and a jib; a spinnaker, douse kit, trailer, and beach dolly are optional features. hobiecat.com
Novice sailors or old salts looking for simplicity could both enjoy sailing the Hunter 15. With a fiberglass hull and deck and foam flotation, the boat is sturdily built. The ample freeboard and wide beam provide stability under way, and the heavy-duty rubrail and kick-up rudder mean that you won’t have to worry when the dock looms or the going grows shallow. Both the 15 and its slightly larger 18-foot sibling come standard with roller-furling jibs.
$6,900/$9,500 (boat-show prices for the 15 and 18 includes trailers), (386) 462-3077, marlow-hunter.com
– CHECK THE FIT – Follow these guidelines to make sure your life jacket looks good, stays comfortable and works when you need it. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Super Snark
Under various owners, the Snark brand of sailboats, now built by Meyers Boat Co., has been around since the early 1970s. The Super Snark, at 11 feet, is a simple, easily car-topped daysailer that’s fit out with a lateen rig and sail. Billed as unsinkable, the five boats in the company’s line are built with E.P.S. foam, with the external hull and deck vacuum-formed to the core using an A.B.S. polymer. The Super Snark weighs in at 50 pounds, and with a payload capacity of 310 pounds, the boat can carry two.
$970, (800) 247-6275, meyersboat.com
Norseboat 21.5
Built in Canada, the NorseBoat 21.5 is a rugged looking craft that comes in a couple of configurations: one with an open cockpit and small doghouse, and another with a smaller cockpit and cabin that houses a double berth for two adults and optional quarter berths for the kids. Both carry NorseBoat’s distinctive looking carbon fiber gaff-rigged mast with main and jib (a sprit-set drifter is optional), and come with a ballasted stub keel and centerboard. Because of its lightweight design, the boat can be rowed and is easily trailered.
$36,000 (starting), 902-659-2790, norseboat.com
Flying Scot
Talk about time-tested, the 19-foot Flying Scot has been in production since 1957 and remains a popular design today. Sloop rigged, with a conventional spinnaker for downwind work, the boat is an easily sailed family boat as well as a competitive racer, with over 130 racing fleets across the U.S. Its roomy cockpit can seat six to eight, though the boat is often sailed by a pair or solo. Hull and deck are a fiberglass and balsa core sandwich. With the centerboard up, the boat draws only eight inches. Though intended to be a daysailer, owners have rigged boom tents and berths for overnight trips, and one adventurous Scot sailor cruised his along inland waterways from Philadelphia to New Orleans.
Known primarily for its line of racing dinghys, RS Sailing also builds the 16-foot, 4-inch Venture, which it describes as a cruising and training dinghy. The Venture features a large, self-draining cockpit that will accommodate a family or pack of kids. A furling jib and mainsail with slab reefing come standard with the boat; a gennaker and trapeze kit are options, as is an outboard motor mount and transom swim ladder. The deck and hull are laid up in a fiberglass and Coremat sandwich. The Venture’s designed to be both a good performer under sail, but also stable, making it a good boat for those learning the sport.
$14,900, 203-259-7808, rssailing.com
Topper makes a range of mono- and multihull rotomolded boats, but the model that caught one editor’s eye at Strictly Sail Chicago was the Topaz Taz. At 9 feet, 8 inches LOA and weighing in at 88 pounds, the Taz is not going to take the whole crowd out for the day. But, with the optional mainsail and jib package (main alone is for a single child), the Taz can carry two or three kids or an adult and one child, and would make a fun escape pod when tied behind the big boat and towed to some scenic harbor. The hull features Topper’s Trilam construction, a plastic and foam sandwich that creates a boat that’s stiff, light, and durable, and shouldn’t mind being dragged up on the beach when it’s time for a break.
$2,900 (includes main and jib), 410-286-1960, topazsailboats.com
WindRider WRTango
WRTango, a fast, sturdy, 10-foot trimaran that’s easy to sail, is the newest portable craft from WindRider International. It joins a line that includes the WR16 and WR17 trimarans. The Tango features forward-facing seating, foot-pedal steering, and a low center of gravity that mimics the sensation of sitting in a kayak. It weighs 125 pounds (including the outriggers and carbon-fiber mast), is extremely stable, and has single-sheet sail control. The six-inch draft and kick-up rudder make it great for beaching, while the hull and outriggers are made of rotomolded polyethylene, so it can withstand running into docks and being dragged over rocks.
$3,000, 612-338-2170, windrider.com
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West Wight Potter 15
hi what are everyones thought on the wwp 15 as a first boat. i have been sailing in a club so i know what i'm doing. would this be a fun boat to sail in the right conditions. i have read that it is not very fast. how true is that? i would like to be able to spend the night on it to how comfortable is it? i am 17. and how would it handle the chesapeake bay? i would really appreciate anything you have to say good or bad about this boat. thanks, steve  first boat p15 i bought a p15 myself as my first sailboat. she is a great little boat. plenty of room to sleep aboard for a night or two and carry your camping gear. she is very lightweight and easily trailerable but very stable. i sail her in the barnegat bay. also, no batteries or electronics to worry about. gunner81 said: i bought a p15 myself as my first sailboat. she is a great little boat. plenty of room to sleep aboard for a night or two and carry your camping gear. she is very lightweight and easily trailerable but very stable. i sail her in the barnegat bay. also, no batteries or electronics to worry about. Click to expand...  would this be a fun boat to sail in the right conditions. Click to expand... capttb said: When I was 17 I sailed Capris, Lidos, Thistles, Hobie Cats, sailing anything is better then not sailing, but sailing something slow takes patience that is beyond my abilities even at an advanced age. Click to expand...  Good boat, very light, easy to handle, not fast, can sleep on it. BUT they are desirable boats, meaning they are more expensive than similar boats. So if you're willing to spend a little more it's more likely you will get it back when it's time to sell it. I sail a Potter - 19, your boat's cousin. She's stable, responsive to the helm, light, and tows well. Plenty of room inside (for a tiny boat). But fast she ain't. Sailing's poor here in east Tennessee, and I'm looking at springing for some light air sails.
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The Montgomery 15 has a reputable history as a safe and seaworthy sailboat including one ocean passage from California, US, to Hawaii. [4]In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "several hundred of these little boats were built and sold by Montgomery Marine over a period of 14 years, and in 1999 production recommenced, under the wing of Nor'Sea Yachts.
We went so far as to rank her slightly above her bigger sibling, the Montgomery 17: …we think pound-for-pound the 15 is superior—offering similar capability, performance and comfort at roughly half the total weight and required effort. As for our review of the Com-Pac Sun Cat, we had mostly high praise: …The new Clark Mills-designed Sun ...
While the Com-Pac 16s we've seen race have not been able to keep up with the Montgomery 15s, a search of Portsmouth ratings would seem to indicate the M-15 and CP-16 are a more even match than our experience (and sample size) would suggest. The Monty rates 108.2 and the Com-Pac 108.6, where the Potter is a 138.1.
It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5
The Montgomery 15 is equipped with a centreboard keel. A centreboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters. The boat can sail close to the beach as the draft is just 0.38 - 0.48 meter (1.25 - 1.55 ft) dependent of the load. See immersion rate below.
Since 1969 Montgomery Marine Products has been quietly building the best vessels in their respective classes. One of these is the Montgomery 15 - a premium quality coastal mini-cruiser. She's a tough, seaworthy boat capable of braving severe weather conditions with safety and confidence and making moderate passages in speed and comfort.
We even went so far as to rank her slightly above her bigger sibling, the Montgomery 17: …we think pound-for-pound the 15 is superior—offering similar capability, performance and comfort at roughly half the total weight and required effort. The Drascombe Lugger, designed by John L. Watkinson and first built in 1968, is known for its shallow ...
A Montgomery 15' & 17' ComparisonI am new to sailing. About 1 1/2 years. The first Montgomery 15' I saw is the one I bought. The 17' is a new purchase. I pla...
Montgomery 15 is a 14′ 11″ / 4.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Jerry Montgomery and built by Montgomery Marine Products starting in 1980. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. ... 1988 Montgomery 15 $5,995 USD. View. 3 / 6 Oakland, CA, US 1988 Montgomery 15 ...
The Montgomery M-15. Brochure (PDF Download from the MSOG Photo Site) Sail Measurements. Rigging Instructions for the M-15. Montgomery 15 vs Com-Pac 16. Montgomery 15 vs Com-Pac 16-Part 2.
A standard shaft 2 hp outboard will easily drive the Montgomery 15 at hull speed, which is surprisingly high for a 15' boat because of her long waterline. TRAILERABILITY. At 750 pounds your Montgomery 15 can be towed by even today's small compact cars, something not practical with heavier boats. Our keel/ centerboard design not only gives you ...
A continued Part 2 of my second sail and first sleep on small Montgomery 15' Sailboat. Music:Touch the Send— Maxim KoenyshevFolk Acoustic & Strings— Seastock...
Boat Review Forum. SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, ... West Wight Potter 15 vs. Montgomery 15? Jump to Latest
P-15 versus Com-Pac 16. I am considering the purchase of our first boat and am looking at something small. There is both a West Wight Potter 15 and a Com-Pac 16 available. If anyone has thoughts or opinions on which would be the preferred boat I would love to hear them. The boat would be used mostly for inland lake sailing (lots of light air ...
West Wight Potter 15* (64) Blue Water Blackwatch 19 (21) Jeanneau Bahia 23 (20)* (106) Santana 20 (131) Com-Pac Legacy 17 (69) Menger 19 (43) ... (page 237) Montgomery 15 (page 71) and is a character boat based on the Montgomery 17 (page 46) both have molded. Chesapeake Bay Skipjack. lapstrake hulls. Marshall Sanderling 18 (page 40) has been in ...
Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. ... If you're in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list. CW Hood 32. ... More: 21 - 30 ft, Boat Gallery, day sailing, dinghy, Sailboat Reviews, Sailboats, under 20 ft; Advertisement More Sailboats; Pre-Owned: 1988 Hylas 47 Catalina Introduces ...
The Montgomery 15 pointed surprisingly well in the light stuff. Gradually, the wind increased and we slipped along easily, at 3.5 to 4 knots. The chop seemed to build up even faster than the wind, but the Montgomery stayed dry, its lapstrake hull cutting through the waves with a funny sawing sound.
An evolution of the Sage 17, which won a SAIL magazine Best Boats award a few years back—and which was also drawn by veteran small-boat designer Jerry Montgomery—the Sage 15 boasts a number of those same features found aboard her big sister, including a molded-in lapstrake to provide additional hull stiffness; a small but very workable ...
Montgomery 15' Sailboat- For Sale- Midnite MontyYou can see the sale info on Craigslist May 27,2019. Look at Sacramento, Reno NV, and SF Bay area Craigslist....
Mooseman said: The first thing that occurs to any nonsailing person, when looking at sailboat underway, is that it is potentially risky. I have friends who will never join me for a sailboat ride because of the fear that the boat will capsize and toss them into the drink. As sailors, we understand the risks and mitigate the danger by adjusting ...
The 15 foot Montgomery is cute as a bug's ear, but just too darn small. It's a great boat for a lot of people. ... If you like to just sail, get the M-15. If you like to sail to somewhere, get the M-17. - John Fleming "Star Cross'd" M-17. The M17, being larger and heavier, will require a more substantial tow vehicle.
Montgomery 15 Sailboat pictures, a collection of Montgomery 15 sailboats with specifications and photos. Montgomery 15 Sailboat Photo Gallery. Home: Lessons: Rentals: How To: Forums: Videos: Texas Regattas: ... Montgomery 15 Specifications LOA 15'0" LWL 13'3" Beam 6'2" Sail Area 122 sq. ft. Draft, Board up 15", down 2'1/2"
It's a fine boat, but I'd go with the Montgomery 17 instead, which is a better boat IMHO. No pocket cruiser like that is going to be fast. I'd recommend you get and look at Henkel's The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, since it covers a lot of boats that might be suitable for you.The book covers 360 boats under 27' LOA and is a reasonably good reference, but isn't quite the reference ...