If you are looking for a pocket cruiser to help you learn the ropes and get started sailing, daysail, or for a weekend-long fun sailing trip, then you are in the right place. In this article, we are taking a look at some affordable options to get you started in the sailing game. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a boat with a cabin or not because we have both options, all under 20 Feet!

Obviously, the best pocket cruiser for me is not necessarily the best one for you. For example, when I am out looking to purchase a boat, I am always looking for something that can accommodate at least 2 people for at least a couple of days. However, you could be looking for a faster daysailers with no cabins because you only want to use it for daysailing. Not to worry, I wrote this article with you in mind as well. 

Beneteau First 20

This is probably my favorite trailable pocket cruiser on the list. It is gorgeous, compact, has a retractable keel, it is fast but can also accommodate a small family for a weekend on the water thanks to its spacious interior. The First 20 has one of those hulls that, despite being very sturdy in windy weather, will allow you to have fun like a child! Unfortunately, however, Beneteau has suspended production on boats under 20 feet to focus on larger sailboats, but you can still find these boats for sale around $25,000 used.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats to Live On

Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20

This is also a wonderful pocket cruiser that feels like a much larger blue-water sailboat. For her small size and displacement, she handles exceptionally well on the water. She is not only extremely fast for her size, but she is also very seaworthy and has a kind motion, and seasoned sailors will tell you that she has a very good reputation for keeping her crew safe. It is rarely available, but if you look online you will probably find a few for sale throughout the US.

Liteboat XP

This intriguing 20-footer is what you get when someone who has rowed solo across the Atlantic decides to produce a fun pocket cruiser that can either be rowed or sailed. It’s the brainchild of Mathieu Bonnier, while renowned French naval architect Sam Manuard did the design work and North Sails helped develop the simple but efficient rig. Use of carbon keeps total weight down to 145kg, including a 20kg bulb on the bottom of the centerboard – that’s 15% lighter than a Wayfarer dinghy.

Lasers

Lasers are a great choice for trailerable daysailers suitable for two adults. If you want to experience adrenaline or a cool breeze, or just sailing into nowhere, this 13’10” Laser is the option available in the small boat section. This boat has a fiberglass body that is lightweight and has a powerful sail making it easy to capsize and recover fast. This boat is also raced as an international sailing class and has participated in competitions like Olympic sailing championships to normal club racing.

Almost all the 200,000 boats that have been made over the years were made for fun as the 1969 design only had a single sail, daggerboard, and two-part mast. It also has a kick-up rudder, which is easy to transport, store and launch. These boats are available at less than $5K, and it is also available in different sized sails and rigs along with spare parts. Used boats are also available easily.

>>Also Read: Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

Catalina 16.5 

Catalina 16.5 is the largest sailboat that the brand makes under 20 feet. The Catalina brand is known for its own large cruise boats, but they have small boats too. This boat is a hand-laminated fiberglass sloop, which is one of the most versatile boats, and it has two options, i.e. one with a centerboard (5″) and shoal-draft keel (4’5″). If you require to store a trailer, then buy the centerboard, the lead-keel vessel gives the stability to stay parked at a dock. Like most boats that are built by Catalina, this boat has a huge self-bailing cockpit. It also has a waterproof hatch and a storage space. The standard equipment has a tiller extension and hiking straps. You can get out on the side deck for better visibility forward. The new version of this boat is available at $10,000.

Hobie 16 Catamaran

This is another great design with a great turn of speed and space for four people. The Hobie 16 beach catamaran has sold over 100,000 units since its release in the year 1969. It debuted in Southern California. It is a lightweight boat that weighs only around 320 pounds. This boat has an asymmetric fiberglass sandwich hull that has kick-up rudders. It means that it can reach all the way to the beach. This boat has a sail area of 218 square feet. This boat also has a douse kit, a trailer, spinnaker. As you can see from the photo of this sailing dinghy, it is only suitable for daysailing since it lacks cabins, saloon, etc. This is a fast boat and ideal for some sailing fun, and it costs around $2,000-12,000 depending on the age of the sailboat and whether you buy it new or used.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Marlow-Hunter 15

If you need an affordable, low-maintenance, and new knockabout to teach your children sailing, then Marlow-Hunter 15 is the best thing you can use. This boat has high freeboard and fiberglass construction. You can do lots of things in this boat without capsizing, failing, or breaking it. It has a self-bailing cockpit that means when inside water, it can find a quick exit, and the wide beams keeps her steady in the strong breeze or any kind of weight shifts that happened along the ride. This boat allows four people to sail together, and when you are done, you can store it in your garage or your trailer. The best thing about this boat is that it has no wood that requires varnishing, and you can buy this boat at around $10,000.

Bluewater Cygnet 20

The Cygnet 20 is an excellent addition to the trailer sailer and pocket cruiser market that could easily rejuvenate the under 20 feet market section. Having everything that you want in a pocket cruiser: take everywhere, sail anywhere, sail easily, and affordable, the Cygnet has the added benefit of looking adorable as well. With its flat bottom and hand-laid fiberglass hull, it is an easy matter of beaching the boat.

The Cygnet 20 makes an enjoyable weekend sailboat; to this end, while the cockpit is large enough to fit four to six people, it makes less space for down below, but there is still room enough to sleep a crew of four. Also, there are various options to customize the cabin the way you want, but the standard configuration with the V-berth, a portable toilet stored underneath; a single burner portable stove to port with a sink to starboard two long single berths running under the cockpit. Also, the saloon table folds out to seat four on top of the swing keelbox.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best pocket cruiser or daysailer is not an easy task. I hope this list will be helpful to pick your ideal vessel for your sailing experiences. However, keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive and if you find a pocket cruiser that you like and fits your budget you should definitely take it out on the water to give it a spin and see how you like it. On a last note, you can find plenty of pocket cruisers for sale if you look at your local marina, browse websites like BoatersWorld, YachtWorld, Boat24, BoatTrader, Boats.com, Craigslist, and even FaceBook marketplace.