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11 Best Pocket Cruiser Sailboats to Fit a Budget

By Cruising World Staff
Updated: May 24, 2024

Looking for a trailerable pocket cruiser that offers that liveaboard feeling? This list features 11 small sailboats with cabins that have the amenities often found on larger vessels. They may not be ocean crossing vessels, but they’re certainly capable of handling big bays and open waters.

What is a pocket cruiser? It’s a small trailerable sailboat, typically under 30 feet in length, that’s ideal for cruising big lakes, bays, coastal ocean waters, and occasionally bluewater cruising. Pocket cruisers are usually more affordable, compact, and offer a level of comfort that’s comparable to bigger liveaboards.

Small cruising sailboats are appealing for many reasons, but if you’re like most of us, you want to maintain a certain level of comfort while on the water. We took a poll and these are what we found to be the best cruising sailboats under 30 feet.

– DON’T LET CARBON MONOXIDE SNEAK UP ON YOU – Install detectors on your boat to sniff out any buildup of carbon monoxide gas. Avoid running engines or generators while anchored or stopped for extended periods. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Open and airy below deck, the Andrews 28 doesn’t sacrifice comfort for speed. Designed by Alan Andrews, the Southern California naval architect renowned for his light, fast raceboats, this 28-footer will certainly appeal to the cruiser who also enjoys a little club racing. Sporting a total of 6 berths, a galley, head and nav area, you might forget you are on a boat small enough to be easily trailered. The retractable keel allows the Andrews 28 to be easily launched and hauled and ensures it’s as comfortable as a daysailer as it is a racer. Click here to read more about the Andrews28.

Beneteau First 20

Small sailboat with a cabin? Check! Fun to sail? Modern design? Capable of flying a spinnaker? Check! Check! Check! The Finot-Conq-designed Beneteau First 20, which replaced the popular Beneteau first 211 nearly a decade ago now, is a sporty-but-stable pocket cruiser suitable for newcomers to the sport who are eager to learn their chops before moving up to a bigger boat or for old salts looking to downsize to a trailerable design. The boat features twin rudders, a lifting keel, and a surprisingly roomy interior with bunks for four. Click here to read more about the Beneteau First 20 .

Conceived as a way to bridge the gap between a safe, comfortable, family cruiser and a competitive racer, Gary Mull’s Ranger 26 does exactly as it was designed to. Undeniably fast, (one won the 1970 IOR North American Half-Ton Cup) the boat sails as well as it looks. However speed isn’t the Ranger’s only strong-suit, with over 7 feet of cockpit there’s plenty of room for socializing after an evening of racing. The Ranger 26 sports a nice balance of freeboard and cabin height ensuring that a handsome profile wasn’t sacrificed for standing headroom. Click here to read more about the Ranger 26.

Catboats were once a common site in coastal waters, where they sailed the shallow bays as fishing or work boats. Their large single and often gaff-rigged sail provided plenty of power, and a centerboard made them well-suited for the thin waters they frequently encountered. In the late 1970s, Canadian builder Hinterhoeller introduced the Nonsuch 30, a fiberglass variation of the catboat design, with a modern Marconi sail flown on a stayless mast, and a keel instead of a centerboard. The boat’s wide beam made room below for a spacious interior, and the design caught on quickly with cruising sailors looking for a small bluewater sailboat. Click here to read more about the Nonsuch 30 .

– SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU CARE – Nothing says ‘I love you’ like making sure the kids’ life jackets are snugged up and properly buckled. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

Debuted in 1971 in California, the Newport 27 was an instant success on the local racing scene. For a modest 27-footer, the Newport 27 has an unusually spacious interrior with over 6 feet of standing headroom. With 4 berths, a table, nav station, head and galley the Newport 27 has all the amenities you might find in a much bigger boat, all in a compact package. While quick in light air, the drawback of the tiller steering becomes apparent with increasing breeze and weather helm often leading to shortening sail early. Click here to read more about the Newport 27.

First splashed in 1969, the Balboa 26 continues to enjoy a strong following among budget-minded cruisers. Built sturdy and heavy, all of the boat’s stress points are reinforced. The spacious cockpit comfortably seats 4 and is self bailing, ensuring that sailors stay dry. While only 26 feet, the Balboa still has room for a double berth, galley with stove and freshwater pump, and an optional marine head or V-berth. The Balboa has the ability to sleep five, though the most comfortable number is two or three. Under sail, the Balboa is fast and maneuverable, but may prove a handful in heavy breeze as weather helm increases. Click here to read more about the Balboa 26.

Cape Dory 28

While the sleek lines and the teak accents of the Cape Dory 28 may grab the eye, it is the performance of the boat that make it unique. The Cape Dory comes with all amenities that you might need available, including a V-berth, 2 settees, and a head. Safe, sound and comfortable as a cruiser it is still capable of speed. Quick in light wind and sturdy and capable in heavy air, it is off the wind where the Cape Dory 28 shines with a balanced helm and the ability to cut through chop and still tack perfectly. Click here to read more about the Cape Dory 28.

Islander Bahama 28

On top of being a real eye-catcher, the Islander Bahama 28, with its 5-foot-6-inch draft and 3,300 pounds of ballast, sails beautifully, tracks well, and responds quickly to the helm. Inspired by the International Offshore Rule, it is unusually wide, offering stability in breeze without sacrificing the sheer and lines that make it so attractive. Below deck, the Islander Bahama 28 comes standard with plenty of berths and storage space and a galley complete with stove, icebox and sink. Click here to read more about the Islander Bahama 28.

– 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

Much like its older sibling, the S2 8.6 still holds its contemporary style, despite its 1983 introduction. Like all other S2 Yachts, the 8.6 is recognized for the quality craftsmanship that allows the boat to hold up today.The S2 8.6 is a very comfortable and easily managed coastal cruiser and club racer. It’s relatively stiff, its helm feels balanced, and it tracks well. On most points of sail, it compares favorably with other boats of similar size and type. Click here to read more about the S2 8.6.

Contessa 26

When the Contessa 26 was released in 1965, it immediately proved itself to be a strong, seaworthy vessel. The Contessa has continued to prove itself throughout its lifetime, being the boat of choice for two solo circumnavigations under the age of 21. While upwind performance leaves some wanting, the boat is sturdy and can carry full sail in up to 20 knots of breeze. Suited more for single-handing, the Contessa lacks standing headroom and the accommodations are sparse. Nonetheless, the Contessa 26 performs well as a daysailer with guests aboard. Click here to read more about the Contessa 26.

The Hunter 27 perfectly encompasses the pocket cruiser ideal. Even if you don’t want a big boat, you can still have big boat amenities. With the generously spacious layout, wheel steering and a walkthrough transom the Hunter feels much larger than 27 feet. Step below deck and any doubts you had that the Hunter was secretly a big boat will be gone. The amenities below are endless; a full galley including stove, microwave and cooler, head with full shower, several berths and not to mention a saloon with seating for 6. The Hunter 27 has reset the benchmark for 27-footers. Click here to read more about the Hunter 27.

More: 21 - 30 ft , Boat Gallery , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats , used boat guide
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Marsh Hen Micro Skiff

15′ flats boat.

Marsh Hen Micro Skiff – It’s Simple, Stable and Stealthy with Smooth Handling. This 15′ Flats Boat out-performs all others in her class with a hull design that maximizes angler’s comfort without decreasing fishability. An incredibly versatile skiff, the Marsh Hen travels easily in your hunt for fish on the flats.

This is a composite skiff using state-of-the-art construction methods.

Boat, Motor & Trailer Packages Starting at $13,000

50″ BEAM – 15′ LENGTH | FUEL 6 GALLONS | 200 LBS

15′ Flats Boat, Micro Skiff

fore & aft storage with Dri-Dek, exterior trim is 3/4″ J Rail, interior trim is 3/8″, bow eye with rounded chines for quiet entry, built-in spray rails, built-in non-skid floor and a 9.9 HP engine. Your choice of color completes the composite fiberglass lamination.

Avoid The Crowds. Go Further In The Marsh Hen

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Coast 250: The mighty micro cruiser

March 30, 2020

Producing a boat that planes under power and sails like a thoroughbred has been an elusive quest for decades. Has Swallow Yachts’ Coast 250 succeeded where others have failed? David Harding went to find out

A carbon rig and laminate sails contribute to the sprightly performance. Credit: David Harding

Product Overview

Fast and easy to handle under sail
Smooth and efficient planing under power
Roomy and practical layout
Engine could do with more sound proofing
Foot-braces on cockpit seats would be useful
Self-tacking jib presents limitations

Price as reviewed:

Sailing yachts are designed to sail and motorboats to motor, right? And never the twain shall interbreed – at least not successfully? This hasn’t stopped people trying.

Motor-sailers have always been around. More recently we have also seen the planing power-sailer, as epitomised by the phenomenally successful MacGregor 26.

Some might argue that power-sailers, like motor-sailers, have been compromises that neither motor nor sail particularly well.

But whatever your views, the fact is that now, nearly 25 years after the power-sailing version of the MacGregor (the MacGregor 26X) appeared, we have a British-built boat of similar size that will motor efficiently and comfortably at 15 knots without compromise to its sailing ability.

If you’re helming from the coaming, the engine box can be used as a foot brace. Credit: David Harding

So how has this been achieved, and what lessons have been learned from the attempts of earlier builders?

Well, all previous power-sailers that have sold in any number have had certain characteristics in common.

One is lacklustre sailing performance, even though I have met MacGregor owners who defend them to the hilt.

After MacGregor’s 26X came the 26M. It sailed slightly better but was still heavily compromised, as was the Polish-built Odin 26 (later reincarnated as the Imexus 27) and Legend’s Edge 27.

Video: Trailer sailing made easy

The best performer under sail was the Tide 28, which made the headlines when a 14-year-old Michael Perham sailed Cheeky Monkey across the Atlantic in 2007.

The challenge with designing a power-sailer is that sailing yachts and planing powerboats tend to have very different hull forms for good reason, even before you consider fundamentals like the sailing yacht’s need for ballast, a rig, and foils that generate lift.

Most power-sailers have had a large outboard on the broad stern of a hull with very little rocker, leading to an immersed transom to support the outboard’s weight and create sufficient lift for them to plane.

The folding solid-wood oak table sits on top of the lifting keel housing. Credit: David Harding

In this respect they have been just like conventional planing powerboats.

The problem is that sailing yachts need rocker (fore-and-aft curvature to the underside of the hull) and a transom that’s clear of the water at rest. They don’t like a lot of weight in the stern either, so the shape of the conventional power-sailer does it no favours under sail.

An idea whose time has come?

It so happens that I have sailed (and motored) all these power-sailers over the past 20-odd years.

I was also living on the Dart in the 1980s when Ian Anderson launched his 37ft (11.3m) MRCB (multi-role cruising boat), which was powered by 165hp of Volvo Penta diesel and helped along when the throttle was opened by ‘variable hull geometry’ – essentially integrated trim tabs that flattened the stern sections.

I remember seeing the MRCB in its creamy-yellow livery charging around at high speed off the mouth of the river.

A 70hp in its central well drives the Coast at up to 15 knots – or you can stick with 10hp for displacement speeds. Credit: David Harding

Sadly the idea never took off commercially but it was unquestionably ahead of its time.

Remembering the MRCB and having tested various power-sailers as well as many of the day-sailers and small cruisers built by Swallow Yachts, I was more than a little interested when Swallow’s Matt Newland mentioned that he was planning to develop a power-sailer whose sailing ability, he assured me, would not be compromised by its motoring performance.

This was a few years ago now — such projects take time.

It was clear from the outset that this boat would be very different from the MacGregor 26 and its ilk.

Swallow’s Coast 250 was to have – and does have – the 70hp outboard mounted in a well at the forward end of the cockpit, immediately abaft the keel case.

This overcomes the need for a broad, immersed transom that creates an enormous amount of drag under sail.

An optional carbon bowsprit for the asymmetric retracts into the anchor well. Credit: David Harding

Moving the engine was the starting point.

Through CFD (computational fluid dynamics) testing with the Wolfson Unit in Southampton, Matt soon came to realise that, with an uncompromised sailing-boat hull form, this shift of weight alone was not the solution.

The boat still trimmed bow-up and created too much drag under power to achieve the speeds he wanted.

His solution was to fit trim tabs on the transom to eliminate stern-squat and bring the bow down at planing speeds.

Further CFD analysis, followed by on-the-water testing with a full-size plywood hull ballasted to sailing weight, showed that the tabs made the crucial difference and allowed efficient planing at 15 knots.

That’s how the Coast evolved, but what’s she like to motor and sail and how does she perform in testing conditions?

THE TEST VERDICT

In the words of Matt Newland, the Coast’s designer and builder, ‘this is not a perfect motorboat. It’s a sailing boat that has a big engine and some trim tabs. It’s not going to set any motorboater’s heart alight and I’m not expecting to convert any motorboaters to sailing, though I would love to.’

Whether or not Matt and the Coast succeed in introducing motorboaters to the delights of sailing, I’m sure they will gain converts in the form of sailors who might otherwise have moved to motorboating or chosen a more conventional sailing yacht.

The wide, offset companionway allows easy access to the cabin around the engine box. The head compartment is to starboard. Credit: David Harding

He might also attract former (or current) owners of other power-sailers that they have found unrewarding or plain disappointing under sail.

The power-sailer concept has always had its appeal but, apart from the MRCB, the Coast is the only one I have come across that really seems to deliver the goods in both modes.

Great attention to detail has been paid to every aspect of the design.

WOULD SHE SUIT YOU AND YOUR CREW?

In many ways it’s a simple choice: do you want a boat of this size that sails well, offers roomy accommodation, will sit on a drying mooring, can be trailed behind a large family car and motors at 15 knots?

You will find precious little else, if anything, that does all that.

Even if the planing performance under power is of no consequence to you, the Coast’s other attributes make her worthy of attention.

She’s not cheap because of what she is.

For example, the carbon rig makes so much sense under both power and sail.

A cassette system around the gooseneck simplifies removal of the boom.

A boat of this size and weight can’t be described as a trailer-sailer, but she’s certainly a trailable sailer and an extremely clever, well-conceived, versatile and practical one too.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Price as tested: £77,771 LOA (including rudders): 7.95m(26ft 1in) Hull Length: 7.57m (24ft 10in) LWL: 7.57m (24ft 10in) Beam: 2.55m (8ft 4in) Draught: keel up 0.4m (1ft 4in) Keel down : 1.85m (6ft 1in) Displacement: 1,300kg (2,866lb) Ballast: 300kg (661lb) Ballast ratio: 23% Displacement/Length: 83.60 Sail area: 28.6m2 (307.86sq ft) SA/D ratio: 24.40 Fuel: 75 litres (16.5gal) Water: 70 litres (15.4 gal) Engine: 10 or 70hp Transmission: Outboard RCD category: C Designer: Swallow Yachts Builder: Swallow Yachts Tel: 01239 615482 Website : Swallowyachts.com

Study Plans are available for these designs - remember a study plan gives you more details and a wood materials list usually on two A1 sheets, so that you can cost out a project before ordering the full plans. When you order the full construction plans you do not need to order the study plan as well, as all the study details are on the full plans.

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for construction photos and the full story of Dennis's extraordinary North sea crossing to Holland in his Lynx 14 'Diddy-Da'.

and click on the pages link to the right, for his boat called Deux Chevaux.

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the Eventide Owner’s Group (www.eventides.org.uk).

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I YACHT
	She has a daggerboard type keel with a steel core and lead bulb which is bolted in place for sailing but which can be raised using the main halyard for easy trailing. Construction is based on a ply framework consisting of ply bulkheads and a ply fore and aft girder which incorporates the keel box. The planks can then be fitted and finished using the simple stitch and tape method for the chine seams.
and the Model Boat Building in Wood manual for details.

Below is a simple card model by Ralph Woodard.

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MOTOR SAILOR (16' MOTOR PUNT ADAPTATION)

MICROCRUISING

Cruising Forum

Famous boats, little cruiser, matt's boats.

Mindy and David have a passion for small sailboats called micro-cruisers, and they have been cruising in their tiny boats for 30 years. Their favorite destinations have been the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Florida Keys and the beautiful islands of the Bahamas.

Sail Far Live Free

Go small and go now 5 pocket cruisers to take you anywhere.

Marquesas anyone? Flicka will get you there.

Allegra 24 in all her glory

Tom Thumb 24 slicing nicely through the chop

A local (to me, sort-of) Nor'Sea 27

Falmouth Cutter 22 in action

What, no Georgian 23? ;)

Gotta love those little Canadian sloops!

Or Bayfield?:)

I am a Bayfield fan (and even more so a Ted Gozzard fan), but I wasn't aware of the Bayfield 25 making any major bluewater passages. Do you know of any?

A bayfield 25 is built well enough BUT it’s shallow keel and light weight classify it more of a coastal cruiser. But that also makes it a great gunk holer. It’s a nice little boat for the Chesapeake and coastal areas. It lacks the deep keel and ballast to be comfortable offshore. The bayfield 29 is a bit more blue water but also it’s shoal keel at only 3ft 6 inches also gives it a comfort ratio a bit on the edge for a true blue water boat. BUT that said a bayfield 29 outfitted right will get the job done and with a good turn of speed over most listed here. It will reach its hull speed of 6.5-7 knots no problem and will point windward well enough. (It’s not got to compete with a fin keel 30 footer but it will be more comfortable. And it’s faster then a westsail32 (nick named the wet snail 32) I find most of the better pocket cruisers on this list are great for what that are but NOT the most boat you can get for your money today. Some great 30-32 foot blue water boats can be purchased for LESS then some of these. I just bought a great bayfield 29 for UNDER 3K that’s right 3 not 30. I looked at a foulmouth cutter that was available in my area it was rough really rough and they still were asking over 10K. It’s only benefit was it came with a trailer but what good doesn’t that do when Your offshore. I wouldn’t mind taking one on single handed adventure as the romance of the boat would add to the fun of the adventure but. Is it the best boat for your buck? No their popularity and reputation and (good ones are getting scarce) bring high prices.

It's amazing: after looking at all your boat reviews and choices, I realize we have exactly the same tastes and dream boats! And I enjoy your writing and musings! I'm very glad I happened upon your blog site! Bill Hinkel

Thanks Bill! I love writing about sailboats almost as much as I love actually sailing them.

I've owned a Flicka, Allegra, and FC all excellent boats.

Wow...that's an impressive resume! I bet you've got some great stories to tell.

What about the Halcyon 23? Any thoughts on that one? Great article by the way!

Sorry, I'm not personally familiar with the little Halcyon 23, but you can read a review reprinted from "Yachts and Yachting" originally written in 1970 here .

How about the Pacific Seacraft 25? If your talking about small salty sailboat (SSS) that can take you to the paradise. She prolly don't a standing headroom but sure does the perfect little sailboat. Just like HC33t.

Yup, I too like the PSC 25. She's not as roomy as either the Flicka or the Dana, but a typically a fair amount more affordable. And as you point out, no standing headroom. Still, a pretty boat with bluewater experience.

A very informative article, thank you very much. I find myself daydreaming to be on a boat, sailing around the world quite often and i'm trying to collect a budget, to buy a boat and take sailing classes. I love the design on the ships you posted. Are there any good pocket-cruisers with a steering wheel ?(i can't say i really like tillers :P). Again, thank you for compiling this list, you gave hope to a "wannabe" skipper.

My humble little Bristol 24 wants to know if she can join the group.

Yup, good choice. Humble and capable...just the right ingredients!

what about the Catalina 22 ?

A fine little coastal sailboat, trailer sailboat and "first" sailboat, but for all the things that the C22 is, she is definitely not a pocket cruiser that can GO ANYWHERE. Don't get me wrong, I love the C22 and our first boat (Helms 25) was very similar, but neither is suited for offshore work.

My little hurley 22, can she make the mark?

A Hurley can do anything! Ihave had a 24 since 1972 they are forgotten but they are great! Joe

Morris Frances 26.

Good recommendation! I love all of the small classic Morris boats like the Frances 26, Linda 28 and Annie 29. Chuck Paine has a way of making these small boats look larger than life!

Was expecting to see an Albin Vega 27 mentioned...

I included the Albin Vega in my "Bluewater on a Budget" post about affordable offshore cruisers. You can read it here: http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2012/06/blue-water-on-budget-5-budget-cruisers.html

Any thoughts on our west coast Brent Swain 26 welded steel boats? Truly budget cruisers!

I have built one, but yet to launch it I am getting a trailer for it, an advantage that I never thought of when I started building it. Not very many built, mine is a single keel version and I added a wheelhouse.

What about Cape Dory's?

Howard - Good suggestion. Both the CD22 and CD25 are worthy little pocket cruisers with classic Alberg looks. I haven't been aboard either and don't know of any that have crossed oceans, but I suspect someone's been offshore in these two little Cape Dory's and I have little doubt they could be good sea boats in the right hands, given their stout construction, full keels, etc.

The boats listed are priced such that one could buy a much larger, albeit not-so-primo boat for the same or lesser amount. I've seen decent cal 34s go for $8k. So why buy a pocket cruiser that goes for 30K? Smaller sails and reduced slip rent can only account for a modicum of savings

True enough, this is NOT necessarily a list cheap/affordable small boats, but rather well-built and capable small boats that can go offshore in the right hands. Some sailors simply prefer a small, simple sailboat to a larger more spacious (and sometimes more complicated) sailboat, even if the purchase price is similar.

West Wight Potter 14 #223. Mexico to Hawaii.

I'm contemplating buying a 26' Micmac for rougher waters. http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6202

A Vancouver 27 !!!!

hey you forgot a little boat from south africa called the flamenca 25 great little boat built for the cape of storms

A Flamenca would also sail circles around this list of boats. These traditional long keel boats are slow and without decent fouls, suck going upwind.

Would the Cascade 27 be a good pocket cruiser or is this just a coastal cruiser

I think it would be a excellent choice

Mmm. Some consistencies in your selections (apart from the obvious US of A bias), they all have square bows. Me thinks this is as much a beauty contest as a seaworthy small boat list. I'm afraid trailer and seagoing don't fit in the same sentence

Guilty as charged! Although I do disagree about trailer and seagoing...with both the Flicka and the Nor'Sea being plenty capable on both fronts.

Okay. On seaworthy, I sailed in 12 knots past a site where 2 friends were drowned, their yacht lost in a gale. So is my Folkboat, my sailing skill or patience to credit or was their boat any less seaworthy? An ocean crossing does not make a boat seaworthy, the sailing skill and weather and sea mix have as much to credit. I assert that a long heavy keel, stout rig and water tightness are compulsory if you want to lengthen the odds in your favour.

Nice article, I would however strongly suggest that you give a second thought about linking to myboatplans.com. It's a scam (most, if not all, of the plans are available for free elsewhere on the net and at least some pics are stolen from other boatbuilders). You don't have to take my word for it, just google around.

Thanks, and thanks for the suggestion...the link has been removed!

I am agree with you. Tks. An article about siling solo those smalls boats (in spanish): http://www.navegar-es-preciso.com/news/la-navegacion-oceanica-en-solitario-en-peque%C3%B1os-veleros-/

How about a Privateer26 by Kenner ? Check the specs, and I think you'll find she's equal in important areas and prettier by far than most!

Having a love affair with traditional boats with genuine shear lines, I just stepped out of my Marshall 22, and into a totally unknown double ender called a Skipper 20. Why these trailer sailors dream have gone unnoticed is hard to fathom. With room for 4, 2' draft, 800#s ballast, and a cockpit larger than my Bristol 27' which includes a outboard locker has me spending the last 4 months making the 40 year old look like modern and updated, quality pocket cruiser. With the new genoa, 5.5kts up hill and down, and as dry as they get,, Where they been???

I just bought a Skipper 20 and am fixing it up, can you tell me how it handles in a heavy blow? I am planning to use it as a micro coastal sailer and would like to know as much about it's capabilitys as I can. Much appreciated, Richard.

What are your thoughts on a San Juan 7.7 with the keel shoe? Offshore sailong to Hawaii or the inside passage to Alaska.

What are your thoughs on a San Juan 7.7 with the keel shoe offshore? IE; Hawaii or the Inside Passage to Alaska.

We recently purchased a JJ Taylor Contessa 26, hull #262, Ophelia, and have trailered her to Malletts Bay in Lake Champlain, VT. We were extremely flattered to have a visit from Tania Aebi, who lives 35 min. from us and wanted to show her sister and daughter-in-law an example of the boat that she sailed round the world in the late '80's.

What about steel Tom Thumb 24 ???

For whatever reason, I'm a fan of the Bristol 24 (Paul Coble design). The baby Bristols are full-keeled and don't go upwind very energetically, but once the sheets are started they come into their own. Hulls are usually nearly bulletproof, and even if damaged, they are small and easy to fix... some have been gilded into mini-yachts, but I prefer sparse brightwork and light/white paint. They are very (very) sea-kindly for their size and although they heel to about 15-20 degrees, their nearly 50% ballast usually stops it right there... Mast-head rigged, they have a large main and can develop noticeable weather-helm, so one reef keeps the tiller loads modest. Thankfully they aren't very popular or well-known, so you can find bargains and even top-drawer examples probably will cost less than a modest commuter car... I'm now on my second one (after having a larger fin-keel... am returning to the B24); if possible, look for one with split lower shrouds... Oh, they have comfortable 5'11" headroom, or just a fraction more,,,

Specifications

“You were Fishing Where?” for those hardcore anglers who dream and those who know that there are still undiscovered spots waiting to be explored.

The 16’8″ Beavertail Skiffs Micro takes its DNA from the 18′ Mosquito – one of the most popular technical skiffs on the market today and distills it down to the purest technical fishing platform Beavertail Skiffs has ever built. With a true 5″ draft when fully loaded with anglers, fuel, and gear – the Micro will take you to places that only kayaks could previously reach and bring you back with our signature dry ride.

There is a misconstrued assumption in the technical skiff world – that to have the perfect shallow water fishing platform you must sacrifice comfort, and in some cases, even accept a wet ride. But you can rest assured, that the Beavertail Skiffs Micro will get you back home safely and comfortably – even when the weather dictates “Get a bigger boat”!

The Micro is designed for the purist of anglers – who know exactly what they need from a skiff and more importantly, exactly what they don’t need. If you’re the kind of angler who wants to do more with less, the Beavertail Skiffs Micro is ready to take you places others simply can’t reach!

The Micro in Action!

Your Skiff. Your Colors.

At Beavertail Skiffs you can choose from a wide range of custom gel coat colors that make your skiff uniquely yours!

Choose your skiff’s colors from a selection as vast as a rainbow & unique as your taste!

Check out some of our most popular color combos!

The Gallery

Standard features, engine and rigging.

Equipped with a Suzuki 30 HP engine and factory prop
Offered with a tiller setup or side console configuration
Fully rigged with hydraulic steering helm, throttle control and analogue gauges

Hull and Topside Deck

Fiberglass and vinyl ester resin construction
Vacuum infused
Custom color hull and topside deck
Nonskid included on deck and cockpit

Mechanical / Electrical

Navigation and anchor lights
Rugged AGM starting battery
Automatic bilge pump
Lenco Trim Tabs with switch

Fuel System

8-gallon EPA compliant fuel tank, easily serviced through forward hatch
Fuel / water separator
One bow eye and two stern eyes
Rigid heavy-duty black rub rail
One recessed bow cleat
Stainless steel steering wheel with power knob
Moonlighter push pole holders
Thru-hulls and low profile deck drains

Storage / Maintenance Access

Rod rack w/ SeaDek reel protectors and fly rod tubes which hold six rods up to 10’
Large forward storage compartment
Large aft storage with drain
Dry gutters on all hatches with rubber gaskets on aft hatches
10-gallon livewell
Aft full length removable cushion seat with embossed BT Logo

Poling Platform

Welded anodized frame
Platform with SeaDek pad
Ramlin Micro aluminum trailer w/ 13" wheels

Each Beavertail Skiff is custom tailored to your specific needs. Refer to the “Additional Add-Ons” below for additional options and selections.

Optional Add-Ons

Click the camera icon to view a photo of the option

Color Options

Powder coating (poling and casting platform, hardware, etc.) - gloss black, textured matte black and gloss white are available

Seating options

Upholstery ‘Double Diamond’ quilted finish
Backrest, fixed aft on poling platform with step-up and Sea Dek pad

Fish Finder/Chart Plotter Options

Special electronics installation - prices available upon request
Simrad NSX™ 3007 with Active Imaging™ and 3 in 1 transducer
Garmin ECHOMAP™ UHD 74sv with GT56UHD-TM Transducer
Garmin GPSMAP 743 xsv

Cockpit & Console Options

Hook/line tie stainless eyebolt, console mounted (to tie line, knot tensioner)
Steering wheel, Edson Comfort Grip
Tilt steering
Controls, two switch billet (black or polished stainless steel)
Switches, flush-mount LED lit console switches
Charger, dual 12 volt/USB, console mounted
Cup holder, stainless steel (mounted in gunnel/poling/casting platforms
Cup / rod holder combo mounted on gunnel
Rod holder, 1-place aluminum, mounted on bulkhead
Rod holder, 2-place aluminum, mounted on bulkhead

Lighting Options

Poling platform LED light (underside poling platform - available in white, red or blue)
Cockpit/under-gunnel LED lighting (available in red, blue or green)
Storage compartment LED lighting (available in white, red, blue or green)

Poling & Casting Options

Rod holder welded on poling platform
Receiver tubes welded on platform (required for use with stand-up bars)
Stand up /grab bar, removable (for poling platform & /or casting platform)
Stand up bar w/ small cushion, removable (for poling platform & /or casting platform)
Lean back bar w/ wrap around cushion, removable (for poling platform & /or casting platform)
Fold up seat mounted on lean back bar ("Take a load off")
Fly rod holder mounted on stand up or lean back bar
Cup holder mounted on stand up or lean back bar
Tibor Push Pole Caddy
Casting platform w/ turnbuckle tie down
Rod holder welded on casting platform

Sea Dek options

Poling platform pad
Reel protectors
Full under gunnel protector pads (reel protector pads are standard)
Casting platform pad w/ Beavertail logo (if casting platform selected)
Fishing ruler
‘Beavertail Tarpon’ small fly pad - mount on console
Cockpit floor, front deck or all top deck

Deck & Hull Options

Flyline toe rails (available in black or white)
Cleat, additional recessed (one standard on bow)
Accon recessed push pole holder - no charge
Moonlighter 22’ one piece push pole, carbon fiber
Power Pole 6’ Pro Series II
Power Pole micro anchor w/spike
Power Pole micro spike only

Trolling Motor Options

Pre-rigging for 12v trolling motor: includes one deep cycle battery, Minn Kota removable mount, 60 AMP breaker, plug & receptacle & built in recharging system
Trolling Motor, 55lb 12v i-Pilot ‘Terrova’ Control Minn Kota Riptide
Trolling Motor, 55lb 12v Hand Control Minn Kota Riptide
Trolling Motor, 55lb 12v Rhodan GPS (White or Black finish)
Power Pux quick release trolling motor mounting system with key lock
Lithium deep cycle battery alternatives

Safety & U.S. Coast Guard Requirements

Fire extinguisher (mounted in boat)
USCG kit (includes four life jackets, throwable Cushion, flare & signal kit)

Trailer Options

Ramlin ‘black out package’ (texture coating entire trailer)
Spare wheel & mount
Shortest possible setup (swing away tongue)
Tie downs, retractable stainless steel mounted on trailer
Tie down kit, removable quick release
Mag/alloy wheel (available in black or polished)

BASE PRICE*

*Full package details and pricing available upon request .

Contact Beavertail Skiffs

Ready to take the next step towards joining our family of satisfied owners? We’d love to learn more about you, your style of fishing and how we can help make your skinny water dreams come true!

(941) 705-2090

4601 15th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203

MICRO DRAFT SUPER GUIDE 22 EXTREME SHALLOW EDITION

Experience Unparalleled Performance

Explore our incomparably collaborative process that combines industry-leading innovation and handcrafted customization with the inspiration that comes from building you the Micro Draft of your dreams.” Now it’s your turn.

Standard Features

Engine and Rigging

3 or 4-Blade stainless propeller

Fully rigged with hydraulic steering helm, throttle control and analogue gauges

115-150HP Four Strokes engines available

Bob's jack plate

Hull and Topside Deck

Non-skid decks

Deck mounted cleats

100% composite hull

Fiberglass hatches

Bob's Machine Shop Low Water nose cone

Mechanical / Electrical

24-volt on board charging system

Cranking battery

Tiller control trolling motor

Battery boxes for all batteries

Marine gel cell battery for trolling motor

Minn Kota 80 lb trolling motor with batteries and onboard charger

Dual bilge pumps

Lenco Stainless Trim tabs with LED control

Fuel System

32 gallon fuel cell

Water and fuel separator system

Single helm and seat with cooler seat on floor

All stainless steel hardware

Extreme Shallow Package with 2" higher transom

Tandem Axle Trailer

Storage / Maintenance Access

Raked tunnel hull system

Dual bow storage hatches

Dual stern storage hatches

Rod holders

Dual insulated live wells

Dual high speed live well pickups

Optional Add-Ons

Trolling Motor Options

Power Pole “Move”trolling motor with batteries and onboard charger

Cockpit & Console Options

LED underwater lighting

LED lighting cockpit

Wash down systems

Recirculator systems

NMEA gauge package

Trolling upgrades to i-Pilot or others

Custom aluminum towers (Super Guide 22 only)

Custom large capacity live well systems

If you don't see it listed, ask

Customize Your Dream Boat Today!

Testimonials.

Micro Draft Skiffs are the shallowest running hand made, custom shallow water skiffs period. Come take a test drive. Designed by fishermen for fishermen.

— Doug Grall

Absolutely awesome boats, they will do anything you ask of the boat and will responsibly run in inches of shallow grease with no harm done.

— Brian Winchester

These boats are bad to the bone, you just don’t get it until you’ve fished out of one! If you’re in the market for a new boat definitely consider Micro Draft Skiffs

— Jay McKeever

Don't miss out.

CALL US TODAY FOR A TEST RIDE!

Skiff Life Microskiff Saltwater Fishing Boating Redfish

Fishing Boating Articles, Photos and Video

World’s shallowest Performance Skiff – The Microdraft 20 Skiff

Editor’s Note: At 20′ and 3″ of water, this is seriously one of the skinniest and largest skiffs we have covered. The fact the MD20 runs perfectly fine on 70-90 horses and makes this boat very long on the Plus side. The raised center console is amazing. I’m starting to wonder if a small baitwell up there would not make sense…I’d never come down!

Capt Billy Henderson’s MD20:

Worlds shallowest performance 20 foot skiff. Remember, there is a difference between running and floating shallow and actually performing shallow.

Capt Billy Henderson says, “This hull is designed to fish and run the extreme shallow flats and creeks while carrying a heavy load. The MD20 powered by a F90 Yamaha 4 stroke outboard will float in 3 inches and run in 3 inches. It will plane out a loaded in excess of 2000 pounds with ease. I run 8 grown men all the time during waterfowl season on the coast and still run shallow up Fish Creek in the dead of winter. Amazing skiff. A very agile work horse with a ton of deck space for fishing. Custom hulls can be ordered with live well capacities ranging from 10 gallon to 30 gallons. 3 larger 24″ x 36″ storage compartments. Also rear storage across stern.”

www.DeepSouthOutfitter.com
www.MicroDraftBoats.com
352-257-6999 cell
352-563-1337 office

Here is actual video proof of how skinny this skiff runs:

The Microdraft Skiff features the following specifications in it’s build package:

SKIFF SPECIFICATIONS

A whole new dimension in shallow water angling… Trust us when we tell you that if you have never ridden in a Microdraft while flying over an oyster bar in 1 inch of water, then you have never gone “skinny”. A Microdraft can put you in places that others only dream of!!! Micro Draft Skiffs can be custom-built to order or you can select our “Guide Ready” model. Please contact us here for more details and to spec and price the skiff of your dreams.

Microdraft Skiff Specification List:

20′ long, 8′ wide, 3″ draft at rest 100% composite hull weighs less than 750 lbs. 60-90hp four-stroke engine 4-blade stainless propeller propulsion jet propulsion system raked tunnel hull system (5) angler capacity dual live wells elevated casting platform insulated cooler trolling motor 24-volt on board charging system dry storage recessed rod holders poly fuel cell tiller control trolling motor, bs sportsman aluminum trailer dual bilge pumps deck mounted cleats rod holders (standard or recessed) non skid decks under bow storage battery box marine gel cell battery for trolling motor water and fuel separator system fiberglass hatches all stainless steel hardware power pole custom aluminum mini tower custom aluminum full tower console steering custom trailer.

micro sailboat for sale

Specifications

The Micro in Action!

Your Skiff. Your Colors.

The Gallery

Hull and Topside Deck

Mechanical / Electrical

Fuel System

Storage / Maintenance Access

Poling Platform

Optional Add-Ons

Color Options

Seating options

Fish Finder/Chart Plotter Options

Cockpit & Console Options

Lighting Options

Poling & Casting Options

Sea Dek options

Deck & Hull Options

Trolling Motor Options

Safety & U.S. Coast Guard Requirements

Trailer Options

Contact Beavertail Skiffs

MICRO DRAFT SUPER GUIDE 22 EXTREME SHALLOW EDITION

Experience Unparalleled Performance

Standard Features

Optional Add-Ons

Customize Your Dream Boat Today!

— Doug Grall

— Brian Winchester

— Jay McKeever

World’s shallowest Performance Skiff – The Microdraft 20 Skiff

SKIFF SPECIFICATIONS

Microdraft Skiff Specification List:

Author: Skiff LIfe

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Specifications

The Micro in Action!

Your Skiff. Your Colors.

The Gallery

Hull and Topside Deck

Mechanical / Electrical

Fuel System

Storage / Maintenance Access

Poling Platform

Optional Add-Ons

Color Options

Seating options

For Sale Chittum Snake Bight update