Canoe vs. Porta-Bote vs. Just get a bigger boat already!

[Count Monaco]

I've been trolling a canoe for a while up and down lakes and creeks with my girlfriend/dog/cooler and recently started going out into the bay (tampa) where waters are a little rougher. In fact, we got caught in a tropical storm and it took us 20 minutes to get to land with trolling+rowing. Very frightening.

So, we're looking to upgrade into a more stable vessel that we can attach an onboard motor to (possibly even sails).
In reality, I'd love to buy a small sailboat, but in terms of portability, we don't have a big truck and use the roof rack on our Camry- which is why we're looking into these porta-boats. I can afford a small sailboat, but not a sailboat+truck. What do I do?

 

[oldjeep]

You don't need a big truck to pull a small sailboat.

 

[Count Monaco]

You don't need a big truck to pull a small sailboat.

That was the response I was hoping for. I guess I should have just outright asked "How big of a sailboat can I pull with a 2001 Camry" but my question manifested as I was writing it. I went from looking at canoe upgrades to drooling over yachts on Craig Listing.

 

[oldjeep]

Max towing capacity of your camry is 2000lbs if you have the V6. What do you consider an acceptable sized sailboat?

 

[Count Monaco]

You don't need a big truck to pull a small sailboat.

That was the response I was hoping for. I guess I should have just outright asked "How big of a sailboat can I pull with a 2001 Camry" but my question manifested as I was writing it. I went from looking at canoe upgrades to drooling over yachts on Craig Listing.

 

[southkogs]

A 14.2 Capri sloop is probably under 1,000 lbs with the trailer and will sail nicely with 2 or 3 on board. A small cat rig 12' boat will tow even easier. A catamaran or Sunfish wet sailer would probably be easy too.

The only downer is the extra time at the ramp stepping the max (vs. a canoe or outboard).

 

[Count Monaco]

What do you consider an acceptable sized sailboat?

One with a cabin & bed...?

 

[southkogs]

One with a cabin & bed...?

LOL ... so we're up to a 25' or so? That's a big jump from a Porta-Bote! Somethin' like that'll have 1,000 lbs of ballast alone I would think. Most stuff I've been on between 18' and 24' isn't much worth trying to sleep on.

 

[Count Monaco]

Would I be able to tow this with a Camry? https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/4626558337.html

 

[smokeonthewater]

no way no how... not even close.... 10 feet too much boat

 

[drrpm]

First you need to decide what you really want to do with the boat. As far as carrying some sort of more seaworthy boat on a Camry, I'd suggest a sea kayak or fishing sit on top kayak that would increase your capability in rougher water. You give up the motor but kayaks handle better in the wind and waves than canoes. Something like a Zodiac inflatable may work if you have to have a motor. You could get a sailboat like the one above but it would need to stay in the water and probably would not be a great place to spend the night.