F24 vs F27, Corsair 760 vs 880?

[turnzilla]

This seems like a topic that has likely been addressed in a previous post (but I can't find it). Very interested in a trailerable trimaran for weekend cruising with wife and kids. Really important to me is the ability to singlehand it comfortably (either alone or with family), ease and speed of launch from trailer and docking, ride comfort, space on-board, amenities (especially a head), and ability to go for longer jaunts (Tampa to Key West max), and maybe bringing another couple along for the weekend, how do you come down between F24/F27 on an older boat, or possibly considering newer 760 vs 880s? Thanks!

[deminimis]

I'll chime in: Perhaps split the baby and get a 24MKII or C28? The24MKII went to larger amas in...I think... 2012. The C28 is just a better boat (compared to the now very old 27). The 28 has bigger amas, faster, reportedly drier. The prices on used Corsairs has been nuts this past year. I'm in the market (bigger), but think I may just cool my heels until next year (prices do seem to be flattening a bit now, however). The 760 and 880 will cost you, but man oh man, they do look purdy. Well, that's just my 2 pennies anyway and I'm guessing it's worth less than that. Good luck with the search.

[Ryan]

The 27/28 will have more room and amenities than the 24, which can be quite spartan in some versions. Some 24's have heads, mine does not. The flip side is weight, you will need a more capable vehicle to tow a 27/28.

Newer versions will have performance improvements such as a rotating mast.
The oldest 24's (Mk1) have a centerboard rather than daggerboard, and while a little slower, are better suited to cruising. The 24 Mk2 added rotating mast, and went to a daggerboard. The Dash 750 had a taller rig and bigger amas which give it better performance.

The 28 improved on the 27 with among other things, a rotating mast, and added an aft-cockpit version.

Corsairs are well made, extremely fast and fun boats. For single-handing, you'll probably want a small tiller pilot. Not hard to launch with a little practice, especially the 24'.

There's a really good Corsair owners group at https://fct.groups.io/g/main

[coffers]

When I was looking for a tri, my employment was spotty to say the least so I decided to build as finances allowed. Ended up taking 10 summers but was fully paid for.

I bought plans from Farrier and built an aft cabin F82A constructed from epoxy foam sandwich with rotating mast.

Its also pretty sparse with a composting head......not private and could sleep 4.

We use it as an overnight camper at the dock as my wife seems to prefer that to actually sailing. The boat is very light weight and we tend to get blown about if not actually underway. I can't use the center board till well away from dock as the water levels were very low last year and seem to be the same again this year.

We sail in the 1000 Islands Ontario but is difficult with water traffic and constant tacking, will probably head towards Lake Ontario this summer.