"txmxrider" wrote in message
...
Hello,

You may remember me, I'm the newbie who was asking about a trailerable
sailboat a few weeks ago. We decided to go with a small, trailerable boat
in
the 15'-17' range, nothing too 'athletic' because we're old farts, and
preferably something with sides and seats because our old butts aren't
made
for hanging off the edge of a racer. We're looking for a smallish boat
because it seems like it would be easier for old farts (and possibly
senile,
old farts) to assemble at the ramp. And also something easy for old,
senile
farts to learn to sail. By appearances alone, the 15' West Wight Potter
seems to have pretty much everything we require and maybe even room for a
portapotty for the Admiral. They also rate high in the "cute" factor,
which
also appeals to the Admiral. Anyone here familiar with these boats? I
appreciate your opinions both pro and con. For reference we would be
sailing
almost exclusively on inland lakes in Texas with maybe an occasional trip
to
the coast once we get some experience and if the boat is capable of
sailing
in protected bays.

Thanks in advance for your valued opinions.

--
Everett
'04 KTM 300 EXC (Treefinder)
'75 Kawasaki S3 400 (2-stroke triple)
'74 BMW R90/6 (Gentleman's Express)



The WWP 15 is actually 14'. It has a high center of force and is prone to
going on its side.. If you flip it or put it on its side it will fill with
water unless the cabin door is securely on. Tie down the swing keel, if you
put it on its side it will retract into the trunk and then you'll flip. Once
filled with water it will weigh several tons, you'll never get it out of the
water onto the beach or on a trailer. Don't believe the bull**** ads about
it floating high and dry with a 3 inch hole cut in it. It floats with the 2
inches of the cabin top out of the water. Boat wakes have flipped the pig
and people have drowned. Don't believe much of what the Potter folks say
when you bring these things up to them as they are a cult and any negative
(though constructive) criticism is taken as a threat. You'll hear "I been
sailing one for thirty years and that never happened to me" type of
responses.

If you are a skilled sailor the boat will handle unbelievably rough water
for its size and remain dry. Ditch the plastic cleats, get 2 large cockpit
drain holes and be able to pump/bail that cockpit out. Once it fills, you
are toast. The bunk cushions absorb water like a sponge. Don't accesorize
the daylights out of the thing, it's only a dinghy. Put a big inflatable
mattress under the lazarette and keep it inflated so all that volume doesn't
wind up getting filled with water when you lay it down and it goes under.
Don't believe the stuff about "self righting", and tie down that swing keel.

Otherwise it's a pretty good micro cruiser and lots of fun.

Buy a used one

Check out the Neptune 16 http://www.sailingtexas.com/sneptune16b.html it
will outsail the Potter hands down and has more room. Plus it actually self
rights when you lay it down.

Good luck!