Design and Construction
The Wanderer MS carries a long, straight keel of encapsulated cast iron beneath a hull that is foam-cored and vacuum bagged, then joined to the deck with a sealed seam and stainless fasteners anchor. Above the waterline the cockpit aft takes its shape from a powerboat fantail, with high coaming sides and the cabin itself acting as a windbreak for those seated there. The foredeck is deeply recessed at the bow and open at the stem, while a 17-foot rub rail and six stainless cleats give the exterior a rugged, workmanlike look. At 8,800 lbs displacement on a 2-foot-10-inch draft, the boat reads as a mast-optional hybrid cruiser rather than a lithe daysailer, and the cored hull keeps structure light without sacrificing the solid feel implied by the bolted deck joint.
Rig and Handling
What sets the rig apart is its tabernacle-stepped mast, which can be lowered relatively easily to pass under bridges, slip beneath trees in shallow backwaters, or convert the boat to pure power-cruising mode anchor. With the standard 50-horsepower diesel set down in the bilge area between the main cabin deck and the hull, the Wanderer is designed to cruise at 10 knots and reportedly burns three-quarters to one gallon per hour at 10 to 12 knots. The boat can also be trailered behind a large SUV to reach remote lakes or lagoons, extending its utility well beyond coastal waters. Sail area at 100 percent is a modest 216 square feet, consistent with a boat whose priorities lean toward protected-water cruising under power as much as sail.
Accommodations
Inside, the saloon is arranged around a forward starboard bulkhead where the helmsman sits at cozy inside steering, with the surrounding space doubling as the dining zone anchor. Large windows all around lend the main cabin the open, airy character more often associated with a trawler than a sailing vessel. The galley lies forward and down to port in an L-shaped layout, lit and vented by an overhead hatch, and opposite it sits an enclosed head with its own separate shower compartment. Forward of that, a bow stateroom harbors a large berth and offers private access to the head, a rare concession to privacy in a boat of this length.
The Verdict
The Nimble Wanderer MS is a curious and capable hybrid that trades outright sailing performance for sheltered-water versatility and liveaboard comfort. Its tabernacle rig, trailered portability, and enclosed shower make it a compelling choice for the cruiser who values flexibility over speed.
Pros
- Mast-optional layout with easy lowering for bridges and power-cruising
- Inside steering and trawler-like windows for sheltered, open feel
- Separate shower compartment and private forward stateroom head access
- Foam-cored, vacuum-bagged hull with bolted deck joint
Cons
- Modest 216 sq.ft. sail area limits wind-driven performance
- Power-cruiser profile may not satisfy traditional sailors
