Hello, All: The TF has interested me for some time. Now that I am seriously in the market for a cruising motor yacht, it seems I should stick my oar in here, where I have already (and appreciatively) read so many informative posts.
I'm fairly experienced as a sailor, powerboat, and former licensed captain of passenger vessels. Presently I just day cruise my 18' power catamaran, a locally-built center console called a Shoal Cat. I like trailering it to destinations, there to launch and explore. My intent with a larger vessel is to opportunistically cruise the Atlantic ICW, based from here in Jacksonville, and to make the Loop when time and finances permit.
Target vessel parameters: 36' to 45' feet, single diesel, fiberglass, steel, aluminum, or anything else that isn't wood (been there). Prefer a split-cabin arrangement, for two-couple privacy & sanity, but a Europa-style isn't out of the question. Price: under $100K - preferably well under! For my money, a boat should be 1) safe, 2) reliable, 3) efficient, and 4) good-looking.
A trawler-style vessel seems the obvious candidate. For years, I've lusted after various Grand Banks "trawlers." I concede that GBs are not, strictly speaking trawlers - an interesting discussion in its own right. Whatever I wind up with, I plan to run at trawler-style speeds, e.g., around 8 knots. Displacement hull or semi-displacement, I value efficiency, by which I mean economy of operation.
I've come to learn with disappointment how many problems older GBs have developed. Those safe, handsome teak decks, for example, seem to have endowed the marque with leaks. And those seemingly robust steel fuel tanks, I now view with suspicion of rust. Blisters are apparently endemic to all fiberglass boats. Marine Traders seem to represent a lot of yacht for the money, but they have similar issues as older GBs, without the benefit of the high quality original construction and components.
That's where I'm at, geographically and otherwise. I'm glad to join this company of salty ladies and gentlemen, and I look forward to learning and contributing.
I'm fairly experienced as a sailor, powerboat, and former licensed captain of passenger vessels. Presently I just day cruise my 18' power catamaran, a locally-built center console called a Shoal Cat. I like trailering it to destinations, there to launch and explore. My intent with a larger vessel is to opportunistically cruise the Atlantic ICW, based from here in Jacksonville, and to make the Loop when time and finances permit.
Target vessel parameters: 36' to 45' feet, single diesel, fiberglass, steel, aluminum, or anything else that isn't wood (been there). Prefer a split-cabin arrangement, for two-couple privacy & sanity, but a Europa-style isn't out of the question. Price: under $100K - preferably well under! For my money, a boat should be 1) safe, 2) reliable, 3) efficient, and 4) good-looking.
A trawler-style vessel seems the obvious candidate. For years, I've lusted after various Grand Banks "trawlers." I concede that GBs are not, strictly speaking trawlers - an interesting discussion in its own right. Whatever I wind up with, I plan to run at trawler-style speeds, e.g., around 8 knots. Displacement hull or semi-displacement, I value efficiency, by which I mean economy of operation.
I've come to learn with disappointment how many problems older GBs have developed. Those safe, handsome teak decks, for example, seem to have endowed the marque with leaks. And those seemingly robust steel fuel tanks, I now view with suspicion of rust. Blisters are apparently endemic to all fiberglass boats. Marine Traders seem to represent a lot of yacht for the money, but they have similar issues as older GBs, without the benefit of the high quality original construction and components.
That's where I'm at, geographically and otherwise. I'm glad to join this company of salty ladies and gentlemen, and I look forward to learning and contributing.