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Old 10-29-2014, 11:00 PM   #1
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Most unexpected attribute of your boat

What was the most beneficial, unexpected goodie/benefit/whatever you acquired with your boat?

For me, it was easy access between dock and boat. No steps, no hard-on-the-crotch maneuver, especially for one who has a balance deficiency. Just step over the gunwale, and if additional balance needed, grab a gunwale railing or one on the saloon roof.

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Old 10-29-2014, 11:36 PM   #2
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I'd probably have to say the way the boat handles. It's much easier to dock and do close quarter maneuvering than I expected. It also handles rough water better than I expected.

Other than that, it's just been a very comfortable boat to be on board.
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Old 10-29-2014, 11:41 PM   #3
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The smiles per hour factor for me. Throw the lines and let the fun commence
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Old 10-29-2014, 11:57 PM   #4
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For me, it's the ease of single-handing. Many individual features contribute to it...wide side decks, twin engines, stbd side door, responsive hull, double aft doors. All together, it adds up to a big positive.

On the negative side, it's a handful in a following sea.

Most unexpected favorite equipment - autopilot.
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Old 10-30-2014, 12:14 AM   #5
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The friggin owner's manual!!!!! No sh*t!!! I bet you didn't see that one coming! As much as people rag on Carvers, I went into this boat with low expectations....only to be pleasantly surprised. The engineering is at least understandable with very few(if any) "why-the-hell-did-they-do-this" moments. If the section in the manual is about electricity, then there is a surprisingly detailed wiring diagram. Fluids??? A detailed plumbing diagram. While there are numerous compromises in any small boat, I am surprised at how well thought out most of the systems are on this boat.
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Old 10-30-2014, 12:59 AM   #6
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Quote:
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What was the most beneficial, unexpected goodie/benefit/whatever you acquired with your boat?
For us it would have to be taking people out onto Douglas Channel who have never been out there before.

There's no ferry coming into Kitimat, so there are many people who have lived their whole lives here and never had the opportunity to have a personal connection with the channels spectacular scenery, to see Humpback Whales and other wildlife, or anchor in front of a waterfall and hike to the top of it.

That would have to be the most unexpected benefit so far.
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Old 10-30-2014, 05:15 AM   #7
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I was most surprised to learn how well my little boat can handle rough water. I've said before on this site that I've taken Sherpa through some nasty weather/seas, but she always handles like a champ. I've also been pleasantly surprised with her economy--simply amazing.
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Old 10-30-2014, 06:54 AM   #8
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I just luuurve the pilot door, right there beside the main helm. Just makes the whole journey so good, I usually have no need or desire to even use the upper helm.
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Old 10-30-2014, 07:02 AM   #9
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The smiles per hour factor for me. Throw the lines and let the fun commence

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Old 10-30-2014, 08:06 AM   #10
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What was the most beneficial, unexpected goodie/benefit/whatever you acquired with your boat?
A complete change in lifestyle. Rather than trailer a smaller boat to the boat ramp and spend a day or two on the water, we now have what amounts to a floating second home. Even if we're not cruising we will spend weekends on the boat socializing with slip neighbors.

When we do go out it's for a week, two weeks, a month or more. There's no way we would have spent more than a night or two on the trailer boat.
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Old 10-30-2014, 08:08 AM   #11
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The friggin owner's manual!!!!! ........
My Camano owners manual is very good as well. Apparently much of it was written by the early buyers and then edited and published by the manufacturer. There is a complete electrical schematic.
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Old 10-30-2014, 08:22 AM   #12
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I personally have not found one thing on my boat that couldn't be improved.
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Old 10-30-2014, 08:35 AM   #13
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That after 7 years we're haven't considered replacing Hobo and are now talking about the next 5-10 on her.
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Old 10-30-2014, 09:05 AM   #14
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I guess the most outstanding performance surprise would be how quietly and effortlessly straight the boat goes, even in side winds and following seas.
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Old 10-30-2014, 09:14 AM   #15
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The Olssen dinghy davit. BZZZZT lower the dinghy into the water, climb in, start the engine and unclip. Coming back: Clip, clip, stop the engine, climb out, BZZZZT, done.
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Old 10-30-2014, 10:48 AM   #16
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I thought I'd need more power and was very nervous about selecting a repower engine too small. Surprised to find my final selection (37hp) was not only adequate but about 7hp in excess of what was really needed. I could have done everything I've done w 7hp less. A surprise to be sure.

Thought 6 knots would be such a drag I'd want to sell in a few years. Rarely does the slow speed make me want a faster boat.

I thought Willy would be a very wet boat but pleasantly surprised to find her very dry. Probably has a lot to do w the 6 knot feature.


High Wire I'm envious of your davits but refuse to rent a bigger slip.
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Old 10-30-2014, 11:41 AM   #17
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High Wire I'm envious of your davits but refuse to rent a bigger slip.
Compared to dragging OBs on and off the dinghy on charters, unloading everything almost every time to tie it off on the swim platform, and risking re-injuring my back again, this way is pure hog heaven! Bow in leaves the dinghy available to explore while in the marina.
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Old 10-30-2014, 11:54 AM   #18
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Hey Hey I agree HW but I just can't afford it.
I guess I'm a poor man.
You're system is the best I've ever seen.
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Old 10-30-2014, 04:08 PM   #19
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For us, the list is really long, but some of the hightlights:

- generator for making coffee in the morning. Thought it was just a luxury, but has become a real convenience. On the sailboat we had to either plug into a buddy boat or fire up the alcohol stove to heat water for instant.

- A big one is having heat while underway in late fall/early spring. Never realized how handy a bus heater unit is. I don't understand why they are not installed on more boats. Nothing like going for a cruise in empty waters, 40s outside, in short sleves inside the pilot house, yet no need to run the generator.

- Specific to our Nordic Tug is the wiring and how everything is labled. Every wire is marked, every wire is run perfectly, every system is marked (filters, hoses, etc.). I've yet to see another boat that shows so much attention to detail (i know they are out there, just have not seen one personally).

- And given that our boat was purchased from the bank, getting the two huge binders that constitute the owners manual was a real surpise. They were not on the boat when we looked at it and did the sea trial, but the broker was able to secure them for us. Sections for every system and full schematics that are specific to our boat (including all the extras that came from the factory).

Finally, the amazing support we have received from the Nordic Tug factory.

I could go on, but these are some of the bigger surprises for us.
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Old 10-30-2014, 05:51 PM   #20
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Archie...don't bring that trawler to Cape May...that davit has my name all over it...
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