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Soundwiz

Soundwiz

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2012
Messages
53
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Spanish Moon
Vessel Make
Roughwater 44' Pilot House
After 3 years of searching yachtworld, and other sites I have finally pulled the trigger. As long as the survey comes out ok. I will be the proud new owner of a 44' pilot house trawler. needless to say I am excited, and anxious about the purchase. excited because it is phase one of my retirement dream. Anxious because I know very little about handling, navigating, or operating a boat of this size.
I bought it because structually and mechanically it is a very sound boat. The 185hp tubo Perkins runs like a sewing machine and has enough power to get me out of trouble if I need it. It has a skeg hung rudder, and a vetus bow thruster that should help with handling in tight spots. It has a Rymarine C-120 chart plotter. That I know nothing about, but I'm hoping that it will interface to a radar unit without having to buy another display.
I'm wondering if a 8.5 ft RIB would be a good size for a dinghy? How much rope and what type do i need for docking and tying off to Bouys etc. how many fenders, and what size and shape am I going to need to navigate the locks and, tie up in slips?
These are just some of the things That I know that I don't know. I'm sure that time will reveal a plethora of others.
Any help or suggestions would be welcome. As I want to avoid becoming a hazard to myself or to others. Also would appreciate suggestions on reading material that would help get me up to speed.
Thanks
David"Dopp"Colvin
"Soundwiz"
 
Welcome,
A Power Squadron course would be a good start.
 
Where is the boat there may be some forum members nearby who could give you some pointers.
Congratulations,
Steve W
 
The boat is in Pensacola at the naval air station marina. It will be there till march when I plan on moving it to the Demopolis yacht basin for paint & maintenance.
 
bluebyu said:
Welcome,
A Power Squadron course would be a good start.
Click to expand...

You are not the only person who has mentioned the power squadron. Is it a hands on course ?
 
Since your new boat is at a military marina I assume you are retired or active. In either event thank you for your service.

There are a couple of good yards in Mobile, just a suggestion. Nothing wrong with your choice further up the river.

A nice Roughwater 40 blog currently on the great loop - Sweetgrass - is a great site. I don’t know how different the RW 40 and 44 are so it may or may not interest you.

Congrats on your new boat, fair winds and following seas.

Mike
DeFever 40
 
I chose the Demopolis marina primarily because they didn't have any objections to me doing a lot of the prep for the painting myself. It was my understanding that while the mobile yards were good they were also a lot more expensive, if you are from thy area and know of a good yard I would consider it. The boat needs paint & varnish from the waterline up. It had a bottom job 2011 and I am hoping that is still good. But won't know till the survey mid December.
Thanks for your reply
David Colvin
 
David,
Congratulations on the new boat. The Power Squadron course is a good start. I would also suggest and your insurance may require you to be trained by a competent captain. The training that we paid for when we moved to a bigger boat was a good investment. It shortened the learning curve considerably. I would also suggest finding a mechanic that would be willing to train you on the basic systems of the boat. I generally like to learn things on my own, but a larger boat is a big project. Good luck, have fun and be safe.
Lyle
 
Congrats on the leap from the lions head. For sure, you'll have doubts that you did the right thing from time to time, but there's no better way to learn the craft than with your own vessel. Just accept that you'll always be fixing something, and there will always be a list of to-do projects. It's the life.
 
No, I am not from the area although I have traveled thru there many times. Never investigated yard policy regarding do it yourself but I have a friend who painted his boat with tip and roll at Turner Marine, or maybe it was Dog River Marine? Sigh, can’t remember. I only mentioned the Mobile area since you are from Austin, and I thought you might be unfamiliar with the area.

Several friends have been to Demopolis marina in the last few weeks, and speak highly about the new addition. Good choice.

Mike
DeFever 40
 
Congratulations!
I am a couple of months ahead of you on purchasing. Although mine is a 36 footer, you might find this thead usefull.
http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/fender-selection-help-7541.html

I asked about docking lines on the Great Loop sitE and found this answer useful. If you are staying at your dock most of the time, this may be overkill.
"ArchÂ… good morningÂ… We routinely carry: 4 bow lines, 4 stern lines, 4 spring lines, and 3 spares. Bow and stern are a min of 25 ft, spring lines are approx 1.5 times the length of the boat. We also carry two 125 ft lines and a tow line approx 100ft long. We can use the 125 ft lines as a spare anchor line if needed as we carry approx two 20 ft lengths of spare anchor chain and two spare anchors - one smaller anchor we use to steady the stern when anchored in a river and one storm anchor."

Have fun,

Arch
 
Last edited:
Thanks Arch,

Great link just what I was looking for.
 
David, here is a link to the USPS courses. I am going to recommend that you go much farther than the public boating course. It is pretty basic. I recommend that you join the organization for their advanced courses. They are superb. If you will go at least through Advanced Piloting you will have everything you need for coast wise piloting anywhere.

Welcome and congrats on choosing a very capable boat.

http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/public_ed.htm
 
Last edited:
Moonstruck thanks for tip on taking the advanced course. I can't seem to find the link.
Could you please repost it.
And thanks for the vote of confidence on my choice of boat. It was a decision I struggled with.
David Colvin
 
Moonstruck said:
David, here is a link to the USPS courses. I am going to recommend that you go much farther than the public boating course. It is pretty basic. I recommend that you join the organization for their advanced courses. They are superb. If you will go at least through Advanced Piloting you will have everything you need for coast wise piloting anywhere.

Welcome and congrats on choosing a very capable boat.

http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/public_ed.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks Moonstruck I got it now
 
44 feet?

I was feeling overwhelmed having recently purchased a 30 footer. I feel much better now ;)
 
Me too.

"Hi Mark,

Your boat will be finished at the end of this week and I will schedule the shipping with Bekins/Home Direct. Please send your final balance of..."
 
Soundwiz said:
After 3 years of searching yachtworld, and other sites I have finally pulled the trigger. As long as the survey comes out ok. I will be the proud new owner of a 44' pilot house trawler. needless to say I am excited, and anxious about the purchase. excited because it is phase one of my retirement dream. Anxious because I know very little about handling, navigating, or operating a boat of this size.
I bought it because structually and mechanically it is a very sound boat. The 185hp tubo Perkins runs like a sewing machine and has enough power to get me out of trouble if I need it. It has a skeg hung rudder, and a vetus bow thruster that should help with handling in tight spots. It has a Rymarine C-120 chart plotter. That I know nothing about, but I'm hoping that it will interface to a radar unit without having to buy another display.
I'm wondering if a 8.5 ft RIB would be a good size for a dinghy? How much rope and what type do i need for docking and tying off to Bouys etc. how many fenders, and what size and shape am I going to need to navigate the locks and, tie up in slips?
These are just some of the things That I know that I don't know. I'm sure that time will reveal a plethora of others.
Any help or suggestions would be welcome. As I want to avoid becoming a hazard to myself or to others. Also would appreciate suggestions on reading material that would help get me up to speed.
Thanks
David"Dopp"Colvin
"Soundwiz"
Click to expand...

Hey David,
Yes the C-120 will support the radar. As to lines and fenders the standard needs on a 44 are two long (25') and four short (15") as a minimum. Fenders, four should do plus two fender boards. We'll find out at survey just what is already onboard though. With regards to the RIB it really is going to depend on how often and how many guests you will be transporting You didn't mention to all my fine peeps here what excellent broker has assisted you in your search :)
 
Last edited:
Although there has been disagreement in the past I too suggest joining the Power Squadron. You will not learn everything here but what I found is it will put you in touch with many people who have lots of years experience and cut down on the learning curve. Many of the instructors have been around and with similar size vessels.

Getting an instructor for the boat handling also is a good idea.

Same for the mechanic. Ask around BEFORE you need him. Getting a mechanic to show you how to do basics and bleed the fuel system and change filters is always good. You do not want to learn how to bleed the injection system when shut down with no idea of how to. I've seen that happen. DOn't do that. You can also figure out if you need some odd tool or which buckets and supplies are required and avoid a big mess.

Have fun with the new boat and congratulations.
 
Thanks for the reply,
As an entertainer coach driver I operate a 45 ft Prevost bus. Many of the systems on the coach are adapted from marine systems.
Although the series 60 diesel, and the 18kw Kubota
Genset are a bit larger than the engines on board
I have been dealing with and diagnosing problems
With Diesel engines for the past decade.
I have checked into the power squadron courses and as soon
As the survey is done and the paperwork signed
I have every intention of signing up for a course.

Thanks
David"Dopp"Colvin
 
Last edited:
Sounds like he had the same fine broker I did while selling my TD Vinnett. Larry
 
Thank you Larry. Maybe you should post the pics of the changes to Nodrog?
 
In addition to the USPS, Strongly suggest you take some on the water training from a training captain. Chapman's and SeaSense in Florida have some great programs, and you can often hire one of their trainers to come help you learn and pilot your own boat. Just because someone s an experienced captain doesn't mean they are a good teacher, far from it.

Judging from your questions you need intensive training, not just for safety (urgent) but to make cruising fun and fulfill your dreams. Welcome to the life!
 
Well the papers are signed, the wire has been sent, the boat is mine.
I should thank Mark Bowerman, for researching the boats I had chosen and giving me his honest opinion and insight into each one.he was incredibly patient, putting up with my calls even when sitting at anchor off the coast of Maine. In the end he helped-in negotiations with the sellers broker to get me a good deal on a great boat.
Thanks Mark
 
Congrats on the new boat!

I must say that I am genuinely pleased that the advice I've been seeing in this thread is so very correct. As a marine insurance broker, the kiss of death for a new owner is lack of experience, both ownership and operational.

In lieu of an insurer flat out refusing to write this type of owner, the remedy has been to obtain training onboard your vessel by a USCG rated master. The required hours of instruction vary, but the goal is to bring you to a basic level of operational competency on your new boat.

As said earlier, the USPS, USCG Aux, and other classroom based instruction is valuable- but pales to helm time and real world experience.

Again, congrats on your new acquisition! Now the real work begins :)
 
Congrats and welcome aboard, from now one your life will start :)

Sergio "Alemao" Sztancsa, Sent from my iPhone using Trawler
 
Sceptic said:
Since your new boat is at a military marina I assume you are retired or active. In either event thank you for your service.

There are a couple of good yards in Mobile, just a suggestion. Nothing wrong with your choice further up the river.

A nice Roughwater 40 blog currently on the great loop - Sweetgrass - is a great site. I don’t know how different the RW 40 and 44 are so it may or may not interest you.

Congrats on your new boat, fair winds and following seas.

Mike
DeFever 40
Click to expand...
Hey mike I looked at the blog their boat is actually a 41', my boat is based on that design the only difference being 3' more space in the cockpit and lazarrette. My 44' is the only one ever made at the factory with that mod. It should please you all to know that With the help of a course I plotted in polar Navy, on my laptop, and the real time input from the C-120 MFD I successfully navigated from the NAS Marina to pelican point marina for the haul out, & Sea Trials.
Dopp
 
Last edited:
Pau Hana said:
Congrats on the new boat!

I must say that I am genuinely pleased that the advice I've been seeing in this thread is so very correct. As a marine insurance broker, the kiss of death for a new owner is lack of experience, both ownership and operational.

In lieu of an insurer flat out refusing to write this type of owner, the remedy has been to obtain training onboard your vessel by a USCG rated master. The required hours of instruction vary, but the goal is to bring you to a basic level of operational competency on your new boat.

As said earlier, the USPS, USCG Aux, and other classroom based instruction is valuable- but pales to helm time and real world experience.

Again, congrats on your new acquisition! Now the real work begins :)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately many great captains are lousy instructors. Tough to find the right combo..but great when it happens.
 
I keep my boat (Marine Trader 44) at Lulu's Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores, AL, not far from Pensacola. I've used Nelson's Boat Yard in Bon Secour, AL for many years. They allow you to do as much of your own work as you want and their rates area reasonable. Not a fancy boatyard, but they've been around since Christ was a Corporal, so they must be doing something right. In addition to the Power Squadron Course, I would recommend you get a recent copy of Chapman's Piloting, Small Boat Handling and Seamanship. It's a huge tome, but what isn't in there you don't need to know anyway. And if you could use some personal instruction from an old retired Merchant Mariner, I am available and nearby. Best of luck amigo!
 
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