time to relax and cruise

The time has arrived to start the next phase of life.

To old to run the yacht (sail), now, its 55ft cruiser.

options

Trawler style.

requirment:

Steel. Because I want.
65-75ft
full displacement.
cruise speed 9-10 knots.
range 4000+
twin engine I think.

run with limited (none) crew, but with capacity for crew on long hall runs.

narrowed down to:
1: Watson 72
Watson 72

2: Allegro 24
ALLEGRO 24

3: Bering.

love the Watson but 3m draft hmmmmmm not so sure.
Could wel be a very limiting factor.

2 year build time.

then
6 month coastal cruise shake down (east coast Australia inc Tas. then off around the world for a few years.

fly back to Aust every 3-4 months (keeps the Admiral happy)

so looking forward to this.

Michael.

Wow! when I die I want to come back as you.. good luck
John
MS390

The Watson 72 has always been my fantasy other women

Great that your time has arrived. Curious why you are sold on steel since your list of requirements do not dictate a steel boat. Have you looked at Bering Steel Boats? If not I would suggest you call Scott at Waterline Boats. He recently visited Hull #1 of the 55' and was very impressed.

John T.

John,

Bering is my 3rd option,

steel because Im in steel construction/was.

Only thing Im woried about is the 3m draft of the watson, one has to port occaisionaly ADMIRAL must be kept happy.

Michael.

Michael,
Mate go the Watson an absolutely beautiful boat and incredibly very well built.
Big Bud is for sale in Mooloolaba and you couldn't go past her.
Decent size tender for going ashore if you have to anchor out due to draft.

Do you want to buy or build?

Cheers
Benn

build was the preference,

Just worried about the draft of the Watson 3m is huge, brilliant for passage making. may have issues on making port maybe not sure.

Building would be good.
Talk with the Watson Bros and see about reducing the draft.
I could envisage a 72 with an 8L3B Gardner as main propulsion power or a pair of 8LXBs. fantastic fuel consumption coupled with engineering simplicity.
Twin screw would assist in draft reduction.
I have had a very good look over the Watson 48 and Big Bud and really think one could not go past them for absolute best in industry.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Cheers
Benn

johnma said:

Wow! when I die I want to come back as you.. good luck
John
MS390

Click to expand...

My sentiments also. Hey, why not the Watson 60. Less draft and almost as big…sort of...I mean…what's a few extra feet between friends..?

The Watson fo sho! Do you need a bait boy?

I drool every time I look at a picture of a Watson.

Another option you could add to your list would be a Diesel Duck 74. I'm sure Seahorse would gladly build you hull #1. It probably isn't in the same category as the other boats on your list, but it will probably cost much less. See link below.

SEAHORSE MARINE

Still deciding on builder. boat has increased in lth.
Watson 79
Overing 25.5

gives cruise speed of 10 knots full speed of 13-14

must be capable of going Australia to Antarctica and back (cruise range)

Decisions to Date:

Engines: Twin cats.
Fixed props.

twin disc transmissions.

gen set s on each engine
2 stand alone gen sets. (northern light)

hydraulics: On each engine.
Thrusters (trac), Stabilizers (trac), anchor winch (Muir)
Davit Australian marine crane CT 4500

Furuno electronics.

Radios: Icom
Kobelt: steering.

Fuel polishing: AXI
Fuel monitoring: Flow scan

Desal:
FCI 1 MaxQ 1800
FCI 1 Aquamiser plus 600

Power Management system Selco ?


Michael

Michael,
Selco systems I can go with. Have had a lot of experience with them on tugs and smaller Tenders and anchor handlers.

Which CATs , going south like that I would be looking at the electronic side of them very closely.
Maybe you are very competent and can run their computer system. We run it but it is expensive and a pretty comprehensive course.
Just my 2 cent worth
Looking good so far.
Cheers
Benn

Benn,
yes I understand the engine dilemma.

I would still love the Gardners but both builders seem keen to go modern.
(Watson will do it, needs a bulk head moved about 450-600 mm to fit them)
one can acquire all the gear to keep them happy while out in the back blocks.

where as the Gs can be worked on by almost anyone any where.

more discussions may be needed.

although I am confident the cats will be fine.

65-75ft
full displacement.
cruise speed 9-10 knots.

A 65 ft boat with a 64 ft LWL will cruise very cheaply at 8K or so.

That extra 2K for a 10K cruise could easily double or triple the fuel burn.

Boat Builders are stuck with all sorts of rules from the air police , world wide, so modern UGH!!! electric injection is usually required.

TO use antique engines a scrapped boat of a similar size needs to be paper purchased and >rebuilt<.