New member with a question

[pedvic]

Hi there
I just signed up. We sold our last boat, a Bayliner 32 and are looking for a replacement. We are in Victoria, Canada and do our boating in the BC Gulf Islands and the US San Juans.

We are leaning towards something in the 35 foot range, preferably single engine with thrusters. Tugs look good, and Mainships.

One question, I was told by an owner that the Mainship 34 doesn't track well and needs constant attention to the steering. Any comments?

Peter
Boatless in Victoria

 

[Gdavid]

Welcome.


Which Mainship 34 are you referring to?, the old ones (70's & 80's) or newer ones. I can tell you the old ones track poorly and an auto helm makes them much more pleasant to run. I have no idea about the newer ones.

 

[pedvic]

I think the one referred to by the owner was around 2000. We are looking at later ones, 2006-2008.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Welcome aboard eh? So you sold your 32' and are looking for a 34'? I'm confused...

 

[pedvic]

The boat I sold was a Bayliner

 

[mbevins]

The boat I sold was a Bayliner

Welcome..
So , what's wrong with that?

 

[DavidM]

One question, I was told by an owner that the Mainship 34 doesn't track well and needs constant attention to the steering. Any comments?

Peter
Boatless in Victoria

See my comment under your post for the 2007 Mainship 34.

It is a little worse in a following sea than other boats of its size due to the wide beam and transom. With a standard autopilot it will S turn 20-30 degrees right and left with a 4' following sea. I installed a gyro upgrade to the Raymarine autopilot and it smoothed it down nicely 5-10 degrees right and left, well starboard and port, right?

If you hand steer, you won't even notice it, because this is one case where the eye, the gut and the hand all work together to compensate for the S-turns and you really don't notice it. But who hand steers?

With the seas forward of the beam, the problem disappears.

David