Ever wish the boat was smaller?

woodsea · 03-02-2014, 06:58 PM

I am looking for input. Do you ever wish you had bought a smaller boat? Do you ever wish for a less complex boat? My wife prefers smaller. We have 2 adult children and expect grandkids in the future. She is concerned about slip availability. She is concerned about the ability to maneuver in marinas and get into out of the way anchorages. Our last boat was a 30' twin engine. We have chartered a Bayliner 4788, a 48' Californian and a bunch of sailboats (various sizes) with no problems at all. We initially plan to use the boat on the west coast and PNW for 4-5 years then possibly truck it to the great loop for a multi year adventure there. I am kind of a buy and hold guy. I like to buy something nice and take care of it in a pride of ownership way. We have done a fair amount of looking at different boats, styles and sizes. We have kind of settled on a Bayliner 45/47 layout (my preference and truckable) or "Europa" type layout like a Mainship 40 (her preference because of smaller size, also truckable but more complicated) She really likes the Nordic Tug 37 with flybridge but its too pricey and I think it is too small. We both want a boat that will run well at trawler speeds but have the ability to pick up speed if need be. Care to share your thoughts?

N4712 · 03-02-2014, 07:11 PM

No, not ever. a boat may seem complex dorm the beginning but the key is to spend time digging and playing with all the various systems to get a feel and idea what they do. N4712 seemed complex from the start but after messing with the various systems and digging through wire and just studying everything I could tell you where every hose/wire/conduit/etc goes and connects to. It's just a matter of time. IMHO. BTW Welcome aboard!

RT Firefly · 03-02-2014, 07:14 PM

Greetings,
Welcome aboard.

Nomad Willy · 03-02-2014, 07:19 PM

Sure ...

Every time I pay my moorage.

psneeld · 03-02-2014, 08:08 PM

I'm sure I could get there...but on my budgets...never. Each and every liveaboard could have been a few feet longer or have a few upgrades to pretty old systems.

Then again...my thoughts have been always buy smaller less complex than you think you need...except if you liveaboard or are retired and really planning on using the boat.

ksanders · 03-02-2014, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsea

We have done a fair amount of looking at different boats, styles and sizes. We have kind of settled on a Bayliner 45/47 layout (my preference and truckable) or "Europa" type layout like a Mainship 40 (her preference because of smaller size, also truckable but more complicated) She really likes the Nordic Tug 37 with flybridge but its too pricey and I think it is too small. We both want a boat that will run well at trawler speeds but have the ability to pick up speed if need be. Care to share your thoughts?

Yes, the Bayliner 47 is a fantastic boat for what you are planning, but I'm biased.

I am in the exact same situation. I bought my 4788 to cruise, and have outfitted it for independant operation.

It is not the perfect boat for anything. but it is very good at almost everything you could ask of a coastal cruiser.

bligh · 03-02-2014, 09:29 PM

Only at the fuel dock!

N4712 · 03-02-2014, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bligh

Only at the fuel dock!

That's why you get a "Trawler".

markpierce · 03-02-2014, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N4712

That's why you get a "Trawler".

At six knots, one can get something like 4 miles per gallon ("your mileage may vary").

N4712 · 03-02-2014, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

At six knots, one can get something like 4 miles per gallon ("your mileage may vary").

Yes, we get 3NMPG at 6 1/4 kts, if memory serves.

Tidahapah · 03-03-2014, 01:16 AM

The only times I have ever thought that it would be nice if it was smaller is when I am anti fouling the bottom.
As soon as I am back at sea and 100 mile off the coast I some times wish it was bigger but never smaller.
all in all I am very happy with the boat I have.
cheers
Benn

BandB · 03-03-2014, 02:13 AM

To answer the OP, no, we never do. But that really has no benefit to you as we all use boats differently and have different likes and dislikes.

Larger is more comfortable. Generally more sea worthy

However, larger may use more fuel and will definitely be more expensive to dock. You mentioned shipping and obviously the larger would be more expensive to transport.

As to handling. I don't really think within the range of sizes you're considering it's a major consideration. Docking isn't much different. Yes the smaller size will fit more places but in docking it may actually be easier as it's not blown as quickly or harshly.

But it's your intended use, and what you're comfortable with. If we only used the boat a few times a year, never stayed on it, used it on lakes or protected waters, we'd go smaller.

At the other extreme if we were going to live aboard and cruise heavily we'd go larger.

As you look think of what you like about each boat, but also think about what you don't like and what things could be deal breakers. For one person twin engines or single engines might kill the deal, for another it might be the size of the galley or whether it's up or down. For us, if we were going to cruise and spend nights, a flybridge is essential on our list as it increases the usable space and the outdoors. It's like adding 10 or 15' because that's what you're doing. But if you face height clearance issues, then that's a problem. For the loop make sure it comes in under 19'1".

Actually your list of negatives, of deal killers will help to narrow things considerably.

We cruise a lot, spend a lot of time on a boat, and we want space. But that isn't you. You have to decide the keys to you.

Tony B · 03-03-2014, 07:07 AM

Is that anything like wishing my privates were smaller?

hollywood8118 · 03-03-2014, 07:21 AM

nope!

HOLLYWOOD

rwidman · 03-03-2014, 07:41 AM

No, not smaller. Not a lot bigger either, but who doesn't wish they had a foot more here and a foot more there?

Any boat is a compromise. Find what works for you.

woodsea · 03-03-2014, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the input! Part of her trepidation comes from some feedback we got at an AGLCA rendezvous we attended. Two people told her to get the smallest boat that she could be comfortable on. They felt that a 45-50' boat would limit where you could go/stay. One of her other points is guests are only on the boat 10-20% of the time. During those times we can just make other arrangements like stay in a marina with a hotel close by. That seems awe fully limiting to me.

Phil Fill · 03-03-2014, 10:01 AM

As a live aboard no as it has all the comforts of a land home. Away from the dock again no, as it has the displacement, stability, tanks and range for any type of cruising we might do. Arriving and departing form the dock, - some times as docking a 58 ft and 40+ tons can be daunting and a hell of a pucker factor. Finding moorage and cost, yes as slips for a 60 ft are limited and costly. So over all NO.

Most winters require one to two weeks with no water, sanitation and some time days with no power. The Eagle has 400 gallons of water, 50 gallon sanitation tank, two gen sets, a Webasto diesel boiler heating with 600 gallons of fuel. So we can be self sustaining for maybe up to one month down to 0 F with the marina frozen solid.

sunchaser · 03-03-2014, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsea

Do you ever wish you had bought a smaller boat?

No, never. What a silly thought. Now faster, that is a different question.

Tony B · 03-03-2014, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsea

..... people told her to get the smallest boat that she could be comfortable on. They felt that a 45-50' boat would limit where you could go/stay. ...guests are only on the boat 10-20% of the time......

Add to that the fact that slip fees and haul-outs are by the foot. I assume that money is not an issue or you wouldn't be looking for a 45-50' boat. So, lets get past here and look at why you should get what you think you need.

If you are going to do a lot of boating especially over-nighters, then generally bigger is better. I was originally was looking at 42-44 footers. Every time we looked at one, I would ask the admiral if you would like driving it she would reluctantly say "yes, no problem". Then we remembered looking at a 36 footer once and she kept bringing it up. I finally realized that she was intimidated by the larger boats. So, we bought a 36 footer. It would have been nicer to get a larger boat but the 36 is fine for our needs. So far we have come almost 600 miles form our origin in a really bad winter and all is still good. So in my particular case it worked out great which does not mean it would for you.

Buying a boat is a major ordeal. Both parties have to be happy with it. Since you have already chartered larger boats, your decision making should be easier because you have both experienced them. I am just relating my particular experience which is relevant to only me and the admiral. Your decision should be made by both of you and don't put too much into the advise of others. Unless you know some of these people really well, you might be taking advise from dock queens or from those that cant afford bigger. Listen to all, but go with your own instincts.

Nomad Willy · 03-03-2014, 10:41 AM

I was shopping for a little bigger boat a while back but now that I'm not in the land of cheap federally provided moorage I'll just keep my little 30' boat. Even though I do like long and narrow now I'd rather my 10.5' wide Willard was 12' wide. But Willy isn't really narrow as is.

Relative to size I'd like to have the wide body Willard ... the Voyager. Look how much space is lost (pics) w those side decks.

Another thought is that if I had a boat that was 100% OK being left out on the weather I could get a 36'. There was a 36' boat both Chris and I really liked.