Haylands
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
- Messages
- 148
- Location
- England
- Vessel Name
- Barefoot Lady
- Vessel Make
- 1976 Hatteras 42LRC Mk1
Just got back from three weeks in Florida looking at boats, well actually only two weeks, we were going to head down the keys for some R+R for the last week but the weather was so awful we did a last minute reservation for 6 nights all inclusive down in the Caribbean, 85F and full sun for 6 days should get us through the rest of the UK winter... we saw loads of boats and chilled out for a while.... We also met up with a few folk from this great Forum, drank beer and ate food... We rented a 50ft boat for a week and tried out living aboard and although the boat was the smallest 50ft boat we saw and had little room anywhere, we really enjoyed it, It was just tied to a pier though......
We quickly ruled out a sailing Cat... too awkward to get round or on and off... so concentrated on Trawlers...
We have decided we would like a full displacement 50-60 ft twin diesel engined Trawler with a decent size cockpit and preferably stairs rather than ladders to get up and down with... Must have as many of these features as possible, seperate zone aircon, water maker, decent size genset, bow thruster, covered flybridge, decent davit, rigid, decent size tender, preferably galley up but some of the galley down designs weren't too bad. Aft, full width Master stateroom with good size head and shower, loose saloon furniture.
Hull speed would be around 9.5 to just over 10kn depending on size and that would be more than enough so smaller economical engines preferred over max power...
We prefer the more traditional designs over the modern swoopy lines...
We have set a purchase budget up to $300,000 but at that it would have to be a mint, turnkey boat and there aren't many of them around.... we would consider boats without all our requirements or in need of work at a lower price of course, I am capable of doing any work myself...
We are looking into chartering a boat for a week, probably in the BVI it will cost around $14,000 for a week which will have to come off the purchase budget so we are in two minds.... we've lived on one tied up for a week, been for rides in them, looked at loads.... do we really need to charter one to see if we like it.... can't see we won't if we haven't found any negatives so far.... trouble is we just don't know...????
So, should we or shouldn't we....???
Thought's, comments good or bad welcome....
Cheers....
We quickly ruled out a sailing Cat... too awkward to get round or on and off... so concentrated on Trawlers...
We have decided we would like a full displacement 50-60 ft twin diesel engined Trawler with a decent size cockpit and preferably stairs rather than ladders to get up and down with... Must have as many of these features as possible, seperate zone aircon, water maker, decent size genset, bow thruster, covered flybridge, decent davit, rigid, decent size tender, preferably galley up but some of the galley down designs weren't too bad. Aft, full width Master stateroom with good size head and shower, loose saloon furniture.
Hull speed would be around 9.5 to just over 10kn depending on size and that would be more than enough so smaller economical engines preferred over max power...
We prefer the more traditional designs over the modern swoopy lines...
We have set a purchase budget up to $300,000 but at that it would have to be a mint, turnkey boat and there aren't many of them around.... we would consider boats without all our requirements or in need of work at a lower price of course, I am capable of doing any work myself...
We are looking into chartering a boat for a week, probably in the BVI it will cost around $14,000 for a week which will have to come off the purchase budget so we are in two minds.... we've lived on one tied up for a week, been for rides in them, looked at loads.... do we really need to charter one to see if we like it.... can't see we won't if we haven't found any negatives so far.... trouble is we just don't know...????
So, should we or shouldn't we....???
Thought's, comments good or bad welcome....
Cheers....
