Thoughts makes/models for a family

[alormaria]

My wife and I have enjoyed our 34 Marine Trader DC for 20 years. Our daughter was 4 when we purchased the MT. It is a very kid friendly layout and not too hard on the budget. College comes up faster than you realize.

[bshillam]

I called Bellingham harbor master today and they advised me anything over 35' from bow to swim step would have a very long wait. Openings right now in their 33' slip which would accommodate up to a 35'. So there goes if I want longer I'll have to buy in. Otherwise anything 35' or shorter.

[Scout]

Yes, Squalicum Harbor is tough to get into if you want anything bigger than a 33' slip (and those are getting filled). One option, if you are set on getting a bigger boat, is to sublet a slip, but that puts you in danger of being without a slip if/when the sublease ends. Another option is to moor the boat at Blaine, which usually has bigger slips available. One good thing about this option is that you get priority for any slips that come open at Squalicum -- could save you a year or two of wait time.

Of course, you could just buy a nice Nordic Tug 32 and put it in a 33' slip!

[bshillam]

Love to, I have always been attracted to the tugs, love the layout and saltiness. However they blow my budget. I found one in MD at a killer dealer but it sold prior to viewing. I am keeping an eye though. If you know of any around or under the 100k maybe?

[Northern Spy]

There has been a NT 32 for sale in Victoria around that price point. It was for sale at a higher value last year. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Edit: Here it is.

[CPseudonym]

Originally Posted by bshillam

I called Bellingham harbor master today and they advised me anything over 35' from bow to swim step would have a very long wait. Openings right now in their 33' slip which would accommodate up to a 35'. So there goes if I want longer I'll have to buy in. Otherwise anything 35' or shorter.

A word of caution that you may already be aware of, boats are measured by marketing departments not tape measures. Pulpits and swim platforms sometimes are and often times not counted in the LOA listed in the advertisements, so if you are close to max slip length field verify the total length. Some marinas allow bow pulpits to overhang the front of the berth while others do not.

What I mean is that the measurements are not always intuitive. For example, my boat is an Owens 27 that measures 29' as per the tape measure. It completely fills a 30' covered slip. FlyWright of this forum has a Californian 34, it measures 39' LOA and completely fills a 40' covered slip.

It is something that is real important to be mindful of and is easy to screw up with the marina situation described above.

[Scout]

That's a nice looking tug posted by Northern Spy, and at today's exchange rate, even cheaper than 100k. And an easy cruise from Victoria.

You are probably looking at about 35-36 feet LOA for the Nordic (we almost bought one before we found our GB). The 33' slips at Squalicum are next to the breakwater so there are no boats behind you. Several boats extend behond their slips, including another 32 GB. I don't think you would have trouble fitting most any 30-32' boat into the 33' slips at Squalicum.

[Max Simmons]

Just a thought, but have you looked at any Bayliner 32's? There are a lot out there at the 50k mark that are loaded.

[bshillam]

I looked at a 3288 and thought a later built 3388 might be a good fit too. I like the idea of one engine, lots are two engine higher hp than I need or possibly want. Economy is goingto be very important. I'll keep an open mind though, I'd really like to talk to Bayliner owners or current owners of some of the trawlers I am looking at to get some details straight. Trawlers are new to my family. I have owned and built much smaller and less complicated boats. If anyone wants to give me words of wisdom or discuss their make/model my number is 503-781-9967.
I really do like the mainship/trawler (390) look, as well the Nordics!

[Pau Hana]

Log onto the Bayliners Owners Club for info on the 32xx vessels.

http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/forum.php

[FF]

Economy a must. We use our boats when we have them. I don't want to think that ever time I want to enjoy the boat for a few hours that I have to spend a large sum of money to do so. Diesel.

If you will be enjoying the boat for hours , not long distance 24/7 cruised DIESEL is the wrong answer as far as economy.

Diesel is required for thousands of hours a year , but hardly for 100 or 200 as most boats do per year.

Look at the cost difference in purchase , cost of PM , cost of a repair , or cost GASP!! of a replacement engine and gas wins every time.

SPEED costs big bucks , trawler crawling is fuel efficient , regardless of the fuel.

[bshillam]

Agreed. My wife and I enjoy boating and require a lot of our boat. From a week day trip just to the bay for some crabbing, weekends away, to weeks away from home. In the summer we're looking at almost two months at a time. This next year 2014 I'd like to do the inner coastal.

[rjtrane]

How about a Grand Banks 32'? Handsome. Sedan layout with saloon opening to aft deck. Single screw.

Five are on Yacht World in the PNW in your budget.

[TedB_BC]

How about my Tollycraft 30 Sedan with 12' beam and twin 150 hp Hino diesels. 2.5 to 3 gph at 7 - 8 knots (1,300 rpm).

[bshillam]

Great use of space on the Tolly, buy want just a bit more room. More of a traditional layout with a lower and upper helm is a must. I am looking into the GB 32 but I hesitate on the teak decks knowing most of the vintage I am looking at they may and probably need attention.

[Scout]

Actually, there are many older GB32s with acceptable teak decks (decks that do not leak). Of course, due diligence iis in order. There is a 1973 GB36 at Squalicum with good teak decks. The key is upkeep. Most of the upkeep is replacing bungs when needed (not a tough job) and every so often redoing some of the sealant (again not a tough job). Other than that just let them weather without rough scrubbing or sanding.

Note that I'm biased toward the GBs!

[Giggitoni]

Folks usually shy away from the thought of teak decks. The best teak deck is one that is ignored with the exception of seams and bung maintenance. Both chores are easy and actually enjoyable with a beer in one hand. Just one of those marine myths, I suppose. Where teak decks become a hassle is when the owner requires a honey color and detests natural gray. I have learned to love gray!

[markpierce]

Proper all-around-the-boat railings are critical for peace-of-mind when there are children aboard.



As well as for the master.

[bshillam]

Agreed,
It's just reading the horror stories about the teak decks and how previous owners have not up kept them. I am not looking to purchase a new boat and having the added expense of ripping out a bad deck or re doing it to glass because of a lack of maintenance.
The wife and I really do like the Island Gypsys and GB 32. We really want the Swiss Army Knife of the boating life there in Bellingham, day, night, weekend and cruiser for vacations. With one child and the two of us it seems to be a good pick. Something in that size range. I'd be open to anything though up to 35/36ish but would want to make sure the marina there in Bellingham can take us. I don't want to end up on a waiting list for years and have to travel up to Blaine. It just doesn't sound like as much fun when Bellingham marina will only be about ten minutes from our new home. My wife could call in the afternoon and ask for crab and my son and I could head out soak some pots and be back for a dockside boil.
So we have scaled back a bit, started looking at a bit smaller boat and have decided a solid 32 to 36ish would fit the family well!

[CPseudonym]

Originally Posted by bshillam

We really want the Swiss Army Knife

You should look at a Prairie 29. It's on the very short list of boats we would consider replacing our Owens with. A whole lot of boat in a compact package. John Baker of this forum lived on one for a while quite comfortably.