Quote:
Originally Posted by O C Diver
Best cruising in the USA is in SW Fl. Far better than PNW  at least during the winter.
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While I always support comments extolling the virtues of somewhere other than the PNW in the hopes it will encourage people, particularly boaters, not to come here, I am always baffled by the moth-to-a-flame attraction of Florida. I've been there a few times (for work, not by choice) and my four lasting impressions are it's terribly hot, terribly humid, totally flat, and always on fire.
Our boat in the PNW is a Grand Banks 36 Classic, which is what American Marine called the tri-cabin. Having two staterooms separated by a main cabin is a great arrangement particularly if one has guests or kids aboard.
But.... a Grand Banks Europa is an equally great arrangement. It's primary advantage is that it offers covered side and aft decks. Up here this is great because the covered aft deck provides a way to be outside without being outside. It's not uncommon to see the aft deck on a Europa-style boat up here enclosed with clear curtains that can be opened or closed. This makes that space usable even in our 24/7/365 rain/wind/fog/volcanic ash environment.
I would think the covered aft deck would be very advantageous in hot climates as well, providing a covered outdoor space out of the sun.
The downside of the GB36 Europa is that with a small handful of examples that crammed a tiny second stateroom in with the V-berth up forward, guests or kids have to sleep on a convertible berth in the main cabin. So it has to be made up every night and then taken down every morning.
In the larger GBs--- 42' on up-- they can be had with two decent size staterooms up forward although often only one head. An advantage of the Classic is that the forward and aft staterooms each have their own head and (usually) shower.
Anyway, both configurations have their advantages and they're all excellent boats.
If you wanted to charter in this area I could provide the name of a couple of good companies. But since you need to charter down in Florida I can't suggest anyone.
I can, however offer my sympathy for the fact that you have to do your charter in a place where the highest object is the fellow standing on shore looking for a high object.