Where to start??????????

[firehoser75]

Welcome to the forum.
I agree totally with Bacchus.

"Write down...
Your anticipated cruising style
Your Musts, Wants & Dont Wants
Have your First Mate, Admiral, SO do the same (separately) then, compare, compromise ( do it her way!) and combine the lists.
Look at as many boats as possible and talk to as many owners as possible about their style, what works well for them and what they would do differently if doing it over.
Make the search fun vs a chore!"
First though, carefully think through how you plan to actually use the boat (as many aspects of that as you can come up). Things like, guests (often, rarely, or never). Anchoring out (or mooring balls), or marina to marina. Short trips, or long extended trips (sounds like this one is easy for you), etc. Protected waters watching carefully for weather windows, or a bit more open water travel (like west coast of Vancouver Island). Size - how small can you live with and be comfortable with?
Training and/or experience is important. You will enjoy boating more if you have confidence in your abilities and knowledge, but also, you may find it hard to even get insurance if your boating "resume" does not match the type and size of boat you buy. Once you narrow your search a bit, chartering a favourite on your list will give you a good idea as to actual use!
This is a process, and time taken early in the process to help you target your "best" boat, will pay off later by improving your chances of "getting it right". A lot of people don't do this and often end up paying a price by having a boat that does not meet their wants and needs.
Good luck.

[Boulton20]

Well we kicked some tires yesterday, learned a lot! 40' minimum, but bigger would be nicer. A cockpit for fishing, crabbing and other outdoor activities, would be nice. Would hate to make a mess of the interior over a salmon. Again thanks for the imput. How do I private message on this forum?

[OldDan1943]

You are within a reasonable distance to American Tug. Call and make an appt to view the 36 and the 43.
They are semi-displacement hulls. Not much fuel burn at 8knts (hull speed is about 7.5k knots) but wise to remain close to that speed, for fuel economy. (true for all boats.)
The 34 (now called a 36) rang all my bells so I found a good used one to buy.
Down side of the 34/36, one stateroom
41/43, two staterooms.
Cant hurt to look. Hint, check for hanging closet space. The rest can be over come with additional custom cabinets. There is a lot of additional storage space under the owner's berth so get a hyd lift assistance for the mattress platform. I use this space for spare parts and some food stores.
IF I remember correctly, they are totally shut down and everyone went home, thanks to C19. If you call, I suspect someone will come and let you look at their trade-ins or put in contact with those folks wanting to sell.

[firehoser75]

Originally Posted by Boulton20

Well we kicked some tires yesterday, learned a lot! 40' minimum, but bigger would be nicer. A cockpit for fishing, crabbing and other outdoor activities, would be nice. Would hate to make a mess of the interior over a salmon. Again thanks for the imput. How do I private message on this forum?

To send a PM, look at the top right hand side of your screen. It will say: Welcome Boulton20, and right below that will be the underlined words "Private Messages". Click there. Then look on the left hand side of the new screen in the "control lists" for the one "Send new private message".
I agree with Dan, check out the 2 major "Tug" brands (American and Nordic). There are usually some for sale in the LaConner and Anacortes area.

[Boulton20]

Originally Posted by OldDan1943

You are within a reasonable distance to American Tug. Call and make an appt to view the 36 and the 43.
They are semi-displacement hulls. Not much fuel burn at 8knts (hull speed is about 7.5k knots) but wise to remain close to that speed, for fuel economy. (true for all boats.)
The 34 (now called a 36) rang all my bells so I found a good used one to buy.
Down side of the 34/36, one stateroom
41/43, two staterooms.
Cant hurt to look. Hint, check for hanging closet space. The rest can be over come with additional custom cabinets. There is a lot of additional storage space under the owner's berth so get a hyd lift assistance for the mattress platform. I use this space for spare parts and some food stores.
IF I remember correctly, they are totally shut down and everyone went home, thanks to C19. If you call, I suspect someone will come and let you look at their trade-ins or put in contact with those folks wanting to sell.

Funny, the Admiral and I spent a few hours driving today. After some discussion about what we looked at the day before, we came to a conclusion. As nice as those boats were, we are not the kind of people to hold fancy dinner parties or cocktail parties. We are not big entertainers, we are quite people for the most part. So the topic of tugs came up, and after chewing the fat for about 45 minutes, ya I think for what we have plans on doing, a tug would suit us best. Well at least that what I'm going with at the moment.

So far I have only been able to find Nordic, American and Ranger as far as tug manufactures am I missing any? Does anyone make a trawler with a cockpit? Trying to keep options open.

[OldDan1943]

You and the Mrs are making progress. You might have overlooked or discounted the KK.
For some reason, seems Tugs do retain their resale value more than other style boats.
You have looked at different tugs and gotten ideas from each manufacture.
Might be time to charter if you can or at least, go for a boat ride on each.
Remember, features can often be "transferred" or built into each of the manufacturers.
Keep hunting.

[Boulton20]

Originally Posted by OldDan1943

You and the Mrs are making progress. You might have overlooked or discounted the KK.
For some reason, seems Tugs do retain their resale value more than other style boats.
You have looked at different tugs and gotten ideas from each manufacture.
Might be time to charter if you can or at least, go for a boat ride on each.
Remember, features can often be "transferred" or built into each of the manufacturers.
Keep hunting.

The KK?

[OldDan1943]

Might be more than you want.

Kadey Krogen

https://www.kadeykrogen.com/yachts/krogen-44-ae/

https://www.kadeykrogen.com

[Boulton20]

Originally Posted by OldDan1943

Might be more than you want.

Kadey Krogen

https://www.kadeykrogen.com/yachts/krogen-44-ae/

https://www.kadeykrogen.com

[Bryant]

Originally Posted by DDW

In Puget sound, maybe the way to start is to put your name onto two or three or five marinas waiting lists. Then in three or four years you will only have a couple of more years to wait for a slip.


I'm semi serious about that, it costs usually little or nothing to be on the lists, but a major PITA to have a boat and no where to keep it except 70 miles away.

Unless things have changed, Oak Harbor Marina used to have immediate availability or at worst, a short wait. Check them out. Great Marina, very reasonable.

[Bryant]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Kris
Welcome aboard TF. You have already met a few but most here are are helpful, knowledgeable folks.
Your plan sounds like a great starting point for adventures.
I will give you my standard answer I give most in your situation.
Write down...
Your anticipated cruising style
Your Musts, Wants & Dont Wants
Have your First Mate, Admiral, SO do the same (separately) then, compare, compromise ( do it her way!) and combine the lists.
Look at as many boats as possible and talk to as many owners as possible about their style, what works well for them and what they would do differently if doing it over.
Make the search fun vs a chore!
Chartering something similar can be a great learning experience and a means to possibly buy your second boat first time. US power Squadrons now known as Americas Boating Club offer some very well done courses, some with on the water components.
Boat Search 101 is a great place to start.
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/...ad.php?t=14905
We are a couple that likes to cruise and have what we consider our perfect 2 person boat. More about how we have personalized it on our Bacchus website in my signature.
Enjoy the search and adventures.

Great advice. Be brutally honest with yourself on how you will actually use your boat and buy the boat that fits that type of use. Too many people have romantic dreams of motoring or sailing off to Fiji or some such thing and buy a boat for that only to find out that they bought a boat that doesn't suit what they actually do or want.

Researching, looking, kicking docks, shopping is almost as much fun as owning so take your time and find what you really want (and need).

For my money, I recommend Grand Banks 32, 36 or 42 but I'm obviously prejudiced. Anyway, take a look at those models. When I lived in the PNW there were a lot of nice GBs for sale to select from.

[firehoser75]

Grand Banks make good boats. However, you may want to think about what I call the "extra" maintenance associated with all of the wood trim (varnish and such) and the screwed down teak decks. The teak itself does not require a lot of maintenance, but the thousands of screw holes can become sources of leaks and a maintenance program of rebedding them all would be prudent. For me personally, both of those were on my "do not want" list. Each to his own, and I do admit that I like the look of teak decks and a well cared for boat with lots of varnished trim, I just don't want to do the work.
Also, again personal opinion, I did not find that the interior look of the GB 36 was more spacious than the NT 37 (talking aft cabin GB which is by far the most common I saw). The GB 42, yes, but a bigger boat.
Again, I like GB, just not for me, but that is an example of why there is such a variety of boat models.

[Bryant]

Originally Posted by firehoser75

Grand Banks make good boats. However, you may want to think about what I call the "extra" maintenance associated with all of the wood trim (varnish and such) and the screwed down teak decks. The teak itself does not require a lot of maintenance, but the thousands of screw holes can become sources of leaks and a maintenance program of rebedding them all would be prudent. For me personally, both of those were on my "do not want" list. Each to his own, and I do admit that I like the look of teak decks and a well cared for boat with lots of varnished trim, I just don't want to do the work.
Also, again personal opinion, I did not find that the interior look of the GB 36 was more spacious than the NT 37 (talking aft cabin GB which is by far the most common I saw). The GB 42, yes, but a bigger boat.
Again, I like GB, just not for me, but that is an example of why there is such a variety of boat models.

I agree with you. One of my major criteria when shopping for my GB was to find one with the teak decks removed and the deck properly filled and glassed. I didn’t want the headache of that deck. They are out there.

[Boulton20]

Originally Posted by Bryant

I agree with you. One of my major criteria when shopping for my GB was to find one with the teak decks removed and the deck properly filled and glassed. I didn’t want the headache of that deck. They are out there.

Wood and bright work, is something the Admiral and I are in agreement with. Less is better. None would be optimal, but we are realistic. With both us still working, we dont want to spend all our spare time, sanding varnishing, buffing, ect.ect. We veiw a boat as something to enjoy, not dread.

[firehoser75]

"We veiw a boat as something to enjoy, not dread."
My thoughts exactly, that is one of the reasons we ended up with a Nordic Tug (also looked at a number of American Tugs as well). Don't misunderstand, there were other brands that looked good to us, but the Tugs seemed to fit the bill best for us.

[markpierce]

A couple of years in a sailing dinghy, then several years in a 20-something sailboat, later a thirty something motor cruiser. By then, you should know what to buy for your golden years and have accumulated seamanship.

[jimdavi]

Not sure if there are any for sale but might want to look at the North Pacific 43.

[Nickair]

Welcome aboard. Good choice to include this site in your research.
There is valuable information on this site for your inquiry.

1) Look for a boat that meets at least 80% of your use mission
2) Stay with Diesel engine/s
3) Consider the smallest boat you feel comfortable in
4) Consider the largest boat you can operate single handed

.

[clyde]

we have a beautiful 41 skookum, built in port townsend, washington, in 1975, we`ve had her since 92, been to alaska 3 times, then for 25 more years, we went to the bellabella, bc area to fish! the volvo runs great, in 300 hrs up north fishing every year, i add one quart of oil, could put a 2nd one, but i`ll be chnging oil when we get home. when we bought her, there was about 1800 hours on the engine then, now, 10,800 hours! engine has a dry stack,has had special care, special oil/fuel filters, valves adjusted every 5000 hours, has a large galley, eating area, with an oil cook stove, years ago, i installed a commercial hydrolic anchor winch, and a works great!we are getting up in age, so she`s on the market for sale! i hope someone buys her, to enjoy for many more years, oh, and a hard bottom inflatable, and motor goes with!...clyde...garbage7@wavecable.com

[NCheaven]

Trawlerfest was so valuable for me. So have been the Power Squadron courses, even though I took a Coast Guard course decades ago, and have sailed or power-boated most of the last 46 years. The more courses, the better, in my opinion. Look at lots of boats, it’s fun. Found many reviews in boat mags on line. Look at boat brand owners’ pages on TF, and look at their owners’ association web sites. Wait for the one you know is right. I looked at several Camano 31s before finding the right one. One had all of the exhaust hose paint gone, made me suspect it had been run hard. Bought one with most paint still on, checked total gallons and total hours, it had averaged less than 2gal/hr, a bit over displacement speed. (But most engine manuals suggest various amounts of time at much higher rpm frequently to clear out exhaust, etc. Read about that, too.) It’s not the hours, it’s the revs, the torque, etc, that equate to wear. But, those are just things to ask the surveyor to check out. I didn’t catch everything, but I’m very pleased with the outcome, especially engine, transmission. You’ll find a great one with patience and time spent walking docks, talking to owners, dockmasters. Steve Zimmerman did a great seminar on how to select the right boat for a prospective owner at Trawlerfest that helped me a lot. Mistake I made: Have the fuel polished, and have the filters replaced another 10 or so hours later before taking a long cruise, especially if boat had not been used much in prior two years.
Enjoy the process!