It's Scary!!!!

[Codger2]

Can you just imagine what an aspiring trawler person must be feeling when they read all the potential and existing problems that are penned on TF?

Over propping/under propping, water in the fuel, gunk in the tanks, problems with docking, gas vs. diesel, singles vs. twins, FD hulls vs. SD hulls, which fresh water pump is best, excessive idling is bad, and the list continues for miles! (Not to mention the problems encountered in anchoring!)

Why, after reading all this stuff would anyone (who previously had a dream of owning a trawler) want to open themselves up to all this abuse & trauma? And those that continue the quest now must face the dreaded lobster & crab pots that lurk, ready to entangle your prop and cause you to be dead in the water. Not to mention the maintenance that is absolutely necessary for the safe operation of the vessel. And, assuming you can handle all this, your first cruise is in a bumpy sea and you spend the remainder of the trip selling "buicks" over the side!

Why do we do this? We all must be nuts!

 

[HopCar]

Walt, after reading this forum, I think the newby would just give up when he realized he couldn't decide on an anchor much less a whole boat.

 

[Codger2]

Walt, after reading this forum, I think the newby would just give up when he realized he couldn't decide on an anchor much less a whole boat.

 

[FlyWright]

Much like love and marriage. If someone told us of all the pitfalls, we'd probably never take that leap. But somehow, we make our way through all that to be with the one we love. Yes, I love my boat (but I love the Admiral more..yes, she occasionally reads these pages!).

 

[Nomad Willy]

We are a conservative lot but not without grit and a spirit of adventure. I'd be offended if someone accused me of being lacking in either.

And Walt ... our numbers are increasing. Amazing but it does seem there are more w/o boats now. Are they the intelligent few?

 

[dwhatty]

Much like love and marriage. If someone told us of all the pitfalls, we'd probably never take that leap. But somehow, we make our way through all that to be with the one we love. Yes, I love my boat (but I love the Admiral more..yes, she occasionally reads these pages!).

I think that you meant the smaller print in parentheses at the end of your post to be much larger.

 

[Bluto]

We are a conservative lot but not without grit and a spirit of adventure. I'd be offended if someone accused me of being lacking in either.

And Walt ... our numbers are increasing. Amazing but it does seem there are more w/o boats now. Are they the intelligent few?

Nah, most of the boatless are just financially challenged.
The stories don't scare me, every forum is like that. People don't just spontaneously post that their boat is wonderful, problem free, the greatest thing they ever bought or did. No, they post when the fuses are blowing or something got rusty or the windows are leaking. Problems get more print, that's all.

Me, I'd avoid any old bones, go for a newer boat!
Except I'm financially challenged, like I said.

It's a great forum, I can't help but come here to see what's new from time to time. Thanks for having me.

 

[dhmeissner]

Run away! - Monty Python and the Holy Grail - YouTube

 

[THD]

Walt-

You did not even mention forward/reverse slanting pilothouse windows!

 

[Codger2]

Walt-

You did not even mention forward/reverse slanting pilothouse windows!

Of course, you are correct! The list is too long to name all the problems. If I were a newbie and reading posts on this forum for the past year, I'd run for the hills.

Take entrepreneurs as an example. If they knew all the obsticals and pitfalls that they would face in the future, most would change course. (Not start a business) But because they (most) are not formally educated, (college) they boldly enter the business world and slay the dragons as they pop up. That's certainly been my history and knowing what I know today about succeeding or failing in a start up, I wouldn't do it again.

 

[Giggitoni]

I've only worked for somebody else for 4.5 years out of the last 42. Wouldn't have it any other way!

 

[AussieCraig]

Nah, most of the boatless are just financially challenged.
The stories don't scare me, every forum is like that. People don't just spontaneously post that their boat is wonderful, problem free, the greatest thing they ever bought or did. No, they post when the fuses are blowing or something got rusty or the windows are leaking. Problems get more print, that's all.

Me, I'd avoid any old bones, go for a newer boat!
Except I'm financially challenged, like I said.

It's a great forum, I can't help but come here to see what's new from time to time. Thanks for having me.

 

[healhustler]

Can you just imagine what an aspiring trawler person must be feeling when they read all the potential and existing problems that are penned on TF?

Well, one thing's for sure. I'm long past the "imagining" part.

 

[CaptTom]

After my rant in the Off Topic forum, I suppose I should add something here.

Earlier today, on a brief break to let the sweat dry and catch my breath, I looked down into the water. It brought me back to when I was a kid, and couldn't look at water without wanting to be either in it or on it.

It's moments like that when I remember how fortunate we are to be able to put our time, money, sweat and blood into our boats.

For some, a boat is a luxury they can afford, so why not? Others would find a way to be on a boat no matter what hand life dealt them. Either way, it's all good.

 

[Baker]

Of course, you are correct! The list is too long to name all the problems. If I were a newbie and reading posts on this forum for the past year, I'd run for the hills.

Take entrepreneurs as an example. If they knew all the obsticals and pitfalls that they would face in the future, most would change course. (Not start a business) But because they (most) are not formally educated, (college) they boldly enter the business world and slay the dragons as they pop up. That's certainly been my history and knowing what I know today about succeeding or failing in a start up, I wouldn't do it again.

AMEN...I call it "Paralysis by analysis"!!!!

 

[Baker]

After my rant in the Off Topic forum, I suppose I should add something here.

Earlier today, on a brief break to let the sweat dry and catch my breath, I looked down into the water. It brought me back to when I was a kid, and couldn't look at water without wanting to be either in it or on it.

It's moments like that when I remember how fortunate we are to be able to put our time, money, sweat and blood into our boats.

For some, a boat is a luxury they can afford, so why not? Others would find a way to be on a boat no matter what hand life dealt them. Either way, it's all good.

Very well said!!! Regardless of my financial condition, I am in the latter group!!!

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

When I'm old and drooling on my death bed, the price of fuel won't matter. Either will the slant of my windshield, the shape of my anchor or if I ran a twin or single screw. Its all bull crap. The memories will out shine the details we make a big deal over.

 

[AussieCraig]

When I'm old and drooling on my death bed, the price of fuel won't matter. Either will the slant of my windshield, the shape of my anchor or if I ran a twin or single screw. Its all bull crap. The memories will out shine the details we make a big deal over.

Very true !!! I actually plan to die in a comfortable chair on the back deck of my boat...of alcoholic poisoning most likely....somewhere warm and sunny !

 

[JAT]

Walt, after reading this forum, I think the newby would just give up when he realized he couldn't decide on an anchor much less a whole boat.

My thoughts exactly!!!

 

[JAT]

Very true !!! I actually plan to die in a comfortable chair on the back deck of my boat...of alcoholic poisoning most likely....somewhere warm and sunny !

There are worse ways to go......

 

[markpierce]

You're all too cynical. Got lots of advice (some taken) concerning the construction of my Coot!

 

[healhustler]

You're all too cynical. Got lots of advice (some taken) concerning the construction of my Coot!

What....no cup holders?!

 

[markpierce]

What....no cup holders?!

Got that covered: they are on the stern-side of the pilothouse doors. And they're chrome plated!

 

[CPseudonym]

Got that covered: they are on the stern-side of the pilothouse doors. And they're chrome plated!

What, no pictures???

 

[markpierce]

What, no pictures???

Barely. A bit of a cup holder is visible just below my first son's right elbow.

 

[Capthead]

I wouldn't have it any other way. Owning a boat and having the freedom of going on the ocean wherever we want is something only a few of us can really enjoy. I lived aboard for over 25 years and met some very interesting people who cruised the oceans with very little money. I've met cruisers who lived in Mexico on 300 US a month and loved every minute fishing and bartering.

I am always reminded it's not a rich man's life only and having the best anchor, the most chain, the best brand reels, a 2000 gallon fuel tank doesn't define the most enjoyment.