Contract Signed / New Build Underway

[Jim Cooper]

John,


Curious as to why you think your 38E was the right boat for the east coast but not the west coast? Does it have something to do with the ICW?

[Durant F]

It’s a sickness...
I’m infected as well..
So many boats..... so little time......

[BandB]

Originally Posted by Durant F

It’s a sickness...
I’m infected as well..
So many boats..... so little time......

But you don't profess it's the last one like he does do you? I've never used those words as I know there's always another one in the future, as long as I can boat.

[Donsan]

Send him to Boataholics Anonymous!

[BandB]

Originally Posted by Donsan

Send him to Boataholics Anonymous!

Wifey B: Why would anyone want a cure?

[N4061]

Originally Posted by Jim Cooper

John,


Curious as to why you think your 38E was the right boat for the east coast but not the west coast? Does it have something to do with the ICW?

The boat is actually good for both coasts (best hull design we could find) but its how we planned on using it. On the east coast one can normally find a marina or place to hide when the weather kicks up so stabilizers are not required (my opinion). On the west coast a normal weekend trip consists of 60 plus mile runs in open ocean with no place to hide when swells start picking up. Since we are planning to stay on the west coast we want to make the run to Cabo which is 1,000 miles and we would need stabilizers and a larger / heavier boat for comfort. Could the 38E make it, yes. But for that run bigger is better.

[dhays]

John, I can see the logic in that. The Pacific coast gets a definite swell. I am rarely exposed to it so stabilization is not an issue. But anytime you leave the dock, you are in the Pacific, open to its swell.

[N4061]

A last minute decision to meet at the boat turned out be a great night. We decided to leave SB aboard after getting her new shoes (she hates the the vet) and drive down town to Seasons 52 for dinner. A great place for fresh seasonal dishes. After dinner we enjoyed a little TV and it started to rain which is unusual for October. Saturday morning we decided to take the boat up a few miles to Mission Bay. It was fun traveling in a little weather including light rain. When we reached Marinas Cove we dropped anchor were welcomed to partly sunny skies and a great lunch aboard. We are now sitting out on the aft deck while dingy's pass close by checking out the boat. Soon we will lift anchor and cruise back home. Seas are confused but spaced far enough apart the ride isn't bad. Today was a good day.

[FlyWright]

That's a pretty good run in a day, John. Nice to have a boat with a lick of speed. What's your cruise speed in the confused chop?

Love the last shot....your boat's face. We could start a new thread of those! I bet it'd be interesting...

[N4061]

Originally Posted by FlyWright

That's a pretty good run in a day, John. Nice to have a boat with a lick of speed. What's your cruise speed in the confused chop?

Love the last shot....your boat's face. We could start a new thread of those! I bet it'd be interesting...

Great question about speed. A little details first, the seas were confused but nothing big except when we reached the tip of Point Loma where we hit a few large 6' swells spaced apart then things settled in with wind waves 2', South swell at 3' and west swell 2' at different periods which reminded me of days back on the Great South Bay, Long Island, N.Y.. We still cruised along around 7.5 knots. It is nice to have a wider speed range to play with and I used it to find the sweet spot that worked best with the sea conditions. Fun stuff.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by N4061

It is nice to have a wider speed range to play with and I used it to find the sweet spot that worked best with the sea conditions. Fun stuff.

You pointed out something so often overlooked. We talk about speed to get places quicker and speed to avoid bad weather, but being able to match speed to sea conditions for the best ride is seldom mentioned. Matching speed to wave distance and period entering and exiting inlets and crossing bars is an advantage too. I remember when we were being trained and our introduction to rougher seas as part of that. Instinct, due to our lack of experience, was that slower was called for and better. We quickly were introduced to matching our speed with the waves, with the period and distance between waves.

[N4061]

Sailing is interesting and we did it once on a beautiful day but it's not for us. That being said this weekend there is a competition of the large go fast catamaran style boats on the bay. Typical San Diego they have turned this into a big event which we plan to walk to from the boat. On Sunday we may even head back to Mission Bay and spend some time outside cruising. Temperature is expected to be in the 80's on the coast, nice! I love the fall for boating.

The boat should show up for sale in the next couple of weeks. Things are starting to get a little exciting for us (not for Scott) ha ha.

[N4061]

So after a long day of washing cars, visiting the local Home Depot for a few items and planting a few plants we decided to head to the boat for the evening. The weather was typical fall southern Cal. with mild Santa Ana breezes from the desert bringing coastal temperatures to 80 degrees. After a nice bar b q chicken kabobs dinner we decided to relax on the aft deck, drink a little more wine and listen to the eagles soundtrack. Weather is perfect and life is good. We are already seeing a few Bahaha sailboat taking up the few empty slips as they prepare for 1,000 mile journey South to Cano in two weeks. Our dream trip hopefully with the next boat. Hotel California is finishing up and it's time find another song.

John

[BandB]

Originally Posted by N4061

So after a long day of washing cars, visiting the local Home Depot for a few items and planting a few plants we decided to head to the boat for the evening.
John

Wifey B: You delayed going to the boat for washing cars?

You delayed going to the boat for Home Depot?

You delayed going to the boat for Gardening?

[Nocanvas]

Originally Posted by N4061

Very valid point on a "complex" boat. This time around we optioned for a "simpler" boat since we wanted a break from the complex systems which we could not repair if and when they failed. It all comes down to cost of ownership, budget and what each individual feels comfortable with.

There is no right or wrong answer here, just an opportunity for everyone to figure out what works best for them. Granted when we sold N4061 after only three years of ownership and "zero findings" pre-purchase survey the new owners did well. This is not the norm and we prefer start out new.

So did you sell the Nordhavn because its more expensive to maintain ? tougher to pilot for one ?

[N4061]

Originally Posted by Nocanvas

So did you sell the Nordhavn because its more expensive to maintain ? tougher to pilot for one ?

Our primary reason for selling our last N40 we built for trips to Mexico and the PNW was health related and our need to exit boating. After testing the waters with the N35 and confirming we were ready to get back into boating we thought early retirement was in sight and the H38E was the perfect boat for local coastal cruising then do the ICW. I wanted a simpler boat to maintain which I have and really enjoy. No generator, wing engine, stabilizers, watermaker and, and, and to maintain. Now that retirement has been pushed out and we are stuck on west coast we are back to very long (1,000 mile plus) trips in open ocean.

So does an open ocean or passagemaker trawler come with complexity, yes. Just something you have to deal with.

John

[N4061]

It's official Maria Elena is now for sale with Waterline Boats in Seattle. We have really mixed feelings about this sale since the boat is everything we wanted but missions change in life. If it was up to Mary we wouldn't sell and use this boat until I retire but with Mexico calling I want to make that trip and spend time exploring the Sea of Cortez while we can. One thing for sure is all plans are etched in the sand at low tide.

[BandB]

Wifey B: Three years from start of thread to boat listed for sale.

I laugh at you because I understand it so well. I'm shocked we haven't done any changes yet, just bought and sold the one loop boat. That's the closest we've come to you. Ordered late 2015, sold late 2017 but we had no plans to sell. They did make improvements on the new version though but we haven't bought.

We're always looking at boats, thinking about boats, admiring boats, even ones definitely not for us. As long as it's not a cruise ship or a yacht over 180' or so. Those two we just don't grasp.

Your change makes a lot of sense. Life events. They led you to the boat and now lead you to sell the boat. Nothing wrong with any of your boats, just not the one for the time and place. I love my Baby Riva, it's like my own fave plaything....well, not fave altogether but boat fave... But I sure as heck can't take it to the Caribbean or the West Coast with a range of 210 nm. We hated selling our boat we had on the lake when we moved here, but a 30' bowrider with twin gas engines just isn't a coastal cruiser.

Look forward to your new thread and next boat. Hope you're able to enjoy it more. It's fairly obvious though that you enjoy the planning and building immensely so while others might say you're waiting for the pleasure, your fun has already started.

[N4061]

Last weeks Christmas �� Parade in SD was one for the record books. Amazing the work some people put into their boats decorations. We were out earlier in the afternoon and cruised by Bill's boat over at Coronado. Bill was preparing his boat for the parade and took a few nice photos of Maria Elena underway. Thought I would share them here on TF.

John

OK now the dang attachment icon doesn't work?

[BandB]

Wifey B:

A few shots from Fort Lauderdale Parade. It's televised next weekend and the stream should be available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNKboYAXbj4