North Pacific 49/52 for live aboard and possible cruising to Belize

[ksanders]

Originally Posted by Oldersalt

I remember reading a blog several years ago by a couple who spent years cruising the Pacific Coast and Mexico. He had a SD boat but said he rarely went very fast. Basically, he said something like "it's an 8-knot ocean out there." The question becomes how often you might want to--and be able to, given sea/weather conditions--go faster than about 8 knots

We cruise in the open ocean every time we leave port.

What we have found is that we use the SD speeds more often than we ever thought we would when we bought the boat.

If you are in a non stabilized boat (like ours) you can use horsepower to push the aft down and reduce rolling in a beam sea for example.

If you are trying to make a tide for fishing you can use speed to get there at the right time. There are lots of examples of why you might use speed if you have that capability.

Like any other operating paramater or feature, you find yourself making use of speed capability because you can.

The same might be said of the strong points of FD stabilized boats.

Your cruising "style" will adapt to your boat.

[tinped]

As to stabilization,as far as I know,KK,Selenes,North Pacific,and Nordhavn's don't come from the factory with stabilization included.The buyers elect to put them on(and pay for them)after factory delivery.Sometimes,they are done by the yard that is prepping the boat for factory delivery.A smart option for the buyers is to have the factory do the structural prepwork of reinforcing the hull area for the stabilizers.

[SteveJan]

Thanks all ! Great posts ! Hope to see you all out there soon.

[dirtdoc1]

Hi All,

I have been talking to Trevor about buying the NP45. What a beautiful boat and it comes with a hardtop. I'm going up north from CA to WA to meet with him at the trawler fest and sea trial the NP44 that they will have available. The NP44 shares he same hull as the NP45 so I should get a representative ride. I too have been stressing over whether to get a SD or FD hull form. Price is an issue and I would have to buy a 10 year old Selene or a new NP45. Sail blue water or stay on the coast. That's what it comes down to. You get so much for your money with the North Pacific45 and it is really a beautiful boat and there is a lot of coast to cruise. So it looks like it's going to be he NP45 for me.

I'm a long ways from owning it yet, wish me luck.

Cheers

dirtdoc1

[sunchaser]

Are the vessels you are considering stabilized? They sure add to your boating pleasure.

[wrwahl]

Don't know what other boats you've shopped but while you are in Seattle it might be worth your time to take a look at the Helmsman 43. Very nice boat and very nice people to do business with.

[dirtdoc1]

I've read about the Helmsman 43 and I plan to check it out but I'm not thrilled with it's lines. It's an odd looking boat.

As far as stabilizing, the NP45 does not come stabilized. From what I understand stabilization is done more to full displacement hulls because they tend to roll. Semi-displacement hulls with hard chines don't really need it because they are more stable. That said, I have seen several Defevers (SD) for sale that were stabilized with naiad (sp?) active stabilizers. It looks like a really nice system. Trevor (owner of NPY) said that they have only stabilized two of there boats.

I'll try it without and if the boat rolls too much then I'll add stabilization. I'll probably add a hell of a lot more than that over time.

That's if all the right stars and planets are alinged and this deal goes through.

Cheers,

Dirtdoc1

[BandB]

Originally Posted by dirtdoc1

I've read about the Helmsman 43 and I plan to check it out but I'm not thrilled with it's lines. It's an odd looking boat.

As far as stabilizing, the NP45 does not come stabilized. From what I understand stabilization is done more to full displacement hulls because they tend to roll. Semi-displacement hulls with hard chines don't really need it because they are more stable. That said, I have seen several Defevers (SD) for sale that were stabilized with naiad (sp?) active stabilizers. It looks like a really nice system. Trevor (owner of NPY) said that they have only stabilized two of there boats.

I'll try it without and if the boat rolls too much then I'll add stabilization. I'll probably add a hell of a lot more than that over time.

That's if all the right stars and planets are alinged and this deal goes through.

Cheers,

Dirtdoc1

Builders like to claim their boats don't need stabilizers. I haven't seen any boat yet that can't benefit from them. I would not purchase a new boat in the 45' and above size ranges without stabilizers. Yes, we have a couple of members here who had recent builds without them and perhaps for cruising primarily in protected waters it's fine. Yes, some boats are more stable than others. However, most boats above 40-45' greatly benefit from having them. Now, we're into planing hulls and stabilizers and wouldn't build a larger boat without them.

[dhays]

Dirtdoc, if I was buying a new boat now, it would definitely be the NP45. Good luck.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by BandB

Builders like to claim their boats don't need stabilizers. I haven't seen any boat yet that can't benefit from them. I would not purchase a new boat in the 45' and above size ranges without stabilizers. Yes, we have a couple of members here who had recent builds without them and perhaps for cruising primarily in protected waters it's fine. Yes, some boats are more stable than others. However, most boats above 40-45' greatly benefit from having them. Now, we're into planing hulls and stabilizers and wouldn't build a larger boat without them.

What he said. I've heard many brokers say you don't need stabilization on SD boats. Sure, you might not need them, but they make the boat a whole lot more comfortable. After riding on some stabilized boats, including a newer version of my boat with a Seakeeper, I doubt I'd buy another non-stabilized boat, regardless of hull form.

[sunchaser]

Dirtdoc

You may be interested to check out the new DeFever 52 PH that Seattle Yachts has in Seattle. I saw it recently and was quite impressed. It may be sold, but worth a look as an alternative. It may well be a similar price and is a lot more boat and much heavier built.

[dirtdoc1]

Hi BandB and Retriever and thanks for the suggestions.

I've heard a lot of people say that once you've experienced a stabilized boat you won't want to go without. Unfortunately I can't afford to put stabilizers in the new NP45 so I will have to wait until I can afford them.

As far as that Defever 50 that Sunchaser so graciously mentioned, I will definitely check it out. I still have to sea-trial the NP45. It will be interesting to see how stable it is. I wish I knew someone with a stabilized boat that I could catch a ride with but I don't. So it's either going to be: buy a stabilized older boat or buy an un-stabilized new NP45 and stabilize it later (if I think it needs it).

I really like having a new boat for the warrantee and if I'm lucky an extended warrantee.

Does anybody want to buy my 2013 Carver C34? I put over $100k of upgrades in it and kept it in like-new condition. And, it comes with a transferable warrantee. I know this is not the appropriate place to sell boats so that will be the last that I talk about it here.

Cheers,

Dirtdoc

[sunchaser]

Originally Posted by dirtdoc1

I still have to sea-trial the NP45. It will be interesting to see how stable it is. I wish I knew someone with a stabilized boat that I could catch a ride with but I don't. So it's either going to be: buy a stabilized older boat or buy an un-stabilized new NP45 and stabilize it later (if I think it needs it).
Dirtdoc

I seriously doubt the sea trial would be done in big water. Point being, the pros and cons for stabilizers could be initially hard to define. BTW, if you see the DeFever, it as best I remember, stabilized.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by dirtdoc1

I know this is not the appropriate place to sell boats so that will be the last that I talk about it here.

Cheers,

Dirtdoc

There is a classified section here where you can list it.

[ktdtx]

I don't recall seeing a stabilized North Pacific.
Of course I haven't seen them all.

[dirtdoc1]

I don't recall seeing a stabilized North Pacific.
Of course I haven't seen them all.

Trevor mentioned that to the best of his recollection he could only remember two NPY's that either were sold stabilized or the owners had it done. I don't recall and I don't feel comfortable quoting him. I think it was the customers had NPY stabilize them. I'll ask him when I see him next week.

[dirtdoc1]

I'm having trouble showing quotes. Can someone explain it to me?

[CPseudonym]

http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s...-etc-5739.html

Page 1 covers most forum functions.

[SteveJan]

Thanks all for the great discussion. I'm happy to report that took possession of a Great Harbour GH37 boat - formerly named "Easy !" - "now Balena" and we are loving it ! Made our way from the Ft Myers area up to Annapolis where we'll hang out for the summer. Then down to the Bahamas for the winter and Canada next summer.

[dhays]

Congratulations. The GH37 should be a very comfortable boat. Lots of room in that 37'