Boat Search 101

Our own RT Firefly made a wonderful suggestion in another thread, a sticky thread covering the many steps involved in a successful boat search and acquisition. This thread will remain open for all to contribute however I do request we limit our contributions to the topic of locating and purchasing a boat.

Let's see what we can come up with folks.

I'm certainly no expert on the search and acquisition process, but we just closed on a Defever 44 nine days ago. Here's how we approached it:

• Research, research, research. I read everything I could get my hands on, walked docks, hung out on forums like this and talked to anyone I could about boats. Without a doubt, the most informative source of info for me was TF. And I'm still doing this, although for different reasons now . . . to learn how to operate and maintain vs acquire. The learning never stops.

• Checked out real boats. My wife and I went to Trawlerfest, attended a Kadey Krogen rendezvous, looked at a few boats that were for sale and shamelessly asked owners of models we were considering if we could check out their boats. Most were extremely generous, invited us aboard and took us for rides. We also chartered a Krogen 42 for a week in Florida. There was no substitute for hands-on, eyes-on experience to narrow the choices.

• Developed our priorities. Also, what we would compromise on. I used to think I had to have a pilothouse, but (while I still like them a lot) actually being on boats with and without one made me realize they were not deal-makers or breakers.

• Watched the market. Kept track of the two finalist models on Yachtworld and other listing sites until we had a decent grasp of pricing trends in various locations.

• Took the plunge. When the right boat came along, we knew it. But making the initial offer and accepting the boat after the survey and renegotiation weren't cut and dried decisions. For us, there was definitely an emotional threshold to cross before we could open our wallets that wide. All of the preparation helped make it less traumatic, but we still had to look each other in the eye and decide that this was a mutual choice. You'll understand when you get there.

I'd be afraid to total up the hours we spent on all of this, but so far, we're very happy with the end result.

The first step in picking a boat is to decide what you want the boat to do.

Do you want to cross oceans?
Do you want to Coastal Cruise?
Is fishing important?
How many people do you want to take along?
How long do you plan on being on the boat at a time?
Is this a weekend and vacation boat, or is this a boat you want to cruise full time on?
Do you plan on anchoring out allot, or are harbors and their social life more fun?

Answer questions like that (and more), long before you even think about features or brands.

I see too many people make general statements like "I want a Full displacement boat" or "I want a sundeck", without realizing that all boats are a compromise in space and performance.

Answer questions like that (and more), long before you even think about features or brands.

Unquestionably correct!

The boat that will fill your desirements can only be judged by YOU!

Make a list , check it twice.

Greetings,
Mr. CP et al. The mention of my suggestion in another thread and failing to mention what I mentioned is, well frankly unmentionable.
The gist of what I "suggested" is : Don't get emotional about any particular vessel until after you have come to know and love her. Meaning well after purchase. You can get emotional about the lifestyle and the places you can go or go back to by water. Keep your feelings out of the decision. NOT the search, the DECISION.

Muppets - Beaker singing Feelings - YouTube

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. CP et al. The mention of my suggestion in another thread and failing to mention what I mentioned is, well frankly unmentionable.
The gist of what I "suggested" is : Don't get emotional about any particular vessel until after you have come to know and love her. Meaning well after purchase. You can get emotional about the lifestyle and the places you can go or go back to by water. Keep your feelings out of the decision. NOT the search, the DECISION.

Muppets - Beaker singing Feelings - YouTube

Click to expand...

Excellent advice, Mr. RT. Easier said than done sometimes, but if you're not prepared to walk, you're setting yourself up to be a victim. My mantra during any large purchase is: Don't fall in love with a [insert house, car, boat or whatever]; it won't love you back.

rt firefly said:

greetings,
mr. Cp et al. The mention of my suggestion in another thread and failing to mention what i mentioned is, well frankly unmentionable.

Click to expand...

Research should first be directed at the buyer .. not the boat. To some a boat is a work of art and they get immense pleasure every time they see it or think of it. You could almost say nothing else matters for them.

Many others would buy a boat like they would buy a lawnmower, a garage door or a furnace. Nothing beyond what the item can do for them v/s the cost.

Some on TF may not admit it but they just don't want to be seen as cruiser type people and halving a trawler gives them a salty and perhaps higher masculine image that they prefer.

To some their intent for usage is clearly seen from past experience or reading or both and they can describe the boat the'll end up w quite well. It could be socializing at the float or long distance cruising by anchor, marina or city float.

Some are overwhelmed and are new to boating. Some may jump right in and be out-boating many of us after a few years. Others may never need to go beyond the dabbling stage to be fully satisfied.

So I submit that one should do a serious bit of introspection and learn the fine art and science of objectivity before forming any visions of what the boating picture will hold. Regarding similar activities observing what one has done in the past and how it turned out is a big plus too.

Just my off the top $.25 worth.

Often how you handle things like this comes from experiences in your background. I approached it much like I've always approached major business decisions from equipment to systems and software.

The first part of a process is always defining the requirements. You do whatever is necessary to determine your must haves and your wants but not deal breakers. Yes, I even created a spreadsheet to which I could compare items to my requirements. To truly know our requirements required some looking itself and the further we went the more detailed they became. But the requirements included cost, size, singles or twins, galley up or down, number of staterooms and heads, bridge or not, speed, range, fuel efficiency, draft, air draft, crew accommodations or not, storage of dinghy or tender, headroom/height. Then specifics about spaces that were mostly wants but not musts, although some were musts. For instance, are enclosed showers essential or is wet ok? What size bed in the master stateroom. Dark or light woods and coverings. Teak or not? Engine room space. Storage. Type of appliances. The list goes on and on but often as you see things that you don't like in the process you narrow it down. For instance, we finally eliminated one boat we really liked over the size of the refrigerator and freezer and lack of galley space to have larger.

Once the requirements are established then it's simply a matter of finding the best match. However, it's not all science and numbers. It's a feel too. We chartered and when we chartered a specific boat, it just felt right for us. We liked it. We'd done our homework and now this was like a long demo. And if it doesn't feel right, it isn't. Wait for the right one. At some point you'll have to decide which compromises to make, but they won't bother you.

Don't think it's a quick process either. You cannot safely bypass steps. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year or longer to figure it all out. Until you do, charter or find other ways. Likely as a couple, you'll be like every couple on the television show "House Hunters", looking for different things. But then the boat that satisfies you both will appear. And when others tell you what you should get, they're not you. They can advise, tell you boats to look at. But it's such an individual choice.

We found our list of things that we did not want was a lot longer than the things we "must have". After much debate, my wife wanted galley up layout and centerline master bed arrangement. I wanted single diesel engine and some type of dinghy davits that did not need to pull the OB all the time with my bad back.
Be realistic in your intended use of the boat. You can to do the Great Loop without a Nordhavn.

High Wire said:

We found our list of things that we did not want was a lot longer than the things we "must have". After much debate, my wife wanted galley up layout and centerline master bed arrangement. I wanted single diesel engine and some type of dinghy davits that did not need to pull the OB all the time with my bad back.
Be realistic in your intended use of the boat. You can to do the Great Loop without a Nordhavn.

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We found very similar things to you and some then opposite. Galley up was a must. Twin Diesels. Flybridge. Dinghy storage on bridge, nice capacity crane plus decent size dinghy/tender. Minimum 6-8" ceiling heights. King size bed in master stateroom strong preferred, queen minimum. Here's one that's heresy here, ability to cruise around 20 knots when desired.

All those and many other things simply personal preferences. No better one way or another, many would choose opposite us. But one by one our list of possible boats was narrowed down.

As part of the "what will I use the boat for" consideration; an important question is: What are your local cruising waters like?

Is it protected water, or open sea?
Is it generally calm, or windy most of the time?
Is it skinny water or plenty of depth?
Is it clear boating or full of crab pots and logs?
Is it well serviced for fuel and supplies or remote?

These issues narrowed down my boat choices considerably.

Anther question to ask yourself about how you use your boat are: How do use your time?
Will you do quick half day trips or lengthy cruises?
Do you want to maintain your own boat or hire someone to do it?
Will you visit your boat daily or once a month?
Do you enjoy working with wood, fibreglass or steel?
Are you looking for something to fill in your idle hours/days doing maintenance or something to just climb aboard and go.

Also - Where will you keep it? -
Your private dock, a marina, on a mooring, close by, far away, covered/open, on a trailer?

This discussion is very timely for us as my wife & I are finally able to look down the road, uh, make that waterway and start planning a Loop in a couple of years. Part of the journey will be looking for that perfect place to come back to for retirement.

My wish list (currently) is: 34'-40', single, flybridge, easy dinghy doodling since we have a large dog,15 kt speed if needed otherwise hull speed, 5' draft max (4' even better), single stateroom (guests can sleep on the couch), A/C for southern cruising, and some nice woodwork inside.

My wife's wish list is considerably shorter: it has to be pretty! (I just read her the post and she laughed saying "you don't know me that well!")

We will probably go to TrawlerFest in Baltimore in Sep if all works out jobwise. I hear there could be a few boats there. Looking forward to soaking up some of the amazing experience and knowledge freely given on this site.

The best advice we ever got was "don't buy the biggest boat you can afford, buy the smallest you can live on." Also need to be honest with your want/need list. After some research and soul searching, many "needs" can turn out to be "nice to have" or blling.

Also remember that if you are spending extended time aboard interior volume generally equals comfort. People tend to kinda poo poo this during the looking phase but its really true. You live inside the boat. Larger is more comfortable for extended time aboard.

This is where the trade offs come in.

For a given length there is only so much possible space.

Nice wide decks for example might mean easier docking, but they also mean a smaller interior.

Aft cabin designs are larger inside and often have HUGE semi outside spaces but can require stairs to get on and off the boat, making it more difficult to fish from, or get onto a skiff. Pets can have a real challenge with some aft cabin designs.

Pilothouse designs provide a separate room to operate the boat from, and a separate place to hang out, but pilothouses represent windage, making the boat sometimes a challenge to get into a dock.

I simply wanted a boat my 6'4" body could stand upright in and sleep comfortably in.

That eliminated most boats. I found my GB42 with a king bed and plenty of head room. Bought it on the spot, then learned about GB and trawlers.

Bilgewater said:

The best advice we ever got was "don't buy the biggest boat you can afford, buy the smallest you can live on." Also need to be honest with your want/need list. After some research and soul searching, many "needs" can turn out to be "nice to have" or blling.

Click to expand...

I realize this is contrary to what most people advise, but on the theory that varied opinions are helpful.....

I'd suggest buying the biggest boat you are comfortable with from an accommodations, handling, and cost standpoint. Whatever boat you are in, it will seem smaller over time, not bigger. What seems like an unmanageable size to handle will quickly become second nature. What seems like lots of storage space will quickly become full, and what seems like a far away destination will soon become close by and you will be seeking greater adventure. It's much more common for people to upsize rather than downsize, and I think this is why.

A wonderful tip that came my way came from a broker.

Ideal boat is one that several owners have pumped a lot of money into their favorite thing like engineering, paint and decor, add-on equipment ect ect.

Some people do extensive re-fits on boats w new engines, fuel tanks, awlgrip finish, lots of electronics, a super dinghy ect ect.

A 1974 trawler is only worth so much no matter how much has been pumped into her but the sky's the limit of re-fits.

Look on YW and see that some boats stick out in this way.

Bilgewater said:

The best advice we ever got was "don't buy the biggest boat you can afford, buy the smallest you can live on." .

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While that may be true for you, for others it isn't. Space can be very nice to have beyond the minimum. Also, don't overlook the waters it's to be used on. If one is going to stay inside and use the ICW might be one thing, but if you like to go outside you may well want a bit larger.

Living space is a subjective issue for sure. I prefer being outside whether it be camping, boating, or other activities so some deck space is a good thing. I am assuming the comments made regarding larger sizes includes storage space such as needed for that extra roll of paper towels or the child sized PFD that is only used a few times a year. Usable, logical space is important. Would a drawer for DVD's be more important than a cranny to tuck in a hard drive? Would I use a small cooler more than a dedicated locker for lines? I think though the biggest determining factor is where can I go with it? I do not have a burning itch to explore the Bahamas (been there, got robbed). I do want to find quiet anchorages to watch the sun come up. I figure this is all just part of the journey.

Although I don't today (or in near future) have needed bandwidth/time to fully expand upon what I'm about to say...

I feel the "dream-daze/research-time/buying-decision/purchase-haggle/new-owner-experience" of soon to be owners regarding any boat has three (3) levels; each having very unique qualities.

1. “Newbie”: No boating/marine experience at all, just a BIG wish! OMG – With soooo much to discuss, these persons have soooo much to learn!

2. “Middlebie”: Some boating/marine experience with desire to elevate their knowledge and move up to higher level of boating.

3. “Old Salts”: Brush up on marine ways as well as crash course on new technology advances.

I hope this post helps to define/separate levels of “boat-ownership” needs. Although my time for posting is restricted lately I will try to stay in this thread’s conversation.

Happy Boating Daze - Art

Look, look, and look again! Have some general requirements but be open. As in my case, when you see it you'll know it!

windmill29130 said:

Look, look, and look again! Have some general requirements but be open. As in my case, when you see it you'll know it!

Click to expand...

Agreed!!

Just be careful that you fulfill (and the boat you purchase fulfills) the general requirements “windmill” mentions. One thing you don't want to become is saddled by a pig-in-a-poke, i.e. a costly, labor intensive vessel that never really becomes what you vision of it was to begin with! Survey all portions very well before placing cash on the table! And, only offer the cash it is truly worth... or move on to another boat that will be better for you in the long run!

Happy Boat Search Daze – Art

The Process of Buying a Boat

And now my version of "Know when to hold them and know when to fold them."

"Know when to listen and know when to move on regardless."

You will get a tremendous number of opinions tossed at you. It's like any information, you have to carefully sort through it all. Almost all the information and opinions are good, but they come from many perspectives and you need to determine ultimately which of those perspectives is akin to yours.

A few simple examples. Galley up or down? No right or wrong but many like it one way and wouldn't have it the other. So think of their reasons and then how you feel. Size? Some will push small and some large. But listen to their reasoning and determine what is applicable to you. Number of staterooms. Well, we all carry different numbers of people different times. Style from lake express to ocean passagemaker. Well, the selection of the boat is very much geared to where and how you'll use it. If you intend to stick primarily to the ICW your needs are quite different from the person who intends to go to Bermuda, explore the Caribbean, cross through the Panama Canal and go to Alaska then pick up Catalina on the way back. If your usage is mostly weekend and occasionally a week at a time then much different than someone living on a boat full time.

Now when people are fairly universally saying the same thing to you about a specific boat, give that more credence. But ultimately, it's your choice, not theirs. But go through the process. This brings me back to a business philosophy I had. I didn't question the choices, recommendations or decisions, I always asked about the process of getting there. If someone came to me with a proposal, I'd center on what they'd done, what they'd studied, what they'd found out to get them to that point. Ultimately I feel choices aren't good or bad based on the choice made but based on how you made it. If you go through the process correctly, then you'll generally be happy with the decision. If you short cut the process, skip steps, your odds of making a mistake are greatly increased.

So to me it's like any project I've ever been a part of:

Project: Selecting a boat

Phase 1-Define the requirements. What do you want this boat to do, where will you use it. This should be a detailed list of deliverables you want. And, yes, I strongly encourage putting it in writing and modifying it as you learn more.

Phase 2-Explore and evaluate options against your requirements. That's the key. We actually had a sheet against which we checked off whether a boat met, or didn't meet or partially met each requirement. The key is having defined requirements so you're not just saying "I like that" but you're saying it meets 90% of my requirements and all the essential ones. You can compare two side by side. And yes, "wow factor" or "feel good factor" can be a requirement. I just see it and like the thought of it. But that is only one of many. This phase will have to talking to a lot of people and looking at many boats, in fact probably hundreds on line.

Phase 3-Pick the best matches and delve deeper. In systems it's determining the one you want to pilot. Same here just a different definition of pilot. This is when you then make the offer dependent on sea trial and survey. To help you determine which one to make the offer on, test anyway you can. Charter. Ride in similar. Meet and talk to other owners who might even take you on a ride.

Phase 4-Piloting the choice-Sea Trial and Survey. Prove your choice is what you think it is. When all goes well, this step is very valuable. It reaffirms your choice. When it doesn't go well, it is even more valuable. It prevents you from making a bad choice.

My point is don't try to jump in and just say, I like this boat or that one. Don't start at "what do you think about boat abc?" Don't short cut the process. Take whatever time it requires.

Next post will be a real life example.

Our find loop boat requirements example

Project: Find a Loop Boat

Requirements. Note ours only so this doesn't apply to everyone's loop boat. Please note that I am not recommending this as your loop boat as it's absolutely wrong for most people. And yes these are the abbreviated requirements. This is only for illustrative purposes.

New or Used: New
Builder: Must be trustworthy, honest, ethical. Meet schedules.
Delivery deadline: December 2015
Overall quality of builds: Excellent
Country of build: US if all else equal but only if
LOA: 50-60'
Beam: 17-18'
Draft: Prefer 4'6" or less, Good 5' or less, Maximum 5'6"
Air Draft: Maximum 19'1"
Speed: WOT 25 knots, Cruise 18 knots
Rough water capabilities: Must be capable of running outside and crossing gulf of mexico in most conditions. Not an ICW only boat.
Fuel: 1000 gallons
Single or Twin: Twin
Engine brand: CAT or MTU
Minimum range at cruise: 300 nm
Minimum range at economy (10-12 knots) 700 nm
Headroom throughout: Minimum 6'8"
Generators: Two
Watermaker: Yes
Flybridge: Required
Helms: Upper and Lower
Electronics not detailed as all can be equally fitted
Must sleep: Minimum 6 Comfortably. 8 Somehow
Galley: Up, large, full size appliances
Washer/Dryer: Yes
Length trip without reprovisioning: 6 weeks
Dining: 8. Formal not required
Salon: 6, 8 with deck chairs
Bridge cover: Hard or canvas
Bow: Prefer bow seating at least for 2, Portuguese bridge a plus.
Safety main: Must have walk around space on both sides and bow. High sides or rails
Safety bridge: Must have high rails
Tender/Dinghy Storage: Must accommodate 11' Bridge or Garage
Following areas to be individually graded:
Lower Helm, Galley, Dining, Salon, Master, Master Head, VIP, VIP Head, Guest, Guest Head, Engine Room, Bow, Cockpit, Bridge Helm, Bridge
Exterior looks: Not important, can be pretty or even cute ugly.
Interior looks: Finish and appointment must be quality. Do not prefer ultra modern minimalist nor law library darkness

Our find loop boat requirements exploration, narrowing

We looked through every possible builder of boats in the 40-65 foot range we could find. From Yachtworld to google, you name it.

The vast majority however were quickly eliminated by a few factors. Speed eliminated traditional trawlers. Yes, we're greatly in the minority here. Just knew ourselves. We got use to 50+ knots on the lake. Rough water capabilities eliminated some. Most of the British and Italian boats were eliminated because of things like tender storage (most either tow or carry on swim platform) or range (most have incredibly short range as they have large engines but small tanks).

There was one design we loved at the outset but what we saw as the builder's standards and outstanding lawsuits and documents we read eliminated them from all consideration.

Draft, both water and air eliminated many.

Of all boats we've ever purchased this one became the most complicated and most difficult to match our needs.

Ultimately we narrowed it down to two primary builders.

Grand Banks was the first. We evaluated the 59 Aleutian and also slipped a bit and evaluated the 65 Aleutian. They met almost all our requirements well, except the 65 was outside length requirements. Height would require hinged masts but that was no issue. Draft slightly more than ideal but acceptable. Builder trustworthy but a lot of turmoil among owners and board that disturbed us as did their lack of profits and being on the Singapore exchange watch list. Now very recent events make us feel a little better about their future. Building in Malaysia would involve a good bit of travel on our part or someone representing us. The 59 met our needs at a very high score. Something over 90%. Some big pluses such as the optional crew cabin giving three staterooms with three heads but for occasional use a fourth with a fourth head. Only real negative we found was the refrigeration/freezing capacity.

Now to the typical looper we fully recognize this would not be the right boat as it would be too inefficient fuel wise, too big, and they'd be paying for things that not only they didn't need but didn't want.

The other was Hatteras. Hatteras once had some great smaller MY's and even LRC's and many here have those. Today their one model that might fit is a 60. Wonderful in so many ways. Great builder. NC. Not far away. We even have family near. One less head than GB but that was livable. No problem hinging arch to clear. Draft actually less than the GB. Fuel usage worse, considerably. Full size refrig/freezer plus more below. One big negative on our part. They are building most of these without a lower helm. As such we don't think they really thought the lower helm through enough. Even on their larger boats the very slanted windshield very much restricts vision. First just in height and second in reflections. Also as the Hatteras tends to be a bit bow high especially in planing the lower helm is less than perfect there. We did ride in a 60 and pretend we had a lower helm. This pushed advantage to GB.

So decision made. Well, not quite. We kept looking at a 65' boat a builder we know well use to make but eliminated it as their smallest size. We mentioned it. Well, one thing leads to another and the mold and tooling still there and all in place and since they like us so much. Now we have no idea if it will even have a brand on it when built. Might be B&B. Going to be built in slower time, low priority. Pretty much being done as a personal favor to us for now, although could resurface later. But yes, we ended up doing this. So how did it evaluate. Well, US built. People we know well, trust well. The boat meets all our requirements very well except one. It's too long. We realize that will give us docking problems occasionally on the loop but have mapped the entire circuit and found it to be ok. (Boat is actually 69' with platform). Exceeds our requirements in many ways. three staterooms, three heads, plus crew cabin and head. Lots of bridge space. Accommodates 15' RIB.

Oh I did leave one thing, one very important out of my requirements post. Interior height. I'm a little over 6-4. Big problem, literally. But all three of these boats accommodated. The BandB (for lack of anything better to call it at the moment) even has a master stateroom that accommodates a king size bed easily as it's a full width stateroom.

As to sea trial, we did get a day on an older one. As to survey, we do have a surveyor in that area who will watch build and survey after.

Had we not gone this route we would have gone with the GB Aleutian 59.

The point here isn't what we chose or even our requirements. It's the process. Don't try to jump to choosing without doing requirements. Don't decide to forego sea trial or something as close as possible in a new build or survey. And we scream to get a survey even on a new build. This will force things being fixed pre-delivery and not post. Biggest suits I'm aware of all involved boats that did not pass survey and were taken on delivery under the guise the builder would correct. One was guaranteed to be Veritas classed unlimited and insurance was bound based on that. Veritas wouldn't pass it. Oh it is still available on the used market as it has been since almost the day it was built.

Good luck to anyone ever purchasing a boat. Following the right process doesn't guarantee success nor does taking shortcuts guarantee mistakes. We're just talking about improving the odds of not the right boat, but the right boat for you.

37 Hershine

Hi Guys, I am looking into buying a 37 Hershine. I have been through the posts regarding buying a boat. However, any information/warnings regarding owning a 37 Hershine? Thanks

Speed eliminated traditional trawlers

WHY , almost all the traveling is in rivers and dug canals with a 10KM speed limit.

10KM is about 5 or 6NM per hour , the Canadians have been disarmed , so holes at the WL ( FL, GA, Sc, NC) are probably not a hassle , but the local cops might be.

Even with a 100K boat , there wont be many miles you can travel at any speed over idle.

Be sure what you look at can fit the very restricted air height in places.

FF said:

Speed eliminated traditional trawlers

WHY , almost all the traveling is in rivers and dug canals with a 10KM speed limit.

10KM is about 5 or 6NM per hour , the Canadians have been disarmed , so holes at the WL ( FL, GA, Sc, NC) are probably not a hassle , but the local cops might be.

Even with a 100K boat , there wont be many miles you can travel at any speed over idle.

Be sure what you look at can fit the very restricted air height in places.

Click to expand...

Actually can do more speed in many places as our looping will be a bit different. We see the coastal areas a lot already so will cover them quicker with mostly outside runs. We do intend to spend considerable time exploring the Great Lakes which will be done at speed. Great to have it especially if you want to cross. Then rivers like the Tennessee allow for speed. The Canals are actually from NY until you reach the Great Lakes. Then the Mississippi is slow to moderate speed in most areas. We like having speed to cross the Gulf with runs typically between Panama City or Apalachicola and Clearwater. When we loop the concentration will be on those areas we can't otherwise get to as often. We'll probably leave the boat inland on the Tennessee River a year at a time over it's years. Explore the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, Missouri.

When we do the east coast, since you mentioned FL, GA, SC, NC, we do not spend much time on the ICW. We pick up different areas different trips. Here's just an example of one of our runs this past year up the East Coast. This was not on a loop type boat but could be done on the one we have planned assuming the same excellent conditions we had. Outside run from Ft. Lauderdale to Daytona. Daytona to Fernandina, then Fernandina to Savannah (2 days there). Savannah to Hilton Head to Charleston to Myrtle Beach (2 days). Quick run from Myrtle Beach to Beaufort (4 days). Quick run to Hampton (3 days), then Washington for 6 days. From there to Cape Charles (2 days), then 11 days between Annapolis and Baltimore and enjoying the Chesapeake. Cape Charles again, then Ocean City for 2 days, Cape May for 2, Atlantic City for 3. NYC for 8, Greenport for 2, Brooklyn, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Hampton, Beaufort. Wrightsville, Wilmington, Bald Head (2 days), Myrtle 5, Charleston 3, Hilton Head 3, Savannah 3, Fernandina, St Augustine 4, Titusville 2, Fort Lauderdale.

Total time 90 days. Actually broken into two 45 day segments with a trip home in the middle. 270 engine hours, 39 days of movement. 5100 nm. Average speed underway 19 knots. % days moved 43%. Average hours on water per day moved 6.9. Average hours on water over total days 3 hours. A bit distorted as little time in FL since we cruise Florida all the time.

That does make my point about knowing ones own preferences. We fully understand how our speed isn't what many would choose.

When we do the loop the first time, our plan is something like this. Move boat to NE in spring. Be in NY ready to start the canal run the first of May. Through the canals slowly but then spend the summer enjoying and cruising all the Great Lakes. Leave Chicago last September and head down Mississippi to Kentucky Lake and on to Pickwick, leaving the boat for most of the winter at Aqua Yacht Harbor. Following spring and summer cruise the Tennessee and Cumberland. Do a fall color cruise on the Tennessee. Leave boat again at AYH. Following spring and summer cruise the Ohio and the Missouri. Then on down the Tenn Tom to Mobile. From there a quick cruise home to Fort Lauderdale. Boat then probably leaves Fort Lauderdale March 2016. Arrives back December 2018.

Sorry BandB

BandB said:

Project: Find a Loop Boat

Requirements. Note ours only so this doesn't apply to everyone's loop boat. Please note that I am not recommending this as your loop boat as it's absolutely wrong for most people. And yes these are the abbreviated requirements. This is only for illustrative purposes.

New or Used: New
Builder: Must be trustworthy, honest, ethical. Meet schedules.
Delivery deadline: December 2015
Overall quality of builds: Excellent
...modern minimalist nor law library darkness

Click to expand...

But in your exemple it is difficult (impossible !?) to go futrther than the second recomendations : "Builder: Must be trustworthy, honest, ethical. Meet schedules.":lol: