Hello all,
I just joined the forum and this is my first post. I am not trying to start a fast boat/slow boat debate here, these are three real questions I have.
I sold my 2012 Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 last month, after two years of limited cruising, and I am planning for what will probably be my last boat. My wife and I have enjoyed several weekend trips, one with 4 teenagers, as well as day cruises, and we realized the Swift Trawler3 4 would not be the retirement boat we thought it would be (it had a number of craftsmanship issues, too). I homeport on the Delaware River in New Jersey.
I have been looking at the Grand Banks 43 EU with it's semi-displacement hull, and the Kady-Krogen 44 AE and Norhavn 43, both with full displacement hulls. All three are beautiful boats, but I realize I am mixing one apple with two oranges.
Here are my three questions: (1) Why don't I see many Grand Banks style boats doing the Big U type of cruises from Maine to Alaska? (2) Is the semi-displacement hull that bad for cutting across the Caribbean and coastal cruising? (3) Is the large flying bride and wrap-around bench seating of the Grand Banks not very important to the cruising couples that spend weeks and months aboard their boats?
I like the idea of a pilot house, which the Krogen and Norhavn boats both have, but I like the dual Zeus drive engines with the joystick docking better than a single engine with bow and stern thrusters and a kicker.
I spent most of my underway time up on the Swift Trawler's flying bridge with friends around the bench seat and table, either on the Delaware or in the Chesapeake. To my eye, the optional flying bridge of the Norhavn is too small, and I can't get past the Krogen having only one head, with an option for another 1/2 head. I am leaning towards the Grand Banks since inter-coastal cruising is the type I will do probably do most, and the ocean crossing capabilities of the Krogen and Norhavn are not needed. I'm just wondering why the vast majority of boats I see in magazines and on the Internet that are up in Alaska or doing the Big U are of the Krogen/Norhavn style. Those are also cruises I would like to consider.
Thanks for your time,
Sam
I just joined the forum and this is my first post. I am not trying to start a fast boat/slow boat debate here, these are three real questions I have.
I sold my 2012 Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 last month, after two years of limited cruising, and I am planning for what will probably be my last boat. My wife and I have enjoyed several weekend trips, one with 4 teenagers, as well as day cruises, and we realized the Swift Trawler3 4 would not be the retirement boat we thought it would be (it had a number of craftsmanship issues, too). I homeport on the Delaware River in New Jersey.
I have been looking at the Grand Banks 43 EU with it's semi-displacement hull, and the Kady-Krogen 44 AE and Norhavn 43, both with full displacement hulls. All three are beautiful boats, but I realize I am mixing one apple with two oranges.
Here are my three questions: (1) Why don't I see many Grand Banks style boats doing the Big U type of cruises from Maine to Alaska? (2) Is the semi-displacement hull that bad for cutting across the Caribbean and coastal cruising? (3) Is the large flying bride and wrap-around bench seating of the Grand Banks not very important to the cruising couples that spend weeks and months aboard their boats?
I like the idea of a pilot house, which the Krogen and Norhavn boats both have, but I like the dual Zeus drive engines with the joystick docking better than a single engine with bow and stern thrusters and a kicker.
I spent most of my underway time up on the Swift Trawler's flying bridge with friends around the bench seat and table, either on the Delaware or in the Chesapeake. To my eye, the optional flying bridge of the Norhavn is too small, and I can't get past the Krogen having only one head, with an option for another 1/2 head. I am leaning towards the Grand Banks since inter-coastal cruising is the type I will do probably do most, and the ocean crossing capabilities of the Krogen and Norhavn are not needed. I'm just wondering why the vast majority of boats I see in magazines and on the Internet that are up in Alaska or doing the Big U are of the Krogen/Norhavn style. Those are also cruises I would like to consider.
Thanks for your time,
Sam