Deciding which boat to buy

we're considering Nordic Tug 37 or Sabre 36 right now or any other "fast trawler"options. any comments

Susan wrote:

we're considering Nordic Tug 37 or Sabre 36 right now or any other "fast trawler"options. any comments

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Hi Susan, welcome.* They are both good boats.* What is your cruising style?

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Susan wrote:We're considering Nordic Tug 37 or Sabre 36 right now or any other "fast trawler"options. any comments?

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The Sabre 36 would be my choice although I am more familiar with the Sabre 40 &
42. Both boats are well made but the Sabre is much sexier. Whatever you decide, get a hard top.


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-- Edited by SeaHorse II on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 08:16:53 PM

SusanIf you like the Sabre, and you are on the East Coast, you might take a look at the plethora of custom lobster yachts in the used market. Not that either the Sabre or 37 Nordic wouldn't be great.

If you really want to go fast(er), then get the Sabre. They are usually more properly powered for speed and they usually have a "speedier" shaped hull(read planing hull vs semi planing hull). Nordics are fine boats but you will cruise in the low teens and burn a LOT of fuel doing it. Sabres move throught the water slightly better so are more efficient at speed. And I know form follows function, but styling is also at issue here. Do you like the tug style or more the classic downeast style??? Nordics might have more beam so they likely have more interior volume.

Long story short, you can't lose with either. The NT37 happens to be my favorite of the NT lineup. It is big enough to have some room to spread out but not so big as to be intimidating on a daily basis. You just have to decide which is right for you. Also when considering the NT37, don't forget to take a look at the American Tug 34. Pretty much the same size boat....and potentially a better layout(IMO).

-- Edited by Baker on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 08:18:53 PM

Baker wrote:

If you really want to go fast(er), then get the Sabre. They are usually more properly powered for speed and they usually have a "speedier" shaped hull(read planing hull vs semi planing hull). Nordics are fine boats but you will cruise in the low teens and burn a LOT of fuel doing it. Sabres move throught the water slightly better so are more efficient at speed. And I know form follows function, but styling is also at issue here. Do you like the tug style or more the classic downeast style??? Nordics might have more beam so they likely have more interior volume.

Long story short, you can't lose with either. The NT37 happens to be my favorite of the NT lineup. It is big enough to have some room to spread out but not so big as to be intimidating on a daily basis. You just have to decide which is right for you. Also when considering the NT37, don't forget to take a look at the American Tug 34. Pretty much the same size boat....and potentially a better layout(IMO).

-- Edited by Baker on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 08:18:53 PM

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I have to agree with John on the American Tug 34. It has as much usable space as the NT37, so would be a good comparison. I do however prefer the exterior styling of the NT37 over the AT. I don't like any of the Nordics with the flybridge. It's out of place on that boat.

The other boat, if you are leaning toward the Sabre style would be the Eastbays.

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I sold a Sabre 36 last year....beautiful boat. Attached is some detailed fuel burn data specific to the 1996 model with Cat 3116's.

Looks like 16kts at 1.5mpg is your sweet spot. You would be very hard pressed to do that in the Nordic. In fact, 16kts would likely be WOT...if that. The NTs just struggle a bit for me to think of them as a planing cruiser. They will plane, but you will pay in fuel and maintenance and engine life.

Carey wrote:

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I don't like any of the Nordics with the flybridge. It's out of place on that boat.

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The other boat, if you are leaning toward the Sabre style would be the Eastbays.

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Come on Carey, check out this NT37 with a flybridge....it increases the useability of the boat and I do think it ADDS to the appearance of the boat....simply an opinion on my part.

ANd also while you are in that 36ft express class, take a look at the Island Packet 36s....they didn't sell too well but they are extremely well built and look like a good competitor to the Sabre. *Below is a link to an IP36 for under 200k with Yanmar power. *If you are familiar with IP, they do it right. *They came stock with dueling Stidd helm chairs. *Anyway, the link below is a steal if you ask me.


http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatMergedDetails.jsp?boat_id=2261278&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=11384&url=

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-- Edited by Baker on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 08:51:07 PM

Hey guys, Sabre made 3 types of 36' boats.* The express, the sedan usually with a flybridge, and the double cabin fast trawler.

We don't know which one is under consideration.* They are 3 boats with totally different personalities.* Presently there is no 36' that I know of in the line.* The 36 express moved up to the 38' hardtop express.* The sedan and fast trawler are no longer being offered.

Well Baker and I seem to both like the 36 express so I think we both agree that is the boat she should buy!

Baker wrote:Carey wrote:I don't like any of the Nordics with the flybridge. It's out of place on that boat.

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Come on Carey, check out this NT37 with a flybridge....it increases the useability of the boat and I do think it ADDS to the appearance of the boat....simply an opinion on my part.

-- Edited by Baker on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 08:51:07 PMSorry John. It offends my design sensibilities. Each to his own, but for me, no. Part of it is that it becomes less traditional looking, IMHO.*

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I also think the flybridge is out of place on this boat.
I would also think twice before buying any boat with a 3116 Cat- its reputation preceeds it. Many have proved to be nightmares. Other Cat models Purr.

Susan,
I just sent you a private message

Carey wrote:I don't like any of the Nordics with the flybridge. It's out of place on that boat.

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Ditto!

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I guess the flybridge serves quite a decent function at a VERY low aesthetic cost(none in my opinion). Most all of you that dislike it are West Coast boaters. I believe flybridges to be a necessity in tropical climes. Walt, if I had your boat down here I would be driving around with the generator on and the AC blowing....that or you would find the boat adrift with nothing but bleached bones on board........heaven forbid I am going 8kts with an 8kt tailwind(ie NO relative wind). It is also why I chose an express version of the Pilot versus a hard top. I personally think the hardtop is a better looking boat(I think all sedans are better looking than their express counterparts).....but.... You simply cannot get enough ventilation and a hard top definitely retards valueable ventilation regardless of how many ports and windows. Just a thought for the OP if she is in the sun belt.

John:*
I agree with your comments about driving the "hard top' with the A/C on. Sometimes I fail to put myself in the shoes of the writer (location) and base my opinions on my own climate, which is "perfect" for a hard top sedan.

Even from the perspective of a few Nordic owners I spoken to, Nordics with Fly Bridges are vastly more versatile with that added dimension, albeit somewhat of a style break from the traditional. *I *When comparing the 36 Sabre, I thought you'd be speaking more of the sedan or aft-cabin version than the express. *I like both, and I think the layouts are about as good as you can do with that space. *I don't like 3116's though, and the majority of them I've seen had this engine. *I think the American Tug 34 is a good candidate too, and the fly-bridge looks good on it. *All these boats were on my initial list of mono-hull considerations and would have greatly increased the cruising range for weekend outings, for example. *But the fuel costs for my type of use drove me toward power-cats and full displacement mono-hulls. *Good luck with your search.

I'm contemplating changing my name to "Susan." I've never seen so many replies in such a short amount of time!

Thanks for your input.* Going fast is not necessarily the first point of importance.* But, just to have that capability, I guess. The Nordic has two side doors which seems attractive, especially without the flybridge. Also, has one engine vs. two - possibly more economical.* The Sabre flybridge 36, though, does not have a guest stateroom except for the salon dinette bunk.* Trade-offs to weigh.*

Does anyone think it is imperative to have a flybridge?* We will be cruising in the Northwest.

Susan wrote:
Does anyone think it is imperative to have a flybridge?* We will be cruising in the Northwest.

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When we were in the looking stage we looked at several Nordic Tugs as well as American 34.

We were at the boat show and the N Tug dealer told us that even if we bought a* Nordic with a bridge he would insist that before we left his yard we knew how to back her into a slip from the lower helm.* That was where he though it should be done from bridge or no bridge.

Hope that helps.

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The Sabre 36 we are considering is the sedan flybridge model.* The Nordic does not have the flybridge, but we are in the Northwest and think we may be able to do without, if the visibility is good enough for docking below.

From your photo I'm wondering if that is Mainship?* or not.* That would be another choice possibly.* Any comments on that one?

Susan wrote:

The Sabre 36 we are considering is the sedan flybridge model.* The Nordic does not have the flybridge, but we are in the Northwest and think we may be able to do without, if the visibility is good enough for docking below.

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Susan, the 36' Sabre flybridge sedan is a very livable boat.* Many have the extended roof that covers the cockpit.* It is nice to walk out onto the "back porch" The Mainship 35 had that also.* The Sabre will make a good turn of speed.* Enclosing the cockpit with Isenglass extends the living space in most all weather.

I like the pilot house on the tug, but it would be hard to give up that covered cockput.* Just depends on your style of cruising.

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Susan wrote:Does anyone think it is imperative to have a fly-bridge?* We will be cruising in the Northwest.

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I don't... but there are many who love their fly bridges.

Now that I know where you will be cruising, I'd listen to some of our PNW member's
opinions. Carey & Marin come to mind but there are plenty of others. If I cruised
up there, the Nordic would serve me fine as I don't like canvass and isinglass.
The cockpit is a little small for my taste but the boat was designed
for the PNW.


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dont think flybridge is imperative, especially PNW.
one vs two engines depends how deep your pockets are.
perhaps look at one of the Mainship models, they are great boats and fairly fast/economical in the one engine configuration.

SeaHorse II wrote:Susan wrote:Does anyone think it is imperative to have a fly-bridge?* We will be cruising in the Northwest.

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I don't... but there are many who love their fly bridges.

Now that I know where you will be cruising, I'd listen to some of our PNW member's
opinions. Carey & Marin come to mind but there are plenty of others. If I cruised
up there, the Nordic would serve me fine as I don't like canvass and isinglass.
The cockpit is a little small for my taste but the boat was designed
for the PNW.

SusanWe've discussed this issue before, but here I go again. Speaking stricktly for myself, I would not have a flybridge requirement for any boat of mine, but if in my search for a boat I found one that met all my expectations, and had a flybridge, I would buy it. That is if it did not insult the design of the boat. You will certainly find more N37's without the flybridge on the used market as well. We have a flybridge, and we use it a little, but really wouldn't miss it. However, I do know many folks in the NW that use theirs a lot.

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Susan wrote:

Does anyone think it is imperative to have a flybridge?* We will be cruising in the Northwest.

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Most cruiser-type boats in the PNW have flying bridges if for no other reason than the manufacturer included them to make the boat appeaing in as many markets as possible.* A lot of people in the PNW use them.* But...... if one likes driving from a flying bridge (we don't) and prefers it to the lower helm it is imperative to have the flying bridge fully enclosed and heated if one intends to use the boat year round up here.* The most common means of doing this is with a canvas enclosure with clear, flexible windows.* And even if the boat is not going to be used year round, an enclosed flying bridge is still a good idea because even in July we can get chilly, if not cold, weather.* And rain is a year round proposition up here.* The best boating months (in my opinon) are April, May, June, and September.* All four of these months can see pretty cold weather and of course, the ever-present rain and wind.

It is very rare in my observation to see a boat with a flying bridge up here that is run from the flying bridge without a full enclosure.

My personal opinion is there is only one recreational boat configuration that is truly ideal for the PNW and that is the pilothouse configuration.* This elevates the helm position for better visibility yet the helmsman is out of the weather (canvas protects you only so much) and is in a position to be aware by sound, feel, and smell to what's going on in the engine room.

I think pilothouse boats like the Nordic Tug are far more aesthetic without a flying bridge.* However there area a few designs--- Fleming and Krogen come to mind--- that incorporate a flying bridge into their pilothouse design that does not detract from the boat's lines because the sides of the flying bridge are very low and blend into the lines of the pilothouse.* Other boats, like the Nordic Tugs that have had big flying bridges grafted on top of their pilothouses, I think look top heavy and awkward.* And when you add the almost mandatory full enclosure (for our region) to the flying bridge of a Nordic Tug the boat begins to look downright ridiculous in* my opinion.* Aesthetically.* Functionally it's probably just great.




-- Edited by Marin on Thursday 3rd of February 2011 06:31:47 PM

Marin wrote:

*to the flying bridge of a Nordic Tug the boat begins to look downright ridiculous in* my opinion.* Aesthetically.* Functionally it's probably just great.

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I'm with you on all points but the last.

I think you run into a lot of windage and even with a full keel you can get blown around a bit.

But hey you could be right on all counts.

*the windage is only really going to come into play when trying to get her into her slip.

*sd

All fly bridge boats are in the "ice cream boat" category.