Durant F
Guru
For the purpose of full disclosure, I admit to being a minimalist by nature and strongly feel the best boat for anyone is the smallest one suited for their intended use. (I also feel everyone should be totally honest with themselves on how they truly will use their boat)
After spending nearly 4mths living aboard a Helmsman Camano and travelling from Seattle up and throughout the Broughtons (twice), I can honestly say it is the best set of compromises for our intended use.
I single hand often and this boat is easy on and off the dock. There were several times hopping onto the dock, alone, in strong side winds that I was thankful for a reasonable displacement that I could “pull in” and tie. Shoving the bow or stern off at departures was stress free as well.
The layout works. No other way to put it. When “she who must be obeyed” was aboard, the forward facing mate’s chair was truly appreciated. She loved the efficient galley and really liked the oven as well. The fridge is bigger than my last boats and the separate large freezer compartment and door a bonus. It was easy to stock up for the 2 of us to be “away”. Helmsman has utilized space extremely well and we found abundant storage. The forward cabin is beautifully finished and the multiple lockers made the “his and hers” separation pretty painless. The hanging locker is surprisingly big and we loved the separate head-shower. Lots of less used items went under the upper settee as well as the bunk. Both of us found the boat to be extremely comfortable for a couple.
If you are going to have a lot of company, I think it could get small pretty fast, but for our use it really was near perfect. Throw in docking and the small size was more appreciated. Then....as Emma B received the big final clean up before hauling we were again thankful for it’s size. Ad in lower dock and storage fees, less bottom paint etc etc and if you plan to do extended cruising solo or as a couple, I doubt there is an easier to handle and more well thought out design available. If your going to have other couples or multiple children along...a few more feet is probably worth it.
For us, and our use, after 4mths cruising, Emma B is “just right”
After spending nearly 4mths living aboard a Helmsman Camano and travelling from Seattle up and throughout the Broughtons (twice), I can honestly say it is the best set of compromises for our intended use.
I single hand often and this boat is easy on and off the dock. There were several times hopping onto the dock, alone, in strong side winds that I was thankful for a reasonable displacement that I could “pull in” and tie. Shoving the bow or stern off at departures was stress free as well.
The layout works. No other way to put it. When “she who must be obeyed” was aboard, the forward facing mate’s chair was truly appreciated. She loved the efficient galley and really liked the oven as well. The fridge is bigger than my last boats and the separate large freezer compartment and door a bonus. It was easy to stock up for the 2 of us to be “away”. Helmsman has utilized space extremely well and we found abundant storage. The forward cabin is beautifully finished and the multiple lockers made the “his and hers” separation pretty painless. The hanging locker is surprisingly big and we loved the separate head-shower. Lots of less used items went under the upper settee as well as the bunk. Both of us found the boat to be extremely comfortable for a couple.
If you are going to have a lot of company, I think it could get small pretty fast, but for our use it really was near perfect. Throw in docking and the small size was more appreciated. Then....as Emma B received the big final clean up before hauling we were again thankful for it’s size. Ad in lower dock and storage fees, less bottom paint etc etc and if you plan to do extended cruising solo or as a couple, I doubt there is an easier to handle and more well thought out design available. If your going to have other couples or multiple children along...a few more feet is probably worth it.
For us, and our use, after 4mths cruising, Emma B is “just right”
