backinblue
Guru
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2019
- Messages
- 3,937
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Blue Moon
- Vessel Make
- Mainship Pilot 355
I just understand his selection to be a done deal, although not completely sure of whether he's actually ordered the boat. I was proceeding on the basis he has.
I agree on the GB. Even comparing to a 54' would be something, but then we can't access all the available boats. That's why selection can become an overwhelming process and people can get so bogged down in it, they become paralyzed.
It's funny that our first coastal boat was a Riva and we made the decision quickly and didn't really consider a lot of other boats as weren't many that similar. We thought of Pershing but didn't like surface drive. Sunseeker was too slow for us (yes get ready for irony later). We love Riva and still have it.
But the one boat, we couldn't decide on was what boat to get for the loop. This went on for a long time until we hit a critical point if we were actually going to do the loop. I had to have the perfect boat and it doesn't exist, of course. But wanted capacity for at least 6, water draft 5' or less, air draft 19' or less, cruise speed at least 26-28 knots but preferred more, upper galley, flybridge, dual helm, 60' max size. This took years. First choice was 60' Hatteras but no lower helm eliminated an otherwise perfect choice. Sunseeker Manhattan 63 eliminated by lower galley. Grand Banks had models of interest but I worried about the company and as it turns out when they got their act together the boats we would have considered were discontinued. Fleming was a consideration but too slow. We considered custom through a SF builder or a redesign and build of a Pacific Mariner 65. We rejected Princess over quality and the fact they use pods in that size. Almost went for a Sea Ray 650 L Fly but then quality issues scared us away. Finally Sunseeker added a Manhattan 65, identical to the 63 but galley down and that's the route we went. It really was great but for some reason I never loved that boat like our others. Did I sabotage myself in the process? Surely there was something else out there.
Well, we sold that boat after a couple of years. Never even made it home but worked out well. But that leaves us now wanting to do the loop again and choosing a boat again. I'm saying must order by February 28, 2022. Has anything changed? Well, leader in clubhouse is now Sunseeker Manhattan 68. It essentially replaced the 66 which replaced the 65 and 63 and in total only 3" difference in size. I'm still not in love with it but know it would do well. Should we consider GB 60 or Palm Beach 65? They make no use of the bow. What about reconsidering Fleming. What about a catamaran? Thought about Coastal Craft 65 but they discontinued it. Riva has a model but draft too much and flybridge too small. We will make a choice by February but will it be like last time and I'll like it but never love it? Such a stupid problem for me to agonize over when any and all would be fine and I'm just being a greedy perfectionist of some type. So, he made a decision, bought a boat, I applaud and not going to criticize his choice. It will work fine for his desired use. Maybe I'll start another thread and encourage all to jump on and help and criticize me on the next loop boat.
Again I would say that just because a decision has been finalized, doesn't mean that people don't have questions about the decision. That doesn't necessarily mean criticism of his choice.