Pretty boat, what do you think?

The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
D

Don L

Guru
Joined
Mar 7, 2023
Messages
1,257
I am an ex sailboat cruiser who has been boatless now 1.5 years, but am only 65 and I wasn't ready to stop cruising. At the same time the event that ended our cruising changed my thinking and we aren't going back to a sailboat and are thinking a trawler or a motorsailer. Being a sailor I of course like the idea of a motorsailer over a trawler for the possibility of sailing (even though I KNOW that is semi wrong) and the motion control. But true motorsailers are kind of a rare breast and they are either old or HUGE. They also have height limits and since Iive in Florida in east coast and have been up down a few times I understand the bridges. So ............................. enter a trawler with a steady sail. We don't need to go 20kph so don't need the crazy 400-70HP older ones have. We aren't planning to cross the ocean, just coastal to Caribbean.

I am not ready to buy yet (unless something shows up I just can not pass up) and looked at sailboats for years before getting one (once I started looking in person I had 1 in 2 weeks).

So .................... what do you experience powerboat people think of this?

Pros to me:
- damn it's pretty
- steady sail (stupid pirate sail)
- 400 gal fuel for a 135HP Perkins seems good range
- low engine hours (will need more info on this)
- nice aft enclosed area
- price seems very reasonable
Cons
- not crazy about the aft ladder to get aboard
- It's a long first trip to get from Great Lakes to Jacksonville Fl

 
Last edited:
Certainly has potential. I would like to know about the underbody.
 
First glance thoughts:

1) I like it! Has that sailboat feel (which you obviously like).

2) I like the easy pilothouse/sidedeck access (at least I think there are sidedecks?).

3) Part of #1 is the looks, part is how you kind of go down into the saloon (but still have windows to see out).

4) I don't mind the few steps into the saloon, but like you, not a big fan of having to climb a ladder to get to the water/swim platform. But then too, I don't know how much you get in and out of the water/dinghy.

5) I see it being on the Great Lakes as a huge plus. Freshwater is kind and I think the trip to Florida would be fun (spend this summer in the Great Lakes though :))

Like I said, first glance. Nothing in my response about condition, or hull design. I can't tell at a glance.

But my first glance thoughts are (also) informed by hearing that you still have a soft spot for sailboats (as do I), but know a trawler would suit you better right now. I think I would prefer something like this to a not-great-motorsailor, where you wouldn't sail anyway because it sailed badly (as opposed to maybe a really good one but as you said, they are usually bigger). Here you have the feel but also won't feel like you "should" be sailing when you are not.

My boat now has all kinds of windows (you can't even call them ports) with a 360º view. But in a way I kind of miss the cozy feel you get going below on a sailboat. This boat has some of both.
 
That transom ladder is tall and not ideal, but it looks like the swim platform is pretty big. There's probably enough room to build a set of spiral stairs or something instead of the ladder.
 
Fortunately you could probably find a used white main sail for a few hundred dollars.
As someone who is currently refitting a 40 year old boat, I'd expect most systems will
need going over if not replacement but the price is reasonable enough to allow for that.
I'm curious about the listed displacement. 76,000 lbs is a lot for a 43 footer. Where is it?
 
Looks credible to me, at least for further investigation.

Agree ref the transom ladder; looks like that'd be work to use. OTOH, normal boarding from the sides at docks looks OK.

Agree, freshwater boat usually good. In this case, you may or may not be able to (practically) unstep that mast so maybe the Chicago route down might be in question. OTOH, the eastern route is popular too, even if you end up going the opposite direction from many.

Maybe I read too fast, didn't see mast height in the listing? From pics, I think that mast is still tall enough so you'll still have the same issues on the southern east coast as many do? But not too near the magic 65' number?

-Chris
 
I like it. Description sounds like it was cruised. Wonder how a dink was stored? I assume the boat is fiberglass? There's enough sail to provide some stabilization I would think.

Good catch by @KnotYet on displacement sounding high. I too like Midwest boats though not sure how much time this one has been in freshwater. Would be a fun run to Florida - would cruise places you'd never go back to which could be interesting.

Peter
 
CharlieO. said:
I’m just not sure about the ferro-cement hull, I really know nothing about them.
Click to expand...

Sh*t I didn't see/note that. That's pretty much a deal killer to me even though it is 41 years old so "proven" in this case.
 
CharlieO. said:
I’m just not sure about the ferro-cement hull, I really know nothing about them.
Click to expand...
Yeah, no. Now the displacement #, though still high, seems more likely. Insurance problem, too.
 
while the subject boat is the nicest ferro boat I think I have ever seen, it is off my list
 
Don L said:
while the subject boat is the nicest ferro boat I think I have ever seen, it is off my list
Click to expand...
I’ve been loosely shopping the Puget Sound area and saw a listing for a nice looking 50 foot trawler, it checked a lot of my boxes, had a good price but was a ferro-cement hull. I feel like they are a tough sell.
 
Agree that the ferro cement hull would be a deal killer. If it has been freshwater all it’s life and you take it into saltwater it could be a huge problem. Also can you get insurance?
 
@Don L This is #2 thread. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Please do post boats you are really interested in, and not just click bait.
 
SteveK said:
@Don L This is #2 thread. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Please do post boats you are really interested in, and not just click bait.
Click to expand...

What????? I was interested in experienced power boat people opinion of a boat. Is that some type of sin to you?
 
Pretty? Mmm, not so much. Not really salty either. Likely usable though, as it’s fairly well traveled. I’m not fond of the layout, and not sure if the performance gained from the short footless sail is worth the penalty of the mast height bridge restrictions. Even if it were a glass hull I’d pass.
 
@SteveK
I don't understand your objection. There is a thread on here called "interesting boats," where people just post boats for others to look at. They aren't even thinking of buying them 99% of the time. It has over 14,000 posts!

@Don L
I enjoyed getting a look at this boat and thought it was interesting. Seemed like you were even considering buying (until one sharp poster noticed it was ferroconcrete). I liked this thread.
 
Don L said:
What????? I was interested in experienced power boat people opinion of a boat. Is that some type of sin to you?
Click to expand...
Don you posted the previous thread in a way like this one and it turned out to be a joke.
I am asking are you really interested or just another effort to see other opinions for the fun of it.

Frosty I am aware of the long thread on interesting boats.
 
SteveK said:
Don you posted the previous thread in a way like this one and it turned out to be a joke.
I am asking are you really interested or just another effort to see other opinions for the fun of it.

Frosty I am aware of the long thread on interesting boats.
Click to expand...

I think it is simple, please stop reading any of my posts/threads and save your super valuable time! That way you can save even more valuable time when you do not respond.

I am a proven cruiser who did it full time 7.5 years not a wish-to- be. I will ask about ANYTHING I FEEL LIKE!
 
CharlieO. said:
https://www.boatmart.com/listing/50...5OTRYwScQsBORgAxFQ_aem_kp5oGFpDq3lPcHTER1ISkA
I think this one is interesting, sounds like there would be good support for the EV install
Click to expand...

Even if I felt up to it, I would never get my wife on that boat. But thanks

I have some Albin's, Rough Water's, DeFever's, Mainships am researching. Probably have a year of time to sort it out and waste Steve's time before deciding (have elder family member and investment withdrawn issues to deal with)
 
Don L said:
Probably have a year of time to sort it out and waste Steve's time before deciding (have elder family member and investment withdrawn issues to deal with)
Click to expand...
😂 I thought Steve was kidding initially, but apparently not!
I know you've ruled out Moonshadow. She sure has an interesting story, though, and the engine room looks pristine. But a lot of exterior teak.
Have fun in your search! Look forward to seeing your next possibility.
 
nwh10 said:
😂 I thought Steve was kidding initially, but apparently not!
I know you've ruled out Moonshadow. She sure has an interesting story, though, and the engine room looks pristine. But a lot of exterior teak.
Have fun in your search! Look forward to seeing your next possibility.
Click to expand...
Not kidding when he comes across as a troll. Two boats now that most would not consider including THE seasoned long term cruiser. I will continue to read the BS that should be in a humor sub forum.
 
SteveK said:
Not kidding when he comes across as a troll. Two boats now that most would not consider including THE seasoned long term cruiser. I will continue to read the BS that should be in a humor sub forum.
Click to expand...
Easy enough to block someone if you think their discussions don't enrich your life.
EDIT.
 
Last edited:
I wonder if this is indeed ferrocement or if the wrong box was mistakenly ticked by the listing agent. There's a decent list of fairly recent upgrades (bow and stern thrusters, water maker, new Garmin nav, etc.) and the interior joinery looks nicer than DIY that was common with ferrocement builds.

@Don L - might be worth contacting the broker to confirm. It's an interesting boat - a bit of a unicorn especially in its current location.

Keep the queries coming! Always enjoy clicking links.....

Peter
 
Last edited:
ranger58sb said:
Ah. I didn't see it either. I'd pass...

-Chris
Click to expand...
The OP was a BoatTrader link and I couldn't find reference to the hull material. One-off boats like these are usually made in steel but since I didn't see a reference, I assumed it was probably fiberglass.

The yacht world listing for the same boat is more clear that the boat is ferrocement.

Peter
 
mvweebles said:
The OP was a BoatTrader link and I couldn't find reference to the hull material. One-off boats like these are usually made in steel but since I didn't see a reference, I assumed it was probably fiberglass.

The yacht world listing for the same boat is more clear that the boat is ferrocement.

Peter
Click to expand...

Ah. Good, I don't need to feel quite so blind, then...

-Chris
 
SteveK said:
Not kidding when he comes across as a troll. Two boats now that most would not consider including THE seasoned long term cruiser. I will continue to read the BS that should be in a humor sub forum.
Click to expand...

Wow you troll me and call me a troll a then keep coming back!.

BTW learn to count as I am sure I have asked about more than 2 boats since I have been here. It might be hard for to keep track of as it has been well over 1.5 years since I asked about one and you might need to consider making a list.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
difference between "fast trawler hull and a powered slim sail boat hull"
Replies
3
Views
519
sean9c
S
mvweebles
Sail to Trawler - Gone with the Wynns opens the floodgates???
8 9 10
Replies
290
Views
28K
Airstream345
Airstream345
D
Blow Me Over
Replies
18
Views
2K
Don L
D
P
Pender Harbour to Shelter Island
Replies
28
Views
872
poor grammar
P
D
Are old "name brand" boats really worth more
2 3
Replies
70
Views
5K
GeoStr
GeoStr

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom