http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:01:40 GMT vBulletin 60 http://cdn.cruisersforum.com/forums/../ugala/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/pacific-expedition-pe55-33254.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:10:20 GMT Hello everyone,

My wife and I plan to take a few years off work and would like to circumnavigate. We'd probably start by cruising the west coat down to Baja (since the yacht is built in Oregon). We're currently leaning toward having a powered cat (PE55) built by Pacific Expedition Yachts. I'm looking for opinions on the PE55 design and it's ability to circumnavigate. Since the yacht is completely customizable ideas on what could/should be changed is greatly welcomed.

Thanks,
Jason ]]> Powered Boats PwrCat http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/pacific-expedition-pe55-33254.html http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/cruising-the-pacific-northwest-and-alaskas-inside-passage-32892.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:54:25 GMT I am looking for some advice from people that have experience cruising the Pacific Northwest. In the next year or two I may be in a position to... I am looking for some advice from people that have experience cruising the Pacific Northwest.

In the next year or two I may be in a position to take a few years off to chase a dream. I have always wanted to take the time to explore the Pacific Northwest by power boat. I am talking about extended trips up to Alaska and all points in between. My biggest question right now is what kind of boat?

My initial thoughts are something around the 35-40 foot range. I would like something that is comfortable but not so big that I will have problems handling it by myself. My primary goals will be photography and some scuba diving.

I am beginning to learn about the different types of larger boats. Sedans, tugs, sportfishers, trawlers, etc. Any thoughts or recommendations from experienced cruisers? I have a lot of experience on smaller boats and currently have a 25 foot Wellcraft Coastal in a slip in Santa Cruz. I am trying to get as much time on the water as I can to increase my knowledge and experience. I figure I will end up with a used boat then spend a good amount of time going through it top to bottom before it hits the water. Upgrade where needed, outfit it for my needs, and make sure everything is safe. Once it’s ready to go I will look for some experience folks to take my first few trips with.

I do not have a firm budget yet but would like to stay under $100k. And please don’t contact me trying to sell me your boat. I am not in the market yet.

I know there are a ton of different options out there as well as a ton of different opinions. Just looking for a little help in getting started.

Thanks! ]]> Powered Boats Divtruk http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/cruising-the-pacific-northwest-and-alaskas-inside-passage-32892.html http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/sabreline-36-aft-cabin-fast-trawler-32648.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:29:42 GMT This little make and model is trying to steal my heart:flowers:. Need common sense advise from all you power/trawler/cruisers out there. I really... This little make and model is trying to steal my heart:flowers:. Need common sense advise from all you power/trawler/cruisers out there. I really love the model with the stabilizing sail but is she really seaworthy or is that a gimmick? This is my first boat. Reading all your posts has helped me immensely and I will so appreciate your input now.
For info on what I want her for see the September thread on trawlers in this section begun by me. Thanks:thumb: ]]> Powered Boats sqrtof2 http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/sabreline-36-aft-cabin-fast-trawler-32648.html http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/sunbridge-as-liveaboard-32597.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:40:47 GMT So I've been looking at sailboats for the past few months and it is really difficult to find one with the amenities I want that is in my price range.

My ideal boat would be in the mid-30's, under $30k, decent sized fridge/freezer, shower (preferably with its own stall and not pumped into the bilge), HC pressure water, at least one sizable berth (ideal would be walk-around queen) as well as a private berth for guests, fairly open layout so I can walk 7-10 feet without bumping into something (and same for the outside area)....it just seems that powerboats work better for what I'm looking for. And prices for powerboats seem to have been much harder hit than sail. Also a bit worried that a cramped older sailboat is going to for sure turn off the ladies.

I looked at flybridge gas powerboats but they seem insane to dock singlehanded, except for the old tollys which have deck doors. But still, those are big boats with tons of windage and pretty high decks to jump off of.

I looked at trawlers and there are some 34' CHBs that might be right at the edge of my price range. Seems like they would still be difficult to dock singelheandedly, especially without a bow thruster, they only have a single engine, and they often have a decent amount of wood on deck (I'm not into varnishing).

So, I always had a thing for the look of the sunbridges and thought I'd check prices. They appear to have taken a pretty hard hit with the economy? I'm seeing ~34' with all or almost all the amenities I want selling for pretty cheap.

I don't mind the cave feeling of a sunbridge and in some ways prefer it (more privacy). They should get a little bit better mileage than say a tolly and although fuel costs would be a lot more I'd just be going on short weekend trips in the foreseeable future and the speed would greatly expand the available destinations and still be cheaper than hotel rooms. With a sailboat or even a trawler I'd probably be limited to Blake Island on a two day weekend and that would get old (I'd have the boat in Bremerton or Port Orchard).

Is there a downside I'm not seeing? Are the older sunbridges crap quality? How much space are you really losing compared to a comparable trawler? Is the bow area unusable? Am I reasonable in thinking that a mid-30's sunbridge should get around 1.3nmpg at ~20 knot cruise?

Old gassers sound bad due to fuel costs and lower lifespans, but for periodic use from what I'm reading they are not a bad idea. The thought of having to rip out and replace a big diesel from a sundeck trawler is financially chilling.

Any input would be appreciated. I don't know much at all about these boats.

EDIT:
going on the assumption that they are easier to dock as well. ]]> Powered Boats jm21 http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/sunbridge-as-liveaboard-32597.html http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/planing-hulls-with-twin-diesels-economical-32391.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:29:59 GMT So, I've been looking for boats...feeling like kind of a traitor for looking at powerboats but I'd like to live aboard and they just provide a lot more amenities. I don't really have enough money to support a total gas hog though. OTOH, I live a decent ways away from most places I'd like to go and being able to do 10-20 knots would greatly expand my weekend destinations.

I've seen a few boats on craigslist recently with twin 110-175 hp engines, from 28' to 40'. I'm just kind of curious as to how well these boats work. The diesels seem to be about half the HP of similar boats with gas engines yet they are claiming to have about the same cruising speeds.

Are they a lot more economical than their gas counterparts?

Some examples of ads for faster cruisers:

TWIN DIESEL 20 KNOT CRUISE LOW HOURS

32' Bayliner Conquest, 1984, Twin Volvo Diesel Engines! Meticulous!

And slower more trawler-like ones:

BAYLINER MOTORYACHT 40'

1986 Bayliner 3270 Twin Diesel ]]> Powered Boats jm21 http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/planing-hulls-with-twin-diesels-economical-32391.html http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/i-be-one-o-ya-32312.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:13:19 GMT Well boys, (and girls):

I am really one of 'ya now. I closed on a 1982 Mainship 34. Engine= replaced in '06 with 250 Diamond Cummins. Turned over 200 hours during sea trial. I spoke to the mechanic after the purchase that installed and he said the rebuilder sent him a rebuilt block that was cracked so they sent him a new one. He added that he had to tune it down because with the skeg it it got squirrelly at WOT. Hull not designed for 20 knots. Hope for 3-4 gph @1800RPM 12 knots, but I hope for a lot of things.


Has a 2:1 tranney and seems to run really good. The mechanic ask what I paid, when I told him he said, damn, they have spent that much in the last 3 years.

Has a new 3.5k NextGen also. Raitian does not work, no water heater, no holding tank, bridge deck needs a peel and rebuild...it leaks, needs a buff and wax, ground tackle upgrade, bottom job, new HVAC, electrical and electronics. Stand some redecor and other clean-up but even with all that done I will come out with less than $50K purchase and refit. At least I hope to, however I hope for a lot of things. I am capabible to do much of the work. Any suggestions gratefully accepted about the refit or whatever.

I am in a quandry bout an inverter, mosified sine or true sine, much difference in price.


Wife came home, after 7 month furlough, said buy a boat, so when she retires in June we can head out. Leaving in Fl. for refit, will end up eventually on Texas Coast.


Anybody want to buy a Bennington 22' tri toon?

Da Mule ]]> Powered Boats Mule http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f109/i-be-one-o-ya-32312.html