Bigger Boat vs Smaller Boat - Page 7

James S · 27-11-2008, 00:33

Welcome return for tiny sail boat

The smallest boat ever to cross the Atlantic has once again returned to Cornwall, 13 years to the day after she sailed into the record books.

The 5ft 4in Father's Day was transported to Falmouth from Florida, accompanied by her record-breaking captain, Hugo Vihlen.
He has agreed to donate the micro-yacht to the National Maritime Museum.
The tiny vessel will now become one of the centre pieces of an exhibition due to open early in 2007.
'Full force'
Vihlen sailed into Falmouth harbour aboard Father's Day on 26 September 1993, after successfully crossing the Atlantic from Newfoundland in Canada.
Vihlen had rations to last 85 days and was forced to stretch his supplies, of 65 ready meals, two gallons (9.09 litres) of M&Ms, a gallon of dry fruit, 100 cans of Hawaiian Punch and 34 gallons (154.6 litres) of water, to last the four-month journey.
The boat, the size of a coffee table, is made from strong lightweight building materials, fibreglass and Airex.
She was fitted with GPS, a water purifying system, VHF radio and SSB/Ham radio.
Vihlen said: "I was 61 years old, retired, and I went full force into building this boat Father's Day.
"On Father's Day you should be able to do what you want to do, that's your thing. "This was my thing and aboard Father's Day I was able to do it."

Curmudgeon · 27-11-2008, 13:26

Living aboard and extended cruising aside, it's all about the fun of sailing, right? I suppose some truck drivers really enjoy their work, but I prefer something a little smaller.

imagine2frolic · 28-11-2008, 11:22

It is just as much about the destination as it is the sailing for me.

James S · 28-11-2008, 11:40

As for me...I like working on the boat....the bigger the boat....the more to do.

Cheechako · 28-11-2008, 11:44

Not knowing your age it is hard to say. It's hard to believe any couple needs more than 40+ feet. In a good blow, even with large winches a large boat becomes very difficult for me to keep up with. I'm amazed at the price of simple things like blocks, line etc now. It seems like a good 42+ ft boat has a nice galley, two staterooms, two heads and so does a 52 footer, although the 52 might get another berth.... Moorage, bottom paint work, autopilot etc are a lot more $ aren't they?

Zanshin · 28-11-2008, 11:59

Cheechako - I am one of those people contemplating going from 43 to 50ish boat and I singlehand. Yes, the costs are a lot higher but remember that the inside space doesn't go up linearly with length, the 50 footer with the same basic hull design has almost double as much space as the 43 boat (think volume, a 3x3x3 square is over 3x larger than a 2x2x2 square). I now have a whole room dedicated as work room and can store more tools and spares to allow me to be more independant - in comfort.
Costs aside, the bigger boat stores more "junk" and provisions, is less likely to broach and has a more sea-kindly motion as well as being faster. If the sails are balanced on a big boat then the steering forces need be no higher than those of a smaller boat.

The costs really do go up with a larger boat, everything gets pricey to buy, maintain and replace. Maintenance work goes up, albeit at a slower rate than the costs.

CaptForce · 28-11-2008, 12:31

Our experience is limited to living aboard and cruising sailboats from 30' to 41'. We moved aboard the 30' boat in our early 20's in 1972 from a college apartment when all we owned could fit in our car,- it was perfect! With two children, we moved to a 33' boat of a much larger design and until our daughter and son were 9 and 7 years old, -it was perfect! When our children were older and until they left for college, we lived aboard a 41' boat and they had their private cabins, -all was perfect! Now, in our 60's we've keep the 41' ketch and we keep an empty aft cabin for visits from friends, children and now a grandchild, all is perfect! We would do well with a somewhat larger or smaller boat. I think the accomodations, rig, draft, and outfittings can be as important as the boat lenth. When it comes to safety, I would suggest that people are giving to much emphasis to size. A far greater factor are the choices made by the captain and crew. What inlets to avoid in what weather choice; do you wait for better weather; do you choose a daylight landfall? If the vessel is sound; then, prudent navigation far exceeds the importance of vessel size! 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

Liberty28 · 29-11-2008, 04:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptForce

When it comes to safety, I would suggest that people are giving to much emphasis to size. A far greater factor are the choices made by the captain and crew. What inlets to avoid in what weather choice; do you wait for better weather; do you choose a daylight landfall? If the vessel is sound; then, prudent navigation far exceeds the importance of vessel size! 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

Well said, my friend!

P.S And welcome to the forum.

Cheechako · 28-11-2008, 13:05

Zanshin, Yes there are some advantages to big. My Cat had a complete workshop. On the other hand my experience with more storage room is you dont need it all. I remember selling boats and finding things I never used or remembered storing! Also as the cube space goes up as you note, you get more walking space between the settees etc, but the settee tends to be the same depth. Nice if you have a bunch aboard, but wide open space not that preferable in rough weather. There are pros and cons though. Heavy weather management seems so much easier in a smaller boat to me, but I never had electric winches.

GordMay · 28-11-2008, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

... On the other hand my experience with more storage room is you don’t need it all ...

Parkinson’s Law: "Work expands to fill the time available."

Gord’s Corollary: “Stuff accumulates to fill the space available, plus some."
I ve never seen a space I couldn’t (over) fill.

Stillraining · 28-11-2008, 13:45

When I use to mountain climb and venture to places i no longer can..I used a tent like this..it was right for the job.

When I got married and started a family the mountains gave way to car camping and we needed more room then the biviy would supply so we got one of these.

As we aged and got stiffer and less agile with less time available to deal with 3 teenagers we got one of these..They can start the process over for themselves if adventure calls and if they someday choose to try a bivouac.

I may or may not be able to mentally or physically some day go back to car camping if I need to... but I will never be able to voluntarily put up with the conditions of the bivouac again...we age we change our lifestyles are generally either enjoyable to us or avoided..no one purposely hinders his or hers well being and peace of mind..

Go with what you have, and have what you want to go with..

"That's all I have to say about that".. Forest Gump

GordMay · 28-11-2008, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

. .. Go with what you have, and have what you want to go with..
"That's all I have to say about that".. Forest Gump

And/or r as Stephen Stills wrote:
“... if you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with, love the one your with, et al ...”

James S · 28-11-2008, 23:32

Dido that........

Cheechako · 01-12-2008, 14:11

Yes, My 47 footer with brand new lewmar #52 (54?) winches almost had me in Dfib several times trying to get the jib in in a blow. (release the sheet, winch in the furler , trim the sheet etc) Raising the main on my 42 ft Cat took several minutes due to the weight of the huge full battened main with Harken cars. My 30 footer... I just grabbed the halyard at the mast and pulled it up in 6 ft chunks!

imagine2frolic · 01-12-2008, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Yes, My 47 footer with brand new lewmar #52 (54?) winches almost had me in Dfib several times trying to get the jib in in a blow. (release the sheet, winch in the furler , trim the sheet etc) Raising the main on my 42 ft Cat took several minutes due to the weight of the huge full battened main with Harken cars. My 30 footer... I just grabbed the halyard at the mast and pulled it up in 6 ft chunks!

HUMMMMMMM?,

But would you go back to the 30ftr?

28-11-2008, 11:22	#3
imagine2frolic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: N.E. Florida Boat: Simpson, Catamaran, 46ft. IMAGINE Posts: 3,160	It is just as much about the destination as it is the sailing for me. __________________ BORROWED! No single one of us is as smart as all of us! SAILING is not always a slick magazine cover!

28-11-2008, 13:45	#11
Stillraining Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Puget Sound Boat: Irwin 41 CC Ketch Posts: 1,014	When I use to mountain climb and venture to places i no longer can..I used a tent like this..it was right for the job. When I got married and started a family the mountains gave way to car camping and we needed more room then the biviy would supply so we got one of these. As we aged and got stiffer and less agile with less time available to deal with 3 teenagers we got one of these..They can start the process over for themselves if adventure calls and if they someday choose to try a bivouac. I may or may not be able to mentally or physically some day go back to car camping if I need to... but I will never be able to voluntarily put up with the conditions of the bivouac again...we age we change our lifestyles are generally either enjoyable to us or avoided..no one purposely hinders his or hers well being and peace of mind.. Go with what you have, and have what you want to go with.. "That's all I have to say about that".. Forest Gump __________________ "Go simple, go large!". Relationships are everything to me...everything else in life is just a tool to enhance them.

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27-11-2008, 00:33	#1
James S Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: I live in Yemen...the boats in Lebenon Boat: 1978 CT48 Arctic Lady Posts: 1,183	Welcome return for tiny sail boat The smallest boat ever to cross the Atlantic has once again returned to Cornwall, 13 years to the day after she sailed into the record books. The 5ft 4in Father's Day was transported to Falmouth from Florida, accompanied by her record-breaking captain, Hugo Vihlen. He has agreed to donate the micro-yacht to the National Maritime Museum. The tiny vessel will now become one of the centre pieces of an exhibition due to open early in 2007. 'Full force' Vihlen sailed into Falmouth harbour aboard Father's Day on 26 September 1993, after successfully crossing the Atlantic from Newfoundland in Canada. Vihlen had rations to last 85 days and was forced to stretch his supplies, of 65 ready meals, two gallons (9.09 litres) of M&Ms, a gallon of dry fruit, 100 cans of Hawaiian Punch and 34 gallons (154.6 litres) of water, to last the four-month journey. The boat, the size of a coffee table, is made from strong lightweight building materials, fibreglass and Airex. She was fitted with GPS, a water purifying system, VHF radio and SSB/Ham radio. Vihlen said: "I was 61 years old, retired, and I went full force into building this boat Father's Day. "On Father's Day you should be able to do what you want to do, that's your thing. "This was my thing and aboard Father's Day I was able to do it."

27-11-2008, 13:26	#2
Curmudgeon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Boat: Sam Devlin Custom 28.5 Posts: 446	Living aboard and extended cruising aside, it's all about the fun of sailing, right? I suppose some truck drivers really enjoy their work, but I prefer something a little smaller.

28-11-2008, 11:40	#4
James S Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: I live in Yemen...the boats in Lebenon Boat: 1978 CT48 Arctic Lady Posts: 1,183	As for me...I like working on the boat....the bigger the boat....the more to do.

28-11-2008, 11:44	#5
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,205	Not knowing your age it is hard to say. It's hard to believe any couple needs more than 40+ feet. In a good blow, even with large winches a large boat becomes very difficult for me to keep up with. I'm amazed at the price of simple things like blocks, line etc now. It seems like a good 42+ ft boat has a nice galley, two staterooms, two heads and so does a 52 footer, although the 52 might get another berth.... Moorage, bottom paint work, autopilot etc are a lot more $ aren't they?

28-11-2008, 11:59	#6
Zanshin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Germany Boat: Jeanneau 49DS Posts: 268	Cheechako - I am one of those people contemplating going from 43 to 50ish boat and I singlehand. Yes, the costs are a lot higher but remember that the inside space doesn't go up linearly with length, the 50 footer with the same basic hull design has almost double as much space as the 43 boat (think volume, a 3x3x3 square is over 3x larger than a 2x2x2 square). I now have a whole room dedicated as work room and can store more tools and spares to allow me to be more independant - in comfort. Costs aside, the bigger boat stores more "junk" and provisions, is less likely to broach and has a more sea-kindly motion as well as being faster. If the sails are balanced on a big boat then the steering forces need be no higher than those of a smaller boat. The costs really do go up with a larger boat, everything gets pricey to buy, maintain and replace. Maintenance work goes up, albeit at a slower rate than the costs.

28-11-2008, 12:31	#7
CaptForce Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Underway Boat: Morgan OI 413 1973 - Aythya Posts: 197	Our experience is limited to living aboard and cruising sailboats from 30' to 41'. We moved aboard the 30' boat in our early 20's in 1972 from a college apartment when all we owned could fit in our car,- it was perfect! With two children, we moved to a 33' boat of a much larger design and until our daughter and son were 9 and 7 years old, -it was perfect! When our children were older and until they left for college, we lived aboard a 41' boat and they had their private cabins, -all was perfect! Now, in our 60's we've keep the 41' ketch and we keep an empty aft cabin for visits from friends, children and now a grandchild, all is perfect! We would do well with a somewhat larger or smaller boat. I think the accomodations, rig, draft, and outfittings can be as important as the boat lenth. When it comes to safety, I would suggest that people are giving to much emphasis to size. A far greater factor are the choices made by the captain and crew. What inlets to avoid in what weather choice; do you wait for better weather; do you choose a daylight landfall? If the vessel is sound; then, prudent navigation far exceeds the importance of vessel size! 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

28-11-2008, 13:05	#9
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,205	Zanshin, Yes there are some advantages to big. My Cat had a complete workshop. On the other hand my experience with more storage room is you dont need it all. I remember selling boats and finding things I never used or remembered storing! Also as the cube space goes up as you note, you get more walking space between the settees etc, but the settee tends to be the same depth. Nice if you have a bunch aboard, but wide open space not that preferable in rough weather. There are pros and cons though. Heavy weather management seems so much easier in a smaller boat to me, but I never had electric winches.

28-11-2008, 23:32	#13
James S Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: I live in Yemen...the boats in Lebenon Boat: 1978 CT48 Arctic Lady Posts: 1,183	Dido that........

01-12-2008, 14:11	#14
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,205	Yes, My 47 footer with brand new lewmar #52 (54?) winches almost had me in Dfib several times trying to get the jib in in a blow. (release the sheet, winch in the furler , trim the sheet etc) Raising the main on my 42 ft Cat took several minutes due to the weight of the huge full battened main with Harken cars. My 30 footer... I just grabbed the halyard at the mast and pulled it up in 6 ft chunks!