Big Boat vs Smaller Boat

[Chattcatdaddy]

I`ll throw in my 2 cents and say what everyone else is pretty much said already. Size is a matter of comfort not seaworthiness. I don`t think anyone wouls question the seaworthiness of a Bristol Channel Cutter. So it basically comes down to preference and comfort level of the crew. I personally prefer boats less than 30 feet. I lived and sailed on a Cal-29 for 2yrs and never wished I had a larger boat. Thats not to say that one day I will not have a larger boat.

Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Then there are those microcuisers

http://www.microcruising.com/

[Brent Swain]

I feel far more comfortable with a smaller boat and the difference in price and maintenance costs in the bank, than I would having all my money in the boat and no financial backup. I've done it both ways.
Brent

[dcstrng]

Originally Posted by Rhosyn Mor

You buy the boat that fits your needs- including the budget... Bigger boats do not HAVE to be more complex...

I think that says it… most of us juggle a bunch of factors, size (how ever one measures it…) being only one of the factors… as you say, size does not have to engender greater complexity, and for a few there has been commendable success in not filling up larger hulls with every techno-gadget that will fit the space… yet, for others, messing about with the gadgetry is part of the enjoyment, so we each try to balance the equation our best… fifteen foot boats have made enough seamanlike voyages that they barely make the news – likewise, seventy-five footers…

[rover88]

You hit the nail on the head when you said "compromise". I wanted a 30' for reasons discussed frequently on this topic. My wife wanted a 40'. We compromised with a 34'. Could I be happy on a 40'? You bet your bum I would. Would my banker agree? Not on your life.

I will note that we are all like goldfish and will grow as large as our surroundings allow and this is particularly true on a boat. You will always need more space for your "junk". However, I could never see myself in a boat bigger than a 44 ft. as there is simply too mch work to sail her and keep her up - not to mention the expense.

[capt_douglas]

A bigger boat will generally sail faster, have a more sea-kindly motion, and more storage at the expense of higher maintenance, dockage, and operating costs. Duh! Being able to sail out of bad weather, carry more provisions/fuel/guests in better comfort can make an unpleasant or prolonged passage less so. In many more remote places you may have problems with dockage and anchoring.

So why aren't there more big boats out there? I think it's because there's a point where the cost outweighs the benefits. Most of the boats cruising today are in the 40-45' range. This doesn't make that size perfect but it does make one think. Having sailed and worked aboard large sailing yachts I can attest to the comfort level, benefits of crew, and dryness. I can also discuss to the costs of repair and maintenance. Finding a lift for larger and heavier boats can be a real task in the less traveled parts of the world.

Many folks have commented on docking and while that can be more difficult with larger boats (especially single screw without a bow thruster) I would also bring up navigating narrow openings into anchorages and maneuvering around boats in crowded mooring/anchoring fields.

I also think that most cruising boats are manned by couples and while powered winches are nice, taking in large sails with a crew of 2 can be a tough act. Yes, I know the mantra "reef early, and often" but manhandling an 800 square foot main is a lot more work and dangerous than a 400 square foot one, powered winch or not.

If you're coastal cruising, sailing marina to marina, or popular spot to popular spot, a large boat is a real benefit. If you're gunkholing, sailing into narrow reef channels, careening to put on some bottom paint or do repairs, trying to find a lift or railway to get hauled, or dodging coral heads getting to the small anchorage, then small is the way to go.