Does size really matter?

[Barra]

I agree with the other posts - can make a significant difference once you cross the threshold size between local haulout capacities and/or size "buckets" for marinas ie under 50 foot vs over 50 foot charges.

In the med for example in high season 2 feet can make a difference with square meterage charges and higher price bands over certain size and length. in some marinas you just cant get a berth over 40 feet length or 20 feet wide

depends like the first post said on where you are and where you want to go...

[boatsail]

sailwarehouse...
prices

hunter 42 mainsail
CM46.75 Hunter 42 Main 46.75 49.10 15.45 - Pro/Stock 8.5 Dacron Std 2 7/8 In. Internal Rope New Y $ 2175 Coastal 54
****2175

hunter 27
CM29.8 Hunter 27 Main 29.80 31.30 9.90 - Pro/Stock 6.0 Dacron Std 1 3/4 In. Internal Rope New Y $ 695 Std/OEM type- Pre 1980 24
***695

I picked hunter because I know it is a favorite of most sailors on here.

Really, 1600 bucks difference for a 27 foot to a 42 foot boat. If you are buying a 42 footer in the first place, 1600 bucks is not that much difference.

This is a big difference, if you are talking about a boat that is plus or minus 5, the difference is not as much.

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by tamicatana

Um, the Polynesians, who invented multihulls, would beg to differ...

Parts of the Hawaiian Canoe

They can differ all they like. The only people who call Catamaran hulls amas are monohull guys who haven't spent 5 minutes on a catamaran.

[sailorboy1]

When you think of things like sail costs you have to also consider if you are a sailor or a cruiser!

I believe that sail life is measured in sun exposre and hous of use. If you are a cruiser the larger boat has more expensive sails, but for the same distance traveled get less sun exposure and hours of use.

I don't think it is a given that the larger boat costs as much as talked about as to being higher. Yes the larger boat's sails cost more to buy/replace, but are they really as much a cost increase for a cruiser to use?

[2007siyasi]

We cruise on a 40' and can handle long passage, reefing at nite and docking in high wind ok with the 2 of us. I can single hand most things but rely on Lisa for help with alot. I'd be nervous on 48-50' (but I was nervous when first handling the 40).

[WingingIt]

Thanks everyone! Really great points.
It will be my husband and two children so i think the 50ft would be fine in that regard. Having grown up on a 42ft mono i'm certainly going to appreciate the space on a cat and i agree that the 2 extra feet might not make much difference in most cases. I see the point of the beam though but again the difference in the beam of both is not much. Both are well over 21ft. Salina is 25.25ft and Admiral is 27.67ft so looks like haul out will be a major issue either way. We're going to have to seriously plan ahead for haul out on either one.
As for night shift, do you think if we reef down (more than day) at night this would help with handling the boat with one person? Being able to handle the boat single handed is important to us because if either one of us injures ourself or similar we want to be able to manage the boat. For this reason I want everything to come back to the helm and will look at making this possible on any boat we choose. I"m not so worried about docking since if we had to do it alone (emergency only) there is likely to be at least one person around who could help on shore. But even if there wasn't we'd work it out. Winging it is what we do best lol, hence the name.

[Jeannius]

My wife and I circumnavigated with just the two of us aboard our cat. Reefed well down EVERY NIGHT whatever the conditions at sunset or the forecast for overnight. We modified the boat to bring all lines back to the cockpit before starting the round the world trip as we didn't want to have to leave the cockpit to do any sail handling. For the same reason we didn't even carry a spinnaker or any form of specialist downwind sail. When you are short-handed it is much better to be safe than sorry.

By the way... You don't need to go to 48-50 ft for a couple and two kids. Our 44ft Privilege has more than enough space for a family of 4

[WingingIt]

Good to know.

I realize we don't need to go to 50ft it's just this particular boat im comparing has everything we want at the price we want so why not have the extra space

[Pat Ross]

In the Pensacola area we have 3 options for haul out at 24' on the beam, one will do 24'11", while this is good for us you also need to think about where you intend to go and should you need haul out how would that be done.

Your question about the 2 foot difference suggests to me you are considering a purchase between two different designs. I would be looking at not only the "Beam Overall" but the "Waterline Length" and the "Beam of the hull" at the water line. If two feet can make a difference to you then understanding these measurements and what they suggest could mean a whole lot more.

[downunder]

Personally don't think you would find much difference in effective room on either of the 2 vessels you are considering. You are best checking both vessels out and that will tell you.

Electric winches are good value on vessels of that size.

I like shaft drives but bridgedeck clearance is also advantageus.

cheers

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by AiniA

Well my wife said size matters. We had a Niagara 35 which we very much enjoyed but she said we needed to get a bigger boat or she would not go off cruising,hence the Bristol 45.5. ...

Ha, mine too, but its not all about "length"........as a result we went from a 37' mono to a 35' cat with a 23' beam...dramatic difference in livability.

[Florence]

Most of the talk is about living space and cost of ownership. I'd like to know about the impact length has on sailing features. For example, is there going to be much of a difference in hobby horsing when going to windward in a 32' compared to a 40'?

[stevensuf]

In general bigger is more comfortable,faster and safer

[conachair]

Originally Posted by stevensuf

In general bigger is more comfortable,faster and safer

And in general the opposite applies when you're hauled out with a roller & tray full of antifouling in your hand

[stevensuf]

hey its a days work, once a year even up to 50 odd foot, sure a bigger boat costs more and some things take more time & money, but still safer, faster and more comfortable, Very few people go in smaller boats that could afford larger boats.

You do get to a 50 ft ish limit where the boats become more difficult to handle without 2 or 3 or more people on board.