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Old 16-02-2013, 09:51   #1
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Bigger Boat Quandary

I have a 1987 C and C 27 Mark V and it is a great boat. It has tiller steering and I can sail it single handed on Lake Ontario and even fly the asymetrical spinnaker myself (although sometimes it's not pretty to watch it come out of the sock and anyone within hearing should probably wear ear plugs).

The question is, I have seen a 1985 Beneteau First 305 and it looks like a great boat too.

My complaints about my present boat are mainly that the headtroom is such that I often bump my head, and secondly, even though I am usually alone I think it might be nice to have more living space.

What should I do? Stay in what I have or go bigger? Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

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Old 16-02-2013, 10:01   #2
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

3 footitis is common, the only known cure is to buy the bigger boat! Seriously, no one can make this decision for you. Maybe think this way: The new boat will cost me $XXXX out of pocket. I go sailing XX times a year. So it will cost me $XX each time I go sailing to have the bigger boat. maybe that's too logical, often it's a sentimental thing..
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Old 16-02-2013, 18:51   #3
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

My advice. Don't run the numbers. Sailboats are ultimately not a rational financial decision.
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Old 16-02-2013, 18:58   #4
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

you want it get it!!!!
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Old 16-02-2013, 18:58   #5
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

When going on vacation, it is not the time to pinch "pennies". Get the boat that will make you comfortable, as life is too short. Having said that, my preference is to charter a boat at a great sailing/diving destination rather than owning one; not wasting my precious vacation time sailing blue water for days. Mauritz
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Old 16-02-2013, 19:04   #6
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

Had the same conundrum years ago. Went bigger. Never regretted it. Had a 25, looked at some 30s but the Admiral said: "Why not buy what you always wanted?" Bought our C34 in 1998. Been standing up down below for 14 years. Never miss the C25 "stoop."
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Old 16-02-2013, 19:08   #7
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

Admiral, huh! It could have been worst..."His/Her Majesty!" Mauritz
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Old 16-02-2013, 19:18   #8
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobalu View Post
Sailboats are ultimately not a rational financial decision.
Oh how true!

Very funny. I keep being told how much a boat is a waste of $$ but I don't care what anyone else thinks, I'm happy about it.
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Old 17-02-2013, 11:27   #9
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

Yeah, the logical approach really doesnt work too well for boats. Maybe for comparing which one to buy it helps. I've found it helpful for gear at times. For instance, I outfitted 3 of my boats with windvane steering. Probably a cost of about $6000 total. Because I didnt cross the Pacific, the number of successful uses of those vanes was pretty low. It probably cost me $150 every time I used it! Would I have one now? ONLY if I was crossing big oceans, even then maybe not.
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Old 17-02-2013, 13:33   #10
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

G'Day Harry,

As one who has over the years worked my way up from 15 to 46 feet, I can say that there is no logical analysis that applies to your question.

Put simply, you gotta balance the additional pleasure that a larger boat would bring you against the additional costs that would be incurred. Only you know what sacrifices in the rest of your life would be added, only you know how much you hate bumping your head in your present boat.

Until you become a live aboard, there are no fiscal benefits from boat ownership, but the emotional benefits (for me at least) have always outweighed those crass considerations! And making objective decisions about emotional benefits is not a likely thing...

Cheers,

Jim
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Old 17-02-2013, 14:24   #11
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Re: Bigger Boat Quandary

I agree with the "don't try to subject this to a rational process". I will suggest you consider going even larger, say to 33 feet. I found this just as easy to handle, but six feet totally altered the way I saw I could use the boat.

Good luck. The '85 Benny is a nice boat, too. Of course, I like the C&C 27 Mk. V, as well, particularly as a club racer...not so much as a cruiser.
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