socialising...those size matter...

[otherthan]

This may seem like a silly question...but I wonder if boat size have any impact on cruisers socialising...you know big boats stick together thing!!!

I understand this may be controversal and things can become a little heated...but pleas give your honest (CIVILISE) opinion and try not to be offensive to others...we all have the rith to chouse who we want to be with.

rgds

[Kettlewell]

It really depends more on the people than the boat. Powerboats and sailors tend to stick together more, but these days there is lots of mingling. Small boaters often join in on the parties on the big boats just because there is more room and probably more capability of entertaining, but we have had so many people on our 38-footer that they all couldn't fit in the cockpit so they were up on deck, hanging out in dinghies alongside, and some went ashore to continue the party. The real megayachts tend to not socialize much with the cruisers, but that is not always the case. Down in the San Blas we were friends with a guy and his crew on a 110-foot sailboat and another guy in a big sportfishing boat that owned a huge telecommunications company, even though we were on a 38-footer. Sometimes the owners of the megayachts don't want to be seen, or want to stay private. When Tiger Woods' boat anchored next to us we never saw him! I am lucky in that my wife will soon know everyone in the anchorage and many people ashore no matter where we are, even if we don't speak the language--she can always communicate.

[Dockhead]

You know the formula for a good party: more people, more booze, less space, less furniture. According to that formula, which I think is as valid as any natural law, the smaller the boat, the better your social life will be. Just don't run out of booze!

[Pete7]

Steve, we have always found both yachties and mobo owners in NW Europe very friendly. All that it takes is something to break the ice. Taking a mooring rope or someone asking about the hound is all that is needed. Next the glasses are out and the wine is flowing. One couple last year produced some excellent Belgium chocolates they had brought from home, this after we had asked them to swop places so we could leave at 5am on the tide.

Pete

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Steve, we have always found both yachties and mobo owners in NW Europe very friendly. All that it takes is something to break the ice. Taking a mooring rope or someone asking about the hound is all that is needed. Next the glasses are out and the wine is flowing. One couple last year produced some excellent Belgium chocolates they had brought from home, this after we had asked them to swop places so we could leave at 5am on the tide.

Pete

You earned them Pete...
I've cursed quite a few early departures when they've knocked me up... all warmly dressed and fed with a steaming mug of coffee they're sipping....
"Sorry mate... we're of... could you move your boat.."
Bludi Anal Retards...
you can have my choccy's as well for such good manners...

[ChristiGrab]

When hubbie and I were cruising, we were usually "different." We were in our thirties with no kids and in a small, full displacement blue water power boat. Most cruisers were unsure what to make of us since we didn't really fit the power boat crowd, nor the sailor crowd, nor did we fit in age wise. Sometimes other cruisers in a new port would embrace us as soon as we arrived, but usually, they eyed us warily and we had to break the ice. But, as soon as we made even the smallest of gestures, we usually were welcomed with open arms by everyone--power boaters, sailors, big boats, small boats. Really and truly, the boat doesn't matter (although, you usually feel an extra kinship with those that own the same model you do).

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by jobi

This may seem like a silly question...but I wonder if boat size have any impact on cruisers socialising...you know big boats stick together thing!!!

I understand this may be controversal and things can become a little heated...but pleas give your honest (CIVILISE) opinion and try not to be offensive to others...we all have the rith to chouse who we want to be with.

rgds

I think you meant "does" instead of "those".

Not to me, it doesn't. My first boat was biggish at 33 feet, but the opportunity arose to buy it (I still have it) and I don't regret the size as it's been great prep for what we do now, and it allow me to screw up in heavy weather without breaking things or endangering my family.

We now have a 41 footer, being prepped for voyaging. It was about the biggest boat my wife could convincingly handle solo, which was a deciding factor. I did notice a somewhat different "tone" on the "big boat docks" from my experience on a 30 foot dock, but it was no less friendly, and, like us, most people had "moved up" to bigger boats over many years as their desires and income permitted.

Show me a solo sailor who's crossed an ocean on a sub-30 footer, and I will show you someone I want to feed a rum to, irrespective of whatever boat I personally sail, because I can learn and enjoy the company of such a person. The size of the sailor's will interests me, not the size of her or his vessel.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by jobi

...but I wonder if boat size have any impact on cruisers socialising...you know big boats stick together thing!!!

“I have no problem looking down on others”….Joke….

Having been at both ends of the spectrum I can tell you that admiration and friendship has nothing to do with wealth or size. (Super-yachts to my own sailboat)

Respect in how others manage what they have, breaks down all social barriers and a financially successful sailor (or owner) will look to learn from others on a smaller budget and remember when he had his first small boat.

At the end of the day, we all share the same sunset and love of the sea.

[JJB]

If you mean do owners of big boats only socialize with others whom on large boats, maybe there are a few that are snobbish and do, but we have a 72ft mono, I think we get on well with anyone, from time to time while we're anchored at an atoll some will come and say hi, from time to time ask for 100L of freshwater if they don't have enough, we're always happy to help as we usually have some water to spare.

If you question more related more to, do we get more people that want to come and see the boat than say a 35ft mono I would defiantly say yes we get a lot of people asking questions about it, who designed it, how hard is it to sail short-handed and the like.

[SurferShane]

I find I meet heaps of real sailors through my classic little 28 ft ketch. On the other hand, most of my landlubber associates think they are going to go straight out and buy a 50 ft or so boat with all the comforts of home. They are still in the suburbs dreaming (or maybe it was just an effort to outdo me that had no rational basis?).

[JJB]

Originally Posted by SurferShane

I find I meet heaps of real sailors through my classic little 28 ft ketch. On the other hand, most of my landlubber associates think they are going to go straight out and buy a 50 ft or so boat with all the comforts of home. They are still in the suburbs dreaming (or maybe it was just an effort to outdo me that had no rational basis?).

Hehe! That's often the way, they have enough $ to buy a boat that size to begin with but bork at how much it costs to maintain the boat, maintenance fees etc, before too long I'm sure they will be asking about nice ketches like yours.

[Sunspot Baby]

It seems anyone in the same anchorage is a friend. Sail/motor, mono/cat, no one cares. What a great goup of people.

When the mega-yachts come in with paid crew, chefs, etc. They tend to live inside in the aircon unless they are out of their jet skis disturbing the peace and quite. They have little interest in mixing with those of us in the unwashed masses.

George

[SimonV]

Birds of a feather flock together. This is very true when it comes to sail and power. Size has no bearing.