Gunboat 44 or ?

[Bluesman]

Ok I'll toss this out there since a guy I know from other venues thinks quite highly of the knowledge base and cameraderie in these environs.

Contemplating pulling the plug , liquidate the IRA sell the racecar , the motorcycles etc. and spend a couple of years ( or more....and please no cracks about a midlife crisis , I mean after all I'm not running out and buying a Corvette) on the water.

I seem to have developed a thing for Cats , though there's a really sweet Chris White Tri that I wouldn't sneeze at , and currently I've got my eye on a nice Gunboat 44 that's a proven boat , setup to singlehand and has the self sufficiency equipment that I require.

In a nutshell what I'm looking for is speed , ease of singlehanding ( yeah yeah there's always more equipment mods one can make , but the budgets not endless) , self sufficiency ( watermaker(s) , solar/windgenerator) and blue water capability , I don't really need the fancy interior , I can take a bit more spartan accomodations.

Given this profile what else might y'all suggest to take a gander at from say 38-45 feet? The Leopards are of course attractive.

[Dulinor]

For Gunboat money I'd look at the Chris White Atlantics, but you never see them used. Not that I know anything at all, but that's my $.02

[RTB]

Originally Posted by Bluesman

The Leopards are of course attractive.

Not sure you can mention Leopards in the same post as Gunboats????

[Sparohok]

Based on your criteria (speed first, accommodations last, single handed), you should think trimaran not catamaran. For the same money, an ocean cruising tri will have less accommodation, but much better performance than a cat. I assume the Chris White tri you're looking at is Hecla, it seems like a perfect match for your requirements, it's a sweet boat set up for single handing (singlehanded Longpac and Transpac veteran). I doubt any Gunboat would be able to compete with a Hammerhead 54 on a single handed ocean passage.

Martin

[shadow]

I LOVE gunboats!! Great choice and I would take it hands down... If you want to not go total sports, then I would highly recommend a privilege, as they are very well made and will take care of you in all types...

Just my .00002

[YOGAO]

A GB44? How about a 48 (that's the smallest they make)?

In any event, if you have the scratch to buy a GB, I would seriously look at a CW first. IMO, it is a much better cruiser and is better thought out for the self-sufficiency amenities you want.

Speed is nice, but really once you are out cruising, speed will get lower on your list of priorities (don't ask how I know!)

Fair Winds,
Mike

[Bluesman]

Originally Posted by YOGAO

A GB44? How about a 48 (that's the smallest they make)?

In any event, if you have the scratch to buy a GB, I would seriously look at a CW first. IMO, it is a much better cruiser and is better thought out for the self-sufficiency amenities you want.

Speed is nice, but really once you are out cruising, speed will get lower on your list of priorities (don't ask how I know!)

Fair Winds,
Mike

I'm aware of that now , I swear I had thought I saw a 44' foot Gunboat for sale somewhere , anyway a 48' is still theoretically singlehandleable.


I'm unlikely to change my emphasis on longhaul speed though , but I am taking a close look at his Atlantics , though one of his 57s or 55s went over a bit back. I hear that was in freak 65 knot wind that came out of nowhere though.

I dunno , the Hecla is an interesting boat , but I may well just end up with something like a Leopard or a Privilege and just spend more money on redundant gear and actually going places.

As for accomodations , well just about any blowboat is going to be more comfortable than a crabber way north of Dutch and west of St.Paul , or a longliner with 6 other guys aboard.

[YOGAO]

Sorry, what's a Hecla (besides a rowdy member of the audience from New York City )?

[Bluesman]

Originally Posted by YOGAO

Sorry, what's a Heckla (besides a rowdy member of the audience from New York City )?

Hecla is a real sweet Chris White Hammerhead 54 tri , a LongPac and Transpac veteran boat that's very likely one of the faster tri's one could buy anywhere in the world and for me even though very dear in costs it would make a great deal of sense even though it's somewhat lacking in room as compared to a cat.


Very , very nice rig she is.

[YOGAO]

Got it, thanks. She does look nice - do you know what she would sell for?

[solarbri]

Originally Posted by YOGAO

Got it, thanks. She does look nice - do you know what she would sell for?

1996 Chris White Hammerhead Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[shipofools]

if you are into speed . . . look at a used orma 60

For sale: Jeanneau orma 60 racing trimaran (200000 EUR), Norway - JamesList

and if that is a little to fast for you this KH looks rather perfect

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2001.../United-States

[Event_Horizon]

Originally Posted by shipofools

if you are into speed . . . look at a used orma 60

For sale: Jeanneau orma 60 racing trimaran (200000 EUR), Norway - JamesList

and if that is a little to fast for you this KH looks rather perfect

2001 Hughes 46' Trimaran Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

These boats would be flat out dangerous for someone who isn't experienced.

[shipofools]

Originally Posted by Event_Horizon

These boats would be flat out dangerous for someone who isn't experienced.

I agree, but OP does not ask/talk experience, just speed, easy of singlehand and spartan.

[oscar]

Weighing GB, CW vs FP and Leopard seems to indicate that the learning curve is steep.

I seem to have developed a thing for Cats

My recommendation to you sir is to give most of your money to Vanguard for a year or so, and to spend a little on renting cruising cats of different ilk, and getting a few brokers to take you for a ride on the thoroughbreds........

Data is one thing, seeing it is another.