Trawler or Sail Boat

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

...................

Is there another way, a boat that is simple, quiet, clean, inexpensive and low maintainence, low draft, lightweight, roomy. Hmmmm.

I thought I had this answered, but then you added "roomy" at the end.

'almost a canoe! Maybe a big canoe?

[Valmika]

As a captain on many I would say take both out in an ocean swell and see if you can take the motion of a trawler. The only displacement hulls that I like will have active stabilizers. The trawler hull will roll with even small swells. With a sailboat you at least have the sail dampening the motion if you have some wind.

[Navicula]

if health permits..............I think we all make the move from a sailboat to a trawler.....

[RTB]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

I thought I had this answered, but then you added "roomy" at the end.

'almost a canoe! Maybe a big canoe?

Me too -



Ralph

[Old Man River]

Sorry I wasn't clear on Prescriptions. Is it hard to have them forwarded or do you just take a six month supply?

[nimblemotors]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

I thought I had this answered, but then you added "roomy" at the end.

'almost a canoe! Maybe a big canoe?

A big canoe, good idea. Long one that is efficiently propelled.
No thruhulls, no rudders, no mast, no sails. Can't row a big one.
No complicated stabilizers, just a simple one, an outrigger.

Is there a source of energy that doesn't require sails, but is quiet, clean, simple and reliable and available free everywhere in the world?

[a64pilot]

Oh, you mean Steam of course, OK forgot about external combustion engines


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Old Man River

Sorry I wasn't clear on Prescriptions. Is it hard to have them forwarded or do you just take a six month supply?

I don't think prescriptions will be a problem for you. Many third-world countries have pretty lax laws on obtaining prescription drugs. Some places you just ask for the drug you need. On the other hand, an inexpensive trip to a local doctor should get you any prescription you want. Health-care in other countries can be quite a bit cheaper than the US. Gouge-free zone.

[Johnno]

Got to agree with the comment re pilot house yachts. I've been a yachtie most of my adult life with some 70,000nm of ocean sailing undere my belt, and as Helen and I are now in our late 60's and getting lazy, we opted for a Cheoy Lee 43 Pilot House ketch. Bearing in mind that all boats are compromises, we now believe we have a great boat which sails moderately well and with a 120hp engine and 2000lt of fuel we believe we have the best of both worlds. Its amazing how much time the average cruising yachtie actually spends motoring or motor sailing. My recommendation? give a pilot house yacht a go and have the best of both worlds

[seandepagnier]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

Sailing boats are complicated, expensive, and very high maintainence.

Diesel engines are loud, vibrate, stink, and pollute.

Is there another way, a boat that is simple, quiet, clean, inexpensive and low maintainence, low draft, lightweight, roomy. Hmmmm.

I think you might have just described my boat.

Simple - I don't use winches
Quiet - no engine
clean - subjective, but clean enough
inexpensive - I bought for $1000, 5 years ago, have sailed 18,000 miles
low maintenance - I work a total of 2-3 hours a month fixing things
low draft - 4ft
lightweight - 4 tons.. not exactly light but I can easily push off docks, and scull with human power at 1.5 knots
roomy - it's enough space

[seandepagnier]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

A big canoe, good idea. Long one that is efficiently propelled.
No thruhulls, no rudders, no mast, no sails. Can't row a big one.
No complicated stabilizers, just a simple one, an outrigger.

Is there a source of energy that doesn't require sails, but is quiet, clean, simple and reliable and available free everywhere in the world?

You are getting very close to my idea for a future boat. No traditional sails.

Skin on frame design.. very cheap to build but light weight and strong. If there is a leak, you can put a spare skin on and repair from the inside. During passages, you switch the outer skin every week to avoid growth. No bottom paint. Small fixed wing sail for very high efficiency, maneuverability and good pointing angle and for higher winds. Larger kites (probably two different sizes) for high speed (12-15 knots) in open water. High efficiency oars and pedal drive system for up to 4 knots under human power using either arms or legs. Shallow draft of 8 inches, ability to drag up on any beach using rollers easily. Unsinkable design, but can be purposely sunk using rocks or sandbags for safe storage anywhere (no one knows it's there)

[valhalla360]

If you aren't already into sailing, I would point you towards a power vessel unless you plan to do ocean crossings (if you don't know if you want a sail or power vessel, you probably aren't ready for ocean crossings anyway).

With coastal cruising, we've found most sailboats motor better than 90% of the time anyway. If you are going to motor anyway, why not buy a boat built for motoring. As long as you go with a trawler with smaller engines and keep the speeds down to sailboat speeds, you will get similar fuel efficency. (Most true displacement trawlers have steadying sails if you are worried about rolling).

To coastal cruise or do the bahamas or caribean, you don't need a power boat capable of 1000 mile range. You can island hop and get most places with drastically shorter range.

[dandkg]

Check into motorsailer it's a blend of sailboat/trawler. We've seen a few nice motorsailers we've looked at a couple. They have more room than reg. monohull but less than trawler. usually sail like crap but if not in a hurry, you have time. Remember this is your retirement enjoy life at a slower pace and take in all.

[Prflyer]

Welcome, being in the Caribbean I can tell you as far as the USVI's you can get prescription like you were in the states, going into the BVIs can be different yet not an issue, further down gets more complicated. It is no secret you will see very little Trawlers down here in the Caribbean, love sailboats and have owned sailboat until recently I made the change to a trawler, why? purely for time reasons, I can cut down on hours from point a to b, but that can be done also by motoring your sailboat. I have more room to take my elder mother on trips and its easier for her to get in and out. Other than that its just a decision you will have to make, like others have said, charter both to see what you rather have. They both have their pros and cons, good luck

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by Mark Killam

As a captain on many I would say take both out in an ocean swell and see if you can take the motion of a trawler. The only displacement hulls that I like will have active stabilizers. The trawler hull will roll with even small swells. With a sailboat you at least have the sail dampening the motion if you have some wind.

There are always options ...

Motor boats with gyros, underwater stabilizers, or sails (sail assist),



and motorsailers, and then sailboats with auxiliary motors, and even sailboats with oars/sweep. Motor boats are more likely to have more creature comforts (water maker, ice maker, refrigeration, air condition, etcetera) as electrical power is readily produced by a running engine. They also have more living space which works against seaworthiness.