Answering S/V Elusive's Question

[ssullivan]

S/V Elusive said:

Sean - You are now looking to buy a boat ...again? What about your land yacht? If you are buying a boat, what will you consider differently than when you bought your last one? And, since I don't wish to hijack this thread, Sean, can you start a new thread to answer?


ANSWER:

This is indeed a surprise to me as well.

We are comfortable in the land boat, but had a good long talk about what we want to do for the part of our lives that comes between now and when we can no longer walk or whatever.

Cruising is still the answer. Europe (Eastern), Caribbean, Central America, Galapagos, Alaska, Pacific Islands, visit Wheels, etc...

We will keep the land boat (and possibly store it at a friends when not in use) and continue to live and work in Maine. There are work-related complexities I can get into once I have the boat back up here in Maine. I don't want to publicize them at this very moment, but they are one reason for buying the boat now.

The things that weren't right about our last boat were the following:

1) We couldn't (or shouldn't have) afforded it. It was too expensive of a boat.

2) My wife mentioned that the running rigging was too difficult for her to singlehand (she is only about 100 lbs). Doing the genoa sheets was too much for her. She wants to be able to singlehand the next one.

Other than that... great boat!

Since we are starting fresh and looking for a smaller boat to actually cruise in once our work period in Maine is over, the cats came to mind.

That's about it, really.

[S/V Elusive]

Thanks Sean - There aren't many of us who, choice or not, get to start over. Congrats! There are a lot to be said for multi's, and a boat is a boat is a boat! Good points on the Admiral being able to fully handle the boat!

Good luck Sean!

[Morgan Paul]

Sean I will say this :
"Your twist and turns in life bring alot of drama and very usful information to this forum"

Good luck Sean with your new adventure.
Paul

[Islandmike]

Good luck and keep us informed, when you head south be sure to let us know. We changed our mooring, we will be right at the mouth of the CT on LI sound until we (hopefully) leave next fall.

[Benny]

Hey Sean - my prediction came true - just sooner than I thought - thats great - boating is in the blood and soul - we always come back to it.

Good luck finding the new boat. I've been 'musing' and doing a little looking at cats too but they are pricier than mono's. 35 feet is about the shortest length that makes sense and you can find a fixer upper out there for under 75K

Good luck and keep us posted.

Randy Benoit

[delmarrey]

I'll be willing to bet that your wife had a lot to do with the decisions in relation to the coming and going of the previous boat. May I suggest you purchase or set up your next boat so it is user friendly for her.

This is what I have done on mine. I've installed hyd. steering, roller furling w/ a small winch, jack stays, all lines to the cockpit and have set up a booklet with instructions in the case of me not being there (for what ever reason).

In the operation of the vessel, make it for her use and I'm sure you'll be able to use it too, even if it has to be with electric winches. A big boat to you is even bigger to her. Pretend that your setting up a 50 footer just for yourself. And especially, install safety features like a boom brake and access ladders etc.

And, Good luck on you next venture.

[Charlie]

Good Luck with it Sean:

Fractional Rgis are nice since the jibs are smaller but roller furling makes fractional rigs less important. I hope you find something good since you've worked so hard for it.

[Joli]

My wife and I had "the" discussion about her sailing the boat by herself. She feels confident in her ability to sail it she is uncomfortable with docking still. We have a lot of windage and big displacement to deal with. I ended up telling her just get it close to where we are going and plant the hook, pick up the horn, and ask for help if I'm dead or overboard and she is by herself.

Hey, the insurance is paid, she'll do alright.

[Weyalan]

My partner Lisa's mum and dad have a steel cruising boat that they live on for about 9 months a year and a "land yacht" (a.k.a. camper van) that they live int he rest of the time. They seem to love the arrangement. Me; I'd rather a yacht and an acre of waterfront land with a jetty.... hey, a boy can dream!

[maxingout]

It doesn't matter how many hulls you have. It's the size of your dreams that are important.

[Alan Wheeler]

, since I don't wish to hijack this thread, Sean, can you start a new thread to answer?

What thread? where did this come from? Sully!?!? what the heck ya doin?!?!

[waterworldly]

Originally Posted by Joli

My wife and I had "the" discussion about her sailing the boat by herself. She feels confident in her ability to sail it she is uncomfortable with docking still. We have a lot of windage and big displacement to deal with. I ended up telling her just get it close to where we are going and plant the hook, pick up the horn, and ask for help if I'm dead or overboard and she is by herself.

Hey, the insurance is paid, she'll do alright.

Get A bow thruster . . .

[Joli]

Originally Posted by waterworldly

Get A bow thruster . . .

That we have but 65,000# of dispalcement and a 93 foot air draft make it tough to single hand in and out of the dock when the breeze is on.

Sean, glad to hear of your new venture. I understand the complexities you are trying to address. Fortunately. they are not difficult. Now that both of you have more experience, and a better idea of what works and what does not, your next choice should be a better one for both of you.
I have found that my wife will agree to the boat that I want, and be unrealistic about her needs. For this reason, I have found it helpful to let her choose the boat, then pout my stamp approval on her choice rather than the other way around. May not be the case for you, but that is my experience.
Good luck in what ever you decide. And, I also believe a multi is the way to go.

[markpj23]

I can't imagine that your new boat adventures will ever compare to the "chasing a thief in my underwear" story....

Partial clothing afloat is so not a big deal...