Newbie Here - Hello!

[TrentePieds]

And further to what Don had to say in # 15, before you get yourself all giddy about power boats, regardless of the number of cabins, a 40 foot Luhrs, say, with twin 454CID 350 HP Crusaders will burn 12gal/hr at 1,850RPM - PER ENGINE. At 3K RPM, about 15GPH, at WOT ("wide open throttle") something like 35GPH.

So call it 24GPH per engine at normal open-water operating speeds. That's in round numbers 50GPH at five bux per, or $250 per hour. In an hour you might make 25 nautical miles, so you burn ten bux per mile through the water. If you are stemming a current, it's rather more than ten bux per mile over the ground.

Only fair to say that "trawlers" use rather less fuel than that, but then, they don't go any faster than sailboats do. The fuel cost is still unconscionable :-)!

If you wife ain't aboard with the idea of dicing with Neptune, scupper it. Pushing it often leads to divorce.

Stick to sailboats!

If you can't get your mind off stink pots, our sister forum might be more use to you. You'll find it here:

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/

TP

[Peregrine1983]

$5k on Craigslist will get you a little motorboat or powerboat that you can trailer and tool around on to see if you like being on the water. That's what we did, now we have a 42' sailboat that we have cruised over 6000nm.

As far as heeling goes... you really need to just get out there on some boats.

[ShadowTiger111]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

$5k on Craigslist will get you a little motorboat or powerboat that you can trailer and tool around on to see if you like being on the water. That's what we did, now we have a 42' sailboat that we have cruised over 6000nm.

As far as heeling goes... you really need to just get out there on some boats.

Thats an interesting take, I kinda like that idea.

[Nickodemus]

Two birds? Have you checked with the Caribbean islands to see if you’re allowed to bring them in? A lot of them have pretty stringent requirements for importing animals.

[David Mathis]

Since you're new to boating and living aboard is still in the imagination stage, you could benefit from spending time at a marina restaurant/bar and getting in a conversation with a few boaters. Be aware that most are happy with their boats and style so they'll tell you the advantages of doing like they do but keep an open mind. Ask to see a few different styles. If you're planning to stay on the ocean and travel long distances then sail is the way to go but often an ocean voyage isn't quite as positive as anticipated. Does your wife have a desire to be out of sight of land for a few days. One offshore storm can dampen the enthusiasm of many novice boaters and some experienced ones. You may find voyages along the ICW and near shore to be seen much more positively by your family members. If the ICW and loop appeal to you and your family then a trawler (Yes, they're called trawlers even if they don't drag nets.) might be the best fit for your needs. They're comfortable and efficient. The fast planning boats can get you where you want to go in a short time but you need a significant budget for fuel. A trawler, better for long term residency, might cruise at 1/3 or 1/4 the speed of a planning fast cruiser but can often use 1/10 the fuel. Take your time to decide the best style and size then ask for a coupe tours before making a final decision.

[ShadowTiger111]

Originally Posted by Nickodemus

Two birds? Have you checked with the Caribbean islands to see if you’re allowed to bring them in? A lot of them have pretty stringent requirements for importing animals.

Originally Posted by David Mathis

Since you're new to boating and living aboard is still in the imagination stage, you could benefit from spending time at a marina restaurant/bar and getting in a conversation with a few boaters. Be aware that most are happy with their boats and style so they'll tell you the advantages of doing like they do but keep an open mind. Ask to see a few different styles. If you're planning to stay on the ocean and travel long distances then sail is the way to go but often an ocean voyage isn't quite as positive as anticipated. Does your wife have a desire to be out of sight of land for a few days. One offshore storm can dampen the enthusiasm of many novice boaters and some experienced ones. You may find voyages along the ICW and near shore to be seen much more positively by your family members. If the ICW and loop appeal to you and your family then a trawler (Yes, they're called trawlers even if they don't drag nets.) might be the best fit for your needs. They're comfortable and efficient. The fast planning boats can get you where you want to go in a short time but you need a significant budget for fuel. A trawler, better for long term residency, might cruise at 1/3 or 1/4 the speed of a planning fast cruiser but can often use 1/10 the fuel. Take your time to decide the best style and size then ask for a coupe tours before making a final decision.

First, the birbs. Looks like this very forum has answered this question, it gives me a place to start. Looks like coming back to the US is the biggest pain point. So, thats meh, no concern since I know kinda what to expect. Unless somethings changed of course. When we get to the stage of prepping them for travel, we'll get updated information I'm sure in terms of regulations and expectations. Point being, it can be done.


Second, I guess maybe I wasn't clear when I gave my description of what we'd be doing, and what I plan to do when it comes to crossings and voyages away from the mainland. That's on me. My GOAL, is if we NEED or WANT to move locations, we'd be doing on the interior of the Caribbean, or as close to land as possible (or even possible, I realize experience will play a role in this. Still learning about changing locations). But that doesn't mean the US mainland. Just, land or island, in general. I figure the great loop would be a good place to get our feet wet. It will have home comforts, but then also give us blue water experience on the eastern coast, off shore if and when we decide to move locations down along the eastern seaboard. Kinda concerned with it in terms of being out on the Atlantic (from my experience on the Atlantic, waves and thus stability, may crop up far more then we're wanting, when under way. And if someone says "But Sail boat!"... ). To me, when I think moving locations, I mean in the interior Caribbean, thus sheltered (TO some extent of course), from the higher, rougher seas the Atlantic tends to have.



As for gaining that experience, right now, that gives me the biggest "?????", considering I live in AZ. I could pay 500$ and get my ASA, I may do that, just so I have something. But yes, getting experience by staying near water would be far more ideal. And, who knows, an opportunity may present itself through my continued due diligence that will allow that type of hands on interaction. Right now, I don't see it. The more I read about trawlers, the more I believe I am correct in my current needs, situation, and goals. Finding a balance between that and efficiency will take experience and research. Finding the TRUTH in that research though, is ultimately what drove me here.

[JPA Cate]

Hello, ShadowTiger111, and welcome aboard CF.

If a trawler is what you want, then go for that. My Jim and I are sailboat folks, but if your good lady doesn't like them for whatever reason, then I think you are right to heed that. The main downside to trawlers is the fuel costs, and use--and good quality sails are dear and they're plastic (dacron is not environmentally friendly, and neither are internal combustion engines).

The only to find out the truth is to experience it for yourself. You will hear passionate pros and cons, and varying opinions. Look here for motorboat avatars, and people like Boatpoker and Boatman 61 who do surveying and delivering of boats. The loop will be all flat water. The Atlantic, not so much.

It might be a good idea to actually try out a sailboat and also a trawler, to see whether you prefer the feeling of heeling to the wind or rolling around in a seaway.

Good luck with your search. If you stick to really protected waters, like rivers, the boat will be as stable as it gets.

Ann

[ShadowTiger111]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Hello, ShadowTiger111, and welcome aboard CF.

If a trawler is what you want, then go for that. My Jim and I are sailboat folks, but if your good lady doesn't like them for whatever reason, then I think you are right to heed that. The main downside to trawlers is the fuel costs, and use--and good quality sails are dear and they're plastic (dacron is not environmentally friendly, and neither are internal combustion engines).

The only to find out the truth is to experience it for yourself. You will hear passionate pros and cons, and varying opinions. Look here for motorboat avatars, and people like Boatpoker and Boatman 61 who do surveying and delivering of boats. The loop will be all flat water. The Atlantic, not so much.

It might be a good idea to actually try out a sailboat and also a trawler, to see whether you prefer the feeling of heeling to the wind or rolling around in a seaway.

Good luck with your search. If you stick to really protected waters, like rivers, the boat will be as stable as it gets.

Ann

That's fair, I'm aware there will be pro's and con's to each. There will be trade offs. Just trying to get to the bottom of those, is where I need help. I need facts, not passionate slants. No disrespect, of course.


I would absolutely love to try both, but given my current demographics, that's a bit hard. lol Well, that, and the fact there's not really a well known sailor hangout spot. Can't just run down to the lake and expect a dozen sailors/skippers to be chatting around the local bar and grill.



I think sticking to protected waters is a good place to start, considering all the factors I've mentioned thus far. The Atlantic side of the great loop, is the least of my concerns at this time, because so much has to go right, before getting to that point. Think of it as a level up, for me, to cruise those waters. I have to get to that proficiency level first. lol

[boatman61]

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/198...elite-8927206/

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/199...elite-8831831/

[ShadowTiger111]

Originally Posted by boatman61

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/198...elite-8927206/

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/199...elite-8831831/

Aaaahhhh, cat's. Ya know, cat's imo may be doable. The biggest concern I've seen is, beside these two fixer'uppers... Is they are usually double the cost of a single hull. But, maybe this would be the only way I could see us doing a sailing vessel over power yacht. I'm goina say though, let's put a pin it cats with a ? over them for now.

[Amapola]

Welcome aboard!

We've had a blue water sailboat (Tayana 37) and she was a beauty. We found that she was great in the Chesapeake Bay area but her draft didn't work well where we live in Florida. In 2004, we bought an older trawler and have cruised back to the Chesapeake, around the Florida Keys, and all over the Bahamas many times. For us, the trawler is a great fit.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ShadowTiger111

Aaaahhhh, cat's. Ya know, cat's imo may be doable. The biggest concern I've seen is, beside these two fixer'uppers... Is they are usually double the cost of a single hull. But, maybe this would be the only way I could see us doing a sailing vessel over power yacht. I'm goina say though, let's put a pin it cats with a ? over them for now.

If they are fixer uppers your looking for perfection.. I'd happily take either to sea..
But then, I am a delivery skipper..

[ShadowTiger111]

Originally Posted by Amapola

Welcome aboard!

We've had a blue water sailboat (Tayana 37) and she was a beauty. We found that she was great in the Chesapeake Bay area but her draft didn't work well where we live in Florida. In 2004, we bought an older trawler and have cruised back to the Chesapeake, around the Florida Keys, and all over the Bahamas many times. For us, the trawler is a great fit.

Awesome! Our main area's would be, if we need to be in the US for some reason, would be around Florida, and up into the Great Loop. Caribbean would be Bahamas first choice, and down along the virgin islands second. Since you've done both, I'd be interested in your thoughts with those things I mentioned in mind.

Originally Posted by boatman61

If they are fixer uppers your looking for perfection.. I'd happily take either to sea..
But then, I am a delivery skipper..

Not looking for a fixer upper out the gate, that's a BIT to much for me to take on. I'm sure I'll need to do some fixing up with whatever I buy, but I'd rather not have a project boat out of the box.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ShadowTiger111

Not looking for a fixer upper out the gate, that's a BIT to much for me to take on. I'm sure I'll need to do some fixing up with whatever I buy, but I'd rather not have a project boat out of the box.

So now we are getting somewhere..
You can afford more than $150K...
You want shallow draft..
You don't like heeling, so you'll definitely hate rolling..
Cats cost double..???

Only if you use marinas all the time and boatyard haulouts every time you need an antifoul or other
underwater maintaining, just beach on firm sand or a slipway. Bob's yer uncle.
A 15hp outboard is a lot cheaper to replace than a diesel engine.
Plus.. the cat is a lot more stable than any mono.

PS.. Prices for Prouts in the US are stupid expensive, but then again they are a strong proven quality build.

[ShadowTiger111]

Originally Posted by boatman61

So now we are getting somewhere..
You can afford more than $150K...
You want shallow draft..
You don't like heeling, so you'll definitely hate rolling..
Cats cost double..???

Only if you use marinas all the time and boatyard haulouts every time you need an antifoul or other
underwater maintaining, just beach on firm sand or a slipway. Bob's yer uncle.
A 15hp outboard is a lot cheaper to replace than a diesel engine.
Plus.. the cat is a lot more stable than any mono.

PS.. Prices for Prouts in the US are stupid expensive, but then again they are a strong proven quality build.

When I was reviewing alternatives to mono hull sailing, I did look at Cats briefly, but kinda shy'd away, when I realized they were nearly double the initial purchase cost of mono hull's of comparable sizes. Now, that said, I did NOT look at them that closely. I did see when looking at sail boats, they were much more stable, and well, that's pretty much where that line of research landed me. I don't have anything against them as of right now, which is why I don't mind pinnin' that question of "why not a cat?" for consideration. And yes, I just found out the average cost of replacing a diesel, that was a bit of a shock.