A what boat query

have to disagree a bit there, as i regually take a 50fter out with just 2 of us. in and out of marinas, its all just planning and learning the boat

agreed - marinas are not really a problem for a bigger boat, but if I'm intending to sail off for a couple of years I'm only going to be hitting marinas very infrequently (gin stocking largely).  Whats the point of sailing from marina to marina.  Based on watching a lot of other cruising couples I stand by my observation that there is a lot less shouting and drama on boats of 35' and under (with some notable exceptions - typically traditional boats that have been designed for short-handed cruising).  As you get towards 40' everything gets bigger, more expensive and more complicated.  . . . and most critically I can probably afford to cruise for twice as long on a 34' than a 50'.




Edited by marke - 22 Jul 13 at 10:43am

Chaps you're missing the 'single handed' bit, I'm in fantasising about chucking everything up and buggering off for a bit mode, I don't want to buy some huge depreciation exercise, want something that is controllable will take a big sea and storm if I get caught out (will bounce back up when slammed), has all the lazy arse mod cons, but doesn't cost the earth and maybe not lose too much if I flogged it on my return (If I come back at all).

I'd want to solar panel and wind machine equip it, would probably want f**k off big water and diesel tanks and some where to hide an AK47. Accommodation to cope with Wife and daughter occasional visits and that about sums it up, I'm a bit particular so don't want to totally slum it, would love a cruising cat, allways reckoned they were the dogs doo dahs, but.. would be worried about going over in a hoolie and they are ef off expensive, nice to charter with a bunch of lads, but not good for a long term jolly and expensive in marinas I seem to recall. I'm not really a marina type, I'd normally stand off, once water and provisioned or someone asks for money.

There are some nice examples back early on in the thread, some I'd never heard of, so my question was given y'all are a knowledgable lot what would you do, if you were able to(not entirely sure I'll get away with it just yet).

My experience is fairly limited, I did a couple of week bare boat Greek Island cruise in something called a Westerly Centaur once back in the seventies and a blue water Caribbean jolly in some bloody great under canvassed 40 odd foot deal that even the whales shied away from, was one of the Moorings fleet out of St Maarten. I found the sensation fairly boring tbh, but then I'm now old enough not to worry so much, however I would like to have some lively feel in the seat of my pants if you catch my drift..

Edited by iGRF - 22 Jul 13 at 1:11pm

Originally posted by yellowwelly Contessa 32...

Graeme- worth a trip up north to the Medway?