The Opposite of 2 Feet-itus. Anyone downsized?

[Jackdaw]

No one has mentioned AGE.

Older big boats are typically hard to sail shorthanded, have terrible volume to length ratios, often have nightmarish wiring, and questionable built quality that now lends itself to long repair sessions.

Small boats have their advantages, I know as I own one as well. Older ones have some of the same issues as big boats but only 1/4 of it.

But a newer 34 footer (like from this century) will be much less work and much more fun than a old 28 footer.

 

[CalebD]

Smaller boats are the way to go. What size depends on your needs. Trailer-able boats can save you a bundle of boat bucks.

I read somewhere that there is an inverse relationship between the size of a boat and the frequency it gets used. This makes sense as bigger boats need more people to handle them.

J. P. Morgan once said: "If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it." when asked about his lovely and large commuter boat.

That said, smaller is easier and always cheaper. I am trying to keep my boat partner in check while he investigates a storm damaged Tartan 30, as we currently own a Tartan 27 that we both feel comfortable using single handed. I like the T30 but I prefer the size and costs that come with our 27 footer. If my hand was forced I would seriously consider getting a smaller trailer sailor that would hardly break the bank for my own use.

Size does matter and there is such a thing as too big and complicated. Amen to that.

 

[JoelHoover]

Lots of inspiring stories here.

I no longer feel crazy

Thanks, Guys.

 

[caguy]

I no longer feel crazy

We'll leave that one to the professionals.

 

[Les]

Go ahead and pull the trigger. Sounds like you are in love. And I downsized from a Hunter 380 (floating condo) to a Hunter 27 (bachelor pad). I've had a wonderful time with this little boat as I do more single handed sailing. When the mood strikes I go sailing (but only if the weather is nice). But much of the winter I use my boat at the dock as a den. Good music, hot tea, lunch and my iPad and I'm a happy man.

However, the lower costs have not been that significant as I have tended to think my boat was less costly so I managed to keep adding upgrades--Max prop, WinchRite, companionway doors, Bottomsiders, new head, spinnaker and so on. But it is my last boat and I'll have it the way I want.

I hope you have a much fun on your smaller boat as I am having on mine. Long live the day sailor.

 

[JoelHoover]

I went to NASA in Houston 2 years ago with my Dad.

If there was ever a land-based destination that every sailor should visit it's Mission Control in Houston.

The best part is seeing the actual Saturn V rocket and the Apollo module.

In the 1960's there was a group of thrill seeking cowboys who called themselves astronauts. They stuffed 3 of their kind into a spacecraft no larger than a Volkswagen beetle and slapped that puppy onto a 10 story missile with enough explosive power to wipe out a small city.

Their destination? A rocky satellite with no atmosphere, no guest slips, and no shore power, located thousands of miles away from home port.

Their dinghy? A four wheeled electric moon rover with exactly 12 minutes of use on the battery.

Their back-up plan? None. Sea Tow doesn't go out that far.

Great Adventures are not wrapped in comfort and guarantees

 

[Stu Jackson]

I read somewhere that there is an inverse relationship between the size of a boat and the frequency it gets used. This makes sense as bigger boats need more people to handle them.

For the past 15 years I have been disproving this theorem. I single hand our C34 and have been doing so since we bought her in 1998. Use it or lose it. My son is now sailing with me more regularly and we're having a blast. We were just out for two nights on the hook, had some great challenging ocean sailing like skiing down a mogul field for four hours!!! ended up in a anchorage that was 20-30 degrees warmer than the ocean, he went swimming, I had a shower, he had his Sunshower. Dinghied around using just the oars. Went into a local park, totally empty of visitors, had it all to ourselves.

I did the "small boat" routine for 16 years, never again. We like our creature comforts, Porta Potties got real old real quick. I like hot water and refrigeration for our nice rum or tequila drinks. I like standing up, I like our wheel, I like our autopilot and dodger (hard to do on a pop top Catalina 25).

You like camping? Have at it, by all means, and I fully understand those of you who like "small", just not our deal.

Good luck, enjoy whatever floats your boat.

 

[Bill Roosa]

I'm in Stu's camp. Kinda hard to chase the Admiral around the cabin when you can't even stand up in it. course it would make the chase really short so might want to factor that in too. ;-)
What I've found, and the way i deal with maintenance is to do it while under way. If Bardi needs a new pressure water pump valve then lets go sailing and once under sail do it. Does require some prior planning but I don't find that much of a hassle as I'd have to plan to go to the boat anyway.
Having a great set of tools and supplies is important. Nothing like finding out that 'it takes a 7 mm wrench' and you don't have one on board. Bardi Sea has her own tool box that we keep on board and when I run into those situations I make a note in the planner to buy one and put it into the boat tool box. After a year or so you have just about everything you need and don't have that problem.
And there is nothing like setting quietly at anchor after a great sail and smelling the aromas coming from the galley and some cold adult beverages. Follow that with a hot shower and some cards in the cockpit zipped up with the bug screens..... and later getting up in the middle of the night and using a real head with lights.
Just can't see doing that in a smaller boat
But that is me. YMMV

 

[Ray Bowles]

My small 23 foot San Juan with its enclosed head, galley, foam mattress for 2 and its 4 stroke outboard costs $200 to keep at the marina per year. Its suite of 6 new sails cost less than a spinnaker for a 40 foot boat. In 1 hour I can de-rig and be leaving the 135 mile long lake I am on and can take her anywhere within 500 miles in less time than it takes to remove the mast from that 40 footer and I will still have pocket change when I get there.
I probably am going to far when I brag about my sailing today. After the 15 minute trip to the boat and after the 10 minute load up and set-up I had the pleasure of having the entire 15 miles of lake I could see to myself.
Small boats, small expences and very big pleasure. When I want to revisit the reason I sold a perfectly good Island Packet 38 and returned to smaller boats I just go charter.
For every boat there is a buyer and his joy of the purchase. All the crud we, or in this case "I" expound to make our case the best way is just our own crud.
Ray

 

[rgranger]

...

Good luck, enjoy whatever floats your boat.

I think you meant "what ever boat you float"

 

[campuscab]

I love my Cal 20. I think I might want a bigger boat then I look at the cost and like mine. It can handle anything I get into, everything is cheap, I,put a propane shower and stove. Porta pottie (some 20s came with a full head too many problems that way) and I can still trailer it. I have put three times the hours on it than the big boats this year. The only thing I can't get around is headroom. But I will try my boom tent this week.

 

[Merlin Clark]

I love my Cal 20. I think I might want a bigger boat then I look at the cost and like mine. It can handle anything I get into, everything is cheap, I,put a propane shower and stove. Porta pottie (some 20s came with a full head too many problems that way) and I can still trailer it. I have put three times the hours on it than the big boats this year. The only thing I can't get around is headroom. But I will try my boom tent this week.

and 65mph upwind ability opens up lots of new cruising grounds!