.....
- Dinghies. This is one area where big boats have a solid edge. Unless you like marinas every night, and I don't, getting to shore can be a hassle. Even if you can beach, it is most often unsafe. I like a kayak, but that's only for one. Blowing something up is a drag.
I tow the inflatable everywhere and have never had a problem yet except for a small boo-boo one day in the Bahamas...
http://1fatgmc.com/boat/mac-1/2015 Bahamas/2-Bahamas-4/Bahamas-Page-31.html
I might loose a 1/2 knot towing it, but I'm a cruiser, so no big deal. I've worked on how to tow it so that it tows easily and is there whenever you need it..
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-17.html
I do realize there might come a day/situation where I might have to cut it loose, but wouldn't leave home without it. It is an optional life raft, irreplaceable for ferrying supplies and us to and from shore.
.....
- Heat. There should be something that is vented and yet self-contained. Many small boats have neither propane nor diesel, and I refuse to have a heater that vents into the cabin; I'm not interested in cooking brain cells with CO or CO2, or in getting wet.
Ideas? Questions that need research and answers?
An advantage a small boat has is the small cabin area and reduced area that needs heating. Slept in the boat in the low 30's and go with long underwear and a stocking cap.
In the morning making coffee usually warms the cabin. If not...
http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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
... we run the heater above for a few minutes, but more than that and it drives you out. If the pop-top is down to conserve heat then we prop it up a few inches and open the companionway hatch a bit for ventilation when running either the stove or the heater and would never use either sleeping.
.....
Ideas? Questions that need research and answers?
I feel that more people might benefit from knowing that smaller boats can make excellent long distance cruisers for the right person or couple. Our 26 foot Mac can easily go 4 weeks on the water without having to resupply food, fuel or water and also carry waste that long. The secret is installing adequate storage for the above and that doesn't take someone with master carpenter skills to accomplish. That can equate to a very inexpensive vacation to an exotic place,
Sumner
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1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada, Florida, Bahamas