How to convince better half to get bigger boat

[BarryL]

Hello,I currently have a Catalina 22, and I want a bigger boat. I havebeen doing my homework, and decided I want something around 30'.Big enough to take my family (wife and 3 young kids) on a weekendcruise, not so big that it's intimidating, and, of course,still affordable.So I have been reading the classified sections, visiting Yachtworldfrequently, and checking the local paper. I have seen a number ofboats in person. Then, last week, I found THE boat: a 1980Catalina 30. In excellent condition, repowered in the mid 80's witha 15 HP diesel, good sails and other gear. And the price is great,$16K. And it's located 10 minutes from my house. Sounds perfect, right?The catch is my wife just does not see why we need a bigger boat.She doesn't think we will be able to go away for an overnight orweekend trip. We have been traveling in a motorhome for the pastfew years, how much different can a boat in a marine be?Anyway, how were you able to convince your other half to geta bigger boat?Thanks,Barry

 

[Don]

Do a weekend cruise on the 22

That in-itself should convince her you need a bigger boat. You might find out quickly that 30 ft isn't big enough for 5 people, esp as the kids get bigger.Don

 

[Bob]

Give her a Diamond

Hi Barry,Kobe Bryant did it - tried 5 carot but he had a huge problem and sure he caused a lot of hurt that can't be fixed.Kidding aside - there's got to be something in it for her. Be creative. We were sailing a 23' - OK for day trips. Too small even for myself and 2 children to cruise for a week or so. We did it but I found it very uncomfortable. We moved up to a 27'- got us just enough space to cruise and still easy to handle. Good Luck,

 

[Hank LeSieur]

Bigger boat

Air conditioning.

 

[Tony1468]

Boats and wives

Just go ahead and buy it and name it after her.

 

[Ghislain]

Have her call us...

I'm convinced that any Catalina 30 owner participating in these forums could easily convince her for you!Since we got our C30, we are in heaven Still everytime I go below, I catch myself grinning at the view of the space available and it has been a year!Best of luck!Ghislain

 

[J Simmonds]

3 Kids and She's not convinced?

It was the 3rd that did it for us. Had a Cat 25 and we could not store enough food onboard for 3 growing children let alone all be on board without climbing all over each other. Took one look at a Cat 30 and was in love. Lots of room and easy to sail. Yes, I was intimidated the first time I stood behind that wheel but got used to it really fast. Go for it !

 

[Tim]

Need a destination that appeals to her

If you've got a motorhome that she enjoys trips in, you are half way there. What you need is to find a way to show her the joys of the destinations and lifestyle that the C30 can take you and the family to that the landyacht can't.Consider chartering someplace fun for a couple days on a boat of about the size you are considering. She'll find out that you and her all have the skills to handle the bigger boat, can get to a destination faster that the smaller boat, can stay longer and be more comfortable doing it. Couple that with an opportunity to explore and stay new places from the water, and you might convince her.Otherwise, just tell her you got a screamin' deal and traded the motorhome for a bigger boat....

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Top 10 Selling Points

1. Longer length means we can travel farther.2. Size also dictates faster speed, adventure.3. Larger cabin is much more comfortble.4. Experts tell me $16,000 is a steal here. 5. I'll do all the maintenance, even the head.6. We'll stay at marinas every other night.7. We'll meet fascinating, clever people.8. I'll never go bowling again. 9. We'll entertain your family for cocktails.10. Kids will learn genuine life-building skills

 

[Peter J. Brennan]

Small gets cramped

We started with a 26 (Dawson 26) and had her for ten years. Went everywhere, not just overnight but on two-week cruises. Often had guests aboard for several days. The center cockpit with aft cabin made it doable and we must have been doing something right since we are still married. It does get a little cramped after a few years so we decided to get a bigger boat. Quite a jump. We went to an O'Day 37, which looks like the Dawson's mommy with center cockpit and aft cabin. I never in my wildest dreams ever thought we would own a vessel of such a size. But it's great so much extra space... So much more comfortable in heavy going. So much easier to run aground. Well, it's been ten years with #2 and I'm looking at a Super Maramu 53. I'm looking. She's not. Sigh.When we were small boys growing up in Marblehead, Mass., we thought the worst thing that could happen to a man would be to marry a woman who did not like sailing. Then we reached the age of puberty and our views changed. We acquired different priorities -- or had them thrust on us. Now at 72 I have long since gone back to my original view. If she doesn't like sailing it's time for a new wife.

 

[Phil Herring]

I don't know about anybody else...

...but I just _had_ to see what a 26' foot center cockpit looks like. See photo link below:

 

[Alan]

Why not .......

...just charter a bigger boat for a long weekend and see how it goes?? If it didn't work you'll save a lot of money and if it does, she'll be a believer.

 

[Jim]

Use safety angle

as argument for. Ask any marine dealer and they will tell you that the ladies are easier "sells" for safety-related equipment and electronics. Same for boats: higher freeboard = deeper cockpit (for the kids); heavier keel/displacement = safer in a blow/take higher winds; less dependent on passenger weight (for ballast/offset heeling) and similar. FInally, get her to talk to other wives and or take a ladies only boating/sailing course... cheap advice from a guy that's been there and done that.

 

[Jim Fisher]

cape of good hope

I hate to think that someday, whilst going around the Cape of Good Hope, in a Cat 22. the waves being close to 25'. Your lovely wife says to you.... Dear why didnt you get that Cat 30 when you had the chance yrs ago.

 

[Bob]

Just

show her the head.

 

[abe]

You have to think like a woman..

You have to think like a woman..

 

[Debra B]

does she like to sail? or does she just go along?

Or to be less politically correct, are you Capt. Bly?So many people (men usually) take the boat out and bury the rail at every opportunity. Their partner is not happy and not comfortable and then they wonder why they don't want to go sailing, cruising whatever.If everyone is having a good time on the 22, then maybe thats all you need.If you really want to sell the big boat, plan a charter vacation on really big boat, somewhere nice. If that doesn't get her hooked, nothing will.

 

[abe]

You have to think like a woman..do's and dont's

DO'S*she should be part of the decision making process*select a boat which has the female creature comforts..offer to 'remodel' the galley, you will add curtains, new head, pretty bath towels,*offer to do the work, including cooking*family enjoyment, togetherness, keep your kids closer together *get her to understand how much this means to you and your family.... a happy husband, a happy relationship *ask other wives for opinion on this matterDONT'S*emphasize things that she may not be interested in... sailing characteristics of the boat*do not bribe her, what do you think she is stupid? The only reason that you are giving her something is to get your boat and not because you love her.*do not buy the boat without her permission and make up for it by naming the boat after her unless you want to spend your money in therapy. Turn it around, what if she bought a 30K diamond ring and named it after you?*do notask single men for opinions on this matter Took me 25 years to get my Hunter 36. I never nagged her but she finally realized how much it mattered. The final convincing factor was that our son is 14 years old and wanted to hold on to him a little longer before he goes away to college 4 years from now. Good Luck

 

[Stu Jackson]

Easy

My wife forced me to buy the bigger boat.Perhaps your priorities are backwards.

 

[Perry Stephens]

Just Find a Girlfriend With a Bigger Boat

Find one with a 30 foot boat and the wife will let you get a 35 foot one, if not you still have a girlfriend with a 30 foot one.