When is it time to trade up to a bigger boat? When your boat starts to feel too small? When it develops nagging maintenance problems and requires frequent repairs? When you fall in love with a newer, bigger model? Or just because you can? Is bigger truly better? Share you big ideas here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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When the wife allows me to spend the $$$.
I upgraded from a Heereshoff Buzzards Bay 14 to my Cat 30 as soon as I had the $ and the wife let me spend it.
I upgraded from a Heereshoff Buzzards Bay 14 to my Cat 30 as soon as I had the $ and the wife let me spend it.
Too Small!
I am upgrading from a Hunter 20 to a Catalina 36 mainly because I cannot keep 4 kids, my wife, and myself on the Hunter for more than a few hours. The big Catalina I am hoping will give us a couple of weeks. Also, I found out that the Hunter has a wet core. No need to spend any more money there. Les Murray H20 Limerick, and soon to be C-36 owner.
I am upgrading from a Hunter 20 to a Catalina 36 mainly because I cannot keep 4 kids, my wife, and myself on the Hunter for more than a few hours. The big Catalina I am hoping will give us a couple of weeks. Also, I found out that the Hunter has a wet core. No need to spend any more money there. Les Murray H20 Limerick, and soon to be C-36 owner.
Bigger is better, to a point.
As with everything with a boat, there are compromises and trade off’s. We moved up to accommodate a larger family, sail faster and farther, with greater comfort for weekend and longer trips. The bigger the boat, usually the heavier the boat, able to handle winds and gusts a bit smoother, safer and with less commotion. The ride is smoother and the heal angles are not as extreme, so the family is more comfortable. The down side is the cost to buy, store, operate and repair all go up. Also the sail loads are a lot higher once you start going to boats much over 30 ft. requiring you to use winches and windlasses and other expensive and maintain needing items. While we can still single handle our C-36, it does require the use of an Autopilot, where on our Newport 30, it was a simple thing to single handle and no Autopilot. Trade off’s. Bob C-36 #586
As with everything with a boat, there are compromises and trade off’s. We moved up to accommodate a larger family, sail faster and farther, with greater comfort for weekend and longer trips. The bigger the boat, usually the heavier the boat, able to handle winds and gusts a bit smoother, safer and with less commotion. The ride is smoother and the heal angles are not as extreme, so the family is more comfortable. The down side is the cost to buy, store, operate and repair all go up. Also the sail loads are a lot higher once you start going to boats much over 30 ft. requiring you to use winches and windlasses and other expensive and maintain needing items. While we can still single handle our C-36, it does require the use of an Autopilot, where on our Newport 30, it was a simple thing to single handle and no Autopilot. Trade off’s. Bob C-36 #586
When it's Socially Unacceptable . . .
. .. .to keep yer current boat. Hey Guys and Gals; What I'm talking about here is reliability of the boat. I've been towed thrice this season because the engine (A-4) conked out without prior notice. Subsequent to the towing, Larry , the ace mechanic at Cadle Creek, took reasonable measures to fix the engine. But it never really got fixed. Latest attempt was to clean out the carbuerator which was admittedly gunky. The social part is this. If I don't have confidence in the engine, then I am hesistant to take out guests and end up going alone. This is not the way I envisioned using my boat. So I am really thinking about trading up to a diesel and to a bigger boat. If the engine continues to be goofy, then I plan on trading up soon. Melody
. .. .to keep yer current boat. Hey Guys and Gals; What I'm talking about here is reliability of the boat. I've been towed thrice this season because the engine (A-4) conked out without prior notice. Subsequent to the towing, Larry , the ace mechanic at Cadle Creek, took reasonable measures to fix the engine. But it never really got fixed. Latest attempt was to clean out the carbuerator which was admittedly gunky. The social part is this. If I don't have confidence in the engine, then I am hesistant to take out guests and end up going alone. This is not the way I envisioned using my boat. So I am really thinking about trading up to a diesel and to a bigger boat. If the engine continues to be goofy, then I plan on trading up soon. Melody
When Your Wife Bumps Her Head
I found that each time my wife bumped her head, I could trade up to a larger boat. Now if I could just find a way to lower the cabin top on my Catalina 30. I could have a 36 by next summer!!!!!!
I found that each time my wife bumped her head, I could trade up to a larger boat. Now if I could just find a way to lower the cabin top on my Catalina 30. I could have a 36 by next summer!!!!!!
When You "know" it's time
Bigger isn't necessarily better as far as I'm concerned. It all depends upon what you really want to do. Bigger usually does mean more room, more conveniences and likely more stuff but it also means more work, more moorage and probably more insurance. Interesting to note how many extended cruisers do so on boats smaller than 30 feet. I think it's more of a matter of finding what works for you and then sticking with it. Lots of stories about folks who've traded up only to regret it. As for me, (well, us) the things we want include shower(s), separate stateroom and a larger salon. Sure we could do a lot with our current boat but the cost(s) would probably be more than trading up. Will we do it anytime soon? Nah, plenty of fun left in our Catalina 27!
Bigger isn't necessarily better as far as I'm concerned. It all depends upon what you really want to do. Bigger usually does mean more room, more conveniences and likely more stuff but it also means more work, more moorage and probably more insurance. Interesting to note how many extended cruisers do so on boats smaller than 30 feet. I think it's more of a matter of finding what works for you and then sticking with it. Lots of stories about folks who've traded up only to regret it. As for me, (well, us) the things we want include shower(s), separate stateroom and a larger salon. Sure we could do a lot with our current boat but the cost(s) would probably be more than trading up. Will we do it anytime soon? Nah, plenty of fun left in our Catalina 27!
Because you can
Hmmm. Trading up seems to be for the very well-to-do people (financially). I live in the S.F. Bay Area, and to have a decent slip costs big $$$. Even dry trailer storage (for a trailerable boat) can get expensive around here. Theft is another concern when slipped in a marina. When I crunch the numbers for the costs involved with a large (27+ ft?) sailboat, I find that it's pretty damn expensive. Guess that's why I'm *only* a trailer sailor.
Hmmm. Trading up seems to be for the very well-to-do people (financially). I live in the S.F. Bay Area, and to have a decent slip costs big $$$. Even dry trailer storage (for a trailerable boat) can get expensive around here. Theft is another concern when slipped in a marina. When I crunch the numbers for the costs involved with a large (27+ ft?) sailboat, I find that it's pretty damn expensive. Guess that's why I'm *only* a trailer sailor.
When you spend more time on your boat than at home
You know its time to trade up when you spend all of your off hours on your boat, and your apartment becomes a place to store your clothes and take showers!!! I trades up from my Cat 27 to a S&S Cat 38 and the rent payment goes to boat/slip payments. Can't beat that with a boat hook! Scott J. "Grand Design" Hull# 270
You know its time to trade up when you spend all of your off hours on your boat, and your apartment becomes a place to store your clothes and take showers!!! I trades up from my Cat 27 to a S&S Cat 38 and the rent payment goes to boat/slip payments. Can't beat that with a boat hook! Scott J. "Grand Design" Hull# 270
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 10/15/2000: It's time to trade up when... 45% Because you can 36% Boat's too small 06% Never 05% Boat's too old
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 10/15/2000: It's time to trade up when... 45% Because you can 36% Boat's too small 06% Never 05% Boat's too old
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