I have for sometime been thinking about a retirement trip around the Loop, (Gulf coast, Atlantic Coast, St Lawrence River, Great Lakes, Mississippi).
I was planning on upgrading to a Nimble Kodiak. I'd do this since after the trip since she's trailerable I can save slip fees while I have less money due to retirement.
I could do the trip in my Potter.
Advantages:
I own her out right and have sailed her for years.
She fits comfortably in my back yard, so storage is not a problem
at 1,225lbs Easy to tow with my F150
I can pull her up on many beaches at least in South Texas and camp on barrier islands, thus saving mooring fees in many places
She has room to sleep four, so I can carry three other hands to help out
Disadvantages:
Storage aboard is cramped
Steering is done in the cockpit in the weather, this is fine on warm days the Bimini keeps the sun and most of the rain off
Or I could buy a Nimble Kodiak:
Advantages:
Steering can be done inside out of the weather
the Head is more comfortable
There is standing headroom for anyone 6' and under
Maybe a knot faster than a Potter 19
Maybe more comfortable than the potter for long cruises
Some Have heaters
Disadvantages
One I have my eye on may cost as much as 37K after I've refurbished her
Need to clear space in back yard, or store elsewhere
Should sell or give away the Potter,
2 foot draft means beaching is difficult
At 4100lbs, shes heavy but still towable with an F150. I'd be concerned on tall, steep ramps.
On the two boats I've seen there is just one other berth besides the V berth
If the boat has an internal diesel, then you must get used to sleeping in a compartment with diesel fumes.
Pulling the usually heavier motors for repair is more difficult than a Potter.
Advantages shared:
Dropping and raising the mast at anchor can be done with equipment on board.
Trailerable so I can easily move the boats from Launch to Launch by truck
Let me know what you think.
I was planning on upgrading to a Nimble Kodiak. I'd do this since after the trip since she's trailerable I can save slip fees while I have less money due to retirement.
I could do the trip in my Potter.
Advantages:
I own her out right and have sailed her for years.
She fits comfortably in my back yard, so storage is not a problem
at 1,225lbs Easy to tow with my F150
I can pull her up on many beaches at least in South Texas and camp on barrier islands, thus saving mooring fees in many places
She has room to sleep four, so I can carry three other hands to help out
Disadvantages:
Storage aboard is cramped
Steering is done in the cockpit in the weather, this is fine on warm days the Bimini keeps the sun and most of the rain off
Or I could buy a Nimble Kodiak:
Advantages:
Steering can be done inside out of the weather
the Head is more comfortable
There is standing headroom for anyone 6' and under
Maybe a knot faster than a Potter 19
Maybe more comfortable than the potter for long cruises
Some Have heaters
Disadvantages
One I have my eye on may cost as much as 37K after I've refurbished her
Need to clear space in back yard, or store elsewhere
Should sell or give away the Potter,
2 foot draft means beaching is difficult
At 4100lbs, shes heavy but still towable with an F150. I'd be concerned on tall, steep ramps.
On the two boats I've seen there is just one other berth besides the V berth
If the boat has an internal diesel, then you must get used to sleeping in a compartment with diesel fumes.
Pulling the usually heavier motors for repair is more difficult than a Potter.
Advantages shared:
Dropping and raising the mast at anchor can be done with equipment on board.
Trailerable so I can easily move the boats from Launch to Launch by truck
Let me know what you think.