When is bigger badder?

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Sapphire5238

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Dec 22, 2007
1
- - Key Largo
Bigger...

Its too big when you cant get the anchor up by hand after the windlass takes a dive ;) Oh but you can sail that sucker out or use the engine, right? But seriously, in going from a 23 to a 33 the biggest advantage was that the larger boat can get out of her own way under sail. Small boats just wont hack it when going to weather in even moderate (20 k) conditions unless its an all out racer. Sure, it will go to weather in flat water, or for a few hours of thrill sailing, but a loooooong slog upwind to get somewhere is not all that thrilling. In my 33 foot boat, that looooooog slog is merely loong. its do-able. the 33 fotter will pull a half full dinghy like its not even back there. So far as space goes, It allows one to collect a lot more un-needed junk. I live by myself on the boat. Its a total waste of space for me. I was quite comfy on the 23 foot cutter. So I guess mu answer is that the length and therefor sailing abilities, might make the larger boat a better deal depending on where you sail. I still do like small boats because I tend to sail them more. Also for folks on a budget, replacing items on a smaller boat is a lot easier. Compare stay-loks for 3/16 wire VS 3/8 wire.
 
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CharlieCobra

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May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
GerryT I almost bought Joss and I like

the big Mac's. The wife thinks there's too much plastic though. Still, nothing like motoring at 11 knots and sailing downwind at 20+.
 
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wescarroll

bigger is badder when:

When you have to work (extra or perhaps even have a job in the first place, such as a retiree) at the expense of time enjoyed aboard, to pay for the extra length. A boat the right length should fit within your finances without requiring an extra job or an extreme amount of overtime to pay for it.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
With regard to working into your retirement years

you should consider this: In 1971 I had a very good job that paid $3.75 per hour. My mortgage payment was $193 per month. I was 33 years old at that time. Today I bill my hours at $75 and am drawing social security and have reasonable investments. Consider if in 36 years a good wage has gone from $3.75 to some where around $25 how much will you need to earn to make a living 20 years from now? I believe that a person should continue to work and live on the current economy for as long as he/she is able because inflation will pick your pockets much more insidiously than the tax man.
 
Stillraining

Stillraining

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Dec 8, 2007
478
Irwin 41 CC Ketch LaConner WA
My retirement plan

is quite simple. I Cant! Being self employed for 25 years has not been without its pitfalls, and other then a small realestate porfolio, I have nothing to retire on. Therfor "Semi retirement" will be my only concensus. Which suits me fine so long as I'm phsycaly and mentaly able to do it. Our goal is to spend 4 to 5 months cruising and the rest of the time as Ross suggested, staying in the work force making a living. We really enjoy our 41' ( And with 3 teanagers I could use a 52 ) but if it ever gets to big for me and mom to handle alone we will downsize. We always waited untill we could pay cash for any and all our boat's so indoing so It's not a huge burden to keep it. If I had to worry reather replacing a 1/8" fitting or a 5/16" fitting would alowed me to keep a boat or not I would not have a boat. As said befor I'm just adicted to the power of larger boats and personally dont have any more time to sail something 24' as I do 41'. So I'm going to be comfortabal at this junture in my life as we never know how much time we all have. I look at the cost of upkeep just the same as my house. If I want to have it buck up to the expence. I waste more money in other areas of my life eating out, buying tools I dont need, gizmoes and gagits not needed then my boat costs to upkeep. Most of the time that is unless it's somthing major.
 
Stillraining

Stillraining

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Dec 8, 2007
478
Irwin 41 CC Ketch LaConner WA
Gerry

You sure have a nice setup there on Thetis Isl. We might run into you this summer sometime. We love the Gulf's
 
Gary Wyngarden

Gary Wyngarden

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Mar 4, 2004
347
Hunter 37.5 Orcas Island, WA
Sparkman and Stephens 171 Ketch

How's this for big and bad? Maybe, just maybe, a little over the top. :) Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Not my cup of tea

Now, any of Bruce King's custom designs work for me. http://www.hodgdonyachts.com/portfolio.shtml Tim R.
 
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Derek Vernest

25 catalina to catalina 30

My boat partner and I just moved up to a catalina 30 after sailing our catlina 25 and catalina 22. Everything is certainly heavier. although the mainsail drops easier. We can still anchor without mechanical assistance to haul the anchor in. It's taken a while to adjust to the diesel inboard and not have the outboard to turn and assist with the tiller in tight places. However I think this will just take practice. Our wives are accompanying us more often as we now have more space inside..The catalina 30's are 10 ft 10 inches in the beam.We also have a flush toilet and holding tank and RUNNING WATER.WOW!~ I worry about the 5ft 2inch draft compared to the 4 ft we did have but as long as the depth sounder does its thing and we are mindful of the charts we haven't had any problems. derek
 
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Derek Vernest

25 catalina to catalina 30

My boat partner and I just moved up to a catalina 30 after sailing our catlina 25 and catalina 22. Everything is certainly heavier. although the mainsail drops easier. We can still anchor without mechanical assistance to haul the anchor in. It's taken a while to adjust to the diesel inboard and not have the outboard to turn and assist with the tiller in tight places. However I think this will just take practice. Our wives are accompanying us more often as we now have more space inside..The catalina 30's are 10 ft 10 inches in the beam.We also have a flush toilet and holding tank and RUNNING WATER.WOW!~ I worry about the 5ft 2inch draft compared to the 4 ft we did have but as long as the depth sounder does its thing and we are mindful of the charts we haven't had any problems. derek
 
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SailboatOwners.com

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending December 28, 2007: My ideal boat would be: 40% Roomy yet manageable 35' to 45' 37% Easy to handle in the 25' to 35' range 18% Trailerable and less than 25' 09% At least 45' and loaded 1,416 owners responding
 
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SailboatOwners.com

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending December 28, 2007: My ideal boat would be: 40% Roomy yet manageable 35' to 45' 37% Easy to handle in the 25' to 35' range 18% Trailerable and less than 25' 09% At least 45' and loaded 1,416 owners responding
 
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neelie

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Dec 30, 2007
8
- - still searching for a 65
Gerryt - contact for Mac 65 advice

Hi. I'm looking at buying a Mac 65 PH and I have a few questions regarding it. Is there any chance you'd care pass on your opinions and experience to me. My email is nrfaerch"-AT-"yahoo.com Note: I use "-AT-" in place of @, I'm just trying to avoid the automatic web crawlers capturing our email address for yet another spam list. Thanks in advance... ps.. and to everyone else - kindly accept my apologies for hijacking this thread.
 
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neelie

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Dec 30, 2007
8
- - still searching for a 65
Gerryt - contact for Mac 65 advice

Hi. I'm looking at buying a Mac 65 PH and I have a few questions regarding it. Is there any chance you'd care pass on your opinions and experience to me. My email is nrfaerch"-AT-"yahoo.com Note: I use "-AT-" in place of @, I'm just trying to avoid the automatic web crawlers capturing our email address for yet another spam list. Thanks in advance... ps.. and to everyone else - kindly accept my apologies for hijacking this thread.
 
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