Great Loop Boat

[T-sole]

Hello C-Brats,

Long time lurker from Maryland. Question for the wisdom of this group. I am in the early stages of planning a Great Loop trip which is probably 7 to 9 years away. However purchasing a vessel will be sooner. Currently the Tomcat 255 and the Rosborough RF 246 seem to fit my needs. Sadly, my only experience with these vessels is through the internet. So my question is which would you want for the Great Loop trip if you were going to do it continually for a year. Wife will be along for parts of the trip and at times will be solo. I avoid marinas if possible preferring to spend the night on the hook and I'm not one to wait out the weather. Of course I'll eventually test the short list in person. But wondering if anyone has experience with both and care to give their opinions. Assume both boats are equipped the same (twin outboards, generator, AC/heat, auto pilot, etc). I'd consider the Venture 26 if someone suggests it's in the same sea keeping league.

My priorities in order:
Trailerable, built to a high standard (tough), sea-keeping abilities at both displacement and on plane, fuel efficient at both displacement and on plane, ability to single hand, range in both distance and ability to stay out for extended time (water, holding tank, propane, etc), creature comforts, and finally the ability to fish.

I've never cruised so this will be a new experience but have spent countless days/nights/weeks on fishing vessels both recreational and commercial.

 

[Morning Star]

We bought our 26 Venture with the plan to do the loop some day (there is a couple from New Mexico planning to start the loop this fall in a 26V). I think that it meets all of your priorities, but first, I'm biased by owning one, and second, boats are really a personal compromise; you have to look at each trade off from your own level of comfort. From a sea-keeping perspective, the trips that Dave and Don have taken on the west coast from San Francisco to Catalina Island and back on Blue Eagle, their 26V, are a pretty strong testimony. I don't have experience with the Tomcat. We looked at them before purchasing the 26V. We liked the large berth and stability, but the weight, fuel efficiency, and draft put it on the wrong side of the compromise for us. As far as the Rosborough 246 trade offs go, the low top speed, location of the head, lack of a real shower, and small berth dropped it off of the list for us. Hope my opinion gives you some perspective. Enjoy the boat search, it's part of the fun and learning. Hope to see you out there on the loop some day!

 

[Will-C]

I would think you might want to include a Ranger Tug 25' or a 27' in your search probably a little easier on fuel. Factory options are endless. A new 25 is about 129k. If you wait more used units might pop up. A 25' C-Dory would also be an option.
D.D.