Larger boat - full displacement hull, weigh in.

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bshillam

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Heaven To Me
So my wife and I know that we want to get back into boating in the next year or so and we're thinking a full displacement hull is going to be right up our ally. The thought is we want to have a full kitchen, head, at least one state room so probably around the 34 ish size. Also after having a boat something say built in the 90's is OK. Our budget is going to be about 40-50k as I don't want to spend so much I don't have $$$ let over for the fuel, moorage fees and what not. I am more attracted to the tuggish style of boats/ c-doy pilot style of boat. This has always been such a great group to get feedback from as there is suck a vast amount of boating knowledge here. PS. We are probably going to be located off the Sacramento river or off Chesapeake Bay if that makes a difference.[/i]
 
Since your right by the Delta, that gives you a huge cruising ground. In your price point you will be hard pressed to find something that is fairly new. Of course these days there are deals around, just have to hunt. I would do some searching at the numerous marinas down by Rio Vista. Take that drive down Hwy 12 and start looking. Pick up some of the magazines at the marinas and asking around.

Take the boat and do the circle of bethel island and see what is out there.
 
Hi Bill,
A good place to go for info on this style and size of boat is www.trawlerforum.com. Lots of people there with that style of boat. As usual with a boating forum, there are a lot of strong opinions, but many members have the kind of boat that you're contemplating.
Lyle
 
I guess finding a trawler type 34 footer will be a matter of searching yacht brokers, internet ads and the usual weekend trips to where there are boats for sale. In the Bay Area there is no shortage of that, lots of used boats to choose from, until you find something that works for you.

But what I really wanted to comment on was the: boating on the Calif. bay and delta or the major shift to the East coast and the Chesapeake. As a former Californian (52 years in the Bay Area) and presently a central New Yorker I would recommend you make absolutely certain the east coast and the Chesapeake area is right for you. Huge differences in weather, cost of living, taxes, housing costs, and for boaters especially the length of boating season. I am not saying one is better than the other, just that there are major differences. In the bay area it didn't matter if it was July or Janurary, you could go out on your boat if you wanted. Not necessarily so out east. Before coming out here I didn't know what a winter windshield wiper was, or a block heater for your car, tractor, whatever. Frozen batteries didn't happen to me when I was in the Bay Area.

We live in a quiet area with lots of clean air and water, lots of trees and privacy, plenty of good to be said about it. But, the last couple days I have been putting my 25 cruiser up for the winter, batteries out and in to the cellar, drain all the liquids, etc. etc. until we can get it back on the water, maybe 7 months from now. Mid May is a safe bet, maybe even earlier, we'll keep our fingers crossed. Forgive me for going on, you may have lived out here in the past and know far more about things on the Chesapeake than I could think of. But I'll bet that if some folks came out to a new area and rented for at least a year before making the commitment it might save a lot of un-happiness.
 
Another difference between the Delta/Sacramento area and the East Coast/Chesapeake area, is that in the latter you can go up and down the entire East Coast from New York (even Canada thru the Canal System) to Florida, and the Gulf Coast, via the ICW. Not only it is far cheaper, but there are far more cruising grounds. If you are working--yes, you will be limited to the area near your home, but if retired, the entire East Coast and "Great Loop" is available. You move with the seasons.

You will have to look at the various boats to make your own decision. I like the Europa/Sedan type in the 34 foot size. A full displacement boat implies that the bilges will be round, and the boat will probably roll more than a hard chine (as many "trawlers" are). The round bilge, slack garboard, full keel, double ended boat which is very effecient--does not have as much room on deck or in the hull. This is probably one of the reasons that the box type semi displacement boat is popular.

I used to give a lecture at Trawler Fest on choice of a trawler...and there are so many facets to consider. One of the best places to start is a book:
Power Boat Guide by McKnew and Parker. Mine is the 1998 Broker's edition. This covers 90% of the production boat boats and is about 1500 pages--one boat a page! Newer editions are more compartmentalized as to type of boat.

Many boats will be Taiwan built and this can bring certain problems--I am very skeptical of teak decks. Most will leak and then rot the core of the deck with time--even in the 1990 era of build. Also consider the condition of fuel tanks. 1990 was over 20 years ago!--it is getting close to replacement time. Aluminum tanks are generally better, but they can be a problem if foamed in--and salt water has been in contact.

Single with a thruster vs twins is always the argument--perhaps with a bit more validity than the outboard argument. I have owned both types. Ideal is twins with a thruster...

One of the classics is the Mainship 34. There are 3 versions of this--and then the 35 on up to the 40, which is a similar type of hull. I have seen some of the 34/39's down in your price range. (These are really 34's with "extensions". One beauty of this boat is the huge flying bridge, and a galley up for the Admiral, plus a very small second stateroom if you desire company or for storage.

I personally like the "sun deck motor yacht style for cruising and the most room for a "live aboard". These are available in as short as 30 feet (Carver 30--I owned one with a 2 foot hull extension and a single 150 hp diesel). On the other end of that type of boat I owned a Symbol 42 Sundeck--and it was a very comfortable boat, with twin Cat 3208's.
 
I too have thought about this route over the years and would probably find a good CHB 34. Price is close to your ideal and they are a well built boat, usually powered by a single Lehman diesel. Economical to own and operate.
 
I have 2 comments to make.

First, is that we saw a large number of trawlers for sale in the Pacific Northwest this summer. I guess everyone is retrenching during this recession. However, those trawlers were not cheap, even in the 32 to 34' range. Nordic tugs , for example, are pretty fancy boats and $100K would get you a nice 90's version.

I would look around San Francisco for a trawler and see what you can get, even if it's from the 80's. And add in what it would take to refurbish.

Second, I certainly agree with thataway in that there is a larger cruising area on the East Coast. We spent a couple of years there doing the Great Circle Route and it was wonderful. However, the weather isn't the same as California, and moving north or south with the seasons doesn't help. Florida has Northers in the winter, and the Chesapeake Bay is really, really crummy in the summer and has snow and ice in the winter. Maine is beautiful in the summer, for both months. As are the Bahamas in the winter, between fronts. We came home to SoCal for the winter.

So, while the East Coast is well worth a visit, it'll certainly be a change from California weather. This points up one of the beauties of a trailerable boat, which is why we have Journey On. Yes its more cramped that a 34, but we're not spending our whole life on that boat. And we get to see different places, but get to come home to decent weather.

I'm not saying that a trailerable boat is cheaper, because it takes gasoline to get to your cruising ground, and that isn't cheap these days. But it let's you cruise wonderful places, such as the Chesapeake Bay, cruise north and south and then come home.

If you do buy a boat and cruise it on the East Coast, be sure it has a good heater AND air conditioner.

Boris
 
Try one of THESE. Just saw one down at our local marina, had just been sold to someone on the Great Lakes. Will be trucked up there after sea trials.

Really beautiful, check out the little cockpit in the bow with its own windscreen. There are some seats up there and a little table too! Didn't find out how much it sold for but must have been megabucks. It was out of the water, I'll try to take some pictures if it's still there when I visit next time!

Charlie
 
The Midnight Laces were made in several sizes--most 44's and 52's. Tom Fexas was the designer. There was some conflict at one time over design etc. Most were made by a subsidiary of Cheoy Lee "Golden Wave shipyard".

They are narrow beam, and fast boats. Yes, they are beautiful, but I would not consider them "practical" for cruising....in fact having owned a boat with a lot of teak for one 4 year cruise--I made it a point to have no teak or varnish in the future years.
 
Teak sure is pretty, but being a young family time is more important than up keep. I know I'm asking a lot, but I've the time to find it.
 
After a year, during which we lived on the boat for seven months, we absolutely love our Camano. It is called a 31 but is really a 28 that lives more like a 32. It is above your current price range, but that price is established to be broken. It was out of our range too, but Nancy made me buy it. I love it when the gatekeeper abandons her responsibilities.

Greg
 
Why don't you try renting and see what you like. You can rent Nordic tugs out of Juneau AK. by the week. We did ...it was a blast.

Chris
 
320104_279200132103222_127893933900510_846228_913367795_n.jpg


Wonder if it has trim tabs?


:roll:


Charlie
 
More to the point, how can you show us that without a single mention of whipped cream!! :roll:
 
Captains Cat":3u84kolz said:
320104_279200132103222_127893933900510_846228_913367795_n.jpg


Wonder if it has trim tabs?


:roll:


Charlie
Click to expand...

Dunno.

But I hope the "Bumpkin 754" has some weight centered below (keel or internal ballast), or maybe his wife: "There was an old lady who lived in a shoe, who .........." :wink

........and Jim can't get Joan to even consider living on 30" - 40' boat!. :roll:

Also, looks like that guy has been growing his own marijuana ("for medicinal purposes") and sprayed the growth hormone on some of the wrong plants in the garden. :rose2

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Hey Joe,

Let's talk specifics... the Blonde loves Wild Blue and the easy trailerability. We have discussed options if/when we sell the house. One of those options is a bigger boat, better suited for living aboard (we've spent up to 5 months at a time on Wild Blue). What she didn't go for was the suggestion of a motorsailor and heading over the horizon. I'm thinking: sail when the conditions are right, motor when you need to. She's thinking: more work, pulling halyards, adjusting sheets... cooking while heeling... concerns about a mast or two (I do like the options with a ketch) fitting under bridges... more draft. You can tell which of us is the "big idea" person and which is the "detail" person. :wink:

So... here's the stats:

  • IDEA: HER / ME
    Bigger boat: will consider / totally OK
    Motorsailor: no way, Jose / totally OK
    Pumpkin as boat: No / No
    Next wife: see: motorsailor / Is she rich?
    Joking about next wife: not funny / kinda funny
    Sleeping on couch: you, not me / not funny

Hope that clarifies.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Bess-C":30jspy6s said:
Hi Bill,
A good place to go for info on this style and size of boat is www.trawlerforum.com. Lots of people there with that style of boat. As usual with a boating forum, there are a lot of strong opinions, but many members have the kind of boat that you're contemplating.
Lyle
Click to expand...

This is good advice. I would start there as well.

Know what you truly need, instead of looking for what you want: our needs were shallow draft, easy handling, economical operation, air conditioning, newer engine, flybridge & lower helm.

We have been thoroughly pleased with our Prairie 29 for the past 3 years, it has given us many adventures with no drama and extremely economical operation. Atlantic bought the molds from Prairie and produced the Atlantic 30 & 34 (same thing). We still have the C-Dory, but really wanted to live on the water for awhile, instead of camp on the water, and the larger boat has fit that bill. These were built with no wood in the hull, minimal wood trim, prices are $25-$50K for the 29/30 and up for the 34's.

The Prairie forum at trawlerforum:

http://www.trawlerforum.com/f400566/prairie/

Good luck with your search!

Matt Mattson
http://www.youtube.com/flagold
 
Jim- As always, a great laugh and a specific, detailed reply! :lol:

Maybe you should show her the Bumpkin 754, and by comparison the Motorsailer would start to look better? :smiled Maybe paste a Bumpkin photo on your refrigerator, or get a T-shirt printed up as a reminder? :bat

Or you could do like the guy in the Pina Colada Song, and advertise for someone more suitable for your present needs, and find Joan actually has some hidden motorsailer desires? :smilep

Then again, I should be giving you advice: my wife, Cathy, has been on our C-Dory twice in 11 years, on the Sea Ray once, and still writes aout the $550 a month moorage checks without XXXXXing! :wink I guess she likes anything that gets me out of the house and away from her. :cry Come to think of it, she's really wanting me to go to the SBSCBGT this year.........! :smile

Every once in a while (once day, at least), I think about taking the Sea Ray down to the (California) Delta and setting up home-away-from-home. That Finish motorsailer for $100k that wanted to do an exchange last month had me ready to trade a couple of boats in and disappear over the horizon, real bad. Could have more than half paid for it instead with the money lost by our agent in the market in the past few months! "It's only on paper, stick it out, sooner or later you'll get it back, ..............!" (I should Ilve so long!) My days of disappearing over the horizon in a sailboat may well have done the same, themselves!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
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