30ft or 40ft...

[oGaryo]

thanks guys, that's some good direction on your experiences for me to ponder over... it sounds like a mid to low 30 will be borderline adequate with a mid to high 30 more desireable... our current boating experiences sees us with typically 3 on board, occasionally 2 and ocassionally 4 or even 5 in a 4 berth express cruiser... that's on a 25fter so any extra body on the top of that number in a 30+ boat should be ok albeit as you say, rather cozy at the top end... as Epervier intimates, that sometimes has its benefits though the double meaning of intimate isn't intended, honest

of course, a larger boat would be even better for the reasons given but I have to be realistic with the budget I have

 

[Victoria Sponge]

We've got a 323 sailing boat. Six would be out of the question and four is cosy!

 

[benjenbav]

thanks guys, that's some good direction on your experiences for me to ponder over... it sounds like a mid to low 30 will be borderline adequate with a mid to high 30 more desireable... our current boating experiences sees us with typically 3 on board, occasionally 2 and ocassionally 4 or even 5 in a 4 berth express cruiser... that's on a 25fter so any extra body on the top of that number in a 30+ boat should be ok albeit as you say, rather cozy at the top end... as Epervier intimates, that sometimes has its benefits though the double meaning of intimate isn't intended, honest

of course, a larger boat would be even better for the reasons given but I have to be realistic with the budget I have

If you look at all the items you absolutely have to have you will end up looking at a 30 metre boat, never mind 30'. I often go through this process before realising that I am a few dollars short.

 

[rafiki_]

thanks guys, that's some good direction on your experiences for me to ponder over... it sounds like a mid to low 30 will be borderline adequate with a mid to high 30 more desireable... our current boating experiences sees us with typically 3 on board, occasionally 2 and ocassionally 4 or even 5 in a 4 berth express cruiser... that's on a 25fter so any extra body on the top of that number in a 30+ boat should be ok albeit as you say, rather cozy at the top end... as Epervier intimates, that sometimes has its benefits though the double meaning of intimate isn't intended, honest

of course, a larger boat would be even better for the reasons given but I have to be realistic with the budget I have

Gary, I think you will really notice the extra beam in a 30+ footer. Rafiki is "parked" next to a Rinker 270 and Sealine S28, all within a couple of feet of overall length, but Rafiki has at least 2ft more beam, which makes a huge difference to space. The others have similar numbers of seats, but you have to take it in turns to move about.

 

[neale]

Gary, I think you will really notice the extra beam in a 30+ footer. Rafiki is "parked" next to a Rinker 270 and Sealine S28, all within a couple of feet of overall length, but Rafiki has at least 2ft more beam, which makes a huge difference to space. The others have similar numbers of seats, but you have to take it in turns to move about.

Cough cough....I think you'll find that there is a mere 9 inches difference in the beam between an S28 and a Sunline 31.

 

[DougH]

Can't comment on the 35 - 40ft debate but would say that on our Manhatton 60 (roughly 65ft/20 metres) having 6 people sleeping on board is just about comfortable, and that is a very big boat for the UK marinas. (We are in Mallorca)

There is a crew cabin for two persons with shower and toilet but the whole cabin is used as a store room.

If I was ever to purchase a boat solely for UK use it would be in the 42ft range.

 

[moonraker 36]

just had a week away..
4 adults 2 kids. no prob's at all...
and yep 2 heads 2 shower's.(aft cabin en suite).
i just luv them moonrakers..

 

[rafiki_]

Cough cough....I think you'll find that there is a mere 9 inches difference in the beam between an S28 and a Sunline 31.

Neale, it feels a very large 9". Perhaps there is a translation loss between Kidderminster and Bromsgrove? The S 28 is a great boat, but the Sunline feels significantly more roomy in the cockpit and below.

Without getting into a mine's bigger than yours contest, my point is that extra beam makes a real difference to space on board.

 

[rubberduck]

We had a Doral elegante 33' + platform, 5 berth, found it cramped for four if the boys wanted separate beds, kept falling over Alex at night when trying to use the single toilet & head's.
Now have an Absolute 41' with two double cabins + a very good saloon conversion to another double, two heads & shower's, makes the whole thing a lot more enjoyable. We even left her in st kats last winter as she is every bit as comfortable as a good hotel room in London.