60 to 70ft boat owners - why did you do it?

[PEJ]

When I went from a 38ft sports boat to a 50ft flybridge boat the reasons were pretty obvious, it is a step change in boat size and usage.

With my big family the 50ft seems a bit small at times. So now I am considering a move up to a bigger boat, maybe 60 or 65 ft, but the change is not massive and I wonder what will I gain from it.

So my question is to anyone that had a 50ft and upgraded to a 60 to 70ft boat - why did you do it and what is significantly better about the bigger boat compared to the smaller one?

 

[Hurricane]

Ha Ha
I think I'm qualified to answer this one!!

Yep it was just size - nothing wrong with the old boat.
And someone told me that when you move to the Med, your boat gets smaller.
We managed to buy a long term lease for a 20m berth but at the time we only had a 15+m boat.
The decision to upgrade wasn't taken lightly but we have never regretted it.
It isn't just family reasons, we live on ours for most of the summer - space is important.
Interestingly, we didn't upgrade the number of cabins - same number of cabins - it is just that they are all bigger and with their own bathrooms.
Lots of other differences but they would all fall into the "bigger" category.

EDIT
Having said all that there is a large family with lots of grandchildren on the same pontoon as us who have a T52 (same as the T51) and they have coped with the smaller boat over the last 9 years.

 

[jfm]

When I went from a 38ft sports boat to a 50ft flybridge boat the reasons were pretty obvious, it is a step change in boat size and usage.

With my big family the 50ft seems a bit small at times. So now I am considering a move up to a bigger boat, maybe 60 or 65 ft, but the change is not massive and I wonder what will I gain from it.

So my question is to anyone that had a 50ft and upgraded to a 60 to 70ft boat - why did you do it and what is significantly better about the bigger boat compared to the smaller one?

As you say yourself, I dont think you'll see big benefits going from 50 to 60 feet. That's too small a step. A boat seems big when you're buying it, but not afterwards when a bunch of people turn up to stay! I had Squadron 58s for years and fairline for years suggested an uograde to their 65, but I always resisted because I knew it wasnt a big enough step, despite the general attractiveness of the squadron 65.

Go for a 70-75 footer. It's just as easy to operate. To answer your question, I did it

1. to get significantly, rather than marginally, more space;
2. for better sea-bashing ability - I hardly ever adjust my schedule for weather because the boat will just smash through;
3. because it's a nicer toy - tinkering with and looking at bigger gear, things like stabilisers, massive engines, all make for fun in the "playing with toys" department.

Happy hunting!

 

[TonyR123]

bugger - just moving myself from 36ft to 50ft.

PEJ - I dont want to see another thread in 6 months time saying moving to 70ft boat is the best move you have ever made. Told the missus I would keep this boat for at least 5 years!

 

[[2068]]

52ft ... "Smaller Boat" ... Eeek!
(or should that be "squeak?")

 

[Whitelighter]

bugger - just moving myself from 36ft to 50ft.

PEJ - I dont want to see another thread in 6 months time saying moving to 70ft boat is the best move you have ever made. Told the missus I would keep this boat for at least 5 years!

I'm pretty happy with my 50fter - To get much more room
Indeed 70ft i reckon, though the Ferretti is more like 16.5m

 

[Eren]

I just moved up from Azimut 47 to SS Manhattan 70. My main reason was that, I wasn't able provide comfortable rooms to my guests. The second reason was that, I wish to spend more time at my boat and when the boat is rather small, it tires you a bit. Handling side is the easiest part. If you can handle 50, you can easily handle 70 as well. But to my feeling, 70 is about the limits that one can manage without crew. As for the costs, maintenance is more or less the same, because the qty of equipment at a 50 is almost same as 70. Still 2 engines, same electronics, etc. (sometimes comes in the second generator). The big hit comes with mooring fees and the fuel consumption. Mooring almost doubles, fuel cost as well. I find 50 a "very feasible" size. I can live with it all my life. But if you have the means, yes, 70 is better than 50. And I agree with Jfm, if you will move up, I believe that the minimum jump should be +15 feet. I hope that I was helpful.

 

[BartW]

6 years ago we upgraded from a 28ft (trailable) to a 70ft boat,
We were often with a lot of people on that 28ft boat, using her as a day boat,
With our children(4) and their friends, or with brothers and sisters /in law, with friends, etc..
quite often 8 or 10 ppl on board,
So the next step up for us was a boat that could “sleep” 8 or 10 ppl.

I’m really pleased that we bought slightly bigger than 70ft, (boat loa is 78ft)
Can easily accommodate 8..10 ppl without stepping on each others toes.

The boat feels like a apartment,
I’m quite tall (1.88m) and I can stand in every space or corner of the boat even in engine and utility room
Big ship feeling, and no cramped spaces.
Guests have some kind of privacy, and don’t need to be all together in the same place on the boat all the time,
There are different “zones” inside or outside where guests can spend time, which imo is quite important to have a relaxed holiday onboard.
Most of the time In summer season, we are 6 to 9ppl onboard (including our cook)

I am aware that 50ft is a very popular boat size range but
Tbh with our king of usage, I never ever had a desire to own a boat of that size
(but I appreciate that others have other way’s of using her…)

handling a 70ft boat is no issue,
(but you always’s need minimum one extra person who can handle the ropes, solo handling is not really doable)

the first 3 seasons we had organized that guests or couples had to prepare meals each at their turn,
this was pleasant at the time, but me and my wife were eventually fed up with organizing everything (helping and giving instructions about how and where, etc..)
so the last 3,5 seasons we organized for a cooking girl, they also do the shopping.
We were very glad with Majda and Ollivera; both girls we had so far were extreme good looking (27 and 21yo)
and on top of that, the cooking was not too bad either 

in summer season with the dayboat, for dinner, we went every day to a restaurant,
with the 70ft boat, we go a lot less to restaurants, just ones or twice a week,
for us, its much more quality time at anker, being served onboard, in good company, at one step from a natural pool.
Slowly morfing from the pre dinner drink, in to dinner,and long after dinner discussions, in to party time, and the late night booze, fading out in to ( skinny) dipping…

 

[Pinnacle]

the first 3 seasons we had organized that guests or couples had to prepare meals each at their turn,
this was pleasant at the time, but me and my wife were eventually fed up with organizing everything (helping and giving instructions about how and where, etc..)
so the last 3,5 seasons we organized for a cooking girl, they also do the shopping.
We were very glad with Majda and Ollivera; both girls we had so far were extreme good looking (27 and 21yo)
and on top of that, the cooking was not too bad either 

Good job E does not read this forum!!

 

[rafiki_]

50 ft quite popular here in the U.K. as berthing for larger boats becomes challenging In most marinas. Anchoring clearly ok, but with our unsettled weather, this can be challenging too ��

 

[Mad Pad]

6 years ago we upgraded from a 28ft (trailable) to a 70ft boat,
We were often with a lot of people on that 28ft boat, using her as a day boat,
With our children(4) and their friends, or with brothers and sisters /in law, with friends, etc..
quite often 8 or 10 ppl on board,
So the next step up for us was a boat that could “sleep” 8 or 10 ppl.

I’m really pleased that we bought slightly bigger than 70ft, (boat loa is 78ft)
Can easily accommodate 8..10 ppl without stepping on each others toes.

The boat feels like a apartment,
I’m quite tall (1.88m) and I can stand in every space or corner of the boat even in engine and utility room
Big ship feeling, and no cramped spaces.
Guests have some kind of privacy, and don’t need to be all together in the same place on the boat all the time,
There are different “zones” inside or outside where guests can spend time, which imo is quite important to have a relaxed holiday onboard.
Most of the time In summer season, we are 6 to 9ppl onboard (including our cook)

I am aware that 50ft is a very popular boat size range but
Tbh with our king of usage, I never ever had a desire to own a boat of that size
(but I appreciate that others have other way’s of using her…)

handling a 70ft boat is no issue,
(but you always’s need minimum one extra person who can handle the ropes, solo handling is not really doable)

the first 3 seasons we had organized that guests or couples had to prepare meals each at their turn,
this was pleasant at the time, but me and my wife were eventually fed up with organizing everything (helping and giving instructions about how and where, etc..)
so the last 3,5 seasons we organized for a cooking girl, they also do the shopping.
We were very glad with Majda and Ollivera; both girls we had so far were extreme good looking (27 and 21yo)
and on top of that, the cooking was not too bad either 

in summer season with the dayboat, for dinner, we went every day to a restaurant,
with the 70ft boat, we go a lot less to restaurants, just ones or twice a week,
for us, its much more quality time at anker, being served onboard, in good company, at one step from a natural pool.
Slowly morfing from the pre dinner drink, in to dinner,and long after dinner discussions, in to party time, and the late night booze, fading out in to ( skinny) dipping…

Bart Hi,

Happy New Year!

See we have another Montenegro based yacht here now..see Eren above.

I have been down every few weeks in the winter,but missed the serious blow.....170 km hr....early Dec.

No damage on our pontoon but a fair bit on C due to loose mooring lines and lack of fenders.

Mad Pad

 

[BartW]

Good job E does not read this forum!!

P,
2 years ago when I had my first meeting with Olivera / interview for the job application, Elly was not with me,
when I was back home I explained all about Olli to Elly,
and E answered with a question; does she know about cooking ?
I had to admid that I forgot to asc that question

 

[BartW]

Bart Hi,

Happy New Year!

See we have another Montenegro based yacht here now..see Eren above.

I have been down every few weeks in the winter,but missed the serious blow.....170 km hr....early Dec.

No damage on our pontoon but a fair bit on C due to loose mooring lines and lack of fenders.

Mad Pad

Hi pat, and best wishes to you!

I was there three weeks ago, but I missed you,
last week, our cockpit covers were partly damaged (saw it on the camera)
and had a neighbour on Lydia to take them off, wind was extremely heavy I have been told,
but luckyly no big issues on our pontoon...

I'll be there again weekend 28/1, when are you there next ?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

So now I am considering a move up to a bigger boat, maybe 60 or 65 ft,

There are 60 footers and there are 60 footers. The difference between boats that are small for their stated length and those that are large for their stated length is more obvious the bigger you go. When you get up to this size range you will find some relatively narrow beamed boats with enormous bathing platforms which feel hardly bigger than a 50 footer and some wide beamed boats with relatively small bathing platforms which feel as big as a 70 footer inside. When comparing boats always check the beam as well as the length. We moved from a 53 footer to a 63 footer 2 yrs ago and because the 63 footer was relatively beamy, the difference felt very significant like moving from camping in a motor caravan to living in waterside apartment

As for where we felt the major differences, we got a midships master cabin instead of a forward master which was a whole lot more spacious, a separate dining area which is something the SWMBO particularly wanted and a galley in which 2 people could operate instead of just 1. Also we finally have a walk in wardrobe which swallows all of SWMBO's clobber and something I particularly wanted which was an engine room with standing headroom. In fact a larger engine room in which it is easier to move around and access all major components is a very good reason on its own for moving up to a bigger boat

On the downside apart from the extra cost for everything I do agree that in principle manouvering a larger boat is no more tricky that a smaller boat but simply because you are dealing with a bigger heavier boat, you need a bit more pre planning to do it. Leaving and entering your berth is not just a case of dropping the lines and gunning the engines. You may have to think more carefully about the sequence of letting go the lines and rigging slip lines. Also fenders are bigger and need more effort to deploy. On a larger boat I would recommend a stern thruster as well as a bow thruster just to make placing the boat that much easier

 

[Mad Pad]

Hi pat, and best wishes to you!

I was there three weeks ago, but I missed you,
last week, our cockpit covers were partly damaged (saw it on the camera)
and had a neighbour on Lydia to take them off, wind was extremely heavy I have been told,
but luckyly no big issues on our pontoon...

I'll be there again weekend 28/1, when are you there next ?

Bart,probably not till February,I sent Lani back to Tirana for the winter!

Will keep in touch,

Best Patrick

 

[AllanG]

P,
2 years ago when I had my first meeting with Olivera / interview for the job application, Elly was not with me,
when I was back home I explained all about Olli to Elly,
and E answered with a question; does she know about cooking ?
I had to admid that I forgot to asc that question

Excellent, Bart!!! :encouragement: Sounds like my kind of interview!!

 

[Pinnacle]

P,
2 years ago when I had my first meeting with Olivera / interview for the job application, Elly was not with me,
when I was back home I explained all about Olli to Elly,
and E answered with a question; does she know about cooking ?
I had to admid that I forgot to asc that question

Classic!! You are indeed a lucky man!

 

[Bouba]

6 years ago we upgraded from a 28ft (trailable) to a 70ft boat,
We were often with a lot of people on that 28ft boat, using her as a day boat,
With our children(4) and their friends, or with brothers and sisters /in law, with friends, etc..
quite often 8 or 10 ppl on board,
So the next step up for us was a boat that could “sleep” 8 or 10 ppl.

I’m really pleased that we bought slightly bigger than 70ft, (boat loa is 78ft)
Can easily accommodate 8..10 ppl without stepping on each others toes.

The boat feels like a apartment,
I’m quite tall (1.88m) and I can stand in every space or corner of the boat even in engine and utility room
Big ship feeling, and no cramped spaces.
Guests have some kind of privacy, and don’t need to be all together in the same place on the boat all the time,
There are different “zones” inside or outside where guests can spend time, which imo is quite important to have a relaxed holiday onboard.
Most of the time In summer season, we are 6 to 9ppl onboard (including our cook)

I am aware that 50ft is a very popular boat size range but
Tbh with our king of usage, I never ever had a desire to own a boat of that size
(but I appreciate that others have other way’s of using her…)

handling a 70ft boat is no issue,
(but you always’s need minimum one extra person who can handle the ropes, solo handling is not really doable)

the first 3 seasons we had organized that guests or couples had to prepare meals each at their turn,
this was pleasant at the time, but me and my wife were eventually fed up with organizing everything (helping and giving instructions about how and where, etc..)
so the last 3,5 seasons we organized for a cooking girl, they also do the shopping.
We were very glad with Majda and Ollivera; both girls we had so far were extreme good looking (27 and 21yo)
and on top of that, the cooking was not too bad either 

in summer season with the dayboat, for dinner, we went every day to a restaurant,
with the 70ft boat, we go a lot less to restaurants, just ones or twice a week,
for us, its much more quality time at anker, being served onboard, in good company, at one step from a natural pool.
Slowly morfing from the pre dinner drink, in to dinner,and long after dinner discussions, in to party time, and the late night booze, fading out in to ( skinny) dipping…

Well that is a great story:encouragement:
It actually answers the OP's question, you don't need a bigger boat you just need a girl. I think my wife will be more receptive to this that letting me have a bigger boat.

 

[Truro Ex Pat]

Personally I went from 36 to 48 and now 58 and would say it has made all the difference to us.
It also helps if the age of the boat you move from is newer as well as the designers in general get better as time goes by!
I can’t see much difference between a 60 and 70 apart form the extra cabin and may be a double crew instead of single but if you want or need the space this dictates the size and of course how deep your pockets are!

 

[Eren]

Hi Bart / Mad Pad,

I am sure you are aware of the coming weather conditions in Tivat. I am having all fresh water drained as minus degrees are expected. Just wanted to inform in case that you are not informed.