Can you please advise me which will be recommended for 2 couples? - sailing mainly the Med but must also be able to cross the Atlantic. Originally thought for each family to get a boat but decided a bigger boat would be better to cater for both else you need crew. I am 6.2ft/1.9m and therefore need headroom. We have considered Cats but mooring a cat in the Med is expensive. Therefore a single hull - 37ft which can be sailed single-handed if required seems the right option. Now the following seems a problem: We would like 3 cabins - for when children etc visit - but the front cabin is always bigger than the rear 2. Who sleeps where? The ideal would be to have 2 good-size cabins with lots of storage space. So far I like the Hanse 370 and the Elan Impression384. Any comments please.
Boat for 2 couples?
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Oh-Oh!...................this way be dragons! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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Lolamen
Ignore Smiffy, he's probably forgotten to take his medication, again.
Welcome to the forum.
I would reconsider a cat and consider more time at anchor in the med rather than marinas.
Ignore Smiffy, he's probably forgotten to take his medication, again.
Welcome to the forum.
I would reconsider a cat and consider more time at anchor in the med rather than marinas.
No, don't misunderstand. We are both in our fifties, happily married but not experienced sailors. Thus sailing on our own is a bit daunting!
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Guest
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[ QUOTE ]
No, don't misunderstand. We are both in our fifties, happily married but not experienced sailors. Thus sailing on our own is a bit daunting!
[/ QUOTE ]
Ignore that Stingo, he's just jealous of me droll wit and sparkling repartee! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Serious advice? Buy summat smaller, and the TWO of you get some experience..............Oh Ah! Don't Buy A Catamaran!
Not unless your idea of sailing in poncing around in a caravan! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif They gin-ormous multi hulls what do 30+ knots is a whole different animal to the stuff that's flogged to Med Wannabees.
No, don't misunderstand. We are both in our fifties, happily married but not experienced sailors. Thus sailing on our own is a bit daunting!
[/ QUOTE ]
Ignore that Stingo, he's just jealous of me droll wit and sparkling repartee! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Serious advice? Buy summat smaller, and the TWO of you get some experience..............Oh Ah! Don't Buy A Catamaran!
Not unless your idea of sailing in poncing around in a caravan! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif They gin-ormous multi hulls what do 30+ knots is a whole different animal to the stuff that's flogged to Med Wannabees.
Thanks! 34/35 ft single hull ok? We want space to breath! Any advice on cabins?
Oliveoyl
Well-Known Member
How about each couple in an aft cabin, and the forward cabin for storage? Or, if you want to be posh, call the forward cabin the "dressing room"? But be careful, the spare cabin can quickly become the equivalent of the garden shed.
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[ QUOTE ]
Thanks! 34/35 ft single hull ok? We want space to breath! Any advice on cabins?
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If we are talking single couple, a 30 footer will be more than adequate unless you want all the modcons of life ashore, which to my way of thinking, is just a waste of recourses. A 30 footer, with a generous beam, will have a lot of space for two, it will be easier and lighter for both of you to handle in a blow, and a lot easier to manouver in and out of Marinas (horrible places). Get some experience, and if you think it's for you, then trade up to summat bigger later. Cabins? down to personal choice, but summat to bare in mind is loads of grab handles, and the bigger the space, the further you can get thrown, and when you do get thrown it tends to hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
A lot of folks seem to get the itch, then go off and buy some splendid piece of plastic fantastic, which ends up either scaring them shitless, or just being to much of a handful, then it and them ends up squatting in some Marina or other, when all they really wanted to do, was go sailing. Well that's me. no more to add.
The very best of luck to you! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Thanks! 34/35 ft single hull ok? We want space to breath! Any advice on cabins?
[/ QUOTE ]
If we are talking single couple, a 30 footer will be more than adequate unless you want all the modcons of life ashore, which to my way of thinking, is just a waste of recourses. A 30 footer, with a generous beam, will have a lot of space for two, it will be easier and lighter for both of you to handle in a blow, and a lot easier to manouver in and out of Marinas (horrible places). Get some experience, and if you think it's for you, then trade up to summat bigger later. Cabins? down to personal choice, but summat to bare in mind is loads of grab handles, and the bigger the space, the further you can get thrown, and when you do get thrown it tends to hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
A lot of folks seem to get the itch, then go off and buy some splendid piece of plastic fantastic, which ends up either scaring them shitless, or just being to much of a handful, then it and them ends up squatting in some Marina or other, when all they really wanted to do, was go sailing. Well that's me. no more to add.
The very best of luck to you! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Bear in mind that we are 2 couples - therefore we need a bit of space be out of one anothers hair! That is when we are doing a long trip or the weather is bad.
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Guest
Guest
I know, and as I said before, that way be dragons, think about it. Look, you may get on with each other like a house on fire, but two couples aboard a boat, even a 40+footer, is tempting fate.
Anyway, like I said, it's down to you, all I am doing is chucking in my two pennarth.
Anyway, like I said, it's down to you, all I am doing is chucking in my two pennarth.
islander4
Member
If you are going to spend much time on the boat (i.e. more than a camping week or two) then headroom for 6ft 2 throughout, including in the heads and galley, will become critical. Transatlantic means good sea boat. Able to take 2 couples means two large cabins fore and aft, ideally 2 heads. All that means probably 38ft plus, etc. Good quality sea boat + good cabins + headroom means lots of £££ at that size and comfort. Look at Scandinavians (Halberg, Malo), UK (Bowman) or US. Try chartering with your friends as well to see if it works before committing huuuge investment.
MarkGrubb
Well-Known Member
Have you considered two smaller boats and then sailing in company? Be much easier, and more fun I reackon. Sometimes you can be together, sometimes do your own thing, maybe for days at a time, and each couple will have their own place. You could probably find two smaller and suitable boats around the 30' mark for the price of one whopping great 40'+ with all the extra bathrooms etc.
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
It's all very well dismissing cats out of hand but you'll come to regret it, especially if you go to the Caribbean (won't they Stingo?!) Start by having a look at a Snowgoose which has a range of versions to suit whatever budget you have
For 2 couples living long term in a mono I wouldn't consider less than 40 ft. You need elbow room and loads of stowage space.
Don't even think of a twin aft cabin arrangement in a mono. They were designed for charter boats and are totally unsuitable for liveaboards. If you want two roughly equal cabins, one aft one forward is the way to go and put short term visitors in the saloon. Here's an example-
For 2 couples living long term in a mono I wouldn't consider less than 40 ft. You need elbow room and loads of stowage space.
Don't even think of a twin aft cabin arrangement in a mono. They were designed for charter boats and are totally unsuitable for liveaboards. If you want two roughly equal cabins, one aft one forward is the way to go and put short term visitors in the saloon. Here's an example-
Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
what an excellent design. Much more interesting than the usual layout. Who is the builder?
jimbaerselman
Well-Known Member
We had frequent visitors while living aboard - a slightly different situation to you - in that our visitors accepted that their accommodation was tighter than ours.
Our method of handling a foursome (both agreeing the need to have private space) was to have two loos; so, en-suite forward cabin and ensuite aft cabin. That way, if your heads bunged up, you cleared it . . . no, that was an incidental benefit! But it did make a tremendous difference to us - we enjoyed having visitors for up to a couple of weeks at a time (and some for longer) . . . rather than thinking of them (a bit) as people who compromised our living standards.
Two loos meant 40ft though, maybe a bit much for the budget?
Two couples, great friends of ours, decided to go round the world together. Very ambitious. They started with the view that they should alternate their use of the (more spacious) after cabin every few months. They gave that up; found that it was far more important to customise their own space rather than change space. They managed three very satisfactory years together. Still good friends. But theirs was a 47ft HR.
Our method of handling a foursome (both agreeing the need to have private space) was to have two loos; so, en-suite forward cabin and ensuite aft cabin. That way, if your heads bunged up, you cleared it . . . no, that was an incidental benefit! But it did make a tremendous difference to us - we enjoyed having visitors for up to a couple of weeks at a time (and some for longer) . . . rather than thinking of them (a bit) as people who compromised our living standards.
Two loos meant 40ft though, maybe a bit much for the budget?
Two couples, great friends of ours, decided to go round the world together. Very ambitious. They started with the view that they should alternate their use of the (more spacious) after cabin every few months. They gave that up; found that it was far more important to customise their own space rather than change space. They managed three very satisfactory years together. Still good friends. But theirs was a 47ft HR.
islander4
Member
Looks like an Island Packet - 370? For two couples an IP465 would be perfect.
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
Surely there can't be a more obvious choice for 2 couples than to have a whole boat each, but joined in the middle by a huge deck saloon? = Catamaran.
All new cats can be modified to suit your design needs, but some more than others. The BroadBlue 415 would suit you perfectly. Or buy a Snowgoose and have a few mods done. Any monohull under 45 foot will be a huge compromise for the very specific requirements you have, and a lack of personal space will be inevitable. And if it's expensive to stay in a marina all the time - learn to anchor her!
All new cats can be modified to suit your design needs, but some more than others. The BroadBlue 415 would suit you perfectly. Or buy a Snowgoose and have a few mods done. Any monohull under 45 foot will be a huge compromise for the very specific requirements you have, and a lack of personal space will be inevitable. And if it's expensive to stay in a marina all the time - learn to anchor her!
poter
Well-Known Member
Agree with most of Snowleopard, except the bit about Cats, but you will get that split opinion!
Obviously you have considered living with another couple in close confinement?
Why dont you try a charter first, it will give you some idea of the sort of boat you need & may sort out any anoying habits that you might not be able to put up with!!
As far as a Yacht is concerned you need to give us some idea of a budget but as a personal opinion - anything around 36 to 37' & you will be on top of one another.
For around 80 to 90k a good boat to consider would be a Moody 425 - expensive but a great sea boat & enough space for two couples.
There is a nice Moody just here, nice layout & very important - two heads.
Think about where you want to start from, I note that you have said that you do not have that much experience, I would get a yacht in the Med & cruise around there for some time before venturing out to the big pond.
And you never know like us you may not leave. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Good luck & give us some idea of a budget.
poter /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Obviously you have considered living with another couple in close confinement?
Why dont you try a charter first, it will give you some idea of the sort of boat you need & may sort out any anoying habits that you might not be able to put up with!!
As far as a Yacht is concerned you need to give us some idea of a budget but as a personal opinion - anything around 36 to 37' & you will be on top of one another.
For around 80 to 90k a good boat to consider would be a Moody 425 - expensive but a great sea boat & enough space for two couples.
There is a nice Moody just here, nice layout & very important - two heads.
Think about where you want to start from, I note that you have said that you do not have that much experience, I would get a yacht in the Med & cruise around there for some time before venturing out to the big pond.
And you never know like us you may not leave. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Good luck & give us some idea of a budget.
poter /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
poter
Well-Known Member
Lots of arguments for cats - but they are a problem with mooring in most places & when you need to overwinter your fees will be expensive.
Are both couples going to be liveaboard?
do both the respective SWMBO's enjoy sailing?
lots of questions for you guys to sort out..
poter
Are both couples going to be liveaboard?
do both the respective SWMBO's enjoy sailing?
lots of questions for you guys to sort out..
poter
DickB
Well-Known Member
Try mine, now up for sale, two very comfortable double berths, each with own head, and wash basin, plus rear one also has a big shower. Built for longer journeys...
Check it out at Ancastas site - It is a Bavaria 42 Ocean.
Check it out at Ancastas site - It is a Bavaria 42 Ocean.
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