Can your boat be too big?

Flying Penguin said:
Well if it is then I'd understand the reluctance of the 48' Bene to moor there. I'd expect it to just straddle the curve, with resulting stress on the extremities...

Wouldn't like to try it myself in anything much bigger than the boat pictured.

Cheers,

Jamie
Click to expand...

Ballox, where do you think all the other skippers that stop here berth. ( It is the Ardrishaig one with the very pretty visiting Sadler stern on, in Snooks post; Crinan basin has 3 square sides). Actually he was persuaded that it was not a problem, took up the challenge and has since got in there and out again since lunchtime. I berthed our Sigma 38 for three seasons in there, occasionally you had a bit of a problem if berthed facing away from the bridge with a couple of bigger boats rafted behind you and a really strong southerly pushing you against the quay but it was always possible to get out, even single handed; but today we had midges so the wind was below 3 knots. The puffers that traversed the canal were designed to the maximum size the locks could accommodate and with a more rectangular hull shape than a Beneteau.
You ought to have seen it last week when the annual Swedish cruise in company were there, some big Rassys, a Sweden 48, plus an Austrian 56' Oyster, not all that well handled despite the distances they travel.
 
Last edited:
Quandary said:
Ballox, where do you think all the other skippers that stop here berth. ( It is the Ardrishaig one with the very pretty visiting Sadler stern on, in Snooks post; Crinan basin has square sides). Actually he was persuaded that it was not a problem, took up the challenge and has since got in there and out again since lunchtime. I berthed our Sigma 38 for three seasons in there, occasionally you had a bit of a problem if berthed facing away from the bridge with a couple of bigger boats rafted behind you and a really strong southerly pushing you against the quay but it was always possible to get out, even single handed; but today we had midges so the wind was below 3 knots. The puffers that traversed the canal were designed to the maximum size the locks could accommodate and with a more rectangular hull shape than a Beneteau.
You ought to have seen it last week when the annual Swedish cruise in company were there, some big Rassys, a Sweden 48, plus an Austrian 56' Oyster, not all that well handled despite the distances they travel.
Click to expand...

What part of "I wouldn't try it" is bollox? You may wish to, I wouldn't without race mark sized fenders.

I make no pretence at being an experienced large boat skipper and it would be only prudent not to try berth anywhere I didn't feel confident enough in my ability to do so, the significant (from the photos) curve of that wall would be enough to put me off.

Jamie
 
Last edited:
Flying Penguin said:
What part of "I wouldn't try it" is bollox? You may wish to, I wouldn't without race mark sized fenders.

I make no pretence at being an experienced large boat skipper and it would be only prudent not to try berth anywhere I didn't feel confident enough in my ability to do so.

Jamie
Click to expand...

But if you ever came here, you might have to. I would be a shame if you were afraid to visit us just because the basin is circular. Trust me, 4 normal fenders would be adequate. We get boats from all over passing through, many from abroad and some on charter.
In a fin keeler, just approach the wall at about 45 degrees or more, aiming for a point half a boat length from where you want to stop, when your bow is within a metre put the helm over and the boat will slide sideways against the wall. a bit of reverse to stop her. This is also the technique in tight gaps between rafted boats on a straight quay. The mistake that some make is to try to approach almost parallel, much harder to position the boat laterally. Worth practising in light winds with a gap longer than the boat first.
Note this presumes a fin keel under the middle of the boat, long keelers and mobos will have a different technique.
 
Quandary said:
But if you ever came here, you might have to. I would be a shame if you were afraid to visit us just because the basin is circular. Trust me, 4 normal fenders would be adequate. We get boats from all over passing through, many from abroad and some on charter.
Click to expand...

To be fair, in anything in the mid 30's range it would be eminently achievable, even in the hands of this muppet, but if I were pushing 50ft I'd have to think very carefully, but as with anything, the bigger the boat, the more forward planning is required.

Cheers,

Jamie
 
Robin said:
Well it seems to me that in many but not all replies where the need for large size is questioned, the comments come from smaller boat owners. In many cases too I think the small is best argument comes from those who have small and have never had big(ger) thus perhaps are less qualified to comment...
Click to expand...

Okay, us small people in small (34') boats don't know what we're talking about! Funny how everyone in a big boat has never has a problem and can handle every situation with ease. The comments I make come from coastal sailing on the coastal waters of Scotland and the Hebrides where big is a problem in parking and from what I have seen on occasions handling and seamanship skills. For blue water, which I have never done, I can only speculate that big is better as 95% of your time is spent travelling or at anchor away from us coastal types.

Flying Penguin said:
To be fair, in anything in the mid 30's range it would be eminently achievable, even in the hands of this muppet, but if I were pushing 50ft I'd have to think very carefully, but as with anything, the bigger the boat, the more forward planning is required...
Click to expand...

I've seen many big boats in the 40 to 50+ on both walls. Think about it, for a sailing boat, when you park against a straight wall, how many of your fenders (of equal size) touch the wall? The boats hull is curved and the wall is curved, and curved a lot less than you think, so more fenders touch the wall and consequently put less pressure on each one. Fits like a glove.:D
 
Okay, us small people in small (34') boats don't know what we're talking about! Funny how everyone in a big boat has never has a problem and can handle every situation with ease. The comments I make come from coastal sailing on the coastal waters of Scotland and the Hebrides where big is a problem in parking and from what I have seen on occasions handling and seamanship skills. For blue water, which I have never done, I can only speculate that big is better as 95% of your time is spent travelling or at anchor away from us coastal types.
Click to expand...


That is NOT what I meant. What I said was there were a lot of folk here making judgemental comments without the benefit of having actually owned boats across the whole range of sizes. By owned I mean just that, namely had some experience of a variety of sizes over some time, not just had an occasional flotilla pootle on a bigger one or a sail on a mate's. In my case I had several small boats (Debutante 21, Halcyon 23, Trident 24) all for several years before moving to a mid-size Elizabethan 30 for 5 years, then a Westerly 33 (14 years of cruising) then a 41ft Sun Legende for ten years. Our new 47 foot motor yacht doesn't qualify yet as we have yet to move on board since we only bought it 6 weeks back.
 
Robin said:
Well it seems to me that in many but not all replies where the need for large size is questioned, the comments come from smaller boat owners. In many cases too I think the small is best argument comes from those who have small and have never had big(ger) thus perhaps are less qualified to comment.

Each to their own always, but I prefer bigger without being huge. I feel I can make that comment having owned many cruising boats since 1970, from a 21ft Debutante up to our last 41ft Sun Legende and having now moved up again for a live aboard 47ft motor yacht. Some of us got out of our camping phase before moving onto boats and a few home comforts are essential IMO for a live aboard or longer term cruiser, otherwise sooner or later the shore will beckon. That doesn't mean you cannot cruise the oceans on a 21 footer because you can, it has been done, just don't expect me to!
Click to expand...

After not much thought I guess you and others are right.

Given my pockets were very deep I'd possibly live on a very big boat and have others docked inside for certain occasions :D
 
ctva said:
I've seen many big boats in the 40 to 50+ on both walls. Think about it, for a sailing boat, when you park against a straight wall, how many of your fenders (of equal size) touch the wall? The boats hull is curved and the wall is curved, and curved a lot less than you think, so more fenders touch the wall and consequently put less pressure on each one. Fits like a glove.:D
Click to expand...

On second look, I'm actually as worried by the approach angles available. I'm sure with care and more skill than myself it's doable, it's just one I'd avoid if not 100% confident in my handling skills with a big boat. It's entirely possible it looks worse than it is....

Jamie
 
Can't see what the problem is with the curve myself...

If you are really worried that the curve is a bit acute, then go in a little stern to, and keep the stern breast line tight and the bow one slack.... Ok, you might stick out a bit, but not much, and use the natural curve of the stern to sit to sit snugly.

Decent sized fenders probably make it unnecessary anyway..

A couple of weeks inland in Holland will cure any fear over using locks of all shapes and sizes!!!
 
Morgana said:
Can't see what the problem is with the curve myself...
Click to expand...

The only problem with the curved wall at the Crinan end, was when we were being blown on as we came to leave, an not being able to spring out as much as I had hoped for. I'm used to be able to spring out quite far with Pixie's narrow transom, and it was only just enough to clear the lock wall.

In hindsight I could have done the trick of attaching a far side transom cleat to the wall with a slip, steered into the wall, cast all but the slip off then put her in gear and waited.
 
I have a 29 footer that is the perfect size for the two of us.

The only reason we're thinking of going bigger is to get a seperated sleeping cabin with a decent sized double as I'm getting fed up with having to convert the main cabin every night, so when we go longer term can see it will be a major problem. There are only 2 of us. We don't need six berths!

Why is a seperate cabin with a decent sized double berth and a reasonable galley not possible on anything under 35 foot? Except for a cat, and the extra mooring fees put them out of the equasion
 
Slow_boat said:
I have a 29 footer that is the perfect size for the two of us.

The only reason we're thinking of going bigger is to get a seperated sleeping cabin with a decent sized double as I'm getting fed up with having to convert the main cabin every night, so when we go longer term can see it will be a major problem. There are only 2 of us. We don't need six berths!

Why is a seperate cabin with a decent sized double berth and a reasonable galley not possible on anything under 35 foot? Except for a cat, and the extra mooring fees put them out of the equasion
Click to expand...

Well, my Moody 31 has all that, no problem!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

W
Downsizing to your boat.
2
Replies
28
Views
726
Wansworth
W
R
My boat trip hopefully in May Around Scotland
2 3 4
Replies
65
Views
2K
RobBradley
R
Refueler
Navionics Boating gives me river nav coverage .....
Replies
8
Views
280
Refueler
Refueler

Share this page

Top