Considering switching from sail to mobo.

[Garold]

A couple of people on the forum have gone for the modern technology solution, a Merry Fisher or Antares 8.80 (shared hull) with a single 300hp leanburn Suzuki, much smaller than you wanted, but returning over 4mpg!
would make a perfect weekend boat.

The new outboards exactly match the fuel consumtion of the equivalent diesel, but half the weight and half the cost.

if you 'search' the forum there's a few threads about their boats.

Having done a bit of further research, i will be looking at smaller boats because this is a good way to start to cut the fuel costs. The cost of pushing a heavy boat around seem to double roughly every 15% increase in length.

It may also cut other costs such as berthing.

Single engine options also seem more common in sub 10 metre boats too. Not sure how I feel about the prospect of single engine with no sails though.

In fact I'd be interested on other's opinion of single engine mobos. Various websites suggest that with modern engines reliability shouldn't be a significant issue.

Cheers
G

 

[rustybarge]

here's the link for the Antares 8.80mtr.....http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?306455-Beneteau-Antares-8-80&highlight=antares+8.80

 

[Greg2]

Single engine options also seem more common in sub 10 metre boats too. Not sure how I feel about the prospect of single engine with no sails though.

In fact I'd be interested on other's opinion of single engine mobos. Various websites suggest that with modern engines reliability shouldn't be a significant issue.

Cheers
G

I would probably take the opposite view and say that modern engines are more likely to cause you issues due to electronic management systems. My preference is definitely for older simple technology which is more likely to just keep on going.

Most breakdowns in boats are linked to contaminated fuel so twin engines can give a false sense of security, particularly if they draw off the same tank or both tanks are filled at the same source. Keeping the fuel supply well treated and filtered is essential and all things being equal should keep you out of trouble.

The single v twin debate has done the rounds on here on numerous occasions over the years and everyone will have a view. Bottom line is that many commercial boats (e.g.Fishing boats) only have a single engine and if well maintained with good fuel have no problem. A single with bow and stern thrusters would definitely be a consideration for us in the future.

I completely understand your thoughts about fuel costs, particularly as you are moving from sail to power, but I hope you don't mind me saying that it might be better to look at things in the round instead of letting one issue become the deciding factor. Buying a smaller more fuel efficient boat may end up costing you money as you could well end up changing for something that you really want, with all the expense involved in selling and buying again.

 

[Andy Bav]

I would probably take the opposite view and say that modern engines are more likely to cause you issues due to electronic management systems. My preference is definitely for older simple technology which is more likely to just keep on going.

Most breakdowns in boats are linked to contaminated fuel so twin engines can give a false sense of security, particularly if they draw off the same tank or both tanks are filled at the same source. Keeping the fuel supply well treated and filtered is essential and all things being equal should keep you out of trouble.

The single v twin debate has done the rounds on here on numerous occasions over the years and everyone will have a view. Bottom line is that many commercial boats (e.g.Fishing boats) only have a single engine and if well maintained with good fuel have no problem. A single with bow and stern thrusters would definitely be a consideration for us in the future.

I completely understand your thoughts about fuel costs, particularly as you are moving from sail to power, but I hope you don't mind me saying that it might be better to look at things in the round instead of letting one issue become the deciding factor. Buying a smaller more fuel efficient boat may end up costing you money as you could well end up changing for something that you really want, with all the expense involved in selling and buying again.

You may find that with a mobo, the journey (and planning it) becomes less of an issue your focus will be on what to do when you get to your destination. For example yor Scilly jaunt will require 2 large weather windows in your cat and when you get there you probably wont relax so much as you will always have one eye on the weather, in a mobo you could do it in either the same time, or get there and back much quicker with less worry about the weather over, say, the coming 5 days.

We looked at single engine options and liked the lok of the Finnmaster Grandezza, but for us, we decided that making up the dining area into a bed was too much of a faff so went bigger.

If you are thinking about the fairline turbo 36 there is a review of it in this moths "motorboat owner" which is a free digital magazine you can subscribe to online

I am not sure if the same holds true when you switch from sail to motor, but there is a commonly held belief that your first boat doesnt stay yours for long, and you may find that you regret making compromises based on perceived fuel issues.

As you mention you are saving on berthing fees from day 1, but if you switch those savings to fuel costs you may find that net net you arent doing too badly.

 

[Nautibusiness]

A slightly tardy comment, sorry, but I did pick up on the OPs complete disregard when a displacement hulled power cat was suggested.

I don't think this is due to Cat motion as he clearly has a lot of experience here.
I suspect the knock back came from misunderstanding quite what a displacement hulled cat is.

It categorically is not a 6 knot plodder that will roll like a pig (a'la Trawler Yacht).

It is actually a super efficient, wave piercer that is restricted by speed only by the engines you choose to fit.
A few years ago I delivered a new 43' powercat with wave piercing, displacement hulls from Padstow to the very far north of Norway.

The journey was 2103 nm including the Kiel Canal at 6 knots.
Our total engine running time for the entire journey, including sea trials, some running in, tick over at various locations was 118 hours.
This gives an engine on average speed of 17.8 knots.
As it was, we maintained 21 knots almost the entire way with the exception of a few restricted areas and the first hours as we became used to the boat.
At 21 knots this 43' boat was delivering great economy for her size burning just 3 litres of fuel per nautical mile combined across the 2x Iveco 285Hp engines regardless of sea conditions (from benign up to 15m breaking seas).

The big quirks of fast cats with wave piercing hulls is that whilst the ride is incredibly flat and smooth in most sea conditions they do take a little getting used to.
Big head seas (big enough to stuff between the two hulls) won't make the boat slam, but instead the opposite. You can get pushed upwards with a lot of force.
Really big (4m+) following seas take some getting used to if you are really pushing in speed wise. If the boat does not drop off the wave into the next trough totally straight you need to be on your toes as the knife life bows can behave a little like giant rudders and try and bow steer the boat into a broach. It sounds worse than it is and with practise you can feel the boats motion and avoid any issues, but an autopilot may struggle in these conditions.

If you already know cats, don't discount a fast displacement hulled, wave piercer. As yourself why pretty much all commercial wind farm boats, fishing boats, ferries etc are heading in this direction. It's 'cos they really do work.

Not many builders of such boats for leisure use here in the UK unless you commission one of the commercial builders to do a luxury fit out (which they will), but take a look at something like the Glacier Bay 34 at the smaller end, a Spanish built Flashcat 43 or 47 at the bigger end or even the brand new Jaguar range of cats that Dickies had planned to be involved with. In any extent, if you did contact any of the above builders for information I would be very grateful if you could simply let them know that Tom Bettle from Parkstone Bay Yachts suggested that you introduce yourself.
...I do know that Flashcats have a very special deal on an ex boat show bow that they have available right now.

I have a love affair for cats after delivering that one charter angling vessel to north Norway and would really push a buyer to consider one if they already understand many of the benefits that they can offer in terms of living space and also stability and ride.

http://www.glacierbaycats.com/site/3480-powercatamaran-hardtop/ Don't be put off by the outboards!
http://www.flashcatamarans.com/index.php
http://www.jaguarcatamarans.com/

Don't write them off just yet!

Tom

 

[Garold]

here's the link for the Antares 8.80mtr.....http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?306455-Beneteau-Antares-8-80&highlight=antares+8.80

I just read the Antares 8.80 thread fully. Very interesting it is too. Thanks for the info.

The idea of blasting along the south coast at 25-30 knots in the dry and warmth, at perhaps 2 mpg, is very attractive. I can also see that at slower speed of say 18-20 knots would get me closer to 3mpg.

Outboards have the servicing advantages, but also the powertilt for shallow water is a tease too.

If they just got rid of the secondary sleeping area and made it into a stand alone shower plus some useful storage/wardrobe that would suit us more. The galley facilities look a bit sparse too.

However, thanks for prompting me to look at more varied options. I never thought about cruising mobos with outboards. It will also prompt me to look at more 'contemporary' boats from the French manufacturers.

I have a few questions though.

Do you think that a couple could say tour the English Channel for 2-3 weeks in this boat over the summer? I know it sounds naive, but I have no idea how seaworthy/suited this type of boat would be for longer passages (say across Lymme Bay, or Solent to Alderney).

I'm also not sure what type of seas they can handle safely and comfortably. Most of our trips are in the Solent but it's nice to break out to Poole a few times in the summer weekends, and a few weeks away

And is there enough room to fit a boat such as this with comforts such as heating, invertor etc. And is it 'appropriate' or am I trying to use a day/overnight boat for something that it's not intended?

Thanks for the opinions and thougts so far. I had reached a mental block considering this change to a mobo on my own.

My wife's comment this morning as I tried to discuss it with her for the hundredth time was 'I'm sure you'll come up with a good solution. Just let me know when you've decided.' So, no bouncing my thoughts off her then!

Cheers

Garold

Ps. Though I recognise that my thoughts are all over the place at the minute, I do like the design and single-engined but seaworthy philosophy of the Marex 370 and 320 (though I think that I'd prefer the same design without the aft cabin, perhaps with an outside cockpit area). Also, I'm not sure that I could justify the price , when compared to the French manufactured alternatives.

 

[Garold]

A slightly tardy comment, sorry, but I did pick up on the OPs complete disregard when a displacement hulled power cat was suggested.

I don't think this is due to Cat motion as he clearly has a lot of experience here.
I suspect the knock back came from misunderstanding quite what a displacement hulled cat is.

It categorically is not a 6 knot plodder that will roll like a pig (a'la Trawler Yacht).

It is actually a super efficient, wave piercer that is restricted by speed only by the engines you choose to fit.
A few years ago I delivered a new 43' powercat with wave piercing, displacement hulls from Padstow to the very far north of Norway.

The journey was 2103 nm including the Kiel Canal at 6 knots.
Our total engine running time for the entire journey, including sea trials, some running in, tick over at various locations was 118 hours.
This gives an engine on average speed of 17.8 knots.
As it was, we maintained 21 knots almost the entire way with the exception of a few restricted areas and the first hours as we became used to the boat.
At 21 knots this 43' boat was delivering great economy for her size burning just 3 litres of fuel per nautical mile combined across the 2x Iveco 285Hp engines regardless of sea conditions (from benign up to 15m breaking seas).

The big quirks of fast cats with wave piercing hulls is that whilst the ride is incredibly flat and smooth in most sea conditions they do take a little getting used to.
Big head seas (big enough to stuff between the two hulls) won't make the boat slam, but instead the opposite. You can get pushed upwards with a lot of force.
Really big (4m+) following seas take some getting used to if you are really pushing in speed wise. If the boat does not drop off the wave into the next trough totally straight you need to be on your toes as the knife life bows can behave a little like giant rudders and try and bow steer the boat into a broach. It sounds worse than it is and with practise you can feel the boats motion and avoid any issues, but an autopilot may struggle in these conditions.

If you already know cats, don't discount a fast displacement hulled, wave piercer. As yourself why pretty much all commercial wind farm boats, fishing boats, ferries etc are heading in this direction. It's 'cos they really do work.

Not many builders of such boats for leisure use here in the UK unless you commission one of the commercial builders to do a luxury fit out (which they will), but take a look at something like the Glacier Bay 34 at the smaller end, a Spanish built Flashcat 43 or 47 at the bigger end or even the brand new Jaguar range of cats that Dickies had planned to be involved with. In any extent, if you did contact any of the above builders for information I would be very grateful if you could simply let them know that Tom Bettle from Parkstone Bay Yachts suggested that you introduce yourself.
...I do know that Flashcats have a very special deal on an ex boat show bow that they have available right now.

I have a love affair for cats after delivering that one charter angling vessel to north Norway and would really push a buyer to consider one if they already understand many of the benefits that they can offer in terms of living space and also stability and ride.

http://www.glacierbaycats.com/site/3480-powercatamaran-hardtop/ Don't be put off by the outboards!
http://www.flashcatamarans.com/index.php
http://www.jaguarcatamarans.com/

Don't write them off just yet!

Tom

Many thanks for your thoughts and shared enthusiasm.

Just to be clear though (as clear as I can be in this current state of confusion that I am experiencing), I think that I'd like to move on from the current catamaran for a number of reasons.

One of then is that there are a few marinas that we'd like to try out as a permanent berth holder but that we cannot currently get into either because they have no space for multihulls, they are too tight for a multihull, or because they want to charge us for a double berth.

We have, without doubt, experienced 5-6 great years as catamaran (x2) owners and sailors. But I think that it's time for a change.

Notwithstanding all this, I agree with you. There are some advantages of catamarans (power and sail) that you just can't get in a monohull. I'm sure that we will doubt our decision to change the first time we relax at anchor on a mobo in Studland Bay and rock and roll when the next ferry or rib passes by. There is no more user friendly boat for anchorages than a catamaran. The space, the steadiness of the platform, the great visibility from inside the saloon are all difficult to find in other types of boats.

We are ready to change for a variety of reasons. But obviously not at 'any cost'.

Cheers

Garold

 

[Nautibusiness]

Ps. Though I recognise that my thoughts are all over the place at the minute, I do like the design and single-engined but seaworthy philosophy of the Marex 370 and 320 (though I think that I'd prefer the same design without the aft cabin, perhaps with an outside cockpit area). Also, I'm not sure that I could justify the price , when compared to the French manufactured alternatives.

Garold

I am still playing catch up on this thread so if I have missed some really pertinent points, sorry.

If you liked the Marex, but not the price then the Jeanneau Leader 9 or 10 would be very direct comparisons, but with twin engines and no aft cabin.
The other two from the same brand to consider would be the very clever NC9 and much bigger NC11 OR if you were still hankering for the space of a '42 then the NV14 or Velasco 43.
The Jeanneau NCs offer apartment living space in a boat, tremendous economy and relatively high speeds. I delivered the boat show NC11 from Poole to Southampton and back. A total distance of only about 66 nautical miles or so, but far enough to get to grips with her.
She gave a pleasant ride, topped out at 34 knots with a small amount of tide behind, but cruised comfortably at 21 to 23 knots at 3000rpm from the D3.200Hp engines.
I cannot give an exact fuel consumption figure for the round trip, but I do know the engines fairly well and would expect to have used a total of about 120 to 130 litres of diesel.

The Velasco 43 gives vast amounts of space for her size. She is designed to compete with the Trawler style yachts for space and layout, but offers a genuinely HUGE flybridge akin to a 50'+ boat. Very light and airy inside and capable of considerably more than Trawler speeds with a cruising speed of over 20 knots and WOT of iro 28 knots.
She is on Vee drives though. Nothing wrong with Vee drives at all, but economy wise she will be up there with all other boats of this size.

 

[rustybarge]

I just read the Antares 8.80 thread fully. Very interesting it is too. Thanks for the info.

The idea of blasting along the south coast at 25-30 knots in the dry and warmth, at perhaps 2 mpg, is very attractive. I can also see that at slower speed of say 18-20 knots would get me closer to 3mpg.

Outboards have the servicing advantages, but also the powertilt for shallow water is a tease too.

If they just got rid of the secondary sleeping area and made it into a stand alone shower plus some useful storage/wardrobe that would suit us more. The galley facilities look a bit sparse too.

However, thanks for prompting me to look at more varied options. I never thought about cruising mobos with outboards. It will also prompt me to look at more 'contemporary' boats from the French manufacturers.

I have a few questions though.

Do you think that a couple could say tour the English Channel for 2-3 weeks in this boat over the summer? I know it sounds naive, but I have no idea how seaworthy/suited this type of boat would be for longer passages (say across Lymme Bay, or Solent to Alderney).

I'm also not sure what type of seas they can handle safely and comfortably. Most of our trips are in the Solent but it's nice to break out to Poole a few times in the summer weekends, and a few weeks away

And is there enough room to fit a boat such as this with comforts such as heating, invertor etc. And is it 'appropriate' or am I trying to use a day/overnight boat for something that it's not intended?

Thanks for the opinions and thougts so far. I had reached a mental block considering this change to a mobo on my own.

My wife's comment this morning as I tried to discuss it with her for the hundredth time was 'I'm sure you'll come up with a good solution. Just let me know when you've decided.' So, no bouncing my thoughts off her then!

Cheers

Garold

Ps. Though I recognise that my thoughts are all over the place at the minute, I do like the design and single-engined but seaworthy philosophy of the Marex 370 and 320 (though I think that I'd prefer the same design without the aft cabin, perhaps with an outside cockpit area). Also, I'm not sure that I could justify the price , when compared to the French manufactured alternatives.

Returning to the criteria: Fast cruise at 15kts on about 3-4mpg......

the biggest boat you could consider is 8 mtrs....3tons.......single 300hp......

all weather boats in that range:
just one, the Botnia 27.

capable cross channel boats:
Paragon
Fast fishers like the Arvor 28'

Custom build:
Atlantis boats Guernsey, 300 hp outboard designed for the choppy conditions. they claim 4.5 mpg at 20 kts.
You could order an extra long wheelhouse version, cockpit canopy, with v berth forward.

http://www.atlantismarine.biz/. View attachment 36474

 

[adey]

Having read you first post I really don't think you'd be happy with an Antares 8.80, Arvor 28 or similar.
If you want to cruise Northern France, Scillies etc then you need something like the Princess 42 you first suggested.
You'll be saving money on berthing and sail related bits and if you want to save on fuel then just slow down.
Alternatives are the Phantom 40/42/43, Sealine 43/F42/5, Azimut 42 or maybe something like a Beneteau Swift Trawler 42?

 

[rustybarge]

Having read you first post I really don't think you'd be happy with an Antares 8.80, Arvor 28 or similar.
If you want to cruise Northern France, Scillies etc then you need something like the Princess 42 you first suggested.
You'll be saving money on berthing and sail related bits and if you want to save on fuel then just slow down.
Alternatives are the Phantom 40/42/43, Sealine 43/F42/5, Azimut 42 or maybe something like a Beneteau Swift Trawler 42?

Going very slightly out of your parameters, at about 2.5 mpg, The Back cove 30' is a totally gorgeous boat, proven Saberline hull, 6'6" headroom everywhere on board, choice of five different 300hp-375hp single diesel engines.....http://www.backcoveyachts.com/yachts/overview/

a hidden gem.......cheap secondhand at about £60-£70 k.

View attachment 36523

 

[RobWales]

Returning to the criteria: Fast cruise at 15kts on about 3-4mpg......

the biggest boat you could consider is 8 mtrs....3tons.......single 300hp......

all weather boats in that range:
just one, the Botnia 27.

capable cross channel boats:
Paragon
Fast fishers like the Arvor 28'

Custom build:
Atlantis boats Guernsey, 300 hp outboard designed for the choppy conditions. they claim 4.5 mpg at 20 kts.
You could order an extra long wheelhouse version, cockpit canopy, with v berth forward.

http://www.atlantismarine.biz/. View attachment 36474

Sorry RB but have to disagree with your comments here, having owned a Bayliner 2858 fitted with a 315 Yanmar that it's previous owner (chap I bought off) used to regularly whip accross the channel in there is more scope than you portray?

I never did the channel in her myself but having cruised the South Wales coast and in some pretty disgusting weather I can more than vouch for the seaworthyness...Model was superceeded by the 288 (same boat) and there are a number of Merc powered diesel models on the market in the UK at present, a damn good all rounder IMHO...

 

[gjgm]

Here is something different
http://www.jamesdickensmarine.com/Brokerage/Powerboats/Trader38Sprint.htm

Was nosing underneath it the other day!

 

[Nigelpickin]

Here is something different
http://www.jamesdickensmarine.com/Brokerage/Powerboats/Trader38Sprint.htm

Was nosing underneath it the other day!

Thread is turning into a bit of a James Dickens promo, he does seem to put a huge amount of effort into marketing his boats though. I always look forward to his video walkthroughs....

 

[beebok]

Hi G
We had a Najad 460 fantastic sail boat in 2012 we motored 40% which was quite good.
Torquay to St Peters Port 11 hours beam reach all the way quite exciting but still 11hrs
for 70+ miles.
During 2012 whilst away we decided to change.Back mid August sold boat just after boat show.
Bought an Aquastar 48 and delighted we changed.
For us what was important is to have a motor boat that can cope with rotten weather.As we all
know how quickly the wind can kick in!
Comfort and space below was also important.
Aquastar fitted the bill for us.
Fuel cost well you can go slow and be mean, or quickly and spend more,in the grand scheme
of boats and fun its a small cost.
alan

 

[Garold]

I have done a bit of calculating whilst I was supposed to be working this afternoon. And the doodlings on my scraps of paper are summarised as follows.....

I estimate that over the last three years, in spite of the partially poor weather, we have travelled about 1500 miles per year in our catamaran.

So, at our current average fuel consumption rate of say 4 mpg at say £5.25 per gallon that would mean we would spend £1968/annum on fuel. So if we motor 90% of the time, we must have spent about £1770 each year on fuel for propulsion. (ignoring heating use etc).

And if we did the same in a fastish mobo that averages say 20 knots and 2mpg (e.g. Jeaneau NC11) motoring all the time, we'd spend about £3937/annum on fuel.

So, about £2k more. Which on reflection, given the depreciation and running costs of most boats these days, is less significant that I thought. (But obviously it would be £6k more on a 1mpg boat).

But, more interestingly, if we did these 1500 miles at say an average of 6.5 knots in the cat, it took about 200 hours (i.e x25 days for 8 hours/day). And if we had a mobo that maybe averaged 20 knots, it would have reduced our travelling time by about 17 days.

So, I thought, considering a mobo like say the Jeanneau NC11, if we did the same journeys in this boat (which tops out at about 32 knots and does about 2 mpg when planing) I'd have bought back 17 work days for £2k. And that's about £117 per day. So, it ain't worth going slow if I don't want to. (I think that's less than the average UK wage).

And unless someone wants to point out some major problem with my rounded up maths, I think that I've decided that we should make the switch to a mobo.

With all the above, I acknowledge that there are many days where 20 knots isn't possible, but then there are hopefully an equal number of days where we may be able to go faster.

So, a fast boat, that does at least about 2mpg has to be the target.

Or am I missing something?

Cheers

Garold

Ps I think I may need to add 'warm, comfortable, dry, civilised' to my list of 'fast and at least 2mpg'.

PPs And depreciation must be a factor too. But that's enough arithmetic for me for one day. Over to the forum's opinion...

 

[RogerRat]

I just read the Antares 8.80 thread fully. Very interesting it is too.

It will also prompt me to look at more 'contemporary' boats from the French manufacturers.

Do you think that a couple could say tour the English Channel for 2-3 weeks in this boat over the summer? I know it sounds naive, but I have no idea how seaworthy/suited this type of boat would be for longer passages (say across Lymme Bay, or Solent to Alderney).

I'm also not sure what type of seas they can handle safely and comfortably.

And is there enough room to fit a boat such as this with comforts such as heating, invertor etc.

Thanks for the opinions and thougts so far. I had reached a mental block considering this change to a mobo on my own.

My wife's comment 'I'm sure you'll come up with a good solution. Just let me know when you've decided.'
Cheers

Garold

Ps.I do like the design and single-engined but seaworthy philosophy Also, I'm not sure that I could justify the price , when compared to the French manufactured alternatives.

Hi Garold,
You have created quite and interesting thread here but so often people with a long sailing history will try to retain some of the qualities of their favourite or last sailing boat. Over the years, I have met and noticed, typical boats bought by experienced sailors are nearly always non planing, maybe semi planing. Makes like Nimbus, Nelson, Beneteaux, Antares. Not many sailors coming over make it to a fast offshore sports cruiser. (cruising 30 knots) or even a 40ft flybridge (cruising 22-24 knots). They always seem to be seen as having an, 'Acceptable style of boat' that doesn't quite get them across to the so called, 'Dark Side'.

Just so you know where I'm coming from. I spent 5 years (late 70s') on the Olympic circuit racing Tornado Cats and three years cruising on a Sailcraft 'Iroquois' 30' Cat. There was a time when I used to think all Mobos' were 'stink' boats. I feel that I must point out that the skill sets and passage planning considerations are different. Not better or worse just different. Offshore motor cruisers are perfect if time is limited and if you like the idea of going places for lunch that you used to take the whole weekend for.

The various boats that have been put forward for your consideration all have qualities that will impress you for different reasons. The Elling E3 is one of the best built and internally finished boats I have ever had the privilege of setting foot on. It's quite large though around 43' and heavy too, looks like a steel boat. It even had a boiler and central heating by radiators! Not a choice for me though as single engine and cruising at 8-10 knots., 'RickP' a fellow forumite had one of these (well worth contacting if it makes your list) and did all the passages you could dream of, Channel, complete south coast and Scilly Isles too, I believe. Strange eh? He sold the Elling E3 after several years and now has large 45' sailing Cat and is planning a world trip.

Some of the manufactures mentioned in this thread are very popular for people buying their first boat. Your experience is too wide for some of these smaller boats. I think, from what you've said that you need to be closer to 40' than suggested. Antares make a solid boat when compared to some other french makes but in my opinion don't make good use of internal space. If you're looking here, you'll need the 11 or 12 metre model.

For my pennyworth, buy the boat that will do the job with space, safety and comfort for when the weather is naff and then control the fuel burn with the throttle. When the weather forecast is horrible, just open her up and leave it behind.

Btw. None of these boats are nice into a head sea! Yes, they can do it, but it's slower, possibly bad for the boat if you're 'nuts' and never comfortable.

As to your wife's comment, she sounds great but you must involve her in the final list for choice, she will see and notice things that you won't even consider. Things like walk-round safety, sinks and drainers, storage space, heads and showers, even mirrors.

My wife found sailing "frightening or boring". Nowadays, she's far more experienced, knows exactly what she's doing, loves the boat, the social side of motor boating and looks forward to each weekend. So maybe, we've got it right...

Good luck with your deliberations and be bold!

Roger.

 

[Nautibusiness]

Without wishing to pick holes in Rogers comments above, do note that Antares is simply one of the model line ups from Beneteau. I am guessing this is just how I read the post as Roger is clearly very experienced, but the suggestion as I read it was that Antares was a brand in its own right.
It is the equivalent model from Beneteau as the Merry Fisher is from Jeanneau.

Both models follow the fisher / cruiser principal or what the French call Peche Promenades.

Note also that the outboard Peche Promenades from both brands are manufactured at the Jeanneau owned and staffed yard in Ostroda, Poland. It's a heck of a factory and a real eye opener. That said, so is the Jeanneau factory in Les Herbiers where the inboards are built.

 

[LittleShip]

Or am I missing something?...

Being on the water.....

We all have our reasons for being on the water, some want to travel, others may just want to go to a distant pub. My personal pleasure is to be out there. My boat cruises around 7knts and burns about 7-8 lts per hour at that. Speed isn't something I'm interested in, having a little comfort is.

All that said I understand that some need to get to places quickly, family, work, time constraints ect but, your used to slow motoring. Most of the fast Mobos I know of are now slowing down due to fuel costs. I have yet to go on a fast mobo that isn't very uncomfortable in anything over a force 3 when doing 20 knots and slamming into the next wave, and when slowed to a more comfortable speed 10-15 will be climbing the wall in front of it and burn substantially more than fast cruising speed.

Everything in boating is a compromise, as stated for me it's being on the water, if I wanted to get somewhere fast I would go in the car

Tom.

Ps fuel for the year approx £1000...... Marina £4000+. Fuel isn't the problem ????

 

[oceanfroggie]

Being on the water.....

We all have our reasons for being on the water, some want to travel, others may just want to go to a distant pub. My personal pleasure is to be out there. My boat cruises around 7knts and burns about 7-8 lts per hour at that. Speed isn't something I'm interested in, having a little comfort is.

All that said I understand that some need to get to places quickly, family, work, time constraints ect but, your used to slow motoring. Most of the fast Mobos I know of are now slowing down due to fuel costs. I have yet to go on a fast mobo that isn't very uncomfortable in anything over a force 3 when doing 20 knots and slamming into the next wave, and when slowed to a more comfortable speed 10-15 will be climbing the wall in front of it and burn substantially more than fast cruising speed.

Everything in boating is a compromise, as stated for me it's being on the water, if I wanted to get somewhere fast I would go in the car

+1

If moving from Sail to Power, an economic cruising speed of 16kt will seem more than enough to make long passages within time windows, and 7kt displacement speed when sea state is calm and time is not an issue. Faster speeds not comfortably possible anyway in any kind of sea. Consider an SD hull form that does actually plane economically at 16kt rather than semi pushing a wall of water. Many faster fully planing hulls (ie deep V) are not fully up on the plane until 18-20kt. There are enough good makes of SD boats that offer great comfort and good internal living space suited to the climate around these isles.