Dilemma! Do I need a bigger boat?

[maverickofpoole]

by the way, I like sportfisher style boats, Antares are nice, there is a mate on here selling a very nice diesel Karnic 2460,

Thanks for the plug Bart follow my signature for the boat details.

My experience of trailing is fairly extensive with my last boat being a Warrior 195 (6 metre) with a 150 optimax ob. The boat weighed in around 1600 kilos plus trailer weight. Launching and retrieving was easy enough on a steepish slip but a right pain on our local shallow slip. I kept her on a pontoon berth for about 2 seasons but to be honest I couldn't stand the annual anti fouling side show so back to trailing we went. Had that boat for 7 years from new and loved every minute of ownership (except anti fouling ) We like you decided that we'd outgrown our boat and moved onto the current. This boat is kept on stack and store which is such a plus, no anti fouling and less frequent anode changes than if kept on a pontoon no grunting and humping at launch or retrieve. The yard I am in is so friendly, a phone call 1/2 hour prior to going out on a normal weekend sees the boat on the water waiting for me or I may have to wait a little longer on busy BH week ends. Early starts are no problem as they will put the boat in the water the eve before to allow for an early getaway

My next boat will be slightly larger but still kept on stack n store as it suits me perfectly. A pontoon berth would be nice for the social side of boating but we have a group of like minded friends so cruising in company or rafting up for a day satisfies that side of things.

I am lucky not to live more than 15 mins from the boat but not sure if I would be as commited if I had to travel to far but others here seem to manage with that so it must be worthwhile.

Martin

 

[adey]

Anybody here use the dry stack at Plymouth? How is it?

I've used it for lifting out for servicing and antifouling and they seem quite friendly and reasonably efficient. I chose to stick with a marina berth because I live a few minutes away but for you it could be ideal. Load your car up, ring them when you leave and the boat will be waiting on the pontoon when you get there. Lots of places to go from Plymouth and when you finish just plonk it back on the pontoon and drive home. No antifouling, anodes or lift out fees for servicing. You also won't be worrying about it in really bad weather, especially if you get a spot right inside the shed.
Downside is the price.
yacht-haven-quay-plymouth

 

[BartW]

Towing 29ft twin engine Karnic - crumbs!!

yes, this has raised some eybrows on here before,
but hey, it gave us some exellent oportunity's and lots of fun,
here two reports from far away travels / towing

september last year, Belgium Schotland (1week trip)

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297355

summer 2010 Belgium Croatia (4week trip)

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257139

 

[longjohnsilver]

No petrol in Exmouth docks, I think Torquay has it.

May be have a look at another compromise, try this place on the Dart

blackness marine

Anyone who doesn't like the Dart really cannot like being afloat anywhere!

 

[Quest]

Some really useful suggestions - thanks guys.

LongJohnSilver - I've done a weekend on the Dart from Blackness Marine, looking at it for just this purpose. Great setup apart from no petrol for me! Bit scary getting the boat down there thro' all the lanes and probably a bit too far off the A38 I think to be really convenient from my distance, but lots to commend it I thought and a fab position on the river.

Adey, the Plymouth dry stack sounds like a good option and of course I'll have petrol not too far away. I'll look some more at that one.

Philiz and Martin, did you notice a big change on the water when you moved up in size from trailing size boat? More comfort? More opportunity to go despite the weather? More sea worthiness? Or was there little difference...?

 

[longjohnsilver]

Some really useful suggestions - thanks guys.

LongJohnSilver - I've done a weekend on the Dart from Blackness Marine, looking at it for just this purpose. Great setup apart from no petrol for me! Bit scary getting the boat down there thro' all the lanes and probably a bit too far off the A38 I think to be really convenient from my distance, but lots to commend it I thought and a fab position on the river.

Adey, the Plymouth dry stack sounds like a good option and of course I'll have petrol not too far away. I'll look some more at that one.

Philiz and Martin, did you notice a big change on the water when you moved up in size from trailing size boat? More comfort? More opportunity to go despite the weather? More sea worthiness? Or was there little difference...?

But there's petrol on the fuel barge in the middle of the river just below the higher ferry. Not cheap mind you so I'd look to use jerry cans where possible.

 

[Quest]

That's useful knowing there is petrol available on the Dart, I didn't know that. Thanks again.

 

[maverickofpoole]

Philiz and Martin, did you notice a big change on the water when you moved up in size from trailing size boat? More comfort? More opportunity to go despite the weather? More sea worthiness? Or was there little difference...?

My boat has a deep V planning hull so does cut through the water better than some giving a more pleasing ride but still suffers in a beam on sea. To be honest though I wouldn't be looking to go out in anything rougher than I did in the 6 metre boat however when caught out it is obviously more comfortable even in a slightly larger boat so yes more comfortable. More opportunity? slightly maybe but as I said not intentionally looking for more days at sea in the rough stuff after all it's supposed to be enjoyable not an endurance test Our main reason for upsizing was accommodation and the reason for us thinking of upsizing again is accommodation

Martin

 

[Swordfish]

yes, this has raised some eybrows on here before,
but hey, it gave us some exellent oportunity's and lots of fun,
here two reports from far away travels / towing

september last year, Belgium Schotland (1week trip)

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297355

summer 2010 Belgium Croatia (4week trip)

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257139

Have only just seen this thread re TOWING a boat. I also find it very useful to be able to tow the boat to different locations, although the bridge to my main launch site is a little tight.

I realy like the look of your " Croatia Trip " Bart, I will try to plan a similar one myself soon.

 

[BartW]

I realy like the look of your " Croatia Trip " Bart, I will try to plan a similar one myself soon.

Thank you swordfish,
we have good memory's on that one,
all adventures in Croatia, with 4 different towable boats were nice.

here in this thread,
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284094
are a few more reports from our adventures, ao in Croatia.
aswel as holiday reports from other mates on here

 

[Quest]

Just to update this thread, I have just returned from Plymouth having put the boat into the dry stack at Yacht Haven Quay. Hopefully, I'll continue to get good use from the boat this year, despite the 2 hr drive from home. Things started well today with a lovely trip to the River Yealm and then Salcombe, before an afternoon return before the weather changed! A lovely trip, with my first ever sighting of white gannets (with black wing tips) diving for fish like torpedoes from about 50ft - amazing. Will try and get a few pics on here over the next day or two.

Thanks all.

Andrew
Quest

 

[OAF]

Quest, it would seem it is a case of 'what ever works for you' having read this interesting thread it looks like everyone has their own reasons for how they operate their boat and enjoy their boating, FWIW I travel 180 miles to my boat and try my hardest to make it at least twice a month, I also have a rib that I trailer down and back once a year, I personally prefer the marina based boating, if I had to trailer all the time I don't think I would make the effort as much as I do know.

Where abouts are you dry stacking your boat? my brother dry stacks his boat in Plymouth.

 

[Quest]

Sounds like it's probably the same one as I only know of one dry stack in Plymouth, at Yacht Haven Quay, near Mount Batten. It's early days yet but so far so good, with all the staff seeming friendly and helpful. I think when I've used it a few times I shall be better tuned into the way of doing things and hopefully things will be slick, which will be important for me as once I'm out of the boat I shall be wanting to make tracks for home and not lose too much time on the quayside with flushing the engines and locking the boat up etc.

What's your brothers' boat?

Andrew

 

[OAF]

Sounds like it's probably the same one as I only know of one dry stack in Plymouth, at Yacht Haven Quay, near Mount Batten. It's early days yet but so far so good, with all the staff seeming friendly and helpful. I think when I've used it a few times I shall be better tuned into the way of doing things and hopefully things will be slick, which will be important for me as once I'm out of the boat I shall be wanting to make tracks for home and not lose too much time on the quayside with flushing the engines and locking the boat up etc.

What's your brothers' boat?

Andrew

It is the same marina/ facility where he has his boat, I believe they wash the boat off when it is lifted, my brother reported that they are very efficient and helpful, coming from my brother that is a recommendation as he is a bit particular!!! Sorry all I know about his boat is that it is a 23ft single diesel inboard cuddy cruiser.

 

[Quest]

Dry Stack

View attachment 17650

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Photos above show:
Arrival at Dry Stack and boat being lifted off trailer.
Boat being lowered over Quay wall into water.
Boat being lifted out after trip to Salcombe.

Smooth!

The Dry Stack Shed is in view behind and yes there was a quick pressure wash off following the lift out.