Had this dream since childhood - considering making it a reality

Thanks Cardo and Peter. I don't mind if it's not cheap per se. I just don't want to be spending more the say 8 maybe 10k a year on the boat exclusively and still losing money. So I wont be getting anything remotely new but nor will I be getting anything too old and the more I think about it the more I realise I want something as small as possible whilst still retaining the ability to safely cross the Atlantic if I want to.

Peter that boat looks nice but there are several things I don't like. It's too big in the sense that I don't need all those cabins. There doesn't seem to be much more living space than a 40 ft mono, just more cabins. I also don't like the interior. Other than that it looks tidy and the sort of boat you could really travel on. However, I'm guessing here, it would require a crew.

I've decided I'm going to learn my stuff and take courses and read read read about boats cos unless I manage to persuade some unfortunate women to learn to sail and be stuck in close confinement with me for an undetermined length of time, apart from mates, who quite frankly would probably be more of a liability than a help, I intend to go it alone. And if I'm gonna do this I'm going to have proper adventures even if they kill me, which is a distinct possibility.
 
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Good for you. Sounds like a much more sensible plan.
Lots of ways to get out on the water. You could buy a simple cheap dinghy and a wetsuit and just get stuck in. Or ask around at a club and offer to help/crew.
There is also the RYA route which will focus on the clever bits of navigation etc, although IMHO this doesn't teach you as much about actual boat ownership as you need. Offer to help someone with their antifouling and you'll probably have a friend for life :)
 
15-12-13 forestboy wrote:

I want a large vessel because I don't want restrictions. I want an on board workshop/ study and the deck space to be able to winch my motorbike aboard for example. Also I want the space to accommodate a small family in the not too distant future as I intend to have one at some point. [....] I would consider going down to 70+ft as this would make mooring fees more affordable and general maintenance cheaper and less extensive too but if possible I think 90-100ft is required.
​

13-01-14 forestboy wrote:

the more I think about it the more I realise I want something as small as possible whilst still retaining the ability to safely cross the Atlantic if I want to.[....] that boat looks nice but there are several things I don't like. It's too big in the sense that I don't need all those cabins. There doesn't seem to be much more living space than a 40 ft mono, just more cabins.​
Oh my, the power of the forum to inform and educate. Full marks to forestboy for being open to receive it; so many here are not.
 
forestboy said:
Thanks Cardo and Peter. I don't mind if it's not cheap per se. I just don't want to be spending more the say 8 maybe 10k a year on the boat exclusively and still losing money. So I wont be getting anything remotely new but nor will I be getting anything too old and the more I think about it the more I realise I want something as small as possible whilst still retaining the ability to safely cross the Atlantic if I want to.

Peter that boat looks nice but there are several things I don't like. It's too big in the sense that I don't need all those cabins. There doesn't seem to be much more living space than a 40 ft mono, just more cabins. I also don't like the interior. Other than that it looks tidy and the sort of boat you could really travel on. However, I'm guessing here, it would require a crew.

I've decided I'm going to learn my stuff and take courses and read read read about boats cos unless I manage to persuade some unfortunate women to learn to sail and be stuck in close confinement with me for an undetermined length of time, apart from mates, who quite frankly would probably be more of a liability than a help, I intend to go it alone. And if I'm gonna do this I'm going to have proper adventures even if they kill me, which is a distinct possibility.
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Sounds like a good plan, homework is always good to do with anything!!

Enjoy you time on the water, fantastic hobby/ lifestyle. So many women do not like sailing, if you get one who does you will be very lucky indeed.

Peter
 
We looked at a Bourne 43 in Walton on haze this weekend.

The boat is vast inside, lots of beam, accommodation over two decks, fibreglass, caterpillar engines. Some of the work is great quality, but looks
Ike money ran out.

She was on at 60k with Clarke and carter, reckon 45k is a good price for her. She'd need another 30k ton40 to bring her to pristine condition.

She is a bit of whale so I'd want bow and probably stern thruster too. Woodwork needs sorting, forward cabin should be changed. Decks need sorting aft.

A great project for someone with some time and money.

Not connected in anyway to vendor etc.
 
Barnac1e said:
15-12-13 forestboy wrote:

I want a large vessel because I don't want restrictions. I want an on board workshop/ study and the deck space to be able to winch my motorbike aboard for example. Also I want the space to accommodate a small family in the not too distant future as I intend to have one at some point. [....] I would consider going down to 70+ft as this would make mooring fees more affordable and general maintenance cheaper and less extensive too but if possible I think 90-100ft is required.
​

13-01-14 forestboy wrote:

the more I think about it the more I realise I want something as small as possible whilst still retaining the ability to safely cross the Atlantic if I want to.[....] that boat looks nice but there are several things I don't like. It's too big in the sense that I don't need all those cabins. There doesn't seem to be much more living space than a 40 ft mono, just more cabins.​
Oh my, the power of the forum to inform and educate. Full marks to forestboy for being open to receive it; so many here are not.
Click to expand...

Well there are a few things I DO know about and even those I'll forever be learning. Boating I know NOTHING about (aside from a little sailing as a kid) so I'll bow to those with vastly superior knowledge. I may be stupid sometimes but I'm not and idiot:-)
 
@Nick- I have to say that is just the sort of thing I would like to sink my teeth into if I hadn't been put off by deisel costs making me lean towards sails.

@Oldbawley- Looks nice and not too expensive either. I'm still learning about what equipment I may want on board and such and their correlation to price. I notice it has no mast ;-) Obviously I'm gathering on a yacht there are a vast amount of rubber and plastic perishable parts so a pic doesn't really do a boat justice. Leads me to my next question for the thread-

How exactly do you go about finding a passionate, experience boat surveyor in different parts of the world or country you are looking at boats in. I imagine finding a good one, it might be possible to commission them to travel but would be costly. Just wondering how to vet boat surveyors?
 
Yeah I did figure there was a reason. Still, I'm surprised that a mast with sails furled (not sure that's the right word) is particularly bothersome any time of the year. Or perhaps it's to save it ageing.
 
There was a half done Roberts 434 somewhere in kent or Essex and a colvic victor 40. The colvic was pretty overpriced at 40k. Good engine and rig though.

On the Roberts, there are a great design, but the hull quality varies as some are yard built, some built by people who know what they are up to, and some by those that don't.

With your sticks up you have extra wind age which can cause the boat to roll, and they are more prone to damage in storms than stored ashore.
 
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forestboy said:
Yeah I did figure there was a reason. Still, I'm surprised that a mast with sails furled (not sure that's the right word) is particularly bothersome any time of the year. Or perhaps it's to save it ageing.
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In our case it was because the masts were wooden and needed varnishing every year. Our new boat has had the (aluminium) mast off to go into a paint spray bay. From time to time (once a decade at most) the wires holding the mast up need replacing so it has to come down. If you're planning major work on the mast it's easier to have it down. And finally, in windy places, yards prefer to have the masts off to reduce wind resistance and the risk of boats falling over.

Any number of reasons for it to be down, not surprising at all.

Pete
 
Thanks for that info Nick and Pete. So if you are shoring up for any lengthy period it's advisable to take the mast down. Worth noting!

I have made one firm decision that I will keep to. It's gonna have to be a cat. They are more expensive and it will add years to my ambition but I just like everything about them. The look, the space, the separation of cabins, the extra speed, the ability to get into shallow waters. The list goes on.

It's seems for me so far that 38ft is most affordable while being big enough for serious travelling and also manageable single handed if necessary. The admiral 38 seems nice. Apparently it's much roomier than other 38s cos the platforms don't step in as much so you can an extra 2ft of length portioned off to living space. My only concern with them is the possibility of pitching one over in heavy seas due to not quite having the length required. Also, keeping weight down seems to be an issue, though having a bit of weight can help with prevention of flipping them over port starboard or starboard port. However, people seem to be of the opinion that this is quite rare on cats of that size unless the skipper is totally incompetent or reckless.
 
I have another question;

Experience wise, not pleasure wise, when would be the best time to go on a practical course with night sailing etc? Would it be winter when weather is more severe, and would you do it in the UK or travel to Gibralter or somewhere like that. I understand RYA courses are a bit cheaper in Gibralter!

How much notice would be required do you think to book a course. Usually this time of year is my quieter times work wise. I'm generally as booked as I care to be from spring to Autumn but there are lulls here and there sometimes. Just wondering if I could get on a course on short notice if I didn't have a lot of work on!
 
forestboy said:
So if you are shoring up for any lengthy period it's advisable to take the mast down. Worth noting!
Click to expand...

Errm, it depends.

The yard where we keep our boat, nearly all have the masts up, including ones that have been up on blocks for years. But up in Scotland, I believe it's normal for everyone to have their masts down every year.

forestboy said:
Experience wise, not pleasure wise, when would be the best time to go on a practical course with night sailing etc?
Click to expand...

I'm not a great expert on courses, having only done one (a Day Skipper practical to help convince charter companies to lend me their boats when I was still a student). But I know one forumite is convinced that winter courses are better because everyone is serious about sailing and not just along for a jolly. Though how many people really book a training course as a jolly anyway I don't know...

forestboy said:
How much notice would be required do you think to book a course. Usually this time of year is my quieter times work wise. I'm generally as booked as I care to be from spring to Autumn but there are lulls here and there sometimes. Just wondering if I could get on a course on short notice if I didn't have a lot of work on!
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At the end of the day the schools are trying to juggle relatively small numbers of people and boats to get viable courses together. So it's always worth contacting them at short notice because maybe they have an undersubscribed boat they're desperately hoping not to have to cancel. There are lots of them around here, so if you contact several you should find one with a space.

Pete
 
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forestboy said:
Thanks for that info Nick and Pete. So if you are shoring up for any lengthy period it's advisable to take the mast down. Worth noting!
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Very debatable. Masts lying down on trestles are vulnerable, not just to the light-fingered but to all sorts of accidental damage. Aerials, lights, transponders and any other small items can easily be broken, both during unstepping and on the trestles. I have even seen one mast hit by a fork lift truck.
We have overwintered ashore in one of the windiest of places, Port Leucate in the south of France, where the tramontane blows constantly at F 7-8 for weeks on end. The yard had no requirement to remove the mast. However, we always remove our running rigging over winter, replacing all lines with cheap polypropylene or other stuff. Everything that can move is stored below, including all canvas, hood, bimini, their frames and the boom.
 
forestboy said:
Thanks for that info Nick and Pete. So if you are shoring up for any lengthy period it's advisable to take the mast down. Worth noting!

I have made one firm decision that I will keep to. It's gonna have to be a cat. They are more expensive and it will add years to my ambition but I just like everything about them. The look, the space, the separation of cabins, the extra speed, the ability to get into shallow waters. The list goes on.

It's seems for me so far that 38ft is most affordable while being big enough for serious travelling and also manageable single handed if necessary. The admiral 38 seems nice. Apparently it's much roomier than other 38s cos the platforms don't step in as much so you can an extra 2ft of length portioned off to living space. My only concern with them is the possibility of pitching one over in heavy seas due to not quite having the length required. Also, keeping weight down seems to be an issue, though having a bit of weight can help with prevention of flipping them over port starboard or starboard port. However, people seem to be of the opinion that this is quite rare on cats of that size unless the skipper is totally incompetent or reckless.
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I know that you took exception to my previous contribution but please realize that I have been sailing on many boats for more years than I care to remember. I have lived aboard full time for 19 years and I care greatly about boats and the sea.

Catamarans of about 38'. I don't know how tall you are but these tend not to have any full headroom in the bridge deck saloon. The cabins down in the hulls are good but storage can be limited. They are not necessary faster and are very subject to weight. They sit down in the water much more seriously than a mono hull and you have to be very controlled with you purchases. I personally do not like the motion when the going gets rough and they are much more unforgiving in very rough weather. If you really are going very long distances, just remember that, should you be unlucky enough to turn your cat over, they do not come up again. :eek:

Masts. The good reason for taking your mast down is that you will, through necessity, give it a very thorough inspection. That is the only good reason IMHO . As has been said take the sails and the running rigging off but you mast is better off standing upright and adds very little to your windage. Certainly, if you are in danger of being blown over, you might be in the wrong place or the chocking systems are wrong.

Courses. Courses are valuable but no substitute for experience. They are also fun. Do whatever courses you can but google the schools and talk to them. Again IMHO the fast track yacht masters courses are dangerous. This will be very unpopular and I am sure that there will be many experts screaming but I have known several so called yacht masters, who I would not allow on my boat. The worst of these had been taken on as skipper and had so little idea of rigging the boat that he ended up with the main in the foretriangle and nearly pulled the mast down. I do have a yacht masters ticket but mainly for insurance purposes and I had a great time on the course and I do have over 60 years experience :D

Whatever you do or buy, take the time to gain experience. The beautiful day on the charter yacht in the Cyclades will teach you nothing. You must take the time to experience heavy weather. Try sailing mono hulls and cats and see what you are most comfortable with.

Sorry again for introducing pessimistic rants into your thread but, if you are interested you can always pm me.
 
Frankie-H said:
Again IMHO the fast track yacht masters courses are dangerous. This will be very unpopular and I am sure that there will be many experts screaming
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I don't think many people will be screaming, I think lots would agree with you.

The RYA syllabus is a good scheme, but it needs to be accompanied by (preferably varied) experience, not raced through as fast as possible with "mile-building" trips to meet the bare minimum prerequisites for each course. It wasn't designed to facilitate the "zero to hero" combined courses that some places now offer.

Pete
 
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