How often do you use yours?

[MedDreamer]

Back from another weekend on the boat and once again bemused by how many expensively bought and expensively moored boats sit empty and unused weekend after weekend. Why do people spend £100s of K on boats and then leave them apparently unused?

Much as I love my boat if I didn't use it enough for me to justify the expense to myself I would get rid of it.

In the course of a season how many holidays/weekends/nights do you spend on your boat?



<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[Happy1]

Maybe the number of days and hours would be interesting as well, as some may not stay overnight if they have a small one like me, although I have managed to squeeze in a fair few.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Johnjo]

Have not got the log book to hand, but from memory 134 nights this year and 127 last year spent
in different anchorages around the Southwest,

Boat is in the water summers only, so just about live on board in the summer months.
SWMBO and 12yr old son comes aboard for the school hols and some long weekends, almost the whole of the six week school hols is spent on board.

Consider myself a very lucky fella as SWMBO loves the boat and loves sailing as long as its no more than twenty/thirty mile hops and not to lumpy! And that we avoid Marinas when ever possible, She much prefers it at anchor in some quiet creek.

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[MedDreamer]

Mike

That in my book is called "getting your moneysworth". You lucky man ;-)

<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[Johnjo]

Don't I know it Lol,

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[whisper]

I've done about 135 engine hrs this year so far - might manage another 10 or so. No hours have been spent sleeping on board yet, as like Happy I have also "only got a small one" !!

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[BrendanS]

I'd suspect that many don't have the luxury of permanent weekend passes, and that family demand overseas holidays etc. Not every family is boating mad, and it's all about compromise.

A suprising number of boaters use theirs weekdays

Me?, well put it this way. This is the first weekend I've spent at home in about 2 months, and I plan on boating through the winter.

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[Happy1]

Does size matter?

I have a small one and I get it out as much as possible, but I am wondering if it was a little bigger if whether I would get so much use from it. I would be concerned about having one so big that it took at least two to handle it, that would mean I couldn't just play with it myself. SWMBO sometimes can't come and or doesn't feel like it, so I find I can manage on my own, and do it for the pure relaxation and to get more experience. I have notice that since I had my Au Pair on my boat SWMBO has been getting a bit jealous, I think it is because the Au Pair being Swedish and full of confidence takes it all in her stride, she had no hesitation in coming and she can certainly handled it well, although she claims it was the first time I have a feeling she has done it before. I have size in mind at the moment when I am considering going bigger, I would hate to go so big that it affected the the use, I have discussed the size with SWMBO and the Au Pair, both agree that a bit bigger would be useful, but too big and it would take all three of us to handle it, that could cause some problems, as they might both not be able to come on the boat together, I would then need someone else. So does size matter, and if so at what length does it become a problem? I guess there are a few on here who can handle a big one themselves, but for the new to average guy or gal it could be quite scary and make them think twice before taking it out!

Would anyone on here admit to having one too big to handle themselves, or admit that they have a small one and could do with it being a bit bigger if circumstances permitted? It seems that it is a dream to have the biggest possible, but I think you do have to consider the limitations and problems that could give you.

<font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[martynwhiteley]

Re: Does size matter?

Brill Pete!

As long as it's plastic and has two batteries, it'll do me /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[MedDreamer]

Re: Does size matter?

Pete

Size does matter, mine is bigger than it was but I know SWMBO would like a bigger one, I have seen her looking longingly at bigger ones. I spend quite a lot of time trying to convince her that mine is big enough for her and my needs but although she says she agrees with me, I am not convinced.

Experienced hands may be able to handle one as big as mine by themselves but I always need at least one person and if there is a strong blow even more than that.

PS: This thread had taken a large amount of the material I have been saving for my "Carry on Christmas Cruising" thread I am going to start in December following the success of last years panto!

<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[martynwhiteley]

Re: Does size matter?

Martyn

Are you sure that you can handle it when you base yourself in the Med?

Yours will look even smaller when compared to all those sleek sexy long ones standing proud in the Spanish sun.

If your SWMBO is on the borderline now, she will soon have her head turned by the monsters laying either side.

Suck it and see if you must, but I'd recommend you keep yours well hidden to avoid embarrasment.

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[paulineb]

Re: Does size matter?

Of course size matters !! You can't ask a girl to come and sit on your boat and then just have a little one for her to play with. Grossly unfair imho

.... and as for how often I use it - I actually get to sit on Mr B's boat every day ;-)

<hr width=100% size=1>Pxx

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[martynwhiteley]

Re: Does size matter?

Pauline,

If you can still edit your post, please replace 'your boat' with 'it', and then remove the second 'boat' completely.

You know it makes sense!

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[MedDreamer]

Re: Does size matter?

You naughty girl ;-) - Lucky Mr B.

From your previous postings we have established that you share quite a reasonably sized one with Mr. B but are you really content with it? There are bigger out there you know (although I cannot claim to have one of them) or is it that you are happy with both the size and what he does with it?

Its nice to have you back.

<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[paulineb]

Re: Does size matter?

MartynW, being a true cockney girl, I chose my words deliberately and wisely ;-) (rhyming slang)

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[martynwhiteley]

Re: Does size matter?

Calm down Martyn, or yours will be a little tender!



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[MedDreamer]

Re: Does size matter?

You still find time to think about that AND now run FOUR companies

Superman!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[paulineb]

Re: Does size matter?

MedDreamer - you may have noticed in another thread that not only am I looking at getting a bigger one, but it will be as well as the big one I already play with, rather than instead of - how greedy am i?

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[martynwhiteley]

Re: Does size matter?

Yes but they're very small (and well supported).

ps. sorry Pauline, a bit slow (and North of Watford) this morning!

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[Alistairr]

Re: Does size matter?

Listen, Guys, It doesn't matter that you've both got a little yin/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif, all that matters is how you use it, and if SWMBO's (and H1 au pair) are happy with the way you use it when they are on it, that fine./forums/images/icons/wink.gif.
And if you do use it a lot then it's always justified to get bigger.



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