Is 35/6' enough?

[CharlesM]

Is 35/6\' enough?

Once again into the breach

I have, for the last few years, thought 40+ feet would be right for me, but I have recently been thinking a little smaller. I wish to start with Med cruising (as a training and testing ground) !!?? and then after a year or so, and if my love is still in agreement, wander further. My dream being a circumnavigation loaded with loads of diving in exotic locations.

Since my budget is rather tight when it comes to boats (perhaps £40k for an exceptional example) a smaller boat might be better. Is a 35' boat big enough to enjoy the cruising life. Is it big enough to carry diving gear and compressor as well as food and spares for 2?

A very vague question, given the various boats one can find but some guidance is needed. We are currently looking at long keel ferro-cement - professional build only. (And I do not want to spark off a FC debate please. That has been flogged to death already) There are some steel 40+ boats in Spain in my price range, but I assume they would need loads done to them.

A vague rambling post of someone that is confused and lost but is tired of dreaming and wants to DO.

Cheers
Charles

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[Talbot]

Re: Is 35/6\' enough?

whilst you could probably get the diving gear, (assuming 4 tanks) and a small compressor onboard, a 35' is going to be very cramped to get a proper installation for the compressor, and this would be a substantial weight penalty on a smaller boat which is already overloaded for cruising (the main reason for larger boats being more popular) The extra weight on a ferro is probably not going to be as noticeable as on an AWB, but the installation will still be a problem.

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[Geordie]

Re: Is 35/6\' enough?

35ft should be just adequate for 2 but also depends on the beam width and hull profile (I presume /6' means draught). I have just returned from a single-handed transatlantic/caribbean trip in a 30'/ 9' beam yacht but was joined by my partner for many weeks in the Caribbean. It was comfortable but cosy. 35'/11'or12'beam would have been luxury. If you plan to use Marinas, 40' would be more expensive, but if anchoring or mooring (which is favoured by many long distance cruisers) length would not matter. Go ahead. I loved every minute and would do it again in the right circumstances. Mind you the Caribbean is not all it is cracked up to be. Much rain, many rain squalls and between the islands the Atlantic swell and force 4,5,6 prevalent. The people of the independent islands are lovely.

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[Sunnyseeker]

Re: Is 35/6\' enough?

Friends did it a few years ago in a Nich32 with dive gear but no compressor, and three up. Just get a good cockpit canopy, once it gets warm that becomes your lounge, so the boat gets bigger. One with removable side screens and you can sit out in the rain squals.

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[jerryat]

Re: Is 35/6\' enough?

Hi!

I agree with geordie and sunnyseeker. Our Fulmar (32') has taken us safely and comfortably round the Med and Caribbean over the last seven years, though without diving gear aboard. We definitely prefer the smaller boat for a host of reasons (maintenance, spares, handling etc) but originally set off with the belief that we'd 'have' to move up in size 'cos this is what everyone else did. After a year we knew we should stick with what we had and have never regretted it. Ok, we don't have an aft cabin, but with an 11' beam, we often find our saloon is bigger than the 37 footers anchored nearby.

Your idea of 35' is fine, but I agree with talbot that fitting a compressor will be a problem. As there are ample facilities in the Med and Caribbean for re-filling your tanks, why bother? In any case, you may find that snorkling will give you a considerable amount of pleasure as it does us, and you may not use the tanks as often as you think you will.

Go for it and have a great time whatever you choose!



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[Birdseye]

Re: Is 35/6\' enough?

For what you have planned, think seriously about a Prout catamaran. Fair numbers have circumnavigated in both the Quest and Snowgoose. They both have excellent room for living aboard, and with just 2 crew will happily cope with the weight of diving gear. Obviously weight is more of an issue with a cat, but we have found no problem in this respect with our Quest.

Seakeeping is good - they both have a reputation for safety - and they are well made. A reasonable Snowgoose 35 should be in your price bracket or a decent Quest.

Space is important - not just for what you can fill it with , but also for giving personal space and avoiding niggles and arguments.

Any cat will be way better at anchor (where you spend most of your time) and will give you a much better ride than almost all monos with the one exception of bashing into head seas. Then you have to bear away a bit or make slooooow progress.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Re: Is 35/6\' enough?

We lived-aboard and cruised for six years in a 30' boat with 10' beam. Half of that time was with a baby as well.

We came across many people living on much smaller boats, many under 30'. We also came across many people with 40' plus boats who found that the effort of handling the boat meant that they hardly ever went sailing.

A smaller boat is definitely a benefit for going into smaller harbours in the med. They can get very congested. A cat would have a serious problem in this respect unless you want to anchor all the time.

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