Is smaller going to be better ?

[DIW]

In January we decided to put our much loved Sealine F33 on Brokerage. We also decided to down size and that ‘small and beautiful and less expensive’ was the way forward.
I was convinced that due to the present economic situation we would probably still have the F33 for this Summer. However ‘sods law’ kicked in and she was sold within three weeks.
I didn’t want to be boatless for the summer so persuaded Mrs DIW that an ideal solution would be a RIB while we decided what our next boat would be.
The RIB lasted about 5 weeks ! , it simply wasn’t for us. If you like seat of the pants boating, constantly streaming eyes and picking flies from your teeth then go for it.
We traded in the RIB for a Brand new Beneteau Antares 750 and we love it. It does exactly what it says on the tin , no frills or fuss, handles superbly , has an excellent outboard engine and a roomy saloon and cockpit. The cabin is ok for the occasional over night but I don’t think I would contemplate a lengthy cruise.
So far we are convinced we have made the right decision – only time will tell – but if anyone else is thinking about going smaller then I thoroughly recommend it.

 

[Tidnock]

In January we decided to put our much loved Sealine F33 on Brokerage. We also decided to down size and that ‘small and beautiful and less expensive’ was the way forward.
I was convinced that due to the present economic situation we would probably still have the F33 for this Summer. However ‘sods law’ kicked in and she was sold within three weeks.
I didn’t want to be boatless for the summer so persuaded Mrs DIW that an ideal solution would be a RIB while we decided what our next boat would be.
The RIB lasted about 5 weeks ! , it simply wasn’t for us. If you like seat of the pants boating, constantly streaming eyes and picking flies from your teeth then go for it.
We traded in the RIB for a Brand new Beneteau Antares 750 and we love it. It does exactly what it says on the tin , no frills or fuss, handles superbly , has an excellent outboard engine and a roomy saloon and cockpit. The cabin is ok for the occasional over night but I don’t think I would contemplate a lengthy cruise.
So far we are convinced we have made the right decision – only time will tell – but if anyone else is thinking about going smaller then I thoroughly recommend it.

I did it, with a gap in between, my last boat was a 34' flybridge to a 22' cuddy, whilst I had big ideas of long trips on the previous boat it never happened.

We can pop down and use the boat for actual boating and if we want to stay over there is the hotel on the marina (Deganwy). There are a lot of nights in the piggy bank to stay at the hotel compared to buying, berthing and running a bigger boat to do the same trips on.

We drove down last Saturday, went for a spin out, caught some mackerel and had a great afternoon, I doubt I would have taken the previous boat out as there was a bit of a breeze.

Whilst big is beautiful i think this type of boating suits us.

Hope you enjoy your new boat

 

[DIW]

Is smaller going to be better?

I did it, with a gap in between, my last boat was a 34' flybridge to a 22' cuddy, whilst I had big ideas of long trips on the previous boat it never happened.

We can pop down and use the boat for actual boating and if we want to stay over there is the hotel on the marina (Deganwy). There are a lot of nights in the piggy bank to stay at the hotel compared to buying, berthing and running a bigger boat to do the same trips on.

We drove down last Saturday, went for a spin out, caught some mackerel and had a great afternoon, I doubt I would have taken the previous boat out as there was a bit of a breeze.

Whilst big is beautiful i think this type of boating suits us.

Hope you enjoy your new boat

PM sent.

 

[Scubadoo]

Good to hear about someone downsizing instead of upsizing just to hear something different. I often thought about upsizing but been put off by the extra cost whereas my current boat seems to cover most of my needs.

The downside I guess is the weather restrictions, where I would have thought you previous F33 was more capable than the 750 out in rougher conditions. Mind you my 25ft boat has done me proud for the last 11years.

 

[oldgit]

Bigger is better ?

There has always appeared to be a general opinion on this forum that the bigger the better,preferably with the largest engine option that you could find,even to the extent that newbies and first time "suck it and see " buyers were being advised to buy very large and hence expensive to run boats and jump the first stage of ownership ie small n inexpensive then see how you get on.
This may have been fine when fuel was 10p a gallon and the bank would loan you vast amounts courtesy of a third mortgage on your garden shed.
Perhaps now belatedly buying a boat you can afford to run comfortably in the long term will prevail.
It still beggars belief that there were a vast army of boaters are out out there who honestly thought that the price of red diesel was going to remain untouched because of an ancient tax anomaly.
A few boaters I have spoken would like to downsize.Not using their boat due to the sheer size of the thing and to a lesser extent the cost of fuel.
Seems little point in owning something you are reluctant to to take out when something smaller would get used.
For long term boating buy the size you need,not the boat you think you want.?

 

[Duster]

There is an old American "law of economics" which states " the people with the biggest swimming pools get to spend the least time in them".

Our observation has been that it applies to boats as well. Many times when there are few boats out, those that are seem to be couples on more modest boats.

Hope it continues to work well for you.

regards mikej

 

[mainshiptom]

Where do I stand?

Well without a boat ... at home.

But for my type of boating a bigger boat would be an advantage.

I have my own moorings so length does not come in to it although we do like to stay in marinas on longer breaks. ( London is great for us).

My favourite pass time is to be on anchor in protected waters over a long period(2-3 days at a time. and we do not ruse of to the pub since we like to fish,swim,cook on board and have plenty of drinks on board.

so a large boat would offer more comfort and equipment to make staying on board comfortable and pleasant.


so my last boat was 43-47 foot and had all the luxuries of that kind of boat, i would like to stay in that size bracket although I might drop in the years since I have a limited budget.

I also find bigger boats easier to work on since you have more room for stuff and to work around the engines.


Tom