Octogerian choices

[dave1dpc]

Having had my small flybridge for the past 20+ years I have now run out of crew. They have either moved away or departed to the dock in the sky.{or down to Davy Jones Locker } Should I keep my boat for another season or as I cant stand the phaff of selling , exchange it for something smaller say a 23to 28 ft ? which I could use more practically single handed. Having just spent a small fortune having the gel coat and polish carried out the boat looks better than when bought.

 

[Momac]

I recall changing from a 25 to a 33ft and suddenly I realised my boat handling was not so bad . The bigger boat is much easier to handle.
So I wouldn't go back to a 23/25ft.
With no crew I would probably get rid of the boat and do something else. Or maybe just could consider a narrowboat on the canals.

It's not a great moment to sell anything but then again it could be a good time to buy.

 

[Seastoke]

What sort of voyage do you do, where are you based.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

@dave1dpc if you can safely single-hand the current boat I’d keep it!

 

[KevinV]

Make some younger friends!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

That’s a good idea anyway!

 

[oldgit]

A conundrum facing many at the moment, a day or two ago a club member decided that enough was enough , boat that had not moved for 2 years was finally put up for sale.
Sold a day later to another club member,who now has his boat up for sale and thats being looked at by yet another club member today.
On the other hand not that long ago another long term boater decided that he had enough, boat not being used , sold via a broker.
Took about 6 months before he decided that was a big mistake and very similar boat arrived back on the moorings, shortly after however , again with virtually no use that boat was gone too.

There are boat owners out there with one eye on the listings looking for something which will take them a little further and faster in more comfort and if that something appears literally on your doorstep, with a known seller and at a very agreeable price ?
Purchased as seen and lying , no brokers no surveys but most probably a decent sea trial involved.
For those interested all up to flybridges, twin engines and of course S****s .

Large numbers of late 1980s to 1990s 10-13m Prinlines with the odd very venerable indeed Broom , moored unused just under the sales radar ? but new boaters preferring much newer and smaller craft, why buy a 35 year old boat which will cost a fortune to run/ moor and maintain,when you could choose something much newer smaller quicker and cheaper to run for similar money.

The days of the traditional fortnight holiday on the boat are long long gone. more likely to be a boaty weekend overnighter squeezed in between the EasyJet and Ryanair beach/ski or city break jaunts all booked in for next month.

 

[dave1dpc]

What sort of voyage do you do, where are you based.

Im based on the Hamble. Most of my trips recently have been over to the island. Its good to have a little shed by the sea as many days are spent on maintenance or just lazing about in the sunshine

 

[Seastoke]

Have you seen the crewing forum , are you a member of a Raggy club . Put an advert in the Hamble Chronicle , Wanted woman with a boat please send photo of Boat.

 

[Alicatt]

I recall changing from a 25 to a 33ft and suddenly I realised my boat handling was not so bad . The bigger boat is much easier to handle.
So I wouldn't go back to a 23/25ft.
With no crew I would probably get rid of the boat and do something else. Or maybe just could consider a narrowboat on the canals.

It's not a great moment to sell anything but then again it could be a good time to buy.

Having the second engine also made things so much easier. We went from a single engined 25ft to a 37ft with twin engines, also having a bit of a keel helps keep the boat on the straight and narrow.

 

[kashurst]

Having had my small flybridge for the past 20+ years I have now run out of crew. They have either moved away or departed to the dock in the sky.{or down to Davy Jones Locker } Should I keep my boat for another season or as I cant stand the phaff of selling , exchange it for something smaller say a 23to 28 ft ? which I could use more practically single handed. Having just spent a small fortune having the gel coat and polish carried out the boat looks better than when bought.

If you can keep the small flybridge if you feel physically up to it. I am guessing getting along side into a berth is getting tricky.
A 23 - 28ft boat may feel noticeably smaller. Could you rig one or two rope lines so when you get alongside you can get a rough tie on by yourself or ask a stranger to hold a line? Then hop off and do it properly knowing it wont float away.

 

[dunedin]

Are there things you could do to the current boat and/or its berth to prolong usage?

Often the home berth, if on a pontoon, can be made very simple by changes such as an extra guide finger on the opposite side of the main finger - and then V shaped ropes at the front. Drive in, the ropes self centre and stop the boat, leave a gentle bit of power on and the boat stays there whilst drop one loop of rope at the stern. Commonly used in Norway and other places.

And if have bow and stern thrusters (or add the latter), a wireless remote is a game changer. Control the thrusters with the remote whilst walking slowly to drop ropes on.
These things may cost money - but money is no use later !

 

[Muxey]

There are potential crew out there,
It's just finding them, I looked at boat share but unless it's in the med there is very little outher than the boards, I am in the position of no boat can afford to buy one but no family members are interested so I would be the only one on board !
It's a shame I am200 miles away.
Best wishes keep sailing.