Please convince us not to buy a sailing boat..

thecommander said:
SWMBO and I have been motor boating in the Solent for the past 4 years. We currently own a 20ft cuddy motorboat. The last couple of years we have been spending prolonged periods of time onboard, particular overnight at anchor. Great little boat and great fun, but obviously isn't ideal on 20ft motorboat with very limited facilities. Unfortunately we cannot afford to buy our dream motorboat, a Sealine S34. Even if we could save enough to buy a Sealine S34 (or it's little sister, the S28 or it's even little sister the S23) we probably couldn't afford the fuel costs of a twin engined boat. With the cost of fuel set to rise over the next decade, buying a larger motorboat becomes completely out of reach for us.
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Sounds like you might like a slow motor boat - one with a single diesel engine of a pair of small diesel engines and a displacement or semi displacement hull. Such a thing might be capable of a economical speed of 7knots. It would probably be relatively old and well within your budget and might use no more fuel than your present boat.
I haven't done any sailing but ropes sails etc are not cheap and don't last forever.
 
I must admit before I reply
I have not read all of the above
So bare with me
This is my take on the question
Yes Mobos cost to run, fuel and all that there
I see it like this
Yep Yachts cheaper for a given length
But like people have said
Three types of wind for a 'Yachty'
Too Much
Not Enough
From the wrong direction
Which restricts your happiness aboard
People buy a yacht for their 'retirement'
Then they are old and can't handle it sometimes, this is the Dilemma
Plus with a saily thing you are more restricted in where you go and when you can leave and return etc etc
Now, I have two good real friends who have a large steel yacht
It doesn't do FAST even in yacht terms
But it suits them down to the ground as a 'holiday home' and a Cruising vessel when they get time (they work on that by the way) and they get good value from said Steel thinghy bob saily thing but think about tides and stuff and if you want to go out 'at the drop of a hat' can't do that with a flappy thing
So if you want a Day Boat don't bother with a flappy thing
If you want a Holiday Home, buy a flappy thing
If you want a 'bit' of accomodation' and a serious sea boat get a semi displacement Mobo, that can do 'the sea' if it gets .mucky' out there and go places without hiring an oil tanker!
 
Seems obvious but why buy a sailing boat unless you enjoy sailing? A displacement motor boat goes at least the same speed, probably faster, but doesn't have the big pole and all the string and deck stuff that just gets in the way. Bigger engine does take a bit of interior space though. A semi displacement gives the option of a bit more speed if you need it. Would something like a Merry Fisher 805 be in your price range?
 
BruceK said:
That's true. If they aren't shopping you to the bizzies for minor infractions brought on by speed jealousy they feel a bit deflated.
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No speed Jealousy Bruce! I was a bit peed off that my mechanical propulsion unit had let me down though and there wasn't enough wind for the back up propulsion devices to get me anywhere before the pubs shut!

No deflation as plan B was to fit the 9.8 to the rubber dink which got us to the Gardffon at in excess 18 knots!

Oh b***er Larry will have me for speeding now!:o
 
Is this admissable evidence? I have a whole book of words Larry gave me to read and be able to recite verbatim to him next visit. No pictures in though, you'd be stuffed if I shop you. Beer sounds good.
 
AIDY said:
Sails on boats don't last forever and aren't cheap.... If your concerned about fuel costs, sail cost can be similar....
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I have always assumed fuel costs on mobos are much more than sails cost, although obviously depends on mileage covered.
 
gordmac said:
Seems obvious but why buy a sailing boat unless you enjoy sailing? A displacement motor boat goes at least the same speed, probably faster, but doesn't have the big pole and all the string and deck stuff that just gets in the way. Bigger engine does take a bit of interior space though. A semi displacement gives the option of a bit more speed if you need it. Would something like a Merry Fisher 805 be in your price range?
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Excellent suggestion! I was in the same position as the OP. Decided on a late MF 805 and have not been disappointed yet. More often than not I cruise around at 7 knts with auto pilot on. Can't believe how frugal the diesel is at displacement sp. Fuel costs aren't even a consideration anymore. I think, for me, having the ability to close the doors and put the heating on when the weather changes is a major factor that a mobo gives you. Considering the SW weather is so changeable it suits me far more than a sailing boat.
 
Devon805 said:
Excellent suggestion! I was in the same position as the OP. Decided on a late MF 805 and have not been disappointed yet. More often than not I cruise around at 7 knts with auto pilot on. Can't believe how frugal the diesel is at displacement sp. Fuel costs aren't even a consideration anymore. I think, for me, having the ability to close the doors and put the heating on when the weather changes is a major factor that a mobo gives you. Considering the SW weather is so changeable it suits me far more than a sailing boat.
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Which is why I suggested a motor sailor, something like the Hardy range may suit. It has sails as well for when the weather is nice.
 
Motor sailor is a good compromise if you want to do a bit of sailing but if you don't then all the sailing bits are a nuisance.
 
LM make good motor sailers 27 .32.
Fisher trawler types a bit of a collectors thing,
a good Beneteau m/s with sliding cockpit access, lots of room and a lifting keel?These came in several sizes.All sails rollup.Big Perkins Diesel slow geared.
 
Having frightened myself stupid crossing Lyme Bay in a Sealine S240 with a quartering F6 and astonished how much fuel a V8 275 Volvo can use when you push the stick forward. The fuel monitor said 90lph and was still rising when I pulled the throttles back. Anyway we sold up and bought a yacht. We now use 1.5lph at speed (5.5 knots).

Someone said sails are as expensive as maintaining large engines, probably true, our Genoa was £1400 and a main will be £1000 for reasonable quality material which should last 10 years before replacement is due. They will last longer but the shape will be blown out and performance slowly drop off from day one.

There is one yacht the OP might consider with a good cabin and that is the Westerly Konsort Duo. It would be an interesting option:

http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1986/Westerly-Konsort-Duo-2862710/United-Kingdom#.VgHJsN9Viko
 
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25931 said:
I would be much happier with two engines at sea.
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Not necessarily one engine is good as long as well maintained and driven not to hard. Also half the servicing cost and other stuff. However of course if it does break it can cause issues but could always have an auxiliary engine
 
lionelz said:
Not necessarily one engine is good as long as well maintained and driven not to hard. Also half the servicing cost and other stuff. However of course if it does break it can cause issues but could always have an auxiliary engine
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My own sailing experience led me to buy a Motorcat 30. Can be bought in the £30k to £40k budget range, two engines, economical, up to 20 knots when required, shallow draft and would get you cross channel. Just remember - like all boats, the rougher it gets, the trip will become a bit more uncomfortable.
 
lifting / berthing costs, I`m guessing your current boat is an easy trailer sailer, the bigger you buy the trasportation costs rocket, never mind gallons per hour. try low loader cradle & crane hire, escort vehicles.......
or if you already have a suitable mooring, go with the flow....:)
if not look for a good hull that suits your needs! there are some nice shetlands/seamasters getting cheaper in the classifieds, refit to your spec with all the money saved! great 23ft trailer sailers
just watch your 3.5ton max towing capacity behind your big 4x4.....
 
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