D
Deleted member 478
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Hope you're not refering to his wife and daughters?
Should I downsize?
- Thread starter jimi
- Start date
Ships_Cat
Well-Known Member
I agree with Julie, only you can answer the question in the end. We have a large volumed 40 footer and only wife and I sail it - actually I do all the sailing and she does all the feeding and pampering /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I have heard it said that no boat is big enough for more than two people and think there is some truth in that - we would not like to go smaller even for two and unless one is thinking of reducing ones involvement in sailing (other than around the bay) then any move smaller from whatever one now has usually introduces constraints not had before (draft maybe an exception).
Apart from the obvious decrease in room as the boat gets smaller (volume and load carrying decreases very, very much faster than linear with length) things that happen are -
Boat gets much wetter to sail (especially if lowish freeboard), it is tippier when you move around it, cannot carry as much water and other stores, much less comfortable in waves (of any size), is much less comfortable in an anchorage (all those MoBo wakes /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) especially if slightly exposed, less airy inside, more prone to condensation when on board due to smaller air volume, less safe on deck in any sort of sea (due to faster motions and less room), worse seakeeping (comparing like for like) and almost always slower.
My view is that once you get under 34-36 foot staying on board for more than a night or two becomes a real trial. Also, while some are happy having all their friends in the cockpit for drinkies with the water coming in through the cockpit drains wetting everyones' feet, being bent up when standing inside, or whatever, fun, I personally do not.
These things are obviously entirely personal, but my view is if you downsize it will be because you do not wish to spend much time on board, or if you do you are happy with considerably more discomfort. Obviously some will be upset at such comment, but in the end if one is happy with the discomfort (and discomfort increases much more rapidly than decrease in length) or it is all one can afford or is all that one wishes to spend, then good on them, sailing is meant to be as one likes it, not as others think one should like it. Smaller boats can still be fun but in a different sort of way.
John
Apart from the obvious decrease in room as the boat gets smaller (volume and load carrying decreases very, very much faster than linear with length) things that happen are -
Boat gets much wetter to sail (especially if lowish freeboard), it is tippier when you move around it, cannot carry as much water and other stores, much less comfortable in waves (of any size), is much less comfortable in an anchorage (all those MoBo wakes /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) especially if slightly exposed, less airy inside, more prone to condensation when on board due to smaller air volume, less safe on deck in any sort of sea (due to faster motions and less room), worse seakeeping (comparing like for like) and almost always slower.
My view is that once you get under 34-36 foot staying on board for more than a night or two becomes a real trial. Also, while some are happy having all their friends in the cockpit for drinkies with the water coming in through the cockpit drains wetting everyones' feet, being bent up when standing inside, or whatever, fun, I personally do not.
These things are obviously entirely personal, but my view is if you downsize it will be because you do not wish to spend much time on board, or if you do you are happy with considerably more discomfort. Obviously some will be upset at such comment, but in the end if one is happy with the discomfort (and discomfort increases much more rapidly than decrease in length) or it is all one can afford or is all that one wishes to spend, then good on them, sailing is meant to be as one likes it, not as others think one should like it. Smaller boats can still be fun but in a different sort of way.
John
longjohnsadler
Well-Known Member
No, the aubergine coloured trousers.
I'm hoping to downsize meself.
I'm hoping to downsize meself.
jimi
Well-Known Member
Actually I've lost 2 stone since the scottish stramash and more of my extensive 70's wardrobe now fits.
fireball
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Also, while some are happy having all their friends in the cockpit for drinkies with the water coming in through the cockpit drains wetting everyones' feet, being bent up when standing inside, or whatever, fun, I personally do not.
[/ QUOTE ]
Whilst I agree with most of what the rest you said, the above is not true for all boats less than 34' ...
I've been on a 32'er with 18 people aboard (yes 18!!) and no wet feet and we've had 8 + a Dog in the cockpit of our 30'er also with no wet feet ...
We don't have to bend over when standing down below either ...
Also, while some are happy having all their friends in the cockpit for drinkies with the water coming in through the cockpit drains wetting everyones' feet, being bent up when standing inside, or whatever, fun, I personally do not.
[/ QUOTE ]
Whilst I agree with most of what the rest you said, the above is not true for all boats less than 34' ...
I've been on a 32'er with 18 people aboard (yes 18!!) and no wet feet and we've had 8 + a Dog in the cockpit of our 30'er also with no wet feet ...
We don't have to bend over when standing down below either ...
BlueSkyNick
Well-Known Member
Having been out all day yesterday, only just picked up on this thread. At first I thought you were jesting, but now realise you were serious. FWIW, I thinks its a silly idea.
Even though the girls might not want to sail now, as they get older they might come back to it, boyfriends in tow.
More importantly, GR is a great boat for a couple both from a sailing and accomodation aspect.
Thirdly, if like us, you will want to entertain other couples from time to time, and she is a good size for that too. Ditto for the occasional lads weekend or overnight.
Finally, she sails well and you love her for it.
Now, about upsizing, I can recommend an Oyster Heritage 37...
Even though the girls might not want to sail now, as they get older they might come back to it, boyfriends in tow.
More importantly, GR is a great boat for a couple both from a sailing and accomodation aspect.
Thirdly, if like us, you will want to entertain other couples from time to time, and she is a good size for that too. Ditto for the occasional lads weekend or overnight.
Finally, she sails well and you love her for it.
Now, about upsizing, I can recommend an Oyster Heritage 37...
jimi
Well-Known Member
Well FWIW I think its just plain stupid to be as big as you. You need to downsize to reap some real benefits .. can you imagine cooking in your galley standing up or changing the impeller without your feet sticking out the hatch and the rain going down your trouser legs and up your nose? Just think of being able to sit in your dinghy without it sinking or being able to do a runner from the local Indian without getting stuck on the dooorway .. oh the wonder of looking up at the boom as it gybes uncontrollably rather than grinning resignedly to another set of teeth ... yessir downsize now .. I'm warming up the chainsaw!
Ships_Cat
Well-Known Member
Ah, good to see you back to your old self again Jimi /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Was getting concerned.
John
John
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
for heavens sake, just mock him, or he'll get all uppity
The downsizing is just a pretence to get attention. He'll get over it. If not, he'll post real reasons
The downsizing is just a pretence to get attention. He'll get over it. If not, he'll post real reasons