Should I Upsize?

tome

tome

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Mar 2002
Messages
8,201
Location
kprick
www.google.co.uk
SWMBO looked at a 40+ foot boat about a year ago which we both really liked. It has aft cabin with proper comfy double and en-suite heads/shower. Extra cabin forward. It's big enough to take 7 on our 'boys' outings.

When my father passed away recently she decided we should go for it, and we've discovered that the boat is still up for sale. Don't want to identify the boat yet for obvious reasons.

Advantages:
1) Can accommodate larger number of family or friends
2) Large enough for extended live-aboard life with loads of stowage
3) Good list of toys and extras
4) Cutter rigged sloop makes headsail handling easier

Disadvantages:
1) I love our present boat and have lavished much attention on her. Everything done/replaced/working and she sails like a dream
2) More capital and running costs
3) Too big for some locations (eg Lymington Town Quay)
4) Have to start again from scratch - she's more than 10 years old

What think the learned panel?
 
Depends how far you'll be going and for how long. With 40ft there'll be places you cannot get into and the running cost is always more.

Friends of ours who were very keen sailors upsized and found that it restricted their sailing: everything was such a heck of an effort on the bigger boat. Went like the clappers tho, so a short trip just wasn't worth it.

However, best way is to toss a coin having preset heads to go for it and tails not to: then depending on if you feel relieved or disappointed at the way the coin comes down you'll know what to do!
 
Re: As the girls say.....size matters!! nm

I sail a "big" boat and do short and long trips. My 2.8m draft just means a bit more planning but I still overnight in Newton Creek and these days prefer the buoys outside Yarmouth to the crowds inside. Weekend trips to the CI's or France are also dead easy. I upgraded from 34' and have never looked back - in fact I'm trying to stretch this one a bit more ..! (but thats another story) - oh - and I sail her single handed too, or with my girlfriend who was new to sailing 2 years ago.
 
Oysters upwind .... ?

Always over the lee rail or the stern ... never upwind, it goes all over the topsides then ... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Go for it Tome.
I'd say in the grand scheme of things you probably look back regretting the things that you didn't do than the things you did!
 
Just give it a clean, she'll think you've got a new boat and you can spend your inheritance on a Porsche. I'd stick with yer boat, its lovely.
 
She's gleaming and looks great right now: teak decks all cleaned, cockpit minor gel coat repairs all done and polished throughout. I know she's a lovely boat, which is what makes the decision so much more difficult! A lingering feeling that perhaps we already have the perfect boat, and will we regret the change?

As for Porsches, I've been there but have vowed never to spend more on a car than I have to in future. The decision was based on making the most of life rather than what to do with a windfall, my inheritance was a 1/7th share in the funeral costs!
 
Tom, If you are not sure, there is no need to rush. As long as there are waves on the sea, there will be bigger boats available for sale. Maybe not the very one you have already seen, but plenty of others to choose from.


PS If you do decide sell, I reckon Jimi could be an interested buyer. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top