The dark side - The pull is strong

Philiz

Philiz

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Staffordshire Moorlands U.K.
www.shabiera.co.uk
We went out with our friend James on Saturday on his yacht Providence. James is well know amongst the N Wales chapter. He stuck me on the helm from the off, I've helmed it before but not taken her through the lock before, we went down to Beaumaris and back, and through The Swellies under sail with no engine running.

I must admit, there is something very special about travelling purely under wind power, a lot more peacefull and relaxing than motoring at any speed.
I would recommend any moboers who have never been on a raggie to have a go if they get the chance. If nothing else it gives you a bit of an insight as to why raggies often do things which appear to be a bit wierd.
 
I know what you mean. There is something peacefull and pleasing about the quietness and the odd gush of noise as the bow breaks a wave.
Just cant get used to standing at 45 degrees.:D

Eddie
 
One way ticket?

I made the change from Fairline Targa to Nauticat 39 (the latter is a sailing yacht) and have no intention of going back the other way. Sailing yachts offer the possibility of an alternative lifestyle whereas big engined motor boats rather entrench the status quo in my experience.
 
FWIW I did jump over the dark side two years ago (not new to us though - been there before) and now I am back. Why? Well this is just my opinion obviously but:-

Got fed up being inside in the dark - despite a bright newish 43ft Beneteau.
Found washboards a pain after patio doors.
When inside frustrated not to be see the outside world.
Cockpit not very sociable, compared to flybridge, large mobo cockpit.
Frustrated that 85% couldn't sail and had to use engine.
Mobo people IMHO seem a lot more sociable - actually by a long way.
Found it frustrating not to be able to access ports as not enough water.
When wet outside, have to bring wet clothes inside. Not on a mobo, they stay in the dry cockpit.

In the very odd time when the wind is perfect, the sun's out and yacht is sailing perfectly, then sailing is simply fantastic. For me these occassions are just too rare to compensate for all the downsides. In fact that is probably the only aspect when I can really say a yacht is much better than a mobo, (other than significantly extra cost for a mobo). A mobo is better in every other area of the boating experience I can think of.
 
asteven221 said:
FWIW I did jump over the dark side two years ago (not new to us though - been there before) and now I am back. Why? Well this is just my opinion obviously but:-

Got fed up being inside in the dark - despite a bright newish 43ft Beneteau.
Found washboards a pain after patio doors.
When inside frustrated not to be see the outside world.
Cockpit not very sociable, compared to flybridge, large mobo cockpit.
Frustrated that 85% couldn't sail and had to use engine.
Mobo people IMHO seem a lot more sociable - actually by a long way.
Found it frustrating not to be able to access ports as not enough water.
When wet outside, have to bring wet clothes inside. Not on a mobo, they stay in the dry cockpit.

In the very odd time when the wind is perfect, the sun's out and yacht is sailing perfectly, then sailing is simply fantastic. For me these occassions are just too rare to compensate for all the downsides. In fact that is probably the only aspect when I can really say a yacht is much better than a mobo, (other than significantly extra cost for a mobo). A mobo is better in every other area of the boating experience I can think of.
Click to expand...


Not tries a multihull then as it would seem to solve all your negative points
 
asteven221 said:
FWIW I did jump over the dark side two years ago (not new to us though - been there before) and now I am back. Why? Well this is just my opinion obviously but:-

Got fed up being inside in the dark - despite a bright newish 43ft Beneteau.
Found washboards a pain after patio doors.
When inside frustrated not to be see the outside world.
Cockpit not very sociable, compared to flybridge, large mobo cockpit.
Frustrated that 85% couldn't sail and had to use engine.
Mobo people IMHO seem a lot more sociable - actually by a long way.
Found it frustrating not to be able to access ports as not enough water.
When wet outside, have to bring wet clothes inside. Not on a mobo, they stay in the dry cockpit.

In the very odd time when the wind is perfect, the sun's out and yacht is sailing perfectly, then sailing is simply fantastic. For me these occassions are just too rare to compensate for all the downsides. In fact that is probably the only aspect when I can really say a yacht is much better than a mobo, (other than significantly extra cost for a mobo). A mobo is better in every other area of the boating experience I can think of.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you need a sailing cat.

Huge cockpit. you see all round from the saloon, be dry in a storm, no companionway steps, just big doors, shallow draft to access any port or shallow lagoon. Plus very stable at sea and particularly stable at rest.

I would imagine the extra cost to berth them would be saving if you include the fuel cost of a mobo with any size about it.

Oh, almost forgot there is a power cat that has a range or around 3,000 km produced by Jeff Schionning well worth a look.

http://phuket.boatshed.com/schionning_prowler_45-boat-106564.html
 
Mine is up for sale if you fancy it?
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2008/Robertson-And-Caine-Leopard-46-2240491/Zadar/Croatia

46ft long 25ft wide, sails flat, has a flybridge helm, cockpit similar to a FB mobo, patio doors, 3lts per hour when on 1 engine, plus all the goodies you would get on a well kitted out mobo, gennerator, air con, watermaker, microwave, washer/dryer etc etc.

Just one thing to remember when changing. The wind doesn't always blow from the direction you would like it to!! You can have 2 or 3 wonderful days sailing and then just when you need to get back to the marina it will blow a hooley directly from where you need to get to. Beating into 20 knots for hours on end isn't my idea of fun.
 
asteven221 said:
In the very odd time when the wind is perfect, the sun's out and yacht is sailing perfectly, then sailing is simply fantastic. .
Click to expand...

The day Phil went out with James the weather was reasonably good, but I don't think Phil will last long as a raggy when the weather is 'normal'.

As to a cat, they don't generally offer berths to cats at PD.
 
asteven221 said:
Got fed up being inside in the dark - despite a bright newish 43ft Beneteau.
Found washboards a pain after patio doors.
When inside frustrated not to be see the outside world.
Cockpit not very sociable, compared to flybridge, large mobo cockpit.
Click to expand...

Very interesting; these are the reasons that we went for a pilot house Nauticat. We went to look at a Hallberg Rassy and the dark "down below" nature of these yachts turned us both off. In the Nauticat we could be inside in the warm whilst also seeing out. We can also sail from down below when it is cold/inclement out. Best of both worlds. I have a friend who had a Nauticat 42 and he maintained that his oilies had never been worn as he always "retired below" when there was a danger of getting wet. Nice.
 
Major Catastrophe said:
The day Phil went out with James the weather was reasonably good, but I don't think Phil will last long as a raggy when the weather is 'normal'.
Click to expand...

Mmm, it was fairly 'normal' when I helmed her back from Silversands Bay at Midnight a few months ago. That was enjoyable although it was freezing cold, but that was my fault for not having the proper clothing. Anyway, I wouldn't have anything with a permanantly open cockpit, it'd have to be a tent job at the very least.
 
Phil,
If you want to sail from inside, pick your pilothouse boat with care, many can only be motored from "inside". Also most "tented cockpit" boats are not safe to even motor with the canopy up as visibility is severely affected.

Sea Rush's full cockpit canopy gives me extra dry space at anchor or on a mooring & makes the cabin warmer by cutting down draughts but isn't practical for use even when motoring. But having both sprayhoods up gives excellent shelter & sailing is still possible if I steer sitting down or from the autohelm.

You will also need to get used to taking hours to get anywhere - not a big problem if you enjoy the travelling. Tides become important too, 3kts agin you can mean you stop dead or end up motoring anyway.
 
Same but different

I have sailed and motored. I thoroughly enjoy both,but they are entirely different experiences and probably your fave will depend on what you want to get out of your time on the water. Why has one got to be better than the other? Which is better, a JCB or an Aston Martin? I enjoy both but for different reasons.
I bought a mobo :) But I wouldnt say no to a sail in your yacht.
 
Thanks Steve. I'm thinking of a few years down the line as we have a lot of learning to do yet, but spending more time on slower boats is making me realise there is often more enjoyment in the getting there than arriving. We saw a number of large mobos thundering up the Straits yesterday at 20 odd knots, close to mooring and passing raggies and slow mobos without much care. But they're missing the point of boating a bit in my view, in too big a hurry to get to wherever they're going rather than enjoying the surroundings and the actual trip itself. Suppose it takes all sorts though.
 
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