The time has come - she has got to go.

[BlueSkyNick]

For twelve happy years I have never doubted my insanity in spending thousands on three different boats in order to enjoy doing whatever and whenever I want on the water. Now the combination of lack of time and money, and the time of year, have contrived to force me to let me head rule my heart for once.

The plan is to spend the winter on minor repairs and titivation then put her up for sale in the new year. (I am not going to deviously promote her through this forum ..... but will respond to serious PM's !)

Any body else feeling the same way ??

 

[nicho]

For twelve happy years I have never doubted my insanity in spending thousands on three different boats in order to enjoy doing whatever and whenever I want on the water. Now the combination of lack of time and money, and the time of year, have contrived to force me to let me head rule my heart for once.

The plan is to spend the winter on minor repairs and titivation then put her up for sale in the new year. (I am not going to deviously promote her through this forum ..... but will respond to serious PM's !)

Any body else feeling the same way ??

That's a shame. Why not do as we did Nick, sold our 48' motor cruiser when it began to impact on our retirement funds, take a sabbatical, then come back with something smaller. The sabbatical is important because downsizing from 40+ feet to 30+ in a short time can be painful. We love our new to us Gibsea 33, and it's cheap and cheerful to buy and run (all relative I guess)

 

[BlueSkyNick]

That's a shame. Why not do as we did Nick, sold our 48' motor cruiser when it began to impact on our retirement funds, take a sabbatical, then come back with something smaller. The sabbatical is important because downsizing from 40+ feet to 30+ in a short time can be painful. We love our new to us Gibsea 33, and it's cheap and cheerful to buy and run (all relative I guess)

I have been thinking about something small and quick just for racing around the cans, and the occasional night away. Your suggestion of a sabbatical is a good one Mike. The last two sale-and-repurchases have overlapped. Very stressful !

 

[Steve Clayton]

.....she has got to go......

I thought you were referring to Karen!

 

[nicho]

.....she has got to go......

I thought you were referring to Karen!

No, she would stay, Nick would go!

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

j

For twelve happy years I have never doubted my insanity in spending thousands on three different boats in order to enjoy doing whatever and whenever I want on the water. Now the combination of lack of time and money, and the time of year, have contrived to force me to let me head rule my heart for once.

The plan is to spend the winter on minor repairs and titivation then put her up for sale in the new year. (I am not going to deviously promote her through this forum ..... but will respond to serious PM's !)

Any body else feeling the same way ??

That's sad news Nick.... personally, we both agree that we'd sell the house and move onboard before selling the boat!.... but I can understand the decision you've made.... how about a nice little GK24 or something?

 

[rwoofer]

Nick, as you know I downsized a few years ago. Initially I did it for time (maintenance taking too much time in proportion to sailing) and money reasons (redundancy and kids arriving). There was also the general hassle of a bigger boat in the Solent. Took a break for a year and now I've got my 20ft Jeanneau Sun2000.

I don't use it as much because it cannot double up as a floating cottage, but I have to say I enjoy each trip on her far more. The ability to beach, to sneak into those drying harbours and the ability to turn up anywhere such as Newtown Creek on a bank holiday and be guarenteed to find a spot just makes sailing so much more enjoyable. Because I don't feel guilty about money sitting in the water I only go out when the forecast is great, which probably contributes to making it more fun. No seacocks or inboard engines to deal with as well. The only real downside is the bucket and chuckit.

Anyway I throw that in as an option. Good luck with the sale.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

.....she has got to go......

I thought you were referring to Karen!

well that was another option, but it wouldn't bring in the same amount of capital !!

 

[Sans Bateau]

how about a nice little GK24 or something?

You do realise he'd never be able to go down below?

 

[PhillM]

Perhaps an XOD to keep your hand in racing while you think about the next cruiser?

 

[DJE]

There was also the general hassle of a bigger boat in the Solent.

We are seriously looking at a bigger boat but that point worries me. After many years with a 29 footer and 4 foot draft I don't relish the idea of being one of the 36-foot deep-draft crowd.

 

[bedouin]

We have got a cross-roads where the much-loved boat doesn't really meet the needs of a growing family. Retaining her is not really a sensible option but we are left with the dilemma of getting something bigger (and more expensive) in the hope we get more use out of it or selling up all together.

I can't help thinking that it might be a bit of a relief not to own a boat for a while - to go back to chartering in warm places instead - but there is so much more to boat ownership than just the sailing.

 

[Greenheart]

...the much-loved boat doesn't really meet the needs of a growing family...(thinking of) getting something bigger in the hope we get more use out of it...it might be a relief not to own a boat for a while...but there is so much more to ownership than just sailing.

I drafted a thread-starter this week, then ditched it because I sounded so damned conceited. I spent £350 buying my boat last year (and about the same for insurance and club membership since)...and though I've been out only ten times, owning the boat and my progress in adapting her for my use has been a constant, engrossing pleasure.

Regarding the OP's question, surely initial relief of not having to cover his boat's cost-commitment will quickly mutate into a yearning for the option to go afloat, in anything...

...I've no idea how the cost-burden of a 40ft yacht in a marina feels, but the vast range of yachts for sale must allow big cost-savings without getting something unsatisfactory.

Definitely worth remembering that coastal exploration is far more fun in small, cheap, shallow-draft boats. Won't feel as grand as going foreign, but little boats can do that, too.

PS, Bedouin...

...I really wonder, when people plan a change of boat to cater for growing family parties/crews...lovely thought, but will their attendance be so dependable, and will their enjoyment ensure they want to come again? P'raps chartering would be the best option for those occasional large gatherings, and the corporate owner can clean her up afterwards?

 

[nicho]

We are seriously looking at a bigger boat but that point worries me. After many years with a 29 footer and 4 foot draft I don't relish the idea of being one of the 36-foot deep-draft crowd.

We had a 48' boat in the Solent, with no hassle whatsoever.

 

[rwoofer]

We had a 48' boat in the Solent, with no hassle whatsoever.

Not my experience with a 44 footer and to a lesser extent with a 30 footer. Yarmouth, Newtown Creek, Bembridge...plenty of places in the Solent where you need to get there early to be sure of getting in. To me the best sailing is often at the end of the day, so really hate having to be in harbour at 4pm. Last bank holiday I turned up at 7:30pm at Newtown Creek and got a nice quiet spot at the top of one of the creeks.

It's only when you get a small, shallow draft boat do you really notice the difference.

PS: I recall your 48 footer was a mobo, which has shallower draft, so less constrictive than a sailing yacht. For example in my M44 there are only about 3 berth spots in Bembridge that worked for the draft. If they are full, you get turfed out.

 

[Greenheart]

I wonder if anyone has ever drawn up a graph, to show the extent to which freedom of movement is reduced by increasing draft, within the Solent?

As a centreboarder I often look with dismay at charts & tide-tables, realising that for the hours available to me on a summer day, the sailing-zone available is sadly restricted.

I can't imagine enjoying owning a yacht with fixed draft of two metres.

If the OP gets real enjoyment sailing inshore, I expect down-sizing would bring him at least as much pleasure as he'd lose by no longer having a large luxurious interior...

...but stopping sailing altogether seems a painfully rash step. In economic terms, isn't it the case that costs approximately halve each time you cut the LOA by 25%?

 

[DJE]

Any body else feeling the same way ??

Busman's holiday effect Nick?

 

[nicho]

Not my experience with a 44 footer and to a lesser extent with a 30 footer. Yarmouth, Newtown Creek, Bembridge...plenty of places in the Solent where you need to get there early to be sure of getting in. To me the best sailing is often at the end of the day, so really hate having to be in harbour at 4pm. Last bank holiday I turned up at 7:30pm at Newtown Creek and got a nice quiet spot at the top of one of the creeks.

It's only when you get a small, shallow draft boat do you really notice the difference.

PS: I recall your 48 footer was a mobo, which has shallower draft, so less constrictive than a sailing yacht. For example in my M44 there are only about 3 berth spots in Bembridge that worked for the draft. If they are full, you get turfed out.

Yes it was a mobo - around 1.2 metre draft. Was thinking more in terms of l.o.a.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Perhaps an XOD to keep your hand in racing while you think about the next cruiser?

Thanks for the thought, but I am about 1 foot too tall, five stone too heavy, and twenty years too young for that !

 

[FullCircle]

Hm, completely see the argument Nick.

Haven't worked out what o say next though.


I am planning on a Galion22 when Full Circle is sold. But that is a clear headed cost/strength required option when I retire. At the moment, I put up with the lack of use.