Thinking about the transition from Sail to Motor - advice sought

[DipperToo]

As age takes its toll on the physical effort with sailing, I have been giving some thought to moving to a semi-displacement motor boat.
As I do a fair amount of short handed sailing, one criteria I have been looking for is easy access to the side decks when mooring. So far, the only boats I have seen in the 32-36 foot range with a side door are either the Trawler type of boat or Nimbus with their 36 foot coupe model.
Speed is not an essential part of the equation but seaworthiness (Cat A or B) is a must to do longer channel crossings. Also, second hand is not an issue as some of these boats are eye watering when new! A fly bridge is not a requirement as I would almost prefer something a bit more traditional rather than a modern, fast planing type of craft.
Do any forum members here have experience or knowledge of boats that are worth putting on a short list which importantly have the easy side deck access from the helm position?
Thanks in advance.

 

[harvey38]

I'll throw my hat in first then........Aquastar Ocean 38, ticks the boxes on your list.

 

[Elessar]

As age takes its toll on the physical effort with sailing, I have been giving some thought to moving to a semi-displacement motor boat.
As I do a fair amount of short handed sailing, one criteria I have been looking for is easy access to the side decks when mooring. So far, the only boats I have seen in the 32-36 foot range with a side door are either the Trawler type of boat or Nimbus with their 36 foot coupe model.
Speed is not an essential part of the equation but seaworthiness (Cat A or B) is a must to do longer channel crossings. Also, second hand is not an issue as some of these boats are eye watering when new! A fly bridge is not a requirement as I would almost prefer something a bit more traditional rather than a modern, fast planing type of craft.
Do any forum members here have experience or knowledge of boats that are worth putting on a short list which importantly have the easy side deck access from the helm position?
Thanks in advance.

Beneteau Antares 30.
Single shaft drive.
Happy at D speeds but can get into the 20s if wanted.
Most have a flybridge but unlike most small flybridge boats the inner helm is very usable. Fly for occasional sunny use only. Or just for lounging.
Amazing sea boats. Had one out in a F8 twice.
Prop walk is huge and they are a handful without a stern thruster. They all have bow thrusters.
No side door but they are easy to single hand. You have to be an acrobat to get out of the side door in a small boat. Just put your stern line on and motor against it. You can step off the boat with it ticking over it will be held against the pontoon even if being blown off. Easier than in a yacht because of the flat sides.

 

[bobgarrett]

If considering channel crossings be aware of the range - ie fuel capacity and consumption. A friend moved from yacht to motor and then found the range would not get him from Solent to Cherbourg. He eventually had to add an additional tank at some cost.

 

[Momac]

 

[Greg2]

Plenty of choice and semi- displacement is a good way to go IMHO. The ability to choose a speed is good BUT be aware that with such hulls the fuel burn increases significantly the faster you go.

Flybridge doesn’t necessarily equate with a modern planing boat - see my avatar ( a Hardy Commodore 36)! Many trawler types have a flybridge and my advice would be make sure you have one or alternatively an aft cabin / command bridge set up because you have the choice of fresh air and 360 degree vision or a sheltered wheelhouse, usually with good visibility.

As already mentioned Aquastar are a good choice as are offering from Broom, Atlantic, Haines, Seaward, Dale and other Nelsons, Beneteau (Swift trawler), Grand Banks and of course Hardy ?
.

 

[simonfraser]

Just put your stern line on and motor against it. You can step off the boat with it ticking over it will be held against the pontoon even if being blown off. Easier than in a yacht because of the flat sides.

yes you may be surprised how handy a powerful motor is
see if you can catch a ride on a suitable mobo, some of us are quite friendly

 

[SimonD]

Like many others, been there and done that. One of the main advantages of moving from sail to motor is the relatively large amount of living space available and all of that being mainly on one level. The ability to get to places in less time is also handy.

My first move to motor was a big mistake. A planing boat with twin engines and sterndrives did not suit at all. At risk of being accused of bias, there is a reason why many people go from sail to a Nimbus. #justsaying! A single engine and shaft drive, lots of teak, excellent build quality and a general feel of solidity all helps make the change. If you're set on a side door then the 340 or 370 trawler range would be contenders; the former is available with a single engine.

However, I'd also consider smaller boats without a door. A Nimbus 310/320 coupe with bow and stern thrusters is a doddle to handle and there is a spring cleat right next to the side window. Get alongside and lasso a cleat from the window. On the downside, access to the side deck does require some agility. We've overcome this by having fenders deployable from said side window and bow ropes pre-rigged. We rarely need to venture up front.

Finally, coming from sail, you'll need to get used to buying large quantities of fuel! As a guide, my single engine 320 averages less than 1.5 litres a mile with a mixture of displacement and 15 knot cruising. I don't spend any money on replacements sails though!

 

[Mr Googler]

Add a corvette 320 on the consideration list

 

[superheat6k]

Add a corvette 320 on the consideration list

The Corvette is an excellent choice for 2, and easy handling for 1, but a bit crowded for more beyond day trips.

Very popular and presently very few available. As an entry boat into motorboating ideal because if I doesn't suit you wouldn't take long selling on.

The 320's all had large engines, but if looking at the earlier 32's then a least 200HP, of which I would suggest the Cummins 6BT rather than VP or other obcurities.

 

[DipperToo]

Very many thanks for all these very helpful replies - and great to hear that Simon D has made the transition before!

As has been suggested, I have had years of using stern lines and midships springs to hold a boat alongside and with a sailing boat this is a real doddle to simply hook a line from the cockpit over a cleat. Having had boats for 50 years, I do recognise that reduce strength and eventually joints getting stiffer will change requirements. This is what drove my initial main question about a side door to access the deck from the inner helm position. Interesting that the side windows are large enough on the Nimbus 310/320 are large enough to lasso a line ! I did see that the larger Nimbus 365 has opening roof panels but that may be out of my price range unless a good used boat cam onto the market.

Also, the suggestion of both bow and stern thrusters with a remote would reduce the need to nimbly move from the helm to get a line on asap! Additionally the suggestion about having either a second helm position of a helm with plenty of fresh air is a great one - especially if conditions change and the boat is rolling around a bit. I think a more frugal approach with a single engine is also acceptable as even cruising at 8 to 10 knots is much faster than sailing! I have looked at the overall costs of fuel being slightly offset by no sails and running/standing rigging to maintain and replace.

Lost to think over here - especially if the boat is likely to be used both as a 'weekend cottage' in a nice location as well as longer voyages for a week or two.

I am hoping to sail from Brixham to Hayling Island for the winter so will probably go looking around marinas to see various boats to get my short list together.

Thanks again, and feel free to post any additional thoughts!

 

[gordmac]

Botnia Targa boats have good side doors and wide, safe side decks. Economical, especially at displacement speeds. You may wish to avoid outdrives though and take the fuel cost hit.
Something like a Rodman might suit you.

 

[Farmer Piles]

Before you head east, checkout the Aquador 32C that Ancasta has for sale in Dartmouth. We bought one earlier this year and we are delighted with her.
A good cockpit, side decks, side doors, twin sunroofs and plenty enough room to go cruising. We went to Scilly in August.
They are a great sea boat, shaft drive, Scandi build quality. One big bonus for single handed berthing is that the helm is slightly raised and you can stand with your head and shoulders poking out of the sunroof. Great for visibility when manoeuvring.

 

[Farmer Piles]

As gordmac says, Targas are a fantastic boat but not cheap. What is your budget?
Equally, Nordstar and Sargo; very similar ilk and great boats.

 

[DipperToo]

Before you head east, checkout the Aquador 32C that Ancasta has for sale in Dartmouth. We bought one earlier this year and we are delighted with her.
A good cockpit, side decks, side doors, twin sunroofs and plenty enough room to go cruising. We went to Scilly in August.
They are a great sea boat, shaft drive, Scandi build quality. One big bonus for single handed berthing is that the helm is slightly raised and you can stand with your head and shoulders poking out of the sunroof. Great for visibility when manoeuvring.

Thanks for that - an interesting option.

 

[DipperToo]

As gordmac says, Targas are a fantastic boat but not cheap. What is your budget?
Equally, Nordstar and Sargo; very similar ilk and great boats.

Budget will be between £100k and £170k. My Southerly 110 has held her value well so not too much top up required!

 

[Elessar]

Very many thanks for all these very helpful replies - and great to hear that Simon D has made the transition before!

As has been suggested, I have had years of using stern lines and midships springs to hold a boat alongside and with a sailing boat this is a real doddle to simply hook a line from the cockpit over a cleat. Having had boats for 50 years, I do recognise that reduce strength and eventually joints getting stiffer will change requirements. This is what drove my initial main question about a side door to access the deck from the inner helm position. Interesting that the side windows are large enough on the Nimbus 310/320 are large enough to lasso a line ! I did see that the larger Nimbus 365 has opening roof panels but that may be out of my price range unless a good used boat cam onto the market.

Also, the suggestion of both bow and stern thrusters with a remote would reduce the need to nimbly move from the helm to get a line on asap! Additionally the suggestion about having either a second helm position of a helm with plenty of fresh air is a great one - especially if conditions change and the boat is rolling around a bit. I think a more frugal approach with a single engine is also acceptable as even cruising at 8 to 10 knots is much faster than sailing! I have looked at the overall costs of fuel being slightly offset by no sails and running/standing rigging to maintain and replace.

Lost to think over here - especially if the boat is likely to be used both as a 'weekend cottage' in a nice location as well as longer voyages for a week or two.

I am hoping to sail from Brixham to Hayling Island for the winter so will probably go looking around marinas to see various boats to get my short list together.

Thanks again, and feel free to post any additional thoughts!

A yachtie that lasoos the cleat rather than relying on the leap and wrangle approach!
I’m afraid you were a closet mobo’er all along!!

Stepping on and off the bathing platform for level access is so much easier than stepping off most yachts. Modern ones with drop down platforms excepted.

 

[SimonD]

The Aquador's really nice; just like a Nimbus The Skilso 975 or 33 is in a similar vein. Saga also have something similar and there are others, mainly Scandinavian.

A couple of additional points to consider. Firstly, most boats of this type are, as Elessar says, easy to step off at the stern - makes for easy berthing - others are not. You might want to bear this in mind when looking. Secondly, I don't know if you dried out in your Southerly, but not all motor boats will. My Nimbus for example has a skeg that supports the rudder at the bottom; this makes it highly unadvisable to dry out! Others may be okay.

Finally, a word on size. Motor boats tend to have more accommodation than a yacht of the same length. In particular, the cockpit is usually a very usable extension to living space. We had a four week cruise in our Nimbus 320 and never felt cramped with the two of us on board. Admittedly, the weather was brilliant and most of our time was spent on reclining chairs in the cockpit but we don't feel the need for anything larger.

 

[andrewbarker]

I'll throw my hat in first then........Aquastar Ocean 38, ticks the boxes on your list.

..........and there's a smart looking one for sale at Island Harbour, IOW.

 

[Farmer Piles]

We saw the Aquador when we were in Fowey in June. She looked very tidy and the guy hadn't had her very long. Only niggle was that he was having some trouble with the generator - don't know what or how serious.