Thinking about the transition from Sail to Motor - advice sought

Should you be looking for a weekend cottage I would have thought a Trader might fit the bill. I saw a N40 nordhaven I think on the hard at port Solent on Saturday -rather out of budget but looked just the sort of thing once retired maybe.
 
As many have pointed out, I will probably have more room on a 32 ft motor yacht than my existing 35 ft sailing boat. It seems to make sense that as there will never be more than 4 sleeping on board to stay around the 32-34 ft mark.
The Nimbus 320 and the Aquador 32C are looking as promising candidates. I need to delve a bit more into the fuel consumption figures and hull types with performance in inclement seas. Should I ever abandon coastal cruising in future years then either of these boats would be suited to river use.
Thanks again to all for their invaluable input.
 
With the Nimbus, beware the twin engines as the access is terrible especially for the port engine. Also, the diagonal berth in the fore cabin that you get on some models is only 3ft 8" at its narrowest point - not much more than a standard single bed. It also means that whoever is on the inside has to climb over the other person.
 
Farmer Piles said:
With the Nimbus, beware the twin engines as the access is terrible especially for the port engine. Also, the diagonal berth in the fore cabin that you get on some models is only 3ft 8" at its narrowest point - not much more than a standard single bed. It also means that whoever is on the inside has to climb over the other person.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. The 320 was never intended to have twin engines (AFAIK); this was an offering for the UK market where a surprising number of owners insist on carrying a spare engine (just in case). Access is poor, you lose some space in the second cabin and performance is no better.

The diagonal berth was also an offering for the UK market (again AFAIK) and many boats have them. A second saloon area with a drop down table to make a berth was also offered. Mine has the 'standard' v berth. This is flipping enormous; at the head end it's as wide as it's long. Easy to get in and out of without disturbing your partner though. There's also a large draw under the berth and extra bins under the mattress. BTW, we replaced our mattress with one from Shipshape bedding - absolutely brilliant.
 
SimonD said:
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.
Click to expand...

Aquador is nice, but its seaworthiness is not good at all, especially with hull speed, the boat is designed for smooth waters even if CE-B classification is found.

The Botnia targa is good if your budget allows for faster driving, at hull speed the V-hull is quite a roll with a nasty acceleration rate.

The side doors, bow and stern thruster with remote control are very convenient and facilitate single hand and doging in general.

I myself found these SD "trawler" Nordic tug and I can accept my own aging in peace.
 
I disagree about the Aquador seaworthiness. I know a guy from Shetland who came down here to buy one for her abilities in the rough. We had a lively crossing back from Scilly in August and my 32C performed brilliantly
 
A Broom Ocean 38 would tick a lot of boxes. It’s pretty easy to handle singlehanded and great for long distance cruising with great living space and a Semi Displacement hull. The Ocean 38 has doors either side of the raised aft deck so access is ideal.
The 39KL is the newer version but there is only access through the aft end of the raised aft deck area. The 38 also has a port side sliding door.
 
Dino said:
A Broom Ocean 38 would tick a lot of boxes. It’s pretty easy to handle singlehanded and great for long distance cruising with great living space and a Semi Displacement hull. The Ocean 38 has doors either side of the raised aft deck so access is ideal.
The 39KL is the newer version but there is only access through the aft end of the raised aft deck area. The 38 also has a port side sliding door.
Click to expand...

The OP could do a lot worse than a 38 ?

The 39KL also has a sliding door from the saloon, or it was at least an option as we very nearly bought one with a door ?
.
 
I have just done the transition from sail to power.
Do I miss sailing? the answer is not really, I just miss the agility to be able to do it.
I went for a Seaward 25. It was built in 2004 on the IOW to be displayed at the Southampton boat show, and I love it. Unfortunately it cannot sleep 4.
Look at a Seaward 29 twin diesels, not too bad on fuel, and a very good sea boat, but the accommodation for 4 may be a bit tight. Failing that there are some good old Nelson 34's around.

 
I believe the 25 had an optional bed conversion for the stern seat. Not a lot of space in them though.
Seaward are helpful.
 
Hopefully if the weather calms down mid November I will have good tides to come back from Brixham to Hayling Island. I now have a very good short selection of ideas kindly offered by everyone on this thread and by using my boat as a base, I will try to view as much as I can over the coming months to make a sensible decision to suit my intended cruising .
Thanks again to everyone.
 
DipperToo said:
Hopefully if the weather calms down mid November I will have good tides to come back from Brixham to Hayling Island. I now have a very good short selection of ideas kindly offered by everyone on this thread and by using my boat as a base, I will try to view as much as I can over the coming months to make a sensible decision to suit my intended cruising .
Thanks again to everyone.
Click to expand...
Please keep us up to date with your progress as you search. Always an exciting time.

I would also suggest a weekend out with Mendez Marine and then Mark - Elessar for different experiences of motor boating on a more traditional semi D craft and fast planing boat.
 
superheat6k said:
Definitely Shaft or shafts. If single then definitely join Seastart too.
Click to expand...

Shaft drive most definitely and maybe single in an ideal world but so many have twins that it would restrict choice significantly if that were a criteria. Our preference would have been for a single engine but we ended up with twins because that is what our boat of choice has. No regrets ?
.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NBs
Doubtless someone has tipped you off already, but for diesel call Andy of Quayside Fuels on 07747 182181. He brings his bowser to the quayside just upstream of the bridge most mornings. You won't find cheaper diesel this side of Guernsey!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

webcraft
Resetting SmartShunt to 100%
Replies
7
Views
341
webcraft
webcraft

Share this page

Top