Two boats? Stupid idea?

NUTMEG

NUTMEG

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www.theblindsailor.co.uk
A while ago I sold my gaff cutter. Crew hated it, no standing headroom etc etc. I replaced it with a Colvic Watson 28 motor sailer. Crew love it. Warm, comfy, safe etc etc.

Problem is I still miss the old gaffer. The Colvic is great in many respects but she is a pig to manoeuvre in and out of berths, a very high freeboard to pick up moorings and not a great sailer in anything below F4.

I have the chance to buy a Heard 18' Mevagissey Tosher. Pretty, gaff rigged, bowsprit etc etc. She is my kind of boat.

The idea is to keep her on a drying swinging mooring (£100 per annum), a short dinghy row from where the Colvic is berthed on a pontoon. On nice days I could take her out on the tide for a sail.

So one boat to keep SWMBO and my old mum happy and the little Tosher to keep me happy.

My heart tells me to go for it, my head says don't be an idiot, I can only just afford one boat let alone two.

I guess I want everyone to say go for it, but, I would appreciate hearing from others that have gone down this path, successfully or not. Every boat is a compromise after all so is two the answer?
 
£100 per year mooring fee won't break the bank, a no brainer so go for it. I am considering getting a cheap yacht to keep at a friends place near Skye to save a lengthy sail from the Clyde.
 
I had two boats last year. One I sailed and one I was refurbishing. The sailing one got all the attention and the refurb didn't make much progress. I think having two boats is like having two women, hard work!
Having said that, I would really like a Red Fox trailer sailer, Bay cruiser, Cornish Shrimper, Cape Cutter 19, Norfolk Gypsy, Westerly Konsort etc. etc.

So many boats, so little time!

On the basis that we regret what we don't do, go for it! You can always sell it if it doesn't work out and you have had the experience!
 
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Well I've always avoided owning two at the same time though I've been tempted and arguably have missed some beauties and bargains along the way, but then if I could find a mooring in this greedy world for £100 I might have three!
 
Two lots of running costs and job lists!
For me even one boat is a challenge to get the appropriate use out of her for the time and money put in.
Maybe you should sell both and get something that is both comfortable and a reasonable sailing boat.
Salar 40 is probably way ahead of your existing budget.
Neptunian 33?
http://sailboatdata.com/imagehelper.asp?file_id=3894
Perhaps your requirements and your crews are poles apart but there must be something out there that would suit you all.

That said, if you are in a position to afford an enjoy two boats dont let me stand in your way.
 
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Sophie19 said:
I guess I want everyone to say go for it, but, I would appreciate hearing from others that have gone down this path, successfully or not. Every boat is a compromise after all so is two the answer?
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I have a 16' Hunter 490 which I keep on a freshwater loch near home. When the sun is shining, a pleasant breeze is blowing and I just want to go for a sail she's a fifteen minute drive away. When I want to go for a long trip I head for my main boat, two hours by car and a ferry ride away on the Clyde. It's not how I planned things - I was given the 490, did her up to sell and then couldn't bear to part with her- but it works very well, and I have no plans to change.

Give it a go. If you don't use the Tosher enough you won't have lost much and if you don't use the Colvic Watson you'll save a lot by selling her. And if you keep both it'll be because you're having fun, which is rather the point of this recreational sailing lark.
 
foeu said:
You can't have too many boats:)
The Toshers are great boats. Take a look at our website www.galawebsite.co.uk
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I see what you mean. Gorgeous!

Annie-003.jpg
 
foeu said:
You can't have too many boats:)
The Toshers are great boats. Take a look at our website www.galawebsite.co.uk
Click to expand...

Dylan has warned against this - Poly-navitis, but then he has had several at a time & I currently have 9 or 10, I can never quite remember. Err, it's at least 12, I just did a count!

Only one is on a mooring, but a selection of canoes, dinghies & tenders are nice as you can choose a few for any trip away depending on who is with you & where you go. Boats depreciate relatively little (especially the smaller ones) and those kept in a garage need little in the way of maintenance.

As & when SR becomes too much for me I reckon I shall pick something small like that which I can day sail.
 
stu9000 said:
Two lots of running costs and job lists!
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True, but if one of the boats is small and simple, and you resolve to just sail it as-is regardless of faults and divert all the perfectionism to the big boat, you should be able to get a lot of fun simple sailing for relatively little work and outlay.

Pete
 
Thank you chaps. Went to see the Tosher 18 today, superficially she looks sound enough for a season or two. Just need to confirm mooring availability, I have been told there are plenty available, and will have to commit myself.

Thread drift but would a deal 'subject to hearing the engine run' be reasonable. She is ashore at the moment, £60 to lift her in.

Oh, and she does not look as pretty as the one in the photo above, but does seem massively built.
image.jpg
 
Sophie19 said:
Thank you chaps. Went to see the Tosher 18 today, superficially she looks sound enough for a season or two. Just need to confirm mooring availability, I have been told there are plenty available, and will have to commit myself.

Thread drift but would a deal 'subject to hearing the engine run' be reasonable. She is ashore at the moment, £60 to lift her in.

Oh, and she does not look as pretty as the one in the photo above, but does seem massively built.
View attachment 50793
Click to expand...

This is a no brainer, go for it! Let us know how it went.
 
UncleAlbert said:
Steve I have such a bucketand hose if you want a borrow.

Unc
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Thank you Unc.

However, things have moved on a bit now. The missus, who is a very sensible chap, suggests that a boat weighing in at a couple of tons, with a huge bowsprit, might not be such a good idea for a visually impaired sailor sailing single handed. She suggested a Character Boat 'Post Boat' or something like. Just missed one for £2500.

14', ballasted keel, no centreboard and only a little bowsprit which I might see the end of if it is painted white.

So, now looking for a dinghy sized gaff rigged, non-tippy day boat, for me and guide dog, any suggestions?
 
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