Which Boat?

[steved]

Looking at buying a new boat in the 30' range, would like to receive your valued opinions on the Benetaeu Antares 9 Series and/or the Rodman 900. Currently have a Princess 35, but looking to downsize to make single handed boating easier, albeit with two youngish children.

Look forward to hearing your views on above together with any other makes/models that you feel would be suitable.

 

[byron]

<font color=blue>Not an answer, a question. What's wrong with your P35 surely that is an ideal boat for your purposes.

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[hlb]

Hmm. Interesting problem. Pitty to get rid of the P35. It's one of the best ever built. But can understand the problems in running down from the fly bridge to tie it up before it drifts away again. I know cos I've got one. On the other hand it has excelent manuverability and can be put on a sixpence. You wont find the same handling on many other boats. How old are the kids. if 10 or so. I could give you some tips they could learn to help you. Alternatly. Have you thought of asking marina staff for help mooring. They are usually very helpfull if on your own. Just lead the bow rope up to the fly bridge and chuck it to the man. Once thats tied, you can bring the back end in on the engines and he can then tie that up. But I'd train the kids if at all possible.

<font color=blue> Haydn

 

[NorthernWave]

Don't always assume that smaller is easier to handle.

My 40 foot birchwood is alot easy to manage than my 27 foot fletcher.

Chris

Logged Sea Miles wanted for masters. Send PM if your on south coast and want skipper or crew.

 

[hlb]

I have the same problem to some extent. Dont usualy take it out on my own unless dead calm. Just cant run round the boat fast enough!! But like you say, I cant see smaller, less much smaller, is the answer. At least you can get the P35 in the right place. If kids are old enough. I'd get them to hold a big loop over the bow and loop it over a cleat. Thats how we do it. If they miss first time, can always pull out and try again.

<font color=blue> Haydn

 

[byron]

<font color=blue>As someone who is almost always single handed and with a P435 too. This is what I do. I have a centre line attached to the centre cleat. I lay the boat alongside so the cleat/line are next to the pontoon cleat then simply get out and tie it tightly. The boat then cannot move and I can do my fore/aft lines at leisure. If you look carefully at the picture below, just astern of the midship fender you can just see the line looped and ready hanging from a fingamebob on the rail.

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[DavidJ]

Agree my 37 is so much easier than the single prop 24 usec to be.
Although I've never been single handed it's an interesting factor in the decision whether to go flybridge or not.
David

 

[steved]

Thanks for all your replies, parting with the P35 would be a real wrench, never actually tried to berth without any assistance. Could imagine marina staff getting a bit miffed every time I came along side, but guess they should only be called upon when the wind/tide is severe enough to warrant assistance.

Guess practice will make perfect, I will therefore have someone with me but try to moor solo. Fortunately the wife loves the boat, but cannot / will not do any of the monkey business (nails breaking syndrome).

I guess I got a bit paranoid about losing complete control of the boat whilst trying to attach warps etc.

Thanks

 

[hlb]

Yep. Byron, that is a method and not so bad on your own private mooring on a river. Not just as easy in a marina. Especialy with all the cleats in wrong places. My big problem with that one though is. P35 is quite high free board and pontoon very low. So if wind blowing off. Boat is still 5ft off the pontoon. Never found a realy satisfactory way, on my own. Well Less of course wind is blowing hard onto pontoon. Then of course it dont need tieing up!!

<font color=blue> Haydn

 

[hlb]

Look dont listen to all that. Buy her some pumps and show her how to hold a big loop over the bow and stick it over a cleat. Tutts patented method. No jumping about. Or take her out and kick her over the side and get a new one. But keep the Princess........../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<font color=blue> Haydn

 

[byron]

<font color=blue>Haydn, Funnily enough my own mooring is where I don't need this system as I am ready rigged. I use this solely in other marinas and going through locks. Once I have fore/aft lines secure I then move the boat to where I want her. Works for me anyway.

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[Rabbit]

Hi there Steve. Ive tried a nearly new Benetaeu Antares 30foot single engine (yanmar 230 hp) Quick, quiet and economical. So easy to handle. Transom door. (Good for kids.) Try one, i think you will love it. Nice bit of kit. Im seriously looking at one for myself. (not keen on fly bridge modle) Worth the money. Good luck, Les.

 

[Renegade_Master]

I used to come in and out of Brighton on my own stern toall the time, but its easy on the Broom as the stern rope is two strides away from the helm, tie that off the use the engine or bow thruster (hangs head in shame) to bring the bow in

You know this anyway B from your Ocean days. Not too late you know nice Broom for sale/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[byron]

<font color=blue>Driving a Broom don't count as they drive themselves especially the the Europeans/Continentals/Oceans/Crowns.
I'm sure they are all fitted with a hidden self parking mechanism.
I can still take your Broom PX and might even give you an improved offer... if you are quick.

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[Renegade_Master]

Sadly can't PX B cos I've got to got for the 12m boat for the med berth (cant be over 39ft) and school. Mind you nothing wrong with going through with the sale and then buying a nice easy handling Broom.

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[Guest]

Clive the way you parked that broom impressed the hell out of me, I loved the bow thruster, and it just drives so beautifuly. Shame you are about five years ahead of me, I would have had it, mirrored ceiling tiles the lot.

"You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

 

[oldgit]

Whats a bowthruster ?

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Oooh look its still not dark and its nearly 5pm