BOATING...Do You Have Experience?

[GeorgiaPeachie]

My hubby hit me with a surprise. He is looking at seaworthy boats, a Trawler of some sort, for us to go on some trips. One is to do the Great American Loop. Anyone do anything like this? Really would like to link up with some folks who have already had lots of experience on the ocean.

 

[DrHenley]

I've thought about it a lot. I think I would have to have a boat with a sail AND a diesel engine. Not necessarily using the sail as the primary means of locomotion, but at least be able to move under wind power if something happened to the engine. With a sail, fishing gear and desalination equipment, I'd be a lot more comfortable heading out to sea.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I've thought about it a lot. I think I would have to have a boat with a sail AND a diesel engine. Not necessarily using the sail as the primary means of locomotion, but at least be able to move under wind power if something happened to the engine. With a sail, fishing gear and desalination equipment, I'd be a lot more comfortable heading out to sea.

Those are very valid thoughts DH. Thank you! Can’t imagine having the engine go and being totally stuck at the whim of the ocean. Egads! If we do this we have already talked about desalination equipment. I bet you and my husband would really hit it off!

 

[DrHenley]

I don't have an overwhelming urge to head to sea like some people, LOL. But I would like to do it once at least. Fortunately I have never been subject to sea sickness except for some mild queasiness on a cruise when there were some unusual vibrations of the ship. Normal rocking of a ship doesn't bother me. We were on a fishing cruise one time and went through some pretty rough weather and my wife was puking her guts out over the side, but I was fine. And once a long time ago I was on an open deck ferry and went through a very violent storm caused by a waterspout. Imagine the helpless feeling of watching a tornado funnel approaching you with waves crashing over the side, and you are standing there in the open with nowhere to hide!

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I don't have an overwhelming urge to head to sea like some people, LOL. But I would like to do it once at least. Fortunately I have never been subject to sea sickness except for some mild queasiness on a cruise when there were some unusual vibrations of the ship. Normal rocking of a ship doesn't bother me. We were on a fishing cruise one time and went through some pretty rough weather and my wife was puking her guts out over the side, but I was fine. And once a long time ago I was on an open deck ferry and went through a very violent storm caused by a waterspout. Imagine the helpless feeling of watching a tornado funnel approaching you with waves crashing over the side, and you are standing there in the open with nowhere to hide!

My hubby has the urge. Frankly, the only problem I have with it is spending that kind of money on what I see as wasteful. We normally live very frugally, but if he wants to buy a large trawler I am not going to deny him his dream. Been on many ferries and never experienced a waterspout...thankfully! Sounds not fun at all. i do fine on boats except for extreme weather. Made him promise we would always head to the shore if bad weather was coming. We won’t be traveling that far from shore at any point. He is still considering everything as he never does anything without lots of planning.

What type of boat would you consider to be the best kind for sea travel?

 

[Dani]

We have a 41' Hatteras. But we have not taken it off shore over night yet. In fact it got broke into and vandalized this last year down at the yacht club. All that beautiful teak wood spray painted. . . The yacht club is no longer now. Bought out by a guy who turned it into a marina and rv park. We think it was kids from the rv section living down there. It has a gate with code, but the owner does tend to keep the gate open during the day now. Just be careful where you store your boat. Oh and you know what boat stands for. . . Bet On Another Thousand.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

We have a 41' Hatteras. But we have not taken it off shore over night yet. In fact it got broke into and vandalized this last year down at the yacht club. All that beautiful teak wood spray painted. . . The yacht club is no longer now. Bought out by a guy who turned it into a marina and rv park. We think it was kids from the rv section living down there. It has a gate with code, but the owner does tend to keep the gate open during the day now. Just be careful where you store your boat. Oh and you know what boat stands for. . . Bet On Another Thousand.

Sounds like a fabulous boat and tons of fun! Such a hideous thing to be done to your boat! What is wrong with people? LOL I’ve never heard that term, but it sounds like it fits. Do you plan to go any distance at some point?

 

[Dani]

Hunny would like to but with all our responsibilities here I just don't ever think that would be a reality for both of us to go. Hunny s back has gotten so bad now I don't know if he would even want to at this point. He gave son 3 our 24' Mako a couple years ago since he could not handle the waves anymore. He will still go out on occasions, but not like he used to.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Hunny would like to but with all our responsibilities here I just don't ever think that would be a reality for both of us to go. Hunny s back has gotten so bad now I don't know if he would even want to at this point. He gave son 3 our 24' Mako a couple years ago since he could not handle the waves anymore. He will still go out on occasions, but not like he used to.

No doubt 3rd son is enjoying that boat! I’ve heard you say your hunny has back problems, but didn't know it was bad or what is wrong with it. With so many animals it would be hard to get away for any extended period.

 

[DrHenley]

What type of boat would you consider to be the best kind for sea travel?

I would want something with a low center of gravity and not a lot of exposure to the elements, like a 34 ft sailing yacht with diesel engine. Anything over 35 ft is too difficult for one person to sail. Something along these lines:
https://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/30957

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I would want something with a low center of gravity and not a lot of exposure to the elements, like a 34 ft sailing yacht with diesel engine. Anything over 35 ft is too difficult for one person to sail. Something along these lines:
https://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/30957

Nice! I really appreciate your input DH! Will pass this along to hubby to see. I am not a great sailer. Have a little experience with sailboats.

 

[DrHenley]

LOL, that price is low enough to make me want to drive down to Fort Meyers and check it out!

I've done a little bit of sailing but I'm far from what you would call a "Salty Sea Dog" LOL.

My brother in law owned a 30 ft wooden yacht with a diesel engine way back when. When we took it out into the Gulf I was always afraid it would break in half on some of those swells, LOL. Most of the time he tooled around Perdido Bay and the Intercoastal with it.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

LOL, that price is low enough to make me want to drive down to Fort Meyers and check it out!

I've done a little bit of sailing but I'm far from what you would call a "Salty Sea Dog" LOL.

My brother in law owned a 30 ft wooden yacht with a diesel engine way back when. When we took it out into the Gulf I was always afraid it would break in half on some of those swells, LOL. Most of the time he tooled around Perdido Bay and the Intercoastal with it.

The Intercoastal is where I want to stay. I would love visiting lots of different places via boat. Wow! That is a lot different price than what the few Trawlers hubby sent me. Didn’t notice the link the first time I read your post. They were closer to $500K. One was more than that. Knowing nothing about boat pricing I don’t understand the huge difference. But, I’m with you on that sail boat being well priced!