Great Minds Choose Smaller Boats?

[labatt]

Originally Posted by Kacper

Look at Kacper, in a 32' Bayfield, heading out across the Pacific this August

Since Kacper is singlehanding on a 32', does that make it OK for my family of four to go out in a 112' vessel?

I understand what you're saying SD, but different strokes for different folks. Look at Dawn Riley - she lives on a Passport 40, just for herself!

If we wanted all of the comforts of home and if we weren't researching this carefully, we'd probably end up with a Hunter or Beneteau. I can get a smaller one of these with the three cabins I'm looking for (my wife and I, my son and my daughter). But we want a bluewater vessel. A boat capable of taking my family safely down the coast, perhaps across to South America, maybe to Europe - who knows. Money is not a major issue. I hate camping with a passion, but I love the water and I love turning off that motor. We launched Pelican on Thursday, and on Friday I sailed her into Back Creek under full sail and only dropped them when in sight of Port Annapolis Marina. I have a motor for auxilliary power only. Comfortable bluewater vessels with 3 cabins are almost all 48'+

Do I want a 50'+ boat? Yes. Why? Because I like to spread out. I love space. I love toys and gadgets. Do I depend on them? No way. But I sure do love them! Do I like my privacy? You bet! A 40' boat just doesn't give me enough privacy. It certainly doesn't give my two kids any privacy - sharing a cabin. I'm getting a larger boat so we have room for my wife's triathlon bike and my road racer, plus my kids bikes. Could we fit those on our 40 footer and also provision and bring other items? Nope. I want a queen or king sized bed since I'm not a small guy and I like to spread out while sleeping. I want a center cockpit so we have separation and privacy from the kids when my wife and I want it. We need a 50'+ boat for this.

So yes, I *could* get away with a smaller boat, but I'm not trying to prove anything. I want to be comfortable. I want to sail. I want to see culture, and show it to my kids. I want to enjoy myself. I want to anchor out instead of going to a marina. I want lots of things, and a bigger boat does it for us, and I'm not the least bit ashamed of it.

You mention that a smaller boat costs less to buy and maintain, so you have more money for a cruising kitty. I'm incredibly fortunate and this should not be an issue for my family as long as things don't change between now and when we go for our cruise (and if things do change, we won't even be able to do a smaller boat - owning a company has its disadvantages, like using your house as collateral for lines of credit).

You mention that larger boats aren't ask good for gunkholing. I don't disagree with this, but that's why we're now leaning towards a ketch and a keel/centerboard model. Hopefully, that combo will increase our ability to go places while allowing us to stay big.

I don't disagree on the maintenance problems, but we will be going into this with our eyes open. We will have identified the most major potential issues and drafted plans to deal with them.

For us, by going to a larger boat, we'll be more comfortable and our trip will be more about the sailing and our family time rather than being frustrated about our close quarters (even in a 50'-55' boat, quarters are still very close).

You ask the question "Do great minds choose smaller boats?" I proffer that if this is true, and smaller boats, less money and simplicity are what make great minds and great sailors, Mike Sanderson on ABN Amro One, Robin Knox-Johnston on his Open 60 Saga Insurance, and others must be complete idiots since they are sailing on huge, very complex, incredibly expensive boats.

I take offense that you feel that if you don't rough it and cruise in a small boat, you must not be a "great mind" and you aren't a true sailor. I'd actually lean in the other direction... you'd be stupid not to buy the biggest boat you can afford (from a purchase, refit, maintenance and cruising kitty perspective) and actually be comfortable. I'm not sure where comfort exactly is when it comes to determining your dedication to the sport. I recall reading that Joshua Slocum often wished for a larger boat - he just couldn't afford it.

To me, a great mind is one who chooses to sail. A not so great mind is one that chooses to discriminate based upon what others sail.

We'll buy each other rum punches some day and debate it for hours like true sailors should

[sailingdog]

You ask the question "Do great minds choose smaller boats?" I proffer that if this is true, and smaller boats, less money and simplicity are what make great minds and great sailors, Mike Sanderson on ABN Amro One, Robin Knox-Johnston on his Open 60 Saga Insurance, and others must be complete idiots since they are sailing on huge, very complex, incredibly expensive boats.

Last I checked neither of them are paying for those boats, as they are sponsored boats and I'm talking about cruising boats rather than the much more expensive racing market. Also, I don't believe Mike owns ABN/Amro One. You're taking things out of context. Hell, if I could get someone to pay for it, I'd get a huge boat and be done with it.. but that isn't what I'm talking about. Please keep the comparison apples to apples so to speak.

I take offense that you feel that if you don't rough it and cruise in a small boat, you must not be a "great mind" and you aren't a true sailor. I'd actually lean in the other direction... you'd be stupid not to buy the biggest boat you can afford (from a purchase, refit, maintenance and cruising kitty perspective) and actually be comfortable. I'm not sure where comfort exactly is when it comes to determining your dedication to the sport. I recall reading that Joshua Slocum often wished for a larger boat - he just couldn't afford it.

Again, you're putting words in my mouth that I didn't write... You might want to re-read my original post. I would appreciate it if you didn't start reading biases into my post that aren't actually there. If you feel a need to have a 40' boat, with a washer, dryer, microwave oven, satellite TV.. so be it... that's your comfort level. I don't have a problem with that.

I also agree that going too small is just not sane... but again, this is often detemined by your personal comfort level and need for space. What you need for a family of four, which is your situation, is going to be far different from what I need for single-handing.

To me, a great mind is one who chooses to sail. A not so great mind is one that chooses to discriminate based upon what others sail.

We'll buy each other rum punches some day and debate it for hours like true sailors should

I don't discriminate against people on the basis of what they sail... Hell, I'm a multihull sailor...doing that would be ridiculous...we're outnumbered by the monohullers by a long ways... And you can buy the first round.

[chris_gee]

There will always be a bigger more expensive boat than yours.
But you take a pleasure in yours.
I had more enjoyment out of a 12 dinghy fishing 2 x pw racing 1xpw than probably any other boat.
Probably more than the guy with the 110' yacht with a paid crew and paid female companionship, especially when some one else had one 111'.
Some few have mega $$ most don't. But if your bowels and most else works, and your family loves you who cares?

[sailaway21]

As small as possible, but no smaller.

[tenuki]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

As small as possible, but no smaller.

Exactly. This summarizes my personal feelings on the topic.

[Kacper]

Since Kacper is singlehanding on a 32', does that make it OK for my family of four to go out in a 112' vessel?

I'm actually headed out with my Girlfriend, who's buying the boat with me(without her I wouldnt be able to buy the Bayfield, lol, she's selling her apartment and we're using some of the cash for the boat!)

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Kacper

I'm actually headed out with my Girlfriend, who's buying the boat with me(without her I wouldnt be able to buy the Bayfield, lol, she's selling her apartment and we're using some of the cash for the boat!)

Kacper-

Remember to keep the Admiral happy.... no place for you to run to or hide in on a 32' boat out at sea....and if she's not happy...trust me, you won't be happy. Have fun though and may you have fair winds when you go...

[labatt]

Originally Posted by Kacper

I'm actually headed out with my Girlfriend, who's buying the boat with me(without her I wouldnt be able to buy the Bayfield, lol, she's selling her apartment and we're using some of the cash for the boat!)

OK.. OK.. I stand corrected... I can only buy a 64' boat then.

P.S. Cam - can we get more smiley options?

[labatt]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I don't discriminate against people on the basis of what they sail... Hell, I'm a multihull sailor...doing that would be ridiculous...we're outnumbered by the monohullers by a long ways... And you can buy the first round.

You're a multihull sailor???? I didn't even know!! Talk about a size hog.. sheesh!!!! And here you are writing that smaller is better. For shame!! I'm not buying the first round. You're buying the first two - one for each hull!!! (or is it a trimaran?)

[Giulietta]

SD...that is a point but it only applies based on what you want to do with the boat...

Where does that leave me??? mine is 42...

There are those that have sailed almost all sizes of boats in a life time, that have gone from optimists to 420, to 470, to Star to dragon 25, 28, 32, and now chose a 42 for racing purposes..in my opinion...size depends on what you want to do, and HOW....

I single hand my boat, no problem here, I could cross the Atlantic solo on her...I can cruise with the family also, I can strip her and race...to me my boat is the best size for me now...and the important word is "good for now"...I believe.

All this to say that small may be good for one purpose, but larger will fit more purposes...hope I explained..terrible headach now...something I ate here