Bay Pelican
Moderator Emeritus
Ksanders,
The fuel cost vs purchase price depends......
If the cheaper MY is cruising faster and getting 1 nmpg, which is common vs. the more economical more expensive trawler getting 2 nmpg, one could spend $150K more for the trawler with the economy for a loop trip (6000 mi) and break even. (value of money at 5%).
But if it's a marina condo, going out once a month, fuel is a non issue.
And for a passage maker crossing oceans, fuel could make a HUGE difference.
I'd bet that the majority of us don't travel 6000 mi a year, and probably way less than half of that. So one needs to look at the usage. Also, if money is an issue a single is cheap, but not by huge amounts.
On our Krogen 42, 2 nm per gallon would be full out cruise speed. At our normal 6.5 kts we get 4 nmpg.