Big enough for Great Loop?

[AdkChris]

I am shopping for first trawler and am wondering how something like the Nimble Nomad would work for doing America’s Great Loop? Seems to me that if you are not headed for rougher waters and plan to get off the boat for a couple of hours per day then this is plenty big enough?

I do like the idea of being able to trailer the boat. Why should I pay to winter the boat on someone else’s land when I have room on my own? Then I can work on the boat how and when I want.

So what am I missing?
Smaller boat = smaller costs = go farther and more often.
No?

 

[rslifkin]

You could do the loop in just about anything you'll be comfortable living aboard. You'll just end up doing it somewhat differently in a bigger vs smaller boat. With a small boat, there are places you may explore that the bigger boats can't go. And with a big boat, you may run in some places or weather that a smaller boat will choose to avoid.

 

[PM]

Of course it's big enough. Go for it. Are you single handing or a couple? Might get a little close with 2 or more people.

pete

 

[HiDHo]

I see a lot of C Dory’s doing the loop or trailer cruising usually with Honda four stroke O/B’s. I would think your physical size and if your single handing the boat might be important in your choices.

 

[Marlinmike]

You're doing the right thing - poling the Trawler Forum group, which has some very experience cruisers here, but ultimately it will be about what you find comfortable.
Some people can go cross country tenting, others need a Class A motor home only and everything in between.
All the best in your research!

 

[wpc691]

Plenty big enough. IIRC, the fuel capacity is pretty low, so you may have to tote a couple of jerry cans of fuel on some stretches on the west side.

 

[BandB]

Wifey B: Only you can decide but please make sure you're honest with yourself. I personally can't imagine spending a year living on a Nimble Nomad. I think they're cute little boats and great for many things but that's not one of them. I think of it in the RV world as somewhat like the small fifth wheels. We knew someone with one and they'd spend six months a year on it in NC as they then lived in FL. I would have had my fill of time on it in a day. Just think carefully of all day, every day.

 

[Wayfarer]

As others have said, it's all about your personal comfort requirements. You can do the loop paddling a waterproofed coffin if you want to. The Nomad could do it for sure. It'd be too small for me personally, but I'm fairly enormous, and I never leave home without my extensive bowling ball collection.

As Larry Pardey famously said: 'Go small, go simple, go now.' If you're comfortable with a nomad, and have the opportunity and desire to leave next Wednesday, then there's no sense in waiting seven years to be able to afford something bigger and more complicated.

 

[AdkChris]

All Day

Wifey B you went almost to the heart of my thoughts. I don't want to spend all day every day on the boat. From what I see they figure about 100 days of travel out of one year. If the boat is not moving I want to get off and explore. If the boat is too comfortable I will end up watching TV on the couch (scratch that settee). I have a more comfortable couch and bigger TV with more channels on land. If I am not seeing and doing new things why bother?

So I am trying to figure out how small is almost too small.
I have not heard anyone mention head room at the helm but I have noticed a lot of bigger boats are pretty low where you spend a lot of time. Berths are another thing that they seem to skimp on. A full length bed seems one of the more important things to a 6'4" guy.

A lot of small cars have more head and leg room then the big cars. Never understood why bigger vehicles so often have less room where I need it.

So I am still thinking we need head and leg room for helm and berth then just enough room for wife & I to get around each other every where else?

 

[smitty477]

Wifey B you went almost to the heart of my thoughts. I don't want to spend all day every day on the boat. From what I see they figure about 100 days of travel out of one year. If the boat is not moving I want to get off and explore. If the boat is too comfortable I will end up watching TV on the couch (scratch that settee). I have a more comfortable couch and bigger TV with more channels on land. If I am not seeing and doing new things why bother?

So I am trying to figure out how small is almost too small.
I have not heard anyone mention head room at the helm but I have noticed a lot of bigger boats are pretty low where you spend a lot of time. Berths are another thing that they seem to skimp on. A full length bed seems one of the more important things to a 6'4" guy.

A lot of small cars have more head and leg room then the big cars. Never understood why bigger vehicles so often have less room where I need it.

So I am still thinking we need head and leg room for helm and berth then just enough room for wife & I to get around each other every where else?

"So I am still thinking we need head and leg room for helm and berth then just enough room for wife & I to get around each other every where else?"
Now that your are saying 'we' and have also shared your 6'4" I would most definitely fond a way to charter or lease something this size and make sure I lived on it for over a week before I bought anything.
Where will the wet rain gear go, where will the cooking gear go, the tools, the clothes , the electronic gear? Much to figure out and no better way then a test that puts you in the know without making a commitment.
Good luck with whatever works well for you.

 

[BandB]

Wifey B you went almost to the heart of my thoughts. I don't want to spend all day every day on the boat. From what I see they figure about 100 days of travel out of one year. If the boat is not moving I want to get off and explore. If the boat is too comfortable I will end up watching TV on the couch (scratch that settee). I have a more comfortable couch and bigger TV with more channels on land. If I am not seeing and doing new things why bother?

So I am trying to figure out how small is almost too small.
I have not heard anyone mention head room at the helm but I have noticed a lot of bigger boats are pretty low where you spend a lot of time. Berths are another thing that they seem to skimp on. A full length bed seems one of the more important things to a 6'4" guy.

A lot of small cars have more head and leg room then the big cars. Never understood why bigger vehicles so often have less room where I need it.

So I am still thinking we need head and leg room for helm and berth then just enough room for wife & I to get around each other every where else?

Wifey B: Hubby 6'4 1/2" barefoot, wifey 5'9 1/2" barefoot. Can't imagine being crammed into the Nomad. Have you looked at the berths?

I wasn't born a sardine and don't want to be one. Your full length bed isn't there.

 

[AdkChris]

Good idea

A test run sounds like a great idea.
First time I looked all I saw was charters that seem to be pushing a couple hour boat ride at hundreds of dollars per hour.
1 week at 24 hour/day x 7 day/week x $150/hour = $25,200 / week. I might as well buy the boat to see if I like it.

Don't remember what words I searched for but found more promising hits this time.

 

[O C Diver]

If you don't find one to rent, rent the smallest travel trailer you can find, park it in your driveway, and live out of it for a week with all the stuff you plan to take on your trip. If you can reduce what you're taking on the boat to fit in the trailer, and adapt to the space limitations, fine. Most can't once they have tried.

Ted

 

[AdkChris]

Interesting.
A better test might be to go on vacation in a small travel trailer. A major part of my idea is that I hope to be out and about a lot of the time. When we travel we spend much less time time in the hotel then we spend in the house when at home. When doing the Great Loop you try to travel with the fair weather seasons so even more reason to be out and about.

Of course we can't cook in a hotel room.
Food for thought. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[BandB]

Interesting.
A better test might be to go on vacation in a small travel trailer. A major part of my idea is that I hope to be out and about a lot of the time. When we travel we spend much less time time in the hotel then we spend in the house when at home. When doing the Great Loop you try to travel with the fair weather seasons to even more reason to be out and about.

Of course we can't cook in a hotel room.
Food for thought. Thanks for the suggestion

Wifey B: You're reading, but you're not really listening. You came in with a preconceived idea and plan and you're still trying to convince yourself it's right. It's not right, at least not until you do something more to prove it to be so, and most of us have serious doubts about it.

No, you can't cook in a hotel room plus hotel rooms have far more spacious sleeping areas and bathrooms and general relaxing areas.

Fair weather seasons do not have fair weather every day.

We get out and about and sight see. We also had a faster boat requiring less time on the boat. Still you're going to spend 4 to 12 hours on board the days you move and at least 10 hours on board every other day. Then some days you'll spend the majority of the day on the boat. I'd guess you'll average at least 14-15 hours a day on board. Think of it as a person with a long commute to work and so x hours at home, y hours in the car, and the time at work is the equivalent to the time you'll have off the boat exploring.

 

[O C Diver]

Interesting.
A better test might be to go on vacation in a small travel trailer. A major part of my idea is that I hope to be out and about a lot of the time. When we travel we spend much less time time in the hotel then we spend in the house when at home. When doing the Great Loop you try to travel with the fair weather seasons so even more reason to be out and about.

Of course we can't cook in a hotel room.
Food for thought. Thanks for the suggestion

Maybe a slide in camper on a 2 door pickup truck. I have lived in tight accommodations. IMO, it's as much about a place for your stuff.

Small boat, limited galley, limited cookware
Small cabinets, limited provisions
Small closet, limited clothing
Small water tank, limited washing anything

While the bed is a consideration, see if you fit in the bathroom or shower.

Ted

 

[LaBomba]

Some very good points being made. We have lived in a slide in camper on a pickup, in a storm with 6 people because the kids tents were under water and the space gets very tight in minutes not hours. Our last boat also had no heat or AC, a V berth that required acrobatics to get into, let alone a mattress not near as comfortable as either a hotel or travel trailer, and no seating areas for more than 2 guests for short periods of time. The loop is a loooong trip and there will be days when weather does not permit travel and you may or may not be in an area that you can go ashore and explore or do whatever. I think trailerable trawlers are great but may not make the loop as enjoyable as it would in a larger boat with a few creature comforts. Just my opinion and may be showing my age

 

[AdkChris]

Everyone has preconceived ideas. One is that more and bigger is always better. It can be nice but what is the cost? How many of the rooms and stuff in my house do I get that much use from. And I buy less stuff and have less rooms than a lot of people say I need.
My preconceived idea is that I have been too busy getting the stuff I thought I wanted to play with what I have.
So would you suggest as the small end of a reasonable Great Loop boat?

Thanks for helping me arrange my thoughts.

I agree with Wayfarer’s quote of Lyn Pardey.
Go small
Go simple
Go now

 

[smitty477]

Everyone has preconceived ideas. One is that more and bigger is always better. It can be nice but what is the cost? How many of the rooms and stuff in my house do I get that much use from. And I buy less stuff and have less rooms than a lot of people say I need.
My preconceived idea is that I have been too busy getting the stuff I thought I wanted to play with what I have.
So would you suggest as the small end of a reasonable Great Loop boat?

Thanks for helping me arrange my thoughts.

I agree with Wayfarer’s quote of Lyn Pardey.
Go small
Go simple
Go now

"So would you suggest as the small end of a reasonable Great Loop boat?"
We have spent at least a week on various boats we owned - 21/34/38/ 45+.
You already have your answer and our opinion does not seem to matter.

 

[AdkChris]

I have been trying to figure out how I feel about the head and shower. How often do you use the boat shower when you are stopping on land every night?

 

[O C Diver]

I considered modifying my old charter boat for single handed cruising in the Great Lakes. At 35' with an 11' beam, I felt it would be very comfortable for one person and reasonable for two. Maybe 32' would work. I have an air draft limit of 15' to be able to go anywhere. Many boats get taller to gain additional space.

If it's about going now, lots of used smaller sailboats for cheap. Remove the mast and rigging, hang a new or near new outboard on the back and go for it. Saw a number of these along with sailboats with unstepped masts doing the loop in 2017.

Ted

 

[AdkChris]

Man after my own heart.
Curious to hear what others say.
Hope you do it and tell us how it went.

 

[Jacques Raoul]

Once I red an article that compare boats with your house type. Boat under 30 ft is like a tent, between 30 and 40 ft is like a condo, above 40 ft is like a house. In your mind I you go camping then your choice is excellent.
Jacques

 

[O C Diver]

Man after my own heart.
Curious to hear what others say.
Hope you do it and tell us how it went.

Spent a year and a half refitting the boat in my avatar. Did the Loop in 2017 and plan to be cruising in the Great Lakes this summer. The charter boat conversion was a plan to be able to truck a trawler wherever I wanted to spend the cruising season, such as the PNW. By staying with a narrow enough, short enough boat, trucking costs would greatly be reduced because of no lead and chase cars or daytime only restrictions. Aging has gotten in the way. I don't have another major refit in me. My current boat will be my last cruise boat (I do single hand it).

Ted

 

[AdkChris]

So the Nimble Wanderer that I started this by asking about is 32’ which would be a small condo.
The boat strikes me as more equivalent to a small studio apartment than a condo.
The Nimble Wanderer may be too small but it is one of the few boats I have seen that is aimed towards one or two people instead of how many berths can we jam into a boat, without any making of them comfortable.

Just wanted to try looking at this by going from the smallest up to what we can be comfortable in rather than from the largest down to what we can get a loan for.

 

[BandB]

Man after my own heart.
Curious to hear what others say.
Hope you do it and tell us how it went.

Wifey B: Mainship 34. Swift Trawler 35. Perhaps even an Antares 27. Grand Banks 32. I'd say in general 30'+ but layout is key.

One thing to keep in mind is that you're tall. For instance, could you be comfy in a boat with a 6'5" interior headroom? Not if you're 6'4" barefoot. There are a bazillion boats with 6'4" to 6'6" but all have variables within. You take a step and as you rise on your toes, your head brushes the ceiling and you do that every step.

A lot of boat beds and bunks are truncated. You're probably use to hanging over but if there's a wall at the end are you use to having to curl up every night? How about feeling like you're sleeping on a shelf?

Showers are very important to some of us and not so much to others. Space in a shower is important. You're going to be using it daily. Hubby is not fat, actually slim but athletic build for his height. Think basketball player. Showers he can't stand in or that he is wall to wall would be miserable. Banging your elbows into the wall when you wash your hair is bad. Then there is the infamous wet shower, right over or beside your toilet. So only one person can use any part of bathroom at a time.

Most people do intend to eat along the way and most don't want to do it all in restaurants. However, food storage, refrigeration, and cooking ability become important.

For a year or more, this is your home. How many days a year of misery is your tolerance?

 

[rslifkin]

Even within a size range, layouts vary widely between different boats. As an example, a lot of boats in the 30 - 40 foot range have a v berth up forward, yet my 38 footer has a almost queen size bunk instead (v berths vs single bunk were an optional choice for some years). Aft bunk on mine is a walk-around king, as it's really just a fuel tank enclosure with a mattress on top.

 

[AdkChris]

CO Diver, why do you need to retrofit a boat? As you said there are so many sailboats out there for little money. What do you want that you can't find already done?

Can you tow a trailer behind a Hertz or Ryder rental truck?
Get your boat and your trailer and go baby go.

 

[AdkChris]

How does a v berth compare to a double bunk berth? If the v berth is longer and has the middle cushion would it be better?
I really do like the centerline queen, it would be plenty for me! Why aren’t they more common?
How hard would it be to replace a bunk on each side of an aft cabin with a centerline bed? Seems like the side bunks have something hard to move built in under them. I want a break from projects!

 

[Heron]

I see a lot of C Dory’s doing the loop or trailer cruising usually with Honda four stroke O/B’s. I would think your physical size and if your single handing the boat might be important in your choices.

Met a guy this past summer that was on his 6th great loop in a C-Dory 22.....