Codger2
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
- Messages
- 6,691
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Circuit Breaker
- Vessel Make
- 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
A 55 is not a lot harder to handle than a mid 40s boat......Forget the Nordy,(Remember your not crossing oceans) and the 47 GB has more of what you said you want....there is definitely more bang for the buck in buying a well maintained used boat..
I’ve been on a lot of boats and when they get above 50 they just seem to get to be a lot for two people. I know there’s people who are perfectly comfortable with it but it just becomes a lot of maintenance and a lot of boat to handle for two people imo. The thing is is 50 feet is a somewhat arbitrary number obviously. And boats are very different. A 47 foot Nordhavn is a hell of a lot of boat compared to 47 foot Grand Banks. Just a lot more tonnage and systems etc. With that comes peace of mind and the ability to go anywhere, but it also becomes a lot to handle and maintain.
It’ll be primarily my wife and I with visits from the kids occasionally so an extra state room would be a must. I think the 40 to 50 foot range is the sweet spot. Big enough to have large tankage to give us the range were looking for but not so big that it becomes hard to handle. If we found one we like and it is 53 feet we wouldn’t hesitate, but generally speaking I’m trying to stay below 50.
My intention is to buy used. Not sure I want the responsibility for picking all the systems etc. that are required with a new build. Also just think there’s better value in used boats.
As far as my experience, we own smaller boats currently. I live on the water and spend a lot of time on it. We have chartered several 40+ foot boats. I am far from an expert but am very comfortable on boats and I am a reasonably competent seaman.
Good luck on your hunt & please remember that we were commenting on "what you said you want."