Hi all,
My wife and I are just getting started, but we have ambitions of owning and traveling on a passagemaker of some type in years to come.
We have enough experience chartering Nordic tugs and lagoon catamarans to realize that sailing vessels and hard chined semi-displacement hulls have their place, but a comfortable full displacement boat is what we want long term.
Just looking to learn. Very interested in experienced opinions and knowledge re: Nordhavns, Selenes, etc...
Wifey B: I'm going to address some things Kevin alluded to but didn't hit hard and in a different way. First question is WHY? What has put this spur in your butt?
Why is important. "My wife and I love being on the water and want to spend time living and traveling the world on it." Now that's a great answer. It says the two or you and you have some experience and know what is ahead.
"We're read others accounts and it sounds fantastic."
Get to the reality and beyond the romance.
"I think it sounds like a great adventure and I'm sure my wife will come around." Total
No, she's not coming around to your fool mission.
"We love to travel." Air and car is cheaper and more efficient.
You didn't say anything about loving the water.
"We ran into a couple who have circumnavigated twice and over dinner they made it sound great". Secret, they aren't you. Every couple is different. No one else can tell you what you'll enjoy.
Omg I love the water and boating and hubby and I are up around 150,000 nm. If you're not both screaming for it, the cool your heels a bit and perhaps start with some other level of boat and cruising. A passagemaker often isn't the best coastal cruiser and sure costs more. And costs. I'll never talk about what we've spent on boating but it's not cheap.
Now, if you fit the right scenario above, more power to you. It's a life like no other. I wouldn't trade our boating for anything. As to Nordhavn and Serene, both can do it but I'd pick Serene as more livable for more people. Don't overlook Outer Reef. Horizon and Cheoy Lee make passagemakers. Then Kadey Krogen. And I can't think of all as I'm out cruising home from a quick trip to Key West and my mind is dazed by the wonder of it all.