Essex Boat Show

BB and I went down to Essex Saturday to a local boat show.  It seems the New Port show was canceled.  Some of the local dealers got together and had a free show in Essex.

It was interesting as it was MUCH less crowded than the usual shows.  We were able to look at the Nordic Tug 41 and American Tug 42 more or less side by side.  BB likes the NT.  It does have a nicer salon and the teak is nice as well.  That said I prefer the AT with it's center master and better master storage.

While we were out we chatted a bit about the possibility of getting a smaller boat since BB wants to work for another 6 years!  That may make some sense since it would allow us to weekend and do the occasional week or two.  A boat of that sort is, of course, much less expensive.  We'll see.

On the way back I tried to stop at an RV dealer but they only dealt with trailers/5th wheelers. 

What has me interested again in RVs is the issue of when BB might retire.  I'm a bit older than she is so if we wait another few years it is unlikely that we'll ever be able to take the Great Loop trip.  That said, an RV might be an alternative.  They are less expensive, provide access to many more interesting things, and able to travel farther in a short period of time.  On the negative side, I just plainly like boats.

Thoughts on boats

After the boats we've seen this summer BB and I have begun to settle out on what we're looking for in a boat.  We've more or less settled out on a low to mid 40' trawler.  We've seen several we liked including an American Tug 41 with a nice mid ship cabin.  We also have seen a 50' Symbol (I know, over long) that we liked a lot.

The problem with these boats is cost.  At the end of the day we'd be looking at $300,000 to $500,000.  That's rather more than we can afford.  So, it's time to get serious and make some compromises to get the cost down to something reasonable.  As a first step we'll need to start looking at things we can afford.

Crusing the Conneticut on an American Tug 41

BB and I overslept this AM. Apparently I didn't set my alarm properly. Either that or we slept through it. At any event we got up at 7:42 and rushed out of the house to meet up with the Prestige American Tug crew (Mike and Tom) and several others to do a couple of house going up the Connecticut out of Essex. Fortunately we arrived in plenty of time and had a very nice several hours on the river even though it was rather overcast and somewhat windy. It was an interesting experience of cruising in protected waters. Both BB and I like the boat even though there are several issues. On the plus side fuel economy is very nice (3 to 4 MPG) at low speed yet the boat is capable of 15 kts or so. On the negative side it's a single (engine failure is a concern) and the saloon is a bit small. Even so, there is much to like about the boat. In the matter of the single screw I remain of two minds.

Boating on Long Island Sound

Drove down to Stamford, CT and then road on an American Tug 41 up to Essex courtesy of Prestige Yachts - thanks Tom and Mike. Barbara and I have seen the boat a couple of times and really like it. The accommodations are very nice with the master midships and a very nice guest stateroom, two heads, wonderful pilothouse, and good galley/saloon. Tomorrow BB and I are going to go for a couple of hour cruise on the Connecticut river out of Essex.

Went to see a boat

BB and I drove up to Portland, ME to look at a Navigator 44. It was a very nice boat and almost everything we are looking for. Accommodations were first rate with a master under the pilothouse. The heads were very nice. The saloon big enough but not as wide as the 4708. The galley was up with the inside bridge and dining area. That was the only part of the boat that was disappointing as it was rather crowded. Even so, if the table was removed it would be OK I think.

We've decided to see a Navigator 53 in CT this weekend. This boat is reportedly somewhat tired but it should give us a sense of the model.

Boat day

BB and I went into Quincy to meat with Michael Brockman of Eastern Yachts to look at a Mainship 43 a 43' sedan style trawler. The one we saw was seriously overpriced but both BB and I liked the boat. It had a very nice saloon, good master cabin, very large single head, and adequate guest stateroom with seperate washer and dryer, galley down, outstanding Q series Cummings engines, and a very workable engine room. The inside helm was good and the flybridge and upper helm outstanding. All in all the sort of boat we've been looking for.

While we were in the area we also went to look at a new Jefferson 52. The boat is clearly layed out for looping with folding radar arch and shalow draft. BB liked it a lot. While the boat was nice enough I was less enthuastic as the design details were somewhat wanting.

After talking about things I'm more and more inclined to the Bayliner 4788. It has a very attractive feel with plenty of space. The only real negative is the master berth. It would be nice to have a walk around but there are so many other positives that it's a reasonable compromise. There are some larger versions of the basic boat including some 50s with two real cabins and walk around master.

After looking at boats we had a nice lunch out and then went home to take Cindy to the vet. She is passing some blood in her urine.

I got a couple of emails from Michael about other boats including a Mainship 43 aft cabin. I'm still interested in that boat but BB seems set on the Bayliner 4788.

BB and I Found a Boat We Liked

BB and I went to Portsmouth, RI to look at a 43' Sabreline aft cabin trawler today. We also looked at the same boat in a 3 cabin configuration with galley up in Marion, MA. While both boats were nice we really liked the boat in Portsmouth. Here are some pictures.

While the boat is a smaller than the 47 it offers plenty of space for our needs. The aft cabin has plenty of storage for cloths and personel items. The master head is very large with a good shower and plenty of storage for towels and such. Up a couple of steps, the saloon is large with nice accommodations. There is an inside helm. Down a couple of steps is the U shaped galley with great refrigeration, a gass stove with one larger burner, and good storage for food and cooking things. Forward is the guest stateroom. It is plenty large with a good seperate head.

On the negative side there is no bow thruster ($8000 or so), the dingy is not as large as I'd like ($20,000 with a larger lift, but optional), some additional electronics are likely needed ($4000 or so, but optional), there are 2300 hours on the twin Yanmars (could die tomorrow or go for another 2000 hours hard to tell but could pay to have Yanmar check them), the canvas while generally good needs some work and screens ($3000 or so).

On the positive side the boat is turn key with EVERYTHING needed to go cruising including a couple of folding bikes. Additionally the boat presents VERY well and BB responded positively. So we now know that there is a 43' that meets our needs.

Asking is $339,000 but I'd guess the deal could go down for around $300 more or less. It's a thought.

Going forward, I'll try to find a $200,000 version of this kind of boat and see what's available in that price range.

Great Loop - Boat Stuff

So there'll be a need for boat stuff.

• Boat
• Inside and outside helm
• Diesel/gas
• Twin or some sort of reasonable auxilary
• Redundant navigation systems
• 500+ mile range

• Laptop PC
• Able to take image cards
• DVD writer
• WiFi
• Software
• Skype (for phone service where wifi is available)

Great Loop

I've been reading a number of the Looper blogs and notices the various places (marinas, anchorages, restaurants, etc.) that they mention as good. Since it's likely that I'll only go that way once I thought I'd start a list of such places in this blog for future reference. Marinas

• Dog River Marina, Mobile Bay ship channel, wifi, West Marine, courtesy car
• Demopolis, Alabama, courtesy car, Wally World
• Fort Walton Beach, Fl, free dock
• Sarasota, FL, Marina Jack
• Marathon, FL, Boot Key Harbor
• Key West, FL, City Marina

Anchorages

• Ingrams Bayou, Alabama, seems to be ok but nothing special
• Ezell's Fish Camp, Alabama,
• Three Rivers Lake, Alabama,
• Cape Haze, FL
• Fort Myers Beach, FL
• Indian Key, FL
• Shark RIver, FL

Restaurants

• Dick Russell's, Mobile Bay Ship channel, BBQ
• Ezell's Fish Camp, Alabama,
• Staff's Restaurant, Fort Walton Beach
• Panama City, FL, Bayou Joe’s, home of the Trashburger
• Key West, FL
• Mallory Square – many entertainers, including jugglers, musicians, and our favorite, The Cat Man
• Shore Cinema for Thursday night movies
• All you can eat grouper fingers at Harvey’s Run-a-ground
• All you can eat crab legs at the Half Shell Raw Bar
• Walked up and down Duval Street to see the shops and people watch – we did spot Elvis several times
• Ate at New York Pizza – giant calzones, and all you can eat breakfast for $1.99
• Ate all you can eat seafood at Capt. Mario’s
• Great Cuban restaurants – Sandy’s and El Siboney
• Yummy Cobb salad at Fogarty’s
• Ate breakfast at our favorite restaurant in Key West, Blue Heaven
• Supper at Kelly’s – owned by Kelly McGillis, and the old Pan Am Airlines building
• Breakfast at Two Friends (great omlets)
• lunch at Chango Loco (crazy monkey, great Mexican place)
• Fat Tuesday’s for the obligatory frozen drinks
• And finally, a trip to KW would not be complete without going to Margaritaville and getting a Cheeseburger in Paradise!!!!!!

Sites

• xxx

Cities

• Demapolis, Al
• Fort Walton Beach, FL
• Panama City, FL
• Apalachicola, FL
• Carabelle, FL, depart to cross Gulf
• Tarpon Springs, FL, Sponge Capital of the World
• Sarasota, FL, Ringling circus site
• Marathon, FL