The “Loop boat!”
After discovering the loop, and as an Englishman (Now a proud American) and being dumb with disbelief that such a thing could even exist, I spent a good 3 minutes thinking about it before deciding it had to be done. (Currently sail a 26 ft Hunter)
Like many people in our situation, we started looking at boats WAY too big. Even in my most recent searches, I still find myself drifting into the 42-45 ft range. A part of me still says, a year is a long time on a boat!
What we would like, is a single engine, raised pilot house, flybridge trawler, preferably full width salon. Selene, Helmsman, Nordhavn, Independence, etc.
But, as raw novices I’m thinking a far more sensible “Start” would be in the 36-39 ft range, Monk 36, Mainship 390, Heritage East 36, Pacific seacraft 38, Maybe even a Mainship 430, if the boat and price were right, but once again you see me “drifting” Up..
For this more sensible start, we want to stay in the $150-$200K range.
With our general thinking now being, start small, but not too small.
We even looked at the Ranger 29 tugs but were disappointed with the quality, lack of storage, and price.
My questions, to you who all have much more experience than us, are..
1: Are there gaping holes in our thinking here?
2: If we can afford it, should we be looking at boats in the $300K range, for any reason?
3: Again, if we could find a screaming deal on say a Mainship 430, close to what we would spend on a 390, does economy and simplicity still make the 390 the better Looper?
4: Can anyone suggest any other boats in that $200K- 39ft- range that we should consider?
We don’t want:
Unnecessary speed, complication, or anything.
We do want:
Good salon and galley, rear deck (Even if over a cabin) Flybridge, decent walk around, pilothouse door/s would prefer 2 staterooms, even if one is sparse.
2 heads are great but not a deal breaker. (As are twin screws if economical)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The Bolton Wanderer.
After discovering the loop, and as an Englishman (Now a proud American) and being dumb with disbelief that such a thing could even exist, I spent a good 3 minutes thinking about it before deciding it had to be done. (Currently sail a 26 ft Hunter)
Like many people in our situation, we started looking at boats WAY too big. Even in my most recent searches, I still find myself drifting into the 42-45 ft range. A part of me still says, a year is a long time on a boat!
What we would like, is a single engine, raised pilot house, flybridge trawler, preferably full width salon. Selene, Helmsman, Nordhavn, Independence, etc.
But, as raw novices I’m thinking a far more sensible “Start” would be in the 36-39 ft range, Monk 36, Mainship 390, Heritage East 36, Pacific seacraft 38, Maybe even a Mainship 430, if the boat and price were right, but once again you see me “drifting” Up..
For this more sensible start, we want to stay in the $150-$200K range.
With our general thinking now being, start small, but not too small.
We even looked at the Ranger 29 tugs but were disappointed with the quality, lack of storage, and price.
My questions, to you who all have much more experience than us, are..
1: Are there gaping holes in our thinking here?
2: If we can afford it, should we be looking at boats in the $300K range, for any reason?
3: Again, if we could find a screaming deal on say a Mainship 430, close to what we would spend on a 390, does economy and simplicity still make the 390 the better Looper?
4: Can anyone suggest any other boats in that $200K- 39ft- range that we should consider?
We don’t want:
Unnecessary speed, complication, or anything.
We do want:
Good salon and galley, rear deck (Even if over a cabin) Flybridge, decent walk around, pilothouse door/s would prefer 2 staterooms, even if one is sparse.
2 heads are great but not a deal breaker. (As are twin screws if economical)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The Bolton Wanderer.