Reducing LOA

[Phyrcooler]

Just a couple thoughts. While you may not intend on using the anchor much, it, and it’s pulpit design strength and overall ease of deployment is important - especial in those “oh crap” moments. This should be factored into any modifications someone plans. I’ve seen both folding pulpits and folding swim platforms over the years, both in person, and on the web. Personally, if I were in your shoes, I’d much rather go the route of a folding swim platform. And while we always think the next boat is “THE ONE”…. Reality is, someday you will be in a position to sell said yacht. IMHO a modified bow - especially if it alters the boats appearance may effect resale value and desirability. Think of it as the nose on a face!

Good luck with you search and plans!

 

[Zercado]

Good advice on the nose job…cheers!

 

[Bacchus]

Brad
Here is the dimension dwg for my MS 34HT. I haven't checked length but did check beam and air draft carefully prior to shipping and they were right on.
Doesn't look like hinging swim platform alone will get you where you need to be if marina is sticky about the exact dimensions.

 

[Zercado]

Thank you very much Don, I will check out your files. If I can get down to around 37’ I should be good. Cheers!

 

[ljk]

34 Mainship

Is the OP talking 34 Trawler or 34 Pilot?


I bought a 2005 Pilot about 7 years ago for the exact same reason OP gave in his initial post. I felt it was the smallest "real" cruising boat that a couple could spend a week on and not feel cramped. Our boat met that requirement.


I would definatly opt for the hinged swim platform instead of reconfiguring the bow. The factory platform on our Pilot was kind of cheesy, and we ended up raising and significantly reinforcing it. If OP is going to modify it with hinges, a good idea would be to make these modifications at the same time.

 

[Zercado]

I am talking about the trawler version and thats good to know about the swim grid upgrades. Thank you very much.

 

[BandB]

I refer back to the first post. "It's not an ideal situation but as we will never move from this marina I want to maximize our space on the water."

Can you explain? What about your next boat? Do you own the slip? Does the marina have nothing larger? "Never" is a long time. I guess I don't grasp the "never" situation if it forces you to modify your boat. I also don't grasp buying a boat that wouldn't fit. Is this a condo marina or public or private or what? I haven't found over 1 in 500 marinas that absolutely allowed no overage and you even mention later than 37' might be ok, so what is their true practice? What is going to happen if you dock it as is? I'm not one for intentionally breaking rules but I'm unclear exactly what the rules are after you post that 37 would probably be ok. I'm just a bit confused over the entire situation.

 

[wkearney99]

Heh, when we were shopping and bought our EB47 I neglected to consider the TOTAL length, including the anchor AND the dinghy on the swim platform. Which measured out at 57'.

To my dismay the fairway between slips at our marina, at which I'd already signed up for a new slip, was only 52'. I'd have had to pray the opposing boats weren't full length in their slips and then jockey back/forth working a pivot in-between them.

Yeah.. no thanks.

I hurriedly found a new slip, but the bastards at Trident/AMCYC would do nothing to refund my slip fees. So I ended up having to eat the expense.

 

[Nepidae]

IF, you ever plan on anchoring out, I wouldn't touch the pulpit, the swim platform would be a better choice, or you could always choose a shorter boat to start with.

Good luck.

 

[CaptTom]

IF, you ever plan on anchoring out, I wouldn't touch the pulpit...

May I ask why?


I anchor out all the time with the pulpit removed. Never had a problem.

 

[Comodave]

May I ask why?


I anchor out all the time with the pulpit removed. Never had a problem.

It isn’t the lack of a pulpit that is the issue, it is hinging the pulpit that may cause problems. I think it would be tough to make the hinged pulpit strong enough to withstand 60+ MPH winds and the stresses involved. When you anchor out you never know what will happen overnight.

 

[CaptTom]

It isn’t the lack of a pulpit that is the issue, it is hinging the pulpit that may cause problems.

I agree it could be an issue, depending on how it's done.


In my case I think the hinged pulpit stub is stronger than the pulpit I removed. 1/2" aluminum plate with large bolted-on stainless hinges, and a heavy stainless roller bolted to that.


I would never let the pulpit (or bow roller in my case) take the live anchoring loads anyway. That's what the snubber is for.

 

[Comodave]

But a lot of people don’t use a bridle and anchor off the pulpit. In that case I would not want a hinged pulpit. I agree about using a bridle.

 

[Nepidae]

Well, first, I was thinking of my pulpit (1.5" of solid oak) which holds the roller and anchor. Second, usually, the pulpit would be stressed to handle the weight of your boat, in a less than ideal situation.

I've anchored off the Mississippi River in a 6mph current and wouldn't want the stress of the anchor chain on the gunnel overnight. When I hoisted the anchor the bow dipped about an inch or more before the anchor was given up by the Mississippi mud.

Maybe a little more than you anchor in, but then we should always keep in mind a worst-case scenario.

That said, to each his own.

 

[Datenight]

The strength of the folding pulpit on our NP 39 never entered my mind in the six years we cruised her. As you can see in the photo in an earlier post there was a substantial roller to stiffen it. We also always used a snubber. The snubber was more to take the load off the windlass. Never occurred to me that the pulpit was weak. Of course we had a North Pacific! Yes, the Cool-Aid tasted great!

Rob

 

[CaptTom]

I've freed lots of stuck anchors. If a straight-up pull is too much for the pulpit then there are other techniques. We all have to be aware of the types of strains and stresses we're putting on any lines or equipment, not just anchor rode. Some people don't do this correctly when securing dock lines. That doesn't mean the boat shouldn't have cleats.