As we once again begin searching for our next boat I find myself somewhat depressed over the cost of smaller (39'-50') true passagemaker trawlers. OK, I'll stop here and provide my definition of "Passagemaker" to keep this on track. Passagemaker: a high quality / safe boat capable of non-stop voyages of 2,000 miles or more in comfort. I know this is likely not what the experts would argue but I think you get my drift so lets not split hairs on the definition. You will also note that I did not specifically call out full-displacement or power trawler and there is a reason......
Lets face it the number of builders who will even consider this smaller size market is shrinking faster then my stuffing box drips water and we can count them all on one hand. Even if the big three (Nordhavn, KK and Selene) were willing to build you a new boat it would be well over $700K and closer to $1M+ today. So what does the future hold for those who have a little money to spend without breaking the bank and want to explore far and away destinations?
I became so desperate I started to look at sailboats at a boat show last month and walked away disappointed. Then the other day we pulled up along side a Nordhavn 56MS (Motor Sailor) and remembered going aboard this same boat in 2008 when she was launched as hull number one. I recall the beautiful large salon and except for the sailing rigging thought this is one nice looking boat that will catch on with trawler owners. Fast forward to today and the concept of MS boats have not worked out very well for Nordhavn and I don't see the other two players developing new designs, but why?
I know nothing about motor sailors except they can sail in the right conditions and travel under power for weeks like a trawler. I also recall some of the most knowledgeable Nordhavn N46 owners who have traveled the world believe their hulls (designed after sailboats) are superior to all others. One owner commented that he would purchase the N56MS less the sails if her had the money. I get the low CG, high AB and all the other ratio's make sense and I even like the looks of a MS so what am I missing?
If you had a boat that offers unlimited range in one of the safest hulls and doesn't require you to sail if you didn't want to, why wouldn't this type of boat be near perfect. OK, that may be pushing it, lets just ask why MS boats have not become more popular especially with older sailors looking for a more comfortable boat to continue to use? I don't see the super rich having any issue building 100' - 300' motor sailors so what am I missing?
Stressing out a little looking for our next boat and not sure if it will be N4.
John T.
La Tempestad
N3522
Lets face it the number of builders who will even consider this smaller size market is shrinking faster then my stuffing box drips water and we can count them all on one hand. Even if the big three (Nordhavn, KK and Selene) were willing to build you a new boat it would be well over $700K and closer to $1M+ today. So what does the future hold for those who have a little money to spend without breaking the bank and want to explore far and away destinations?
I became so desperate I started to look at sailboats at a boat show last month and walked away disappointed. Then the other day we pulled up along side a Nordhavn 56MS (Motor Sailor) and remembered going aboard this same boat in 2008 when she was launched as hull number one. I recall the beautiful large salon and except for the sailing rigging thought this is one nice looking boat that will catch on with trawler owners. Fast forward to today and the concept of MS boats have not worked out very well for Nordhavn and I don't see the other two players developing new designs, but why?
I know nothing about motor sailors except they can sail in the right conditions and travel under power for weeks like a trawler. I also recall some of the most knowledgeable Nordhavn N46 owners who have traveled the world believe their hulls (designed after sailboats) are superior to all others. One owner commented that he would purchase the N56MS less the sails if her had the money. I get the low CG, high AB and all the other ratio's make sense and I even like the looks of a MS so what am I missing?
If you had a boat that offers unlimited range in one of the safest hulls and doesn't require you to sail if you didn't want to, why wouldn't this type of boat be near perfect. OK, that may be pushing it, lets just ask why MS boats have not become more popular especially with older sailors looking for a more comfortable boat to continue to use? I don't see the super rich having any issue building 100' - 300' motor sailors so what am I missing?
Stressing out a little looking for our next boat and not sure if it will be N4.
John T.
La Tempestad
N3522