They bought a boat for the loop

[bowball]

This couple as a YouTube channel where they spent over a year searching for their perfect loop boat for they and their kids.

Just revealed what they do all bought, which I think is an older Ocean Alexander 58 LRC that the prior owner spent much on with repowering, hard top, electronics, Stidds, etc.

They squeezed four staterooms, four heads and a standing engine room in 58’. It seems to meet their needs perfectly, and nicely maintained.

However, is it just me or does this seem like it would be very difficult to get on or off at the dock? The stern certainly isn’t elegant and access to the swim step is a ladder, so that’s not a great way to get on. I don’t think it would work for me.

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/_rSKgMvmYYY

Thoughts?

 

[O C Diver]

It was written in the video that there were yacht stairs that could attach to either side for finger pier access.

While the stern access wouldn't be my choice, the couple look to be about 30 years younger than me. I'm sure that wouldn't have been an issue when my family was their age.

Ted

 

[rslifkin]

I'd worry more about the side access than stern access. Even with stairs or a ladder, the side access looks tough unless you're getting on fairly far forward (and I don't see any rail gates).

The stern access doesn't look much worse than my boat, other than a slightly taller climb (I'd peg theirs as about 4 feet, mine is about 3 from platform to aft deck). It looks like that section of bulwark opens, so you wouldn't have to go all the way up and over. Or if it doesn't, it should be modified to have a door.

With a climb up the stern like that, the ladder is just for dinghy access and swimming. Only challenge is figuring out a good way to get a dog up and down. We've yet to be in a situation where we've had to board via the swim platform at a dock (there's always been something next to us on one side or the other) so we just board from the side. I'd expect them to do similar and plan to avoid needing the platform for boarding at a dock.

 

[ksanders]

Way more interior volume on a boat like than than any other design

Every boat is a compromise. You gain something, you give something.

As a solo sailor it would be challenging, but if you want the interior volume that is the way to go.

 

[bowball]

I'd worry more about the side access than stern access. Even with stairs or a ladder, the side access looks tough unless you're getting on fairly far forward (and I don't see any rail gates).

Yes, this is what I first noticed. How does it work going in to a slip with that side access?

Kevin, yes there is a huge amount of interior space with that 18’ beam. Relatively low draft and lots of side area, so I wonder how prone to wind effect?

It seems to meet all their desires nicely though. As you say, every design has tradeoffs.

 

[tiltrider1]

What they bought is a 1987 OA Ocean 54. I have the same boat. These boats were very customizable from the factory and ranged from 54’ to 60’ over all. Their boat has been highly modified over the years with a complete flybridge makeover and complete re-power. Some one spent 1/2 a million on those mods. Curious what they purchased the boat for. They made up the designation LRC as OA never used such a destination.

My boat has boarding stairs that fold down mid ship. Makes boarding super easy. Docking is the biggest challenge as you can only step on and off from the rear until the boarding stairs are deployed.

As Kevin said all boats are a compromise. I have 3 bedrooms two bathrooms so my bedrooms and bathrooms are larger than theirs. All this space comes with the penalty of being a little more challenging to get on the dock. In their case with four bodies all fairly young, docking will be a non issue. In my case with always have a plan before we attempt to dock.

 

[Rufus]

The subject boat was listed at $495K. Tiltrider, the hull looks larger (higher off the water) than yours. The forward portion of the hull, engine air inlet location, and flybridge looks similar to the large pilothouse boats from that time frame. A forum member in Australia has one of these same MY configurations and I recall him mentioning that it was one of a hand full (3??) made by the factory. Is your boat a 15+ or an 18' beam?

Many docks on the Great Lakes are floating. We board our 44 at the swim platform, but then step into a cockpit. The ladder up the back of the aft cabin is then accessed from inside the cockpit. Much more reassuring getting the dog off and on, climbing the ladder if the boat is rocking, or launching/accessing the dingy for example. We could use a side ladder, but it takes up dock space and is an annoyance for slip mates. That, and we have to walk back to the aft sundeck and then enter the cabin. The side door is a PITA on our smaller 44.

I think someone mentioned earlier...take the boat to a yard and slap on a small cockpit. Bingo, perfect boat.

 

[tiltrider1]

If they have an 18’ beam then it is a unicorn. That would be the Ocean 57 with the full beam saloon. I think there were only 4 of them and I didn’t know any of them made it to the US. There are many OA 57’s in the walk around configuration.

$475,000 with new MTU’s sounds like a good deal.

 

[IH82BL8]

Maybe I missed something. That's way, way more boat than needed for the great loop. 4 heads for 4 people? How often does everyone in the family have to go at the same time and no one can hold it.

The main concern: I haven't been able to find the air draft/ridge clearance for this particular boat but the Ocean Alexander 50 has a clearance of 19' Isn't the maximum clearance for the loop around 17'?

 

[rslifkin]

Maybe I missed something. That's way, way more boat than needed for the great loop. 4 heads for 4 people? How often does everyone in the family have to go at the same time and no one can hold it.

The main concern: I haven't been able to find the air draft/ridge clearance for this particular boat but the Ocean Alexander 50 has a clearance of 19' Isn't the maximum clearance for the loop around 17'?

19'6" is the go/no-go cutoff for the loop. Being over 15'6" limits your choice of routes, and being over 17' limits you further. But as long as you clear the 19'6" bridge in Chicago, you can do the whole loop (just have to bypass the Western Erie Canal and a few other route options).

 

[Benthic2]

It sounds like they are planning on removing their satetlite receivers and radar dome. That will get them to 19' 2". They said they may have to remove the hard top as well but didn't think that would be too hard. It sounds like they are also pushing the water draft limits at 4.5 feet. I would not be comfortable cutting things so close.

60 gal/hour @ 18 knots!!! Wow.
6 gal/hour at 7 knots seems pretty economical for that size.

Her personality would keep me from watching their channel. Just getting through this one video was painful enough.

 

[rslifkin]

It sounds like they are planning on removing their satetlite receivers and radar dome. That will get them to 19' 2". They said they may have to remove the hard top as well but didn't think that would be too hard. It sounds like they are also pushing the water draft limits at 4.5 feet. I would not be comfortable cutting things so close.

At their air draft they're not doing the Canadian canals, so I don't think the 4.5 foot draft is likely to be an issue. Most of the shallowest parts of the loop are also the air draft limited parts.

 

[bowball]

Her personality would keep me from watching their channel. Just getting through this one video was painful enough.

Having watched many of their videos, she was annoying this time as I think they were basking in the honeymoon period, plus they seemed to have a found a great boat for their needs and price. Her background those is in Tv for home fix up projects so she knows how to play to the camera. Their other episodes don’t come off as … annoying … but she certainly is exuberant. I’m impressed they did a thorough search and actually followed up through. I wish them the best adventure going forward. So different than my search where I was an”one and done” buyer though I had far fewer constraints to satisfy than they did. (No kids and a desire for a tutor to come along for example)