newt
Veteran Member
I really want to thank the people on this board. A number of you even got on the phone with me when I had questions. So awesome. After spending months researching I had it down to 2 boats. An American Tug and the Helmsman. Both great boats with great reputations as boats and for working with their customers, delivering and supporting them really well.
We had some weird requirements because of where I live. We live on Malletts Bay in Vermont. That means I'm on a big freshwater lake with max depth about 400 feet, and lots of shallow water. Our plan is to move to liveaboard 8 months a year and be home 4 months. And our access to other places is via canal or other tight waters. So I wanted a boat of 40 feet or less(if possible), that had two staterooms, a draft of 4 feet or less, a decent range (preferably at least 600 miles), a cummins diesel(our remoteness and current volvo make for difficulties), air draft capable of loop, an upper deck or bridge deck, and oddly, easy boarding for our two working dogs(Belgian Mal and German Shepherd who is old). There was some other stuff, but that's the big ones.
At the end, we really liked the layout and setup of the Helmsman 37 Sedan. A little less interior volume than the 38 or the American Tug 395, but easy walkarounds, good cockpit etc. Scott Helker is amazing to work with as well. So we signed and put a deposit down. Yay! Now I have to wait about 20 months.
Anyway, I'm excited and impatient. Thank you all VERY much for your help.
Newt
We had some weird requirements because of where I live. We live on Malletts Bay in Vermont. That means I'm on a big freshwater lake with max depth about 400 feet, and lots of shallow water. Our plan is to move to liveaboard 8 months a year and be home 4 months. And our access to other places is via canal or other tight waters. So I wanted a boat of 40 feet or less(if possible), that had two staterooms, a draft of 4 feet or less, a decent range (preferably at least 600 miles), a cummins diesel(our remoteness and current volvo make for difficulties), air draft capable of loop, an upper deck or bridge deck, and oddly, easy boarding for our two working dogs(Belgian Mal and German Shepherd who is old). There was some other stuff, but that's the big ones.
At the end, we really liked the layout and setup of the Helmsman 37 Sedan. A little less interior volume than the 38 or the American Tug 395, but easy walkarounds, good cockpit etc. Scott Helker is amazing to work with as well. So we signed and put a deposit down. Yay! Now I have to wait about 20 months.
Anyway, I'm excited and impatient. Thank you all VERY much for your help.
Newt