Which yacht should I buy?

Kafue · Aug 31, 2012

nautibeaver said: ↑

I am new to yachting as well (less than 2 years). Went from no boat to now buying my second "boat". Started with a 58' westbay and now a 68' nordlund. Agree with a lot of these post. I have spent a lot of time looking at boats/yachts and been on my fair share. I would guess i upgrade another time in the next 5+ years but won’t go over much past 80' feet. I feel confident in the 58' and just getting a handle of the 68'. I have a wife and 4 kids under the age of 11. We spent a great deal of time on the boat but less than 2 weeks out and about at a time, mostly weekends and such. In the PNW, we have different issues than in the SE. However here is what i found in my very very short period.

I handle my 58' better than the 30 foot boats do with experience captains. (I still have a ton to learn and white knuckle a lot of times). This size of boat is less effected to wind than the smaller ones and dual props and bow (or bow and stern) make everything pretty easy, if you’re buying new, you can get pod engines or joystick controls making it even easier. I will say I spent 4 hours with a captain on the 58' before getting signed off on for insurance. I found a reasonable mind, a good aptitude for understanding electronics goes a long way.

Someone posted something about finding a pretty boat is easy, finding a quality boat is hard. I would go on 40 boats +++ before, have a broker rate them (A class, B Class, C Class) and start asking why on each one. New boats all look nice, a 10year old or 20 year old will tell you if they are quality. Pay attention to this. This is key. Don’t have to buy the best, but don’t buy the worse either. I won’t name them, but if you look at an older one you will know quickly.

Personally I never want to spend my vacation time with a captain and crew I don’t know if I like. So I would look for something you can handle.

Now for what I find important: I would describe myself as someone who spends a lot of time on my boat, brings a lot of friends, and spend a few weeks out of each year going somewhere longer than a weekend.

Fly Bridge (we spend a ton of time up there.) How many people can fit? What about when the weather is not the best?
Rooms: we have been out with 6-8 kids and 6-8 adults, at that point who cares you are on a boat enjoying the time, pile people on the floor. However, make sure the master bed is nice 
Salon: people do spend time here, when the weather is bad, or at night when the conversations get louder because the booze ran longer. Does it seat enough people.
Kitchen: We grill a lot more than cook in there.
Engine Room: make sure it is roomy as you are learning and you will spend a lot of time figuring stuff out down there.
Pilot House or where ever you will drive from. Make sure you can be a part of the fun when manning the wheel. You will have to captain it, don’t want everyone having fun without you.

Now all that said, my next boat will be a trawler style (nordhavn type) as I have changed what I am looking for and want to spend more and more time on the boat and venture longer and longer out. However I think I have a very reasonable boat for that now.
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Welcome to YF! Good post.
That's a lot of boat to start with (58'). I agree that a well set up 50+ can be easier to handle than a smaller boat, however the real test comes when things go awry. It starts with a minor issue and then just snowballs, however, you probably know about this.
As far as the bow/stern thrusters, I never like to use them (never had a stern thruster & have niether now) until it is absolutely neccessary because the day you really need it, they will fail!
Always liked the look of the 58 Westbay.
Cheers.
Kafue

nautibeaver · Sep 1, 2012

Kafue said: ↑

Welcome to YF! Good post.
That's a lot of boat to start with (58'). I agree that a well set up 50+ can be easier to handle than a smaller boat, however the real test comes when things go awry. It starts with a minor issue and then just snowballs, however, you probably know about this.
As far as the bow/stern thrusters, I never like to use them (never had a stern thruster & have niether now) until it is absolutely neccessary because the day you really need it, they will fail!
Always liked the look of the 58 Westbay.
Cheers.
Kafue
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Not sure i would know what to do with stern thrusters either, but i must admit, i use the bow thrusters.
The 58' WestBay is a great boat. Enjoyed the short time on her.

Old Phart · Sep 1, 2012

nautibeaver said: ↑

Now all that said, my next boat will be a trawler style (nordhavn type) as I have changed what I am looking for and want to spend more and more time on the boat and venture longer and longer out. However I think I have a very reasonable boat for that now.
Click to expand...

Are they building your next boat, as you type?

Nordhavn 120 Progress Tour II - YouTube

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Which yacht should I buy?

Kafue Senior Member

nautibeaver New Member

Old Phart Senior Member