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Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Capt Ralph, Mar 1, 2022.

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  1. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Parker still makes a 25' Pilot house but it has a tendancy to pound.
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Afraid I can't do that skinny.
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Parker went up to 28 with a Small & large PH. They used to offer modified V and special order deep V.
    Sadly, No 28, large PH, deep Vs on the used market,,,, yet. Been looking for one used of these a while now.
    I cant do a new boat price.

    We are thinking the rite designs. You have to remember, Big feet, tall, fat head and wife not so tall with a beam.
    Thank for your thoughts.
  4. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    It's got space for solar, too!
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    My friend.
    What would this fine example of reef material have to do with my post #1?
    And where have I typed a thing about solar?
  6. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Get a good hull and build the pilot house. Probably would be your best option.
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    10 years ago I was able, these days not.
    Hindsight sux.
  8. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    Capt Ralph
    There are many suitable boats if you modify your search parameters slightly. Finding a true pilothouse boat with outboard power is hard -- there have not been many made over the years. But there were thousands of solid, inexpensive express style boats made that with a little isinglass make fine pilothouse boats. I owned a Pro-Line 32 Express for several years, and I cruised comfortably in it around New England and Florida. It moved along OK with twin 250 Yamaha 4-strokes, it had lots of headroom (I am 6'4"), and there are decent used Pro-Line Express 32 models on the market for under $100K. There is one in Wisconsin that has been in fresh water, a major plus for outboards.

    There are even more Grady White Marlin 30's on the market, a solid boat with an excellent hull. The Grady is a walk-around boat with a secure walkway to the bow. It requires isinglass to seal in the helm area, but that is inexpensive and works fine. The cabin is agreeable, with good headroom, a decent head, galley etc. The 2004 and later Marlin 30's are better than ones from prior years, and from 2005 onward they were generally equipped with Yamaha 4-strokes.

    A decent boat yard could probably convert a T-top to a full pilothouse for not a huge amount of money.

    Just a thought.
  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    jsschieff
    Thank you for your time and thoughts.
    On my good (younger days) I stood just over 6'8" @ 300 lbs. I'm down to 280 and gravity has been winning the height war (hate it when that happens) maybe 6' 6.5" on a good day.
    We have worked on Gradys and Pro-Lines before. Just nothing there has never excited me as a long vacation boat. That is not saying anything bad about them, just not for us.
    I keep getting glancing pics of the PNW boats but Nothing like that around here.
    It is going to take a lot of little boat to impress us.
    Best and thanks.
  10. SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

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  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    SeaLion
    I remember delivering some Mares down the FL coast many years ago. Fun boats. They don't make little ones. Seems Arrowcat does.
    Still looks like its for young, skinny and mobile folk with a thick wallet.
    Thank you for the lead, it does open my thoughts back up on a cat idea I did have.
    SeaLion likes this.
  12. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    Capt Ralph
    You might take a look at Eastern boats. They are downeast style, fairly bare-bones, and they offer a 27' or 28' pilothouse that is outboard powered.
  13. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Ralph
    Perhaps if you spelled out the parameters of your search,the suggestions for the new, oversized,mega priced units being suggested my stop. ;)
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Well, I thought I did but there have become more variables.
    30 to 40 feet.
    To 12'+ beam is fine.
    Tall ridged pilot house for all weather cruising.
    Extra head room.
    Extra foot and butt room.
    Full head for height and beam/butt.
    Cooking and eating area for 2.
    Good for extended cruises. We anchor out. No docks or hotels.
    Deep V for all weather cruising.
    It can be outboards or inboards. No I/O.
    If not equipped, need room for a small gen-set to run the A/Cs.
    Easy in / out of the water for old people.

    Looking for a faster & 1/2 smaller cruiser than our ole Bertram 58MY.

    The new boats shown are sure pretty and shinny AND Expensive.
    Still not made for fat old people.

    Used boats with no or worn out power is good.
    I'm to old to do a lot of rebuilding but have the sources to repower.
    Under $100k for now.
  15. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Viking made a 43 my in the late seventies that morphed into the 44 in early 80s. Bridge boat but only 3 steps from aftdeck. Three steps from aft to saloon. So easy transition.
    43 came with gas or DD.
    A lot of them have been updated , some with double hardtops some with variations.
    43 is certainly under your number and early 44 may be at your number.
    14ft beam.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Look at some catamarans or down east lobster boats.
  17. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Legacy? MJM? Sabre?
  18. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Under $100K
  19. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    Capt Ralph
    Have you looked at some of the French brands? Beneteau and Jeanneau (same parent company) are putting out clever pilothouse outboard-powered cruising boats. Not sure if any used ones are under $100K but worth taking a look on Yachtworld.
  20. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    There are a few of these French tubs incl the beneteau fast trawlers on my dock. They do not age well… flimsy rubrail, weak stanchions, …