How Much Have The Fuel Prices Changed Your Cruising

But I imagine its pretty hard to get a family that is use to a 80' plus yacht to go for that 40 footer.

The thing that gets me going are boats that stay tied to the dock. I have no problem with bigger boats. Just boats that are wasted, or just plain ugly.

AMG, is that volvo, diesel? that's one light vessel for 40'. I like the look. It's a real boat. What I meant about the lobster pots- our jet drives (Yanmar 420's with Hamilton jets) slides over the floats and toggles with no snags. Maine has more lobster pots than people and they even fill the channels with floats.
I can't imagine sailing in Maine.

I have a photo somewhere, just have to figure this out.

Yes they are 6 cyl diesels. Today we are buying much more diesel boats despite the annual saving on fuel is not justifying the cost.

Unfortunately we don´t have lobsters in my area, perhaps this is also a reason why we have very few waterjets in our family boats, just in PWC:s and ferries.

Please pardon me, when I reread this posting of mine it sounded as though I was directing my comment to AMG's beautiful 40 foot design. That was not my intention, but rather to say downgrading from an 80' to any 40' might be difficult for many boating people.

I think this was clear Brian, and the difference will be to live without the crew...

See, there may be one of your problems...more lobsters (or at less some) might encourage more boating to go look for these delights

The water in the Baltic is not salty enough for lobsters. Besides, we are using our boats to go to restaurants more than fishing these days...

OK here she is. The real Highlander.
AMG, Your boat is a step in the right direction regarding carefull fuel use.

Just got home a couple of hours ago from a Lauderdale to Beaufort,N.C. transport. We hit marinas in Canaveral, St. Augustine, St. Simon, Hilton, Georgetown and Wrightsville along the way (owner on board wanted to move at relaxed pace). No need to call ahead for dockage anywhere. The ICW is sparce and the marinas are grateful for your business...any business. At a couple we were the only transient or one of 2 or 3.