Seeking advice on boat ownership & operation for newbie

Obviously it is easier to built in features like safe side decks, fewer steps etc when designing a larger boat. The smaller it is the more compromises you will have to accept

also, don’t forget access to systems, a frequent issue on smaller boats. It may seem trivial and you may think it s no big deal as you won’t be doing heavy mechanical work. True. Until you re on a nice week end trip, your generator impeller craps out and you realize it takes a young yoga expert to reach it.

i forgot if you re looking at new or used and what budget. You may want to look at some of the more traditional designs in the 50’ range like Sabre, Vicem, east bay etc. also if you don’t mind going older you can’t beat flush decks like Hatteras and Viking MY

I ve never run a Vicem but I looked at a couple of them a few years back and I remember them having very well designed engine rooms and a great layout

The voyager is probably one of the only carver I would consider. Most of the other ones were just too focused on interior space with odd exterior design with limited access. Carvers aren’t the best built boats but they really fine for sheltered water or settled weather

Older boats are all about condition and past maintenance. I ll take a well maintained and well built 30 year old boat over a 15 year old carver

One issue about older boats is the ability to get insurance. Something to keep in mind. Low experience plus old boat is going to make it tough

exactly what I meant. Mass production boat built on the lighter side. Thinner hulls, cheaper material and equipment but will do the job for most people

note that I mentioned Carver but the same can be said of other brands like Silverton, Meridian, etc

There is no specific answer. You’re asking about a mid tier (at best) boat when it comes to construction quality and less than that when it comes to sea worthiness. Maybe this comparison will help...

Carver is a Dodge minivan. A popular two wheel drive multi purpose vehicle that suits a lot of people’s needs.

Hatteras is a GMC Yukon Denali. An all wheel drive king-of-the-road. A powerful and capable SUV at the top of it’s class.

There’s plenty of both on the road. Nothing wrong with either one for their intended use. But which one would you rather drive your family through a storm in?

Unlike cars where pretty much all cars nowadays are built to set safety and insurance standards, boats are designed and built for their intended use which includes speed but also sea conditions.

take a Viking or hatteras sportfish for example, they are designed to go 30kts head on into 6’ seas. Or more. Try this with your average Carver, Silverton, Meridian, Sea ray or many more and you will probably make it but after a couple of times you ll have loose cabinetry, loose bulkheads, engine mounts issues etc. and a very unhappy wife who at best will refuse to go on the boat and at worst will be calling 1 800 divorce

As Bayoubud mentioned, boat weight will give you an indication of how solid the boat is built although there are other factors that come into play like use of coring and lighter non structural materials inside.

hull shape plays a role too. Sharper entry and more dead rise (angle of the hull surface aft) will result in a softer ride and better sea handling. Downside is higher fuel burn, less space down below and more rolling. Flatter hull will be more economical... a wider bow will provide room for a nice forward stateroom with a centerline queen... but head into 4 footers and you will feel every single one.

Take a look at something like the 48’ Hatteras CPMY. They were built in the 1990’s and would be my choice over the Jefferson you mentioned or the Carver.

A cruising couple can handle it with side deck access to fixed docks and cockpit access for floating docks. You can get around the boat but have to go through the aft deck enclosure same as the Jefferson (side decks on Carver Voyagers are about 6 inches wide). Hatteras is a better built boat with better sea keeping abilities than the others you have mentioned.

Stern thrusters are really a waste on a twin diesel boat as splitting the gears (one in F one in R) will move the stern faster than a thruster.

boat thruster helps but not really needed under 70/75’ where forces are getting high on cleats or piling

Typical thrusters become useless against 20+Kts. Hydraulic thrusters are better as you can run them much longer compared to electric which will overheat and go into safety cools down.

the downside is that when you need to adjust bow lines you have to start a gen or main.

Liquid Courage??