Size matters...

It's not unreasonable for a 70+ foot boat to be owner operated. But there is a lot of maintenance involved.
And most owners don't have the time and skill to deal with that on a boat of that size. So you might want to consider hiring a mechanically inclined mate.

Welcome to the forum.

72' is a fair amount of boat as an owner / operator. I'd consider an engineer and a first mate who are cross trained to some degree or another. Maintenance is where you'll fall short as Capt. Bill pointed out. And of all things, maintenance is perhaps the one area where you don't want to fall short or have sacrificed.

Is your expectation to captain the boat yourself? If that's the case you'll need to hire a captain for the first year or so to build your log time for insurance purposes. Once you have the experience and time, and you and your insurance company see eye to eye, you can figure out / decide if a mate is needed in addition to the engineer.

You didn't mention you family situation. If you're talking one person (or one person with a high maintenance wife), yes it is too big. You don't single hand a 60 or 70 foot yacht. If you and your spouse (or kids if they are older) are hands on type people you might get away with it, but most fun time will be turned into work on the boat time. You also didn't mention if this is a weekender or full-time live-aboard. There are a lot of variables. Also, as said earlier, if you don't have experience on a similar sized vessel your insurance company will most likely insist on at least a captain.

I was recently fired. My boss hates it when I say that. 5 or 6 years ago he bought a 46' motor yacht. His broker threw in like 3 or 4 days of lessons. He turned out to be my best student. He did the work needed to be good and then some. Well, he got so good so fast the he was good enough to recognize what a good idea it would be to have the experience of a captain by his side. He went from 46 to 50 and 5 or 6 years past. I had a good gig, but you know, it seemed sooner or later I earned my keep each day out. Things come up from rough seas to seeing a floating log to fixing something that breaks. Now he downsized to a 40. I recently taught him how to deckhand so he can single hand the boat ( since he had a captain on board he didn't deckhand except when dockings were hinky where I'd take the helm). Now when I go out with him it will be as a knowledgable friend. That's not to say you'll have a captain for a few days or a few years. You just never know how these things work out. So don't break the bubble. Go for it. Take advantage of as much experience as you need or want and have a good life boating. Whether you talking about a 72 or a 58 or a 50; whatever you feel comfortable with go for it. You can always move up or down. Meanwhile, every day you get better from experience. That's what it's all about.

Why don't you just buy the 72' Viking SC that meets all of your desires and hire a full time Captain to maintain and run it. You can also run it while the Captain is on-board and he can show you as much as you need to learn as time goes on? I think even a 58' Viking is WAY too much yacht for someone without a lot of experience in at least a 40 something footer.

Many years ago I moved from NYC to a town about 60 miles east...via Tucson, Az. I wasn't there 4 days when I realized Tucson wasn't for me. 4,000 miles of driving and my last dime to basically move down the road. Some would say that was a colossal mistake, but I wouldn't have led the life I've led nor become the person I became if it weren't for that "mistake".

If you are really interested in learning the business of running your own boat start studying and attending whatever your area offers on navigation, systems operations, engine maintenance, etc. There are several worth while online courses to obtain your license. The course material will give you a good base before you ever step aboard. Of course you will not be able to obtain your license until you log many hours on the water. Find a good Capt that enjoys teaching and just do it. There is nothing better than experience. Running a yacht is kind of like flying an airplane, most can do it after a few hours of training but the real test comes when the sh... Hits the fan, that's where the hours behind the wheel with someone that knows the ropes gets you on the dock.

GOOD LUCK!

Hi,

That is the most straight forward honest bit of advice given so far.

The Charter Option

After years of owning, operating, building and managing boats and yachts of all sizes; it has become clearly apparent that chartering (or renting) whether bareboat or crewed, it the best financial, piece of mind and max enjoyment option.

Seems expensive at the time, but when you walk away from a great week or two on a yacht far more expensive than you would even want to own; you never have to look over your shoulder. NO maintenance, dock fees, depreciation, captains, crew, insurance, fuel, taxes, winter, etc, etc.

Just my opinion but I could be wrong........

If it makes you feel any better, 55 foot or smaller is easier to find reglar slips when traveling.
At least that is the case on the Chesapeake.
Bigger glitzier marinas can accomadate any width boat, but some of the best cruising is found off the beaten trail.
The smaller marinas have a hard time with the wider boats and they usually get put on the fuel pier or the pump out T head.

my 2 cents......

A couple of observations.

There is real truth in the saying that "if it flys, floats or f####, hire it by the hour." But buying a boat is not a rational thing. You do it beacuse you love the water and the dream of countless days of hoppin on board, turning the key, great weather, flat seas, young things in bikinis swanning around the boat etc. Reality in my experience is not quite the same, but having a boat is still a great lifestyle if you can afford the time and $$.

70 is alot of boat. Alot. It comes with more electronics, mechanicals and plumbing than your house - and your house does not sit in salt water or get smacked around on a regular basis. What ever the dealer says, new or not, there will be a continual list of issues and problems to fix. Mostly minor when new, but getting bigger quickly. All fine if you have time or pay someone to give the boat the loving it needs. For us, if we were going boating offshore, we would spend the day before cleaning, checking and preping the boat - and that was a 36 footer.

Get experience handling in close quarters and docking. Once you get over 25 feet, you can't fend off. All you can do is hold a fend out to minimise the "touch". The most frightening times as a boater are not being out at sea with blue water hitting the flybridge clears, they are coming into fuel dock/berth/ etc with a strong cross wind, new boats eitherside of you, a crowd on the dock, and a family with tired kids on board. great entertainment if you are on the dock.

Lot to be said for a 40-50 footer. Big but still manageable by you and a capable friend or two. Keep it simple and minimise the toys and things that go beep. Find a good mechanic and do not skimp on servicing. If a part has worn out on the port motor, replace it and the same part on the starbord one as well. The other will fail at the start of a long weekend. Dock it somewhere where you can trust the dealer/guys to keep an eye on it and take it for a run if you have not been on it for 3 or 4 weeks.

Boats are lots of fun, but they also need lots of loving. Buy one, you only live once. Oh, and never keep a track of the costs. Once you pay a bill, bin it.