www.iFourWinns.com

In the above example, the figure 25mph cruise, at 100 miles = 4 hrs travel time coming in at $150/hr operating expense.

My point exactly! It cost me right now @ $2.85/gal approx $350 to fill the tank. At cruise speed I get 1.6- 1.7 mpg giving me an effective and usable range of about 160 miles. Factor in idle and minimum wake zones, getting up on plane several times on a trip due to wake issues, larger boats and general congestion, and my range shrinks.

Slower speeds are definitely possible with an express, but not nearly as comfy as with a trawler style boat. I loath minimum wake and idle zones this time of the year. The temperature drives the family into the air conditioned cabin, general leaving me to "suffer" alone. Now, add in our summer storms where canvas and isinglass is needed or you are just soaked to the skin. Oh ya, family in the air conditioned cave again. Wet canvas is fun. Leave it up to dry and you suffer for a couple hours in a sauna!

If I had a choice, slower speed, air conditioned bridge and an open layout where I'm not left alone and the family trapped in a "cave" type cabin, I'm sold. Isn't getting thee and being on the water most of the fun? We have club members that want to spend as much time on the water as possible so they lean to 75+ mile trips. We get there to take a dip, enjoy a docktail party and then dinner. Afterwards relaxing around the boats enjoying the company. I wouldn't mind a couple more hours on the water and giving up the afternoon swim to be more comfortable, spend more time on the boat using it and costing less fuel.

Besides we are looking in the future, hopefully no too distant, to where I'll be operating my ventures from wherever so time will not be a factor.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Wow John! Incredibly well said! My sentiments exactly!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

Agreed, I can realate with almost everything you said. In fact, I've taken to wearing Under Armour and using clip on fans just to get air moving at slow speeds or when the camper canvas is fully enclosed.

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SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com

I've got pretty much the same dilemma. I don't think it's an age thing either, I'm 31 and the trawlers are looking extremely attractive to me. My wife doesn't particularly care for flying (okay she hates it). I spend a bunch of my time running between 5 and 10 knots. As anyone who's run an EC much knows that's not the peak of it's efficiency. I really love the Nordhavns though they are a little pricey. I've also always liked the look of the Nordics but couldn't decide if they were just a little too much gimmic. Then I look at the 458 and can't help but think it is a damn fine looking boat. I don't know if IPS would help the low speed characteristics of the boat at all or not...

Oh well, our 358 is less than a year old so probably not much point in keeping myself up nights about what to buy next.

Ben

If I ever upgrade to a boat that lives it's life in the water (I have to come to terms with wether I can accept that or not).... This would SO be my choice..














Silverton 42 Convertible

So gorgeous!

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Brett DiMichele

Looked at them and they are nice. Price was ~$650K with diesels. The 50 they had available was also nice. The wife actually preferred the Nordic because she could sit very comfortable with me in the pilot house in A/C or out of the rain. I think a trip we did a couple month ago where we were out in the rain convinced her an inside helm station is a great asset. In addition, if you have ever been on a fly bridge in rough seas it's not the most pleasant feeling. For many an inside helm may not be an issue, but for down here where summer squalls are quick moving and nasty I can only wish I had one now. We have dropped anchor before and let them pass, out of the weather down below.

Hopefully this will be my next seat.


Relaxing with the family.


Out somewhere exploring

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

I'd be inclined to look at something like a Grand Banks 'fast trawler' design. They can get up to about 25mph when necessary. I also agree regarding not having at least some sort of helm station down below. Or a helm that's not WAY up there on a too-tall flybridge. I cannot imagine trying to deal with nasty seas while being tossed around up higher. Granted, a larger boat will tend to handle the seas better, but still...

I get the feeling the admiral would want to try something like a 40' catarmaran before going the trawler route. You should see the dirty looks I get from the ragbaggers at the Annapolis sailboat show when I start asking about how fast it'll run under power (or if it can be ordered with a much faster diesel). Heh.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Bill,

Hahaha! I can almost hear thier condescending "Powerboaters!" exclamation!

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Brett DiMichele

Heh, the funny part is two shows are back-to-back, sail then power. The second week the wait staff at all the restaurants are grateful to see powerboaters. Apparently the sailors are too cheap to tip properly. That and the whole sales vibe is completely different between the two shows. At the sailboat show you practically have to twist someone's arm to get pricing on the vessel; at the powerboat show they're READY TO DEAL right then and there. Not sure one's better than the other but it would at least help if they made it less than a hassle to at least SEE sailboat pricing without putting up with a sales droid.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista