Hi everyone! We have been reading everything we can find in here and loving it. I'm sure you all get this question quite often but I really need some help here.
I'll give you some background. I'm an AirForce Search and Rescue pilot currently working as a search coordinator at a Joint Rescue Coordination Center (joint because it's AirForce and Coast Guard). A couple of years ago we were working on a overdue v/l case - the subject being a 39' Krogen. The boat was overdue on a trip between Seattle and Ketchikan, AK. To help locate the overdue boater one of our standard questions is to ask the next of kin where the missing boaters might have refueled. What floored me was the answer - "they don't fill up", actually, "they filled up in Seattle before they left and that is usually enough fuel for the summmer".
I have to tell you, this was a revelation moment for me. It quickly lead to reading everything I could find on trawlers. That of course lead to "Voyaging Under Power" by Robert Beebe and some sidetracking into Malcolm Tennant's multihull designs.
I have to say we were (are) sailors to start but the the draw of power is just too strong to resist --- 75% of our "sailboating" is under power anyway.
So here is the crazy part.
We are a family of 4 and want to move aboard - and not a sailboat (with the possible exception of a catamaran). The rough sail plan would to travel down the west coast, through the Panama Canal, and into the Caribbean with possible stops in Venezuela. This all depends on the boat purchase location --- reverse the plan if the boat comes from Florida or the east coast. There is no time frame to complete the journey... 3-5 years would be acceptable.
Here are some criteria:
Essential:
- 3 cabins ... we have a boy and girl going into their teens --- come to think of it maybe we should scrap the plan altogether hey? : )
Highly desirable:
- inside helm (think west coast weather -- i.e. continuous rain). This could be waved with a fully enclosed flybridge
- independence from shore power for at least a couple of weeks (probably more of a refrigeration issue but I also don't want spend my time with the generator on day and night).
- fuel conservation
- engine life maximization
Not and issue:
- speed
Budget:
- purchase budget of $300,000
- annual operating budget of $36,000 (loan, food, fuel, repairs, moorage, hauling & fees). Note - this can be doubled if I work back home part of the year which is likely.
Considerations:
- lenders reluctance to lend on v/l older than 10 years
What do I want to know?
I really like the 48' LRC (there are a few with 3 cabins) but is the added cost worth it?
Would a 48' Tri Cabin or 53'YF/MY be a better choice and the fuel burn acceptable with the throttles pulled back?
Does running these engines at lower RPM's kill them early?
Can you run on one engine at higher RPM (alternating for wear) to save fuel?
Is there anyone doing the long term live aboard and cruising with kids on a Hatteras out there?
Is there anyone doing the long term live aboard on their Hatt away from the dock for extended periods? What have you learned from it?
What Hatt would you recommend for this type of plan?
Lastly, my brother-in-law is a marine electrician. He basically says I should just take my money and light it on fire to get the feeling of large v/l ownership. Am I crazy?
BTW - we found the Krogen happily anchored up a west coast inlet enjoying the summer.
Cheers,
t