New, possibly stupid, idea

[Freestyle]

New Brady Bunch family seems to require an additional stateroom and I don't see how to add on to a 43 DCMY. Additional desires would be increased water sport activity that a cockpit could better provide although we make do pretty well.

Instead of spending another $150k on a bigger yacht, I am thinking about getting a smaller boat with a cuddy cabin that has some climate control. Kids are now 14, 10 and 8. My idea is to let the oldest captain his boat when on cruise or tow it. We mostly go to Boca Grande, Keys and Bahamas for a couple months in the summer and then weekend when the boys are in school.

Assuming that (i) I can find a place to keep the little boat; (oii) when cruising I will anchor it out nearby; and (iii) my kids can handle the challenge, where is my misplaced logic?

Bruce
1976 DCMY
Freestyle
Tampa

 

[jim rosenthal]

Well, you'll have two boats to maintain, for one thing. I don't know how well it will tow, for another- I don't think those boats are made to be towed. I know you love your 43DC, but maybe you would be better off with more cabin space in one boat, and a Whaler up on top.... Maybe you should look for a three-stateroom boat; does a 48YF have three staterooms? That's not a whole lot larger than what you have, and might do the job.

 

[SeaSwick]

AMEN to that!

I see a late 1960's Hatteras 28 in your future...

 

[egaito]

How about dropping anchor near an island, and handing the kids a tent!

There aren't many cuddies with climate control...you're looking at 25 feet of boat I think at least to get there.

I don't see why it couldn't be towed though. There are expedition boats towing 60' Sport Fishers around.....not that it would be a no-brainer of course, but I'm sure it could be done.

 

[Liquid Asset]

I think the second boat will become more of a burden than a great thing. More maintenance, more responsibility, and more fuel. Most of what will be the issue is the need to find a place to keep the second vessel safely. In the Bahamas, if you anchor it out, it may not be there the next day. There is a yacht out there that can suit your needs, you just have to find it.

 

[dwaynec]

The 48 Yachtfishes came in either two or three stateroom. I think that most were two stateroom models. Probably because the mid and aft staterooms are pretty small in that configuration.

 

[eze2bme]

There is a 1980 43 with three staterooms for sale on Yachtworld ... looks nice but don't know the condition. The third stateroom replaced the dinette.
http://www.yachtworld.com/

 

[thoward]

We had a 23' proline walk around with a single outboard that was a good all-around boat. You would have to put a small generator on board to run a portable A/C unit. It has a portable pooper, transom shower, sink and a small stove. You could also look at a 21' W/A.

 

[Trojan]

I don't see your problem. I cruse and live aboard my 43DC 6 months of the year. I have 6 kids and a wife. Ages 16, 2/15, 2/13, 11. When at port. They have there 21 ft. Wellcraft they bum around in. You could add another bunk in the front V and make it a stacked bunk like some 43s have. I sleep 2 on the pull out leather couch, 2 in the V bunk, or 2 in the leather lazyboy recliners. Sometimes they sleep on the aft deck when they have friends over. Sometimes they don't sleep at all.

 

[Capten]

New Brady Bunch family seems to require an additional stateroom and I don't see how to add on to a 43 DCMY. Additional desires would be increased water sport activity that a cockpit could better provide although we make do pretty well.

Hey Bruce.....I've got a boat with 3 staterooms and a cockpit for ya!