On Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:10:38 -0400, Eisboch wrote:



My reasoning:

1. In general, smaller boats are used more for fishing, skiing, tubing
and other single day boating activities. They usually are "go fast"
boats and burn quite a bit of fuel at or near WOT. So, other than the
few that putt-putt around for an afternoon, a weekend of typical boating
activities on a smaller boat
that require high throttle settings can be quite expensive at today's
fuel prices.

2. With the exception of some high performance sportsfish type boats,
bigger boats are more efficient in their fuel usage. They can carry
more people, more equipment, more overall "stuff" and the gallons burned
per hour won't change much due to load changes. Furthermore, big boats
typically aren't used for "go fast" afternoon recreational activities.
A leisurely cruise to a favorite port can be an all day pleasure trip
for a number of people at a relatively low fuel burn rate.

For example, at cruise speed (19 knots) our Navigator burns about 25
gallons of diesel fuel per hour. This is on a boat that, loaded with
fuel, water and all our "stuff" probably displaces around 40,000 lbs. or
more. If I drop that speed down to 10-12 knots, I'll bet it burns less
than half that. Also, it holds 500 gallons of fuel, so we can go quite a
while without worrying about
where to get fuel.

3. My final point. A smaller boat is used, then hauled or tied up at
a slip until the next usage. There's not much else to do on it. It can
be washed quickly, maybe the owner can hang out for a while, but usually
it's a day event. A bigger boat has more to offer in terms of
function, in my opinion. I still enjoy spending 3 or 4 days or more at
a time, several times during the summer, "living" aboard the boat,
either at the slip or occasionally swinging on a mooring. I don't
necessarily need to burn fuel to enjoy it.

Often, I simply putter around doing maintenance chores during the day
and enjoying the occasional visits of others with boats at the marina or
other visiting friends. Then, when all but a few leave for home, the
rest of us enjoy the evening cool air shooting the breeze or in quiet
solitude if we choose. When it's time for sleep, there's a very
comfortable queen size bed awaiting. And .... in my opinion ....
there's nothing better than a cup of coffee in the morning while
watching the sun rise.

Then ... there's the fun of riding out the occasional storms.

Eisboch

So, smaller boats are for families with children, bigger boats are
strictly adult fare. ;-)