"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...

On Jul 6, 5:14?pm, wrote:

giving some thought to either a trawler or cruiser for galveston
bay/gulf of mexico. purpose would be just to tool around while not
paying huge bux for gas.


Part of the consideration, and probably an important part, has to do
with where you boat. In my neck of the country, I can draw a "two hour
circle" (16 nm diameter) anywhere on the chart and include a dozen
interesting places to visit, take photos, just kick back and sight
see, or
fish if so inclined. Contrast that with a lot of boaters in So
California who
spend every boating weekend running out to Catalina Island, and hope
to get there early enough to claim a prime moorage spot.....they have
a good reason, I guess, to go lickety split.

If you like spray, noise, vibration, and general ruckus underway you
will want to get a boat that goes as fast as possible. :-)


I would add that the selection of a boat type really depends on what your
interests are, what stage of life you are at and what, at the end of the
day, leaves you with a generally good feeling of having enjoyed the day's
experiences.

I've had 12 different boats in the last 15 years ... often having more than
one at a time.
They have included 55 mph go-fast small center consoles, gas powered express
cruisers, a high performance diesel powered sports-fish, a fairly large
diesel powered cruiser and a "trawler". Some were brand new, some were old
and needed constant work. Although we enjoyed them all, I've lost the lust
for speed and bouncing from wave top to wave top. I also have tired of the
fishing thing as a serious activity. I enjoy and respect nautical
tradition, general seamanship and the skills/knowledge required to apply it
and therefore have found myself increasingly enjoying the "trawler". Right
now, if I decide to take another winter voyage south (which is under serious
consideration) it would be a tough decision between the ultra comfortable
Navigator or the more nautical and traditional (and much slower) Grand
Banks. We took a little cruise yesterday, giving Mrs .E. some boating
handling and navigation lessons. It was totally enjoyable and relaxing.

It's interesting because although the Navigator is not a "fast" boat by any
means, it is more suited for cruising at 19 kts, 20-25 miles offshore, away
from coastal boating activity. Problem is, other than birds, airplanes and
an occasional passing boat off in the distance, there is nothing to see
except water. Running the ICW in it can be downright stressful at times
with constant attention required to the depth gauge and the channel markers
with one hand constantly resting on the throttles ready to pull back at a
moment's notice.

The GB, on the other hand, would seem to me to be ideal for a slow-paced and
relaxing cruise south on the ICW, stopping here and there to explore
interesting sites and going "out" only in the critical areas.

Plus, I could just about make it to St. Augustine, FL on one fill-up!
(green, you know)

Anyway, those are my current thoughts.

Eisboch