On Dec 18, 10:50*am, "mmc" wrote:
"Vic Smith" wrote in message

...



I read quite a bit about boats, and get the BoatTest newsletter, which
comes out every week or so. *Most of what's in there is not what I
want. *Mostly big gas-guzzlers.
They had an article in the most recent about Whalers 13-footer.
Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport
Comes with a 40 Merc for $9995. *Boat's too small for me.
There's a vid review of the American Angler 1866 Bass & Bay CC.
And the Tracker Pro Team 170 TX.
Both aluminum.
And a vid review for the JC Pontoon Neptoon 21 TT, and the
Ranger Boats 208VX.
Lots of smaller boats today. *Many times they're reviewing power
yachts that run big bucks and use big fuel.
Anyway, it's been a couple years since I wanted any boat but what I
first decided on. *Three I'd like are the Carolina Skiff 24 DLX, Mac
26X or M, and the Corsair F-24 or F-27 tri.
All are good on fuel, and the Mac and Corsair can sail besides.
They're within my budget, but until I move to the water and try them I
won't know which one I want. *Maybe I'll change my mind then and go
with something else.
Thing is, it seems that once you like a certain type boat, you tend to
stick with it.
Some here might have the money to own many different boats, but those
are more rare birds.
They say a boat is always a compromise, and that's true.
Seems there's always something that steers an individual toward a
particular boat.
Wouldn't mind hearing what steered you to yours.
For me, I give the most weight to meager fuel consumption, then
shallow draft and fishability and overnighting.
Close in there is trailerabilty, though I might be able to work around
that with a dock or lift. *Depends. *Have to be able to ride 4-6
people safely minimum, and sleep at least 4.
Don't care about speed much at all.
Because I just don't want an expensive boat, I don't worry about cost
hindering me.
That's about it.

--Vic

Vic,
I'd just suggest that you try the boats on your list and a few other types
before handing over the big boat bucks.
For instance, try a flats boat after a ride in a CS. Go fast in both boats
and get into some choppy water. *A flat bottom boat is a flat bottom boat no
matter what material and they will beat the crap out of a person.
Sail a keel boat and the go fast trimarans and consider your use and the
cost. A wise man said with powerboating you have a destination and with
sailing you're already there.
I enjoy puttering along at 3-4 knots and "hauling ass" at 6. I've got this
42 year old solid 24' boat that I paid a boat buck ($1K) for and I wouldn't
cry myself to sleep if I ran her into a dock. She is the right boat for me.
Look at trawlers and keel boats and if she is to be your crew take the Mrs
along. If she does like the new investment, she'll let you know and better
before than after. Funny how they don't rag us about things they like.

Being both a sailor and a powerboater, I can appreciate both views.
Although I kinda like the Corsair tris, I do not think I would want
one for livability.
I was just at the St.Pete boat show and was very surprised there mer
no Mac sailboats there. Conditions were ideal to test sail one
(blustery 20 kt wind) to see how well it does in higher wind ranges
and how it would handle some chop.
The Mac 26 has the advantages of sail withe the ability to power at
higher speeds too. However, I'd really have to evaluate the build
quality before buying. I have heard of people upgrading the Mac but
do not know what they did .
I did test sail a Presto 30, a trailerable sailboat with free standing
masts with wishboom booms. It was a nice boat and sailed very well.
However, the builder told me it took 2 hours to set up once he had it
in the water, not the sort of thing you'd want to do every weekend.
I looked at a trailerable Catalina 25 with water ballast and it was
"ok" but already showed lesser construction problems with some gelcoat
cracking (it was a brand new boat).
I'd consider looking at used Mac 26 because that would tell you how
one would fare over a few years.