Boat Suggestions for Southern California Coast?
 

My family wants a powerboat for overnight and weekend trips from Marina Del
Rey to Catalina Island.

Needs to sleep, feed, entertain 6 comfortably.

Would prefer a boat that can be beached, but not a deal breaker by any
means.

I'm considering two classes: a boat for the Marina Del Rey to Catalina
Island or a boat that can be used for coastal cruising from the Channel
Islands to San Diego.

Safety, dependability, comfort, and performance would be the order of
priorities.

Of course, until I win the lottery, price, initial and overall, is a major
factor.

Any recommendations?

Well, I think there are a good number of subjective requirements in
your post, so my answer is probably equally subjective. First thing I
would say is that I can't think of any boat that would meet your
requirements and be beachable. With that in mind, 6 people is a good
number of people on a boat, so I would say you are looking a 38 feet
minimum. With boats, they require a lot of money, but the better boat
you buy, the less money (usually) you will have to put into it. For
that reason, I would look at the bigger names like Bertram, Cabo,
Hatteras, Riviera, Viking and so forth. Of course, what do you like to
do? Fish, cruise, both? These are all factors in buying a boat. Also,
you can get a great boat used, but do your research completely to know
what you options are and what you want, then don't settle for anything
less. It is very much like buying a house. Hope to see you out at
Catalina sometime!

David Sumich
33 Megabites
1986 Bertram 33' SF

drkato,
Are you saying you think your Bertram 33 is too small? (Nice boat BTW)
Yeah bigger is better but....
Paul


drkato wrote:
Well, I think there are a good number of subjective requirements in
your post, so my answer is probably equally subjective. First thing I
would say is that I can't think of any boat that would meet your
requirements and be beachable. With that in mind, 6 people is a good
number of people on a boat, so I would say you are looking a 38 feet
minimum. With boats, they require a lot of money, but the better boat
you buy, the less money (usually) you will have to put into it. For
that reason, I would look at the bigger names like Bertram, Cabo,
Hatteras, Riviera, Viking and so forth. Of course, what do you like to
do? Fish, cruise, both? These are all factors in buying a boat. Also,
you can get a great boat used, but do your research completely to know
what you options are and what you want, then don't settle for anything
less. It is very much like buying a house. Hope to see you out at
Catalina sometime!

David Sumich
33 Megabites
1986 Bertram 33' SF

"drkato" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I think there are a good number of subjective requirements in
your post, so my answer is probably equally subjective. First thing I
would say is that I can't think of any boat that would meet your
requirements and be beachable. With that in mind, 6 people is a good
number of people on a boat, so I would say you are looking a 38 feet
minimum. With boats, they require a lot of money, but the better boat
you buy, the less money (usually) you will have to put into it. For
that reason, I would look at the bigger names like Bertram, Cabo,
Hatteras, Riviera, Viking and so forth. Of course, what do you like to
do? Fish, cruise, both? These are all factors in buying a boat. Also,
you can get a great boat used, but do your research completely to know
what you options are and what you want, then don't settle for anything
less. It is very much like buying a house. Hope to see you out at
Catalina sometime!

David Sumich
33 Megabites
1986 Bertram 33' SF


Mother, Father, Son and Daughter (both entering teen years), and, of course,
a friend for each kid.
If sleeping below is ok for 4 but 6 creates the problem, then an option
comes to mind: 2 of the 4 kids can sleep on deck.
Beachable not necessary, if not practical; I'm sure I'll be thrilled with
how close to shore I can get compared to my 7 foot draft sailboat. This
means I'll need an inflatable with outboard.
I'm sure someone will bring a fishing pole along now and then, but the boat
is for cruising to Catalina Island for weekending, towing kids around on
towables (is this considered chumming?), and accessing snorkeling areas at
Catalina.
38 is way out of my price range! I was hoping to hear that I could do this
with less than 32.
Even then I realize that I'm going to have to look for used boats!

Bryan wrote:
"drkato" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, I think there are a good number of subjective requirements in
your post, so my answer is probably equally subjective. First thing
I
would say is that I can't think of any boat that would meet your
requirements and be beachable. With that in mind, 6 people is a
good
number of people on a boat, so I would say you are looking a 38
feet
minimum. With boats, they require a lot of money, but the better
boat
you buy, the less money (usually) you will have to put into it. For
that reason, I would look at the bigger names like Bertram, Cabo,
Hatteras, Riviera, Viking and so forth. Of course, what do you like
to
do? Fish, cruise, both? These are all factors in buying a boat.
Also,
you can get a great boat used, but do your research completely to
know
what you options are and what you want, then don't settle for
anything
less. It is very much like buying a house. Hope to see you out at
Catalina sometime!

David Sumich
33 Megabites
1986 Bertram 33' SF


Mother, Father, Son and Daughter (both entering teen years), and, of
course,
a friend for each kid.
If sleeping below is ok for 4 but 6 creates the problem, then an
option
comes to mind: 2 of the 4 kids can sleep on deck.
Beachable not necessary, if not practical; I'm sure I'll be thrilled
with
how close to shore I can get compared to my 7 foot draft sailboat.
This
means I'll need an inflatable with outboard.
I'm sure someone will bring a fishing pole along now and then, but
the boat
is for cruising to Catalina Island for weekending, towing kids around
on
towables (is this considered chumming?), and accessing snorkeling
areas at
Catalina.
38 is way out of my price range! I was hoping to hear that I could
do this
with less than 32.
Even then I realize that I'm going to have to look for used boats!

Not to small for me, but for 6 people, yes.

DK

Westport shipyards are making some nice 112 footers just down the road.
Should do the trick!
G

"Bryan" wrote in message
om...
My family wants a powerboat for overnight and weekend trips from Marina
Del
Rey to Catalina Island.

Needs to sleep, feed, entertain 6 comfortably.

Would prefer a boat that can be beached, but not a deal breaker by any
means.

I'm considering two classes: a boat for the Marina Del Rey to Catalina
Island or a boat that can be used for coastal cruising from the Channel
Islands to San Diego.

Safety, dependability, comfort, and performance would be the order of
priorities.

Of course, until I win the lottery, price, initial and overall, is a major
factor.

Any recommendations?

"Gordon" wrote in message
...
Westport shipyards are making some nice 112 footers just down the road.
Should do the trick!
G

Does that mean I now need to post a twin screw vs single question for a
discussion of docking maneuverability and fuel efficiency?

And thrusters!
G
"Bryan" wrote in message
om...

"Gordon" wrote in message
...
Westport shipyards are making some nice 112 footers just down the road.
Should do the trick!
G

Does that mean I now need to post a twin screw vs single question for a
discussion of docking maneuverability and fuel efficiency?

On 8 Apr 2005 18:28:47 -0700, "drkato" wrote:

Not to small for me, but for 6 people, yes.

===================================

I agree. We used to own a Bertram 33 and it is a great boat but not
for overnighting 6 people.

I would want 2 heads and more cockpit or flybridge seating for that
many people.