"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
I hate buying fuel, and I hate using it. It's possible I may end with
a sail boat, but since I've only had a tiny bit of experience crewing
sail, and I'm a bit long in the tooth, motor is probably my future.
From reading and googling this group I've begun to open my mind to
other types of boats beside the Carolina Skiff I had originally set my
sights on.
From reading the C. Skiff group on msn it's apparent that the skiffs
get very good mileage, and are all-around good near-shore fishing
boats.
But the accounts there are anecdotal, and the mileage measurements
are always done with a lot of on-plane time included.
Planing at 30+ is fine, but frankly, I'm never in a hurry. I can get
speed kicks at Great America should the urge come. It doesn't.
So I'm starting to think I might be better suited to a slow boat with
some measure of livability that slower travel requires, especially
since that boat might also afford more big water capability than a
skiff provides.
I'm pretty flexible about the comfort factor, so there's no saying
a 24-26' skiff can't be rigged for a measure of livability.
By "livability" I mean 3-4 nights. I'm not a masochist.
I found a fishing cap'n running a 24' CS out of Ft Myers and plan
to charter him next month or late this month to get a feel for
that boat and the Charlotte Harbor waters.
In the meantime, I'm going to get a bit of education on other hull
types. Googling this group hasn't provided much I can use, maybe
because the answer can't be pat, or maybe I just missed the answer.
DSK seems to know a lot about this, and maybe Chuck, though he usually
deals with more boat than I can afford.
First, let me lay down the only essential requirements for the boat
1. the boat is seaworthy of typical Gulf of Mexico offshore excursions
- non-hurricane but otherwise expected seas.
2. two people can live aboard without tripping over each other.
3. cost is no more than $30k, shipshape.
That's it.
What hull/engine combos offer the best MPG?
Anybody?

Thanks,

--Vic

You might check out the following URL for ideas:

http://www.allweatherboats.com/

No affiliation, just looks neat if speed is not needed

On Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:58:59 GMT, "tak"
wrote:


"Vic Smith" wrote in message
.. .
I hate buying fuel, and I hate using it. It's possible I may end with
a sail boat, but since I've only had a tiny bit of experience crewing
sail, and I'm a bit long in the tooth, motor is probably my future.


You might check out the following URL for ideas:

http://www.allweatherboats.com/

No affiliation, just looks neat if speed is not needed

5 knots 1 qt./hr Wowie!
Thanks, that's real close to what I was thinking about,
and gives me a terrific reference.

--Vic

On Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:46:00 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

First, let me lay down the only essential requirements for the boat
1. the boat is seaworthy of typical Gulf of Mexico offshore excursions
- non-hurricane but otherwise expected seas.
2. two people can live aboard without tripping over each other.
3. cost is no more than $30k, shipshape.
That's it.
What hull/engine combos offer the best MPG?
Anybody?

I'd recommend an older, used sailboat in the 28 to 30 ft range because
I think it's the only thing that will meet all of your listed
requirements. It would be very fuel efficient and easily handled by
two people after a bit of experience in fair weather. Get an
autopilot, best money you'll ever spend.

On Mar 5, 8:03�am, Wayne.B wrote:

I'd recommend an older, used sailboat in the 28 to 30 ft range because
I think it's the only thing that will meet all of your listed
requirements. *It would be very fuel efficient and easily handled by
two people after a bit of experience in fair weather. *Get an
autopilot, best money you'll ever spend.

I would concur. $30,000 is a very low budget for a boat with the
requirements stated. Motoring around in an old sailboat might be a
solution, I'd have to think the sail inventory would be pretty tired
on a boat in that price range- but maybe could still sail a bit.

Depending on how rough conditions might be- a new 26' MacGregor is
around $30,000. Pretty light weight and not much draft for serious
offshore use. Not the world's finest sailboat, sort of weird as a
powerbot, but very economical to
purchase and operate. Can't say how one would work in the Gulf, but
they are very popular in Puget Sound.

On Mar 5, 12:25 pm, "Chuck Gould" wrote:
On Mar 5, 8:03?am, Wayne.B wrote:

I'd recommend an older, used sailboat in the 28 to 30 ft range because
I think it's the only thing that will meet all of your listed
requirements. ?It would be very fuel efficient and easily handled by
two people after a bit of experience in fair weather. ?Get an
autopilot, best money you'll ever spend.

I would concur. $30,000 is a very low budget for a boat with the
requirements stated. Motoring around in an old sailboat might be a
solution, I'd have to think the sail inventory would be pretty tired
on a boat in that price range- but maybe could still sail a bit.

Depending on how rough conditions might be- a new 26' MacGregor is
around $30,000. Pretty light weight and not much draft for serious
offshore use. Not the world's finest sailboat, sort of weird as a
powerbot, but very economical to
purchase and operate. Can't say how one would work in the Gulf, but
they are very popular in Puget Sound.

$30k is unrealistic.

If gas consumption is the deciding factor then a displacement hull or
a sail boat. You can't be in a hurry but you will get there at the
least cost.

On 5 Mar 2007 09:34:02 -0800, "jamesgangnc"
wrote:

On Mar 5, 12:25 pm, "Chuck Gould" wrote:
On Mar 5, 8:03?am, Wayne.B wrote:

I'd recommend an older, used sailboat in the 28 to 30 ft range because
I think it's the only thing that will meet all of your listed
requirements. ?It would be very fuel efficient and easily handled by
two people after a bit of experience in fair weather. ?Get an
autopilot, best money you'll ever spend.

I would concur. $30,000 is a very low budget for a boat with the
requirements stated. Motoring around in an old sailboat might be a
solution, I'd have to think the sail inventory would be pretty tired
on a boat in that price range- but maybe could still sail a bit.

Depending on how rough conditions might be- a new 26' MacGregor is
around $30,000. Pretty light weight and not much draft for serious
offshore use. Not the world's finest sailboat, sort of weird as a
powerbot, but very economical to
purchase and operate. Can't say how one would work in the Gulf, but
they are very popular in Puget Sound.

$30k is unrealistic.

If gas consumption is the deciding factor then a displacement hull or
a sail boat. You can't be in a hurry but you will get there at the
least cost.

Seems to be a consensus. After I do some looking and trials in
Florida I'll try to get some feedback here from what I've found.
I probably should have cross-posted this to the asa group, since
I'm being pointed to sailboats, but I'm not convinced of going that
way yet.

--Vic

On 5 Mar 2007 09:25:32 -0800, "Chuck Gould"
wrote:

On Mar 5, 8:03?am, Wayne.B wrote:

I'd recommend an older, used sailboat in the 28 to 30 ft range because
I think it's the only thing that will meet all of your listed
requirements. t would be very fuel efficient and easily handled by
two people after a bit of experience in fair weather. et an
autopilot, best money you'll ever spend.

I would concur. $30,000 is a very low budget for a boat with the
requirements stated. Motoring around in an old sailboat might be a
solution, I'd have to think the sail inventory would be pretty tired
on a boat in that price range- but maybe could still sail a bit.

Depending on how rough conditions might be- a new 26' MacGregor is
around $30,000. Pretty light weight and not much draft for serious
offshore use. Not the world's finest sailboat, sort of weird as a
powerbot, but very economical to
purchase and operate. Can't say how one would work in the Gulf, but
they are very popular in Puget Sound.

Thanks for that suggestion. I'll give them a look.

--Vic

On Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:03:11 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:46:00 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

First, let me lay down the only essential requirements for the boat
1. the boat is seaworthy of typical Gulf of Mexico offshore excursions
- non-hurricane but otherwise expected seas.
2. two people can live aboard without tripping over each other.
3. cost is no more than $30k, shipshape.
That's it.
What hull/engine combos offer the best MPG?
Anybody?

I'd recommend an older, used sailboat in the 28 to 30 ft range because
I think it's the only thing that will meet all of your listed
requirements. It would be very fuel efficient and easily handled by
two people after a bit of experience in fair weather. Get an
autopilot, best money you'll ever spend.

I'm leaning a bit that way as I flip-flop. Sailboats are now on my
list to check out when I get to Florida.
Oddly enough, when I looked at the Cap'n Neal link, he got me a bit
interested. No golf carts though, and I'm a little leery of
sailboards too, but who knows.

--Vic

On Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:46:00 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

snippity-snip

Anybody?

Thanks,

--Vic



You could look he
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...ck&searchtype=
Mark E. Williams

On Mon, 05 Mar 2007 21:50:09 -0600, Maynard G. Krebbs
wrote:

You could look he
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...ck&searchtype=
Mark E. Williams

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

Great looking boat but it needs air conditioning for use in Florida.

That will be an issue with most boats in that size range or smaller.