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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/26/2013 : 18:02:03

We went boat shopping today. Since the Annapolis Boat Show a few weeks ago, I've been looking ahead to when we might get our next (larger) boat. We've been thinking 1-2 years from now, but I've already been on the lookout for a deal too good to pass up. We'll most likely go with a C320 when the time comes.

Today the local Catalina/Bene dealer was having an open house, so we decided to go up and have a look. Their main objective was to push the brand new Benes that they've got, but they had some used Catalinas that are in the size range of what we would be considering. They had a 309, a 320, and a 34, plus some used Benes. I figured this would be a good chance to look over the size range and compare.

The 309 was the newest of the four, and was very well cared for. I learned that the owners of this boat are the same couple who owned a C28 that I nearly purchased 4 years ago. (That boat had been in great condition also.) But because the boat is so new, it was way out of my price range.

The other two boats reminded me why I hate shopping for boats. My nose burned as soon as I got aboard, and my wife could only stay down below for a minute or so. There was no visible mildew or mold, or any sign of severe moisture. They just had that stale boat smell. It was not even that strong, but it was unmistakable and annoying.

These boats were not in horrible shape, and I expect that with my usual array of cleaners, fans, and dehumidifiers that I would get control of the odors. But as I looked around I could see that these larger boats need A LOT of work to maintain. I thought of how perfectly odorless our C250 is, partly because there is no inboard motor, and because it's perfectly dry. I thought of how we have to do virtually no maintenance during the sailing season, and can just go have fun.

In the end, we concluded that we're not anxious to get a larger boat until we're certain that we'll go cruising several weeks a year. And that won't happen while we're working full time. Meanwhile we'll just continue to charter if we want a larger boat for a week.

On the car ride back, my wife reminded me that our longer term plan includes the possibility of buying a retirement place down on the eastern shore of MD, and if we're living right there, we might actually prefer a smaller boat for daysailing and 2-4 day cruises. In other words, EXACTLY THE BOAT THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

So while I was afraid this shopping trip might give me "the bug" to go buy something sooner, it had the opposite effect.

As soon as I dropped my wife off, I headed straight to Take Five to just hang out in the cabin and enjoy her (even though she's on the hard), drained the old oil, adjusted a few things, etc. Just the usual tinkering that I do if we can't head out sailing. I think I'll be happy with this boat for quite awhile longer.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

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pa-sailor
1st Mate

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USA
67 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2013 : 13:38:03

Rick,
I enjoyed your story--Good luck whatever you buy

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2013 : 14:08:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pa-sailor
 Rick,
I enjoyed your story--Good luck whatever you buy
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...or keep!

There's a lot to be said for a little outboard and simple systems. I have enough friends with big boats, with "big" systems, to appreciate the simplicity of my own. Occasional chartering gives you the benefits without the difficulties.

Re: smells... One of the main cuprits in so many "well-found" vessels I know is salt water in the sanitation system. Nothing seems to be able to completely contain the acrid odors that develop. Friends of mine just don't smell it any more, but when I go below in their boats, my eyes water and my nose burns. My head (the boat kind) runs off the fresh water tank, and with a little enzyme treatment, is odorless (except for a faint note of mint).

My late wife and I were seriously looking at MD's Eastern Shore--particularly the Easton - St. Michaels - Royal Oak - Oxford area. After I lost her, my criteria changed and I ended up in Mystic, CT, but have fond memories. (The Robert Morris Inn in quaint little Oxford had the best crab cakes I've ever had.)

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2013 : 11:34:44

I'm not sure that an inboard has much to do with boat smells. My boat has an older diesel inboard (27 year old Yanmar) but doesn't have any smell.

It did smell terrible shortly after we bought it. It was all sourced from the holding tank. Replacing the lines, holding tank, and installing a larger vent fixed the issue.

The same can be true of an outboard boat. My Catalina 25 wasn't the freshest smelling boat in the world, and replacing and servicing the holding tank system is what fixed it.

I do think that there is a lot to be said for having "the right size" boat. I like boats in the 30' length because they are still easy to handle with a crew of 1 or 2 and are more comfortable in bigger waves. However smaller and lighter boats are often more fun to sail. 25' is a nice in between.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.