Haven't bought 1st boat yet, already thinking about 2nd.

[navajas]

Hey folks! Here's my first post.

Within the next year or so we will buy our first boat. It will be a family cruiser for myself, wife, two sons and mother. Ideally it will have a practical cockpit, sleep four comfortably, and five when necessary. Right now our short list is (bold are leading the pack right now, '*' are boats we've been on):

Cutwater 248 (admittedly a pinch given the above)
Cutwater 28
Cutwater 288
*Cutwater 30
Cutwater 302
Cutwater 32
*Jeanneau 895 Sport
*Jeanneau 895 Weekender
*Jeanneau 1095
Jeanneau NC 33
Jeanneau NC 37

Yeah. We still have a lot of work to do. But, I'll make another thread pleading for advice / opinion / experience about that choice and perhaps journaling our decision process and ultimate purchase.

THIS thread is about our hypothetical retirement dreamboat. Sell our current huge house (we bought one so that my Mom could retire with us), downsize, and buy a really nice boat. I think the below three are the kind of vessels that really capture our attention. Am I right in listing these makers in rough order of quality, first best?

Nordhavn
American Tug
Nordic Tug (Maybe Ocean Sport?)

Having stood next to and ogled an American Tug at Deer Harbor, and both an American and a Nordhavn at John Wayne, they are literally, in a word, awesome. At least from the pier and sitting in front of YouTube. I have not seen a Nordic in the wild but from their GOD AWFUL website (which appears to be a trend in this boat market) and some YouTube searches they seem a step under the others, though decidedly above Rangers. But Americans and Nordhavn: My goodness. They dull everything else in the marina... In my eyes, no offense to anyone else with boats in those waters!!! (Covering my bases, saw two cute Rangers there as well!) 😉

I figure given this crowd is likely full of other PNWers, who are into many of the same boats for many of the same reasons, this would be the right crowd's collective brain to pick. Anyone have opinions / experience on the above makers? Am I missing something obvious to add to my list?

 

[Bruce Moore]

Bumping post delayed in moderation queue.

 

[FlyMeAway]

You'd be remiss not including both the RT-43 and the Aspen C120

The Aspen has the benefit of dramatically lower operating costs than the other options. If you ask around, their quality is on part with Nordhavn.

 

[bob daily]

Navajas, Your post struck me as funny! First your two kids will be grown in a few years and thou they may be boating with you now, you will have to let them plan there own lifestyle. As for Mom, and I know as I take care of mine that is a 1920 model, she is not going to be one of your crew members for very long! Boats are not like houses and do not go up in price as time goes by, just check out boats that are 20 - 30 years old. The average life of a fiberglass boat is less than you think about 25 years!
You've worked hard to get to where you are financially and dream of sailing of in the sunset, not only the cost of the boat but maintenance and docking fees can take a big bite out of the that dream.
My recommendation is to take it slow (maybe a little smaller) and get your feet wet! Bob

 

[aintmissb]

Echo this advice. Find out who likes sleeping on a boat first before you invest a fortune in cruiser big enough for an extended family. A lot of people don’t like giving up their creature comforts. A Cutwater 28 would give you an entry level, but you won’t be doing extended cruising on it with more than two.

 

[HawaiianFish]

Sounds like you are about to embark on a fantastic journey! Your question needs a lot of clarification to point you in the right direction. So this thread is about your forever boat, after your first boat that you haven’t decided on? Unfortunately you won’t have all the answers you need. But I would say you got the order right-ish, money wise.
What separates almost all brands, is price, or what you want to spend… For your forever boat, If you haven’t already, figure that out first, keeping in mind what was said above, the price doesn’t stop after purchasing, which you will find out quickly after purchasing your first boat.
I lived on a boat in Miami, and cruised that area for several years and have seen 30 foot tenders for over a million, while I lived on a 43’ Pearson Portsmouth that I loved, which I purchased for $47K, or roughly what many people there spent annually to maintain their boats.
I guess to answer your forever boat question, after price, is how do you use a boat? This is as important or more important than price. For example, I use a boat on a weekly basis, I need to be able to operate solo, I don’t fish, don’t go particularly fast, I’m big into exploring, need a shallow draft, love being outside, have to have exterior entertaining space, can’t be too big to find dock space at the tiki bar, but can’t do without interior creature comforts, i.e. A/C, quiet closing/locking cabin, hot water shower, and a bright saloon…
That is how I found the Ranger/Cutwater brand. Our family (wife,son(8),daughter(6),golden retriever) fell in love with the C30 CB, although my budget liked the R27.
Regarding your first boat and follow on forever boat - As is in most things in life, financial flexibility will make your decisions much easier. If you have the money and don’t mind risking it, jump in with both feet. Buy a newer Cutwater C32 CB as your first boat, could be the best thing you’ve ever done. If you’re trying to be more financially cautious, I agree with the above advice, go with a used smaller boat to start.
As far as eventually jumping into a Norhavn that can take you to Hawaii, that is not for the faint of heart or wallet, or to be honest, what most people will really want. But… If you are looking for extended cruising with blue water capability, man they are really nice!

 

[navajas]

Don't have much time, will read all above in depth, but skimming I noticed a theme for which I should correct course.

Boat #1: Family cruiser for the four to five of us (older son moving out of picture due to growing up hopefully before Mom) on which to cruise around and fish the San Juans with the capacity to fish, crab, spend a few nights, etc... Separate thread.

DreamBoat #2: Retirement cruiser for my wife and I (Mom will be dead, boys will be grown), boat #1 sold or bequeathed. Sure, it should have enough capacity for visits from the sons (and hopefully, fingers crossed three times each, grandkids), but its mission would be decidedly different. Still, must point out, we are not, "Hey look how fancy and expensive this is, don't you wish you were us?" type people, we are, "Wow, this is some quality, functional stuff that is also comfy, won't fall apart, and doesn't look like it was made in an Indiana RV Factory by Uncle Buffett" type people.

Thanks again, will read, respond soon!

 

[knotflying]

Lots of wise advice. Kids grow up and parents may not tolerate cruising. Boats are advertised as sleeps xxx. On an R-27 I say cocktails for six, dinner for four and sleeping for two. The marketing material says differently. No one seems to say you can sleep six, but they can’t bring anything with them. Where would you store anything! I would try to rent the type boat you are considering for a week and take a trip with the gang and see how it works out. It still would not replicate a long cruise, but it would introduce you to what you may experience before making a large purchase. I have seen many a boat for sale with few hours on them. There is often a common thread as to why it is being sold.

 

[navajas]

Yep, again even. I see now the format of my original post was a pronounced mistake. Oh well, live and learn.

You'd be remiss not including both the RT-43 and the Aspen C120

The Aspen has the benefit of dramatically lower operating costs than the other options. If you ask around, their quality is on part with Nordhavn.

Oh for sure! I forgot about Aspen, you're right! Those look fantastic. Had been considering those briefly in terms on Boat #1, but priced out as too risky for that purchase. For Retirement DreamBoat #2 however, might be perfect. Thanks!

Not familiar with RT-43. Can you elaborate?

Sounds like you are about to embark on a fantastic journey! Your question needs a lot of clarification to point you in the right direction. So this thread is about your forever boat, after your first boat that you haven’t decided on?

Yes. Thank you!

As far as eventually jumping into a Norhavn that can take you to Hawaii, that is not for the faint of heart or wallet, or to be honest, what most people will really want. But… If you are looking for extended cruising with blue water capability, man they are really nice!

Not sure at this point if I'll ever have aspirations of crossing open ocean (don't right now, that's for sure), but heading to Florida from Washington via the Panama Canal is something I'm sure would appeal to my (warm weather / beach) wife, and being more comfortable / secure in Alaskan waters too dangerous for Fluid Motion appeals to (cold weather / mountain) me. The flexibility to either is compelling at this point.

 

[JeffreyAC77]

Simple suggestion is on the first boat, get something that will give you enough experience to find out what you will eventually want in your forever boat as your current thoughts will most likely change dramatically from what you believe right now. FYI, in Puget Sound, the bigger the boat, the harder it is to find proper space to keep it in, Oh, and whatever you budget.....it will cost more.

 

[FlyMeAway]

Yep, again even. I see now the format of my original post was a pronounced mistake. Oh well, live and learn.

You'd be remiss not including both the RT-43 and the Aspen C120

Not familiar with RT-43. Can you elaborate?

The Ranger Tug 43, R-43, the big Ranger. You are, after all, on a Ranger Tugs forum and that boat competes (very favorably, I think) with competitors from American Tugs and Nordic Tugs. Nordhaven is a little different but I think the smaller Nordhavns don't have an edge on the R-43. For something in the ~$1-1.2M class, I would be deciding between the Aspen and the biggest Ranger. If I had $2-3M to spend on a new yacht and was planning a transpacific crossing, I think Nordhavn is best in class (but I'd probably buy a $1M sailboat instead 🙂 ).

 

[RJM1953]

Hello Navajas. In all due respect, you have a lot of work, research, and legwork to do. My fellow TugNuts have posted a lot of great insight on this thread with regard to your situation. But I want to mention that you also need to define what kind of boat you want. You mention Nordhavn. It is an incredible boat but a boat of a different genre for a different purpose.. They are full displacement long distance passage makers. A high-quality spectacular build with lots of room, but can cruise only at displacement speeds of 6-7 knots with the exception of their new and faster coastal cruiser they just came out with.

Nordic and American Tugs are also great. They are faster than the Nordhavn, built on semi-planing hulls and are quality builds. Ranger Tugs are one of their competitors. What sets the Rangers apart are the fact that they are generally the fastest out of the bunch and make the best use of space. Also a good quality build with unmatched factory service and an organized community of owners.

And like was said prior, you must ask yourself how you are going to use the boat. Day tripping with occasional sleepovers? Give me a Ranger, American, or Nordic Tug. If you want to make quick day trips, Nordhavn is not the boat for you. If you plan on taking long ocean voyages, you bet I'd want to be on a Nordhavn rather than any of the other choices.

You must also do a lot of candid soul-searching. Will your family like boating? Might they tire of it quickly? Do they really want to sleep out on the boat? I can tell you that upon the passing of my beloved wife, I sold my 43' Asian trawler and downsized to a Ranger R31 CB. I loved my trawler but it no longer fit my lifestyle; no wife, daughter grown and out of the house, brother and his family moved out of the area, Mom & Dad gone, etc. I too did a lot of research, footwork at boat shows, and soul searching before pulling the trigger this past year. I love my Ranger but I also love a lot of other boats. In the end, the Ranger checked all the boxes for the type of boat and the usage I wanted! Good Luck in your search!

 

[H28]

Nordhavn, IMHO, is in a different class than the other brands you have mentioned. Nordhavn's are for crossing oceans, they are in the Kadey Krogen class. Don't believe the $745k N41 price mentioned in the press, that is way out of date.

If you are looking at Nordic and American, then look at Helmsman as well. I'd put a circle around all of those as in the same class. Coastal cruisers, semi-displacement hulls.

Personally, I think the Aspen is pricey for what you get. Others feel free to disagree...........

We looked at the RT43 about 18 months ago, didn't pull the trigger, now they are approx $200k more than when we looked if memory serves..........shoulda, woulda, coulda..........

 

[navajas]

The Ranger Tug 43, R-43, the big Ranger. You are, after all, on a Ranger Tugs forum

Ha! Derp. Yeah, that's embarrassing. I guess I had dismissed Ranger's after our search for Boat #1 moved away from them and towards Cutwaters. But you're right. It was, after all, a chance encounter with a Ranger Tug moored in Deer Harbor that got us all thinking about boats again in the first place.

Given the rather ominous warning at the top of this forum however, and stumbling on what I assume is the person and videos to which it makes reference, I'm not entirely sure as a new member, not to mention a non-Ranger owner, how interrogative or critical I am allowed to be on certain issues. (I would love to be able to allay some of those concerns here with experienced owners, but don't want to ruffle feathers or get the hit with a ban stick.)

Plus that's more for the thread that will be dedicated to Boat #1 anyway. Maybe I should go type that up?

But to be clear Ranger Tugs are pretty much the genesis of this whole decision process, and we owe them that even if we don't eventually purchase one.

EDIT: Holy jeez. You know what? I don't think I'd had yet laid eyes on that Ranger 43 (which is odd because in the past few weeks it feels like I've looked at every single cabin cruiser on earth between about 26 and 40', let alone the Fluid Motion line up). I think what happened was the price of the Rangers just escalated too quickly compared to Boat #1's mission, and I was put off a bit by some comments from neighbors, Voldemort, and YouTube videos, however unfair that may be. That 43 though as Boat #2 though? If I could get what my gut tells me are perhaps unreasonable concerns belayed, it might be a real player.

I'm guessing though, like the other Fluid Motion offerings, I'm not intended to go to Florida from Washington State in one, am I? ;-) That laundry cellar is nuts! 😀

 

[navajas]

If you are looking at Nordic and American, then look at Helmsman as well. I'd put a circle around all of those as in the same class. Coastal cruisers, semi-displacement hulls.

Personally, I think the Aspen is pricey for what you get. Others feel free to disagree...........

We looked at the RT43 about 18 months ago, didn't pull the trigger, now they are approx $200k more than when we looked if memory serves..........shoulda, woulda, coulda..........

Had not heard of Helmsman. I will do just that, thanks!