Date: 22 August 2017. Is a 34' boat
Big Enough?
© janice142

Seaweed is 23' long. She suits me though for a couple I
would say "go larger" without hesitation.
Recently a young man asked if a 34' boat would be big enough to live
aboard with his bride. Almost any size boat will suffice for one
person. Adding another individual to the equation does offer
opportunities for both success and failure. Here is my advice to
those couples considering life aboard any boat:
One determining factor would
be the boat model in question.
The length is not the only critical factor. Beam counts!

The Ranger Tug brand sure has a nice profile. She
reminds me of my Seaweed in a larger, more fancy scale.
A wider boat will have more
living space inside her. Having adequate seating for yourselves
and another couple (or two!) would be important to most social
folks. And boating is a social activity. Folks are friendlier on the water.

Our 40'er had lots of seating for guests. That love
seat unfolded into an uncomfortable bed for overnighters.
Count on visitors coming by and saying "hello" whenever you're at
anchor. You will find the same is true when visiting marinas.
People want to know about your
boat. They will be curious about your journey. New friends can
often offer "insider" details only known to locals. You may be
able to provide insight regarding the areas you've passed through
too.
Drew and his dad Bear came by one
afternoon.

Their story is found in the
Three Miles Out (Thursday's Child)
article.
I enjoy the social aspects of meeting new people afloat. Their
stories are varied yet there is a common thread. We all like our boats.
Life is pretty good that way.
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The main thing couples need is privacy.
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There should be a place out of sight of the other partner.
If one of you can be on the fly bridge or aft deck, or
forward cabin, it helps. There will be times when you may
find yourself:
- Working on a craft or boat project
- Planning a romantic interlude
- Contemplating murder or planning a
mutiny
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Being apart visually does help
restore the equilibrium. Everybody needs moments to
themselves. Finding that private space on a boat can make a
difference in the success of the journey. |
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Looking westward on the Carrabelle River at low tide.
Photograph by Cap'n Kim.
There will be days when you'll be inside your vessel because you
have to be. Fog may be thick. Navigating in strange waters with less
than stellar weather is not something I do. I'm retired and if the
fog is prevalent, I'll wait for it to burn off.
Being underway in conditions such
as these ↓ is untenable for me.
I stay put.

In some areas fog is a given (think Maine) however
here in Florida foggy days are few.
Being a fair weather sailor does
not provide me with tales such as those described in the
We've Seen Worse
article. That is just fine with me.
Being pressured and stressed does not equal happy boating. It has
got to be fun or I don't do it. Of course there are folks who follow
schedules. They may not start as single sailors, though they often
find their partners departing after one passage from Hades too many.
Men should listen to their
women. If a partner says "never again" let the individual meet you
in the next port. Hire a captain to help with those overnight
trips.
There is absolutely
zero excuse for not making the
boating experience enjoyable for both partners.
By taking on a crew for a day or three you are all going to be
happier. Hiring a captain for a passage is far less costly than
divorce attorneys. And yes, it has come down to just that scenario
for more than one fellow out here.
This is Harold.
↓ He's an experienced sailor and
power boat captain. [Phone: 850-727-9437]

My friend Harold has helped numerous cruisers take their boats
across the Gulf of Mexico when the boat owners were a bit
trepidatious. Some of the couples had never done an overnight
offshore passage. They opted to have guidance whilst gaining
experience. Paying for a good captain is often a smart move.
New boat buyers should always
consider hiring an experienced individual to help them learn the
ropes. It's not real hard though all maneuvering does require
practice.

A boat heads out the Carrabelle River, on her way into the Gulf of
Mexico.
But I digress...
Having a separate space aboard your boat for each person is in my
view critical for overall happiness.
I'm perfectly pleased aboard my
23'er. To me 34' is extravagant. And doable with caveats.
Specifically privacy. You've got to have privacy!

Gus and Captain Tom share the cabin of an Morgan28
when out on the water. Gus is a bunk thief!
They each have their own spots, though I've heard Gus's spot is
wherever Tom happens to be.
Skipper is the same way. She wants to be right where I
am.

Ashore when a couple is ticked at each other they can get away. A
walk in the park, a trip to the grocery store or going out to eat
are all easily accomplished. Aboard a boat the duo will be in tight
quarters. They will rely on each other as most couples never have
had to do.

John and Tracey aboard M/V Pairadice are enjoying a
cruise in Alaskan waters. They depend on each other.
Successful partners become a team, enjoying the experiences. Having
someone to share with is important.
For some boating is an
adventure filled with joy and happiness. Others find it a short
trip through purgatory with divorce or boat sale at the other end.
It's up to you which experience you end up with. Know this though:
If either of you
don't like the boat, DO NOT BUY IT.
Nobody has ever had an epiphany
after living aboard the "wrong" boat.
Good luck and happy cruising.
How big was your first boat?
How large do you anticipate your Last Boat will be?
COMMENTS:
© 2017
Categories:
Boats,
Characters,
Locations,
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Relationships,
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