20 Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere – Book Review

Links below at bottom of post

Book the Captain just finished snoozing on:   

20 Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere, by John Vigor   

 

 

Is it possible to find small boats that can sail around the world? What does ocean ‘seaworthiness’ really mean?

Loved this book. Loved it! Could have happily snoozed on it all week. But it’s short enough that I powernapped through it in a single day.

John Vigor, former managing editor of Sea magazine, evaluates and compares the seaworthiness of 20 of the most tried, tested and beloved small yacht designs available. The boats range from 20 to 32 feet in length. 

Any one of these designs would be a solid choice to cross an ocean in. John lays out his analyses and evaluations clearly. Each design is compared to the ideal of seaworthy and also compared to (ranked against) each other.

Vigor points out aspects of seaworthiness as he describes each boat and evaluates them. However, I would have liked a clear introduction defining ‘seaworthy’ independently at the start of the book.

Fortunately, the Can Opener and I also invested in The Seaworthy Offshore Boat, by John Vigor. He defines here seaworthy in the first chapter on pages 2 and 3.

Seaworthy

Ocean crossing boat designs should have:

• sturdier construction
• stronger spars and rigging
• more storage
• less need for weather helm
• seakindliness
• ability to manoeuvre
• habiltability

and

• ability to right itself  quickly from a 180 knockdown.

Some bias 

• There’s a bias in his group ranking scheme towards the larger boats which John readily admits to. It’s for good reason – a longer waterline means it takes a bigger wave to roll the boat. 
• There also seems to be a bias towards North American designed boats. I expected a few Scandinavian (and possibly French) yacht designs to be included in the group. The closest were US-designed yachts that were ‘descendants’ of the Folkboat, for example.

Conclusion 

• We’re going to add in the Nicolson 31 and the Southern Cross 31 to our long list ofboat designs to consider for ourselves. 
• This book was a good investment. The criteria for seaworthiness were clearly illustrated and analysed as he considered each design. 

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener) 

Book Reviews 

Previously: Maiden Voyage – Reviewed

 http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_mfw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822/US/httpthecruisi-20/8001/4ccf35c7-2173-487b-8e12-4bd36bc02bb2 <A HREF=”http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_mfw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fhttpthecruisi-20%2F8001%2F4ccf35c7-2173-487b-8e12-4bd36bc02bb2&Operation=NoScript”>Amazon.com Widgets</A>

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Morris Yacht Designs & Morris 34

We could only find a vid for the Morris 36. Mostly shows the boat in action sailing. 

At about 1:07~ you get some close ups of winches, fittings etc. Unfortunately, no interior views shown.

Morris Yachts – Highlights

Built very very well… 
‘Every boat built by Morris is a work of art!’ — John Neal of Mahina Expeditions. 

The shortest Ocean Series design that the Morris yard is currently offering is the Morris 34. The First Mate and I were aiming for circa 30 foot designs as he’ll be solo sailing most of the time – but these boats are so gorgeous we can’t resist taking a peek. 

The Morris 34 was Best Overall Boat of the Year for 1998 at the Annapolis Boat Show so we are not alone in our admiration it seems. 

Not that many built… 
The Morris site notes the Morris Annie 29 design was built 1980~ and only 16 were built. The Linda 28 design is meant to be similar – again only 16 were built. But for Morris, these seem to be long runs. 

‘More recently… production numbers have increased quite a bit, but I doubt Morris has yet built its 300th boat. If so, that boat would have been built fairly recently.’ – Richard Reinhart, Morris Yachts post, Sailnet 

We had the Morris Annie in our sights, but I think finding one of these on the market will be more than a little tough. 

Hard to find present/past owners’ opinions online… 
Since not so many Morris boats have been made, not so many owners (or past owners) are around. Can’t seem to find too many specific comments on specific Morris boats in sailing forums (just general comments on the Morris yard and their great production standards and after service). 

Ditto can’t find an owners’ association or any sail mag reviews on the shorter Morris designs (though reviews for the Morris 45 and 52 can be seen at Cruising World online). 

But there are some useful comments online… 
So for what it’s worth, here are the highlights of the few the bits we’ve found online, focusing mostly on the Morris 34… 

Pluses 

• cockpit is set up for either tiller or wheel steering* (tiller is the way we’re planning to go – simple systems mean fewer breakdowns and also the auto-helm will be easier to attach)
• interiors can be customized* (doesn’t mean much to us who will be buying used, but may appeal to others…)
• ‘Morris Yachts is well known for building sailboats that border on floating works of art.’ – bluewaterboats.org, Morris Linda 28 page
• ‘(Morris) don’t wait until a vessel is in the new owners hands to see if there are problems. They look for problems before the vessel is delivered.’ –JHJensen, Marine Educator/Surveyor, Morris Yachts post, Sailnet 

Minuses

• ‘Asking prices on the Morris 36s seem to have been rising pretty steadily for the last 5 or so years.’ – Richard Reinhart, Morris Yachts post, Sailnet
• (Seems to be true for Morris boats in general. Not so great if you are buying; quite nice if you are selling…)

Specs for the Morris 34* 
LOA:             33’9″ 
LWL:             26’1″ 
Beam: 10’5″ 
Draft (Scheel Keel): 4’3″ 
Displacement: 11,400 lbs 
vs 
Bavaria 34, 12 yrs old: $89,804 
Contour 34, 12 yrs old: $125,000 
Hallberg Rassy 34, 12 yrs old: $182,676 

 

Sample Pricing for the Morris 34** 
Morris 34, 7 yrs old: $345,000 
vs 
Beneteau 34, 7 yrs old: $97,530 
Jeanneau 34, 7 yrs old: $108,367 
Catalina 34, 7 yrs old: $114,900 

Morris 34, 12 yrs old: $235,000 
vs 
Bavaria 34, 12 yrs old: $89,804 
Contour 34, 12 yrs old: $125,000 
Hallberg Rassy 34, 12 yrs old: $182,676 

Criteria Match 

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Decision 
We’d love to have a Morris and will definitely keep our eyes open for examples to take a look at during our research (more likely to be found in the US though). We’re hoping we come across a Morris Annie 29 or a Linda 28. 

However, the Morris 34 looks awfully pricey for our first boat. We’d like to make mistakes and learn on something a little more moderate when we outfit for long distance the first time.WOW, they are pricey. Though beautiful. Ouch.

Decision 
We’d love to have a Morris and will definitely keep our eyes open for examples to take a look at during our research (more likely to be found in the US though). We’re hoping we come across a Morris Annie 29 or a Linda 28. 

However, the Morris 34 looks awfully pricey for our first boat. We’d like to make mistakes and learn on something a little more moderate when we outfit for long distance the first time. 

For now, for us, the Morris 34 doesn’t make the short list. 

But we’ll keep it on the long list for future reference. We are confident there will be more than one boat in our long term future. 

Have you ever sailed or owned one of these boats? 
What do you think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)? 

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener) 

*  Data taken from http://www.morrisyachts.com/Morris-34 
** Sample data taken from yachtworld.com

Yacht Designs

Next: Westsail 28 & 32
Previously: What about a Catamaran?

Why Yacht Surveys Save Money

Tips on Surveying Boats 
from the 2nd half of the Cruising Association lecture 

Here are our notes from the second half of the lecture with Paul Stevens on: SurveyingYachts and Small Craft at the Cruising Association last week. 

The first half of Paul’s lecture covered a serious issue he has helped to build awareness for recently: the use of brass skin fittings below the waterline in salt water-sailed yachts – and why this is a very bad idea. 

The second half of the lecture covered some general tips on surveying. In one short hour, this is what we covered… 

Keel, Rudder and Hull 

• Look for weeping, staining on the keel
• Look for ‘tide mark’ inside the bilges from keel staining
• Look at the boat in slings to see the keel ‘in tension’. Is there light visible between the hull and the keel where it joins the hull? Yikes!
• Look at the hull surface when the sun is low in the sky. This will throw the bottom into relief and show up imperfections
• Check for crazing where the skeg is attached
• Hammer tap test over hull to find voids in laminate (ie. if delamination has occurred). If you hear a change in sound as you tap, you will notice immediately. It sounds like rotten wood
• Scrape off anti-fouling to see if there is blistering – you always have to do this, no excuses
• Test the rudder – can you move it relative to its stalk? Is it loose?
• What is the propeller made of? Very often they are made of manganese bronze – this means brass! Avoid. 

  

Inside and On the Boat 

• Look for crazing at the cockpit joins, roof joins etc.
• Tap around bulkhead. If the chainplates are leaking, then the bulkheads might be rotten
• Do hatches close properly?
• Check for corrosion at stanchion bases – it’s very common to have stainless steel stanchions in an aluminum base. Different metals together accelerate corrosion
• At rigging attachment points, sealing plates should be removed, retightened and resealed once a year!
• Take a winch handle with you to check that winches move in 2 directions and are not seized
• Does boat conform to light regulations? Are all the lights working?
• Does boat conform to bilge pump regulations? Check pump is working. MCA Code of Practice tells what number and type of bilge pump is required for each size of boat. These are sensible recommendations

Engine

• Look in ‘rocker’ box. Is the oil all creamy?
• Do a dip stick check
• Check the coolant. How clean is it?

How do you know if your yacht surveyor is qualified?
You don’t. This is an unregulated industry.

How can I tip the odds in my favour when looking for a good yacht surveyor?

• Ask friends for recommendations
• Ask people at your boat club for recommendations
• Ask your cruising association for recommendations
• Don’t use the yacht surveyor the yacht broker suggests you use
• In the UK, you can check to see if they are members of the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) and/or British Marine Surveyors Europe (BMSE). Neither of these memberships are required and it is not a fool proof guarantee – but it is the best there is in the UK

There’s a lot more to yacht surveying than this. But this is all the time we had in Paul’s lecture. His book apparently covers much more in excruciating detail.

The Cruising Association has this to say about Paul’s Surveying Yachts and Small Craft: ‘…the book seeks to appeal to boat owners either actual or prospective… a good prior knowledge of FRP boats, their construction and equipment is assumed by the author… this book is an excellent tool.’ 

I’ve got a long list of books on surveying for the Can Opener to read this year. Another surveyor-guy might have different tips and ideas. We want to know it all.

Any problem that comes with the boat we buy becomes our problem. For a long time. Even a short time will feel like a long time if it’s a big problem. And sometimes big problems can be life-threatening.

We don’t want to be surprised by a lemon. Our lives are worth rubies.

Are there any USA (or Canada or Oz…) equivalents to the YDSA and BMSE found in Europe? 

What has your experience been with surveyors who are registered members with this/these organisation/s?

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Cruising Lectures

Next: Stay Alive – How to Cross Shipping Lanes
Previously: The Wrong Seacocks Can Sink Your Boat

Going to a Lecture On: How To Survey A Boat

Not getting a good yacht survey can cost you a bundle

 We’re off (Where’s my sceptre and cape? The wiley Can Opener has hidden them!)  to a lecture tonight on how to survey a boat before you buy it. 

It’s at the Cruising Association down at Limehouse Marina. 

We’ll learn how to conduct a thorough inspection of a yacht or small craft. Or at least whatever we can learn in a two hour lecture. (Then we’ll come home and keep reading/snoozing on Don Casey’s Sailboat Maintenance Manual!)

We need to know what to look for when we are narrowing down options to the last one or two picks.

And since small boat surveying is entirely unregulated, it’s a fine idea to know about as much as about it as we possibly can and not rely totally on the surveyor we bring in for the final pre-buy inspection of the yacht-of-our-dreams. 

We might actually find the best surveyor ever. We might not. If you don’t know much about surveying yourself, it’s hard to tell.

Even if we do find the best surveyor on earth, they’re only human and could miss something. It’s our pocketbook on the line and us that will be living with any flaws that get missed. We need to know about surveying too.

I’m packing the Can Opener’s rucksack full of notebooks, highlighters, pens and smoked oysters. He’ll be taking copious notes for me at the lecture… and directing a constant stream of mollusks toward me to ensure the delicate balance of my electrolytes.

All in all he’s a good First Mate. His recent performance has been quite satisfactory. (If he just relinquishes my cape,) I’ll consider giving him a gold star. 

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener) 

Cruising Lecture Notes

Next: The Wrong Seacocks Can Sink Your Boat
Previously: Cruising in Greece: Pluses, Minuses & Quirks

Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31

Here’s a tour of the H-R Monsun 31 posted by an enthusiast on youtube.

 
Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31: Makes the short list?

We’re looking now just at the specs, pricing et al here for the Monsun only as our overriding goal is to get cruising.
 

A long forefoot cut-away keel (as opposed to a fin and skeg design) is supposed to be better suited to cruising in that – among other things – it’s a lot more resilient to running aground*. And the Monsun has the cut-away keel.

We could expect the fin and skeg with the Hallberg-Rassy 31 MkI, MkII and H-R310, on the other hand, to produce better upwind and racing performance – but this is not our goal. So. Focusing on the goal…

Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31

Specs**

LOA: 30 ft 9 in

Beam: 9 ft 5 in

Draft: 4 ft 7 in

Tanks fuel: 120 litres/32 US gallons

Tanks water: 160 litres/43 US gallons

Displacement: 4,200kg/9,250 lbs

Pricing***

32yrs – £ 19,500 ($ 31,196)

32yrs – $ 47,585 (£ 29,750 )

33yrs – $ 30,556 (£19,104)

33yrs – $ 52,038 (£ 32,533)

35yrs – £ 33,357 ($ 53,349)

37yrs – $ 28,750 (£ 17,974)

37yrs – $ 60,484 (£ 37,812)

38yrs – $ 42,554 (£ 26,603)

Hallberg-Rassy built its 904 Monsuns during 1974 – 1982.

Criteria Match

Pluses

• meets our LOA requirement
• good beam
• the highly praised hard windscreen/dodger – keeps you warm(er) and dry(er)
• holds its value
• blue water tested – several Monsuns have circumnavigated
• tiller – simpler steering system, less to go wrong
• everybody raves about them – as they do about Swedish boats in general 
• ‘Hallmarks of good design and quality work is how well these boats hold up over time… sail incredibly well.’ — 1Vagabundo, Sailnet boat reviews 
• good value, age well – and since they are so old, they are priced attractively

Minuses

• ‘As the boat was never intended as a liveaboard, the galley is small, with a single sink, space for a two-burner stove, and an icebox.
• Tankage is limited…
• The main shortcoming… is lack of headroom, about 5’10” in the main cabin…’ — ByrSac, Sailnet boat reviews

Comment

Looks like it’s going to be tough to find 60-70 gallons of water tankage originally built into any 30 footer design… but we’ll keep looking.

Decision

Do we want such an old boat? Guess it depends on each boat individually. It looks like they age well. And the pricing is attractive. 

For now, the Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31 definitely makes the short list.

Have you ever sailed (or owned) this type of boat?

What do you think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)?

 

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Yacht Designs

Next: What about a Catamaran? 

Previously: Hallberg-Rassy 31 Footers – Overview

 

* Capable Cruiser, by Lin and Larry Pardey

** Data taken from Hallberg-Rassy websites 

*** Data taken from yachtworld.com and theyachtmarket.com 

Hallberg-Rassy 31 Footers: Overview

Hallberg-Rassy 31:  Makes the short list?  

The yard at Hallberg-Rassy currently produces an H-R310 but has discontinued its other 31 footers: the Monsun 31, 312, 94 Kutter, 31 Mk I and 31 Mk II. All the Hallberg-Rassy 31’s were designed by Germán Frers and built at the H-R yard in Sweden*. 

The Hallberg-Rassy website says they made 904 of the (most popular) Monsun design (which is a LOT), and 2,145 of all 31 footers – but no breakdown for how many was made of each of the other models. I can’t find owner feedback in the forums on the H-R31 Mk I or Mk II, although the Mk II was produced for 16 years*. 

This famous yard is still happily in business and providing original spare parts to all its models, always a helpful factor*.

Feedback on 31 footers in the Hallberg-Rassy series

Hmm. Once again I find mostly rave reviews about this class of boat and a few piddly negatives. Pretty solid feedback. Either we are working from a can’t-lose list of recommended blue water models or all boat owners love their boats blindly, oblivious to flaws.

‘After 35 years, she is in remarkably good shape: no blistering, no deck delamination, no gelcoat crazing…’ and ‘…excellent engine and shaft access through the cockpit sole, a foredeck anchor well, H-R’s trademark windshield, raised bulwarks, and heavy duty deck hardware’ but ‘…main shortcoming, in my opinion, is lack of headroom, about 5’10” in the main cabin’. – ByrSac, Sailnet boat reviews on HR Monsun 31****

‘Biggest downside for extended cruising is mainly that you are living in a boat designed for the cruiser’s of a simpler time… you won’t find a convenient place for that big 6,000 watt generator or any place to stuff a microwave, washing machine, or whatever else electrically dependent cruisers come up with. – 1Vagabundo, Sailnet boat reviews on HR Monsun 31****

‘…spirited but secure, comfortable… impeccably built and, because of the name, sure to hold her value’. This reviewer also points out there is no chart table. Instead you get an extra hanging locker and a roomier galley. — Cruising World mini-review September 2009 on the new H-R310**

Overall

We prefer the lines of the old H-R31 Mk II so far. Just looks sleeker somehow. Handsome teak on deck and it has an extra 17 inches of beam (vs the Monsun) – we like beamy boats for a spacious feeling and just that much better storage.

I guess most buyers would rely on GPS and not really need the chart table that is absent in the H-R310. And there’s always the main saloon table to spread out on for chart work (which we plan to do regularly) that’s bigger anyway. I don’t expect there will be too many of this model on the second-hand market yet as it hasn’t been out long.

Hope to see some examples of any of the Hallberg-Rassy series boats at the Boat Show next year, if not sooner!

Next post

We’ll cover the specs, price examples by age, the pluses and minuses versus our dream boat criteria and decide if a Hallberg-Rassy 31 makes the short list in the next post (though, hey, it’s lookin’ good…) Stay tuned.

Have you ever sailed (or owned) this type of boat?

What do you think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)?

 

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

* Data taken from Hallberg-Rassy websites

** Data taken from Cruising World website

*** Sailnet boat reviews
  
Yacht Designs 
Next: Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31

Bristol Channel Cutter 28

Bristol Channel Cutter 28 : Makes the short list? 

Highlights

The Bristol Channel Cutter 28 was designed by Lyle Hess and built by Sam L. Morse Co.*

Unfortunately the Sam L. Morse Co. went bust in 1997**, despite the ongoing popularity of the Bristol series boats. This is not generally a good thing from a holds-its-value point of view.

Holds its value

However, it seems the Bristol Channel Cutter 28 is now being made again by Cape George Marine (they also make other ‘Cape George’ Cutters, but only the Bristol Channel Cutter 28)***. 

So add this to the Bristol Channel Cutter 28’s long history of ongoing popularity and maybe there won’t be too significant an impact on resale value going forward. They are hard to find for sale.

Owner Feedback

According to owners posting at Sailnet commenting on all models of the Bristol, the designs optimise use of space, with tons of storage. Construction is meant to be to a very high standard.

‘…if there is a downside to the BCC (BCC 28) it’s her abundance of exterior woodwork that needs maintenance to keep it looking sharp’ – Boat US Review, May 2005 *****

I can’t find any owner reviews that have too much negative to say about any models in the Bristol series. One comment at the Sailnet boat reviews about slight pumping due to a deckstepped mast on the Bristol 29 – but I’ve also seen mention that some other models are keel stepped. Guess it depends. Overall, great reviews.

 

Bristol Channel Cutter 28


Specs****

• LOA: 28 ft 1 in
• Beam: 10 ft 1 in
• Draft: 4 ft 10 in
• Tanks fuel: 121 litres/32 gallons
• Tanks water: 242 litres/40+24 gallons
• Displacement: 6350kg/14,000 lbs

Pricing****

• 4yrs – $ 280,000 (£177,676)
• 11yrs – $ 175,000 (£111,085)
• 24yrs – $ 99,900 (£63,411)
• 30yrs – $ 117,500 (£74,582)
• 30yrs – $ 89,900 (£57,063)
• 61yrs – $ 30,000 (£19,042)

Criteria Match

Pluses

• meets our LOA requirement
• good beam
• reasonable tankage – at least the most I’ve seen so far in this length category…
• holds its value!
• blue water designed, tested and a popular design series
• tiller – simpler steering system, less to go wrong
• massive storage – same as on a much longer boat
• no ‘interior liner’ so nearly the whole interior is accessible for maintenance***** 
• extra strong construction and attention to detail by the builders
• everybody raves about them
• reports on Sailnet for all the Bristol series boat reviews say that they sail beautifully and are well balanced

Minuses

• of course, because it holds its value… it’s expensive
• has a lot of wood trim inside and out which means high maintenance. If you’re prepared to put in the work, you’ll be proud, tired and happy. If you want low maintenance, this may become quickly a big drag. Depends if you gets addicted to the varnish fumes or not, I guess. For us, probably not a plus.
• foresail changes means going out on the bow sprit
• is the cockpit comfy? Mahina****** comments indicate maybe it’s not the comfiest in his opinion. Worth checking out to see how we feel about it.

Decision

The Bristol Channel Cutter 28 definitely makes the short list. Hope we can find a chance to volunteer to crew on one soon!

We will also investigate the ‘second series’ Bristols within our length criteria: the Bristol 27.1, 28.1, 29.1, 30.1, 31.1 and maybe the 32.1.

Have you ever sailed (or owned) this type of boat?

What do you think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)?

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Yacht Designs

Next boat design we’ll look at: Halberg-Rassy 31
Previously looked at: Southerly 32

* bristolchannelcutter.org 

** wikipedia

***  Data taken from Cape George Cutters website

**** Data taken from yachtworld.com
*****samlmorse.com 
******mahina.com

Southerly 32 in Action!

It looks even better on the move!

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Yacht Designs

Next we’re looking at: Bristol Channel Cutter 28
Previously: Southerly 32: Makes the short list?

How Much Boat? – Country Entry Fees vs Boat Length

 
Part 4 (of 4) of  How Much Boat? – Boat Fees vs Length
 

Another cost check – country entry fees vs boat length

Customs of various countries can ask for boat ‘entry fees’ upon arrival. While researching marina fees in the Bahamas, I found that the Bahamas charges $150.00 for boats up to 35 feet to enter the country, and the fee for boats over 35 feet is $300.  


Which got me thinking… is 35 feet a common price change point? Does this happen often enough to shop for boats that are 34 feet long or less? Or is there another ‘price change point’ based on length?

Not a deal breaker I guess… but if every country – or a lot of countries – does/do this, then it could add up.

So after checking fees info at noonsite.com, here are a few samples of reported charges by customs at various country entry points:

Europe

France

• Tolls are due on waterways – no info as to whether or not it is based on length

Spain 

• Harbour fees are charged in most ports – no info as to whether or not it is based on length

Ireland

• annual dues for Irish and British yachts is £86
• other yachts pay £29 for each period of 30 days up to a total amount of £86

Caribbean

Anguilla

All yachts must pay for a cruising permit  – sample pricing:

• up to 5 tons – 1 week – $150
• 5 to 20 tons – 1 week – $600 
• over 20 tons – 1 week – $900

Bahamas

• charges $150.00 for boats up to 35 feet
• fee for boats over 35 feet is $300

Dominican republic

• clearing in – $43.00 per boat
• tourist Card per crew member (valid 30 days) – $10.00

St Kitts & Nevis

• customs charges EC$20

Turks & Caicos

• clearance fee is $15
• there is also a charge of $75 for the cruising permit

North America

Canada

• at St John’s, overtime is charged for customs clearance between 0000-0800, approximately Can$60 if arrival is after midnight
• otherwise, it looks like mostly ‘no’.

USA

• yachts without a cruising licence and longer than 30 ft (9 m) LOA must pay an annual fee of US$27.50
• other fees vary by state but none seem to be based on the length of the boat

South Pacific Islands

Fiji

• cruising permit: FI$5
• Lau Group Permit: USD10 per day
• health clearance fee of $F33.75 (to be paid to the hospital)
• F$20 incineration fee to Agriculture (Quarantine) for disposal of prohibited food – payable even if you have none
• a fee if entering any of the ports of Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka – vessels up to 100 tonnes pay a maximum of $F14.45

New Caledonia

• no fees

New Zealand

• charge for time and mileage to inspect boats
• there are fees for visas and extensions to the visitor’s permit
• fees for quarantine inspections

Conclusion

So… nope. No correlation here between length and country entry charges levied after all. Which I guess is good news. Looks like the Bahamas is an outlier. It was worth a quick check to be sure.

Had there been consistently higher charges for boats over 35 foot length (or over 30 foot in length, etc), it could have been a real incentive to look for a boat specifically measuring 29.5 feet long, or 34.5 feet long etc.

But no ‘common price change point based on length’ to be found. 
  


The biggest constraints on length

It looks like the biggest constraints for us on ever-increasing length are:

• increasing costs per foot for just about everything else – mooring fees, haul outs, repairs and maintenance, insurance…
• increasing power with greater sail area – we want to keep the length down so that it remains well powered for solo sailing

Can you think of any other constraining factor that might persuade someone to choose a boat juuuuuust on the right side of some criteria or other? Let me know.

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener) 


Previously:
How Much Boat? – Annual Marina Fees vs Length, Part 3 (of 4)   
How Much Boat? – Daily Marina Fees vs Length, Part 2 (of 4)  

How Much Boat – Marina Rates vs Length, Part 1 (of 4)

* All fees data from noonsite.com

How Much Boat? – Marina Fees vs Length

 

Part 1 (of 4) of  How Much Boat? Boat Fees vs Length

 

Captains’ Log

Stardate: 201195

Far worse than I feared. My First Mate, Can Opener, persists in obdurate lunatic ravings against the draft of my three-storey starcruiser yacht design.

How long can this continue? I may soon be forced to admit that for him there is no hope and no antidote… has he really gone off the planetary deep end this time?

Cost effective? One-storey? Monohull? What mad science is this?

Here below, a sad excerpt from the Can Opener’s notes and calculations found only last night while I was searching for an informative book to snooze upon:

‘What is a cost effective length of boat?

Is there a ‘most cost effective length of boat’ when considering ongoing ‘running costs’, for example, marina costs? Obviously costs increase in general as boats get longer.

But I wonder –

is this a straight-line increase?

Or are there a step change increases around boat ‘length categories’ that mean a slightly longer boat at a marina could have the same approximate cost as a shorter boat?

If so, where (in what regions) is this true?

How was the sample done?

This is not intended to be a definitive last word analysis of worldwide marina fees. It was done relatively quickly with enough data to look for tendencies only.

I collected daily and annual marina base rates from a sample of 26 marinas across 5 popular cruising regions: England, the Mediterranean, the Bahamas, the US and Fiji. (I aimed for the cheaper Med countries: Portugal, Croatia, Greece. Also included Malta.)

Costs were estimated for boats of every length from approx. 8.5m to 14.5m (from 28 ft to 50 ft). Sales taxes were included in prices; electric, water charges etc were not.

Annual marina rates were also recorded – since the corollary to the above question is: what region would be most cost effective to do a year’s refitting in? Marina rates will be an important part of this answer as well.

This sampling covers relatively few marinas and regions and is only intended to identify a significant trend in pricing ‘step changes’, if any.

I only sampled marinas that have websites and that also post their rates online (not a given). Some good bargains at smaller marinas without websites were probably missed.  


I completely skipped the superyacht websites too. Of course.

Results

Only the Mediterranean marinas seemed to often price by length categories. These categories were usually: <10m (<33ft), 10-12m (33-39ft), 12-14m (40-45ft), 14-16m (46-52ft)… So a boat that is just under 12m (39 ft) would be charged the same as a boat just over 10m long (33 ft).

Some marinas in England and US have price/length categories, but most just offer a flat per metre (per foot) rate. In England if there were length categories, they tended to be ‘under 10m (30 ft)’ and ‘over 15m (50 ft)’ – but this was not consistently seen.

In the US if there were length categories, they tended to be ‘under 35 feet (10.5m)’ and ‘over 50 feet (15m)’ – this didn’t have too much impact on the daily rates, but showed up more in the annual marina fees (of this decidedly small sampling).

The Bahamas and Fiji seemed to consistently price a flat per length increment rate.

Is there a magical length of boat to optimise costs?

Maybe. I guess if we planned to just cruise in the Med, it might make sense to pick a boat just under 10m (eg. 32ft), just under 12m (eg. 39ft) or just under 14m (eg. 45ft) versus something slightly longer.

If we planned to primarily cruising along the US coasts, a 34ft (or 10m) or 49ft (or 15m) yacht might enjoy some relative gains that are greater than the joy of having one extra foot of length.

But we are heading for ‘destination anywhere and everywhere’.

Although the relative cost per metre/foot goes down as the boat gets longer, the total cost to stay at a marina dock per night keeps going up and up…  QED.

Note to self – further research?

Are there online databases or guidebooks with more comprehensive marina rate listings all in one place?

It was surprisingly difficult to find this information online… ‘

What further evidence of the Can Opener’s ongoing ravings will I find? Such is my concern for my dear First Mate that I have booked a vet appointment for him tomorrow.

He thinks he is taking me for a check up (heh heh), but once there I will perform a hasty switcheroo and have him spread-eagled on the stainless steel table for a quick once over before he knows what’s up.

Will a few good swigs of the vet’s fail-safe cod liver oil wonder drink end this madness? Only time will tell…

–Captain Cat

(relayed per Skype and transcribed by the best Vet in the galaxy)


Next up: How Much Boat? – Daily Marina Fees vs Length, Part 2 (of 4)