GL: Loop boat suggestions, ideal loop boat

[bill fiero]

Sometimes, in our fast-paced, ever-bigger, most toys culture, it is good
to tilt back and question the general mores of society -- to be a
contrarian!! 

Best boat for the Loop?  For those of us contrarians who believe in
simplicity there's an easy answer -- the smallest boat on which you can
be comfortable.  "You mean, faster isn't better?  Gee, bigger isn't the
best?  You mean, a boat without three 'bedrooms,' without all the ohhs
and ahhhs of having the biggest boat in the marina?"   Nope -- the
smallest on which you can be comfortable.

The smaller the boat, generally speaking, the less cost and upkeep.  You
use less fuel.  Also, marinas usually charge by the foot, so that's less
expensive.  Bottom paint charges are by the size of the boat.  Dry
storage is by the foot. So, much less expensive, usually.

Smaller boats have ease of manuevering, usually.  Docking into a tight
slip, with a strong wind and current, is easier and more nimble --
generally.  The cove is full of boats and no room to anchor?  A small
boat heads in toward shore, and with one foot under the hull at low tide,
there's lots of space and swinging room.  A marina can often find
dockspace for a small cruiser when they are "full" for the big trawlers.

Need engine repair?  An outboard is the easiest to service.

No huge head (bathroom)?  Nope, a porta potty is a seat like any other. 
Easy to dump, maintain, and if it breaks, you buy a whole new head for
about $100 (We've spent more than that for a few parts for the standard
marine head). 

Comfort?  Well, when I'm in bed (or on a chair) I don't need thirty feet
of space around me. 

You can go up the creeks and side streams that are the real joy of the
Loop -- you are on the blue highways really seeing the country and the
birds and animals -- and not on the freeway.  Run aground? -- I jump
overboard and push us off.

Hurricane?  Getting too hot (or cold)?  Hop on the trailer and off we go
to safety or comfort.  Too hard to get the truck and trailer?  Hey, we've
cruised almost every navigable mile of water in this country (including
the Loop), and take it from us, it's no problem getting to truck and
trailer when you really need it.

If interested, there's more to read about using a 'pocket trawler' on our
website.  You might start with: 

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/skim.htm and http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/afloat.htm