GL: Defever 49 for Loop

[L. Shay Glass]

I thank each of you who have responded to my question about using a Defever
49 PH to do the great loop.



For the vast majority of the trip it will be just my wife and I aboard.  I
am a little concerned about handling the boat with just two of us aboard,
but I'm more concerned about the 4'6" draft.  This 1988 Defever PH is
stabilized, which I suspect for most of the trip would be more of a
liability than an asset.  The boat has a stated bridge clearance of 17' but
I assume that can be reduced 3 or so by lowering the bimini and mast.
Anyone having experience with a 1988 Defever PH, I would appreciate your
input on bridge clearance with the mast and bimini lowered.



I didn't mean to stir up the discussion about twins verses single.  My
preference is a single for simplicity, lower maintenance, additional space
in the engine room, increased fuel mileage.  But I dont find many boats in
the 45  50 range that have single engines.



I want a boat that is large enough to carry a large dingy with a motor large
enough to easily get up on plane with two adults and 100 lbs of stuff.



I wasnt asking if the Defever 49 PH would be the best boat for the loop but
rather are there any reasons why this boat would not be suited for doing the
loop.  If I was looking to only do the loop I would want a smaller boat.  We
own a slip in the Morehead City Yacht Basin.  And after doing the loop plan
to travel up and down the east coast with trips to the Bahamas and Keys,
maybe farther south as we get more experience.  It seems a little larger
boat would make it easer for us to stay on the hook with more comfort and
less time in transient slips while not at our home port.


--
Shay Glass

Boatless in NC

336-710-2188