[PUP] scott Bulgers' posts

[Scott Bulger]

Curt,

There are a few 40's and 46's around, but they must not meet your needs or
price?  As Peter said, it's a highly personal decision regarding what boat
to purchase, I can share what went into my thinking and decision.  I like to
think I'm a big picture guy, starting at the top and working into the
details.  So, my criteria starts with voyage, the company that builds the
boats, then progresses to the specifics associated with the boat.  There
were a few other major categories of decisions that also had to be made:

1.  Define the voyage:  When you go searching for a boat the first question
out of most sales guys mouths (other than do you have the money) is "what do
you want to DO with the boat?".  And for good reason.  An inland or coastal
boat will likely have very different requirements from an offshore boat.
Fuel capacity, redundancy, stability vs accommodations will all be variables
that change based on the use of the boat.  Therefore, defining the voyage is
critical.  When I started down this path I thought I was going to cross
oceans.  Now I'm focused on building skills first, then making that decision
a few years from now.  I do want a boat with this capability as well.

2.  Production or Custom:  Alan Wagner reached out to me early in this
process and shared his experience going through the design process with
George Buehler and building a custom boat.  I can't tell you how much I
admire his commitment and ability taking this path.  As a result he is in
the process of building a boat that will meet his and his families needs for
decades.  I didn't have the knowledge nor the time to take this path.
Perhaps my next phase of life will enable me to do this, but the current
time frame didn't allow it.  So, a critical path for me was find a
production builder making boats capable of the voyage at hand.

3.  Pick the builders/manufactures that are qualified:  Having chosen a
production boat, knowing that I wanted to cross oceans, but also knowing I
didn't know the questions to ask much less the correct answers, I started to
search out the companies that seemed to be addressing the market.  It may be
that Fleming, DeFeaver, Willard and others are building boats for this
market, but clearly Nordhavn is THE builder out there saying "we build boats
for couples to cross oceans".  Also, Kadey Krogen clearly was in this market
as well.  So my journey to boat shows began trying to find the appropriate
model of boat.  At one point in time the Selenes started to look very
attractive, but I couldn't get past a series of negative experiences I had
with the sales force.  Oil and Water, me and them just weren't mixing.  Now
I'm not Selene bashing, I'm being truthful and saying the personal
interaction in the boat building process is part of the whole picture.  As a
matter of fact, my Nordhavn sales experience had it's ups and downs as well.
Initially I ordered a brand new Nordhavn 40II from China.  After three LOI's
expired, the 4th one wouldn't commit to a price, nor a delivery date.  I was
giving them $10 grand for what?  My research of the buying experience
suggested to me I'd be better off finding a used Nordhavn and avoiding the
commissioning process.  I'd had nothing but negative feedback about the
commissioning process that it convinced me to find a low hours used boat,
this is the path I took and it worked very well for me.  On the other hand,
there must be something fantastic about seeing your dream come together with
all new parts, and exactly the way you wanted it, maybe next time for me?
If I was taking the custom route, I would have found a builder that was
making fishing boats, they have the experience in systems to build ocean
capable craft.  I would have hired George Buehler to design the boat, or
selected one of his existing designs.

4.  Pick the right boat:  Having chosen a builder, now it's time to find the
boat.  For me budget was a huge part of the decision.  I knew I wanted to
take a few years off and not work while voyaging.  This meant I needed to
trade a house for a boat.  My house was worth about $700K at the time and I
figured I needed to stay well under that figure to insure the final price of
the boat didn't get out of control.  What this did for me was put two boats
out of the running.  Honestly if I had a few hundred grand more I would have
bought the Krogen 44.  I think it's a beautiful boat and more than capable
of doing everything I now need it to do.  However it's expensive.  I thought
I wanted a Nordhavn 43 but the first time I got on one I found that I'm too
fat to fit inside it.  Note I'm not saying the boat is too small for me, but
rather I'm too fat for it.  I couldn't squeeze between the fuel manifold and
the engine.  On the 40 I can move around, although there are a few spots
where  it's *tight*.  So, depending on your budget, and what your willing to
risk, my philosophy is buy the least boat you can that meets your needs.  A
house is typically an appreciating asset, while a boat, well, ask me a few
years from now that this whole thing cost.  So for my wife and I a 40 became
increasingly the right boat.  

Having taken this route here is what we have learned:

1.  There are many, many boats that will make the coastal trip from here to
MX and beyond.  Including 41' Camanos, Bayliners, Carvers and other Value
boats.  IF, IF, IF you manage the weather like it's the most important thing
on earth.  The key to this, NO SCHEDULES (period).  While any boat can sink,
the weather will dictate much of where you go and what you do.  If you are
unconstrained by time, you will likely have much better experience making
the voyages work. If you need to get home at a specific time, you better
invest in more capable boats.

2.  Ask people with no vested interest in your purchase, like the people on
this list.  If they aren't selling you something you are more likely to get
great advice.  People say there are lots of people that are armchair
sailors, but it seems to me almost everyone here is out there doing it.
There are a few like Patrick Gerety, Peter Pisciotta, Dave Cooper and Mike
Maurice who have so much to offer it's crazy not to solicit their opinions.
Most will gladly exchange email if you simply ask!

3.  Complications around breaking the ties with land are more about family
relationships, legal issues (residency, insurance...) and situational timing
that any constraints selecting the boat will present.  We arrived at a
window in our lives where the kids are out, parents are healthy, money is in
the bank and we said, lets go.  If that opportunity exists, do try to go.
Life is short, make it sweet.

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA