[PUP] Top Five Passagemakers

[Bob Salmons]

I'd like to second Patrick's suggestion.  If you are buying a used boat,
which I would recommend, you will do a lot of looking.  Nearly three years
ago, my wife and I flew from San Francisco to Houston then Miami to look at
several boats I had researched on the Internet.  We looked at a Willard 40
Motorsailor and decided it wasn't for us.  Then, off to Miami and thence to
Marathon to look at Veronica, a Willard 40 Pilothouse.  Veronica stopped us
dead in our tracks.  When your wife says "if we don't buy this boat, we'll
be kicking ourselves the rest of our lives", you know you've found a
keeper.

I guess what I am saying is like what mothers tell their teen aged daughters
about finding husbands:  You'll know when you meet him.

But to lay a foundation, you can't beat Beebe's *Passagemaking Under Power.
*After reading it, I knew I wanted a full displacement trawler, since coming
over to the dark side from sailing, 6 knots seems an OK cruising speed.  By
all means, your personal requirements, tastes and budget will be a factor.
You may decide on a semi-displacement hull.  With more power, they will go
faster.  Whether or not a marginal sacrifice in seaworthiness is worth the
speed is a factor only you can decide.

All in all, you are off on a great adventure.  One word or advice:  I think
I speak for some or many of us on the list when I say:  If you have the
money for a trawler, you probably earned that money by working
successfully.  In that working environment, you had schedules, to do lists,
and employees to manage.  My advice to you is this:  lose the schedule and
lose the attitude of being a boss.  The sea is no respecter of schedules or
bosses.  Secondly, do not, ever, ever treat boatyard employees as if you
were their boss, even though you pay the bills.  Boatyard employees may seem
ignorant and seem to go about things in the least efficient ways, but most
of them have forgotten more about boats than you will ever know.  Treat them
with respect and learn everything you can from them.  Be willing to pay to
have the job done right.  Many times you may think you are being screwed.
So what.  It's the price of admission.  Enjoy the ride.

Best of luck to you.  I am sure some will take exception to my remarks.
Maybe I will learn something from them.

Bob Salmons
Veronica
Willard 40 RPH