[PUP] PUP-PPM

[Mark]

--- On Thu, 11/6/08, bob england <bob_england at hotmail.com> wrote:
> I think a monohull, diesel only powered, full displacement
> vessell is what we
> should discuss. Now, lett'er rip, I can take it !!!

Agree Bob.

Several random thoughts and questions.

- Hannu makes some interesting comments about costs of custom boats.  Does anyone have any actual experience getting bids on custom boats and can you compare the costs to a comparable production boat?  I realize comparable may be tough.  I like the idea of using household items - specifically furniture.  Maybe it's just being 6'4", but I've never found built-ins to be comfortable.  This fellow remodeled the builtins in his salon and I think makes valid points about the design of settees (warning, it's a sailing cat - but the principle applies to any boat) http://www.svroam.com/svroam3_006.htm  Personally, I'd leave the space open and just buy a high quality sofa.

- My biggest question is about how much of the equipment we need vs are "being sold".  The reason that I put it that way is that most PUP vessels I see these days are quite expensive and complicated machines.  For comparison I think of the folks I know that have spent significant time passagemaking under sail - typically 10-20 year old solidly designed sailboats that can be purchased for $150-250K, the lower end requiring a bit more fit out before departure.  The second data point I use is a fellow that I met in Papeete in '91 after my first passage from California.  He had sailed from Acapulco on a 30' wooden ketch, no motor, no refrigeration, all by himself.  A local 16 year old is circumnavigating solo on a refitted Islander 36 (not a high end boat by any imagination). Also consider the simplicity of Idlewild (http://idlewildexpedition.ca/pictures/031_boat.htm).  Yes, those are some extreme examples, and I do want the comforts of home in my PPM -
 however I can't help but think if you did a true engineering analysis of safety, reliability, and livability issues that you'd find much of the cost going into today's passagemakers is misplaced.  

- not withstanding the above points, the reality is that most of us don't want the hassle of a custom build, and we want something that has market value (read recognized brand) - thus we'll settle for a production vessel and focus on the cruising rather than being arm chair yacht designers.  Of course if I can sell my software company I'll start a budget passagemaker business and not care about turning a profit ;-)


Mark
Marina del Rey, CA