[PUP] Alvin 32-35, or other options

[Al Rodriguez]

Ron:

My wife loves the GH37, we went to see the N37 at the Miami boat show - Mirage has not shown the GH37 lately.  The thing is, it only does 8 knots max according to specs, and many trawlers do 10 crossing into the Bahamas where the Gulf current has to be overcome.  I will need to keep up when going with a group of yachts.  I'm also somewhat worried about the windage area which could either slow down or cause it to roll if the weather gets unexpectedly choppy.  

In addition, being a novice with a large boat, I worry about docking it, since the cockpit seems a little high and my mate (wife) might have a hard time positioning the walking bumper.  Also, there is a significant price difference to consider between the Albin and the Mirage GH37.

I realize this is a passage making discussion forum, and without wanting to deviate from world exploration, I thought some of you perhaps, have traveled the Caribbean, before you crossed oceans, and might have some good suggestions for newbies trying their luck in the more gentle Caribbean.

I've read a Gentleman's Guide to Passages South, but no suggestion is made in the book regarding what specific boats are recommended.  The book is written for all kinds of yachts including sail boats.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Al


--- On Thu, 2/19/09, Ron Rogers <rcrogers6 at kennett.net> wrote:

> From: Ron Rogers <rcrogers6 at kennett.net>
> Subject: RE: [PUP] Alvin 32-35, or other options
> To: alrod333 at yahoo.com, passagemaking-under-power at lists.samurai.com
> Date: Thursday, February 19, 2009, 11:49 AM
> Great Harbor trawlers cruise at customary trawler speeds.
> The interior
> spaces are unmatched. As with many other vessels, you pick
> your weather
> before going out.
> 
> Ron Rogers