Can I captain a mini-yacht?

We moved up a few years ago from a 30 ft express cruiser to a 50 ft Viking SC, and I find docking the 50 ft boat easier. We bought the boat in NY and I worked with a captain (NYCAP from here) for a few days and then we took the boat home. Our next boat will be in the 65 to 70 ft range, and I would do exactly the same thing. But I plan to get my CG license in advance, then work with a captain for a few days, until I am comfortable with docking.

As others have mentioned, the upkeep is the biggest deal. You should go into a 60 ft boat with your eyes wide open understanding the amount of upkeep. There is a lot of fiberglass/gel coat, exterior cushions and canvas, and teak that require regular maintenance to keep a boat looking good. Then you have two big diesels and their sea water systems, diesel generator, and running gear with big props, all needing regular maintenance. You will have three heads and showers, two or more refrigerators, lots of carpet, three televisions, one or two sound systems, satellite systems, and two completly outfitted helms all needing some degree of upkeep.

How you want to use the boat will have a lot to do with what boat is best to get. Also, how much navigation skill and weather related knowledge you will need will depend on your type of usage. With your experience, some common sense and training, docking will not be a problem.

Not at all. Deckhands are more likely than not to be whomever is around. It's up to the captain to keep them safe. And I taught my wife how to drive a car and run a boat so I have some experience there as well. What I was getting at is that deckhanding a bigger boat can get to be serious business and a captain can teach deckhanding as well. I see though in your later post that you're not opposed to taking lessons, just don't want a permanent captain. That's smart and entirely doable.

lol.

The 2002' or newer 63' Hatteras MY (then became the 64') sounds like it is ideal. It has the dinghy on the FB, cruises at 22-25 knots, has no teak, is very comfortable, has laundry, the systems are fairly simple. However you do have to turn around to talk to guests etc.

The 58' Searay SB or even the prior 56', is another good choice. You can have guests sitting in front of you on the flybridge, has laundry, simple systems, cruises at 25 knots, However has the dinghy on the swim platform, and is less capable then the Hatteras (less range and a little less of a seaboat.)

Another thing to look at, and NOT rule out is a nice Sportfish. A 54' Hatteras SF is a great seaboat, can have the dinghy on the bow, cruise at 33 knots, has a nice cockpit, which you could get a nice sunshade made for, comfortable with washer and dryer. The helms on SF usually have seating for guests in front of the helm. Also the Hatteras or a viking or? usually don't have any teak and exterior maintanence is usually not too hefty as long as you stay away from a tower. I think you could find everything you're looking for in a smaller size......even in the lower 50' range, whereas with a motoryacht you're looking at a larger boat (mainly to get the dinghy off of the swim platform). I have a customer with a 50' Post that has a 14' Nautica on the bow and it fits comfortably.

Mark, a washer/drier is a fairly common item on a 50' to 60' boat. Most aren't good for much more than a T-shirt or towel though. There have been a few discussions about them here, and some recommendations. Check the search feature.
Regarding tone, it's amazing how few people know what their voice sounds like. Just watch Idol some time. When my wife is mad she has a sarcastic tone that makes me want to smack her (would never do it). I had a client once who was quite deaf & wore a hearing aid. He ticked off every worker he'd hire because he sounded like he was calling them idiots when he was just asking for information. I'd always stand ready to intervene. Communicating properly is the captain's responsibility. You don't want your deckhand arguing with you or walking off when you need a line tied off NOW. You also don't want cold spam & kibble for dinner after a long day cruising if your DH happens to be your wife. Watch for the 'F-him' body language when you give orders and be prepared to adjust. 'My way or the highway' is seldom a good attitude on a boat.

I think he was referring to the size mostly. Most of the ones I've seen, about 90% of the time, will only hold 3-4 mens t-shirts......or 2 towels in them.

dude, I am in the same position as you are, but I plan to spend about 2.5mil for a new boat. I willl have a captain until I can assure my wife and I that we can command the YACHT in any situation. Don't go cheep, the deep gives no quarter....spend the money

Yesterday's load (on land): 2 Q sheets, 4 pillow cases, 4 bath towels, 5 hand towels, 7 shorts, 4 pair of jeans, various sall stuff. All dried in 68 minutes. Life on a boat does take some adjusting. However, most better marinas have laundy facilities.

Well, it's like when you look at cars. First you look at yachts for around $500k, then you want nicer/larger/newer so you talk yourself into spending $1mill.......then keep going.......some people do though.

Sounds normal to me. It seems to happen every time I shop for anything.

Mark,

Last year my wife and I made the jump from a Sea Ray 330 Sundancer to a Sea Ray 550 Sedan Bridge. The 330 had twin gas engines, this one has twin Cat diesels.

I think this boat is easier to drive/maneuver/dock because it's a lot heavier and moves more slowly when maneuvering around docks and backing into the slip.

My wife is not the most enthusiastic deck hand but is very competent at line handling. She is learning to drive the boat but not yet ready to dock it or back into our slip.

We went to the sedan bridge style because we want to do more long distance cruising up into British Columbia waters and didn't want to do it in an express cruiser. We got tired of being down in the cave (express cruiser cabin) and wanted more visibility. I like the flybridge on the 550 Sedan Brdige because it can seat 12. There's lots of room for guests and that seems to be where they congregate. I have the forward helm on the flybridge and that works well for us because I like to let guests take the helm. When they're driving I can stand behind them to watch what they do.

I would suggest you get rid of your prejudice against "mass produced" boats. The manufacturers tend to stick with a design and get the bugs worked out. That's not something that can be said as easily about boat makers who produce only a few boats of a certain model.