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What 50 to 60 Fly would be suitable for the Caribbean

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Cannook, Aug 20, 2020.

  1. Captain Dufy

    Captain Dufy Member

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    And i forgot, canadian boat made in Ontario. Service right next door!!
  2. Cannook

    Cannook New Member

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    Thx Capt Dufy. Yes the 1000 Islands are part of the SL Seaway. My brother has a place on one of the islands. It was the 3000 Islands up in Georgian Bay that I mentioned. You are right about the size of boats in this area. The reason is that unless you have time on your hands weekend boating means Lake Ontario and that can be a ***** wave wise and after a few years no new places to go. Lake Ontario after one season is simply one big body of water and you end up repeating the same routes/ports that maybe you made the weekend before. The seaway is capable of 750 ft Great Lake freighters.
  3. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Neptunus now has a 58' and a 65'. Mid 20's cruise. Very reasonable possibilities.
  4. Cannook

    Cannook New Member

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    Meant to write 30000 Islands. Hey what the heck, my typo was only missing 27000 islands.
  5. Cannook

    Cannook New Member

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    To all the members I appreciate your replies. However somehow my search for a seaworthy boat has morphed, for some, into to how I should use it.

    After over two decades on the water (Great Lakes) , last 5 years with a Cruiser 520 Sports Coupe I like to think I have a reasonable idea of life on the water especially life in marinas. My comments of two min showers – cooking—room service etc were meant more tongue in cheek.

    We do not intend to live on the boat. We want to use it to enjoy transiting the waters, the beaches, the hidden coves etc. To stay overnight on the boat when we find the ‘magical setting’. To pick up and go (weather permitting) when we want and with whom we want. To those who think I am not serious about boating/yachting because of how I want to use it I have to ask--- why? To me it is a beautiful ‘tool’, no different than a great convertible on a sun filled day transiting a mountain road.

    I had a plane for a number of years. First a single then a twin. Have flown most of North America and all of the Bahamas. From 5000 to 10000 AGL you see the beauty of the ground through a set of eyes that those who have never done it would not understand.

    I would guess that all you who have seen these islands and others from the water would say the same thing to the all of us that have not been there with you

    I no longer have the desire to stay current with flying but my memories are set and the ones of the Bahamas are like it was yesterday.

    So why not see these and other islands from the water instead of the air. I have landed on probably 10 to 12 in the Bahama chain and have spent a day here and a day there but not really enough time to absorb the culture/people/hospitality etc.
    If I am doing that why not wander down the whole Carib chain. To me that would be perfect.
    Anyways back to narrowing down my list. We are leaning towards the fly (again). Hardtop bridge- lower helm- with the usual options plus seakeeper-- 300 NM range—30 kts speed when needed. Max size 55’.

    We all have our own reasons for what we want that seldom are obvious anyone else. However they are solid never the less. The idea of turning to all you ‘saltwater/offshore’ adventurer’s’ was to see if what I wanted would work. If I was trying to put ‘a square peg in a round hole’ I would simply change plans. Life is too short to be locked in to one plan. If the Covid has not taught us that nothing will. That said, every comment has been helpful in one way or another. Thx
  6. Captain Dufy

    Captain Dufy Member

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    This post started out asking suggestions on 50 to 60 feet boats to cruise the carib.Any other suggestions out there members can post . We all know the quality of hatts and vikings, but i am sure a listing with a rating of other capable boats would be very interesting to help find a proper boat. Hatts and vikings are heavy boats with big motors. Very thirsty but very reliable. Can forum members chip in and make recommendations on other boats in the 50 to 60 range that could cruise the carrib in most any weather .
  7. Captain Dufy

    Captain Dufy Member

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    It would help if some of you more experienced sailors would rate the best north american or europeen even asian 50 to 60 boats able to safely cruise these regions . Thanks
  8. Cannook

    Cannook New Member

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    Thx for your efforts. I look at Canada & the USA as simply North America (yeah I know there are other parts) so I would like if I had a choice to pick a North American build. Tiara has been mention a step down from a Hat or a Viking (so would 90% of any other make) but still a seaworthy boat. Seeing they are on Michigan and if in a few years I do make it back to the Lakes they might be a good choice. From the web the specs and pics look great to us. 50 or 53 fly. The moment I can cross the border I am thinking of paying them a visit. Like the Prestige that started all this but a more solid build.
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Tiara is going to be close to the top on your list due to the need for a lower station, that you simply will not find in a true SF. Tiara is not a bad choice. Maritimo would also meet your needs and they have a lower station. 55' Princess F would also meet your needs. Staying under 55' REALLY limits your choices to what is capable and acceptable and safe to use South of the Bahamas to travel and has the speed and range you desire. Can it be done in other boats, sure, but not ideal. I personally would forgo the lower station and buy a 54' GT Hatteras and put ride quality and range over lower station. However a Tiara is going to have better visibility (and Maritimo) from the salon level. A 45' Hatteras EX also has a lower station, would be totally capable for those crossings, and may meet your needs but is a small boat inside.
  10. f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    Cruisers Cantius? Have you been on one lately, I put that in the same field as a Prestige, Fit and Finish is poor, just not a well built boat, they age very quickly. The Searay L class with all it's issues is a much better built boat. Carver and Meridians are great River and Lake boats inshore maybe but not an ocean going boat. Neptunus don't know a lot about them being built in CA may be a good one to look at.

    I get why his wife likes the Prestige 560. My wife and I really like the Prestige when we stepped aboard. Very Open and spacious, lots of light, location of galley, then the separate entrance to the Master with expansive closet and shower. Just a nice layout that you would find in much larger boats. But very poorly put together. Which is why my wife and I love the Hatters M75 it's just a bit out of my $ right now.

    We also want to cruise to the Caribbean - Antigua, St Thomas ect. But would not do it in anything less then the Hatteras M75 or a top quality built boat. Just to many what if's that could come up.

    good luck in your search. you need to step on as many boats as you can.
  11. f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    The down side to the Tiara is the Volvo IPS drives, expensive if you hit an under water object, water intrusion and lack of good dealers in the Caribbean. I would stick to straight inboards. Small fuel tank at 650gal. The 53 Fly helps with space issues give more living area.
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Again let me repeat that There is a huge difference between the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The requirements to go beyond the Bahamas are higher. In fact it may be better to get a boat that will work for the US and Bahamas and then when you ready to spend a winter in the carib, ship it on dockwise! No hassle no risk no divorce. Much cheaper.
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I agree. Going beyond Long Island, Bahamas adds a whole nother world of qualifications needed of both crew and yacht. Much more demanding on both. Bahamas are much easier.
  14. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    And frankly once you re in the exumas, why bother :)
  15. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Having been to every island in the Caribbean except for Curacao, my favorite place for cruising, fishing, diving, and beaches is the Bahamas.
  16. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    We love every island of the Caribbean, both Eastern and Western. However, we don't cruise them in a <55' boat. St. Martin and St. Marteen might be our favorite although best experience we've had was in Anguilla and we love both US and British Virgin Islands and basically love them all. Easter in Jamaica was special.
  17. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Fair enough. Maybe back to Hatt or Viking SF. Maybe add a "Yacht Controller" (or similar) to replace the idea of a lower station. Or maybe petition the builders to include a lower station in the first place, if it's a serious requirement.

    -Chris
  18. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    The Hatteras 60 was originally offered with a lower helm but never built with one. Layout was actually very good. However, all Hatteras MY's have a very slanted front window and on other models where lower helms were tested, sun and reflection and field of vision were problems. So, lower helm could be done, just not sure how satisfactory the solution would be without other modification.
  19. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    These are my thoughts, Exumas followed by the Abacos.
  20. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The older 64' MY, some had lower helms. I've run them, the slant of the windows is a very similar angle if not the same as the 60'. Since the windows are so tall, I didn't have any issue with the slant of the windows, nor visibility.