The Quest Is On Hold....

The "Quest" for the right cruising boat has included many "possible candidates"  Of course I, (Craig), am more apt to "buy now" and Jan is the steadying force in this process.

Jan continually reminds me that  "the right boat is out there, we will know when we see her, and as of now I have not seen her"!   

What is really annoying is that for the most part Jan's instincts are always bang on!

I was ready for the KK42 - MV Chug from Anacortes; we actually first saw the boat in March, then in June when our son Andrew (visiting form Nova Scotia) and I  drove down and viewed the boat and many others!  Jan and I were once again on board MV Chug when we were recently in Anacortes (September)! 

Jan did not "connect" with this boat; as well there were "some concerns" about some outstanding issues we felt were too much for us to take on!  So, the decision was to pass on this KK42!

In our Quest for the right boat we have at times ventured away from the RPH, Full Displacement Trawler concept and considered other options (semi displacement hulls such as the Pacific Trawler, Sunnfjord, Ocean 40, etc).  But we both are continually drawn back to the full displacement hull; we love the safety, reliability and ride of these trawlers.

We also really want a Flybridge; this has been on our "want list" since before our Willard 30!  Therefore, the Krogen 42, for the most part, meets all of our "need and want" list! 

So, after many years of analyzing which is the right boat, evaluating our budget and cruising requirements, and by recently attending the September Krog-In; we have decided to focus on a Krogen 42 as our next boat.

Additionally in regards to a buying schedule, Jan still prefers we keep to our original plan!  That being to not buy a boat until the spring of 2013.  Of course, I am anxious to buy a boat now, really like yesterday!!!!

Unfortunately, our Boat Quest will have to be placed on hold for October and November; Jan has a long standing commitment for an extended vacation which will see her away from home for the month of October.  During this time I will be spending a week visiting my Mom, Sisters and Father in Alberta.

Mind you, there is still the Internet, Passage Maker and Pacific Yachting Magazines to keep my appetite whetted; helping me through these difficult times :)

The Quest Continues.....

It has been 10 months since we have update this Blog; mostly because the time has flown by so quickly.

We have been very, very busy with travel, family commitments, a few medical emergencies, and of course much more travel!  

We did manage to get in a number of trips to Seattle, Anacortes, Friday Harbour, and Victoria to do some dock walking and view a long list of boats!   

Our Broker, Dennis Lawrence, Kadey Krogen Yachts West Coast Seattle Office, has been a great resource; helping us immensely in our quest in findian a suitable replacement for Kozad!

At the beginning of September we drove to Anacortes in preparation for attending the PNW Krogen Rendezvous "the Krog-In" at Roche Harbour.  We arrived a few days early so we could walk the docks and do some "shopping".  

Interestingly enough, and unplanned, on Thursday we met Dave, of Dave & Carol N43 "MV Navigator".   Dave and Carol had recently sold their Nordhavn and were boat shopping!   Carol had found the boat she loved while Dave was away working!  Good for you Carol!

 

 Dave was closing the deal on a used N55! 

 

We had a nice visit and were pleased to see their new Nordhavn

On Friday, we met the owner a very nice KK42 mvwhich was in the North Harbour Diesel (NHD) Yard on the hard!  Although the boat had some issues of concern, we spent a number of hours on board and even time alone with our friends, Ki & Terri - KK42 Banyan" who join us to go over the qualities of the boat.

We were so engrossed in looking at the boat that we ended up being locked in the NHD Yard when they closed and padlocked the gate!  Jan saved us, as earlier she noticed a dog on one of the boats being stored on the hard!  Jan went exploring and found the owner who was on board and happened to have a key to let us "escape"!

 Jan, Ki & Terri

Terri already escaped by squeezing thru the gate!

MV Banyan KK42

On Saturday morning we departed early to catch the slack tide.  Departing from our old marina, Anchor Cove, on KK42 MV Banyan  we had an excellent cruise over to Roche Harbour and the Krog-In!

"The Boys"

"The Ladies"

Jan at the Krog-In

The Krog-In was excellent; we were able to view a number of KK39, KK42, KK44, KK54 & KK58 and also met a boat load of nice Krogen Owners.  The Krogen 42 still is Craig's favorite Krogen!

We had a great cruise from Anacortes/Roche return; Ki & Terri were wonderful hosts and we were able to experience cruising on a Krogen!  Surprisingly, or not so, the KK42 rides and handles just like a BIG Kozad! We both liked what we were seeing!

Returning to Anacortes on Sunday at noon, we drove to Seattle and met up with Dennis Lawrence to view a Nordhavn 46.  The N46 has been on our list of dream boats since we stepped on one when we were boat shopping 8 years ago! Jan was especially enamored with the Nordhavn.  

Well, we spent some time on board and to say we were disappointed was an understatement.  

The N46 is built to cross oceans and in reality we will want a boat which can comfortabley take us long distance coastal cruising.  The N46 is a beautiful boat with great features; although we found the living space, cockpit, engine room and pilot house to be wanting in size and livability in comparison to the KK42!

So all in all, the trip was very positive; as we can now focus on finding the right Krogen 42 which fits our price range and budget!  Difficult to say the least but a task Craig is definitely up for!

Decisions to be made!

Beautiful Sunset 

Seattle looking to Bainbridge Island 

The Quest Begins; or is that continues!

It has been almost a year since we said good bye to our pristine little trawler "MV Kozad".  

Since then, we have taken time to evaluate what is important in our lives and in how we wish to spend our retirement.  We love the boating life and truly miss not being on the water...... therefore the quest continues to find the right boat, within the right budget, to fit our goals.

Our initial goal was to wait two years to find the right boat; really that was the agreement???  So if that was the case, then how come the last 12 months has seen Craig doing a lot of research and evaluating our full time live aboard cruising dreams.  Well, really did you really think he could wait two years.....

So, not even 12 months since we handed over MV Kozad to Richard and Mary Anne; "we" once again are searching for the right boat!  Not really a big surprise is it.....

The boat we are hoping to find will be a Full Displacement Hull, Long Range Cruising Trawler;  one which can be safely operated by a couple while living full time and traveling to distant shores.  

We are wanting to find the right boat within our budget and we would like to find "The Best Boat For The Best Price!"  Dreaming, well maybe just a little bit, although we hope not and that in the next 12 to 18 months we can find the right boat!!!!

We have though learned that the saying "all boats are a compromise" is to be the case!  But regardless, we do have a list of wants and needs, including a few compromises in respect to what we are looking for in our next boat:

• Raised Pilot House
• Full Displacement Hull (FDH)
• Stabilization: Paravanes or Active Fins
• Single Engine
• Efficient Long Range Cruising Capabilities
• Covered Aft Deck
• Flybridge
• Auxiliary Power or Sail Assist (a want but not a deal breaker)
• Safety & Reliability Are Priorities
• Size: 40 to 48 Feet OAL
• A Well Maintained Vessel: Mechanical, Structural, Systems & Cosmetic!
• Within Budget....  darn!

 There are basically three boats which we have think would fit our cruising needs but not necessarily our budget!

 Diesel Duck 462

Steel FDH Trawler 

Price Range: $450 to $550K USD
Too much over budget!

Kadey Krogen 42

Fiberglass FDH Trawler

Price Range: $175 to $375K USD
The older KK42 are within our budget!

 

   Nordhavn 46

Fiberglass FDH Trawler

 Price Range: $350K to $650K USD 
An older well maintained N46 may be an option, 
only if the price is within budget!

The Krogen 42 is the most affordable of these three boats, the Krogen has a loyal following with 206 hulls built between 1977 and 1998.  There is a reasonable selection of KK42 on the market within our price range. These are excellent boats but they are getting older!

The Diesel Duck is a very nice LRC built of steel; these boats do not come on the market very often.  Although we very much like the features of this boat the price range is of serious concern and this is more of a fantasy.

The Nordhavn 46 is the boat we were first drawn to; having first stepped on one in 2003 when we first starting looking at boats!  Love at first sight can best describe how we felt and still feel about the Nordhavn 46!  

These are a great boat with 82 hulls being built between 1988 to 2003.  There is a flybridge option which we like; also what is nice is the Portuguese Bridge which protects the Pilot House from the seas!  As in most cases year depicts the price!  Nordhavns maintain a high resale value..  So high in fact that the reality of finding a N46 in our budget is very slight indeed!

Budget will definitely dictate what we choose for our next boat :)

In the first week of February we are taking a drive to Anacortes, Washington area where we are going to view a Nordhavn 46 and a Krogen 42 so we can get a current feel for what we are wanting.  The research continues!

More to come....