Bluewater Yachts
You have already been forewarned that the Bluewater boats are mainly designed
for protected lake and rivers. The low freeboard makes them potentially
dangerous in heavy seas. If you were to do just the loop, I think this is a
do-able plan. You would have to be very careful on the open water
streches--like Lake Michigan (not a body of water to be triffled with) and the
"Big bend" area of Florida. On a calm day you could make a safe crossing of
the Gulf Stream. The danger there is if a squall blows up with wind against
current it can get very rough very quickly. The freeboard and large windows
are a definate disadvantage.
On the other hand there are several older models which had higher freeboard-
the mid 80's 51-52's and some of the 38 to 40's. I am aware of some of these
which have regularly gone out into consistant open water --such as between S.
Calif and Catalina Island. Also I found that one of the house boat styles
actually has gone down to Cabo San Lucas--and into the Sea of Cortez. The
trick will be to get the boat back to S. Calif.
The gas boats will be cheaper--and can have a moderate range if run slowly.
The question about handling is certainly valid. The boats have a lot of
windage. A couple does not need a 50+ foot boat--and you would be better
advised to stick with something in the 40 foot range +/-. Diesel will
definately have better resale and be more economical and slightly easier to
run, plus be more reliable.
Look at the hardware--is the windlass capable of handling 60 and 70 lb
anchors? Are the cleats backed well by SS or Aluminum plates and capable of
taking several thousand pound loads? Are the railings and fittings SS or
aluminum? Do the windows leak with solid water hitting them? All questions
to ask of a boat going across the Gulf Stream.
A Bluewater would not be my choice for the loop--and there are any number of
smaller boats which would be better for the Bahamas....
No matter what your decision, the group on this list will be there to help.
Bob Austin
IMHO, the freeboard is too low to go to sea, but you need to keep in mind
Cubans make it over here in waterproof 59 Chevy's so it really depends on
the level of risk you are willing to accept and your skills. If you have any
type of schedule to keep, I'd look elsewhere. Weather will be the primary
risk.
Regards....
Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V "Curmudgeon" MT44 TC
Currently lying Bond Creek, NC
IMHO, the freeboard is too low to go to sea, but you need to keep in mind
Cubans make it over here in waterproof 59 Chevy's so it really depends on
the level of risk you are willing to accept and your skills. If you have any
type of schedule to keep, I'd look elsewhere. Weather will be the primary
risk.
Regards....
Phil Rosch
OK I'm going to have to agree with Phil on this one. The BlueWater is not a
Blue Water boat. But it actually could be a very good looper boat! Ok you
have to watch the crossings, like Appalachacola to Tampa. And crossing to
the Bahamas if that's part of you tour. The great lakes are real choppy so
you may have to pick your departures time carefully.
But I've been on a BlueWater and its living large.
I have to tell you that you will need to be careful cause the freeboard is
not there, only windows that break and sink you.
Skooch 42 LRC Hatteras
On the hard - Beaufort NC
Boy that is living large...however easy systems access seems an issue.
All boat system need regular checking to catch issues before becoming
problems or a crisis.Shouldn't be a problem on the loop proper but in
the Caribbean and Bahamas out islands is an issue. The availability of
personnel to make needed repairs and maintenance seems directly related
to ease of access. Seems the harder the job the costlier, less willing
to perform it or perform it well. Also, on passages can't imagine 30min
(or other set interval) engine room visual & sniff checks being
conducted. Also, check accessibility of all sea cocks, stuffing boxes
and recommend dual racors/fuel filters with switch over ability as sea
state seems to stir things up (tank dirt) at the time you need them
most. With that said it certainly looks comfortable!
Best of luck,
Joe Pica
-----Original Message-----
From: trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of
David Stahl
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 6:35 PM
To: trawlerphil@earthlink.net; 'Trawler world'
Subject: Re: T&T: Bluewater Yachts
IMHO, the freeboard is too low to go to sea, but you need to keep in
mind
Cubans make it over here in waterproof 59 Chevy's so it really depends
on
the level of risk you are willing to accept and your skills. If you have
any
type of schedule to keep, I'd look elsewhere. Weather will be the
primary
risk.
Regards....
Phil Rosch
OK I'm going to have to agree with Phil on this one. The BlueWater is
not a
Blue Water boat. But it actually could be a very good looper boat! Ok
you
have to watch the crossings, like Appalachacola to Tampa. And crossing
to
the Bahamas if that's part of you tour. The great lakes are real choppy
so
you may have to pick your departures time carefully.
But I've been on a BlueWater and its living large.
I have to tell you that you will need to be careful cause the freeboard
is
not there, only windows that break and sink you.
Skooch 42 LRC Hatteras
On the hard - Beaufort NC
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George Sass' Great Loop with his family appeared in at least two boating
publications. The boat was new and seaworthy and he is weather cautious, but
they ran into heavy weather on Lake Michigan which was difficult for them.
I cannot imagine a Bluewater surviving those 8 foot seas and high winds. The
low freeboard is complimented by its excessive windage. You only need to get
caught out once in a bad one in a houseboat.
David and I saw a 50' houseboat at the Jarrett Bay yard between Havelock and
Beaufort, NC. Steel hull with pointy bow, decent but not great freeboard,
and reasonably sized windows compared to the Bluewater. She looked like she
could take a few waves. Based upon a sample of one, there are a few
seaworthy houseboats out there. Remember, that many houseboats fufill their
mission by sitting in slips providing a comfortable home with a million
dollar view.
This is not a put down of Bluewater, they are made for certain areas and
conditions and are probably fine in those circumstances. A prospective buyer
should visit the factory and talk with them. They are not going to recommend
uses for which the boats are not intended. While you're there, check to see
if they use backing plates.
Ron Rogers
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Rogers
I cannot imagine a Bluewater surviving those 8 foot seas and high
winds. The low freeboard is complimented by its excessive windage. You
only
need to get caught out once in a bad one in a houseboat.
snip<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<,
This is not a put down of Bluewater, they are made for certain areas and
conditions and are probably fine in those circumstances.
REPLY
One thing about the inland areas. Boats like the Blue Water often have a
high speed capability for a limited time. This is enough to reach shelter
quickly. Admittedly some areas of the Great Lakes do have long open
stretches but a fast 25 knot boat can also get off the lake in a hurry. So
it evens out.
Line squalls which come up very quickly also die out quickly and rarely
develop the fetch for big seas.
Storms which do develop larger waves also signal their coming well in
advance.
I have been in 8 footers in Lake Huron but I also had plenty of warning and
got to shelter within an hour of the conditions getting rough. It was a 350
mile delivery trip where we planned our weather window.
One of my students had a 48 Blue Water. Nice floating cottage and fine for
Great lakes cruising as long as you are weather wise.
Arild
We had a good ol' boy from Texas who had a Bluewater trucked into San Diego.
He took it out the breakwater one time and got an education on the
difference between brown water and blue water. It never left the harbor
again.
Ralph Salerno
M/V Ancora
San Diego
MHO, the freeboard is too low to go to sea, but you need to keep in mind
Cubans make it over here in waterproof 59 Chevy's so it really depends on
the level of risk you are willing to accept and your skills. If you have
any
type of schedule to keep, I'd look elsewhere. Weather will be the primary