Captain’s Log October 16 2017 ~ This is the first entry in my log.
Having had the pleasure in owning our fantastic Grand Banks 36 Classic for several years it is time to move on as the Grand Banks regretfully does not suite our future needs. Looking to the very long term future, we would like a vessel which we can enjoy our coastal waters and also have the ability to enjoy some of the fantastic inland water ways of Europe and the UK. A big ask as such vessels are do not really exist so there has to be a compromise somewhere along the line.
Grand Banks 36 Classic
A sea boat does not have the restraints of air draft (height above the water) or draft (depth below the water). That was the biggest problem with the Grand Banks as the air draft is over 4 meters with the mast down and a depth of about 1.2 meters. The depth is not so much of a problem but there is no protection to the props and with the twin engines this could be a problem in the French inland water ways as the canal sides slope which could catch the inside prop when going along side.
So the matter of a new vessel. Ideally she would need a low air draft of say 3.3 meters or less, a depth of say 1.1 meter and a single engine. We have been on a discovery trip to the Netherlands (Holland) where there is a fantastic range of vessels to fit the criteria. We have looked at Vlets, Kotters and Cruisers all with aft cabins to attain the best accommodation which is similar to our beloved Grand Banks Classic. The brokers are fantastic, very helpful and have vast covered and open marinas to browse their stock for sale. All the vessels are presented beautifully, clean and tidy. One broker presented us with slip on shoe covers to view the vessels internally, while it was necessary to remove our shoes in a number of other instances.
Dutch Vlet
Dutch Kotter
The Vlets have a rounded hull and rock at the slightest movement and take ages to settle. We are told that the Vlets are very comfortable at sea and roll gently. That might be fine while underway, we were not happy at the potential of rolling so easily wile along side or at anchor. I think that we have discounted a Vlet hull type of vessel although we did very much like the classic Dutch style/look of the vessel. I liked the rap around rope which made this type of vessel look very purposeful.
The Kotter style vessel is very much a classic Dutch style with its canoe shape stern. While generally these vessels seem to have a chine type hull which makes them more stable while at anchor or along side, the canoe style stern pinches accommodation in the stern cabin and the space on the aft deck. It also makes it difficult to access the vessel if moored stern too with no pontoon finger and with access difficulties for swimmers as there is no swim platform. While we do like the look of the vessel, the Kotter has been discounted from our search.
Dutch Cruiser
This leaves the cruiser style of vessel, there is a lot going for this style although the style changes slightly over the years so can look a little dated. The good thing about the cruiser style is the size of the stern cabin due to the straight shape of the stern transom, there is good stern deck area communally with a swim platform. Some have an internal helm as well as an external helm. There is often a radar arch which can be a nuisance in areas where there is low bridge clearance and it is necessary to lower the radar arch each time you go under a bridge. This can be solved by changing the fold from folding back to folding forward. Personally, I would prefer a forward folding mast but this does not seem to be common with the cruiser style vessels.
The hunt is on!!!!!!!!!!!!
