L650 FLY, one year later

Sea Gull, one curiosity: I've always been told that for that size of boat (65 footer) you need a crew. Based on your experience, do you think you need to have a skipper (at least) all the time with you guys?. Personally this is something that I would hate.... I think I could manage myself and the admiral, unless the trip is too long that I will need an extra hand.
Please let me know your thoughts.
 
My wife and I run the boat with no crew. But some of the other owners do have crew for one reason or another. In the U.S. There is no legal requirement, but insurance companies may require it, and I know of a couple of people who have a licensed captain only for this reason. In other parts of the world, there may be legal or other reasons to have a licensed captain, or cultural reasons for having a crew/ screw/mate.

The two of us just brought the boat from Nassau to Port Canaveral. Two longish days at sea, but never a thought that we needed help. I agree with you, boating would just not be the same with crew aboard.
 
Thanks Jeff,

Like Tim, I'm envious and for a few more years, will have to live my dream reading about you and Mindy's.

Thanks so much for sharing - I wear my original Sea Gull ballcap with great pride!
 
A minor fact that Sea Gull didn't include in his post is that his boat is fully and completely optioned. He has hydraulic bow and stern thrusters plus Yacht Controller that allows him to control the boat while moving about to help with line/fender placement, or release so he can see precisely where he is relative to docks and piers……which is a huge advantage because sight lines from either helm position on the 650FLY (and other big boats) isn't always very good.
 
Yes, the hydraulic thrusters mean we can lean on them when needed, for as long as needed. We call the YachtController the "marriage saver".
 
Jeff,
thanks for all the info on your boat. When are you coming North and do you plan to come up the Chesapeake Bay?
Joe
 
Sea Gull's migration begins on 5/21. As long as the seas cooperate, no plans to be in the Chesapeake except for Norfolk to Cape Henry.
 
Sea Gull, one curiosity: I've always been told that for that size of boat (65 footer) you need a crew. Based on your experience, do you think you need to have a skipper (at least) all the time with you guys?. Personally this is something that I would hate.... I think I could manage myself and the admiral, unless the trip is too long that I will need an extra hand.
Please let me know your thoughts.

Manufacturers, including SR, are making a lot of boats in the 60-80' range now that are designed to be run by a cruising couple. While many are available with crew quarters, many owners don't use them for paid crew. I spoke at great length about this with the folks at Ocean Alexander, and their 70e, 72 and 85 are all designed for the owner operator, but the 85 has ample room for crew.

This blog is an interesting read about a couple that cruises almost full time in their 72' Nordhavn
https://shearmadness72.com (Granted they are both USCG licensed captains)

Good feedback Sea Gull on the yacht controller. This is what OA puts on their yachts instead of a joystick and I've heard this is actually preferred since you can walk around with it.
 
Thanks Ryan, great information and one more blog to read about ( I find it hard to go back to work with so much reading about boats!!!). I am not familiar with the controller that you are talking about, but a few days ago I saw the owner of a large yacht docking his huge boat with a "remote control" on his hands from the deck. Can you or Sea Gull send a picture of it?
 
Awesome read for a Tuesday morning after we just had a weekend with snow. As others have stated it would be great to have some pictures of your adventures and I feel like doing the Tim Allen grunt with the amount of fuel used!!!
 

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