Newbie questions

[fatdh]

Hi guys!

I cannot say that I'm a novice in the sailing, because all of my experience is a couple of classes of wind surfing
However, sailing is always impressed me and there is a time when I can try my dream. Actually, I was looking for a boat for fishing for this season until I found a few yacht and I thought "why not?" Also, I want to go for a long trip one day, so such experience could be useful.

My questions are:
1. If the investigator is a good boat for a novice
2. If the investigator is a good boat for fishing
3. Comparing with common fishing boats with the similar size, what's safer in a bad weather the investigator or a boat?
4. Is it possible to do a long run (2-4km) on a small engine (2 hp)?
5. What's minimum wind speed to use sales for the yacht?
6. What's maximum speed of the yacht when sailing?

Thank you in advance!

[Yara50]

1. If the investigator is a good boat for a novice- Of course, what else would we say!
2. If the investigator is a good boat for fishing. - Not really. It is set up for sailing, and the cockpit is not huge compared to the length of the boat..
3. Comparing with common fishing boats with the similar size, what's safer in a bad weather the investigator or a boat? - Read our comments on this site about setting up for sailing offshore.
4. Is it possible to do a long run (2-4km) on a small engine (2 hp)? - Yes, as long as there is not a strong headwind or heavy seas.
5. What's minimum wind speed to use sales for the yacht? -Depends on the sails that are available, but 3 to 5 knots is good.
6. What's maximum speed of the yacht when sailing? Roughly 4 knots.

Basically an Investigator 563 is for sailing. Yes, while you are sailing you could throw a trolling line overboard. Yes, you could drop anchor and do some fishing, but the amount of time taken to get ready for sailing, means there is not that much time to messs with fishing unless you are settled in for a weekend or similar. Plus, you dont want to get the cockpit all covered in scales and guts which will then get on the ropes and everywhere else like the cabin.

A power fishing boat launches quickly, and gets you quickly to where you want to fish, and back quickly when bad weather threatens. A power boat has a larger cockpit to cabin ratio.

[Ozzie]

Hi Fatdh and welcome. If you only want to own one boat , and obviously many don't have off street space for more than one these days, the Investigator can do double duty, but obviously it's a compromise. I used my investigator to replace a 21' Swiftcraft cabin cruiser that I'd had for 14 years moored and used for family and fishing as a I too wanted to keep fishing but explore sail beyond the windsufer id had in my youth. Now I fish from my moored 563 all the time .

As Ian says the cockpit is small, about 5' 3 but that's plenty for 2 anglers , of course you also have the foredeck which is a nice casting platform and "dangle you legs over the side" seat while at anchor . If you are trailering then you really could leave your mast at home for a fishing only expedition . At that rate the 563 is a shipload easier to launch than my Swifty was at about half the weight.again , but not as easy as a tinny. Then again you can't overnight on a tinny....comfortably. I have a permanent fitting for a rod holder to tack to on my taffrail and bait boards/burley bombs etc in the lockers . It's quick and easy to hide it all and make a sailing boat .

Only thing I'd say is if you leave the sails at home upgrade to a 5 hp as the smaller motor may not cut it in rough weather or strong tidal flow. Keep the smaller one as anauxiliary. You do not need a new outboard despite what you may read on the "other" forums regarding TSing . I've been boating for 40 years with second hand outboards. A well maintained second H OB is better than a new one that's not looked after. If you can find one that's been flushed and serviced regularly you should be ok.

Happy sailing and fishing.

[salty563]

If you ask if the investigator563 is safe, mine has sailed around Australia, this boat is very had to tip over, have tried hard to tip it in big wind it is very stable, I fish off mine, but it is small in the cockpit, remember this is a sail boat, don't be in a hurry to get anywhere, but thats whey I sail. a power boat of same size will flip over if you get hit on the side by a big wave, I've had my investigator over so far in rough sea still safe, in off shore always have a harness on and life jacket, there a fun little boat, that you don't have to send a fortune on to have a great time.

[Yara50]

mine has sailed around Australia,

Hi Salty. Welcome! Please tell us more about your adventures, or the boat's if it wasn't you.