Leopard 4600 – Day 4
There’s no question, the last few days we’ve been basking in relative luxury. The 4600 is a fantastic sailing platform with huge living and sleeping quarters. We’ve enjoyed the benefits of its massive fresh water tanks and a seemingly endless supply of diesel. We’ve benefited from the built-in air conditioning and generator, the nice big galley, the walk-in showers and the huge trampoline which we’ve found is great to both exercise and relax on. What’s not to like, other than the price tag of course?
So I suspect that a big question on the mind of many of our reader’s is “how, after spending the past 4 days on such a beautiful yacht, can we go back to our little ZTC?” My response is that we’ll do it the same way that people return to their home after a vacation at a 5-star resort. While our friend Michael is now even more convinced that a 4600 is the boat for him, very little has changed for Rebecca and I.
When we first selected our PDQ 32, it was partially because it was a boat that fit within our budget. If we had had less money, we still would have set off cruising, we just would have done it on a smaller, less-expensive vessel. If we had had in our possession a larger surplus of cash, perhaps we would have invested in a bigger boat, I’m not sure. Our confidence in boat handling has grown immensely since we first set sail. So much so that a boat the size of a 4600, which would have been way out of our comfort zone 2 years ago, is now a dream to operate. That said, we don’t need a boat this big to cruise on. Would it be nice? Without a doubt. Is it required? Absolutely not. That said, we’ll be happy to sail on one whenever we get the chance. When Michael ultimately acquires his boat, if he has an extra berth and wants us to visit him, we’ll almost certainly take him up on the invitation.
The people cruising on small boats get to enjoy
the same sunsets as those cruising on larger yachts.
Note: Yes, we’re back on ZTC, with Wi-Fi. 🙂
A boating vacation away from … a boat! It’s always nice to experience a change, but it doesn’t make us lose appreciation for our “home”!
Yes, it was a nice vacation!
I am so glad that your attitude is happy with ZTC….Life is not always greener on the other side….Cruising is more important than having to work and maintain that extra 10 feet…..
Or to work another 10 years to have to purchase the bigger boat.
Hey Mike, nice update on the charter cat. What sort of boat speed did you get while sailing and you mentioned you sailed closer to the wind than you expected. What apparent wind angle were you able to achieve? We sailed a Lagoon 400 on charter last fall from Vancouver and were somewhere around 60 degrees, which was a bit disappointing I thought. We had a Moorings 4300 cat in La Paz in May and never really got to test it out headed up wind. We’ll be in St. Lucia on a Lagoon 420 in February, so just wonderin’. I think Lagoon is a bit heavier boat than a Robertson & Caine/Moorings, so that might be the difference. Thanks much.
With a single reef in the main and full genny we were getting 1/2 to 2/3 wind speed (approx. 10-15 knots). When sailing to windward we were able to get 45 deg. apparent and at times 40. At this time we were making approx. 6 knots. Admittedly we were pinching but we were VERY close to the reefs and were trying to claw our way to windward a bit.
45 degrees is quite impressive. Thanks for the info and have a great weekend you guys.
I agree, it was impressive. We carried that line for over 2 miles too, about 500 meters to windward of a boat-eating reef!
Very cool! Glad you got to experience the “luxury” of a bigger cat but nice to hear you’re happy with ZTC!
p.s. love your blog….that was a long time waiting for your next post 🙂
Sorry for making you wait, Deb. 🙂
What is really great is that you may have to leave your ‘resort’ behind but not the location! I’d LOVE that kind of return home!!!!
So is this Michael you went with married? 😉
This is not a dating site Sandra…..lol…By the way, they said they would hook me up years ago!!!! Still waiting…….
Look what I have to work with!
Yes, we’ve just moved onto a slightly more rustic resort.
I have always heard that the boat you love the most is the one you are on that is taking you places! We will be cruising in two weeks…again thanks for your Erie Canal posts. They will be a big help.
Hi Ted. I agree. Glad you enjoyed our posts. Have fun in the canal!
Hey again Mike and Rebecca:
Interesting week for you both. The Leopard 46 is a big yacht and even dwarfs the Leopard 40 which we cruised on for our year long sabbatical.
Great ideas for Michael to “kick the tires” so to say before he commits to buying a yacht. I would highly recommend he consider attending a boat show such as the Annapolis Boat Show this fall. It is a great opportunity to see many manufacturers, yacht configurations and maybe even stumble on his own new favorite.
The most spacious and well laid out catamaran we have seen for length overall in an affordable price range is the Maverick 400 being produced in Cape Town. Maverick will be in Annapolis for the first time this year and I am sure it will turn many heads. A forty foot catamaran with the interior feel of a similar 44 – 46′ cat. I have also learned that Leopard will have its latest rendering, the Leopard 5600 (yes, that’s a Leopard 56′ cat) at Annapolis too.
Our tickets are booked.
Cheers – Alan & Christina
SV Mango Groove (L40)
Oh that is exciting, we will be going to the Annapolis show this time for the first year!! We will be sure to check out those cats!!
Have fun. Guard your credit cards! 🙂
A 56′ would be MASSIVE!
Have you place your order for your Maverick yet?
That was always my mantra when we left Kingston on 30 foot Ruth, We got to see all the same things the big boats did at a fraction of the cost. Its about living confortably within your means. That goes for land dwelling too. In fact it has been easy transitioning to an apt. from Close Knit. We have everything we need and we don’t miss a house at all. And we live so much more minimalistically from our experience. Less IS better.
Nice thoughts, Jennifer.
Ditto that Jennifer. Growing up in a family of five in 900 sq feet with one bathroom it just blows me away how people now get wrapped up in bigger is better. Monster homes with a potty for every occupant. And by wrapped up I really mean consumed…they need the high income, they need to spend the extra $$ on upkeep. They need brand new Beemers every 2 years….for what?? To impress ? Sorry, I am not. Mr & Mrs ZTC have truly figured out what is important. Love the one you’re with. And that includes your boat.
LOL @ Mr. and Mrs. ZTC.