FOREIGN AFFAIRS - How the TT35 may become a world traveler

A tranquil scene on the Canal de Garrone. France is laced with more than 2,700 miles of canals and scenic inland waterways.

Where will you go? We asked this question to potential buyers of the TT35, and so far some 400 have shared their cruising bucket list. Most rosters include familiar favorites such as Florida, the Bahamas, Great Lakes, Down East, the Pacific Northwest and of course, the Great Loop. Many plan to take advantage of the boat's trailerable capabilities for cost- and time-effective moves between prime cruising grounds, which is exactly what we hand in mind when we began this project. Less expected were the number of respondents who also included more distant destinations such as Europe and even the Far East
Traditionally, travel to such far-flung ports of call has remained the purview of adventurous bluewater sailors and a small percentage of those who purchase long-range motoryachts. Let's face it, long ocean voyages are not for everyone, and aside from bragging rights, the joys of ocean crossings are often outweighed by the discomfort and tedium. For most, it's the destination that is the reward, and that's where the TT35 could become an unexpected game changer in the cruising arena.

A modern RORO ship plus a TT35 equals world-wide cruising potential

This point was driven home a few weeks ago when a customer stopped by the yard to discuss particulars on a TT35 build. One of his goals is to cruise the Croatian Islands. He's done the research, and is confident he can ship his TT35 to the Adriatic Sea for around $3,000 aboard a RORO ship. For those not familiar with the overseas shipping trade, RORO stands for roll-on, roll off. These vessels are essentially ocean going car ferries, and many can accommodate larger vehicles as well as boats on a trailer. Shipping a boat such as the TT35 aboard a RORO ship is a far simpler and more cost-effective process than hoisting a cruiser onto a freighter deck, or blocking and bracing it aboard a dry dock ship. The TT35 would roll right up the ramp with no risk of damage from cranes or deckhands, and make the passage within the ship's weather-protected hold.

In anticipation of some memorable cruises on the French waterways, we're contemplating sending a TT35 across the pond for personal enjoyment. The continent's canal system provides intimate access to sites and sights outside the usual terrestrial tour routes. Historic village wharfs where cargo barges once offloaded now welcome pleasure cruisers, who come ashore to stroll cobblestone streets, procure fresh produce on market day, and sample local vintages at sidewalk cafes. Small wonder that canal boats are a favorite with European holiday makers. But unlike slow, barge-like canal boats, which are confined to sheltered waterways, the TT35 is also well suited for plying the continent's majestic river systems, and voyages into the open waters of the Mediterranean, Aegean. Adriatic, Baltic and beyond.

Because RORO ships visit ports around the world, the TT35 might be poised to introduce a new type of power cruising. Few of us have the time or temperament to cross oceans in a small boat, but many would like to visit the planet's many wonderful cruising grounds—provided we could arrive in an expeditious and relatively economic manner. For those with a taste for adventure, the ease with which the TT35 can be moved across oceans will certainly open up new horizons and pave the way for some amazing adventures.