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. 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.
9 Comments
Mike
7/20/2016 09:16:25 pm
Man, nothing about actual progress on the tt35 build? Hype, interest, nothing.....
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Pierce Hoover
7/21/2016 10:12:04 am
In terms of the build, we are about to finish up the deck mold. Reporting on the tooling process isn't very sexy, as things always seems to go slowly, with hundreds of man hours devoted to fairing and finishing. It's not something we want to rush, however, because extra hours spend in prep work pay off in a better end product. Look for an update on progress in the July newsletter, which will be send out in a couple of days. Also, as things move along, we will post progress to Facebook
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Mike
7/21/2016 09:11:46 pm
Maybe not sexy, but very interesting to me. Am I the only person that watched the time lapse vid of the 37 hull build? When I was a newby to boating, I was interested in how it looked. As a seasoned boater with many hours behind me, with many Bahamas island crossings, and nights spent at anchor, I care about lamination schedules, construction techniques, and functionality of a boat, specially when said boat may cost me north of 200k. Not sexy, vital!
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Pierce Hoover
7/23/2016 07:50:13 am
Stay tuned, We are about to get into the stuff that will make you boat geeks happy. Once the plug is finished, and we are into lamination, there will be some interesting fodder for stories. One will be the use of a new aramid material known as In Inegra that wi will use in the hull. It's been making waves with surfboard and canoe makers, but we'll be the first to use it in a large boat build.
Mike
7/23/2016 04:09:06 pm
I didn't understand what you were referencing to. Until I found GH on facebook! I had no idea you were posting progress there. That is what I was wanting to see. I've been waiting for posts here on your blog. Ok, I'm with the program now.
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Charlie Frey
9/19/2016 11:49:22 am
Do you think it would be possible to have small twin diesel I/O's on the TT35
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Pierce Hoover
9/19/2016 01:47:20 pm
WE have been asked that question several times. The answer is maybe, but the bigger question is "why"? Diesels would add at least 600 pounds, take up cockpit space, add significantly to the cost, increase maintenance requirements and likely not provide a significant increase in efficiency as compared to a four-stroke outboard.
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10/28/2022 02:33:26 am
Within never show official develop. But only great.
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By Ken FickettKen is the founder of Mirage Manufacturing, Archives
January 2020
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