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Old 08-19-2017, 08:54 PM   #1
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34T Half Time Living?

Is a 34T sufficient for live aboard cruising six months out of the year? Late 40's couple. Thanks for your opinions.
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Old 08-19-2017, 10:14 PM   #2
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The determining factor would be the boat in question, and how much room you use now/wish for.

The main thing is, and I'm single okay?!?, I believe both partners need a place to go out of sight of the other for privacy. If one of you is on the fly bridge, or aft deck, or forward cabin, it helps. There will be times when you may find yourself:

#1) Planning a romantic interlude
#2) Contemplating murder or mutiny
#3) Working on a craft or boat project

Having a separate space is in my view critical for overall happiness.

And I'm perfectly pleased aboard my 23'er. To me 34 is extravagant. And doable with caveats. Specifically privacy.

Ashore when you're ticked at each other you can get away. A walk in the park, a trip to the grocery store or out to eat. Aboard a boat you'll be in tight quarter. You will rely on each other as most couples never have had to do.

For some it is an adventure, filled with joy and happiness. Others find it a short trip through purgatory with divorce or boat sale at the other end.

It's up to you which experience you end up with. Know this though, if either of you don't like the boat, DO NOT BUY IT. Nobody has an epiphany after living aboard the "wrong" boat.

Additionally, what is right for me, galley up, may well be the antithesis for you and your bride. There are a variety of boats and one will suit you.

Good luck and happy cruising.
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Old 08-19-2017, 10:24 PM   #3
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Thanks for the thoughts. We've been part time RV'ers for 16 years, and do well in small spaces together. I think the galley in the 34 is superior to the 40 (at least my preference) but wonder if the forward stateroom is large enough to hang out in all day vs an aft stateroom design.
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Old 08-20-2017, 04:56 AM   #4
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Greetings,
Welcome aboard.
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Old 08-20-2017, 05:51 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2putchuck View Post
but wonder if the forward stateroom is large enough to hang out in all day vs an aft stateroom design.
My biggest concern with spending more than a couple weeks on the boat would be the size of the fwd stateroom, specifically the berth. It is a matter of personal taste but we've identified that our 'next' boat will have a true, full-size, don't-cut-off-the-corners queen in the master.

Actually, besides that being my biggest concern it would also be my only significant concern.

YMMV.
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Old 08-20-2017, 06:14 AM   #6
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I owned a 34T in the late 2000s. We never stayed on it for more than 3-4 days at a time, so we didn't experience any real limitations during those periods.

The forward berth although tight would work for us for full time cruising. The main cabin is huge and that is where I would hang. The galley is ok, but the fridge is small for full time use and there is no oven. In general, storage spaces are limited, the boat is layed out for people not stuff. But you do need stuff for full time cruising.

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Old 08-20-2017, 07:25 AM   #7
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We have a MS 34HT so same boat w/o bridge. We typically do a 6 week cruise each summer and find ours very comfortable for 2. We had a similar cruise routine w our last boat which was a 28 ftr so 34 is spacious.
I think several mos would not be a problem but we cruise in areas where we are in towns on lock walls or town walls or marinas about half the time anchoring for several days in between in nice wx.
I think I would require more space aboard if full timing and at anchor most of the time.
I think there are many 34Ts that do the loop quite comfortably.
As others said it will depend on individual needs wants and expectations.
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Old 08-20-2017, 12:57 PM   #8
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Thanks for the welcome and the feedback. You can't beat real world perspective.
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Old 08-20-2017, 03:30 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2putchuck View Post
but wonder if the forward stateroom is large enough to hang out in all day
Wifey B: All day? Obviously not sleeping.

Don't even tell me what.

You've done RV'ing so should be somewhat prepared. Most people don't spend a lot of time in their stateroom. However, it depends on the two of you. One thing to keep in mind too is your own sizes. Don't laugh. We were at an RV show one time and this cute couple was talking about how spacious and the bed would be perfect. He was something like 5'9" and thin and she was no more than 5' if that. Well, I'm 5'9 1/2" and hubby is 6'4 1/2" and we couldn't have even considered it if we were looking. So, in this case, size definitely matters.
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Old 08-20-2017, 04:01 PM   #10
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You've deliberately placed those in inverse order..

Quote:
Originally Posted by janice142 View Post
#1) Planning a romantic interlude
#2) Contemplating murder or mutiny
#3) Working on a craft or boat project
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