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08-18-2015, 07:14 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Sharbot Lake
Vessel Name: Manatee
Vessel Model: 1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 278
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Albin 25 as a liveaboard?
Sounds unlikely, I know. Just a thought - I am looking to retire in the next year or 2 but aside from a bit of capital - probably less than $50K or thereabouts depending on the housing market - I will need to rely on an income of about $1600 CDN monthly (pre tax). I have been looking into such places as Panama highlands but it just struck me - browsing the liveaboard threads on various boating forums - that one of my few assets is an Albin 25 in good shape with the MD17C that just keeps on ticking.
Since it seems I will have to strike out on my own as a single I am ruminating about how far south I could ultimately get in this little boat. I would love to tie up on the coast of central America and eke out my final years with minimal overhead and what would then become a decent income level.
Is this thought just completely insane?
__________________
1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe; 1990 Thundercraft 1750
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08-18-2015, 07:16 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Tampa
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 844
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunset
...Is this thought just completely insane?
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Probably....but WTH!
I see no reason you couldn't do it?
Go for it!
__________________
"I'm the only one who has removed half a brain, but if you went to Washington, you'd think someone beat me to it"...Dr. Ben Carson 08-06-2015
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08-18-2015, 07:19 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
City: Sharbot Lake
Vessel Name: Manatee
Vessel Model: 1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 278
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Good enuff fer me!
__________________
1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe; 1990 Thundercraft 1750
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08-18-2015, 07:24 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
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The wife and I discussed the possibility of living aboard a sub 30' boat, our Owens would be tight. Janice lives on her 23' Seaweed and enjoys it. Plenty of singles cruising small sailboats too so why not?
It helps that the wife and I are avowed minimalists. Diesel powered Albin 25 with aft cabin seems a brilliant choice IMO.
__________________
Craig
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
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08-18-2015, 07:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
City: Sharbot Lake
Vessel Name: Manatee
Vessel Model: 1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 278
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Thanks for the encouragement Craig. But what do you think about the crossing?
__________________
1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe; 1990 Thundercraft 1750
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08-18-2015, 07:30 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunset
Thanks for the encouragement Craig. But what do you think about the crossing?
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http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..._to_the_Amazon
__________________
Craig
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
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08-18-2015, 07:37 PM
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#7
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Enigma
City: Slicker?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 16,541
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Greetings,
Mr. S. "But what do you think about the crossing?" What crossing? If Central America is your destination, you could easily stay within 5 miles of land or closer no matter where you started in North America. Albin 25. Single occupant. Some $$. What's not to like?
__________________
RTF
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08-18-2015, 07:49 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,263
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Of course you could do it. Any boat is capable of going anywhere within the shorter of
A. Its fuel enfurance
B. The 72 hour accurate forecast window.
All you'll need is patience. You will find yourself in port on days when others with larger, more capable boats are able to venture forth, but you could easily make it down the coast.
How far, I do not know, but for sure since you are on the east voast you could make it all around the great loop. 20 something thousand miles to explore there.
I've always thought that for a single guy a boat about that size would be really nice to do the great loop in.
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08-18-2015, 07:53 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
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Exactly RT! My point with the book link was to point out that far smaller craft have achieved far greater distance with twice as many folks aboard. I've shared these photos before as representative of what the wife and I are considering for a custom build.
The size of the boat has nothing to do with the size of the adventure.
__________________
Craig
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
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08-18-2015, 08:20 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Tampa
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 844
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RT Firefly
Greetings,
Mr. S. "But what do you think about the crossing?" What crossing? If Central America is your destination, you could easily stay within 5 miles of land or closer no matter where you started in North America. Albin 25. Single occupant. Some $$. What's not to like?
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Agreed!
That's exactly what I was thinking. Actually looked at a few maps before I made my WTH remark
Just follow the coastline....
__________________
"I'm the only one who has removed half a brain, but if you went to Washington, you'd think someone beat me to it"...Dr. Ben Carson 08-06-2015
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08-18-2015, 08:22 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
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living on just about any cabin boat is better than homeless...which a lot of people manage.
if you can afford to pay the overhead which many say can be around $500-$1000 a month if careful...enjoy the life!
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08-18-2015, 08:22 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: St Augustine,Fl
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,789
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I think you should try it for a while. You already have it, know its condition and you can always bail out if it doesn't work out. The Albin 25 is a better live aboard than many 35' boats. I owned one with the intention of relaxed cruising but soon realized I was too large for it! 6'4, 280lbs doesn't do well on the Albin for extended periods. I still think it is one hell of a boat! Bought and paid for in your situation is great. I bet you'll have money left over at the end of the month. Keep us posted on this adventure. Janice on Seaweed is doing the same type of adventure VERY successfully! She would probably be open to suggestions and a moral support. Good luck!
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08-18-2015, 08:25 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Concrete Washington State
Vessel Name: Willy
Vessel Model: Willard Nomad 30'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,738
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In 03 Chris and I went to Alaska and back on our Albin 25. 68 days aboard. The Albin is very good in the rough weather w the exception of a nasty snap roll. I don't do it in my Willard but I bumped my head and other body parts quite often in the Albin.
The boat's design is very very well thought out. A good mod for a liveaboard would be to build a wheelhouse over the center cockpit. I've seen it done on a number of A25s in the PNW.
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Eric
North Western Washington State USA
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08-18-2015, 08:40 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
City: Sharbot Lake
Vessel Name: Manatee
Vessel Model: 1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 278
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Good to hear an encouraging word! I am comfortable with the prospect of living aboard the A25 for an extended period. I would probably add a third battery and a fridge and some solar panels, stay with 12V. But looking at the map, jumping from Key West over to Yucatan seems vastly more appealing than the great circle around the Gulf of Mexico. One reason being the lower cost of living once out of the US. But perhaps that direct route is too chancy for a coastal cruiser. I need to hear from those who have made that crossing to learn the difference between adventure and dumb.
__________________
1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe; 1990 Thundercraft 1750
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08-18-2015, 08:44 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
City: Sharbot Lake
Vessel Name: Manatee
Vessel Model: 1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 278
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335 nautical miles means at least three days in open water. Add autohelm and coffee to the budget!
__________________
1976 Albin 25 DeLuxe; 1990 Thundercraft 1750
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08-18-2015, 08:59 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: St Augustine,Fl
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,789
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Auto pilot is not optional as a single hander. Get it early, set it up right and you will have the cheapest "crew" imaginable. No whining, no quitting, just steer me straight.
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08-18-2015, 09:23 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 264
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Isn't the Albin 8'6" beam? You could always put it on a trailer and drag it through Mexico. Then sell the boat and trailer and cruise from the Yucatan south.
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08-18-2015, 10:40 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
City: Port Townsend WA
Vessel Name: Panope
Vessel Model: Colvin Saugeen Witch, Aluminum
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 294
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If the OP looks anything like his avatar, the proposed venture will be a piece of cake.
Steve
__________________
If I visualize my boat without a mast, I see a trawler.
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08-18-2015, 10:42 PM
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#19
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Moderator Emeritus
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,263
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunset
Good to hear an encouraging word! I am comfortable with the prospect of living aboard the A25 for an extended period. I would probably add a third battery and a fridge and some solar panels, stay with 12V. But looking at the map, jumping from Key West over to Yucatan seems vastly more appealing than the great circle around the Gulf of Mexico. One reason being the lower cost of living once out of the US. But perhaps that direct route is too chancy for a coastal cruiser. I need to hear from those who have made that crossing to learn the difference between adventure and dumb.
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There is no reason to take your boat from Key West to Mexico. That is in my opinion farther than you need to or should venture offshore.
Why not enjoy the ICW along the way. You would be missing the entire Gulf Coast and all it has to offer. Cajun food for one!
Leave the USA at BrownsVille, TX. No open water. ICW cruising at its best.
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08-19-2015, 05:33 AM
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#20
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Guru
City: Satsuma FL
Vessel Name: No Mo Trawla
Vessel Model: Hurricane SS188
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,300
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How much fuel do you carry?
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