Live Aboard???

Ben · Jun 16, 2013

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=63069&url=

Recently I switched jobs and will be moving to Wilmington, NC. My wife and I are looking for a house in town. Then browsing one day we see this boat. We're boaters, know our way around one, and don't mind adventure. We've never seriously considered living aboard because we've always been 2 hours from real water. Now comes this listing.

My question is, what event turned the corner for you as a live aboard? What's the worst thing and the best thing about it? If a couple, who drove the idea and who had to be convinced? My wife, one might say is "girly". She likes the pleasant side of boating, but not the grungy side. Still, she'll work her fingers to the bone to make sure something's clean though, and this boat looks like a home. She wants a home, and shes willing to see this for fun. Both of us are because its convenient. Living aboard probably won't happen, but stranger things...

The life clock keeps ticking downward, so I think, what if...

Moonstruck · Jun 16, 2013

Ben, if that boat is as represented in the pictures, it should be a great deal. It says composit hull. Would that be glass over wood?

I am not a live aboard, but this sounds like it could be the best of both worlds for you. Wilmington, Wrightsville, Carolina Beach, and Southport are great areas. You could always buy a house if the livaboard didn't work out. That could be a great boat for island cruising. :socool:

Pack Mule · Jun 16, 2013

I came across that one the other day while surfing Yachtworld. I like it.

Sceptic · Jun 16, 2013

The boat you link to seems nice, but I did not pay a lot of attention.

What’s wrong with moving the boat in your avatar to Wilmington?

In our case we jointly made the decision to sell out, move aboard the DeFever and go cruising.

For us it worked out - we sold our waterfront home at the top of the market just because all the improvements we wanted to make to the little DeFever were done. Pure luck.

Once we stopped cruising after 6 years though life in a marina sucked. Everybody knows your business.

So we bought a house on the water just off the ICW and keep the little DeFever at home.

If you are land bound I’d think twice about being a live aboard.

Meanwhile I’m asking my neighbors to drive my Chevy pickup and Honda car once in a while when we head up to the Chesapeake later this summer. Life on land, life on the water, non of it is without complications.

Good luck with your decision.

Mike

bobsyiruncle · Jun 16, 2013

Good side Boat and price look workable

Bad side: 1) pics are quite old. (2006 some of them)
2) if you do not like it, this will be a PITA to resell
3) Dockage availability and price is an issue (especially liveaboard)
4) some insurers may not appreciate wood

Pau Hana · Jun 17, 2013

I had always wanted to live aboard a boat, and figured it'd be a great retirement. 2008- was in the midst of a divorce, and was looking for a home to buy. One day, I was chatting with a liveaboard client, and the conversation led to me getting my first liveaboard- a Bayliner 3870. I learned the fine art of de-junkification, downsizing, and the true meaning of "more=less".

5 years later- I'm with a wonderful lady, the ex and I can talk amicably, and I've moved up to a 52' aft cabin.

Make the move, and enjoy the freedom!

THD · Jun 17, 2013

Ben-as to the Wilmington area-you will love it-I lived about 30 miles south in Shallotte for about 16 years and it is a great place. As to the boat, if I were interested in trying living aboard, I would give it a try on the boat you have. I know it is not as big, but in the long run, your MT will be a lot less hassle, cost a lot less to maintain, and probably be more comfortable.

The boat you posted is glass over wood. It mentions the "Harker's Island tradition" and many boats, some of the best sports fishing boats made, like Jarrett Bay, are cold molded glass over plank. But it is an old boat. For me to trade your MT for that one, I would have to do an awful lot of work to determine its condition in minute detail and an awful lot of thought to make sure it would be the right liveaboard boat for both of you.

You and your wife will have to agree on the boat and on the location. It would be far easier to move your MT, try it for a while in the Wilmington area and see how you like it. That way, you get the "liveabliard" issue out of the way at little to no cost. If it turns out you both like it, then look around for the most suitable boat for the longer term.

Good luck and enjoy Wilmington!

Ben · Jun 17, 2013

All thanks
Our primary plan is essentially to get a house in Wilmington and bring the Marine trader down there. Currently I'm stuck in a 15 month lease with my marina so I won't be in any hurry to bring the Marine Trader from Oriental to Wilmington.

Still a live aboard seems like an interesting way to being in a coastal area and we had not considered it until just looking at this boat which is conveniently located in Wilmington.

Honestly if I threw the living part of my budget totally into a boat, probably would pick a DeFever instead if I had to make that choice. But the chance to try out the live aboard lifestyle is outrageously enticing and that's what garners our interest. So we're using this boat and it's convenience to leverage the thought process of what if... We've always been weekend boaters but the fact that we're moving to Wilmington opens up the door to a whole other set of questions and possibilities.

Ron T · Jun 17, 2013

New marina being built in Wilmington down town. Many areas to choose from. Great city with everything you need. The less you have to take care of the more time you will have for each other. Plus no weeds, no lawn. The extra money you save can be used for LeBoat vacation on Europe canals. Dinner at the Bridge Tender. Houses collect to much STUFF that you only keep because you have the room to store it. The vessel forces you to get rid of the STUFF you really do not need. We all tend to carry to much Baggage thru life. I remember a nice 53' Hatteras for sale by Bluewater. Good luck.

FF · Jun 17, 2013

4) some insurers may not appreciate wood

Many boat yards will refuse to haul any wooden boat with out a huge deposit , $10,000 or similar as after haul many are just walked away from , and disposal with a match is no longer legal.

Ben · Jun 17, 2013

Long story short - talked to the broker on THAT boat. It needs a lot of work he says and the pictures are at least 3 years old. It's on the hard and needs a lot of love. Current owner has had a drop in health and has not been able to keep it up.

There's always a "rest of the story" and that's it. I may still look, but my bubble has burst on that particular boat...

THD · Jun 17, 2013

Ben-the bubble may have burst on that boat, but it still floats for the liveaboard idea! Any chance you can sublet your slip in Oriental? There is usually a pretty good demand up there for slips.

rjtrane · Jun 17, 2013

What triggered living aboard? My wife and I watched a movie with John and Haley Mills, "The Truth About Spring." Father and daughter were living aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean. At the end, my wife and I looked at each other - a glint in our eyes - and the decision was made.

Best thing? The Dinner Key community - weekends sailing in the keys - trips to the Bahamas - and best of all, our first born was conceived on board and spent the first year of his life as a liveaboard.

Worst? A bit cramped with an infant and subsequently a toddler.

We moved shoreside due to relocating in NYC.

I say go for it!

READY2GO · Jun 17, 2013

"My question is, what event turned the corner for you as a live aboard? What's the worst thing and the best thing about it? If a couple, who drove the idea and who had to be convinced?"

Mine was actually a series of events. Within a three year period, one bad motorcycle accident, one heart attack, one bad truck accident, and bladder cancer. I decided that if I wanted to do something fun and adventurous that I had better get to doing it. My wife jumped on baord with both feet. It has been the best thing for our lives and for our marrige. We are much closer now than I think we have ever been. Being togather in close quarters makes you work togather.

Ben · Jun 17, 2013

OK, so here's the sum up...

1. I'd still like to see the boat, if just for curiosity.

2. First day at work in Wilmington. Wow. Over-stimulated.
2a. Wilmington has many picturesque parts.
2b. Wilmington has many industrial tank farms.
2c. Can I go through this town with only one eye open?

3. I can move the Marine Trader to Wilmington, and will, but no hurry - first got to make sure selling current home/wife/new job and all work out properly.

4. Live aboard not out of the question whatsoever with the right boat.

5. I still have to report to work in reasonably un-sweaty business clothes in a climate with 90% humidity for half the year, 95% the other half. So, living aboard the Marine Trader - I am not sure the AC could take the long term continuous use. The size might be too small for us in our current routine.

6. Saw Joyner Marina. Very nice location. Right at Snows Cut on the ICW. 15 miles from town. That beats 120+, which is our current weekend trek.

Mike - thank you for your story and you have an outrageously good blog. I have a Lehman too, so I will likely cyber-stalk your blog for a while. I really like the work you did with your stuffing box, since I need to do the same. You showed it to be pretty easy. I like. :dance:

Capt Kangeroo · Jun 17, 2013

That is one of the most beautiful boats I have ever seen, if it wasn't wood I would buy it in a heartbeat. The equipment on it alone is worth more than the asking price. Sadly however, this is not a wood boat built with the latest in materials and construction techniques, it is an old plywood hull that has been glassed to the waterline to keep it afloat. As a "survivor" of the wood boat era I can tell you it doesn't work long. Many tried it in the 60's and at best it bought a few years but putting glass over wood that is not absolutely sealed can't help but end in disaster. There is simply no way to keep water from getting into the ply on the inside and there it lies trapped between the glass and ply, the resulting rot is unstoppable. Unfortunately whoever buys this masterpiece is in for a world of grief and or expense.

Phil Fill · Jun 18, 2013

My questions are,

What event turned the corner for you as a live aboard?

We bought to big of a boat, and did not need the house as the children moved out. So we were planning on down sizing anyway to a condo! We spent time, and money fixing/upgrading the boat, and being a live aboard fit our live style.

What's the worst thing and the best thing about it?

The worst thing was coming to grips that a live aboard is at the mercy of the marina. A live aboard does not have the same right as living on land and marinas can give you a 30 day notice to vacate. We and most live a boards have been giving 30 day notices.

The best thing as being a live a board, The diversity of the people, not having to keep up a pretense, we can be ourselves, and not having to keep up with the Jones. This is the reason we bought the Eagle and been a live aboard for so long. Also the time with the our children and grandchildren when they come to live with us and/or the summer with us. Priceless!

If a couple, who drove the idea and who had to be convinced?

I had to be convinced as my wife is a county girl and open to new ideas, reasonable comforts, and wanted to have a place to crash down town Seattle. But of course the maintenance, and responsibility was mine, so my view point is/was a bit different. We did not have a goal to be a live aboard, and did not push it. It just happened.

My wife, one might say is "girly". She likes the pleasant side of boating, but not the grungy side. Still, she'll work her fingers to the bone to make sure something's clean though, and this boat looks like a home. She wants a home, and shes willing to see this for fun. Both of us are because its convenient. Living aboard probably won't happen, but stranger things...

Between my wife and I am probable the most girly, :blush:

so we both like nice, pretty things and plenty of creature comforts. Usually its the female that moves off the boat in our case it will probable be me.

To be a long term live aboard there has to be a underlying want/need besides it might be nice to be a live aboard. Being a live aboard is not as easy/glamour as most people thing. A large % do not make it thru the first year, the vast majority 2 to 5 years, and then there is a very small % long term. Make sure the boat has the size capacity creature comforts required and make sure you have the funds as being a live aboard is eqaul and in some respects more than living on land. :ermm:

READY2GO · Jun 18, 2013

"Mike - thank you for your story and you have an outrageously good blog. I have a Lehman too, so I will likely cyber-stalk your blog for a while. I really like the work you did with your stuffing box, since I need to do the same. You showed it to be pretty easy. I like. :dance:

"

Thanks Ben, stalk awy.

I for got to answer the best and worst question.

Best: The closeness you develop with your spouse and the freedom.

Worst: Rebuilding the head.

One very nice thing about living aboard is that it is easy to move and take your house with you. Nothing to sell (and pay a hefty commission on). No moving furniture. Just throw off the dock lines and go someplace else. We did this two months ago and are about to do it again this week. Oddly to the same area we last left.

I am to the point that if you know who on the dock doesn't like who and why you have stayed too long. Time to untie and move along.

Moonstruck · Jun 18, 2013

READY2GO said:
I am to the point that if you know who on the dock doesn't like who and why you have stayed too long. Time to untie and move along.

That's a good rule. We don't stay in a marina long enough to get involved in the politics of the dock or deeply into the livaboard community. That's not why we boat. Probably the best part of marina life on the ICW is talking with the in transit cruisers about their experiences along the way. If they have been someplace we are interested in I will buy the drinks or dinner if necessary to hear that.

psneeld · Jun 18, 2013

Capt Kangeroo said:
That is one of the most beautiful boats I have ever seen, if it wasn't wood I would buy it in a heartbeat. The equipment on it alone is worth more than the asking price. Sadly however, this is not a wood boat built with the latest in materials and construction techniques, it is an old plywood hull that has been glassed to the waterline to keep it afloat. As a "survivor" of the wood boat era I can tell you it doesn't work long. Many tried it in the 60's and at best it bought a few years but putting glass over wood that is not absolutely sealed can't help but end in disaster. There is simply no way to keep water from getting into the ply on the inside and there it lies trapped between the glass and ply, the resulting rot is unstoppable. Unfortunately whoever buys this masterpiece is in for a world of grief and or expense.

From the listing..."Construction
Commercially Constructed by the Gillikins of Harkers Island. Mystic is built similar to most of the time tested high end North Carolina Sport Fishing Boats; she is a Wood/Glass Composite. The Hull is Striped Planked 1 X 7" Juniper with 3/8" glass under the waterline. "

Which is typical of many Carolina high end sportfish. Don't take too many TF posts seriously.

While I have seen bad examples of this construction...there are plenty of jewels made the Harkers Island way.

Moonstruck · Jun 18, 2013

Back in the 60s when I was selling wood to many boat builders they were building "juniper" strip planked boats. The wood I sold was actually cypress, but the locals called it juniper. The actual juniper tree is in the cypress family.

psneeld · Jun 18, 2013

if Ben's dream boat is actually constructed per the listing, the hull construction would be the least of my worries.

READY2GO · Jun 18, 2013

Ben, I just looked at the boat you mentioned on Yachtworld. I think with a decent survey I would not be afraid of it at all. My brother is building a 28' boat in the same manner right now. I think in some ways it is better than just FG if done properly.

Phil Fill · Jun 19, 2013

Moonstruck said:
That's a good rule. We don't stay in a marina long enough to get involved in the politics of the dock or deeply into the livaboard community. That's not why we boat. Probably the best part of marina life on the ICW is talking with the in transit cruisers about their experiences along the way. If they have been someplace we are interested in I will buy the drinks or dinner if necessary to hear that.

That does not have to happen as we keep/stay to our selves, and we do not get involved in the dock marina business/politics. I make a point not to talk politics, religion and gossip, and my wife tends to keep to her self. Many people think my wife is a figment of my imagination.

In the Everett marina the live a boards are spread out and we do not seek each other out. Nobody really knows us and we don’t really know them. :socool:

I do try to go to marina meeting to be informed as what is happening and future plans, so we do not get surprises. The marina has some big plans and changes in the next 3 to 5 years, but we will be retiring next year so we will not be so tied/relying on the Everett Marina. However the Everett marine is presently live aboard friendly but that could change in the future.

Ben · Jun 19, 2013

Phil Fill said:
That does not have to happen as we keep/stay to our selves, and we do not get involved in the dock marina business/politics. I make a point not to talk politics, religion and gossip, and my wife tends to keep to her self. Many people think my wife is a figment of my imagination. In the Everett marina the live a boards are spread out and we do not seek each other out. Nobody really knows us and we dont really know them.

We were like this with one marina and when we did talk to people, we felt they were a little aloof. Pretty much we were just starting out with our boat in a marina with empty nesters and we have kids and dogs and like to pull out and cruise - especially the first year of owning our boat. Now it is 4 years later and we are semi-nesters because we have one kid who is "getting her life together" at 19, working, schooling and living at home, and another I share with an ex. So we'd probably fit in our first marina much better now. We were the newbies amongst seasoned live-aboards or marina residents of 10 years, so it was a tough crowd for us.

We were probably too active if not chaotic for them. In subsequent marinas we had a much better social fit because of newer cohorts learning like us and friendlier live-aboards. Now I ask less dumb questions and can help neighbors with navigation and mechanical things better than before.

Not sure we could right away do the live aboard life as we both work full time and I am afraid of the regular use on my head, shower, AC, and electrical in a climate of 90% humidity and high temps. Almost afraid to use a boat full time since I've never done that level of use before. Plus, concerned some of the allure would fade with continuous living aboard. Almost want to keep boat time "special" versus "normal".

Does that sound stupid? Afraid to live the dream, because once living it, it ceases to be a dream, and thereby less attractive...?

CPseudonym · Jun 19, 2013

Ben said:
Plus, concerned some of the allure would fade with continuous living aboard. Almost want to keep boat time "special" versus "normal".

Does that sound stupid? Afraid to live the dream, because once living it, it ceases to be a dream, and thereby less attractive...?

Actually Ben, that makes perfect sense to me. We feel the same way and that is why we chose not to cross the 30' threshold. Removed our temptation to try.

AussieCraig · Jun 19, 2013

Ben said:
We were like this with one marina and when we did talk to people, we felt they were a little aloof. Pretty much we were just starting out with our boat in a marina with empty nesters and we have kids and dogs and like to pull out and cruise - especially the first year of owning our boat. Now it is 4 years later and we are semi-nesters because we have one kid who is "getting her life together" at 19, working, schooling and living at home, and another I share with an ex. So we'd probably fit in our first marina much better now. We were the newbies amongst seasoned live-aboards or marina residents of 10 years, so it was a tough crowd for us.

We were probably too active if not chaotic for them. In subsequent marinas we had a much better social fit because of newer cohorts learning like us and friendlier live-aboards. Now I ask less dumb questions and can help neighbors with navigation and mechanical things better than before.

Not sure we could right away do the live aboard life as we both work full time and I am afraid of the regular use on my head, shower, AC, and electrical in a climate of 90% humidity and high temps. Almost afraid to use a boat full time since I've never done that level of use before. Plus, concerned some of the allure would fade with continuous living aboard. Almost want to keep boat time "special" versus "normal".

Does that sound stupid? Afraid to live the dream, because once living it, it ceases to be a dream, and thereby less attractive...?

Doesnt sound stupid at all mate, I made the mistake of turning a hobby into a business and took the pleasure out of it.... :facepalm:

psneeld · Jun 19, 2013

Living aboard and cruising are two totally different animals.

If just living aboard would take all the fun out of it...you aren't getting enough cruising in.

Keith · Jun 20, 2013

Boats love to be used daily. It's the boats that sit around NOT being used that have more problems.

mahal · Jun 20, 2013

Ben said:
Plus, concerned some of the allure would fade with continuous living aboard. Almost want to keep boat time "special" versus "normal".

Does that sound stupid? Afraid to live the dream, because once living it, it ceases to be a dream, and thereby less attractive...?

This also makes a lot of sense to me, unless we were doing it like Larry M and others that are actively cruising.

Live Aboard???

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