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Old 01-31-2021, 06:33 AM   #1
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Inexpensive Live-a-board?

My nephew lives on Block Island and is looking to buy a boat to live on. He has worked out a place to keep the boat on a dock with power, water, etc. All good there, but when he told what he was looking to pay for the boat, I thought it improbable?.

He told me that the word around BI workers is that you can get a boat for around $10,000 as a live-a-board. I asked him if he wanted the boat to work, engine system, etc. He said "Yes", so that they could leave the island once in a while.

So, looking for a live-a-board for a couple, which has working systems, for around $10,000. Is this doable?
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Old 01-31-2021, 06:37 AM   #2
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Yes, done all the time if accepting a wood boat, a gas powered boat, an pld boat, a really rough around the edges boat and you shop around.

I had a friend that was willing to give away a nice 32 (I think) glass, gas singleTrojan in good shape a few years back. Had it listed for $10, 000....then $5,000, then free.
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Old 01-31-2021, 08:03 AM   #3
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IO think what's liveable, seaworthy and inexpensive is entirely up to him. "Inexpensive" includes total cost of ownership beyond initial price. Cheap boats can be extremely expensive.
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Old 01-31-2021, 08:05 AM   #4
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Here's a 30 footer that might work:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...sedan-2853015/

This one is listed at $13,500 and sounds like it needs nothing:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...oards-3663616/
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Old 01-31-2021, 08:18 AM   #5
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there was a marine trader 34 for I think 7,500 interior was rough. supposedly ran well .was going to take a friend to look at it but it sold fast. In beaufort nc
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Old 01-31-2021, 09:20 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Benthic2 View Post
Here's a 30 footer that might work:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...sedan-2853015/



That Uniflite looks to be in ASTOUNDING condition for its age & price!
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Old 01-31-2021, 11:15 AM   #7
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In all honesty he should wait,save up his money and start researching and reading more into it,has he ever even had a boat,sounds to me he's just looking for cheap housing,have him buy a sailboat if that's the case
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Old 01-31-2021, 11:19 AM   #8
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Or a houseboat if he stays in semi protected waters.
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Old 01-31-2021, 11:22 AM   #9
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Greetings,
Mr. ITB. Regardless of logistics, which are doable IMO, your nephew had better make 1000% sure his "mate" is on board with the situation particularly under possible circumstances where, for example, the boat starts sinking, the bilge pump(s) quit(s) and it's February with a snow storm going on. He/she would have to be pretty committed to the adventure.
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Old 01-31-2021, 12:05 PM   #10
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The most very obvious inexpensive live-aboard is the Bayliner (and many other makes) twenty some foot cruisers that are very available and very inexpensive.
And if you cut your expenses to the bone saving for a bigger more expensive boat is far easier. Gotta be very wary of rotten stringers and stern drives though.
Just accross from Willy is a 26-28’ Apollo and the live-aboard within seems very happy.
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Old 01-31-2021, 12:14 PM   #11
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I watch non boaters buy boats in the spring, move aboard, brag about how good it is and how cheap it is, then disappear in the middle of the winter.

Cheap and living are defined differently by all. I see a lot of people camping on boats to save money. Others camp in their car and save more money. It is really up to the skills of the individual as to how successful they are. In the end there are more failure than successes. The failures don’t hang out here discussing the errors of their ways. The success ones, like my self hang out here.

Boaters who become liveaboards are far more successful at it then non boaters who become liveaboards to save money.
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Old 01-31-2021, 12:42 PM   #12
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Block Island livaboard - is this for the extended summer season only?
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Old 01-31-2021, 01:27 PM   #13
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Tiltrider1,
Few live on boats for years upon years. It’s not ideal diggs.

People usually live on boats for economic reasons laced w notions of romance.
The word camping is a derogatory word on TF. It’s never used in a positive way.
And we all live where we live because it’s what we can afford whether it’s on a boat or in a house. Living aboard dosn’t make us a bum. The livaboards that are bums are easy to spot. Everything around them is filthy including their boat. If you’re on the same finger as they you’ll need to tip toe through a maze of garbage and dog poo.

Where is it that we cross over from camping to living respectably?
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Old 01-31-2021, 01:40 PM   #14
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Wow...some grossly incorrect generalizations from one tiny corner of the planet.

On the East coast where looping and cruising are easy and make snowbirding attractive....living aboard is far from only one reason to do it.

In every walk of life there is a wide variation in lifestyle....some narrow opinions here are just that.
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Old 01-31-2021, 01:55 PM   #15
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When I think of living on-board through the winter, at least in the PNW, what comes to mind is cold, wet and dark. Unless.....you have a warm, dry boat with adequate room, which Tiltrider probably does. I live on-board during the summer months during our Alaska trips but it's not at all attractive to me year-round.
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Old 01-31-2021, 02:17 PM   #16
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I know that over the past 3 or 4 years there have been 3 boat in our marina yard (Mystic) that could have been had for $5K or less. I think they were all circa 1977/78 Silverton sedans.
Would not trust the engines however as they were dock queens for many years.
He'll find one if he looks.
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Old 01-31-2021, 03:55 PM   #17
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Craigslist seems to be the source for underpriced boats with flaws. A Willard 36 pilot house recently sold in Florida with an asking price of $15k.

Theyre out there. Must have cash and willing to make a quick decision.

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Old 02-01-2021, 06:53 AM   #18
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"Would not trust the engines however as they were dock queens for many years."

Some liveaboards simply remove the engine to gain storage space .

If the boat is a pure dock queen who needs engines?
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Old 02-01-2021, 07:02 AM   #19
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some get rid of the engine(s) and stick a bracket and small used outboard on the transom to get to their haulout if the marina requires that ability.
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Old 02-01-2021, 08:06 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld View Post
I had a friend that was willing to give away a nice 32 (I think) glass, gas singleTrojan in good shape a few years back. Had it listed for $10, 000....then $5,000, then free.

Been there, done that. Old gassers are hard to sell. When I wanted it gone I had to face a very long time of moorage + insurance + at least minimal upkeep = $9,000 per year. Maybe if I got lucky sell it for $10,000. Just letting go was the better option.
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