Starting the Journey

[Bacchus]

I've been reading this thread with some interest but will admit upfront we do not live aboard full time. We have cruised for a couple months on our boat and similarly with our land yacht.
I would venture a guess that of the ones here that do live aboard full time and do the type cruising you mentioned, it is not on their first boat.
I think most of us enjoy boating, or thought we might, and jumped in and experimented and gained experience that forced us to trade our boats. I and many will advise people to think long and hard about how they intend to use it and what they must have, want to have and dont want before looking and trying to narrow it down.
My reaction is that it may be more practical to break your plan / dreams into a few readily attainable steps. For example.
A boat you could live aboard in a marina on the GreatLakes. Maybe not plan to live aboard initially while you do maintensnce and upgrades.
If all proves out that might be a boat you could live on in FL and do some coastal cruising or even complete a "Loop".
The step up to offshore cruising is a whole different animal in my mind (but no real experience on my end) and might need a different boat at that point.
I think at that point you and yours would be in a better position to decide if your "ultimate" dream was still valid and then decide if a different boat would be better suited to fulfill that expanded level of cruising.
I cant imagine ever wanting to spend full time on a mooring ball but I would not throw cold water on anyone that dreams of that lifestyle.

 

[Psquared]

Maybe I should be a little more specific, we do not plan to spend the rest of our lives on this boat it is an adventure we would like to do before we "settle" down and start a family. I personally couldn't imagine having 2 or three kids on a boat for 24 hours a day it sounds like hell. For those that do it god bless you! I never could. After 6 months or a year living on the boat if it turns into something that we want to do for the rest of our lives then we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Pun intended. We do not plan on living on a mooring ball the entire time, if the weather is nice and we can stay out there then 100% the idea is only to be there for a select period of time and then go out and see all the sights we want to see. Could we be there for a week or so maybe but I agree with all of you I dont want to spend 6 months there.



Thanks, we will hopefully be looking at two or three boats next week. Can we post pictures on here or do we need to wait until x amount of posts like some forums?

 

[rgano]

I lived aboard at a mooring ball in San Diego. We did not have air conditioning and suffered just a little in July. The rest of the time, sleeping in the cool nights was little problem. We then moved the boat to Panama City in May to a covered slip. By June we could stand it no longer and had to evacuate to a motel for a few days until we closed on our dirt home. Air conditioning was installed on the boat in short order. As you can see, we never lived aboard for prolonged periods dependent upon a generator to provide power for the air conditioning. We did cruise the boat in the following 25 years and spend many nights anchored with the genny providing power for the AC. The genny did fail us one sultry night, and we spent the evening until midnight topside letting things cool to the point we could get a little sleep before heading for a marina and shore power for a few days while the generator was repaired. My brother's GB42 has two generators, a 4KW which can run an AC unit to keep them cool in the aft cabin, and an 8KW which can run just about everything at once. He also has multiple AC units. Loss of generating power or the AC units due to some failure can cut a Florida cruise short.

 

[Psquared]

I lived aboard at a mooring ball in San Diego. We did not have air conditioning and suffered just a little in July. The rest of the time, sleeping in the cool nights was little problem. We then moved the boat to Panama City in May to a covered slip. By June we could stand it no longer and had to evacuate to a motel for a few days until we closed on our dirt home. Air conditioning was installed on the boat in short order. As you can see, we never lived aboard for prolonged periods dependent upon a generator to provide power for the air conditioning. We did cruise the boat in the following 25 years and spend many nights anchored with the genny providing power for the AC. The genny did fail us one sultry night, and we spent the evening until midnight topside letting things cool to the point we could get a little sleep before heading for a marina and shore power for a few days while the generator was repaired. My brother's GB42 has two generators, a 4KW which can run an AC unit to keep them cool in the aft cabin, and an 8KW which can run just about everything at once. He also has multiple AC units. Loss of generating power or the AC units due to some failure can cut a Florida cruise short.

thats one of the reasons we are looking at solar, I found one boat that comes with solar but it is a little older then id like but it does have a/c ( 3 units) a/c is a must for us and it seems like the best option is to find a boat that already has a/c rather then fitting a new unit to one.



Thanks

 

[rgano]

thats one of the reasons we are looking at solar, I found one boat that comes with solar but it is a little older then id like but it does have a/c ( 3 units) a/c is a must for us and it seems like the best option is to find a boat that already has a/c rather then fitting a new unit to one.



Thanks

You are aware that solar cannot generate enough power (through its normal function of charging a bank of batteries) to run anything but a smallish AC unit via an inverter for more than a short time leaving nothing for any refrigeration and other power users, are you not?

 

[Jmk2000]

Psquared good luck in your hunt. I have been dreaming of simplifying life and moving aboard a boat when I retire from the military. It sounds like you have a good plan. Best of luck in your hunt for a new floating home and keep us posted!

I just turned 40 and my youngest is in high school. Nothing in the cards for me as far as a livaboard until she’s out of the house. I’ll live vicariously through y’all till then. Cheers!!

 

[Psquared]

You are aware that solar cannot generate enough power (through its normal function of charging a bank of batteries) to run anything but a smallish AC unit via an inverter for more than a short time leaving nothing for any refrigeration and other power users, are you not?

I wont be able to run the a/c / heat of the panels but the idea was to not have to run the generator(as much). also we would not be keeping the stock fridge unless it was energy efficient. also found a few that basic fridges that we could convert and draw about 30-40 amps a day id post the link but the last post I posted with a link still isnt up.

 

[Psquared]

Psquared good luck in your hunt. I have been dreaming of simplifying life and moving aboard a boat when I retire from the military. It sounds like you have a good plan. Best of luck in your hunt for a new floating home and keep us posted!

I just turned 40 and my youngest is in high school. Nothing in the cards for me as far as a livaboard until she’s out of the house. I’ll live vicariously through y’all till then. Cheers!!

thanks we are no where as close as i'd like to be, lets hope we can actually get this thing going.

 

[High Wire]

You might want to call the Ft Myers Yacht Basin dockmaster and discuss your plans on mooring there. Last winter their mooring field was pretty small and nearly full. There is a daily dinghy privledge fee to use bathrooms, laundry and such.

 

[rgano]

I wont be able to run the a/c / heat of the panels but the idea was to not have to run the generator(as much). also we would not be keeping the stock fridge unless it was energy efficient. also found a few that basic fridges that we could convert and draw about 30-40 amps a day id post the link but the last post I posted with a link still isnt up.

Yes, you seem to have a good handle on the total boat energy issue. When I was looking into easing the refrigeration energy draw I came to the conclusion that a straight 12-volt DC reefer was the most energy efficient. So many available reefer units take 12-volts and change it to some form of AC with their on board inverters to power the compressor.

 

[Pete Meisinger]

I'll stay with my original "gut" feeling. Your plans are not going to happen.

If you have any feelings that $3,000 is a lot of money you need to forget them immediately. $3,000 on a $20,000 forty foot boat will be an almost daily expense.

Here are a few things $3,000 will get you on your boat. (Pick one)
* One year dockage, maybe including storage if you find a really cheap marina
* A complete fuel fill and twin engine tune up
* Quality paint and caulk for a do it yourself job
* Repair of a few soft deck areas
* Radar
* A MFD
* Autopilot
* A lift and and mechanical and hull survey
* A years insurance
* A new battery bank and a couple switches

Here are a few things it will not even begin to cover:
* Engine problem
* Transmission problems
* Any genny problems
* Solar installation
* Spare set of props, shafts will be extra

All boats are relatively expensive, bigger boats are more expensive, cheap boats are more expensive yet.

Maybe I am just being extra critical because your original post was pretty arrogant. Your following posts were not much better. "Been working since you were 18" Indeed,you may be 25 now, thats a whole seven years.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE prove us all wrong We would love to hear from you in a year telling us how great the past year has been.

pete

 

[Psquared]

I'll stay with my original "gut" feeling. Your plans are not going to happen.

If you have any feelings that $3,000 is a lot of money you need to forget them immediately. $3,000 on a $20,000 forty foot boat will be an almost daily expense.

Here are a few things $3,000 will get you on your boat. (Pick one)
* One year dockage, maybe including storage if you find a really cheap marina
* A complete fuel fill and twin engine tune up
* Quality paint and caulk for a do it yourself job
* Repair of a few soft deck areas
* Radar
* A MFD
* Autopilot
* A lift and and mechanical and hull survey
* A years insurance
* A new battery bank and a couple switches

Here are a few things it will not even begin to cover:
* Engine problem
* Transmission problems
* Any genny problems
* Solar installation
* Spare set of props, shafts will be extra

All boats are relatively expensive, bigger boats are more expensive, cheap boats are more expensive yet.

Maybe I am just being extra critical because your original post was pretty arrogant. Your following posts were not much better. "Been working since you were 18" Indeed,you may be 25 now, thats a whole seven years.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE prove us all wrong We would love to hear from you in a year telling us how great the past year has been.

pete

I really don't know why I'm getting **** on for saying 3000 for two nights of a charter seemed expensive. Do you guys just throw your money around and not care what it goes to or if you can find a better deal else where. Makes no sense to me. Not to mention I was asking if it was normal. I'm not sure if a few of you have a problem that we are young and have been some what successful so far, sorry your 20s were different mine aren't so step back this is getting a little old. Not to mention none of that arrogance would have come out if I wasn't asked what I did to deserve a life style change, that's some bs I'd never ask anyone that but no one wants to criticize that person. This is crazy I really hope others have had a better experience then this, simply coming here to learn and ask questions to people I would assume know a lot more then me.

I said I would like a 40 ft boat, is that going to happen probably not, i said 20k is a starting point... why not start with the bottom of your budget.. if you start at the top of your budget for everything then I hope you have a ridiculous amount of money or your to ignorant to shop around for a deal.

The safety equipment I listed was over 3I right there did I say I had a problem with that... no

It blows my mind people give someone else a hard time for saying 3k seemed expensive for 2 days on a boat.

I'm really trying to be respectful and not burn any bridges but it's a two way street, if you expect me to roll over because you have more experience/ older then me than your sadly mistaken my friend.

Funny half the stuff you listed on your list I found for under 3k, I get it boats are expensive to buy, expensive to maintain and expensive to learn about.

I've apologized multiple times, it's not gonna happen anymore if the mods have an issue with this then delete the thread... the welcoming here has been great. Those of you who have helped out and brought items up that I've clearly over looked, thank you very much!

 

[BandB]

I really don't know why I'm getting **** on for saying 3000 for two nights of a charter seemed expensive. Do you guys just throw your money around and not care what it goes to or if you can find a better deal else where. Makes no sense to me. Not to mention I was asking if it was normal. I'm not sure if a few of you have a problem that we are young and have been some what successful so far, sorry your 20s were different mine aren't so step back this is getting a little old. Not to mention none of that arrogance would have come out if I wasn't asked what I did to deserve a life style change, that's some bs I'd never ask anyone that but no one wants to criticize that person. This is crazy I really hope others have had a better experience then this, simply coming here to learn and ask questions to people I would assume know a lot more then me.

I said I would like a 40 ft boat, is that going to happen probably not, i said 20k is a starting point... why not start with the bottom of your budget.. if you start at the top of your budget for everything then I hope you have a ridiculous amount of money or your to ignorant to shop around for a deal.

The safety equipment I listed was over 3I right there did I say I had a problem with that... no

It blows my mind people give someone else a hard time for saying 3k seemed expensive for 2 days on a boat.

I'm really trying to be respectful and not burn any bridges but it's a two way street, if you expect me to roll over because you have more experience/ older then me than your sadly mistaken my friend.

Funny half the stuff you listed on your list I found for under 3k, I get it boats are expensive to buy, expensive to maintain and expensive to learn about.

I've apologized multiple times, it's not gonna happen anymore if the mods have an issue with this then delete the thread... the welcoming here has been great. Those of you who have helped out and brought items up that I've clearly over looked, thank you very much!

You get what you get because you're an arrogant, immature ^#%&.

You come on a forum asking for opinions and when you don't like them you curse those who offer them. You state information and then you disclaim it. And no, you're not trying to be respectful. Perhaps you don't know how. You wouldn't have to keep apologizing if you behaved. You clearly have this forum confused with the bar and us confused with your teenage friends.

 

[Psquared]

Thanks, if what I just said is arrogance then your views are skewed, I've damn near apologized on every signal post and keep getting crap if you expect to be rude to others and then not have them stand up and defend themselves your crazy... I'm apart of about 10 forums and never in my life have I been **** on so much like here and I talk the same exact way and interact with people who are or normally much older so idk if it's the "trawler" community or what but this is crazy... you constantly hear about how boat people are so welcoming and its small family and so on ... what happened to that? Do I need to bow down to the trawler gods before posting..geez

 

[BandB]

Thanks, if what I just said is arrogance then your views are skewed, I've damn near apologized on every signal post and keep getting crap if you expect to be rude to others and then not have them stand up and defend themselves your crazy... I'm apart of about 10 forums and never in my life have I been **** on so much like here and I talk the same exact way and interact with people who are or normally much older so idk if it's the "trawler" community or what but this is crazy... you constantly hear about how boat people are so welcoming and its small family and so on ... what happened to that? Do I need to bow down to the trawler gods before posting..geez

Wifey B: You're incapable of posting without profanity. No idea what kind of forums you post on that accept and welcome the kind of behavior you exhibit. Yes, guess my views are skewed because I think you were arrogant, bragging about things that not only was I not impressed by but offended by. I gave you a second chance but you didn't listen. You came in and showed your ignorance about boating, but then when that was pointed out, you retaliated. Good luck trying to cheat people and get something for nothing.

 

[KnotYet]

Thanks, if what I just said is arrogance then your views are skewed, I've damn near apologized on every signal post and keep getting crap if you expect to be rude to others and then not have them stand up and defend themselves your crazy... I'm apart of about 10 forums and never in my life have I been **** on so much like here and I talk the same exact way and interact with people who are or normally much older so idk if it's the "trawler" community or what but this is crazy... you constantly hear about how boat people are so welcoming and its small family and so on ... what happened to that? Do I need to bow down to the trawler gods before posting..geez

Anyway, for a slightly different viewpoint:

When I was 26 I bought a boat for about $20k and moved aboard.
It was a sailboat and I was single but those are just details (and I was seldom alone).

A year and 7 months later I sailed that boat from L.A. to Hawaii. The time of my life!
I only mention all this because I am grateful for the encouragement I got at the time.

Do not hesitate to go ahead with whatever your plan is.
I have never regretted a single minute of it. I hope someday you can say the same.

 

[Psquared]

Wifey B: You're incapable of posting without profanity. No idea what kind of forums you post on that accept and welcome the kind of behavior you exhibit. Yes, guess my views are skewed because I think you were arrogant, bragging about things that not only was I not impressed by but offended by. I gave you a second chance but you didn't listen. You came in and showed your ignorance about boating, but then when that was pointed out, you retaliated. Good luck trying to cheat people and get something for nothing.

Your a hypocrite look at your husband's last post, when I bleep out words you get upset but they get a pass... this is my whole point. You guys get to come in and be rude an arrogant but when I stick up for my self your shocked. I've said the word ****/hell and damn.. c'mon now seriously.

If your still upset about me talking about low balling people then that's on you, it's a buyer's market if you don't want deals then I've got a ton of stuff I'd love to sell you.

I've said since my first post I don't know it all, idk how many more times you guys need to hear this. Do I need to make it my signature? It's hard to call someone arrogant who's apologized a ton and admitted they don't know it all(multiple times) and have said they are clearly looking over items(multiple times).

Your argument is weak, you don't like me cause the way I've said a few things... who's the younger one in this situation again?

 

[Shrew]

I couldn't even imagine what a $20K Trawler will cost to get it in suitable order as a live-aboard on anchor or a mooring.

The cheapest boat to buy is never the cheapest boat to own.

 

[BandB]

Your argument is weak, you don't like me cause the way I've said a few things... who's the younger one in this situation again?

Wifey B: I am....I'm 21. Or are you younger than me still?

 

[High Wire]

The Carver 3607 is a comfortable yacht that can be found in your price range. BUT, they are all gas engine powered. Going back and forth FL/MI will cost big $$$ in fuel. With gas they are 0.5-0.8 mpg boats. One way will be ~$3000 just for fuel. Now it was just going to be a marina queen, then lots of boat for the money.

 

[sbman]

Psquared look up 'Tulas Endless Summer' on youtube. A young couple that did exactly what you are talking about, bought a cheap trawler and lived on it while fixing it up, go to the older episodes before they bought their inexpensive catamaran and they had a 36' or so trawler that they bought pretty cheap.

They have episodes of their time in the boat yard, time working on the boat on the hook, etc. and tons of good information on the reality of living on a boat you are also fixing up.

 

[Psquared]

Psquared look up 'Tulas Endless Summer' on youtube. A young couple that did exactly what you are talking about, bought a cheap trawler and lived on it while fixing it up, go to the older episodes before they bought their inexpensive catamaran and they had a 36' or so trawler that they bought pretty cheap.

They have episodes of their time in the boat yard, time working on the boat on the hook, etc. and tons of good information on the reality of living on a boat you are also fixing up.

We've been watching them for about the past year or so, tons of great info and it seems to be a little more realistic type of life supposed to some of the other ones out there on youtube.



They don't have a/c and idk how they get to sleep at night, i sweat my *** off so a/c is a must lol.



Thanks!

 

[Psquared]

The Carver 3607 is a comfortable yacht that can be found in your price range. BUT, they are all gas engine powered. Going back and forth FL/MI will cost big $$$ in fuel. With gas they are 0.5-0.8 mpg boats. One way will be ~$3000 just for fuel. Now it was just going to be a marina queen, then lots of boat for the money.

yeah seems like the 3607 can be had from the mid teens up to the mid 30s'40's I've been trying to do more and more research on them and it seems like it was offered as a "budget" yacht that has had it fair share of problems from issue with the appliances to some of the motor mounting. Once we go down to florida it wont be coming back, we plan on moving down to the cape coral/ ft myers area and once we leave these grey skies there is no coming back! lol



Thanks

 

[sbman]

We've been watching them for about the past year or so, tons of great info and it seems to be a little more realistic type of life supposed to some of the other ones out there on youtube.



They don't have a/c and idk how they get to sleep at night, i sweat my *** off so a/c is a must lol.



Thanks!

They do post some of the work/strife portion of things as well which is refreshing, a lot of the channels are only showing the good stuff with none of the challenges.

 

[StarChaser]

The Carver 3607 is a comfortable yacht that can be found in your price range. BUT, they are all gas engine powered. Going back and forth FL/MI will cost big $$$ in fuel. With gas they are 0.5-0.8 mpg boats. One way will be ~$3000 just for fuel. Now it was just going to be a marina queen, then lots of boat for the money.

Highwire,



I have a '82 Carver 3607 with the original International 9.0L Diesel engines. They weren't all Gassers.

Star Chaser burns ~ 3-4Gal/Hr @ 10knts (2200RPM) spinning a pair of 22x22 Props.



Star

 

[sledge]

Psquared,
Here's another thought i don't think has been mentioned here, have you heard of America's Great Loop? I mention it because you said something about maybe getting the boat up on Lake Erie, then bringing it down to Florida.
If you haven't heard of the Great Loop; it is mostly retired people but lately more and more younger people have been joining up and beginning the adventure.
If you actually cruise your boat from Cleveland to Florida, you've practically done half the loop.
Anyway check out their website and how the loop circles much of the eastern half of the country, it's a pretty cool trip.
Keep in mind your vessel has to be in pretty good shape to undertake the journey, but its also kind of a cool way to really get to know your boat

 

[Monk36]

We are on the other side of life cycle and are selling our 36 foot Monk Trawler and upgrading to a 45 foot live aboard.
I recently retired and this will be my 7th boat.

I’d recommend a trawler of at least 36 feet. Low fuel costs, room to live- a large bedroom/stateroom, a forward stateroom and two heads and galley, plus a dinghy.

I would not live in a smaller boat. Trawlers are easy to handle and roomy but you’re going to have to spend at least $150k to purchase one in good mechanical shape.

Let me know if we can help. I don’t advise going cheap or you will be paying out the butt for repairs.

My two cents as we live on the east coast of Florida.
When bad storms come we get hauled out. Most insurance pays 50% of the cost. Then you grab a hotel room or drive north.
Rick

 

[Monk36]

Actually, live aboard boats are selling during COVID-19 as people want to be able to safely get out of the house

Don’t go too cheap or you will regret the repair costs and time.

You can usually resell a good stable

 

[Bryant]

Starting the journey

I think I've said this multiple times I don't know everything and have a lot to learn.. kinda the whole reason I am asking questions and stated that multiple times, If I knew it all I wouldn't be on here.



any suggestions?



Thanks,

Being in your 20s, still working (no matter how much or little), owning a 40 lb dog and electing to live on a mooring is a terrible idea. No shore power, required pump outs, bad weather when you "absolutely must get ashore" and more. If you want to live aboard and you are not cruising, you need to be in a slip, IMO.
While there are exceptions, with boats you most often get what you pay for. There are fair deals and acceptable deals. There are really few "Great Deals"!
You do not want to live on a $20k trawler. If you can find one, there's a reason it's $20k and it's not your negotiating skills.
At your age and level of boating experience, buying a cheap boat and attempting to live on it while moored, with a dog and still having responsibilities ashore is a very bad decision. Buy a small boat that you can spend time on and start weekending then move to vacationing for longer periods of time and see what you think. The chances that the first boat you buy will meet your likes and needs are very slim. Gain some experience and knowledge before taking the plunge you are attempting.
You asked for advice; that's mine.

 

[timb7734]

I live in Fort Myers but leave June through November because of heat and humidity. Years ago I had a 34’ Mainship with two a/c units and neither my wife nor I could stand the weather, not much can be accomplished after 11:00 am without heat stroke, and that size boat gets very cramped day after day.

Marinas discount heavily in summer months to the extent that a long term dock is cheaper or close to it than daily rates after a week or two. Legacy Harbor for instance, has a small pool, and an air conditioned lounge for additional space, even working space for someone needing internet, but this is still maybe $800 a month.

They probably will not welcome any unsightly project boats however. There are a couple marinas east of there on the Caloosahatchee River, Glades, and Indiantown, who will let you work on your vessel for a compendium of fees.

Personally I do not recommend an anchorage due to the heat and inconvenience of dinghy travel to shore for every need, including claustrophobia.