Decided on life change! Need to find a boat. - Page 2

Swfla · 07-29-2020, 05:23 PM

Membership at a local power squadron "club" will give you opportunities for classes and other experience. Just like your camper has a home base. You'll need to find a marina where your boat will stay when you're in the camper. It could be in or out of the water, both have expenses and insurance requirements. Texasbrian has a good point about storage cost differences at ports. Your plans to stay on the east coast and bahamas i very common and popular. Thus, summer storage can take a bit of research to find a good fit for you. As far as startup cost goes, I think you need to bump it higher than $150k for a 53 Hatteras. If you want to keep it lower, maybe something in the 43-48 range with a single diesel will fit the budget. Your current dream could happen but with only a few boats to choose from. All you need is one though.

boatpoker · 07-29-2020, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scar

I would want to take a diesel mechanics course, a marine electronics course , and if course some boating courses.

The first course you should take is the ABYC Electrical Certification course.

90% of the problems on a older boat are electrical in nature. That older Hatteras that would suit your needs has 12V, 24V, 32V, 120V and 240V systems. Incredibly complex and not for an amateur electrician.

PS. What you want to do can be done, I've seen it several times. I've seen many more failures. I wish you luck.

Scar · 07-30-2020, 02:42 AM

Thanks for all the great advise. I am definitely taking it all in. Ideally I would prefer a smaller boat in the 40-47ft range but the wife/money maker says she wants a home. Haha...
I am not stuck on Hatteras, knowing nothing about large cruising boats the layout is ideal for our needs but I also know every bot is a compromise. We have a open mind to every boat, including some that need cosmetic help. Prefer good mechanicals and structure being so new to all do this.
I know my budget is tight finding the size we want, if we wait the 2.5 years until my daughter graduates we can save another 50k and also would only need a 2 cabin boat but she and my wife both want her to have these life experiences so really do need a 3 cabin.
I hope this is not breaking any rules posting this link but something like this
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/...ale-50052.html
Seems to well outfitted and ready to go with a few personal touches (and survey of course). But I am not looking to buy right now and will be 3 months before I know for sure if I am looking now or in 2 years.

Bean · 08-03-2020, 03:52 PM

Seems like good advice. My thought is that sometimes we place to much concern in accommodating our children, who in a very short time, will be off in another direction. ( See retired folks with huge homes to accommodate their offspring?) I think your children will be far more comfortable in 'tight' spaces, when given the opportunity to explore beyond the 'cornfields'."Go small,Go Now".

Bryant · 08-03-2020, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnotYet

I suggest not planning to buy a boat in 3 months. That is too little time to do all the
legwork it will take to find one worth your money and time.

Also consider seeking the aid of a broker who can work with you to find the right boat.
At that price range the pickings may be slim so maybe postpone until you can build up
the bank account while you look at as many boats as you can.

This is good advice. I'd like to add some.

What you are talking about is the equivalent of someone living on 5th Avenue in NYC saying "I think I'm going to buy a ranch in Wyoming and raise cattle".

You cannot imagine the problems and costs of going from where you are to living and cruising on an older 53 ft boat. Believe me, if you buy a 53 ft boat in the price range you are talking about, the purchase price is the least expensive part of your plan. Repairing what the survey finds, annual maintenance, insurance, operating costs etc are going to surprise you. Actually, a pretty good planning rule of thumb when buying an older boat is annual costs of ownership are about 10% of the cost of the boat. And that doesn't take into account upgrades or refurbishing.

The other problems with what you are considering, with no experience, are to numerous to list.

You have a great dream. Buy a small boat, with living accomodations. Learn how to use it. Go out for weekends, then vacations, then some short cruises. Get some experience and learn what you want and need in a larger yacht. For that matter, learn whether you even like that lifestyle before taking such a large step. Sitting up all night at anchor during a bad storm on anchor watch may make you decide it isn't for you. Or maybe it may make you decide that it is. In any case, my free advice is "slow down a bit and get some experience".

Good luck.

boatpoker · 08-03-2020, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bean

Seems like good advice. My thought is that sometimes we place to much concern in accommodating our children, who in a very short time, will be off in another direction. ( See retired folks with huge homes to accommodate their offspring?) I think your children will be far more comfortable in 'tight' spaces, when given the opportunity to explore beyond the 'cornfields'."Go small,Go Now".

Don't buy for your kids. I was harrassed by my wife (now passed) to sell the best boat (survived one hurricane and one passage of 19hrs. in 20' seas) I have ever experienced to get something bigger to accomodate kids and grand kids. Those kids couldn't have cared less and I have regretted that sale since 2006.

Frosty · 08-03-2020, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatpoker

... sell the best boat (survived one hurricane and one passage of 19hrs. in 20' seas) I have ever experienced... I have regretted that sale since 2006.

Excuse the thread barge-in but that is a sweet looking boat (I can see why you miss it). What is it?

boatpoker · 08-03-2020, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

Excuse the thread barge-in but that is a sweet looking boat (I can see why you miss it). What is it?

One-off built by C&C as the Commodores boat for the 76' Olympics

Frosty · 08-03-2020, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatpoker

One-off built by C&C as the Commodores boat for the 76' Olympics

Guess I won't be finding one then

Thanks for responding.

OldDan1943 · 08-03-2020, 06:16 PM

You don’t raise your children to stay.
You raise them so they will go away and have their own life.
If you make your kids or guests too comfortable, they wont go away.
One nice thing about a boat, no basement for them to live.
No one wants to live in a running engine room or swim platform.

OldDan1943 · 08-03-2020, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

Guess I won't be finding one then

Thanks for responding.

You could trace it down with the hull number and I think a USCG program.

boatpoker · 08-03-2020, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDan1943

You could trace it down with the hull number and I think a USCG program.

Can't do that ... it's Canadian Registered (similar to USCG Documentation).
You can trace it by it's registered name "Isle Of Skye" through Transport Canada Ships Registry database.
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur...rations/search

OldDan1943 · 08-04-2020, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Can't do that ... it's Canadian Registered (similar to USCG Documentation).
You can trace it by it's registered name "Isle Of Skye" through Transport Canada Ships Registry database.
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur...rations/search

No further help from the Canadian Coast Guard?

Captain DJ · 08-04-2020, 08:38 AM

Scar,

You remind me of where I was 20 years ago.We had travelled to all the Trawlerfests in the 1990s and had saved and invested and were close to buying a very expensive Nordhavn 46 when we took a trip from NYC to Miami helping deliver a 44 foot trawler to gain more experience. I had always traded stocks with our savings, my wife is/was a nurse (L & D, surgical) and I owned a construction business from 85-2000. I had always avoided leverage and debt, but brokers convinced me if I was to reach my goal of one million liquid by 2000 I needed to use leverage. They told me how a margin account could make a 50% uptick in a stock double my investment. They avoided the simple fact is a 50% fall would wipe me out.
While delivering that boat we went out in the Atlantic for a few days and a couple nights when the weather was right. Long story short, when we came back into Charleston I discovered my $890k accounts were now -$180k. I refinanced some real estate that I had paid off and settled my debts after acquiring a bridge loan. Then with less than 10% of what we had a year earlier we went from a new Nordie to a used and neglected Grand Banks woodie.
Here are a couple quotes that meant a lot to me:
"I've always wanted to sail to the South Seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine — and before we know it our lives are gone.
and
“To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea 'cruising' it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.”
-- Sterling Hayden
We ended up cruising for 26 months and 4800 nautical miles. Wife worked at Lower Keys Medical Center, I worked as assistant dockmaster at Sunset Marina in Key West and life was great. Do not let well intentioned neigh sayers get you down. There are ways and then there are other ways. Find your way and Discover your path to Voyaging together.

Isabella42 · 08-07-2020, 09:01 AM

Scar,
I have a 42' GB Classic trawler for sale in your price range. It has 3 beds, 2 heads, 2 diesels and may be worth a look. It has been kept in very good condition. Send your contacts and I'll send some pics.

Tingum · 08-07-2020, 09:58 AM

I’m surprised on one has suggested chartering for a short period. Yes it may seem like water down the drain but better to find out your kids cannot stand being cooped up on a boat. Perhaps you or your wife may feel the same. Dreams are one thing but reality eventually raises its head.

dwbasham3 · 08-31-2020, 04:47 PM

Check out my 42 ft Lien Hwa

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...rooms-3704368/
Dale Basham