Hi everyone

[thekiltedwonder]

I've been poking around the site for a while, so I figured it was about time to make an account and introduce myself.

I grew up in the panhandle of Florida and am currently landlocked near Albuquerque. I love it here, but have really been missing the gulf, so I started thinking about getting a liveaboard and splitting my time.

I don't have a boat yet, but am hoping to start seriously looking sometime next year. I'm currently thinking that I'll get a relatively inexpensive trawler to figure out what I really want/need and what I can live without.

[Lou_tribal]

Welcome aboard and good luck in your search for a boat. Be aware though that an inexpensive trawler may just be a mirage in the desert and soon become a bit more expensive.

L

[thekiltedwonder]

Originally Posted by Lou_tribal

Be aware though that an inexpensive trawler may just be a mirage in the desert and soon become a bit more expensive.

Haha. No doubt. One major part of my research will be figuring out where my sweet spot is when combining initial price, needed/likely repairs, maintenance/running costs, and risk.

[DavidM]

Welcome.

Older trawlers like classic Mainship 34s, Marine Trader 34s and the like range from $10,000 for a project boat, $25,000 for something useable but needing cosmetic and/or electronic upgrades, and up to $45,000 for a nice looking boat where everything works.

A single guy or with a tolerant partner can live comfortably on a 34'er.

If you are looking for a 40'er then add about $25,000 to the above figures.

Good luck,

David

[thekiltedwonder]

Originally Posted by djmarchand

Older trawlers like classic Mainship 34s, Marine Trader 34s and the like range from $10,000 for a project boat, $25,000 for something useable but needing cosmetic and/or electronic upgrades, and up to $45,000 for a nice looking boat where everything works.

Thanks for the info. That's not too far off what what I had been guessing, but it's very good to hear it from someone with more experience than I have.

The Marine Traders look really close to what I was envisioning. The Mainships look good as well, but my concern would be having a v-berth instead of an actual bed/stateroom. My instincts are that it would be fine for a few nights, but would get old before long.

Originally Posted by djmarchand

A single guy or with a tolerant partner can live comfortably on a 34'er.

My girlfriend is definitely tolerant. If she wasn't, she'd have dumped me a loooong time ago....

[Tom.B]

Albuquerque?

https://youtu.be/JE37e1eK2mY

[thekiltedwonder]

Hah! I can't believe I'd never seen that video. Usually everyone references Breaking Bad.