SamIam_Sam
Member
Greetings Group.
I am a total wannabe who has never spent more than a few hours aboard any type of vessel; power or sail, trawler, skiff or scooner. Yet it is my dream to one day soon begin the liveaboard lifestyle. After extensive (some might say obsessive) research, consisting of mostly online listings, YouTube vids, reviews, specs, blog posts and the like, my choice for the ideal first boat for me is the KK Manatee. I've chosen the Manatee for the following reasons, not necessarily in order of importance:
Size - as a newcomer to the boating world, a 36 footer will be just enough for me to handle as I learn the essentials of safety, seamanship, navigation, handling, docking, etc.
Price - again, as my first foray into "the hole in the ocean where your money disappears forever," a boat with a reasonable price tag seems a good place to start, considering both initial purchase price and maintenance and operating costs.
Space/Accommodation - The layout of the Manatee is ideal for my needs. The boat would be the perfect "waterfront condo" for myslef during the week and to take for the occasional weekend or extended cruise with friends and family members.
Other boats I have considered (and may upgrade to at some years down the road assuming a positive outcome to the initial endeavor): KK 42, North Pacific 42, DeFever 49 Pilothouse, Symbol 45 Pilothouse...
I will be attending TrawlerFest 2014 in Baltimore at the end of September. Would anyone happen to know if there will be any Manatee owners participating in the event? As mentioned, since most of my research so far has been virtual, the obvious next step is to step aboard a real life example to see how it fits and get some feedback from actual owners.
More about me... I am originally from Baltimore but have been living in Texas for 13 years. Plans for 2015 include moving back east to the Balto/Washington Chesapeake Bay area (job options in the works), probably renting an apartment and keeping an eye out for that perfect first boat.
Thanks for any guidance or insight anyone would care to offer and appreciate all the information this forum provides.
Sam
I am a total wannabe who has never spent more than a few hours aboard any type of vessel; power or sail, trawler, skiff or scooner. Yet it is my dream to one day soon begin the liveaboard lifestyle. After extensive (some might say obsessive) research, consisting of mostly online listings, YouTube vids, reviews, specs, blog posts and the like, my choice for the ideal first boat for me is the KK Manatee. I've chosen the Manatee for the following reasons, not necessarily in order of importance:
Size - as a newcomer to the boating world, a 36 footer will be just enough for me to handle as I learn the essentials of safety, seamanship, navigation, handling, docking, etc.
Price - again, as my first foray into "the hole in the ocean where your money disappears forever," a boat with a reasonable price tag seems a good place to start, considering both initial purchase price and maintenance and operating costs.
Space/Accommodation - The layout of the Manatee is ideal for my needs. The boat would be the perfect "waterfront condo" for myslef during the week and to take for the occasional weekend or extended cruise with friends and family members.
Other boats I have considered (and may upgrade to at some years down the road assuming a positive outcome to the initial endeavor): KK 42, North Pacific 42, DeFever 49 Pilothouse, Symbol 45 Pilothouse...
I will be attending TrawlerFest 2014 in Baltimore at the end of September. Would anyone happen to know if there will be any Manatee owners participating in the event? As mentioned, since most of my research so far has been virtual, the obvious next step is to step aboard a real life example to see how it fits and get some feedback from actual owners.
More about me... I am originally from Baltimore but have been living in Texas for 13 years. Plans for 2015 include moving back east to the Balto/Washington Chesapeake Bay area (job options in the works), probably renting an apartment and keeping an eye out for that perfect first boat.
Thanks for any guidance or insight anyone would care to offer and appreciate all the information this forum provides.
Sam