Your thoughts on each of two live aboard vessel types

[Caballero II]

Have you owned a boat this size? Doesn’t sound like you have. My boat is about the same dimensions as the OP is looking at. It is much easier to handle than my previous 36 foot boat. If I went dock to dock my size would be a big problem. I anchor out. At 90 ton, 500 feet of 1/2 chain, and a 260 lb anchor, I can anchor where others can’t (two foot waves aren’t an issue comfort wise). I’m not afraid to work. I’m not rich, so I do the majority of work myself. Pretty sure I did more work on my previous boat due to the teak. I’ve lived aboard for seven years. I like the extra space. I rarely cruise with others, but I have room if I do. Having spare bathrooms and an extra engine is very comforting. One thing that is rarely talked about is the safety factor of a larger boat. Like all factors, it’s going to depend on what type of boating you are planing for. OP has vast experience with larger boats and lives on the BC coast. Inclement weather dictates a large amount of time being inside. I didn’t choose my boat, my wife did. No way she would live on a smaller boat . OP is looking at the perfect size boats for what they plan.

My apologies to you and the OP. My comment re: money and sense were out of line.

I have owned large working boats at 100 tons, but now that I am retired I'm down to the GB 36. I like it but I do sometime miss the big boat capabilities. And I agree with your comment about safety. We went out in any weather with mostly safe results, but we didn't have much choice. Didn't mean to offend.

 

[Mako]

“Having spare bathrooms and an extra engine is very comforting. One thing that is rarely talked about is the safety factor of a larger boat.”

@Mac2 that was a much-appreciated response, except for the ‘extra engine’ part. Everyone knows singles are superior to twins

To the safety of larger boats, what you’ll almost always find, especially with steel boats, is that they are equipped with watertight bulkheads.

Think about those half dozen+ sailboats sunk by Orcas off Portugal. They sank because their rudders were ripped off, the rudder posts destroyed, and water flooded the entire boat from the lazarette to the chain locker.

 

[Mac2]

Caballero: No offense taken. If you have a boat, any boat, you are winning.

Mako: singles are superior to twins except when you have two engines. Take a moment for that to sink in

 

[SteveK]

HELLO everyone. The OP has stopped posting on July 26th after deciding neither of the post #1 boats were in consideration any longer.