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C25 winter liveaboard in NE?

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mlally
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/01/2009 : 14:35:20

Im thinking of selling everything and moving on to my C25 in Salem Ma in Nov.

Someone talk me out of it,

I want to simplify my life as much as possible.

I like adventure but is this boat to small to live on? and in the winter.

I will be docked in a well protected marina.

Any helpful suggestions if I do it?

Salem Mark

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2009 : 15:06:20

It might make for an interesting Mainsheet article.

Certainly doable but the comfort level would be taxing. The Farmer's Almanac just released its winter forecast and they're calling for colder than average temps.

Even in a well protected marina, I'd think you'd need circulators to keep frost away. Obviously, some kind of cabin heat with all of the accompanying risks of ventilation will be needed. What happens if you wake up to a foot of snow over the companionway? Does the marina have other live-aboards? Do they keep the docks accessible and safe? Hate to slip off the dock into the water in February.

Keep us posted.

Edited by - on

leebitts
Navigator

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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2009 : 20:20:37

I guess the bottom line is how old you are. I've had several boats, the largest being a 34 ft Vindo, this was large enough that we had a wood burning stove, stove with oven, 2 staterooms and plenty of storage room. When I owned that I was in my early 30's. At 52 I cannot even imagine spending a few nights aboard a c 25, in fact just the height issues related to using the head would be hard (and I'm only 5'9"). If you are in your early 20's, don't have any possessions and have no need for a mate I suppose it could be a neat adventure. I suggest you save the summer memories for next year and get a small apartment

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2009 : 20:35:29

You have to be kidding, right?????? Sepending the winter on a Capri 25, crazy.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 06:46:25

I live aboard a 35' boat all summer, and love it, and believe a single person could live aboard a 25' boat in reasonable comfort, if it was adequately equipped. But, living aboard in the winter is a whole other thing.

First, most small boats aren't adequately insulated or sealed for winter living. The cold water sucks any heat out of the boat. Thin hatchboards provide no insulation, and leak air. If you seal the boat too completely, it becomes a sauna, holding in moisture from your breath and body until it runs down the bulkheads.

Let's assume your marina has heated restrooms and showers throughout the winter. Nevertheless, if you have to use the toilet in the middle of a rainy or snowy night, it is an ordeal to dress and walk there. When you open the boat, the warm air vanishes, and you'll return to a cold boat. Likewise, in the morning, when you want to shower, the thought of tramping through the cold is unbearable.

That's why I live aboard each year until sometime in November, when the frequency of frosty mornings and nights outnumbers the frequency of warm days, and then haul the boat, cover it, leaving some openings to keep it dry inside, and go home to live in a warm house with a nice woodburning fireplace, to dream of an early spring.

Edited by - on

mlally
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 08:51:12

everyone,
thanks for your replies

I would put a clear wrap over boat to keep snow from building up and for solar heat purposes and use oil radiators.

There are actually more than several boaters who do this in Salem each winter.

It doesnt seem to be "that crazy" according to them. Its actually a community of cool people.

But I would have the smallest boat plus a dog, a pug named Brody.

One thing I didnt mention, I will secure a small office where I will spend most of my day.

the boat would be basically a small hotel room.

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 12:50:15

I lived aboard a 30’ cruiser for two winters in Michigan. Yes that is a larger boat, but there is no reason not to try it on a 25. First thing to consider is the shrink wrap enclosure. I made a plywood wall with a door for the stern of the boat. This wall looked like one of those storage barns. With the boat sterned in to the dock, I placed a gang way with a railing that spanned the distance to shore. From the top of the ply wood I ran ¾” conduit forward as a ridge pole. Vertical supports were connected and secured to the life line stanchions. The shrink wrap I used was clear (not real clear but it let the light in) white film would also work. For heat I installed an “Espar” (not sure of spelling) diesel heater. This works like a home furnace with duct work and thermostat. It comes in a gas version, but the diesel is safer. Believe it or not it is a very dry atmosphere and I had to use a small humidifier. You will be lugging a lot of bottled water and dealing with port- a- potty, but for the effort I went through, I have a lot of great memories. I say go for it, and good luck

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 12:55:00

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">One thing I didn't mention, I will secure a small office <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Get an inflatable mattress and a sleeping bag. When it gets to cold sleep in the office. Better yet, sell the boat and use the money to move to a warmer place. Florida comes to mind. If you want to see how bad it will be you can spend the night in a chest freezer. The Capri will be pretty similar in the middle of the winter in Salem.

Did I talk you out of it?

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 16:28:22

There is no headroom at all, I don't even have good storage space for my sails.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 17:06:47

I think there's all kinds of confusion over what boat he's talking about living on. He refers to a "C25" but is posting on the Capri 25 forum. He has posted before on the Catalina 25 forum. The Capri 25 (usually referred to here as CP-25) is not like the Catalina 25 or 250--it's more like a stretched Catalina 22 down below. Whatever--he knows what and how big it is... (We don't.)

Mark: I'd suggest that you not "simplify" too much, too soon... Keep your current residence this winter so you can bail out. Then simplify next spring when your experiment has proven to be a success.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/02/2009 17:11:12

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2009 : 18:09:17

1.maybee he should post in the c25 forum or
2. Update his signature

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