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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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What boat would you pick if living aboard?

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arlingva
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/18/2005 : 19:38:55

I am considering purchasing a sailboat to live aboard. I would appreciate any thoughts from those on the forum. The primary consideration will be comfort. It must have sails! The cheaper the better! Certainly not more than 150k (so new Swans and Tartans are out.)

Let me hear your thoughts.

Thanks, Bill

Bill Swanson
C250WK #614

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2005 : 19:50:10

Bill,

Need more information. Will this be marina live aboard or are you planning extended cruising? Is this just two of you or are there kids involved? What size range are you thinking of?

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2005 : 19:55:29

Bill,
One boat that comes to mind is the Cat/morgan 41. A huge tub of an interior on a boat with a wing keel. Made in the late 80's, early 90's.

Tom.

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2005 : 20:13:41

This should generate some good responses.
One of my pastimes (aside from reading here) is looking on yachtworld.com for boats for sale.
I would imagine you have searched yachtworld with max price of $150k.
You can use the advanced search and limit it to USA and fiberglass and length.
if I were to live aboard I would want the largest boat I could afford because I like my space.
Preferably more than 45'.
I personally wouldn't consider wood or steel or aluminum. Aluminum is a really good material for a boat, but they have to be well designed to deal with condensation and electrolisis (-10sp).

Are you concerned with sailing characteristics? draft? number of masts, age? I think (generally speaking) newer boats might make better use of space, not to mention less things to fix.

I can hardly wait to read some of the other responses.
Don't be in a hurry to buy unless you happen across a REALLY good deal.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2005 : 20:59:59

If you need space a (dare I say it) multi-hull (gulp) might be a consideration. I've never sailed one but some sailors swear by them.

"the mind, like a parachute, can only function when open."

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2005 : 21:32:48

I've given this some thought and talked with a few who do it. I think an Islander 36 would be my choice, though I'm less experienced than the lot here.

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 07:12:08

Good question, one that probably most of us dream about. The answer depends on what you plan on doing with it. With regards to cruising...

I love the Pacific Seacraft 37, but that would blow your budget (and mine) in a hurry. Practically speaking, I'd look at the Morgan 384, around 1984-85 model. Can be had for less than half of your maximum leaving you plenty for upgrades and maintenance. Solid boat, good performer. Beautiful design. No plumb bow on this sweetheart.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 09:15:35

That's what popped up in my head too. It's nice to have two queen berths, a "living room" with windows and a porch

. You can have a 32-34ft for <100k and you'll have more living space than a 36 footer. We're looking at it for cruising with kid someday and having a central area is attractive.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ben - FL
 If you need space a (dare I say it) multi-hull (gulp) might be a consideration. I've never sailed one but some sailors swear by them.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 12:28:45

Cheap and under $150K don't exactly go together on this forum.

That said, are you going cruising? If so, where are you bound. That affects EVERYTHING about your choice.

How many people on board? That affects EVERYTHING.

All that said, if it was me I'd chose a Cal 46. Also and Endeavor 43 would be high on my list. Both are in the $125K range. For my retirement cruise, I'll probalbly choose a Cal 39. It will just be the two of us, and I want good performance, long range, points well, willing to give up a little of comfort and space. Nice to stay under 40 for marina access.

I've already cruised and lived aboard for a year, making a voyage from Milwaukee to the Bahamas with a family of 4. http://www.indiscipline.org

My considerations:

(1) I'm not sleeping for a year in a V Berth again. Master cabin with queen size bed mandatory.

(2) good tankage, including fuel, water, and holding.

(3) good performance, both upwind and down wind. Want to make at least 7.5 to 8 knots.

(4) V Berth gets rebuilt into a workshop

(5) Ample galley and dining area. Be able to comfortably seat and serve 8.

(6) full dodger, bimini, and cockpit enclosure. It gets cold.

(7) engine with ample power. After lots of thought, I'd prefer a high capacity alternator plus inverter. No generator. Solar panels and wind generator.

(8) Top loading freezer. I think I can do without a refridgerator. But if you like meat and freezer would be nice.

(9) Davits for a good quality dinghy. RIB with 15 hp OB. Don't mess around.

(10) All lines led aft, roller furling cutter rig. Ketch if over 45 feet LOA, otherwise single mast.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 12:49:20

Valiant 40

Edited by - dlucier on 04/19/2005 12:50:06

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 12:51:12

I wouldn't want a draft over 5 1/2 feet. Anything more would limit you too much. You would have problems on the Intracoastal Waterway, and you'd be precluded from many areas in the Bahamas, and a lot of nice gunkholes everywhere.

Edited by - on

andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 13:43:40

I ponder this topic alot as I'm sure many of us do. I have good friends, (in their mid 30's) who decided to go with the cruising lifestyle. They sold their beautiful home, most of their stuff and went for it.

Believe it or not, they found it difficult to find an appropriate boat in the place they wanted to locate, that is, the west, preferably Seattle. Being on the east coast might be an asset because of the availability of decent cruising boats at reasonable prices. The most important thing is that you'd better not put all your money into the boat. You better have a substaitial maintenance reserve. I would want at least $20K.

They were lucky to find a beautiful Passport 37 (Te Shing I think) by Robert Perry. It's a mid 80's yacht and was purchased new by the seller who cruised it for many years in Europe, Med, Crib (25K miles under the keel). It's fully found and was well maintained. The interior is gorgeous, the craftsmanship is surperb. I believe they paid around $100K. I had a I chance to sail with them in Feb and fell in love... I could see myself being quite comfortable on it. It's solid, fast for a cruiser and dry. Since buying it last fall, they've replaced the engine,(they knew it was shakey), for around $15k, yikes, and have ordered a new mainsail. The headsail was new. Sails for a 37 cost about 3x those for a 25!

I think, based on their experience, it's unrealistic to try to find you're specific dreamboat. I think what I'll do is create a list of acceptable boats then find the very best one of those for the money in the area I want to base. Just check what it costs to truck a yacht across the country and you'll see what I mean. Being in Seattle, they hired Robert Perry to advise them on thier purchase. They felt that was worth the money and an interesting experience.

So far, they're loving the experience and learning alot. They are experienced sailors and commented that they still have alot to learn.

It will be interesting to see if their experience fits their dream.

Here's "Potato Caboose"...(also a Greatful Dead song).

Edited by - andy on 04/19/2005 14:02:42

reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 14:14:33

My experience with serious waterline (more than 30 feet) is so far limited to boat shows, magazine articles, 360-degree webtours and winter dreams, but for living aboard I'd be inclined to throw my 2 cents at an Island Packet. From all I read they're a swell livingroom on a heavy keel; not the best going to weather, but reliable and comfortable. And, O yes, buy used.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 14:32:29

Talk about a distraction, just bring up 'THE PERFECT CRUIZER' and off I go into dream land. My wife and I visited the Pacific Sail Expo in Oakland, CA this past Sunday. I wouldn't mind any of the 100 boats being shown in the water. Alas, most are over my budget and too darned big. Really, too big!!! I personally feel that, like Jim, under 40 feet is best. Something that I don't need a walkie talkie to communicate with the wife while anchoring and we are on opposite ends of the boat. The bigger the boat generally means the more complicated the systems, the sails, the motor, yada-yada-yada. Anyway, how much room do you really need to be comfortable? Most of the newer boats don't have a good sea berth for the off watch crew to sleep in while underway. Those big queen sized berths are wonderful while at anchor but while underway you want a nice narrow berth with a lee cloth to hold you in. This is pretty much an unanswerable question. Just look at lots of boats, kick the tires and when you see the boat you want you will just be amazed that you were looking for any other.

Edited by - on

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 17:03:56

Kelly-Peterson 44/46

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/cache/pl_search_results.jsp?cit=true&slim=quick&sm=3&is=&type=&man=peterson&luom=126&fromLength=44&toLength=46&fromYear=&toYear=&currencyid=100&fromPrice=&toPrice=

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 17:10:31

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63731&item=4543909898&rd=1"]Morgan[/url]

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 17:22:11

Frank, It looks a LOT like a center cockpit Catalina. Very nice.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 18:42:36

Can't keep my thoughts straight...over time I've loved the Hans Christian 33'...then the Westsail 42'...and currently the Gemini 105M two easily under the $150,000 budget but the HC 33' fraid not.

Val on Calista # 3936

Dockside 500/s34

Edited by - on

arlingva
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 20:56:45

You guys are awesome. I love all the ideas! I will be living on in dockside at the marina for the time being with extended cruising being the ultimate goal a few years down the road. I appreciate the feedback.

Thanks again, Bill

Edited by - on

Charlie Vick
Captain

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USA
423 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 21:36:00

Gozzard G41... right now.

Can't get out there for another 7 years so I'm sure my tastes and needs will change before then, but for now thats where my dream takes me.

Side note: Looking for the perfect boat to liveaboard is like looking for the perfect person to live with.

It ain't gonna be easy.

Thats what makes them so special.

edit: I really like that dodger on "Potatoe Caboose"!

Edited by - Charlie Vick on 04/19/2005 22:15:24

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 22:35:57

I think it's interesting that several people have mentioned Morgan.
I am recently acquainted with a Morgan 45' (454) Nelson Marek design and QUITE IMPRESSED.
There aren't many out there, but it is a strong boat that sails really well! (My friend charters it and has asked me to work on board as captain.) She is fast, and yet has good displacement.
It also has good space below decks. Two queen berths. Two heads. Sea berths in the salon. A nice sized galley. A nice nav station. and excellent engine access (all 4 sides).

After having sailed this boat, if I were in the market for a boat over 36' I would definitely have this on my short list.

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 22:52:19

Hardin 44/45 hands down the best live aboard boat on the water. Lots of beam , queen bed in aft cabin with three sturn ports and a seperate hatch. Full huge gally and dinett, lower deck with two pilot berths. Tons of storage. Lots of space. Can still be single handed if your good.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2005 : 16:59:24

According to what I saw at the boat show, Morgan is being built by Catalina!!!

Beautiful boat, hard dodger, washer and dryer, the whole kit and kabutle.

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2005 : 08:42:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ed Montague
 According to what I saw at the boat show, Morgan is being built by Catalina!!!

Beautiful boat, hard dodger, washer and dryer, the whole kit and kabutle.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Frank Butler bought Morgan around 1984.

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2005 : 09:23:54

Sundeer 64

http://www.ravencruise.com/sundeer_for_sale.htm

Formosa 56

http://www.hernandezyachts.com/boats_sail/56_DRSCHS/56_delrey_sail_tour.shtml

WOW! This is a new Formosa that was on the market for $399,000.00.

I wonder if they take green stamps.

Edited by - on

Charlie Vick
Captain

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USA
423 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2005 : 12:50:07

Hah! When I tried to go to the first site our firewall here blocked it as "pornography". There must have been a babe in a bathing suit on the boat!
I've seen Formosas for sale cheap other places.
I like the looks of them but its no singlehander.
Bob Bitchins boat of choice. He had a chance to buy a nice new bigger boat (can't recall what brand) but decided to refit/rebuild "Lost Soul" his Formosa.

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