Anyone here lived on a boat before?

[chidoks]

sounds like a badass idea..

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[dblvanos]

One year in college we chartered one of these for 11 days http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/8/89400278.htm two adults, my gf and her little sister and it was VERY livable. Out of your range but you can get 20-25 year loans on these things.

Here are some closer to the budget
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/8/1/87416081.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/2/89392872.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/2/7/86608627.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/3/2/87012132.htm
http://www.boattraderonline.com/caddetail.html?/ad-cache/6/9/7/86002197.htm

I think the aft cabin boats will give you the most room

[daedalus]

My only problem with a motor yacht is the upkeep that would be required with the engines. My dad always said, machinery is meant to be used, and when it isn't it goes to hell. Since the boat would be stationary more than not, I would think it could go to crap very easily.

With a sailboat though, there is less mechanically to go wrong, and with gas prices what they are if I wanted to take it out there is virtually no cost associated with it. I do appreciate your input however! If my assumptions are wrong, please correct me.

[BareBones]

Your not far off, but you have to remember mildew for the sails, and you will have to have a generator for most stuff on a sail boat. We used to have a Trawler that used the desil CAT engines for a generator and the main drive. Also, look into the costs of some sailboat parts. I was the head instructor at my sailing club and was amazed when I first started what a simple block or some line cost, along with new sails and it goes on and on and on. Steel hulled desil powerd Trawlers in MY EXPERIENCE are the best way to go, check out some float homes too man, I wasnt sure about it at first but go to floatinghomes.com and you will be amazed what you can do!

The way I came to the conclusion with the floating home is a maintence issue, boats are going to break down and I cant repair it that easily, a float home WAY different, plus you can put in some crazy septic systems that will filter your waste and put clean water back into the ocean. Then we can still have a a sweet jet boat (think ocean running zodiac jet boat AWHOYA) for fun!

Dennis

[dblvanos]

I agree with the trawler idea, I just would never own one myself, something about displacement hulls doesn't really get my blood boiling.

But for your purpose I think It would be great.

Honestly when I looked into this, I was looking for a mid 80's to early 90's sport cruiser or aft cabin MY with diesels. The gas boats are much much cheaper to buy, and you can get rebuilt motors pretty cheap, but when it comes to resale they are at the bottom of the barrel.

I am more mechanically inclined, so I am not shy of engines, drives, or anything else. I know NOTHING about sail boats, other than they have a bunch of ropes and once again, are displacement hulls.
I would imagine if you lived on the boat you would be using the boat. I know if I did I would be cruising the bars during the week to find a hottie to take a weekend trip with.

[zen garage]

Lived aboard a 35 ft cruiser 6 days a week from may 1 to october 1 in chicago for 6 years or so....
if something can break it will. become very familiar with all your mechanicals and make sure you have two of everything that can possibly break, especially bilge pumps, water pumps and hoses.

it was the best time of my life and have some of my fondest memories of those days....damn I wish I was 24, single and living on a boat again

[pearlcoupeg35]

Originally Posted by BareBones

If you are worried about maintaining it, get a trawler, steel hull and bullet proof, plus they have lots of interior space

I thought the same thing.

If i were about to buy a boat for a home a trawler would be my #1 pick!

[MJC123]

You better buy a boat that is already in a slip in San Diego, and get the rights to the slip with it. That is if market conditions are the same or worse (or better depending on your perspective) than when I was looking several years ago.

If you're young and single I say GO FOR IT, you'll never regret it.

Assuming you're not going to buy a Wally or other ridiculously expensive boat, get something like this:

http://www.searay.com/2007_sea_ray_s..._sundancer.asp

and get a slip at the Marriott Marina in downtown San Diego. All the amenities you could want including "dock" food service and a gym (think: shower bigger than a shoebox).

And keep us posted so I can live out one of my regrets vicariously through you.

P.S.: Be prepared for a ****load of maintenance, but IMO its well worth it

[teutonictrio]

San Diego has great restaurants, beach, shops, culture and nightlife, too - strong recommendation there...

[ashokn225]

Just saw this thread. What a life that would be. I'd say go for it if you could.

[Salespunk]

I grew up living on boats. Lived on Catalina for a while, was a harbor patrolman and lived aboard. First was a 40' sportfish then a 31' sailboat. We just got rid of our mooring at Catalina since we weren't using it anymore. From a maintenance and cost perspective you are much better off buying sail over power. For a single guy I would say the minimum size is 30'. San Diego or Dana Point are both nice. It would be great to get a slip in SD down by the Gaslamp. Stumble back to you boat after a night out! Good luck and go for it, if not you will regret it for life.

[carefree]

Originally Posted by daedalus

I need to get the hell out of Nebraska. I was toying around with the idea of moving out to the San Diego area and buying a 35-40' Newport or Hunter to live on in a Marina. Its just me, so i don't need a lot of space, and it would be a hell of a lot cheaper than rent at any decent place in that area. I can work out of the boat (wireless internet hookup). I found a couple decent marina's in the area that have good marina rates, underground parking, etc.

I know there are some obvious cons to the idea, but I really just feel like I need a change of venue in my life, but I don't feel I need to burden myself with the housing hassle in the current economic climate and housing woes that are going to start affecting areas like SD. This seemed like a decent compromise.

I guess I just wanted to know, is a 35-40' boat too small to live on relatively comfortably? I've been around sailboats all my life so i'm aware of what maintenance and upkeep they require. Anyone been in a similar situation that could tell me what i'm not already thinking of in terms of the everyday living situation?

Do they make portable a/c and water heaters that could be utilized in a boat these days?

I know its a long shot, but any input would be appreciated. Cheers!

After being in SD for years, I had to get out. Bought a 396 Carver Aft cabin, great liveaboard. Moored in Islamorada Keys, FL. THEN, my wife had a horrific car accident and you can imagine trying to move on and off the yacht with a broken leg, Well after 6 months of that we had to move back on land. Yacht located AZ. Would be an easy haul to San Diego. PM me if your interested in this unique opportunity. THX Steve Gold

[TorqueChap]

If you can afford it, go for it! Just remember that experienced boaters regard their loves as money pits. (This doesn't include likely depreciation on the boat itself.) If you run the #s -- and I have -- you end up spending more than what a 40' boat costs by Year #3 in terms of dock fees, insurance, maintenance, etc., etc. It's not the boat that's expensive, but the ongoing non-equity costs to keep her afloat.

That having been said, I will be doing liveaboard in the Bahamas starting within the next few years if all goes according to plan. (Already own the property.) Here's a great website:

http://www.livingaboard.com//cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Think of it as the 6speed equivalent for liveaboarders. If you bite the bullet, please keep a post!

Best,

DAVID

[daedalus]

^ Sweet site! Thanks for that! I'm still considering this as a viable option. Just trying to get some cash stowed away as a saftey net before I commit to moving halfway across the country to live on my own for the first time in a city i've never been in for more than 3 days.

[TorqueChap]

Thought you'd enjoy. My advice is to take the time to get to know the city, the liveaboarders, the lifestyle, the marina, etc. Liveaboarders are a very tight community and I've found that they welcome newbies with open arms. (A bottle of primo rum doesn't hurt!) Unless you're in a rush, take the time to do the research so you don't get burned. Unloading a boat isn't an easy thing to do.