Anyone here lived on a boat before?

[alkyoneus]

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...city=san+diego game OVER

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[Simon Tibbett]

It would be kind of cool. But then again I miss Florida and always thought it would be cool to have a huge bank account, a boat, some toys, and just live on a boat, hang out at the beach all day, be kind of poor/homeless but have money to be safe lol

[Dick Fidd]

I lived on a 1968 38' wooden Viking Convertible for a summer during college. Greatest summer of my life. Would I do it now? Not on that boat, but on a 60ft or larger motoryacht, yep.

[SEAYL8R]

IT COST ALOT PER FT. DOCK IN NEWPORT AND EVEN IN SAN DIEGO AT THE MARRIOT. LIVE ABOARD RATES ARE HIGHER. CHEAPER BUT LESS HIGH END AREA WARF DOGGY WILMINGTON SANPEDRO AREA. FYI NEWPORT IF YOU CAN GET A SLIP $25/FT. DANA POINT CHEAPER BUT 5 YEAR WAIT LIST FOR A 40 FT. SLIP. THE CHEAPEAST WAY IS A MOORING IN WILLMINGTON CA. $7/FT. NO UTILITIES. IT COST ALOT TO PLAY YOU HAVE TO PAY! YOU STILL HAVE PROPERTY TAX ALSO INS.COST. SAIL BOATS ALOT CHEAPER. DIESEL IS 5.15/GAL. CONSIDER A BOAT A FLOATING R.V. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY YOU WILL BE FLOATING TRAILER TRASH. SINGLE , IT WILL BE FUN. YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR DUCKS IN ORDER. LON BEACH $15/ FT. GOOD COMPROMISE. TO LOOK AT BOATS FOR SALE GO TO YACHT WORLD.COM. GET THE HELL OUT OF NE. GOOD LUCK

[Spencer]

Cool thread.

I've pondered buying a 40-50ft catamaran, and living in the SF Bay. I'd personally have to do it off anchor, as living in a marina does nothing for me.

Now just to liquidate $500-600k for this baby....

[daedalus]

How would off anchor work with electricity/water? Are you pretty much on your own with solar and/or batteries, etc?

[Spencer]

Originally Posted by daedalus

How would off anchor work with electricity/water? Are you pretty much on your own with solar and/or batteries, etc?

Yep, on-board power generation. Generators, solar, wind, etc.

Fresh water can be pumped in, and stored.... and you can also have a fresh water maker on board.

Issue with the anchor is the logistics of getting to shore. Best bet is to have a RIB/dingy to transport to/from the boat/marina.

[Dick Fidd]

If the oil tanker captains can hit the Bay Bridge, I don't think I'd sleep very well at anchor... Get a bigger boat with a heli-pad, anchor off the Central Coast, and fly into the city instead.

[BuzzedHornet]

The liveaboard site Torque gave is a great site. There are many things to consider before making the move. I came very close to doing this myself a few years back and my father has lived aboard in the bay area for many years.

About the marina. It has to be a nice place that is easy to get to and has plenty to do that is walking distance. You will get real bored fast if you have to get into your car everytime you want to get off the boat. Talk to the other owners who live on that dock and see what their lifestyle is. They maybe a bunch of old farts who don't want young punks parting or they might party too much for you. Maybe they don't even like to talk to eachother. You have to meet them. My father is a old fart who parties, so when he and his wife moved to "A" dock they pissed alot of people off with thier BBQ's and such.

Then there is the boat. Find one that you can completely stand up in. Plastic is a much better choice for your situation than wood, however there are some very nice classic wood boats out there that you should atleast look at. If you have a good inspector (just like a house) wood shouldn't cost you anymore than plastic it is just a bunch more work, if you want your boat to look great all the time it will take work and wood will take even more work. Buy a diesle. Stay away from a gas/diesle conversions.

If you buy a rag/bagger (sailboat) expect to shower at the marina (read public shower) and expect to use the crapper at the marina most of the time. You don't want to fill your gray water tanks and pay to have them pumped so you get to go for a walk up the ramp and over to the restrooms to crap.

It is a pain in the ass for sure. But the rewards are huge. I say do your research and find a kick ass inepector in SD who will work hard for you. It may cost a bit up front to get an inspector but it could save you lots of headached in future.

[Cpais]

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree that they welcome newbies with open arms. Last year I spent the winter aboard a boat in Miami and had a great time. All the other liveaboarders were fun to be around. We were a very young crowd, generally speaking, and nobody had a problem with fellow boaters having fun well into the night. I had the smallest boat at the marina, but, I was treated the same as everyone else there. When I was in NY with my last boat things were different. I was looked down upon by the other boat owners. If you find the right marina you will have a great experience. I would definately make sure that your choice of a boat has all the luxuries that you would expect in your home, even more so that you can make your life comfortable in your boat. Make sure you have room for friends too because you are going to want to have friends over to make your experience more exciting.

[Turbochris]

Great Info......My last boat was a 28.5 power....with 6'3" headroom it was enough for a weekend....but I wouldnt go less than 40+ for liveaboard....50' would be ideal..

[350zbiturbo]

http://www.yachtauctions.com/inventory.php

Check this out, these are alot of repo boats, that man you get some CRAZY deals and these people I think deliver at times. My friends father has purchased both his 52 and 56 ft yachts, a little tlc and they were as good as new and he saved both times around 150k.