30k on a liveaboard boat/small motor yacht?

[LWinter]

Hi all! newbie here, been lurking the forums for a while.
I'm looking at possibly living on a boat for a few years instead of renting bricks and mortar (Bristol housing is crazy expensive!) - I'd rather buy a boat and at the end of 5 years have it paid off and have an asset rather than paying someone elses mortgage and have nothing to show at the end of it! I'm a single 27 year old so no need for anything extravagant, but would obviously love to have friends family etc visit.

Anyway, I'm pretty new to boating, learning a lot currently and if I went for this option I'd obviously learn properly. Around 30k to spend.
I've looked at widebeams etc but came to the conclusion that I'd rather have something seaworthy, most of the time it would be moored up but it would be nice when I'm off work for extended periods of time that I could take it around the south-west from Bristol etc, possibly over the channel to France.

Something like this would seem liveable for me: 2001 Bayliner 2858 Ciera Flybridge, Windsor and Maidenhead Berkshire - boats.com

This forum seems like a great place to learn, would a boat like this be OK going over the channel down to france or spain etc? What would a rough estimate of fuel costs be say to cross the channel? (Seen over posts suggesting about £400/500?) Any other suggestions for boats?

 

[Bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum LW.

Re suitability of the Bayliner in your link for going around Lands End and across the channel - I think it would be worthwhile asking this question on the Motor Boat Forum here, rather than the Liveaboard Forum - you will reach a much larger motor boat audience there.

Be aware though that the stated fuel capacity is only 92 gallons, and that she has a fairly thirsty 310 hp petrol engine.
They say it is 'shaft drive', but I am sure that this is wrong - much more likely to be an outdrive leg.
Ask any question on the Mobo forum about suitability of outdrives for what you want to do, and get your popcorn ready!
I think that if you figure on 2 miles per gallon at best if you are cruising at planing speeds - it might be less than this.

If your primary objective is a boat to live on, then a displacement type or semi-displacement type of boat might be more suitable - try doing an 'advanced' search on www.yachtworld.co.uk and see what you come up with.
I just did a search, and here are a few boats that I thought you might be interested in - they would certainly be nicer for living on board than the Bayliner in your link. -

1972 Moonraker 350 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1976 Birchwood 33 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1978 Profile 33 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1978 Birchwood 33 Classic Power New and Used Boats for Sale -

1988 Nimbus 3003 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1980 Princess 33 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1990 Fjord 930 Touring AC Power New and Used Boats for Sale

This Storebro looks wonderful, but you would need to enjoy varnishing.
1974 Storebro Royal Cruiser 34 Power New and Used Boats for Sale

And if you want to be economical on fuel, consider a motor sailer -
1988 Colvic Watson 32 Power New and Used Boats for Sale -

 

[LWinter]

Welcome to the Forum LW.

Re suitability of the Bayliner in your link for going around Lands End and across the channel - I think it would be worthwhile asking this question on the Motor Boat Forum here, rather than the Liveaboard Forum - you will reach a much larger motor boat audience there.

Be aware though that the stated fuel capacity is only 92 gallons, and that she has a fairly thirsty 310 hp petrol engine.
They say it is 'shaft drive', but I am sure that this is wrong - much more likely to be an outdrive leg.
Ask any question on the Mobo forum about suitability of outdrives for what you want to do, and get your popcorn ready!
I think that if you figure on 2 miles per gallon at best if you are cruising at planing speeds - it might be less than this.

If your primary objective is a boat to live on, then a displacement type or semi-displacement type of boat might be more suitable - try doing an 'advanced' search on www.yachtworld.co.uk and see what you come up with.
I just did a search, and here are a few boats that I thought you might be interested in - they would certainly be nicer for living on board than the Bayliner in your link. -

1972 Moonraker 350 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1976 Birchwood 33 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1978 Profile 33 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1978 Birchwood 33 Classic Power New and Used Boats for Sale -

1988 Nimbus 3003 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1980 Princess 33 Power New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

1990 Fjord 930 Touring AC Power New and Used Boats for Sale

This Storebro looks wonderful, but you would need to enjoy varnishing.
1974 Storebro Royal Cruiser 34 Power New and Used Boats for Sale

And if you want to be economical on fuel, consider a motor sailer -
1988 Colvic Watson 32 Power New and Used Boats for Sale -

Thanks for the reply! Lots of useful info there.
I've seen a few of the ones above and really love the layout/space on them, I guess I'm a bit apprehensive of the age of the boat? Should I not be? The storebro one you linked to is very nice. Would it be capable of going around the coast / across channel to france or spain etc? There is a lot of lingo to pick up with boating it seems! A lot to learn!

 

[V1701]

Have a think and do some research about sail as opposed to motor boats, on the sea most liveaboards are on sailboats. Portishead marina is a possibility if you went down the sail route. If you do go mobo look for one or two smaller diesel engines on shafts rather than petrol or diesels with several hundred horsepower each as the fuel costs for going any distance with these can be eye wateringly expensive. That Colvic Watson might be suitable but it's out of commission and optimistically priced in my opinion. Also I'm biased, my full time liveaboard home is a Colvic Watson 34, also without masts. She has a single 65hp engine on a shaft and I get between 4 & 6 litres/hour depending n engine revs and conditions. I say good luck and go for it, you can get a really nice boat for £30k but don't rush into anything, do loads of research and go and see loads of boats to get a feel of what you can get for your budget...

 

[LWinter]

Have a think and do some research about sail as opposed to motor boats, on the sea most liveaboards are on sailboats. Portishead marina is a possibility if you went down the sail route. If you do go mobo look for one or two smaller diesel engines on shafts rather than petrol or diesels with several hundred horsepower each as the fuel costs for going any distance with these can be eye wateringly expensive. That Colvic Watson might be suitable but it's out of commission and optimistically priced in my opinion. Also I'm biased, my full time liveaboard home is a Colvic Watson 34, also without masts. She has a single 65hp engine on a shaft and I get between 4 & 6 litres/hour depending n engine revs and conditions. I say good luck and go for it, you can get a really nice boat for £30k but don't rush into anything, do loads of research and go and see loads of boats to get a feel of what you can get for your budget...

Thank you! The whole sailing thing goes right over my head to be honest, the thought of being responsible for a boat and having to use sails petrifies me! Mobo seems like the way forward for me to be honest but all this info like diesel engines on shafts etc is what I need to know.
Something like this looks wise would be suitable / space wise, but I guess it's the same problem with the engines it'd be very expensive to run then? Thanks for your info!

 

[nortada]

I have both a power cruiser (33ft twin diesel Freeman Sports) and a 38 ft Dufour sloop. In summer we use the Freeman in the UK and in winter the Dufour in Portugal.

I would suggest you could benefit from the Day Skipper night school course.

Yes, is angled towards sail but if you have some understanding of sail it reads straight across into power. The converse is not true.

As said if you are planning longer passages the sailboat is the by far cheaper option. It is also a lot better/safer if caught out in bad weather. However, it is far easier to learn to drive a power boat than sail.

Having completed a theory day skip course, you could complete a practical Power Boat 2 or competent crew course and then you would be well placed to make decisions on boats.

Please let us know what you decide and how you get on.

Best of luck with your adventure.?

 

[Bajansailor]

I guess I'm a bit apprehensive of the age of the boat? Should I not be? The storebro one you linked to is very nice. Would it be capable of going around the coast / across channel to france or spain etc?

You should not be too worried about the age of the boat provided that she has been well maintained. Ideally you want to find an older boat where much of the electronics, perhaps even the engines as well, have been renewed relatively recently.
As V1701 has mentioned, don't rush into anything, do loads of research and go and see loads of boats to get a feel of what you can get for your budget.
And draw up a list of requirements as to what you want your boat to be capable of - you might later find that some are conflicting, but then you resolve them.
Decide if you do want to be able to get places quickly (with consequent damage to your finances), or if you are happy to potter.
If you have friends visiting, decide on how many berths are required.
Ideally try to stay clear of petrol engines, in favour of diesel. I wont dare to suggest that you prefer shafts instead of outdrives (this is a volatile subject!) - but you can do your own research on this topic.

Re the Storebro in the link above - yes, she should be capable of going around the coast and across to France provided that she is in good condition and suitably equipped, and that she has crew who know what they are doing (ie they know how to navigate etc).
She apparently has Cummins engines which have a good reputation, but again it comes down to condition, engine hours and maintenance - ask to see maintenance logs when you have a short list of boats to look at.

Re crossing Biscay, have a look on Google Maps, and measure the distance to even Northern Spain - it is a LONG way. And you won't be able to do it in one hop unless you have a long range trawler yacht or similar.
But why would you want to go so far afield, when there are so many nice cruising destinations much closer to home?

And don't just rely on this Forum for answers - ask some questions on the Mobo forum as well.

 

[nortada]

Re crossing Biscay, have a look on Google Maps, and measure the distance to even Northern Spain - it is a LONG way. And you won't be able to do it in one hop unless you have a long range trawler yacht or similar.

You don't have to cross Biscay; you can go round Biscay. Double the distance could be all day sails. North Spanish coast well worth seeing.

I have crossed and gone around Biscay. As a cautious pensioner in a power boat, I would go round.

 

[Graham376]

Mobo seems like the way forward for me to be honest but all this info like diesel engines on shafts etc is what I need to know.
Something like this looks wise would be suitable / space wise, but I guess it's the same problem with the engines it'd be very expensive to run then? Thanks for your info!

Boats are money pits and depreciating assets and often the annual running costs are higher than for a small house. You mention a budget of £30k so should be looking at boats quite a bit cheaper as there are additional initial costs such as survey (mad to buy particularly first boat without one) and some will be work needed. Replacing an average tired engine for instance would cost £8 to £10k .

Have you looked at the annual costs of just the marina berth and insurance? Add to that haul-out, antifoul and routine maintenance?

Sorry if I sound negative but liking the idea of having a boat is far different to the reality, you need to go into it with your eyes open. As others have said, seek advice on the mobo forum.

 

[nortada]

Boats are money pits and depreciating assets and often the annual running costs are higher than for a small house. You mention a budget of £30k so should be looking at boats quite a bit cheaper as there are additional initial costs such as survey (mad to buy particularly first boat without one) and some will be work needed. Replacing an average tired engine for instance would cost £8 to £10k .

Have you looked at the annual costs of just the marina berth and insurance? Add to that haul-out, antifoul and routine maintenance?

Sorry if I sound negative but liking the idea of having a boat is far different to the reality, you need to go into it with your eyes open. As others have said, seek advice on the mobo forum.

If you do not have a survey, you may be unable to insure and not be allowed into marinas.

Look hard and think long!

 

[jordanbasset]

Maybe not what you want to hear but there are properties even in Bristol where if you put a £30,000 deposit down, with the current very low interest rates, not be paying a very big mortgage on one and 2 bedroom properties. I appreciate they may not be in the best area.

So if it is a question of economics, I would go for a property. If it is a decision of the heart/life style then I wish you the best of luck, on that I agree with most of the above posts about type of boat

 

[nortada]

Maybe not what you want to hear but there are properties even in Bristol where if you put a £30,000 deposit down, with the current very low interest rates, not be paying a very big mortgage on one and 2 bedroom properties. I appreciate they may not be in the best area.

So if it is a question of economics, I would go for a property. If it is a decision of the heart/life style then I wish you the best of luck, on that I agree with most of the above posts about type of boat

If there ever was one, the day of boats making you money has long gone.

 

[LWinter]

Boats are money pits and depreciating assets and often the annual running costs are higher than for a small house. You mention a budget of £30k so should be looking at boats quite a bit cheaper as there are additional initial costs such as survey (mad to buy particularly first boat without one) and some will be work needed. Replacing an average tired engine for instance would cost £8 to £10k .

Have you looked at the annual costs of just the marina berth and insurance? Add to that haul-out, antifoul and routine maintenance?

Sorry if I sound negative but liking the idea of having a boat is far different to the reality, you need to go into it with your eyes open. As others have said, seek advice on the mobo forum.

Not negative at all! From what I've seen on youtube someone said annual maintenance should cost about 10% of the value of the boat? So for a 30k boat should it be about 3-5k ish or similar a year? Looked at marina costs etc too.

 

[V1701]

All valid points but if you like the lifestyle, are practical and resourceful and can mostly maintain and fix your boat yourself it can be a more economical way to live that also offers more freedom/less constraints than having a mortgage/millstone round your neck for the next 25 years. I once had a mortgage but sold up 15 years ago now, have lived full time on boats whilst also working full time in the UK for the past 10 years. I cannot see myself ever owning property again and really have no desire to, certainly not in the UK where I wouldn't have anything like enough money and I am still very happy to live on a boat. At some point when I am too decrepit to get on and off it I might have to rent a flat or something but until then I'll stay afloat...