Advice needed for an important project

calranthe

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 Apr 2017
Messages
78
Location
Stoke on Trent
Visit site
Hello,
I am at the point of working out a plan to buy an offshore motor cruiser and I need help and advice because I really need to minimise any mistakes I will explain why this project has come about but that is just to put things in context, My wife has been ill for 19 years and the medication that kept the illness from getting worse stopped working last October (yes the old drug took away her ability to walk and started arthritis at 22 among other things but we coped, I quit work to become her primary carer), a new drug was available but its killing her, multiple specialists have no idea why but it has dropped her kidney ability by 60% already catch 22 if she comes off it the leukaemia comes back, so we have started to plan what we want to do with the time we have left, we knew her cancer was incurable from the start and we are at the end of what doctors can do about it.

A friend suggested I started a campaign to fund any plans and that is already started but what are the plans and why am I here.

Paola got ill in college and has never even travelled outside of the county we both love boats the sea and nature, she can not go on a normal cruise or holiday (damaged immune system) so the plan is once the funds are raised purchase a motor cruiser and slowly travel around the coast of England and maybe further depending on experience learned and time available.

These are the basics
Which ever craft we decide on we will only be able to afford used, has to be able to handle both large rivers and coastal, maybe even further, in cold weather it has to stay warm inside, an island bed so she does not have to shuffle to get on, usable galley and able to be run by one person some one who will be learning as he goes, we are not fair weather people so rain or shine we would be spending time out there, economical would also be a plus but an ability to get itself out of trouble also a bonus.

Most of the art and craft Paola used to do she can't any more but painting and taking pictures is still hers to own.

I have with my limited knowledge come up with a £100,000 budget split
£80,000 Maximum for the boat (any combination from a 30k boat needing 30k work or a 60k boat that does not need much done) we do not mind old boats as long as the survey shows the hull/engine is in good condition (80k would only be if boat is perfect)
1 year berth £3000
10% Boat cost for Maintenance £8000
Fuel £1000-4000 will depend on a lot of factors including type of engine and age.
Small amount of disability modifications to the boat unknown amount it will all depend on
which boat and what condition it is in. £100-£2000
Pre purchase surveyor £500
Insurance £1500

*note the 80k for the boat I would probably drop to 60k to leave leeway.

I have looked at a lot of boats from corvette 32/320, Sealine F33, 980's sedan, sc29.

Advice on what to plan for and look for would be great, not looking for a boat with resell value or special features just a good solid craft that we can keep going as long as Paola does :)
As Paola told me her choice is sit at home in pain or have a great view and change of scenery every day.

Thank you for reading and any advice you have for us.
 
So a reply to bump this post and give a view.

Most of your figures seem realistic, however the fuel budget and your cruising intentions probably suggest that a displacement boat is more suited to you than a fast planing boat.

I suspect this will also suit your "rain or shine" cruising intentions better and also give your wife a less "jolting" ride which i suspect would make things nicer for her.

I am not en expert in this end of the market so I will leave that to others, however do bear in mind that 30 or so feet is quite a small space, especially if your wife is not so mobile and hence will be spending quite a lot of time on board.

As boats get longer, they get wider and taller - so the difference between a 30 and 40 foot boat is significant.

Also bear in mind that some boats have more steps than others - the F33 fly for example has a ladder to the flybridge and that is not likely to be so suitable for someone who may have mobility issues.
 
The more I look into it the more I think you are right, I think on most boats the fly bridge would be of limits unless we could rig a small lift of sorts, going places fast is not an interest to us.
 
Look at Dutch steel boats around 40ft with command bridge. (This is an aft deck with controls rather than a flybridge plus dual controls in the wheelhouse). Single engine for economy and a good understanding of engines for maintenance and repairs under way (if required). I did a circumnavigation of the UK in 1988 in my single engined De-Groot so am speaking from experience. Definitely get a boat that doesn't need work or you may run out of time. Best of luck. Peter
 
I agree, I am spending half my time trying to organise people who want to donate the other half solidifying a plan so once the money is available I can act quickly.

Do you think it would be okay to put a link to the campaign page here ? do not want to step on anyone's toes.
 
Hi
Very sorry to hear of the situation you are both in.
Sorry to be a bit blunt but have you done any boating of the type you describe. I think many people who do this sort of boating would only do it seasonally.
Have you thought about hiring to see if it suits your needs.
Best wishes
 
We have touched on the basics and I know hiring would probably be a good idea but there is something about owning your own craft, I did some sea fishing and have spent time on boats before I met Paola, as for Paola is certain that she will get sea sick but then again from the moment she gets up in the morning she is nauseous, fatigued, in pain and suffering everything she does compounds that, this way she gets to see what is out there.
Me flu can put me on my back lol, she without complaining can craft and paint in constant pain and still find some enjoyment.
 
Hi
Very sorry to hear of the situation you are both in.
Sorry to be a bit blunt but have you done any boating of the type you describe. I think many people who do this sort of boating would only do it seasonally.
Have you thought about hiring to see if it suits your needs.
Best wishes

Good point. I have been boating for 12 years (75% fair weather in the med) and I would not really want to circumnavigate the UK! It can be rough and cold, but maybe that is just my med bias.
 
We have walked the canal's and love them (walked as in me pushing her wheelchair for 8 miles lol) but it is limiting and there is the multiple types of locks to deal with, I may be simplifying but the idea of (after all the checks) choosing a direction, be it river, short run up the coast, out to sea a little while or just sit in the berth and cook some bacon and eggs while watching the boats go by.
Feel free to offer any advice and or suggestions or even call us crazy.
 
Good point. I have been boating for 12 years (75% fair weather in the med) and I would not really want to circumnavigate the UK! It can be rough and cold, but maybe that is just my med bias.

Fair points but I think we are in a different place to most people, we could have months or years but we know how fickle things can be, if Paola is feeling up to it then we go out rain sleet, snow (not saying I would take a boat out in dangerous conditions but normal cold and rough will not stop some one who has lost so much).

This is a woman who only stops painting or crafting cards when her hands actually cramp up into balls and she can not move them (one of the side effects of imatinib causes really bad hand cramps)

And the Nimbus 320 does not look too bad at all.
 
Firstly, very best wishes to you both, if this endeavour inspires you both then I say go for it while you can.

Will Paola be able to climb aboard a boat? Some older boats do not have large bathing platforms and rely on you boarding from the side.

I'll do some searches for some ideas.
 
https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1244741/?searchid=13262796&page=2

https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1421967/?searchid=13262796&page=3

You already mentioned Corvettes, the Fairline Turbo 36 is also a good boat but maybe too high for boarding.

This is newer so less work but may be tight for space, also has bathing platform and easier boarding from the platform. https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1420297/?searchid=13262796&page=7

https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1255077/?searchid=13262796&page=11

A little over budget but don't be afraid to put an offer on a boat if it really interests you. https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1378272/?searchid=13262796&page=15

https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1413885/?searchid=13262796&page=16
 
Last edited:
Looking through them now they look interesting.
Going to edit the top post and put in the campaign link.

Can't edit it so will put it here (don't be concerned about the small amount in the fund atm a lot of little things are going on in the background)
Also if anyone has an issue with it being here please let me know and I will remove it.

https://www.gofundme.com/adreamforpaola
 
Last edited:
Hi.
Have you and your wife spent any time on a boat since she has been wheelchair bound? Getting around the boat is going to be a real problem for her surely? You're talking about single handing a boat which is big enough to live aboard, learning as you go. Imo, that's a very tall order and not (if I may play devil's advocate for a moment) a particularly safe or sensible idea?
Sorry to rain on your parade but I just can't see that it would be at all comfortable or safe for your wife.
L
:)
 
Hi.
Have you and your wife spent any time on a boat since she has been wheelchair bound? Getting around the boat is going to be a real problem for her surely? You're talking about single handing a boat which is big enough to live aboard, learning as you go. Imo, that's a very tall order and not (if I may play devil's advocate for a moment) a particularly safe or sensible idea?
Sorry to rain on your parade but I just can't see that it would be at all comfortable or safe for your wife.
L
:)

No need to be sorry, I did not come here to hear anything but the facts, Wife can move around, I think of the a boat like the old house we lived in it was quite small and everything within grabbing distance, galley kitchen and no open spaces, Paola moved around that house using furniture as a way to steady herself.

Amazon do a nifty kind of suction cup grab rail which can fit on any smooth surface (we have them in most rooms and bathroom in the house) as for the movement of the boat, while not anchored/berthed/calm water Paola will set herself up a HQ down below probably one of the circular alcoves, if need be we will add a safety belt, on deck we will setup her wheelchair (it is a very comfortable model and collapsible) Using the same joinery hooks used in minivans to allow a wheelchair person to sit in the chair in the vehicle, quick release seat belt, she will be at all times wearing a life jacket.

Safe or sensible idea *grins* at the moment sitting at home Paola has 37 different possibilities of death ranging from 40 - 5% even the full body irradiation meant her chance of multiple secondary cancers in her 40's is 35%, Imatinib has a good chance of killing her, it also caused type 2 diabetes which is bringing a host of fun stuff and we are not counting the slow tick tick tick of her kidney's deteriorating.

You get to a point when you just sit down together and say something rude at the universe, yes we could sit around "safe" at home and wait for the end to arrive or we can do something that makes us laugh and smile and well its the difference between surviving and actually living, for the last 18 years we have survived and I have watched day by day nearly everything she used to love taken away from her.

Yes it is good to discuss these things and I take no offence at anything like this :)
 
I know what I would do in your situation..
Buy a good size motorhome with an island bed good size bathroom all mod cons get on the road and get going. You can visit all the coastlines harbours and marinas. Warmer dryer safer.
Not reliant on weather
You can inland as well.
Dont know if you have given this any thought
best wishes
 
Top