Costs of liveaboards and berthing?

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sam123

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Hello all, I have recently started looking into buying a small yacht to live on and work full time on shore, traveling in my free time and between jobs. unfortunatly money is a big limiting factor. i am looking at probably getting a 26' boat because from my research there pretty cheap to keep in a marina. my main worrys are the costs adding up(as they do) but also were i could put it? looking at berthing charges in brighton marina(ideal location) its well within my budget but would i get kicked out if they knew i was living there full time? does anyone here live in brighton marina or know the best way about finding a berth were your not gonna be hassled to move on? any help or advice would be really appreciated. cheers!
 
I've heard that many marina's turn a blind eye to a few liveaboards as they can act as unofficial security guards but when, as often happens, the boat and it's pontoon start to resemble a gypsy encampment they would kick you out. They may also worry about infringing planning laws by having permanent residents there. Probably best not to ask but just do it, keep it tidy and go to sea regularly!
 
Brighton is a marina which has shrunk enormously mainly because there are few places to day sail from there. There are always free berths in Brighton and whenever I have visited there have been liveaboards there. As twister owner says you need to be discreet and not hang the washing on the sheets but most marinas turn a blind eye. When I lived aboard I was in St Katherine's Dock for a while and there was no problem.

26ft is quite small to live in. You can live in that size of course but the problem is finding a place for your possessions. Somewhere to hang your clothes and put the telly or computer...

Michael
 
Thanks, i had wondered about getting a larger boat but the mooring price seems to jump quite quickly after that. im quite handy with woodwork etc and was intending to give the inside a complete overhall converting a 5/6 berth into a 1/2 berth allowing myself more room for a computer etc. am i dreaming?
 
Hi, I used to have a 26' boat in Brighton marina; you would not be the only person living aboard there, quite a little community in fact. But I didn't actually live aboard myself, so I can't say just how strict/relaxed the marina is. I certainly didn't see huge amounts of washing hanging out- maybe they would expect you to use the laundrette. Most liveaboards seem to be in the Eastern half. Be careful when selecting your boat- the marina come round and measure it taking into account absolutely everything sticking out (anchors, boarding ladders, ensign staffs,you name it) so you could up jumping into the next category up in payment if you werent careful. Also do't forget extra charge for electricity etc etc.
There is no doubt about it, even when re-organised with just 1/2 berths, 26' is not a lot of room, especially if you intend to actually sail the boat at any point, your sailing gear will be competing for space with your living gear. Fellow forumites 'Abigail' were Brighton liveaboards for a while- maybe they could be of more use to you.
Anyway, best of luck, welcome to the forum.

Philippa
 
I agree!A real FB needs good weather as you live in the comfrotable cockpit!

An IF is the plastic FB they have so much room you can have a TV,small laptop theres even a porta loo!!And heating plus plenty of storage space. I prefer it to the gibsea Jouet or first of about the same size though all have more beam.

Some IFs do have a small inboard but most have an outboard (sailing as well as they do its enough)which add huge amounts of space solves any chance of engin problems!

In the UK condensation and heating will be the biggest problem.Though just think of the saveing by haveing a sensable sized yacht!!
 
Hi Michael,

Was in the Old Port until November last year. Am living ashore temporarily whilst I change boats...

Not sure if we've met yet, but I'm sure we will now!!

A bientôt,
Brian.
 
Brian hi,

I think you were in a folkboat... Last year I went fishing sometimes with a french friend on the same pontoon as you - I think I said hi. Do you go into Fitzpatrics? the Irish pub on the front overlooking the vieux port? If you do say hi to Mary and Kevin the owners.. quite a few yachties in there most times Russ and Jane off the big moody.
I'm on 05 46 52 17 92 but a bit limited with free time as my wife is not well and needs 24/7 but I do get out sometimes

Michael
 
Hi Michael,

Probably was me, as there weren't too many liveaboards on Folkboats in the Old Port! Which boat did you go fishing on?

Went to Fitzpatrick's a bit when it first opened, but not too keen on wall to wall TV screens. Was in there one night when some friends were playing some excellent Irish music - but the football was still on, a few feet away from where they were playing! The Guinness is not bad though!

Am living out at Charron at the mo, will give you a call when I next get into the big town...

A bientôt,
Brian.
 
Michael,

Should be in LR towards the end of next week, so will give you a call.

Does Jean-Paul have the boat called 'Bunny' (what a name!), just a couple away from where I was...?

My folkboat is in the garden here at Charron, am currently negotiating a possible sale...fingers crossed! However, if it doesn't sell, I'll get in touch about the website - many thanks.
I didn't know there was another wooden F/B for sale here... (not that I want another one - I'm going plastic!).

A bientôt,
Brian.
 
Never saw the name - a french amateur fishing boat with a cuddy full of rods and equipment and a big square cockpit - I used to do pretty well fishing with him but now 'circumstances' make it difficult to make time.

Yes a pretty little carvel built FB sitting in area... I was thinking about it to do the next Jester in - low cost - but just looking at all the 'wood' upkeep and couldn't face it!!!

Fair winds

Michael
 
The wooden FB is a bit small,just food water and some gear cause the boottop to vanish!And its almost impossiable to stop the cabin top leaking a bit,but always in the wrong place!And if you drop the anchor on deck you risk a new seiries of leaks!!

It takes ages to get it fairly dry.

How much are you selling the plastic one for?? Just wondering no idea of the prices today.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. Don't know if he's still there but from 2000 to 2005 there was a chap living on his Westerly Centaur (26') at Falmouth Marina (Premier) quite openly, no probs. We lived on our Nauticat 42 at Chichester Marina (again, Premier) from August 2004 until May 2005 quite openly, after discussing it with the marina management. No problems, and we registered with the local GP, dentist, etc. and had parcels delivered. I did ask around at other marinas and for the experience of other before we did that and found that some marinas simply don't want liveaboards.

26' would be far to small for us to liveaboard and our last boat was 26', which we lived on from May to August 2004. But it is do-able and depends on you.

Good luck.
 
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