livaboard cruising - a good place to learn?

[CharlesM]

Hi All

Plan is to move aboard for a year or so to start. If we like it then we will keep it going in some form or another. It's reaching for the dream so I dont end up old and bitter saying 'I nearly brought a boat once'.

Anyway, last year I had a fair amount of boating on a mates boat, and did the day skipper. This year only been out once so far... So much for the experience background. Now for the question.

Once buying the boat and moving aboard where is the best place to start. I was thinking the Med as most sails will initially be day sails, and my Love is into Greece, so that would be a good place for out initial 6 months or so. She has no experiance, and I have minimal.

What about the canaries? Would it make sence to buy a boat there, and then spend the first say 4 months learning over there?

Any feedback would be appreciated. Plan is April/May 2005. If we dont have the boat by then we will still go - cruise the med coast looking until we find one. Either way - it's gonna happen..

Charles

PS. sorry about the cross post, but it was suggested the Livaboard forum may be a better place for my query.

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[mike_bryon]

You raise an interesting approach to the issue.

We spent most of our time planning what boat rather than where. We were more preoccupied with buying a suitable boat within our budget. I guess moving abroad as well as aboard will present a few more issues but at least it will force you to take less.

We bought in the UK but some years ago we sailed down to the Canaries and found them quite challenging – lots of wind – some tricky harbours. Also very full in the run up to the Ark. Once you have done the east west run through the islands then you don’t have a lot of day sail cruising options. You either cross or visit west Africa or do as we did which was to drive back up to Madeira, Azores and home (UK).

The Med sounds a much better plan. Otherwise why not plan a summer of day sailing in home waters then head off south.

Best wishes with your plans.




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[CharlesM]

Mike

I am certainly looking for a vessel that is appropriate and in budget (which is actually very small in boating terms) but because of the lack of experiance location is also important as we will certainly not be ready for any long sails when we get the boat.

Unfortunately boats in england seen to have unrealistic prices, wheras boats in the med and the carribean are cheaper.

I would certainly prefer to get one in England as I could then do some work and learn her before actually moving aboard.

Later
Charles

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[cozy]

If you are looking for a relatively safe cruising ground, and have an affinity with Greece I would look seriously at the Ionian Sea. Lots of day sailing opportunities, sheltered waters between the islands and an abundance of tavernas

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[yachtsid]

Hi Charles... we are just in the process of purchasing the yacht which is currently in Lefkas, with the immediate plan being to remove it to a hard standing for this winter. We will then go and liveaboard from Next Spring until we can't stand it any longer. Roll on next spring....and we are starting off in the Ionian as that is where most of our experience is.



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[mike_bryon]

You are right and it is an interesting perspective. For people planning to live aboard with limited sailing experience then the boats location is all important.

We were all set to buy in the USA when up came our current boat in the UK. I was making the occasional offer here (as well as in the USA and Italy) and we followed the sale of a few boats to see how much they would go for. We were lucky and ended buying at a price I think was lower than the US (owners of two sister boats there had turned down offers above our budget).

Your plan sounds a great adventure and Greece sounds the ideal place. I would only suggest that you also keep an eye on the UK and maybe make offers on boats here as well as bargains occasionally appear.

I once viewed and have seen for sale a number of Greek made Atlantic boats. The one we viewed looked fine and was good value. Might be worth considering.

Regards




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[CharlesM]

Atlantic boats

Mike

Are Atlantic boats, as referred to in your post, a model? Perhaps you can give me a link to where you saw these good value?

I would like to point out that one of my most important considerations is the ability of the boat to bring her crew through serious offshore sailing safely - something that can handle really bad weather.

Thus far my research has led me to lean towards long keel heavy displacement boats with a relatively (to AWB) narrow beam. I initially thought I would want a ketch rig (as many years ago I read one can steer the boat by balancing the various sails in the instance of a lost rudder), but more recently I have read the mizzen is generally a waste of space and rarely used. I like the look of a Gaff rig, and it seems these are a little simpler to manage and maintain. According to Anny Hill (I think) a junk rig is the simplest, but I am not sure I like them.

My budget is around 40k, and my lower limit is probably 36' (but to be fair, I am considering a 35' Endurance, as well as a 40' Falmouth Pilot) which is pushing me to ferro. In fact, my research has led me to actually prefer ferro (well built of course) over the other materials in its simplicity of maintanence and repair. I am in a bit of a quandry as I am uncertain what size to go for. - my initial drive for cruising was an independant dive platform, but although a dive compressor is essential (IMO) the cruising thing has become more of a lifestyle dream than simply dive platform.

The bulk of my knowledge is book derived though, so I may be totally of the mark in some instances.

regards
Charles

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[mike_bryon]

Re: Atlantic boats

You can view some Atlantic yachts by searching in brokerage boats for sale on this website. They may not appeal given your preference since posted but there are a few available.

Your budget should allow you to get what you prefer. We know two liveaboards with ferro boats and they like them and they seem really good boats. One paid 24K for his 45' boat.

To live aboard a 35' boat is perhaps a bit tight, better i think to go for the 40'

Best wishes

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[roly_voya]

Just a point to consider - getting a boat able to stand bad weather is as much about the condition and gear as about the design, if you buy abroad and have to re-fit of change gear to any extent you will be doing this in a foreign langague and an area you dont know. If you do it in the UK you can spend 12 months working the boat up and getting thing right before jumping off.

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[Sea Devil]

Re: Atlantic boats

I have met lots of ferro boats in my travels and the owners all seem pleased with them. Well constructed they provide an awful lot of boat for the money and once you are out of European waters the cost of berthing vanishes in place of anchorage. You certainly need power assisted windlass.

I had a 40 ft steel ketch for a couple of years and found the Mizan was a good place to hang the radar dome from but that was all - I have found one mast much to be prefered - I did have a dive compressor on board comeing up the Great Barrier Reef and Indonisia - on my 36 ft it was really a problem stowing it and at 36ft the weight of compressor and bottles et al really began (along with everything else) to make a difference)

Some keen diving friends have a ferro Bruce Roberts design schooner. It had been round the world when they got it - and they made it fine from the UK to NZ and some 10 years later are still living on board. OK that had 2 masts but was 60ft if I remember correctly - and they paid then around £30,000 for it and I had just paid £35,000 for my Moody 36 - I suspect the same prices still hold today



<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[Melody]

Re: Atlantic boats

Hi Charles

We have an Atlantic 44, bought in Greece in 2000, and she's great to sail and live in. However, I don't think there is an Atlantic between 31ft and 44ft.

If you want to test drive an Atlantic 44, may I do a bit of advertising and suggest you come and sail with us? We can offer RYA recognised tuition or just sea-miles and experience, plus an insight into the cruising life here. We are based in the Saronic Gulf which we prefer to the Ionian. Not nearly so crowded in the summer despite the proximity to Athens and very pretty.

Please take a look at our web site www.aegeansailingschool.com (I hope I won't get my hand slapped for this) or contact me. We can also give you info on the dos and donts of buying here.

Cheers
Melody

<hr width=100% size=1>Melody McKay Burton
Yacht Valentine, Greece

 

[piscosour]

Re: Atlantic boats

Hi Melody

I've just read your bio and web-site, I'm based quite near you although not liveaboard yet. I need contacts in the area who are english speaking and trustworthy, electricician and upholstery specifically. Are you able to help?

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[yachttequilla]

Hi,

Unfortunately we are now back in the UK but spent the last 2 long summers in the Med sailing from Cadiz all the way to the Aegean along the Northern coastline.

My wife is not huge sail fan and we have 2 kids (8&9). We've now decided on the Ionian as base for boat to visit during school hols in future. We fell in love with the area.

The charter companies describe it as ideal for families and beginners, ie sailing not too challenging. There are lots of places to visit in shortish hops and many are free. There are a couple of marinas around if you need/want them.

Best wishes with your plans.

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[CharlesM]

Re: Atlantic boats



Hi Melody

Wil check out your web site, but having done a bit of research on Atlantic Yachts they seem to be totally out of my budget :-(

Later
Charles

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[Melody]

Re: Atlantic boats

Hi

There is an uphosterer on Aegina that we've used for our boat and found him good and reasonably priced. He's Albanian and doesn't speak much English but his Greek wife has some English. He will come onto your boat to measure up etc.

Depending upon what electrics are needed we use either an autoelectrician who we've found good or an ex-pat who is an electrician (not 12v but he's had a yacht so knows a lot about it).

I'll get their phone numbers and send them on to you. We are running a course this weekend so it will be next week.

Cheers
Melody

<hr width=100% size=1>Melody McKay Burton
Yacht Valentine, Greece