liveaboard for one?

[newventure]

i am considering taking redundancy, and buying a yacht, and going sailing for a while, down to canaries, possibly accross the atlantic.

i will have €90,000 approx from the redundancy.. total.


i had a first 211, a few years ago, and sailed her extensively single handed, so not new to sailing..



i am looking for recommendations on what sort of boat would be suitable ...


thanks

 

[ariette]

I currently have an Elan 31, which I've always thought would be an ideal solo live aboard boat; easy to handle, fast and comfortable in a blow. As I'm moving to liveaboard in company, she's not big enough so has to go..

 

[Tranona]

If it is the sailing bit that is important then look at older long keeled boats such as Vancouver 32 or Nicholson 31 - and other similar style craft. If coastal hopping and spending more time at anchor then perhaps look at a modern style 32-34' with more space and home comforts.

If you look around at what other people use you will find huge variety, reflecting different priorities and tastes. You budget is big enough to give you a very wide choice.

 

[charles_reed]

i am considering taking redundancy, and buying a yacht, and going sailing for a while, down to canaries, possibly accross the atlantic.

i will have €90,000 approx from the redundancy.. total.


i had a first 211, a few years ago, and sailed her extensively single handed, so not new to sailing..



i am looking for recommendations on what sort of boat would be suitable ...


thanks

I've cruised, single handed and with up to 3 visitors, for the last 22 years - first in the Western Approaches and latterly through the Med, in a 31' boat.

Sub-10 metres has a number of advantages, avoiding the need for a Greek DEKPA, and increasing the likelihood of finding a berth and is, IMHO, as small as you can go and live in comfort.

A few functional specification details, in no critical order:-

1. Make sure you have sufficient standing room. (which rules out most small long-keelers)
2. Adequate water and fuel stowage (I use 10litres a day solo and this is one area most small boats are lacking)
3. That it can sail well, under light and heavy conditions.
4. That it has a good motor to cruise @ 5-6knots and give 36hrs endurance.
5. Space-heating - if aboard during the winter and shore-power is available electric fan heaters do the job - blown air heaters (Eberspacher and Webasto) are not man enough for the job under continuous use.
6. Shower and washing facilities are adequate.
7. A large, comfortable cockpit (where most of your living will be done).

My Parker 31 has never been bettered, in functional specification terms, by any of the boats I've looked at at various boat shows (London, Soton, la Rochelle, Hamburg & Barcelona).
Of boats currently in manufacture, the HR310 (slow&steady) and the Elan 320 (giddier) meet the requirements quite well. The smallest, current Bavaria is over the 10m mark and skimped in a number of areas but "never mind the quality, feel the width": it gives a lot for your money. Of older boats most are ruled out by their shoe-horn accomodation, but the Angus Primrose/ Bill Dixon designs are worth looking at, even if UK boatbuilders QAS left much to be desired.

 

[chinita]

I am biased as I have owned one and currently have a wooden one but this:

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/boats/s01813/s0813.htm

will certainly keep your options for longer distances open.

 

[TQA]

26 ft is too small.

I would look at something around 33ft. But stay under 10 m because that is the break point for marina charges ^

A Barbican 33 is one you should look at, with the CB it gives you the option of doing the French canals.

 

[Tranona]

A Barbican 33 is one you should look at, with the CB it gives you the option of doing the French canals.

Not a lot of help if the plan is to sail to the Canaries and across the Atlantic which is what the OP is saying.

However, if he did want to do canals and the Med your suggestion is good. A Barbican 33 that had done just that with its previous owners was sold in the yard where I keep my boat only this year. Good buy for not a lot of money.

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

If you want to do that sort of thing on not a lot of money how about this?
http://www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk/brokerage-boats/searchfullspecs.php?DocumentID=4367977

 

[newventure]

hi thanks for all the suggestions, i would be looking for a boat that i do not need to do a lot of work on, dont think i would be interested in the canals,
my €90k would be needed to get a boat, and also use it to live off while away sailing... so not sure what portion of the €90k to allocate to a boat.

 

[chinita]

so not sure what portion of the €90k to allocate to a boat.

Not much, I'm afraid. Lots of people have come unstuck when they realise that they have got their ratios wrong. Not just initial cost but ongoing maintenance and mooring/berthing charges.

If I were in your position I would look for something strong and proven. Forget the small size issue, that is a state of mind (having endured two east coast winters on a sub- 26ft boat).

I would be looking at an Albin Vega(27ft), my first boat. A number have circumnavigated and some have ventures into high latitudes. Great to sail and handle.

Here's an example:

http://cruisinglealea.com/theboat.html

Keep it all simple. Forget fancy electronics. If you want to spend money, spend it on a new generation anchor and some quality chain.

The Albin Vega club is where to start, you should pick up an acceptable one for less than £10k, add another £2k for good kit and a bit of fettling and you are away!

 

[dcr]

Something like my Nordship32 could be ideal. She measures 9.7mx3.25mx1.5m draught and has a double bunk in the forepeak, two single berths in saloon and separate aft cabin with two quarter berths, plus plenty of storage and a complete cockpit tent cover that incorporates a sprayhood. My wife and I have spent the last two summers comfortably living onboard whilst travelling the French canals and the med.
Pm me if interested in knowing more and I may be able to provide you with some photos so you can see the very practicle layout.
dcr

 

[doug748]

hi thanks for all the suggestions, i would be looking for a boat that i do not need to do a lot of work on, dont think i would be interested in the canals,
my €90k would be needed to get a boat, and also use it to live off while away sailing... so not sure what portion of the €90k to allocate to a boat.

I have been watching from the sidelines. I always like a good "what boat" thread.

However, I think your post has turned things upside down. How to balance the sum of c£80,000 between livaboard comfort and the length of your trip, before you are skint, is a matter of fine judgement.

I look forward to the response of folk who know better than me.

 

[chinita]

Indeed; finding a 'suitable' boat is the least of the problems.

After 12 years of living aboard full or part time, in various configurations, I have come to the conclusion that it is lifestyle - and not the boat - which is my priority.

The liveaboard sailing community has a lot of miserable people, not enjoying the day, too busy worrying about the next drain on their limited finances. I know - I have been one of them.

Not any more.

 

[BrianH]

Indeed; finding a 'suitable' boat is the least of the problems.
After 12 years of living aboard full or part time, in various configurations, I have come to the conclusion that it is lifestyle - and not the boat - which is my priority.
The liveaboard sailing community has a lot of miserable people, not enjoying the day, too busy worrying about the next drain on their limited finances. I know - I have been one of them.
Not any more.

This is a great post because it honestly reflects another reality to all the deliriously happy reports of life from those who have chosen the liveaboard lifestyle and post here.

I shall never forget the young Australian couple I met who were my neighbours anchored in English harbour, Antigua. Their small steel yacht was a total rust bucket and so deteriorated and unseaworthy that they could no longer put to sea. They eked out an existence from what he could earn by odd jobs around the harbour - more from charity than anything else. They had run out of money, a baby had arrived and their options had run out.

For most the dream becomes a reality but there are others for whom it turns sour ... and financial planning is often the key to which way yours will go.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Hi
I sailed solo for over 15 years in a moody 336 , it been one of my best boat I had , it taken me all over From the east coast to the west coast of the UK most of Northern Europe right the Western Atlantic and thought one end of the med to turkey , we been thought a few blows to gather, if I had to go back to single handed sailing that would be the boat I would buy .

Plenty of room below And easy to handily when the weather get tough .

www.bluewatersailor5.webs.com

 

[TQA]

OK I had not realized that your 90k was going to be all you would have.

Buy a cheap solid older boat that has been well maintained. Something like this. http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1973/Nantucket-Clipper-2558270/Burnham-on-Crouch/United-Kingdom#.UkbdOdI3tCY

Set it up with some solar and good ground tackle so you can live on the hook. Learn to do your own maintenance, a sewing machine like a Pfaff 130 or 230 bought used would be a good thing to have and would earn you beer money if you did simple repairs for other sailors. Stay out of marinas and bars and restaurants and you should good to go for at least 10 years somewhere warm and cheap.

I actually did something like this in my 40s. Bought a cheap old steel boat and had 7 great years out before returning to the chalkface to build up some pension. Now retired and back out cruising again.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I don't think people really know the full cost of full time cruising and living on board , even if you did every thing TQA suggested you be luck not to spend 9k in a full year ,

But if you did all that what the point in cruising ,

www.bluwatersailor5.webs.com

 

[alant]

I am biased as I have owned one and currently have a wooden one but this:

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/boats/s01813/s0813.htm

will certainly keep your options for longer distances open.

At a slightly lower price, there's a nice looking Westerly Fulmar 32', on the same list. Much more room if needed & sails well.

The Vertue in the photo, looks very similar to a Tradewind 35, but obviously much smaller.

 

[chinita]

The Vertue in the photo, looks very similar to a Tradewind 35, but obviously much smaller.

Actually, it is the Tradewind 35 which looks very similar to a Vertue, but obviously much bigger.

 

[charles_reed]

Actually, it is the Tradewind 35 which looks very similar to a Vertue, but obviously much bigger.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg - perhaps the post is a reflection of which he saw first rather than being an incoherent, incompetent historian!!