Living aboard in the Med for a while

[chinita]

Getting to and from the med in one season will not leave you much time in the med if any. I would consider buying down here. There are exceptional deals to be had and 50% offers have been accepted. Boat here will be equipped for med. Uk boats more likely to have a heater than a bimini. NB never had a watermaker, never had a problem getting water, do have a good filter for drinking water.

I agree. I have bought three boats in the Med (actually, the last one in Portugal).

The last one was from a couple retiring from sailing. Completely sorted to climatic conditions and well maintained over their ten year ownership.

A bargain, and if I were selling, I would market it as a holiday home.

 

[tomski]

Point taken...and search goes on found a 32 footer that is made of steel though it is of narrow design (van der vlis) so suspect very seaworthy but less so on comfort, its well within budget (as mentioned 10k is my limit), and the design and build appeals to me well we'll see...quest goes on

 

[paulingreece]

Hi Tomski, Sigma 33 here 11250, http://www.ibagreece.com/pages/en/details.php?type=1&catid=379

Worth a look.

 

[chinita]

Point taken...and search goes on found a 32 footer that is made of steel though it is of narrow design (van der vlis) so suspect very seaworthy but less so on comfort, its well within budget (as mentioned 10k is my limit), and the design and build appeals to me well we'll see...quest goes on

There is probably a very good reason why this 32ft steel boat is well within your £10k budget.

 

[wetzel]

Here is a nicholson 35 1983 VAT paid and a fantastic inventory worth looking at.
http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boati...ats_for_sale/181204/?searchid=&page=&preview=

 

[chinita]

Here is a nicholson 35 1983 VAT paid and a fantastic inventory worth looking at.
http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boati...ats_for_sale/181204/?searchid=&page=&preview=

A bit out from his £10k budget.

 

[Tranona]

A bit out from his £10k budget.

And it is in Scotland - long way from the Med! Interesting price is indicative - as it is about £10k overpriced - no matter how nice it is!

 

[little_roundtop]

Med liveaboard

We've been in the Greece/Turkey area (full-time) for 7 years now. It can often be difficult and expensive to find spares for "unusual" boats or engines and it can be equally difficult to find good people who you can trust to undertake repairs that are beyond your own skills.

We have discovered that SWMBO is quite happy to live the "gipsy" life in the summer months with their sunny days and warm evenings. But in the winter (which as someone else mentioned can be stormy) she wants the safety and comfort of a marina.

We therefore live two lives, the sea-gipsy life in the summer and effectively in a houseboat in the winter. SWMBO is able to tolerate the "uncertainties" of summer life because she knows that in the winter she'll be living a more "normal" life. We also winter in the same place every year for that reason.

Winter is also the best time for maintenance and repairs, in a marina you can often find other yachties who have the skills and/or experience you need to fix your problem. Plus, having a fixed address for 6 months makes it easier to get spares sent out etc.

 

[TQA]

Lots of boats around and deals to be had.

Not sure about that Nic 35 as a great liveaboard though.

Inadequate solar only 105w 300 to 400 watts min IMHO.

Life raft out of date.

Small alternator at 66amps - 100 better.

She should outsail many a liveaboard though.

 

[tomski]

Well seems I found what could be a suitable yacht? She's a Highwayman 30, steel ketch designed by John Teale. Its a center cockpit with an aft cabin almost 10ft beam and double ended...what say you? I'm not familiar with the design but the owner assures me she's a very seaworthy design, been out in a 8-9 blow without probs and much bigger inside than a traditional sloop...she comes with all the usual liveaboard kit (large tanks, fridge, microwave etc) and has a beautifull wheelhouse made out of mahogany so looks the part....apparently first launched early 90s so not too old for a steel yacht...

So keen to hear any opinion on her or generally liveaboardability on such a yacht

 

[Tradewinds]

This one?

Highwayman 30

 

[Tranona]

Bit of an oddball boat. Probably the only one (or one of a tiny number) built. John Teale was a popular designer for armchair builders in his time, but few boats likely to have been completed so won't be much to go on. Has all the ingredients to be a good boat for economical living aboard, but much will depend on how well it is put together.

Such boats are usually built by people who don't like (or can't afford) "normal" production boats, or both so are unlikely to appeal to a broad market. Therefore probably cheap for what you get in terms of size and equipment. Steel has its advantages for toughness, but can deteriorate rapidly if neglected. Wood for superstructure not probably a good idea in hot climates from the maintenance point of view.

 

[tomski]

Highwayman 30

Yep thats the one...

 

[Tranona]

Potentially good for the canals, but likely to be miserable in the Med as enclosed and little outside living space. Difficult to get everything into such a short boat so you have to decide on priorities.

 

[Etesian]

We have been sailing the Mediterranean for the past 5 years from Spain to Turkey. Love it all. The cheapest area to sail is Greece. Marina's average less than 8 euro a night. France marina's average about 35 euro a night. Italy can be extremely expensive especially in August with ports as much as 150 euro a night. But there are plenty of anchorages. Turkey has some of the best bays and country, especially south of Marmaris. We love it there.

If you are planning to anchor out a lot or sail in Greece, I would strongly recommend solar pannels if you want refrigeration. You can then avoid having to run the engine and going into marina's.

My recommendation is take it slow. Go less distance than you expect. Don't try and sail the entire lengeth of the Mediterranean in a summer. Good luck. You will love it.

 

[gavin_lacey]

This is a uk spec boat. It would be horrible in the med. Sitting in that wheelhouse with the temp outside at 33 and strong sun would not be nice, probably unbearable. As already stated you need a med spec boat for the med. Big open cockpit with bimini. Lots of large hatches.

 

[vas]

+1

you need ample semi-open space, else there's no point in being down here!
In this particular boat you'll need an air-con to survive (I know it's not an option!)

just don't do it

 

[V1701]

If your budget is £10k you could do a lot worse than an Albin Vega, especially if neither of you is too tall (saloon headroom is 5'8"). You'll get one for £8k leaving a few grand to spend on kit. It will get you there safely (tough & fast), draught only 1.2 so fine for canals, big cockpit and comfortable for its size (2 big settees in saloon, good sized forward bunk, loads of storage space). Might be worth a PM to BobnLesley who spent time on one in the Eastern Med, theirs may be for sale there...
Yachtsnet Archive page...
One for sale here £8.5k with a nice new engine...

 

[tomski]

The Vega looks a nice yacht indeed but I am 6'6 so not too small infact lol...I know I'm stuffed whichever way in terms of height but being an ex submariner I'm used to small spaces...also looking at a Prospect 900 now too, seems a very good exterior space and reasonable interior for 2 + dog...draws 1.5m so not too bad hopefully but like her 'style'

 

[Cariadco]

Good Value, sorted yachts.

Have a butcher's at what Sailing Holidays (here in Corfu) have, currently, for sale:

http://www.sailingholidays.com/news-detail.asp_Q_RecordID_E_5663


They'll all be fully sorted and reliable.

Regards.