Living Aboard Your Craft

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Good friend fairly new to boating is looking to change career, he is looking to replace his current boat for something larger to live aboard for at least three years, so is looking for advice on boats and what to fit or not fit.

Thought this suitable for discussions to obtain ideas as he only needs access to the internet to work.
 
some questions

Hi, good post..some questions

Does he want to move it a lot from place to place or use it as a houseboat?

What is his current boat and how much bigger is bigger?
 
There is a liveaboard forum where this topic comes up regularly. There is a thread running at the moment.

As already indicated the type of boat depends on what his ambitions are. Once you get away from houseboats on inland waterways and want a boat that can undertake longer passages, then the majorit (but not all) choose sailing cruisers or motorsailers.

Almost impossible to give more than general advice anyway as there are so many choices, reflecting individual personal preferences.
 
Liveaboard forum is the best bet, but for what it's worth I spent five years aboard my now 23yr old princess 385. My other half has recently bought a bricks and mortar residence so I'm not now a full time liveaboard, but still probably spend half my time on the boat.

Personally, I love the lifestyle and boat - I'm lucky to have a puka residential mooring with phone line, Internet and sat tv -a bit like hens teeth on the Thames though I'm afraid.

There's too much to go into here, I could ramble on for hours. If you do have any specific questions, though, I'd be happy to help.
 
To answer some of the questions:

He currently has a Fairline Phantom 12.5 metre of around 04/05 vintage, and has been boating for about 2 years, and is now addicted. His current craft has 2 cabins and he would like at least 3, maybe 3 and crew quarters, or 4 cabins so the children and grand children can come and stay.

He will be travelling mainly offshore and cruising, and forays into inland waterways will be brief. He has no real preferences as to planing or displacement, space and practicality are more important to him as he has sold his current house to downsize and has nearly completed a deal on a much smaller property now the offspring have flown the nest.

Really he is after peoples thoughts and opinions in all aspects of living aboard, what to have, and what he may need and have overlooked.
 
If he thinks he needs 3 cabins + a decent sized 4th cabin (as opposed to a coalhole), then he needs to look at boats 50ft+. Its difficult to make suggestions without knowing a budget but if it were me in this situation, I'd be looking for a boat with a large master cabin with a domestic sized bed and good storage and that probably means an aft cabin boat. Maybe something like a large Trader or Dutch steel cruiser
 
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