MFV's as liveaboards

[larimar]

MFV\'s as liveaboards

Hello to everyone out there.
I'm planning on sailing away from it all in six years time (solo) and have loads of questions on liveaboards. I am completely new to sailing having only past my competent crew course at the moment and only having put to sea before that in ribs and small fishing vessels over the past few years. I will be posting more naive questions which will probably raise a giggle or two but would very much appreciate your honest replies.
Ok so heres the first question
Having trawled through endless sites over the past year I am still undecided on the type of boat to do it on. I am drawn to the coverted MFV / Trawler type boats but wonder about stability of the vessel after sail has been fitted. Does the boat also have some type of keel fitted to counteract the sail or is this not necessary.


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[snowleopard]

Re: MFV\'s as liveaboards

you would need to get a naval architect to do the stability calculations necessary. it has been done, there is a square rigger chartering in scottish waters which was converted from an mfv.

a fishing boat would give you lots of space but would use a lot of diesel and be unpopular in marinas.

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[Sunnyseeker]

Re: MFV\'s as liveaboards

One thing worth considering is the cost of haul out...as you will need it at some time or other. Probably in a country where you cant use the tide to dry out on the beach either.
The fact is you wont know exactly what you want until you've been out there for a year, a lot of people we met changed boats during or after their 1st trip. Keep it simple, and dont worry too much about what your in, you can always change.
Visit other boats, go aboard and ask lots of questions.


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[charles_reed]

Costs

Great, once you've done the conversion, but maintenance, berthing and fuel costs are out of all proportion to other leisure boats.

However boat-owning and economic commonsense never are bedfellows.

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[Paragon]

Re: MFV\'s as liveaboards

FWIW I've always like the MFV conversion as a permanent liveaboard as well.

The things that concerned me were maintenance (being wood) there's a lot of boat to maintain. As many places seem to be going down the marina route and the anchoring / lying against a wall seems to be a "pleasure" of the past, the cost (& acceptability, as mentioned above) of a 40-50' MFV would be substantial.

Lastly the ability to handle such a vessel singlehanded was the final hurdle, underway no problem, anchoring no problem but trying to manoevre and moor up in a crowded harbour would be entertaining (particularly to onlookers!) in anything but perfect conditions, dont forget most are single screw without bow thrusters and require a degree of skill to handle in close quarters.

I didn't consider the cost of fuel as being prohibitive as they have big tanks and typically slow reving diesel engines that are not too thirsty. Range inevitably would be a limiting factor to cruising, although they could carry a number of drums perhaps.

So I think great boats but need perhaps more money and crew! Perhaps members with experience of an MFV conversion could provide more qualified views!


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[milltech]

Re: MFV\'s as liveaboards

I love them, but my advice would be, buy one that someone else has converted, got a couple of years out of and is moving on. The conversion costs are always more than the boats are worth!

Single screw handling is not too hard. The inertia of going from stop is quite high, so with full rudder and loads of power in one direction at least, you will turn fast without adding much speed. Marinas however will be a no-no to you without a bow thruster or the pain of always asking for, and not often getting, a hammerhead.



<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com