Motor Boats

[Ticktock]

Does anyone live aboard a motor boat? We have a C-Kip 38 and would like to become full time live aboards, are there any people who could offer us some advice, we intend selling up, we don't have lots of money to fall back on so any help would be most welcome.

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[tcm]

mobos

main probs longterm living on mobos are

1) limited range - you can get to the med but not across the atlantic - but still, that's enough for many people anyway.

2) high dependency upon staying in marinas - because most mobos have no keel and hence nod and bob about unlike the same length sailing boat with a big keel to damp the movement at anchor, so it's not feasible to stay at anchor as much as it is with a sailing boat, and it's never as comfortable.

3) high depreciation caused by using engine for significantly more than 100 hours per year.

4) higher dependency upon acvces to engineering help - unless your a diesel mechanic, you need to have servicing and this adds significantly to overall costs.

Accept and work around these drawbacks and the mobo wil be comfier than a similar sized sailing boat. I would gues that over 95% of liveboards are on sailing boats and in the terms of "getting away from it all" - nearer 100%. Mobos as liveaboards are roomy and fine if the thing is ancient and hardly moves very much.



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[mainshiptom]

Yes I live on board allthough not full time but most weekdays ! What would you like to know?

Tom

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[Nauti Fox]

Live aboard a 40 ft mobo.Firstly,love it and wish I'd thought of it many years ago.We try and use it most weekends (engines permitting)and also for holidays,but remember its now your home so if anything happens and you can't get back for work etc,you can't just leave it there. Check the electrical system is ok and expect things to fail as usage is far higher.For instance the element in the water heater failed which isn'nt normally a drama,but think of it as no hot water at home and it takes on a different meaning.We try and double up on important systems(freshwater pump etc)
Mobo's tend to have more space for other things like washing machines etc.One drawback on ours is that to do any major work on the engines (frequent on ours but re engineing when the red diesel issue is sorted out)the saloon floor has to come up so Mrs Unit 18 has to spend time away(a drawback did I say?).
But every morning we have a great view,feel far more relaxed and have brilliant friends.If you are in the Kent area give me a PM and you're more than welcome to pop round.

Regards, Al.




<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.

 

[traceyandsteve]

Hi we lived aboard our princess about 4 years ago for a couple of years, the worst bit was icey potoons but apart from that it was great. now we just stay weekends due to work, however we would like to take off for a few years down to the med if its possible / feasable in a motor boat.
steve

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[castlevar]

Hi Ticktock
No problem your boat is suitable for liveaboard and long distance cruising not the atlantic but you have sufficent range to cross Biscay in one hop.
We cruised for about 10 years in a similar boat a 34 1980 trader going every year from N Ireland to france Spain and Portugal crossing from Arklow in Southern Ireland to the North coast of Spain.
We of course cruised at 6-7 knots fitted a steady sail and before we sold the boat we fitted stopper floppers very good.
I built a 13mtr steel boat 3 years ago and decided that we would not return home every year so we are not in Rome for the winter.
Yes our boat has the range to cross the Atlantic 4000 nm but so far resisted the temptation
Good sailing Geoff

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[beachbum]

Please explain to an ignorant raggie

Apologies for totally changing the subject - but what on earth are "stopper floppers"?

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I am nobody.
Therefore I am perfect.</font size=1> /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Please explain to an ignorant raggie

Weighted boards that are dropped over each side of the boat, and hinged, so they pull tight when dragged upwards, and flop when going down. Stops the boat rolling as much when at anchor

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[beachbum]

Re: Please explain to an ignorant raggie

Ah, my mentor BrendanS again!
Thanks.

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I am nobody.
Therefore I am perfect.</font size=1> /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[castlevar]

Hi All
flopper stoppers are hydro vanes weigh about 20 kilo and are fitted to booms approx 6mtrs long one out each side of the boat.
suspended from the booms are the hydrovanes approx 4mtrs below the surface when you roll to port the port vanes dives and starboard one flattens and visa versa.
They are very good reducing rolling to 10deg the down side they reduce speed by approx 1/2 knot.
there is also one to use at anchor which is like a garden riddle fitted with a non return valve hope this helps.
Geoff

<hr width=100% size=1>geoff