Now, or later?

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rusty_nail

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Hello All

I've read interesting and useful posts in this forum's archives on two key questions:
1. Which boats are appropriate for living aboard in various circumstances.
2. Whether living aboard is feasible.

I'm going to ask similar questions, but since you always seem to come up with good, new advice for each situation described, I won't apologise (yet) for covering well-trodden ground with my first post. Here goes...

Current Situation
I live in Cyprus, I want to live aboard (alone) and have my eye on a 1983 Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40. Living aboard will mean a 25-mile commute to work Mon-Fri - all highway on an economical motorbike.
Marina mooring will cost CYP£770/year, which is a lot less than my current rent.

Experience
I have been sailing for 23 years, since the age of 7; I began teaching in dinghies, aged 15, and was a member of the British Youth Sailing Squad. Done a bit of yachting, and worked for a charter company for a while. But my yachting experience is only really as crew, and I have neither logs of time spent aboard, nor Yachtmaster/ICC certification. I am currently studying for shore-based Yachmaster certificate, with practical to follow. I have a motor boat certificate from years back for driving rescue boats; I can berth a boat without a problem!

QUESTIONS
1. Can I buy the yacht and live aboard while studying for the practical Yachtmaster qualification, or must I wait?
2. Does the Jeanneau sound practical? I'll probably do some solo/minimum crew sailing in Greek islands during late summer/autumn.


Many thanks
Russell
 
You've got it cracked, cheap moorings, benign weather, decent sized boat, with no doubt fridge, etc. Plus a bike to go to work on in nice weather. Go for it! Qualifications, fine they will all come with time. You already know how to handle a sail, you'll have no problem. A lot of people hereabouts are going to be very jealous. Take care of yourself and enjoy the life you'll love it! Fair winds to you.
 
That's great news!
I wasn't sure if there was a legal obstacle to owning/sailing the boat without having the official qualifications straight away.
Hmm, come to think of it, it's great from one point of view, but, on the other hand, does that mean that anyone can power into the mooring next to mine without knowing how to handle his/her boat? I think I'll invest in some extra, heavy duty fenders!

Thanks for the info.

Russell
 
legal?

the question of having to have a qualification before owning/operating a boat doesn't arise here in the uk but may affect you elsewhere. check your local laws before taking the plunge. otherwise, great idea, boat sounds fine, best not to go for the minimum size/cost as you would have regretted it in time. with that set-up you may not always be alone!!
 
There could be an issue here. You don't say what Nationality you are and we don't generally ask such things on this forum as it is not usually relevant. However, it could be in your situation. Similarly, you do not say what flag your intended boat would sail under.

If you live on a British flagged vessel the vessel will be subject to British Maritime Law, not Greek. British Law does not require you to have any qualification. However, to register a boat in the UK you must be a British subject and, strictly speaking, reside in the UK also. However, even if you are able to register the boat in the UK, if you keep it in Cyprus long-term you may eventually have to re-register it as a Greek vessel. 6 months is the official period in most countries though the clock is re-started each time you leave and come back.

If you are unable to register the boat as British she will be subject to Greek law about which I know nothing. It is possible, however, that some qualification may be required. Best check it out at your end.
 
Ah, I see. Some further investigation is on the cards.

I am British, but I have no intention of registering the vessel in Britain; she will carry a Cypriot flag.

There have been posts on this forum recently on the subject of Greek bureaucracy; well, Cyprus diligently maintains Greek culture in that respect and I imagine I'll make 23 phone calls and visit 6 or 7 government offices before learning that no qualifications are required.
Come to think of it, by the time I complete the survey, finance, transfer of ownership, etc., I'll probably have all the qualifications I'll ever need!

Seriously, thanks for the good advice.

Russell
 
Hi Russell.......just a quickie......what marina are you thinking of and are those prices typical of Cyprus......

thanks
Ian P.
 
You don't need to be a British Subject to register a boat in Britain. EC and Commonwealth citizens can, also people with dependant territories passports. We don' t want to put anyone off!
 
Ian, I am hoping for a mooring at Larnaca marina. It charges CYP£64 per metre of your boat for a 365 day mooring, which is probably why there are no vacancies for 'long-termers' at the moment.

I am actually budgeting CYP£1000 for the year, as VAT is going up here in Cyprus as of 2003, and I expect the mooring fee to go up in the new year, too.

Is the price typical for Cyprus? There are plenty of hotel marinas in the Limassol area, but I'm afraid I do not know exact prices. I believe they are a little more expensive - up to 20% more I'd say.

If you are thinking of heading this way, I'll be happy to do a thorough investigation for you: it certainly won't hurt for me to find out.

All the best
Russell
 
Thanks for reply Russell......we're a couple of years from Cyprus just yet buy brother was out there a couple of months ago....enthused about the place but seemed to think that prices etc were equal to or above UK in general and that marina place's were very much in demand, as you mention. Thanks for the offer.....if your still there in a year or so I may take you up on it....
thanks again
Ian P.
 
Russel, I think that the suggestion for a uk flag (for example on the Small Ships Register) is that a) There is no bureacracy - just fill in the very simple forms b) Tax is only £25 for 5 years and c) Wherever you are the local authorities seem to keep clear of British flags d) in the Med you don't need any sailing qualifications or similar. You just need to register it at an address in the uk.

Chris
 
Hello again Ian

Just to give you a bit of an update on this. Seems Larnaca is not typical. St. Raphael marina in Limassol is, I am told by a broker, roughly twice the price!

More news: there are plans to build another 6 marinas here in Cyprus, adding 1400 spaces. So, by the time you get here, I expect you'll be accommodated at a reasonable price!

Happy travels
Russell
 
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