Old wooden classic as a Liveaboard?

[Mukes]

I thought this question may be best posted in the Liveaboard rather than Classic forum.

We have often talked about "setting off" and have remained put. The recent news of a family member being diagnosed with something nasty a couple of months after retirement has promoted the conversation from one of musing to that of planning.

As our current and first boat is wooden, having more years than our combined ages, the sailing and care of such a vessel for typical hobby use is well appreciated. Unfortunately, despite being more sea worthy than her crew, after living a week on her, we have concluded a little more interior volume is required.

My instinct is to look at GRP boats of which type there are many recommendations for this purpose posted here. This instinct being derived from my current experience of long winter hours ashore spent in maintenance. I'm not sure how this would work when the boat becomes the traveling home. My heart, however, continually focuses my eye on old wooden boats when browsing the offerings on the Internet.

Has anyone any wisdom derived from first or secondhand experience that they could share?

 

[Squeaky]

It seems to me that you are looking for someone to convince you to go against your instincts and hearts desire.

I can sympathize with your wish to buy a wooden boat having had my heart set on a Nicholson 32 or Rival years ago but as I couldn't afford one nor were there any for sale in my area I ended up buying my present boat which I didn't really want or like her looks or style.

However I still own her (20 years +) and am very glad that I was almost forced into buying her as I have since discovered my initial choice was based on looks and either one would have been very uncomfortable compared to my present yacht.

I personally wouldn't own a wooden boat due to the maintenance required and would opt for GRP without any further questions. Which one? Well, that depends on available cash and future plans.

I suspect you realize a wooden yacht is not suitable for your plans and are looking for someone to put forward a good reason to convince you to follow your instinct.

Cheers

 

[absit_omen]

This could be me writing your post!

I have seen your boat and she is lovely. We have a 1963 Vertue - just a little bit more volume than you probably.

We are in a very similar position except that we ALSO own a 46ft steel ketch, built and equipped to go anywhere. Cost the original owner £400k plus. I have sailed her singlehanded in a F8 with not the slightest worry. I have sailed her around the Med and brought her back from Portugal last year where she has languished on Berthon's Brokerage list for over a year.

I have often discussed with friends which one to keep as a liveaboard - or at least for extended cruising in the Baltic etc. They are in no doubt whatsoever that, under the current conditions I should keep the £200k ketch and market her when the cycle moves on.

However, inspite of the size, the conditions, the facilities, the safety, the flexibility - SWMBO wants to live on the Vertue.

Do I dare disagree? Of course not. That is a real triumph of heart over head!

My serious advice is to try, just try, living on Bryher for a few months. I know couples living in much smaller. As far as maintenance goes - what else are you going to do with your time!? The pride of ownership becomes everything in these cases IMO.

There is the old adage 'Don't buy the biggest you can afford but the smallest you can live on'

Good luck.

 

[MrCramp]

I am not really answering your question but noting your location have you considered going to the Yacht Fair" at Levington these next few days?

TAKEN FROM THEIR WEB PAGE....
Used Boat Show - Sail & Power


The yacht and motorboat fair
is the largest boat show on the East Coast
23rd to 26th October 2008

Suffolk Yacht Harbour
Levington, Ipswich
Suffolk


Over 90 used sail and 30 pre-owned motor boats on display
ranging in price from £4,000 to £250,000

A selection of new Jeanneau Yachts and Bavaria Motor Boats available for viewing



Buyers


Unrivalled selection of yachts on site available to view and buy
Helpful and friendly staff
Free entry, catalogue, parking and coffee!
Comprehensive sales particulars on each yacht
Multiple viewings
Impartial advice on buying process, surveys, contracts, finance and insurance
Follow the yellow Yacht Fair signs from the A14
Register your requirements before the show for fast track entry

http://www.interyacht.co.uk/

It gives you an oportunity to see loads of boats in one day and you might find something that will get you thinking! I am going as my son is looking to buy a 26ft-ish yacht.

Having spent hours in many different boatyards and seen people working away on wooden boats, I would go the GRP/Steel route.

One chap lives on his old fishing boat and does not have a house. 25 years ago he was able to repair it. Now he is too old to do it himself and it needs some replanking. You will want to do less maintenance as you get older, not more.

Good Luck.

 

[Mukes]

[ QUOTE ]
I suspect you realize a wooden yacht is not suitable for your plans and are looking for someone to put forward a good reason to convince you to follow your instinct.

[/ QUOTE ]
Absolutely!



[ QUOTE ]
My serious advice is to try, just try, living on Bryher for a few months. I know couples living in much smaller.

[/ QUOTE ]
Crikey, Bryher is only 21' LOD - they must be very friendly couples!


[ QUOTE ]
I am not really answering your question but noting your location have you considered going to the Yacht Fair" at Levington these next few days?

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks - I didn't know that was taking place.

 

[absit_omen]

OK. Go with the head.

There you are! Decision made for you - frozen snot it is /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Twister_Ken]

What do I know about these things? Not much. The downside of wooden boat ownership is always quoted as 'maintenance'. But I'm assuming that is in a typical leisure sailing situation, where the boat is xx miles away, and you've only got weekends to get to her.

If you're living aboard, is it different?

The best way to tackle maintenance is preventatively. Fix it before it gets broke. Living aboard, presumably you can tackle maintenance little, often and early. If that's the case, you may have more to occupy your time than if you were living aboard frozen snot, but at least you'll be doing something you find enjoyable.

(this advice is worth less than you paid for it)

 

[absit_omen]

I agree. I do not regard 'maintenance' as a downside. I love the routine maintenance, trying to make sure everything works as it should do. I love musing over paint and varnish, I love the odd bit of woodwork and strive to match the quality of the original. I get immense satisfaction when the hell hole beneath the engine is finally reasonably clean, I don't mind antifouling on a cold spring day. Of course many of these are common to non wooden boats too and, IMO are even more pleasurable when you, as a liveaboard, have more time to do the job properly.

Where the problem arises is when you have bought a crock of [--word removed--]. Where it is no longer maintenance but survival. That is why I hold very strongly to my belief that you should have the best surveyor to look at a quality designed, well cared for (and loved) boat which has been constructed by a respected yard, in a good era (ie not immediately post war), with some provenance and service history and in the very best materials.

If you can manage all of that, your maintenance should not become an issue.

 

[grumpygit]

I would first think of where you are going to cruise. The colder the climate the more time you will probably spend below, so is it large enough ? Warm/hot climates you will be topside or out and about, but saying that what about all the UV damage to such as varnish, caulking, canvas etc.
How much of your past life do you want to take with you, like creature comforts, is there room.
Victualing, have you enough locker space, apart from everything else you might need.
I personally think there is or can be too much to do as in maintenance on a yacht especially a wooden one, even though you will possibly have the time to do the work. Are fit/willing for the work, or will you have to use professionals to do the more technical jobs for you, so what about the costs that can occur.
As Anteak quoted "There is the old adage 'Don't buy the biggest you can afford but the smallest you can live on" does not suit us we have maybe gone the other way a twee. But each to their own, we chose a heavy glassfibre S /Y with classic lines.

Hope they are a few thoughts for you without starting a
debate,we could no doubt rattle on for ever regarding your posting.




/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[absit_omen]

There is also the adage that you need a foot of boat length for every year of your age!

Rather shoots my original adage down in flames /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[grumpygit]

Blummin' heck do they build em that long ! ? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[absit_omen]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Mukes]

[ QUOTE ]
There is also the adage that you need a foot of boat length for every year of your age!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thus solving the maintenance problem as I would get a new boat every birthday.

 

[absit_omen]

[/ QUOTE ]Thus solving the maintenance problem as I would get a new boat every birthday.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wonder if it works the other way. By downsizing by 21ft should I be feeling very frisky?

 

[Roach1948]

Shall I make the case for wood?

1. Cheaper initial outlay even for a good boat.
2. There is still a good variety on the market to meet your specific voyaging needs.
3. Wood is MUCH easier to repair
4. Better insulated for Winter, many have solid fuel heating fitted (a must for a liveaboard IMHO)
5. Interiors are usually aesthetically warmer and easier to modify and feel more "homely".
6. You know what your are getting into already as you already own a wooden boat. You keep on learning and using your exisiting skills.

In the end it comes down to how you define a liveaboard. If you have some specific voyaging plans, then I don't really feel space is so much of an issue. Two weeks of constant cruising in Roach and it is fine for two people - really! When I want a bigger boat is when I languish in ports. So if you intend to "installment" voyage with long periods in port and/or unattended then maybe GRP. If not, then well, varnishing will become a pleasure in that Med sunshine! And as you know there are few things more satisfying than coming back from the pub seeing your little beauty gleaming and knowing that beer was well deserved.

 

[absit_omen]

I am glad you have arrived on this thread. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[robind]

Anyone can weld, repair fibreglass or ferrocement but wood? Shipwrights and boatbuilders know their worth and charge accordingly as there aren`t many about nowadays. I`d go for steel, after all " a wood boat is just so much firewood unless you get hit by a whale first" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif))

 

[pyrojames]

[ QUOTE ]
It seems to me that you are looking for someone to convince you to go against your instincts and hearts desire.
[snipped]
I personally wouldn't own a wooden boat due to the maintenance required and would opt for GRP without any further questions. Which one? Well, that depends on available cash and future plans.

I suspect you realize a wooden yacht is not suitable for your plans and are looking for someone to put forward a good reason to convince you to follow your instinct.

Cheers

[/ QUOTE ]

I had a wooden boat in OZ that I used for weekends and holiday cruises. Maintenance was time consuming. Moving aboard and living on her and sailing for 18 months made me realise that a using a wooden boat lets her breath and live, and you have more time for maintenance. I arrived in the UK with boat looking beter than when she left OZ.

Having gained a larger family who want more space, I briefly considered plastic boats, but knew that I would never be happy on one, and ended up buying a much larger timber boat.

Maintenance is more, but capital outlay was much less than equivalent plastic boats, and my heart is satisfied.