Taking the Plunge

[Fire99]

Hi Everyone,

Well i'm back seriously considering buying a live-aboard since i seem to spend more time on my boat than at home and since its just me i thought what the heck.

Anyway, this is all subject to change once the finances are calculated more accurately but i'm currently keeping my liveaboard choices to motor cruisers (as the accommodation seems more airy than a sailer which you feel more in the depths of things)
On having a browse i've stumbled on the Princess 37 or possibly the 33 if the extra 4ft i could live without.

Price im looking at is a purchase price absolute max of £50k (makes your eyes water) and if i can find anything significantly cheaper then mores the better.

Also i may have to handle her single handed which i dont find too daunting since nothing can be harder manouver around a marina than a single sterndrive boat like my current one but whatever i buy does need to be realistic for me to handle.
I'm in my early 30's so im pretty agile. Also the boat needs to be able to tackle the East coast and channel crossings without too much drama with a decent sea range.

Main priority is a good double berth size and some provisions for a couple of sleep-over guests from time to time and reasonable entertaining space.

Any advice on this is always appreciated as if it all comes to frutrition will be the biggest change i've made so far.

Many thanks,

Nick

 

[BrokerBen]

I live on a 41 foot 1966 sailing boat with my partner. Not the most spacious of places, but sails well and we're happy enough.

If you would like space, and perhaps something a bit different I can recommend this:

http://www.boattraderpro2.net/fullspecsomo01.asp?btsrefno=7335

I personally listed it and photographed it. Lovelly boat, with stacks of room. Needs some paint in the cabins and some new cushions, but is ready to take to the high seas and has all the space you'll ever need.

Modern(ish) volume produced boats are made with veneers and fibre-boards, and soon look tired and aged when in constant use. If you get something with some pedegree you'll also get something which will last, and will look after you should anything untoward happen /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Just my 2p

 

[Bajansailor]

Mudlark does look rather fine, and the details you have posted are pretty comprehensive - however I could not find any info on her method of construction..... I am assuming that she has a steel hull and superstructure?

 

[BrokerBen]

Crikey! I will update that /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

She's Burmese Teac on Oak, with steel superstructure. Looks hard as nails, and has real character.

Teac deck with recent canvas convering for water-tight reasons.

Any other questions give me a shout!

 

[Fire99]

Thanks for the info guys..
I do however have a wood phobia when it comes to boats. My previous boat had wooden topsides and got the dreaded dry-rot. Cost me a fortune and i seriously lost the boat bug for a good while. I was always told with wooden boats you need to be either 'Rich or Retired'

Hence why i'm looking at slightly less labour intensive materials.

thanks for the info though.

regards,

Nick