Which 30' boat for liveaboard in the UK!

Zagato

Zagato

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Just doing research if things go pear shaped with the wife! Thoughts of buying a flat in Chichester to rent and live in Chi Marina mortgage free :D.

Budget of around 30K and accommodation as a priority. A Colvic Watson Atlanta seems to be a good solution. Any other ideas, not sure something modern like a Beneteau would be so good for condensation, long term hard use although accommodation is cavernous.

My sailing will always be limited (seasickness) so it's more about good accommodation in a fairly pleasant environment. The dream of a Tradewind will have to go by the way for a lower draft and a dog house!
 
Not so far away you could get a catamaran and berth at Thornham marina Emsworth might be worth some consideration as a liveaboard option in your situation. Have a look at these for starters
http://www.multihullworld.co.uk/boatdetails.asp?id=12818
http://www.multihullworld.co.uk/boatdetails.asp?id=12447
http://www.multihullworld.co.uk/boatdetails.asp?id=12820
http://www.multihullworld.co.uk/boatdetails.asp?id=12604

all on budget and would have ample living space for one with occasional visitors
 
My first suggestion do not even think about it, 5 years on and with me the **** is still flying. I am coming to the realization it will never get better.

Financially it crippled me I had to start again in my middle age, I had more money when I finished being a student. My career is near irrevocably crippled, I will have to work until I am physically no longer able. Then for a pension heaven knows!

Even seeing my own child is hard work, access is always a battle and constantly being changed. I have had to fight for every minute of access I have with my child, in court. Then again out of court when she try's to avoid whats been set in the court order.

My suggestion is here:
$(KGrHqZHJBYFHyTwqIb7BR9YvIc-Fw~~60_35.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bailey-Senator-Louisiana-2008-4-berth-Fixed-Island-Bed-Twin-Axle-Touring-Caravan-/171186642173

Do not worry about which site you find most have a nominal divorced man on it, the one I was on ended up with quite a few.

After 3 1/2 years in mine, through the cold winters the last few years. I suppose walk ashore with power might be OK but staggering back onboard in the ice, cold and wind after afew beers.

I not so long ago finally managed to buy a house, (be careful here it can make getting a mortgage difficult). She now wants me back in court shortly as she again wants more money. That is not my caravan, I keep it just in case I have to move back in!

If your going to buy a boat make it a blue-water cruiser and just leave... If I had my passport and papers with the email I received on my last day sail... It might off been a slight tad longer than a day....
 
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Zagato said:
Just doing research if things go pear shaped with the wife! Thoughts of buying a flat in Chichester to rent and live in Chi Marina mortgage free :D.

Budget of around 30K and accommodation as a priority. A Colvic Watson Atlanta seems to be a good solution. Any other ideas, not sure something modern like a Beneteau would be so good for condensation, long term hard use although accommodation is cavernous.

My sailing will always be limited (seasickness) so it's more about good accommodation in a fairly pleasant environment. The dream of a Tradewind will have to go by the way for a lower draft and a dog house!
Click to expand...

Chichester Marina doesn't allow liveaboards. From the Marina regulations:

12. No Living Aboard Boats
12.1 No person or persons shall be permitted to reside aboard any Boat nor shall a
Boat be used as a houseboat. This restriction shall not prevent residence aboard a Boat
during a period of holiday for the purposes of that holiday. In any event, no person may
reside aboard any Boat for more than forty days in any twelve month period unless with
the express written permission of the Marina Manager. At no time shall any Boat be hired
out or rented to third parties for residential purpose
 
I don't think Chichester Marina would be keen and don't think it a good choice anyway - expensive, remote and restricted - but no marina will say OK to liveaboards if asked, the trick is not to ask !

Just try to find out the score from boat owners.

There are some in the area where liveaboards are quietly tolerated as long as they are discreet; after all they should be a bonus, re security and looking after boats etc out of hours.
 
A yacht that size is not designed for permanent living aboard, although people do live on them and on even smaller boats. (I spent a year living during the week on an old 26ft boat when I was younger). You have to adjust your lifestyle to fit what you have which typically means reducing your possessions to an absolute minimum and recognising that you have little space for visitors and your living space has to be multi purpose. Most important if you are going to live on a boat and follow any form of conventional working life is to find a berth that is walk ashore at all states of the tide and close to facilities such as toilets and showers.

Moving up a size, as suggested to 33-36ft widens possibilities out of all proportion to the increase in costs of buying and running the boat. The possibility of separate cabins and the ability to have visitors (children?) to stay becomes real. A centre cockpit such as the Moody already suggested or similar Westerlys from the 1970s are easily found in the under £30k range. Motor sailors are attractive as they have wheelhouses, but there is arguably less choice. You really have to look at a range of different types of boats to get a feel for what you could live with. Important, I think to buy a functioning boat rather than one that needs work as it gives you a degree of flexibility if your circumstances change.

If you do a scan down the Liveaboard forum you will find this subject comes up regularly and there are lots of useful posts from people who have done just what you are planning.
 
Thanks for the feedback it's 50/50 if we seperate or not and all amicable - we don't even bicker. Everything would be split down the middle so I can buy a flat and boat mortgage free and she would still be able to buy something with the kids and I could visit regularly, help do the school run etc. Luckily I have already sorted a double garage for my classic cars, tools etc where one is already kept. We have the relevant documents ready and have discussed various options but it will all depend once I have done the house up for sale and split one of the rooms to gain extra revenue. Realistically I think we will put the house up for sale in maybe 3/4 months time or when we have sorted new accommodation etc. We have known each other since we were 16 so 30 years on I think it's fair she has had enough of me! The main thing is that the kids are not affected too much, luckily they are used to me being away on my boat and away at weekends doing my own thing. Mummy and Daddy would still be friendly, we have never been the luvved up type, me anyway...

Thanks for the boat feedback and I'll have a look at the links. I don't really want a very big boat 32-35 feet is plenty big enough, I still want to sail and bert it on my own. As Tranona says I need to look at a few. I was really looking forward to trailer sailing and not having the hassles and cost of a big boat but it's got to be better than a park home of caravan. I called Chi Marina a while ago and they said they do allow liveaboards but I need to write to the manager. It's pretty conveniant straight into town, with very good facilities BUT if you know of anywhere cheaper not to far from Chichester Ideas would be welcome.

I am just covering myself at the moment and investigating a new life as it appears we are heading that way!
 
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Hiya Zagato.

We bought out 1977 Moody 33 in Chichester Marina where she was being lived on in 1998. We moved aboard ourselves after moving to Haslar Marina. Sailed off into the sunset 1999.

Been aboard ever since. Great yacht to live aboard!

Hope this helps.

CS
 
Zagato said:
Thanks for that Capn. What about osmosis on older boats, I suppose you just have the hull re-done similar to needing a new roof if it's needed!
Click to expand...

Not a problem so far for us. Given up sanding off old antifouling, there must be 30 or more coats! Not a smooth surface but not bothered. We have sailed to many places at possibly .2 of a knot slower. It made no difference in Venezuela!

Looking around a few marinas over the years, older Westerlies and Moodys are quite often in use as live on boats.

Good luck!
 
Seajet said:
Chichester Marina remote and restricted
Click to expand...

really? why do you say that? Birdham Pool would be a better option imo, if you are going to liveaboard at least it won't look like a NCP carpark outside :D As Seajet says, the trick is not to ask

Tranona said:
A yacht that size is not designed for permanent living aboard, although people do live on them and on even smaller boats.
Click to expand...

...and those people can be very happy, cheaper mooring, everything to hand, easy to manage :D
 
Are you a die hard Raggie? The room on a mobo of similar size is out of all proportion, but it depends on what you want out of it. Tbh, when I was in your situation, I went straight for a princess 37... masses of room, cabins for each child, but crippling to actually run, so she just stayed on the marina. Depends on your disposable income I guess.
 
Zagato said:
Just doing research if things go pear shaped with the wife! Thoughts of buying a flat in Chichester to rent and live in Chi Marina mortgage free :D.

Budget of around 30K and accommodation as a priority. A Colvic Watson Atlanta seems to be a good solution. Any other ideas, not sure something modern like a Beneteau would be so good for condensation, long term hard use although accommodation is cavernous.

My sailing will always be limited (seasickness) so it's more about good accommodation in a fairly pleasant environment. The dream of a Tradewind will have to go by the way for a lower draft and a dog house!
Click to expand...

Re the seasickness-have you tried a catamaran which is unbelievably better than a monohull in this respect and accomodation per £ is better also. Only downside is that you may pay a bit more in marinas.
 
simon barefoot said:
Are you a die hard Raggie? The room on a mobo of similar size is out of all proportion, but it depends on what you want out of it. Tbh, when I was in your situation, I went straight for a princess 37... masses of room, cabins for each child, but crippling to actually run, so she just stayed on the marina. Depends on your disposable income I guess.
Click to expand...

Had a pal with a thirsty motorboat. He'd fill it up at the beginning of the season, and when he got the tank down to quarter-full, that would be the end of that year's sailing. Start over the following year.
 
Loads of people live aboard at Chi with no problems at all. Remote & restricted? No idea what that is about. It is a lovely place to keep a boat & and there are two liveaboards on my pontoon alone. You could look at a Westerly Fulmar or a Corsair in that price bracket both nice boats with good accomodation and not full of condensation.

Di
 
simon barefoot said:
Are you a die hard Raggie? The room on a mobo of similar size is out of all proportion, but it depends on what you want out of it. Tbh, when I was in your situation, I went straight for a princess 37... masses of room, cabins for each child, but crippling to actually run, so she just stayed on the marina. Depends on your disposable income I guess.
Click to expand...

Exactly so. I have a 34 ft elderly sailing boat (1985) and a 26 ft old motorboat (1973). The living space in the 26 footer is vast by comparison. Because it has a relatively small displacement hull it doesn't cost a fortune to run.
 
I agree with the comments to go a bit bigger. After many years with a westerly 31 we moved to a 36. Unbelievable the amount of extra space for just 5' increase in size. Handles just as easily as the 31 under power in marina situations. At sea it is noticeably more powerful but still doable for single handing - just have to think everything through in advance.
 
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