"Powerboater" looking to get into sail

[arghhh]

I am in the navy and currently living aboard a 505' "powerboat" and wanting to live aboard and costal cruise on a 30' - 40' foot sailboat with my wife. I was out today looking at sailbots around San Diego and have some questions about a boat.

It's a 32' Pearson 323.

We are just learning to sail, how do they handle and how forgiving are they?

Would it be comfortable to live aboard with my wife? We are well adjusted to not having a house load of crap, we just have computers.

Not sure of what else to ask. Thanks.

-Jeff

[CBinRI]

I am responding only because others haven't. I haven't sailed on the 323 specifically but have sailed on a lot of Pearsons and am familiar with their reputation. It is a very good boat for the money and I found my Pearson to be very well-built. I have only heard good things about the 323. Try the "review" resource on this board.

As to the liveaboard aspect, trust your instincts, but IMHO, a couple has to get along very well to live on that size boat. Also, make sure the berths are big enough to accommodate you. Good luck.

[eryka]

Originally Posted by CBinRI

As to the liveaboard aspect, trust your instincts, but IMHO, a couple has to get along very well to live on that size boat.

We just had this conversation with some liveaboard couple friends. My take on it, after living aboard a 33-footer year-round for 4 years now, is that there are 2 basic areas to consider. The first is the 'possessions' or tangible side of the equation - what is your comfort quotient, what does it take to make you feel like you aren't camping out? It sounds like you've given this some thought, if you live without a houseful of things. The second is the space, courtesy, respect you need to give each other. You cant' give physical privacy (lets face it, can't very well pretend not to hear the sound of running water in the head), but you give each other psychological privacy (no shoulder surfing!). That's the kind of space & respect I mean. Yes you have to like each other, but if you don't why are you still in the relationship, on land or water?

[arghhh]

Originally Posted by eryka

You cant' give physical privacy (lets face it, can't very well pretend not to hear the sound of running water in the head), but you give each other psychological privacy (no shoulder surfing!). That's the kind of space & respect I mean.

I can understand what you are saying by that, we get along pretty well and respect each other to understand when someone needs some space. I think the biggest hurdle for my wife would be the Marina showers. Being in the military I can pretty much shower anywhere, but for her I wonder how easy it was to adjust.

As far as stuff goes, I have never really had a house full of anything. It makes it very hard to move when you get new orders. I'm not really too worried about the stuff aspect.

I appreciate all the advice.

-Jeff

[eryka]

Originally Posted by arghhh

I think the biggest hurdle for my wife would be the Marina showers.
-Jeff

I guess this is the place where you identify what makes it feel like 'camping out,' whatever that means for you, and work to eliminate it. If walking back from the marina showers at 6 am with a wet towel over her shoulder is the deal-breaker for your wife, then make a head with onboard shower (maybe and electric hot water heater) one of the requirements for your boat.

We've learned in a pinch to make 100 gal of water last a month for cooking, dishwashing, and showers onboard. If I need a real 'spa treatment' I use the marina shower and just stand under the hot water and let it run for about 10 minutes. Ahhh...

[arghhh]

I saw the boat today and put an offer in. She has the potential to be beautiful with a bit of love. It seems like she has every extra they offered and it was detailed less than a year ago. Here is to hoping everything falls into place and the survery dosen't reveal anything major.

[sailingdog]

Two families I know of are living aboard 30' sailboats, with a single child each... so it is doable...

I hope you had a good survey done...and wish you luck with the boat.

If you're not going to be going "cruising" and need to keep a day job, the storage space might be an issue—especially if you need to wear non-casual business wear for work. Just something to keep in mind.

Also, each of you need to have a space on the boat that is just "yours". This space must be respected...otherwise, you'll probably end up trying to kill each other.