Buying my first boat for liveaboard (Hunter 33 Cherubini 1978)

[dodgydingo]

I am thinking of placing an offer on a 1978 Hunter 33 Cherubini. I had spoken before in the forums asking about other boats..that were much costlier and better suited for liveaboards but I found a small affordable boat I would be very happy with.

-Is it reasonable to expect to live aboard a Hunter.. I know its not a bluewater boat nor that large but the previous owner was a cabinet maker and the interior is just packed with teak cupboards which I am thrilled about.

-I am thinking it might take some creativity is finding a place for my cats litter box. Am I okay leaving my cat alone in my boat while I am away at work. Can I leave electric heating on in the boat for her during the winter or is that unsafe?

-How much could I expect in trailering fees to get this boat to my Marina.. it is roughly 300km (186miles) away.

Just some of my many questions running through my head before I speak with the finance guys tomorrow and go through with an offer.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[sailingdog]

A Cherubini Hunter 33 is not a bad boat, better than many other choices, including other Hunters IMHO. It should be reasonably to liveaboard for a single person and cat. The litter box may be a problem, but many cats have adapted to life aboard a boat.

The electric heater in the winter-time might be an issue, since it is a serious fire hazard.

As for moving the boat, recent quotes and threads have suggested a rough cost of about $5 per mile for moving it, so you're probably looking at about a grand to do so.

[camaraderie]

Cherubini Hunters are pretty well built and are just fine for your purposes. Decent sailing boats too!
If you have a good AC electric system installed on the boat and dockside power, there is no problem using heaters on board while you are off the boat. . Just don't get any that get really hot in case something gets dragged or falls into it while you are away. Oil flled heaters are probably the safest and if you are going to leave them on full time, they are a good choice.
Cat's are fine left alone with a litter box unless you have one that likes to tear things up. You might be able to leave a port open to allow comings and goings and keep the litterbox outside under the bimini or dodger as interior boxes can really make for a bad smelling boat.
Can't help on the trailer fees. Good luck!

[sailingdog]

Cam's point about the oil-filled electric radiators is a good one, and probably the safest choice of heaters for a boat.

[sanjuan2R]

How many Hunter models did Cherubini design?
Just wondering because most brokers don't even know the designer of the boats they are attempting to sell. [Nothing against brokers, I realize they have a boat
to sell for an income]

Astoria
S/V Doodles
C&C 27

[sailingdog]

IIRC, Cherubini designed the Hunter 25, 27, 30, 33, 36, 37 Cutter and teh hull of the 54. The Hunter 25 was his first design for Hunter and was quite successful. The Cherubini designs seem to be a bit better regarded than most of the designs that followed until the most recent spate of Hunters.