what boat for a live aboard?

[Raptor69]

now I am sure you could come up with a million suggestions but here are my needs.

2 adults wife and I as crew

port in oceanside California with coastal sailing nothing like going to Hawaii just this minute

this is a live aboard I cannot afford new but I would like to work with about a 80k price.

[camaraderie]

Look at sailboats...step aboard...buy one you both like within your budget...they will ALL work for your needs. Just get a good survey..condition of boat is FAR more important than brand or model.

[sailingdog]

Lots of boats out there would do what you want. Look for something in the 30-37' range... anything smaller will be difficult for liveaboard use for two adults. I'd recommend you reserve about 15-20% of your budget for updating, refitting, repairing any boat you purchase.

[bestfriend]

Yes, hit the brokers. 80k would get you a very nice older Catalina 36 with money to spare.

[Raptor69]

Catalina was the brand I was looking at they are extremely plentiful around here I was looking for the 40' range is this alittle too ambitious for a crew of two?

[uspirate]

Originally Posted by Raptor69

Catalina was the brand I was looking at they are extremely plentiful around here I was looking for the 40' range is this alittle too ambitious for a crew of two?

It'll be roomy enough for you but will eat up alot or your 80k. let CD chime in on this.

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by Raptor69

Catalina was the brand I was looking at they are extremely plentiful around here I was looking for the 40' range is this alittle too ambitious for a crew of two?

Raptor...you will get contrary advice but I say...buy the size boat that you both can see yourselves comfortable on. It is no more difficult to handle a 40 footer than a 35 footer and though most people start small and work their way up...you end up losing a lot of $$ buying and selling boats. Get the boat you want and then pay someone to teach you to sail it.
Note that the ANNUAL expense of a 40 footer is likely to be 25% or more greater than a 35 footer...so be sure you can handle more than just the purchase price when deciding on a size boat.
Also...nothing is for free...an 80k 40 footer will be older and in poorer condition than and 80k 35 footer. Fixing stuff on boats is three times more expensive than fixing the same stuff on land.

[Raptor69]

thanks for the help I never realized that there would be such a large increase in maintenance cost from 35-40'

[thesnort]

Hi Raptor,
I happen to know the Oceanside Marina a bit and it seems that there's a long, long waiting list for a liveaboard slip. It would certainly help to know someone in this case. There are some sneakaboards there, but they're cracking down, from what I've heard.

[m2736185]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Raptor...you will get contrary advice but I say...buy the size boat that you both can see yourselves comfortable on. It is no more difficult to handle a 40 footer than a 35 footer and though most people start small and work their way up...you end up losing a lot of $$ buying and selling boats. Get the boat you want and then pay someone to teach you to sail it.
Note that the ANNUAL expense of a 40 footer is likely to be 25% or more greater than a 35 footer...so be sure you can handle more than just the purchase price when deciding on a size boat.
Also...nothing is for free...an 80k 40 footer will be older and in poorer condition than and 80k 35 footer. Fixing stuff on boats is three times more expensive than fixing the same stuff on land.

I have to ask how would a 5 foot increase have an increase of 25% in expense? What does this 25% account for? Dock space? Paint?