Hello everyone..
I'm totally new to this... I currently do not and have never owned a boat before, and have rarely been on a boat, and never a sailboat. I'm interested in living aboard one day soon but am concerned about the cost. I can easily manage with the compact lifestyle as even now I barely have any possessions, I never watch television. I like the idea of being more self sufficient , to survive more independently on my own. I'm also single and have no children so that's a really big advantage and I think makes more sense to do this now then when I'm older (I'm 29..). I have always been kind of a "hermit-crab" , but also think meeting other people
with similar interests would be great.
Anyways although this idea excites me a great deal, **I'm also pretty nervous about it**, but I guess I have a lot of time to sort things out and make a definate decision on this. I plan on taking some sort of sailing course (Anyplace recommended in Virginia?), then rent a sailboat? a couple times,
to just make for certain that this is a good choice for me before buying a boat.
The boats I'm looking at currently are sailboats.. I'm not interested in having a powerboat, but I would want the sailboat to have an engine as well. I've done some research on boats like the Alberg 30 (seems rare?), and other 27-33ish foot boats as I think this best fits my needs and I don't see myself needing more than this really. Of particular I have liked the Catalina 27 (Anyone have comments on this boat as a first boat/liveaboard?). I have seen some on Boat Trader and other places and the boats seem very affordable $8,000ish? I'm not sure if the boats in this cost range are total crap or not though. I would like to save enough money to just buy the bought outright, or save around 8k, and possibly finance a boat in the 15k
range so any advice with that would also be helpful.
Another one of my high concerns is mooring. I think the laws and regulations are different in a lot of places. I live in Virginia and I'm curious as to how this all works, even after having done research and
watching videos. I'm not fluent in all the terminology at all yet. I would need to moor someplace very affordable... with services like a pumpout, water refill, showers would be nice. I have heard draastically.. different prices for this... Some things I have read has told me 250 per mo, some have said in the thousands per month. My ideal situation would be to moor in the 250-500 range, and have the option to "live off the hook" if at any point things got bad, w/out local authorities or something causing a problem. Dropping anchor somewhere.. but is this legal and how long can I stay there? How far out would I need to drop anchor? This is of high concern because I also would need to hold down a job, so I wouldn't want to be very mobile yet.
I would need to park my car someplace nearby to commute to work, and I'm also considering getting a small displacement motorbike again. Anyways to make a quick list, I'll list questions below and would love any
input and as much as possible..
1. How is the Catalina 27 as a beginner/liveaboard sailboat? Is it affordable for me? (8k to 15k max..)
for a boat needing only some improvement.
2. Can liveaboard slip be obtained in Virginia for affordable rate for me? ($250-500) per month, and any
recommended marinas?
3. How realistic is "living off the hook?" Where would you park your vehicle(car)? How far out do you have to
drop anchor? Would authorities are locals cause any problem? What would be the best areas to do this at?
What would be the best way to refill supplies like water? Can you use a marinas pump-out service even if you
don't moor there?
4. I'm pretty sure boats the size of a Catalina 27 would have no way to take a shower.. could you
use some sort of shower head to shower yourself off on deck?
5. I live in Richmond, Virginia and would like to stay in Virginia as I like to have family somewhat nearby, but
I can go anywhere in Virginia after acquiring a job in that area. What are the most affordable places/nicest?
Norfolk, Hampton Roads I have heard.. possibly, Newport News area etc?
6. Is this a realistic dream? my income is currently only $1500 after taxes. Can this be done w/out virtually
being broke all of the time? Am I just dreaming and can't afford it? I currently have no debt, and virtually no
expenses giving me plenty of time and ability to save for the initial costs and a safety cushion as well if I go
through with it.
7. Salt Water vs Fresh water? Pros Cons.. areas in Virginia that are good for each.
8. Order to get it all done? Find an appropriate marina, acquire work, buy boat etc etc...
9. Where to take sailing course?
10. Food, Storage, what kind of food do you guys like to have aboard? What do you find easy to prepare and keep in stock etc?
11. Input on security, break-ins thefts etc...
Thanks for any and all input in advance it is greatly appreciated!!
I'm totally new to this... I currently do not and have never owned a boat before, and have rarely been on a boat, and never a sailboat. I'm interested in living aboard one day soon but am concerned about the cost. I can easily manage with the compact lifestyle as even now I barely have any possessions, I never watch television. I like the idea of being more self sufficient , to survive more independently on my own. I'm also single and have no children so that's a really big advantage and I think makes more sense to do this now then when I'm older (I'm 29..). I have always been kind of a "hermit-crab" , but also think meeting other people
with similar interests would be great.
Anyways although this idea excites me a great deal, **I'm also pretty nervous about it**, but I guess I have a lot of time to sort things out and make a definate decision on this. I plan on taking some sort of sailing course (Anyplace recommended in Virginia?), then rent a sailboat? a couple times,
to just make for certain that this is a good choice for me before buying a boat.
The boats I'm looking at currently are sailboats.. I'm not interested in having a powerboat, but I would want the sailboat to have an engine as well. I've done some research on boats like the Alberg 30 (seems rare?), and other 27-33ish foot boats as I think this best fits my needs and I don't see myself needing more than this really. Of particular I have liked the Catalina 27 (Anyone have comments on this boat as a first boat/liveaboard?). I have seen some on Boat Trader and other places and the boats seem very affordable $8,000ish? I'm not sure if the boats in this cost range are total crap or not though. I would like to save enough money to just buy the bought outright, or save around 8k, and possibly finance a boat in the 15k
range so any advice with that would also be helpful.
Another one of my high concerns is mooring. I think the laws and regulations are different in a lot of places. I live in Virginia and I'm curious as to how this all works, even after having done research and
watching videos. I'm not fluent in all the terminology at all yet. I would need to moor someplace very affordable... with services like a pumpout, water refill, showers would be nice. I have heard draastically.. different prices for this... Some things I have read has told me 250 per mo, some have said in the thousands per month. My ideal situation would be to moor in the 250-500 range, and have the option to "live off the hook" if at any point things got bad, w/out local authorities or something causing a problem. Dropping anchor somewhere.. but is this legal and how long can I stay there? How far out would I need to drop anchor? This is of high concern because I also would need to hold down a job, so I wouldn't want to be very mobile yet.
I would need to park my car someplace nearby to commute to work, and I'm also considering getting a small displacement motorbike again. Anyways to make a quick list, I'll list questions below and would love any
input and as much as possible..
1. How is the Catalina 27 as a beginner/liveaboard sailboat? Is it affordable for me? (8k to 15k max..)
for a boat needing only some improvement.
2. Can liveaboard slip be obtained in Virginia for affordable rate for me? ($250-500) per month, and any
recommended marinas?
3. How realistic is "living off the hook?" Where would you park your vehicle(car)? How far out do you have to
drop anchor? Would authorities are locals cause any problem? What would be the best areas to do this at?
What would be the best way to refill supplies like water? Can you use a marinas pump-out service even if you
don't moor there?
4. I'm pretty sure boats the size of a Catalina 27 would have no way to take a shower.. could you
use some sort of shower head to shower yourself off on deck?
5. I live in Richmond, Virginia and would like to stay in Virginia as I like to have family somewhat nearby, but
I can go anywhere in Virginia after acquiring a job in that area. What are the most affordable places/nicest?
Norfolk, Hampton Roads I have heard.. possibly, Newport News area etc?
6. Is this a realistic dream? my income is currently only $1500 after taxes. Can this be done w/out virtually
being broke all of the time? Am I just dreaming and can't afford it? I currently have no debt, and virtually no
expenses giving me plenty of time and ability to save for the initial costs and a safety cushion as well if I go
through with it.
7. Salt Water vs Fresh water? Pros Cons.. areas in Virginia that are good for each.
8. Order to get it all done? Find an appropriate marina, acquire work, buy boat etc etc...
9. Where to take sailing course?
10. Food, Storage, what kind of food do you guys like to have aboard? What do you find easy to prepare and keep in stock etc?
11. Input on security, break-ins thefts etc...
Thanks for any and all input in advance it is greatly appreciated!!