Beginner's advice needed

M

Midshipman

Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
RO Number
32573
Messages
2
I am interested in purchashing boat for use in the South Carolina coastline. I want it to be a boat I could live on, and am considering making it my primary residence. I would like for it to accomodate 1 (or more) person on a full time basis and up to 4 on a temporary basis. So, perhaps 2 berths is the minimum.

The problem is that I don't know anything about boats yet and don't know where to begin learning.

I had looked at a Voyager 2 houseboat based on how inexpensive they are and how much you get for that price. However, I'm starting to get the impression that such a boat is only for lakes and wouldn't do well on the beach. So, I'm examining options like this one now: http://www.yachtauctions.com/listing.php?vessel=6578

What do I need to look at when considering such a purchase? What specifications should I be paying attention to? How do I ensure the boat I end up with if I do buy one isn't one that is going to have me tossing about all night unable to sleep? Where can I acquire a lot of this basic knowledge that I need to make such a decision?

Thanks for any help.
 
Engine Condition: Average/Below average

3208's are very good engines but for this to be stated there most likely is a real problem
 
Power squadrons have some good classes about boating, http://usps.org/ .

Selecting a boat is more difficult because at this point you probably dont know what you want and can do with a boat. A good lake boat wont be a good surf boat. I suggest visiting boat dealers and shows and climbing in, on and all over every boat you can to learn as much as you can about each type of boat. There are boats designed for many uses and most dont do everything well.
Next go to wherever you would like to use the boat and see what kind of boats others are using for what you want to do. Boaters love to talk about there boats so just ask. What they like, why did they choose that one, what would they like to change? Keep asking and looking and dont buy anything until you are certain what your boating plans are.

And there are a lot of knowlegable people here with all kinds of boats and experiences
 
Welcome, you have come to the right place. The most important thing for you is s survey before you buy anything! Spend some time at a marina talking with boaters ( that's what we do best)' about their boats. Their likes and dislikes, this will help you decide what you want/need. Get a survey before you buy! God luck and ask questions here.
 
You gotta be kidding. For a boat that size, cost being no object, I'd hire a full-time captain to run and maintain it for me. All I'd have to know is how to sign the check.

If you're serious, go find an old 30' sailboat in a marina that allows liveaboards. Sailboats are relatively simple compared to motorboats. And get a survey.
 
Midshipman:

First of all let me commend you on your good taste. An Azimut is a beautiful boat, and I can only dream of owning one.

Beyond that, all I can suggest is that you step back and take a deep breath. In my opinion, you are correct that a houseboat is primarily a lake boat, and is not a good choice for the ocean. Secondly I would reccomend that you do not purchase any boat because it's inexpensive. Yes it will give you more "bang" for your buck, but your first consideration is that you buy a good solid boat and then consider it's emmenities.

While it is not impossible for a 1st time boat owner to own a 46' vessel, it is indeed a major undertaking. One that should not be taken lightly, if at all.

Why don't you get a very good knowledge of boating through any number of courses available prior to making any purchase. Your current though process has taken you from one extreme all the way across the spectrum to the other extreme.

Discover what your level of comfort is and then find a vessel that responds to that level. I think you will discover that a 46' Azimut goes well beyond your capabilities.
 
Determine what area you will be boating in.

Go to Marinas in that area and find out what kind and size of boat the majority of the liveaboards own.

Look for boats that are designed for long term living. Most boats are designed for weekending at best. Most DO NOT have adequait storage for clothes and food.

DO NOT purchase a boat that is too small. A single person needs 36 feet minimum, 2 people need at least a 44.

We lived aboard 7 years and we found a 48 foot house boat was minimum. The 55 was much better.

Get at LEAST 3 years boating experence before committing.
 
The low hours on 1999 engines and obvious lack of care or maintenance would scare me away pretty quickly. Good luck in your search though.
 
How big a boat you "need" depends on your lifestyle and your finances. In 1981 I downsized from a 3 bedroom house to a 26' sailboat (divorce) and lived on it relatively comfortably for two years. It did get cramped in the end.

I have two friends who live aboard; one lives on the "hook" on an old 24 footer and has for years. Another lives in the marina in a 31 footer.

The 35' houseboat in my link originally cost me $2000, sleeps 4 in two bedrooms, and has gobs of storage. But it's NOT a sea boat.
 
Hi there and welcome!
It is very good to see someone asking for advice before committing
to a mayor purchase such as a boat. Our experience can be used as
your guidance and it will be my honor to give it to you, so I'll
start right away with it;

DO NOT PURCHASE right away. Wait until you are more informed. Taste,
intended use, (fishing, partying, entertaining, bachelor hideout)
can and will change while you get to know the hobby.
GET EDUCATED. Get involved on your Local Power Squadron and take at
least the basic course. Extra advanced courses would be even better.
GET TO KNOW marine people. Local marinas and the Power Squadron is
the best for that, (After boatered of course).
SIZE DOES MATTER. Boats have a nasty tendency to shrink with usage.
(Yes it's in your mind, but still very important).
NO BOAT IS PERFECT. Each design has its intended usage, so intended
usage is the determining factor on purchasing decision.
Good luck and feel free to ask anything you like.
Welcome again!
H
 
First take some boating courses. As mentioned above go to http://usps.org/ for a course near you. Then when you select a boat make any contract subject to a good survey and sea trial, and have it looked at by an experienced marine mechanic.
Personally, I think that a 46 footer is alot of boat for a newbie. You need to get behind the wheel on some smaller boats for a while and get some experience in boat handling and seamanhip. It is significantly different from driving a car. Also could be tough (not impossible) getting insurance if you never owned a boat before. A lot of companies wont insure an inexperienced boater.
 
money doesn't seem to be much of an issue so i suggest buying a small used boat for this season (not liveaboard). it will give you a chance to learn all sorts of things before you dive in head first. keep it in a slip, will give you more chance to interact with other boat owners and see what they're doing/check out their boats/get used to marina.
 
Welcome to BoaterEd!

Do you intend to take your boat out cruising, visiting other areas/marinas? Or will you just live aboard a boat which stays tied up in the slip 365/24/7?
 
I agree, buy yourself a smaller boat to start with just to familiarize yourself with handling and sea worthiness issues. Do not go too small though as that can turn you off for life especially in a coastal setting. Up here they recommend no smaller than 21 feet, but on the ocean I would be looking at nothing less than 24 with an 8 foot minimum wide stern. (back of the boat) You will find that all boats handle differently and cut through the water differently and you will find the right fit for you. Trojan brand has always been popular up here and they are huge inside with huge engine rooms... probably a lot older than you are looking for though... I took the power squadron course, you learn a lot !! Good luck and good fun.
 
Thanks for all the great advice. I will definitely be taking a lot of that advice. I haven't started spending time in marinas or anything like that because they have always seemed like private clubs for people who already have boats and I don't yet have one.

I can afford to invest in one really good (for my standards) boat. But I can't afford to invest in several boats of increasingly larger size. Part of the reason I can afford to invest in a good boat is because if I were living on it, I would be free from rent or mortgage payments besides for the slip and the boat. If I'm not living in the boat, my budget would be a fraction of what it would be if I were. Thus my plan has always been to buy the one boat I would like to have for the foreseeable future.

Is it that bad of an idea to start out with a big boat? Would I be in over my head and a danger to myself or others? or am I just looking at months of frustration that with patience will eventually be overcome?

With interest rates and prices the way they currently are, I would hate to miss out on the opportunity to get in on this kind of lifestyle.

Flutterby: I would like to take it out cruising, entertain friends, fish, etc. As well as live on it.

Graeme2004: That's the kind of information I am looking for. You are talking about length and stern sizes. I know all of that matters, but not how or why. That's the kind of hard facts I'm interested in learning. Why not a small boat? What significance is there to the width of the stern? etc.

I will definitely take some of the online courses that were recommended and see about maybe getting some local training. Surely there must be some with so many boat owners in the area. Unfortunately, the training site is blocked from this, my work network, so it will have to wait until I have time at home.
 
Midshipman- you are on the right path as far as today's boat costs are concerned, there are still some great deals in the repo market as is shown in the Azimut. As a warning, unless you are well trained in electrical, plumbing, batteries,etc, either be prepared to learn very quickly or spend a lot of money on "marine" techs. It is much easier to shop for an electrician/plumber to fix something at your house than on your boat. Trained marine techs stay busy and most do not discuss their fees until it is too late. I learned much of what I know about boats from having small boats and stepping up. If you are content to stay at the dock then you can tolerate not having the engines or other equipment not working properly. If you want to cruise the boat, the most frustrating thing is having something break every time you leave the dock, that drives many people out of boating.

You can save the "stepping up" money by starting with a 46 footer but be prepared to spend money to have a Captain give you lessons and spending the next two years fixing some item on the boat every week.
 
Are you sure you want your first boat as a primary residence?
Not sure what stage of life you are at, but I'd be looking at repo houses before a repo boat as my primary dwelling unless I knew absolutely that boating life was for me.
 
I'm with Neal, spend the money for a captain to give you the training to run the vessel,and you'll be ok.

Shop around, ALOT. View as many boats in person as you can, this is the only way to get a feel for what you like/ dislike. Check out yachtworld and boattrader . com, (if you haven't yet) they have tons of boats, and there are still good deals out there. The way fuel is going, I think there will be more good deals coming, so don't be in a rush.

Best of luck in your search, keep us posted with what you decide.
 
other people have bought their first boat as a live aboard. 40+ is about the minimum IMO but you need to buy the right boat. You are on the right track in not wanting to trade up a few times , that gets expensive.
Many boats look neat but are designed for weekend use by a lot of peole not long term living by a few, for that you will probably find the more classic designs fit your requirement better. They were often designed for comfort by a few people.
 
Midshipman - I spent nearly 3 years looking at boats, studying boats, reading everything I could here about boats and going to marinas, boat shows, brokers more marinas, more boat shows, reading more...... We originally started out looking at Sedan Bridges (new ones) and found that the mechanical was to cramped. Then we looked at older boats, more room but lots of work. Finally found something to our liking and paid an owner of one a tank of fuel (plus dinner and drinks and such) to take us out for the day. Turned out we did not like it as much as we thought when it was moving. After that we started paying closer attention to them while they were moving or anchored and found we likely didn't like "two" stories. So the search took a definitive turn. Then we started working on price range. During this time we took trips to Caribbean locations. Often chartering boats for a day or more. On and on. What I am trying to say is that it is a long process. If you can make the decision in less than a year you likely will not like what you have very long.

Living on a boat will not be cheaper than living in a home. You could likely rent a fairly nice place and buy a decent size weekend cruiser and still have money left over for what a boat will cost you that is large enough to live on and maintain. The only true way to do it for less is with a sailboat and a lot of compromise. I wish you luck in your journey. I only caution that you take a very realistic look at what you want, what you need and what you can do with out before you decide. Trust me when I say the deals will still be there in a couple years.
 
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