I've casually considered the idea for when I get back from Iraq...something on the order of a 30' cabin cruiser or motoryacht. Thinking somewhere around the $30k ballpark, but I could spend half that or double that.

Any advice from anyone who's done it (or seriously looked into it)?

What kind of expenses am I looking at, besides the boat itself, a place at a marina, and water/electric hookups?

Worth it, at least for a year or two, or do the downsides outweigh the upsides?

11/27/2008 9:07:46 PM

I spent the entire month of October on board the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown. Somehow, I don't think that's the experence you're interested in. My boat was 280 feet long, I shared it with 52 other people, and someone else was footing the bill.

11/27/2008 9:22:10 PM

Yeah, I spent a week on the U.S.S. Reagan for carrier quals, but I have something a little different in mind!

11/27/2008 9:24:41 PM

Generally, it will just be the slip fee/lease and a small service fee.

Depending on where you are based (nc, right?), there may be a marina on base. In know there is one at Cherry Point.

Your biggest headache is going to be storm season....

[Edited on November 27, 2008 at 9:44 PM. Reason : ]

11/27/2008 9:42:11 PM

this book taught me a lot about houseboat life

11/27/2008 9:43:05 PM

^ that looks like the Aflac duck

^^ yeah, I'm at Cherry Point. There's also a pretty sweet marina at New Bern, right behind the Sheraton. Friday night deck parties, etc. Good time.

11/27/2008 9:45:57 PM

You might also want to look at NW Creek, just outside new bern.

Scratch that. I haven't really been in the one down town (i want to say it's too shallow for a racing keel). I have however docked at the city docks, to go drinking, and drunk sail back. Easy access to downtown and the sheraton would be a plus.


I know at the Cherry Point Yacht Club, there were some boats obviously being used for a residence (due to clutter/sat hookup). I would imagine it to be cheaper for officers, in comparison (maybe not).


[Edited on November 27, 2008 at 10:00 PM. Reason : harvey mansion and mj's]

11/27/2008 9:49:04 PM

my dad has lived on a boat for the last 10+ years, Im not sure about all the slip fees and stuff, but I do know that humidity is a bitch so make sure to protect important papers and electronics

also, are you going to have a working bathroom, shower, kitchen, fridge on the boat? If not its kind of a pain in the ass to bathe, use the bathroom, cook, do laundry, at a marina. If you do, then make sure you can get water hookups from your boatslip to the boat

11/27/2008 10:50:21 PM

I spent 12 days on the rv alantis II in '91 which was the support ship for the Alvin DSV.
awsome experience, although I did not get to go on a dive.

My sis's ex-husband had a 36' cabin cruiser. You can not imagine what it cost to fuel that bitch and this was 5 years ago.

I'd go with a sailboat, but then if you are a marine pilot you would probably want something with a little more power and speed than what the wind could provide.

11/27/2008 11:01:57 PM

For something that big, you're gonna be looking at 250 bux a month minimum. And for that fee, most marinas wouldn't allow liveaboards.
A lot of good marinas offer dockside cable and phone lines, but it costs $$$ (not sure exactly, but it ain't cheap).

I was checking out Northwest Creek Marina in New Bern. $6.50/ft per month, 30 ft. minimum.

And there's a $40/month surcharge for liveaboards. So I stand corrected. It wouldn't be THAT bad.

The liveaboard surcharge includes sewage pumpout every two weeks (30 gallon max). You'll pay 5 bux for additional pumpouts.

Oh, and they meter and bill electric separately.

[Edited on November 27, 2008 at 11:10 PM. Reason : blahblah]

11/27/2008 11:09:53 PM

Plus, NW comes w/ this...

Quote :

"The Marina has gas and diesel fuels, fixed and portable pump-out facilities, laundry room, air-conditioned restrooms and lounge, wireless internet, and a staff that provide exceptional service. Adjacent to the Marina is the Broad Creek Recreation Association with indoor and outdoor pools, miniature golf, lighted tennis courts, Jacuzzi, exercise room and sauna. "

There's also showers in the restrooms. Never used the excercise room, but it probably sucks bawls. (and it's not like there aren't gyms in the area)

http://northwestcreekmarina.com/

11/28/2008 12:36:52 AM

http://www.newberngrandmarina.com/rentals/


I'm thinking the locale may be worth it... hotel amenities (i think?), resturants, bars, etc. NW creek is a bit out there, and not near anything.



[Edited on November 28, 2008 at 12:58 AM. Reason : ]

11/28/2008 12:47:14 AM

We chartered a couple blowboats on spring break one year. 38 and 45ft if I remember? It was fun but I was way too drunk to contribute any useful insight from my experience.

11/28/2008 12:51:32 AM

you could live in a van down by the river

11/28/2008 6:07:04 AM

Quote :

"I'd go with a sailboat, but then if you are a marine pilot you would probably want something with a little more power and speed than what the wind could provide. "

It's more of an issue of not knowing how to sail. That, and can one person sail a 30'+ boat, anyway?

11/28/2008 8:21:27 AM

11/28/2008 8:30:04 AM

Singlehanding a sailboat isn't a problem, a lot of people do it. But with a motorboat you will probably get more room and multiple decks. If it were me, I would get a sailboat with a really big diesel. Sailing isn't that hard either if you have half a brain and understand the principles. If you were really considering it, I'd recommend reading a book or two and looking at some magazines for crowds that do it.

11/28/2008 8:53:14 AM

^^

11/28/2008 8:58:16 AM

haha I love that picture

11/28/2008 8:59:35 AM

Quote :

"If it flies, floats or fucks, you are better off renting."

11/28/2008 9:31:44 AM

I have no experience with this, but think about how long 30' is...then imagine it having to hold all of your stuff, plus you.

Think about the chicks...sure they might dig havin the bottom knocked out on a marine's boat. But then think about this....you are stuck on a boat with her.

I think the idea is cool, I just cant imagine it being aboard a boat of that size.

eh?

11/28/2008 10:23:33 AM

Quote :

"Singlehanding a sailboat isn't a problem, a lot of people do it. But with a motorboat you will probably get more room and multiple decks. If it were me, I would get a sailboat with a really big diesel. Sailing isn't that hard either if you have half a brain and understand the principles. If you were really considering it, I'd recommend reading a book or two and looking at some magazines for crowds that do it."

Singlehanding really isn't a problem. I haven't singlehanded Dad's 27' Island Packet yet, but the setup is so good, I'm banking on it not being a problem. Docking in a wind, however, is potentially problematic, but that's regardless of power or sail.

I've singlehanded many a day on our 23' Compac. It's a snap. A 30' boat rigged right ain't that much more difficult. Hell, a 42' boat wouldn't be that bad.

11/28/2008 12:58:23 PM

Single handing isn't a problem, especially if you have auto-pilot--then you can easily run a spinnaker or foresail, too.

If you want formal lessons, http://www.sailingschooloriental.com/

[Edited on November 28, 2008 at 1:28 PM. Reason : ]

11/28/2008 1:28:20 PM

^^^ it wouldn't have to hold all of my stuff. hell, everything I own except what I could fit in a couple of seabags and a rucksack is in storage in one of my grandfather's workshop buildings right now (well, except for my truck and my motorcycle, which are at my dad's house).

I'm looking to get rid of stuff I don't need anymore, anyway, but in any case, I'd only keep things I needed/wanted regularly on the boat. If I wanted other stuff to be readily available (which I likely would), I'd just rent a small storage unit near the marina.

I think this would be totally sweet with the right boat, but I don't know if I'm interested in doing it if it would cost significantly more than just renting a room in a friend's house. For the time being, while I'm gone half the time anyway, I'm kinda into living extremely below my means and not having tons of money tied up in depreciating assets while i'm gone. I'm ok with keeping my motorcycle (and for this deployent, my truck and trailer) while I'm gone, b/c I don't have much money in any of them, and none of them will depreciate significantly more. I'm going to buy a decent sports car (though nothing really super badass like I've had in the past) when I get back, then probably sell it when I leave again, but buying/selling something like a boat--particularly when it's your residence--would be FAR more of a pain in the ass--and would represent a lot more money tied up and wasting away while I'm 10,000 miles away. In addition, a boat like this gets what, 2-3 mpg? It would cost a fortune to actually do anything more than cruise around for an hour or two, or maybe ride out to the OBX for a day occasionally.

...on the other hand, when you live in a box in the middle of a shithole desert, can't spend money even if you wanted to, and have essentially no recreation for 6 months at a time (and essentially work 7 days per week, for 10-12 hours/day), there is something to be said for not giving a shit and having some fun when you're home and have the chance.

The other issue is my daughter. You know and I know that there is nothing wrong with her living on a motoryacht with me for a couple of weeks at a time, but I don't want her retard mother to have anything that could even conceivably be used as an excuse to argue against my visitation (although on the other hand, maybe if she continues to do ridiculous things for no reason whatsoever, I could eventually get primary custody...but probably not as an active duty Marine, and that's another thread, anyway).

[Edited on November 28, 2008 at 2:35 PM. Reason : asdfasd]

11/28/2008 2:30:09 PM

the sheraton doubled their prices about 6 months ago, and they're assholes to anyone who isn't a huge yacht owner, or doesn't want to buy one of their 'new condos' (read: renovated hotel rooms).

there is a new marina being built across the river, and I know a few people who keep their boat at the marina across from the sheraton.

PM me if you want contact info for the new marina, or any more info.


Remember, you're going to have a lot of yearly boat maintenance (yearly haul for bottom painting, etc.)

There are guys in new bern who will come out and clean the bottom of your boat while it's in the water (scuba-esque) and I hear they are fairly reasonable about their prices.

Usually most marinas will cut you somewhat of a deal if you pay for the entire year's slip fees at one time. If you pay month-to-month it is more expensive.

Definitely go check out the amenities at the marina you are looking into, just remember that if you have to share 2 washing machines/dryers with 100 other boat slips, it can be annoying.

I live in New Bern and my dad lives on his boat in town, so if you need any info on the marinas here, let me know.

12/1/2008 9:51:14 AM

Shit breaks on boats ALL THE TIME. you'll need a monthly maintenance budget, and get friendly with other folks living in whatever marina you choose. they will most likely be able to help you with any repairs. the most important skills to learn will be scuba diving for hull scraping/underwater work, electrical wiring, glassing, and moisture control (both in living spaces and maintenance areas/tanks).

living on a boat can be really rewarding though. you truly have unbridled freedom, as long as you have fuel in your tanks.

12/1/2008 9:56:31 AM

You may want to try Oriental, it's a little closer as far as the river goes to Cherry point. And right across the river from the waterway if you want to go to Morehead or the beach. The whole place is a sailing community.

12/1/2008 1:10:11 PM

Over the years I've spent lots of time on boats in this size class. Cramped is the only really practical word neccesary to describe the experience. I reckon it wouldn't be that bad for one person, but living in a place where the shower, living quarters, cooking equipment, fridge, and other stuff is about 1/2 the size of household counterparts isn't something I would like to do long-term.
It's definitley fun for a week or two. I spent 2 weeks in a row on a 45' boat at the Cape Lookout Bight in the mid 1990s and had a blast. But I was always glad to get back in normal household surroundings afterward. If I was going to live on a boat, it would have to be large enough to accomodate me and mine in surroundings that wern't so small or austere as to be inconvenient.

Oh yea, and the humidity and SUN are omnipresent, even if you're anchored at the dock most of the time.
For what it's worth, I'd rather have a house in close proxemity to water and a 25-ish foot cuddy cabin contraption.

12/1/2008 1:11:42 PM

sounds like a terrible idea

then again, I am REALLY fucking boring

12/1/2008 1:11:46 PM