Livaboard 22' Santana, Possible?

[tsanni]

I am on the verge of purchasing a 22' Santana sailboat in Portland, OR . This will be my first real boating experience. I now in many ways I may be naive, but I am fully aware of how small that really is, and that I will have to make some improvements to make it liveable. I'm very excited at the prospect of slowly making it must own little cruising nest. Is this remotely possible or am I setting myself up for a huge dissapointment? Also, does anyone have an opinion about a Minn Kota 12v electric motor with solar panel and/or battery power?

[laika]

Give it a shot if you're confident about it. Don't take on any major projects or make any big investments in it until you've done some sailing/living on it. If you do end up wanting something bigger down the road, you'll be a great position to know exactly what you're looking for.

[tsanni]

Thanks for the positive input

[Kenomac]

You must either be joking or a dwarf. My friend and I brought his Santana 22 down to Salem Harbor from Portand Maine a few years ago in April. You can't stand up anywhere in the boat, or even kneel down without ducking your head. We had to be contortionists just to use the portapotty.

There really isn't an interior unless you plan on lying down 100% of the time.

[Suijin]

The bottom line is that anything is possible...it's just a matter of how adaptable you are. I live on a 40' cutter and half the people who hear this think I'm out of my mind.

That said, I think the Santana 22' is right on the edge. It's tiny.

Do this exercise. Model a day/evening spent on the boat, listing the things you that need/want to do. Cooking, washing, dressing, fixing stuff, work (and computer use). Spend some time on the boat going through those motions to see if it's even workable. Also, add up the stuff you anticipate keeping on board. Double it, and see if there is enough room to fit it.

As for the Minn Kota, I assume you're talking about as primary means of propulsion, you're right on the bleeding edge. IMHO it does not have the power to move a 3000 lb. boat safely, not to mention the charging challenge with a smaller panel. You could probably get by with a 5 hp. gas outboard. The electric Torqueedo Travel says it's adequate for day sailors up to 1.5 tons but I think that's optimistic. If it can't push your boat forward against a headwind and the average currents you'll face, it's not strong enough.

[Cheechako]

A Santana 22 is a small headroom small bot. Anything can be done, but no, I wouldn't. Maybe in the Bahamas but not in Portland!

[boatman61]

If your young and flexible all things are possible.. I've lived aboard and voyaged 21 and 22ftrs with just sitting headroom below.. at sea that's all you really need.. in harbour/on the hook, rig a boom tent for that extra space.
Your main problem is storage space.. two weeks is your maximum cruising range before resupply of water and food.. and that's with rationing and baby wipes..

[kmacdonald]

You are setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. Look for a free Catalina 25 with a gas outboard, or close to free.

[canyonbat]

Somewhere in the back of your mind you know this is not a good idea, otherwise you wouldn't be posting this question. A couple of things to consider:

Standing headroom, as mentioned above. BIG ISSUE!

Heat - any kind of portable flame heater is going to be very dangerous with a cabin that small. CO poison will kill you. Only safe option is electric and that is if the boat is set up with a proper A/C system. Just running an extension cord up to the dock is not safe for you or others who might be in the water around your boat.

Water - does the boat have a sink? Will you only be using shore side facilities?

Santana 22 is a cool boat for what it was designed for. I doubt the designer had anything in mind beyond a couple of nights spent backed up to the beach!

[jrbogie]

Originally Posted by tsanni

I am on the verge of purchasing a 22' Santana sailboat in Portland, OR . This will be my first real boating experience. I now in many ways I may be naive, but I am fully aware of how small that really is, and that I will have to make some improvements to make it liveable. I'm very excited at the prospect of slowly making it must own little cruising nest. Is this remotely possible or am I setting myself up for a huge dissapointment? Also, does anyone have an opinion about a Minn Kota 12v electric motor with solar panel and/or battery power?

i say when life gets boring risk it. but you're not talking about much risk here. not a lot of money to chase this dream and even if it were to turn into a nightmare, as some do, you can always sell and bail out. of course only you can decide the dream/nightmare issue, but i'd never even consider living aboard on such a boat as you're considering. especially in a place as wet and cold as portland.

[newhaul]

OK here goes I'm 50 with a bad back and I live on an islander Bahama 24 . Here is what you need IMO .
1) a dry place to sleep
2) a place to cook
3) a working head ( with a tank , a porta potty, or composting head. )
Now If it has all of that the bullet test is put your pants on and zip them up without opening the cabin up. If you have to get on your knees do it . BTW when doing this think winter and pouring rain just like we had last week. If you can live with doing this every day then go for it .
( at least until you get two footitus .

[1Sunseeker]

Well you could exist on it, but live? I don't know. I have a 32'er and that gets cramped as hell. But then I have to much stuff. Many books, fair/foul weather gear, an arrowhead collection. Pots, pans etc. etc. etc. And some times my best friend.


Now there is an old duffer going around the world on a 24' (Morgan ?) but he has gone around about 5 times before on different sizes, once even on an open boat. Go "inthepresentsea" and check Mr. Webb Chiles out. He can advise and will respond to e-mails. But man why not wait or go a bit in debt and at least get a 30'er. It rains/snows a lot out here and You may have a date sometime and want to pour a glass of wine.

[laika]

A few more thoughts..

There are a million ways to do it, and you don't really see a happiness index relating to boat size when you're out cruising. But everyone has specific needs. If you get on a boat and don't get in over your head in terms of projects and discomfort, the rest is pretty academic. You'll figure out what you want and make it happen, even if it means getting a larger boat.

In my mind, the boat is more a means to an end. If it's seaworthy and it feels like a home to you, perfect. The adventure and the people/places along the way is where its at.

[ebsail]

Nah- Spend a little more and get something you can stand up in occasionly. Some one in our club just sold a 28 footer for $6000. It was in good shape. A couple of thousand now will save chiropractor bills later. If you can tent the hatch area to be weather tight, at least you can stand up to get dressed but I would not go under 25 feet.

[Captdd]

Yo,

Being from Oregon you can achieve anything you want!
It's do-able but small
I have been living on my Coronado 25 for 3 years and am perfectly happy!

Forget the electric motor, fossil fuel works better,(Probably a long shaft 8 HP)

With Cheers,

Captd