Live-aboard or Survive-aboard

[barnakiel]

What is shipshape?

If you want the boat to be in a sea-going condition then IMHO it is easier on the go. It is easier to sort out the essentials from the cosmetics on the go.

If you want the boat to look well, then I believe this is easier at the dock. But sometimes a good looking boat at the dock is worth nothing on the passage.

So, all depends on what you are asking the boat to be / do.

b.

[ASIMPLELIFE]

Get off the dock... I don't understand people that buy a boat just to live on... If you don't plan on using it, sell it and rent an apartment for $500 a month, buy a waterbed for the wave action you desire. As for marinas they are like the game Monopoly you either want to stay at Baltic Ave or Park Place. Myself I would prefer to stay on a rail road atleast I'm moving.

[Sabbatical II]

Makes you wonder why no markets dock queens if there are so many of them. They could look like a yacht just to impress. You wouldn't need a motor, a keel, a rudder, sails, fuel tanks, solar panels, tender, anchor. You would still need winches because "the look" is paramount. Maybe there's a dollar to be made there for somebody.

[Nemo55]

I grew up around the Docks, both in the old country(Liverpool U.K.) and in Vancouver where both my Uncle and my Dad where commercial fishermen.
The Western Warrior, and the Western Chief...
The time when a boat looks its worst is always when tied up, cos that's when the crew spill the guts ( remove everything from inside ) for drying,repair, and re-organization.

Many crew would have something of their own tied up at the marina's also just to live on in between openings.
They where not the prettiest of boats by any stretch,but the people on them where some of the most genuine,, albeit (Salty-rough) you could ever meet and these where family to me. and you'd be hard pressed to find more kinder souls than these Sailor's.

As to some of the more *colorful* live-boards they are disappearing along with our fishing fleets, and the eclectic mix of denizens along with them.

Personally it saddens me, As i would accept any ten of them before i would accept some fool who has a yacht looking like a sparkling gem.
That's just my take on it,,
Give me back the colorful folk any-day.

[zeehag]

i would rather have a trashy looking solid boat than a shiny new LOOKING falling apart dock queen any day of the year. i love my clapped out formosa--is plenty sea worthy--just a project in motion...she SAILS. her engine WORKS ...LOL
too many folks associate looks with sea worthiness. boy, are they dead WRONG.
the most unseaworthy skows i have even seen. these are beneteaus sans rudder, catalinas with hull leaks, hunters sans engine and shaft and prop pink with electrolysis, ct41 with electrolysis and no interior, etc, and on ans on--but they LOOK good--rofl. money pits.

[Nemo55]

Hey Zee
Your Boat is far from trashy,i think shes a beauty.
Way ta tell em girl!!!

Originally Posted by zeehag

i would rather have a trashy looking solid boat than a shiny new LOOKING falling apart dock queen any day of the year. i love my clapped out formosa--is plenty sea worthy--just a project in motion...she SAILS. her engine WORKS ...LOL
too many folks associate looks with sea worthiness. boy, are they dead WRONG.
the most unseaworthy skows i have even seen. these are beneteaus sans rudder, catalinas with hull leaks, hunters sans engine and shaft and prop pink with electrolysis, ct41 with electrolysis and no interior, etc, and on ans on--but they LOOK good--rofl. money pits.

[zeehag]

aaaaaaah, but in person she has issues--lol..and i refuse to fall into any molds--no snot for me--many tarps in summer--but the rest of the boats--even snotty yotty ones are tarped up to the hilt this summer... they like following the example of those who understand cooler air and less rain intrusion, i guess..
but then we are cruising, not dock queening--so i guess it makes difference--dont dock queens need to look perfect???? they dont have to operate, just look good..LOL

[Nemo55]

Yeah,,like when i was racing old cars,,their where the sleepers,,and then there where the "No-Go Showboats..."

[rebel heart]

My neighbor has a "pretty" Hunter, except it has no backstay, which is hilarious to me.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

What is shipshape?

If you want the boat to be in a sea-going condition then IMHO it is easier on the go. It is easier to sort out the essentials from the cosmetics on the go.

If you want the boat to look well, then I believe this is easier at the dock. But sometimes a good looking boat at the dock is worth nothing on the passage.

So, all depends on what you are asking the boat to be / do.

b.

To me, "ship shape" means things like anchor and lifelines ready to deploy; lines tidy and ready for duty; deck and cockpit cleared of unnecessary obstacles; belongings below properly stashed so they won't go flying if you catch a gust; etc.

[zeehag]

raku--do you reside aboard?

[bobconnie]

+1 for Rakuflames That ship-shape to a TEE !!

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

My neighbor has a "pretty" Hunter, except it has no backstay, which is hilarious to me.

i thought they were designed that way.

[wolfenzee]

There is a distinct line between where a boat becomes a home.

[zeehag]

shipshape and seaworthy are two entirely different realities.
one can be ship shape and yet very unseaworthy..
i would worry about seaworthiness before i would even begin to worry about being ship shape.