Liveaboard primer, financing a boat, boat year and make advice etc...

[BTT_BOUCEK]

Hello everyone,

I have learned alot from this forum, thank you! In 3 years, I hope to buy or finance a boat and live on it. My financial target is to save 50 k to either pay cash or put a reasonable down payment on a 28-32 ft boat, hopefully a cat. If I finance, I hope to keep monthly payments below 1200 a month, and I am open to a long term loan. The boat will be used mostly for coastal cruising, with some possible runs from the FL Keys (where I will be living and working) to the Caribbean.

I am in my early 30s and will live by myself. I aim to follow the Keep it (very) Simple Stupid policy for designing and fitting the boat. Hopefully I will only have a few gadgets that I cant fix myself, and gadget systems that dont draw enough power that cant be compensated by a solar panel array and minimal engine charging.

I am an experienced sailor, my dad lives on his boat as well. He bought his a while ago. I am at the early stages of this process, and any advice about financing, boat years and makes that you would recommend, as well as any red flags to keep an eye out for would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Ross

[sailorchic34]

I would look at a older "starter" boat that you can pay $5-$7K cash for and use that for a live aboard while you fix it up and save money till you can afford a 20-$40k boat.

Not sure many would lend money for a liveaboard boat. Most will want you to have a fixed land address, so they can find you. Oh so easy to skip town on a boat.

[Hudson Force]

Ross, welcome to the community. I would strongly agree with Sailorchic's idea. Puting yourself in a cash paid "starter" boat will also put you within the environment where you will more likely encounter a "finishing" boat that can become available without he need to endure the financing costs.

Keep us posted of your adventures.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Ross.