Living Aboard a 2001 Sea Ray 310

[Tingum]

Life is too short to own an ugly boat!

[o_q]

Originally Posted by Tingum

Life is too short to own an ugly boat!

Life is too short to not live aboard.

[Liltttzr]

I like the 310 they are a nice boat. As far as the Ohio around what mile will you be at. I plan a couple of trips down that way from Pittsburgh, Pa. Be leaving from the point to head down the Ohio. Maybe we can hook up for a short run.

[zeta]

Lot of nice trawlers out there for 80k or maybe a newer Ranger tug.

Here is the best of both worlds, sips fuel, as much room as the 31, and can sail too.
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/28210

[captainObvious]

@Liltttzr -- I don't know what mile I'd be at, how do I find out? I don't have a slip yet, but it would be near Pittsburgh. Slips are running out quickly around me, so I have to time getting the boat and getting the slip. I can't get a boat without having a place to dock her, and I can't get a slip without having a boat!

@zeta - yeah, I've seen a lot of nice trawlers too on yachtworld. None nearby however . I went to a boat show in Annapolis and saw a lot of great trawlers and tugs -- all 3x my budget, but really great boats, incredibly roomy, and oceanworthy. They were selling new Ranger Tugs and Cutwater "pocket yachts" as they call them. The Ranger Tugs looked really nice. A little cozier, but they're priced very well for a brand new boat.

However, I'm trying to figure out if I can live in that sorta space. Turning the space into a rectangle, the ranger tug was in the 160 sq ft range maybe (8ft beam and maybe 20ft of cabin and stateroom etc), the 310 is maybe 175 sq ft (11ft beam and 16ft'ish of space...?). this 1998 Silverton I've been checking out is about 240 sq ft space (12ft beam and 20ft of space). This of course is assuming that I can somehow mold the boat shape into a rectangle... these are just approximations.

I'd consider spending a little more if I knew I was going to live aboard for a very long time, but at this point, I just want to try and in case I don't like it it won't be much of a financial headache to move on. Of course if I love it, I'm definitely getting a larger trawler.

[Liltttzr]

That's why I trailer mine. But we only stay on her for a week at a time. Were are you down in Pittsburgh? Sue's marina is on the Ohio down buy the casino. They had spots available last I was down there about 2 weeks ago. You may or may not know about boatpittsburgh.com. It is a web page for the rivers. If you would like pm or email me and I could give you more info. Also know a couple of places you might or might not know about.

[ElleChasse]

"Good point about the houseboat, and the reason I'm not considering them is that I'm not particularly attracted to them. I think functionally they're great, but I can't imagine myself coming home everyday to something I don't like looking at. It's superficial, I know."

I enjoy reading these forums and learning from them. I don't usually remark but I will on this because I vehemently disagree that it's a superficial concern. You're spending your time and money on your boat and should be doing it on one that gives you joy every time you look at it, not makes you cringe. Find the one that makes you fall in love with it. Appearance does count!!! Just my opinion.

[Liltttzr]

There are alot of great ideas for boat's. I agree with ElleChasse get a one that catches your eye. I checked in diesel. I found a nice Fourwinns with a diesel in her last year was going to buy and dock down at Fox chapple but did not go that way due to diesel fule is not available at most of the marinas around here.

[captainObvious]

Thanks Liltttzr for telling me about boatpittsburgh, I didn't know about that. I've talked to some of the marina's here and find the same issue -- not all of them carry diesel. I think Washington Landing's marina carries diesel fuel.

I found some other boat manufacturers that make houseboats that have a boat shaped bow, like Bluewater Yachts and Holiday Mansion, but I think I still prefer things that are more boaty, I think half of the fun is it's unique shape.

[Pat Ross]

Originally Posted by captainObvious

-- not all of them carry diesel. I think Washington Landing's marina carries diesel fuel.

I found some other boat manufacturers that make houseboats that have a boat shaped bow, like Bluewater Yachts and Holiday Mansion, but I think I still prefer things that are more boaty, I think half of the fun is it's unique shape.

1. I think you will find the diesel is much more efficient and the need to refuel will be much less often so needing a refueling point may not be a frequent issue.

2. Back in the 80's when I started looking for boats I seriously considered a houseboat. Being from Louisiana they are very popular there along the bayous and rivers as liveaboards and fish camps. Here in Pensacola the need for a different hull design than the traditional houseboat is required to move around on the bays on a good day. I did find a few boats that offered better hull design, so they are out there.

[Liltttzr]

No problem, Glad to here about boatpittsburgh.com. Any time I can help feel free to shoot me a e-mail. We have a little diffrent layout up here in Pa. what works great down south, gives us a different problem up here. But always glad to help when I can