Preparing boat to live aboard

[Juho]

Start sailing and sail a lot. You will soon learn what you really need (and what is not that important to you).

One important exception though. Put highest priority on all safety related improvements, and implement them already before you find out (while sailing) that you desperately need them.

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

I cannot imagine a live-aboard without a rail mounted grill. Microwave, freezer and refrigerator are nice to have but a grill is necessary, at least in Florida. I must admit I have not yet figured out how to fix breakfast eggs on the grill.

When camping I have a flat iron griddle that I put on top of a fire, and it should work great to cook eggs, either fried or scrambled. Yes, making eggs and coffee in the morning will be high on the priority list :-). I've seen several 12vdc coffee makers, I just have to find out if any of them are worth the money.

Regards,
David

[zengirl]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

I cannot imagine a live-aboard without a rail mounted grill. Microwave, freezer and refrigerator are nice to have but a grill is necessary, at least in Florida. I must admit I have not yet figured out how to fix breakfast eggs on the grill.

Here you go:

Directions
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Spray one muffin pan with cooking spray in each cup.
Crack one egg in each cup, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Divide the peppers and cheese evenly among each cup.
Place on the grill, cover, and cook fir about 2 minutes, or until desired doneness.

[Sea Dreaming]

Originally Posted by Davidhoy

When camping I have a flat iron griddle that I put on top of a fire, and it should work great to cook eggs, either fried or scrambled. Yes, making eggs and coffee in the morning will be high on the priority list :-). I've seen several 12vdc coffee makers, I just have to find out if any of them are worth the money.

Regards,
David

If you use the griddle on your boat, be prepared for everything to slide. Even at anchor at a dock you boat moves a lot. Use egg rings for fried eggs or pancakes. If you want scrabled use the ring from a spring form pan. These will keep the runny stuff on the griddle and off the floor.

[boatpoker]

Pull your impeller for close inspection (preferably replace) and get a spare.
Change the fuel filters (primary and secondary) you have no idea how old they are.
Closely examine all hoses, plumbing, fuel, exhaust etc. and replace as required.
Closely inspect engine mounts and replace if required.
Closely inspect exhaust manifold and riser, replace or repair as required.
Learn your electrical system inside out, guaranteed its not close to perfect.
Address the improperly fitted batteries.
Closely examine tankage (all sides) and address as required.
Closely examine propane system and correct the last idiots modifications.
Closely examine standing rigging and chainplates and address as required.
Closely examine running gear (cutless, rudder bushings etc.)

Of course all of this is to be done after your new upholstery is fitted and your beer cooler is installed within easy reach of the grill.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by Juho

Start sailing and sail a lot. You will soon learn what you really need (and what is not that important to you).

One important exception though. Put highest priority on all safety related improvements, and implement them already before you find out (while sailing) that you desperately need them.

'an important thought here from Juho! I'm sure we can all agree that safety equipment is a high priority!

[dlymn]

Cruising sailors typically spends 95% of the time tied up to dock or anchored. You'll understand why when you get to understand weather, fatigue, touring, the good life. liveaboard at least the same. Don't worry about quick getaways.

[a64pilot]

I'd say it's important to have a cockpit long enough and cushions big and comfortable enough you can sleep on.
Works on a hot night at anchor, and works well for a cat nap when off shore and underway.
I'm a grill type cause the wife gets a break when I grill and it does keep the heat and smells out of the boat.

Longest we have spent on the boat so far is three weeks and 1200 miles or so, but we got a decent idea.

Best advice I have heard here is to not buy anything beyond basic safety gear until you have been out for awhile, your idea of what is acceptable and what is important will likely change. For instance, the two best things we had on this trip as decided by the wife was the $99 ice maker and the food vacuum sealer, neither of which we have ever tried in our house.


Sent from my iPad Pro using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I'd say it's important to have a cockpit long enough and cushions big and comfortable enough you can sleep on.
Works on a hot night at anchor, and works well for a cat nap when off shore and underway.
I'm a grill type cause the wife gets a break when I grill and it does keep the heat and smells out of the boat.

Longest we have spent on the boat so far is three weeks and 1200 miles or so, but we got a decent idea.

Best advice I have heard here is to not buy anything beyond basic safety gear until you have been out for awhile, your idea of what is acceptable and what is important will likely change. For instance, the two best things we had on this trip as decided by the wife was the $99 ice maker and the food vacuum sealer, neither of which we have ever tried in our house.

Sent from my iPad Pro using Cruisers Sailing Forum

I had personally thought of purchasing a cheap ice maker too for really hot days.

[JPA Cate]

You've really had all the feedback you can handle for the short term, I think. Everyone is right who said to deal with the boat's systems first, so that you can start using it. The more time you spend aboard, the better sense you will have for what you want vs. need.

If you're a foodie, then figure out which utensils are most necessary for your style of cooking.

Unlike Hudson, we're set up to do varied baking: breads, cookies, and desserts, and we do have a propane BBQ, really like it in hot weather, like you have there in summer. However, although we have refrigeration (having sailed one yr. without), we have never had ice!

To me, one's bed is really important, but I do think that varies, as well: some people have specialist made box springs and mattresses for their berth, others, like me, are content with firm foam.

Go sailing and learn what you want.

Ann

[knockabout]

after reading the above reply you blokes are spoilt / check hull security both below water and above waterline / leaks,damage etc work out a maintenance schedule.


do some shake down short cruises try to anchor somewhere self contained on board using your small ships equipment / you may not need to change anything / you may need to change your thinking to use what is already there (good fun).


you will need current marine safety equipment depending on your intended cruising climate / extra cold weather clothing / uv protection clothing /footwear for walking on various marine surfaces and surviving the experience .


it's two completely different lifestyles / marina boat lifestyle /reticulated water / hooked up to power grid / walk to marine toy shops and stores / health care / medical assistance on hand.


live aboard (non marina boat) self contained power supply / water supply / self managed food supply / all responsibility for safety of pob's is skipper (any problem with anything on board refer to you the skipper) / if anything goes wrong refer to skipper / some choose to have a pet on board called skipper

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by knockabout

after reading the above reply you blokes are spoilt / check hull security both below water and above waterline / leaks,damage etc work out a maintenance schedule.

do some shake down short cruises try to anchor somewhere self contained on board using your small ships equipment / you may not need to change anything / you may need to change your thinking to use what is already there (good fun).

you will need current marine safety equipment depending on your intended cruising climate / extra cold weather clothing / uv protection clothing /footwear for walking on various marine surfaces and surviving the experience .

it's two completely different lifestyles / marina boat lifestyle /reticulated water / hooked up to power grid / walk to marine toy shops and stores / health care / medical assistance on hand.

live aboard (non marina boat) self contained power supply / water supply / self managed food supply / all responsibility for safety of pob's is skipper (any problem with anything on board refer to you the skipper) / if anything goes wrong refer to skipper / some choose to have a pet on board called skipper

this one + the ice machine.

[liveaboard60]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

I cannot imagine a live-aboard without a rail mounted grill. Microwave, freezer and refrigerator are nice to have but a grill is necessary, at least in Florida. I must admit I have not yet figured out how to fix breakfast eggs on the grill.

I guess it depends on how you like your eggs.. I like mine sunny side up, so I just put a piece of tin foil on the grill and cook the eggs on it (turning up the edges so it doesn't run over the edges).. Life isn't life without a grill <VBG>.. The first thingI cooked on my boat was done on my grill.. flk k

[Sandero]

It's hard to tell someone how to fit out their home to live. If the boat is new to you you should probably try weekend then a week of living aboard at dockside and then perhaps at anchor or mooring. You'll find what works and what needs to be changed and then if it's feasible technically and financially.

Take a huge amount of time and thinking before you modify your boat. You can do a redo without "aesthetic consequence".

The suggestions above are sound. But you need to see how your NEEDS fit to what the boat has.

Become proficient and familiar with all the boats systems. Label wires and hoses, And get spares which you will need one day and a shop is not handy. This includes an inventory of fasteners... and of course tools. You need to become expert at all your boat's systems and be able to repair them. If they work now... given time they will break down. Be prepared.

You can go inexpensive with marine electronics... and discover what you need from local cruising. Communications gear and safety gear are mission critical. Make sure your radios and so forth are in good working order and you know how to use them.

Over time you will figure it out.

[liveaboard60]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

<snip>
Absolutely! “Living aboard” and “sailing” are two essentially antagonistic states of the world! “Secure for sea” is a time-honoured order that acknowledges that that is so. Being permanently “secured for sea” makes the daily doings of living aboard quite inconvenient and sometimes unnecessarily labour intensive.
<snip>

TrentePieds

Years ago it was our last morning on SAR (Search and Rescue) duty and our 82' CG patrol boat, and we were expecting to be relieved at 8am.. The boat was just re-provisioned the night before and we didn't stow away all of the soda cans.. What was the need? They were all in those plastic things, neatly stacked cases.. They weren't going anywhere, beside we probably wouldn't be called out anyway. .

We got the call at 1:38am and within 1/2 hour we were heading into 25' seas and did so for the next 6 hours.. It was one hell of an experience..

The point of stowing it all away because painfully clear.. Those plastic things didn't hold under the pounding, and in no time we had soda cans rolling around below.. It made walking below extremely dangerous as if it wasn't bad enough already, the bow of the boat would drop 50 to 70 feet as we crashed through a wave, so in addition to them rolling around, you had them flying.. What a hell of a mess it was..

So keeping stuff stowed away for me is a lesson I will never forget.. flk k