live aboards

[waynemonastra]

Hi there fellow sailers,

Im new to this site and would really love your help. Im a huge fan of small boat sailing offshore, and are now in a position to take the plunge and get a boat so I can sail. I have narrowed my options down to the following and have based my choices on what is around New Zealand at a price i can afford.
Woolacot keeler, Whiting reactor 25, Nolex 22-30, raven 26,Tracker 7.7, vairant 22. Does anybody know anything about these boats, they are priced betwwen $7000 and $25000 and some even look set up for coastel cruising.
What advice would you give to me who has never lived aboard a boat before. It it just me so I dont need alot of space, and I dont own much so It wont be clutterd. I cant really afford to go bigger than 30ft otherwise I will spend more time trying to pay for it and less time out there sailing it., rent at my local marina is $5 aday includeing all the shore power etc I want.
I hope to do a sail of the Tasman in the next 12mths and then maybe meet up with other sailers along the way.

If anybody is from New Zealand (ChristChurch) I would love to talk to you.

Thanks
Wayne

[coaster]

Hi and welcome. I'm also new here but I've lived aboard for the past 4 years.

I'm not familiar with the boats you asked about but am familiar with living aboard - bigger is better. Ilive oboard a 34 and find it small at times and will probably go to a 36 - 38 in time.

You will collect stuff. Just a full suit of sails can require a considerable amount of space. A couple changes of clothing, dishes and provisions will also require room. Through in survival and safety gear, tools, spare parts and navagation aids well you can see what I mean.

Good luck and if I can help, let me know.

[Alan Wheeler]

Hi Wayne and welcome. There are a few Kiwi's here and it's good to see another.
Boat choice? well thats a hard one. As you said, some look like they aqre setup for crusiing and you need to look at those. The cost is in the safety gear you need, The ability to single hand especially in heavy sea's.
Storage is important. It is unbelievable what you end up trying to put away.
Now the other important thing, you aren't trying to live on that Lyttleton club warf thingy they have there are you. In a southerly blow, it is next to impossible to stay on the boat. Once they get the new marina up and running again (who knows when) then that will be better, but pop down to the old marina on a southerly one afternoon and you will see what I mean.
Somebody that you can talk too and may be able to help you is across in Purau (I think he is moored over there). Look for a large (50ft) white Ketch called Waitane. The guy's name is Dave and is very approachable. He sailed down from Picton with it and lives aboard and he will be great to talk to and ask question of. He may even take you out sailing.
I am Marlborough and feel free to Email me if you want.

[waynemonastra]

Hi Alan

Thanks for your email/reply I will try to see dave at his yacht in the next week or so.

do you know Dave ( who has the boat brokers )in lyttlton, he has been helping me try to find a boat as well.

I would love to stay in touch, this will be a new experience for me and think I will need all the advice i can get.

thanks again

wayne

[Alan Wheeler]

No I don't know The other Dave. But if you would like, I do have know a guy up here, that has become a very good freind, who is a broker up here. He is a great guy, easy to get on with and very helpful and not at all pushy. Private Email me and I will send you his details if you want. It would be worth it, as there are a lot of boats up here.