Newbie - Trying to Educate Myself - Where to Start?

[davenyc]

Hello from NYC. I found this site through Google, and am trying to educate myself from scratch on live-aboard boats that can be used to travel up and down the east coast of the US down to the Caribbean. There is so much good information on here -- I would appreciate any pointers in terms of where to start at the "10000 foot" level on what fundamentals I should consider in terms of deciding what may be the right boat for us.

Thank you -

David

[Hud3]

Hi, David.

Welcome to Cruisers Forum. There's a lot of discussion in our archives on your very question. My suggestion is to use this handy CF-secific search tool, and type in "coastal cruiser". You'll have a lot to read, and at some point, you'll have some specific questions to ask. Then, just post away!

Cruisers & Sailing Forum

[Ex-Calif]

Hud gives great advice about doing some research but if you have defined the mission as coastal cruising, say <8-12 hours to a port) almost any boat will do.

Once you start adding amenities and luxuries and balancing against the cost is when you get the headache.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha David,
Welcome to the forum. As Hud says a bit of searching will go a long way. Also, visiting a liveaboard marina would tell you lots when you start meeting people who are actually doing it. As far as liveaboard boats go some are better for that purpose than others but you can liveaboard nearly any boat and make it work. It depends on what you can rid yourself of in order to do it.
Boats are usually designed for a specific purspose. Those that are meant to be liveaboards are not necessarily those you want to go to sea in so you'll have to make some compromises if you truly want to make an ocean crossing.
I lived aboard a Mariner 35 Garden Ketch that was also a great passagemaker. It didn't have near the interior space as a more modern, for example, Islander Freeport 36 but the Mariner made it across the Pacific with no problems. Maybe the Freeport would too but I know they have hull to deck join problems and leaks that need to be repaired before a crossing is attempted.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[scallywag]

Welcome David,
Start working to fulfill your dream. Your dream is attainable. Just read the forum. People are doing it.
John