Costs...

[Ex-Calif]

$2500 is a resoanable maintenance cost and your boat is beautiful.

However, I don't think 1 year cost can be a true indicator of long term costs. There are items that cost big money that don't happen every year.

I think you have to get through one rigging overhaul and one sail change to get a true picture of long term costs.

[maxingout]

If you are going to be away from the boat for eight months a year, and on the boat only 4 months a year, I think you are setting yourself up for all the hassles of boat ownership without the benefits.

During the month that you are there, you will be getting caught up on maintenance and dealing with whatever went wrong in the previous two months. Unless you pay someone to take meticulous care of your yacht during your two month absences, you will have a lot of work to do when you spend your next month on board.

I think you would be better off renting a condo somewhere until you can devote a large portion of your life to the liveaboard experience and give it a real chance.

[Stillraining]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

$2500 is a resoanable maintenance cost and your boat is beautiful.

However, I don't think 1 year cost can be a true indicator of long term costs. There are items that cost big money that don't happen every year.

I think you have to get through one rigging overhaul and one sail change to get a true picture of long term costs.

Thanks EX-Calif...Ya, I should have worded that in my first post not my second...

[Hud3]

Dave said it right. Boat systems hate sitting around idle. They take their revenge in various nefarious ways.

[anotherT34C]

The question is what is most suitable for live aboard in the tropics. The answer is fiberglass.

FC if you absolutely need to save money on the initial purchase.

Wood if you have a bug for wooden boats.

Metal if you are going to habitually dodge icebergs (unlikely).

[bobfnbw]

Originally Posted by anotherT34C

The question is what is most suitable for live aboard in the tropics. The answer is fiberglass.

FC if you absolutely need to save money on the initial purchase.

Wood if you have a bug for wooden boats.

Metal if you are going to habitually dodge icebergs (unlikely).

Wasn't the titanic made of metal...... ?

And if you dodge them... what difference does it matter what hull material it is.

Lots of wooden hull vessels that spent the winter in ice up in the artic during the days of sail.

[anotherT34C]

True enough. I think if you're dodging icebergs, you should probably resign yourself to the fact that you will hit a few, hence metal.

How much faster do you think the big T would have come apart/gone down if she were made of glass or wood?

[bobfnbw]

very good point. But I think the end result would have been the same.

For me, anything cooler than 60 degrees F, is to cold. I'll stick to the warmer places.

[Ex-Calif]

As long as you keep dodging the icebergs they are all pretty good.

Need to give a little more thought if you plan on banging into icebergs on a regular basis.