Live aboard sailing vessel

[Cruising Roo]

Hello fellow "floating friends". I have learned after my Australian friends made it clear to me that questions need to be succinct so I reckon this is one of them. For those who live aboard in particular a sailing vessel but open to others, comparing say a trawler and a fully equipped sail boat, do you find particularly at anchor, that the rolling motion annoys the crap out of you? And even, how would you rate the level of "motion" at a protected marina. I will explain why I ask. i am wanting to live aboard but travel up the East coast of Australia regularly. The Operating costs of a motor boat are really high for my circumstances so was wondering if a sail boat is going to be comfortable enough or not. If not... then the costs i need to incur. The 'in between' motor sailor is preferred but the amount and quality of them in Australia is very limited. Now I hope that is succinct and if it is not...I will soon find out. Cheers Darren

[GILow]

Well, living aboard on the east coast of Oz has some challenges, the first of which is that NSW won’t let you, at least not for more than some number of days, somebody here will tell us, I’ve forgotten.

As for motion, piece of string question. The trick is to stop in good anchorages, I.e. smooth anchorages. Then the motion of the boat does not really matter.

Size for size sailing boats can be a little more stable thanks to the momentum of the mast, but then size for size (or should I say length for length) sailing boats have a lot less space than motor boats.

In my case I turned down first bids on a really nice trawler for sale near me because I could see that the fuel costs would prevent me from travelling. That boat would have been more comfortable than my sailing boat but I would never have gone anywhere.

[Bobby Lex]

How much you roll at anchor is much more a factor of which anchorage you select rather than the type of boat you're on.

Subject to the above, as a general rule, motor yachts should roll more than sailboats because they are more top-heavy.

Bob

[aqfishing]

Mono’s roll more than cats…

[UYA]

As said above a good anchorage is key. But it's not always possible and what can be a calm anchorage one day might be a rolly one the other day.
A flopper stopper helps to a certain degree. I's a cheap way to get more comfort at anchor...

[Tin Tin]

Multihull sailing boats roll whole lot less than monohulls, motor or sail. Some larger power boats have stabilizers. The problem with a lot of anchorages near islands is swell wrap so that whilst the boat may be on the lee side pointing into the wind coming over the island, the swell wraps around and hits the boat side on, and a mono will swing like a pendulum. Multihulls often have much shallower draft and can snug in much closer to shore and avoid the larger wrapping swells. Mono hulls at anchor also react badly to passing sport fisher wakes. In a non swell prone anchorage of course it does not matter (except for the passing wakes)

[smj]

Originally Posted by aqfishing

Mono’s roll more than cats…

Depends on the cat, as some have a terrible motion with a beam on swell/chop.

[BugzyCan]

Why would you be on the water if you don't like the motion? Why not just drive a car up and down and sleep in a land bed?

[Brioche]

My wife says she always sleeps better with the rolling motion. So it depends ...

[Mike OReilly]

Rolling is primarily about the nature and conditions of the anchorage, and how the boat is oriented visa vis the waves, but some boats do roll more than others. How much roll is too much is really up to the individual to say.

I've never owned a trawler, but just considering the hull/keel arrangement, I bet most will have a greater tendency to roll than most sailboats.

[JPA Cate]

We've lived aboard various sailboats since 1986. I have lots part of a few nights' sleep, due to motion. Mainly not, though. Some of those were under way. Now, everyone's different: there is little way to predict how one particular individual will react to the brand new experience of boat motion all the time.

What was written above about the anchorage is correct: good anchorages are usually not very rolly. Most cruising guides will mention if there are conditions under which an anchorage will become rolly. Generally, if there is some breeze, it will hold the boat stern to the swell, and that will give comfortable nights' rest. However, changing wind directions can sometimes hold you beam to the swell, and you'll roll like h--l. I try to look upon that when it happens as God inviting me to get an earlier start on the day than I had planned. It is a way of thinking about it that allows me to turn loose of the aggro, and get in a longer day's run. I also have accumulated enough experience to know that we sometimes "lose" sleep, and that I can take a nap later on, if need be.

Some monohull shapes tend to roll more than others, just as some are more prone to hobby-horsing. Smaller boats tend to be more "lively" than larger ones.

Ann

[Muaddib1116]

The stabilizers on power boats that work at anchor are the gyroscopic stabilizers and flopper stoppers. The gyroscope systems require constant generator power when in use, underway or at anchor. The flopper stoppers don't. That being said, you can use flopper stoppers on a sailboat.

In my experience, there are a lot of motor boats that roll much more than some sailboats of a similar size. There are a lot of factors that go into roll motion. In general, as people have said, the primary deterrent is anchorage selection, with any style boat. Stabilizers and swell bridles are a last ditch effort.

[Fore and Aft]

Cruising Roo generally speaking at anchor if one yacht or trawler is rolling they're all rolling. There's just different degrees of roll. If it becomes gunnel to gunnel rolling then it's time to leave for us. Normally a bit of motion is easily ignored and I seem to be the only one onboard stressing if it's going to get worse. Marina's are normally motion free. They all have one weak point where some slight motion might happen, but it's nothing like being anchored.
I think you might need to crew for a week to see if it's for you. More than one client of mine has been surprised to find not every anchorage is flat and there's not a dinghy dock at every beach.
Cheers

[Muaddib1116]

Originally Posted by BugzyCan

Why would you be on the water if you don't like the motion? Why not just drive a car up and down and sleep in a land bed?

Really? This comment makes me wonder what your experience living on a boat at anchor or on a mooring is. Heavy roll motion can be very uncomfortable and exhausting when you're trying to rest and enjoy your location.

[GILow]

I have vowed never to complain of a rolly anchorage again after friends told me about the night they got friction burns in bed from the rolling.