Liveaboard Trial

[weephee]

My wife and I are wanting to do a trial liveaboard in Southern Florida next winter for one or two months. If all goes well, we would purchase a boat in that area and stay for the whole winter each year. Is there a site or way of finding out if we could rent a boat approx. 30 foot. Do not want to leave the slip, just live on it for that period somewhere between St. Petes and the Keys. Thanks

[rwidman]

There are charter companies that will rent you a boat but of course most people actually take them somewhere.

Of course, if you want to simulate living on a boat for a month, just seal off all but one room in your home, put a dorm refrigerator, hotplate, porta pottie and a bed in it and give it a try.

[David M]

I would try leasing from an individual first. It would probably cost much less than from a charter company.

[a64pilot]

Just buy a 30' boat, there are thousands for sale and to charter a boat for two months would I'm sure cost more than what you would lose in re-selling the boat

[brownoarsman]

Second A64, bought my 28'er in pristine condition for $8,000. No pressure water or enclosed shower (solar shower instead), propane range, or chart plotter, but it's actually pretty easy to live with. Don't even notice the lack of solar since the batteries are only used for the anchor light and tiller pilot.
If you want a nicer 30'er, you can find older ones that have just gone through a refit in the $20-$25 K range fairly easily as well. The trouble is just sorting out the trash in person.


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[FamilyVan]

Buying a boat is easy, selling one is hard. I'd run an ad on craigslist or kijiji. Somebody I'm sure would rent you a boat for a couple of months.

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[denverd0n]

Ditto what FamilyVan said. There are lots and lots of boats sitting in marinas around here that never go anywhere. I don't know for sure, but I have to suspect that if you put an ad in craigslist you could find someone who would rent you their boat for a couple of months.

[weephee]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I will try Craigslist first and see how that goes.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by weephee

Thanks everyone for the replies. I will try Craigslist first and see how that goes.

Let us know what you find, I think it will be harder to find one to rent than you might think. So hard that this to me is a heck of a business opportunity for someone, maybe?
Buy a few 15K boats, rent them for $700 a week?

[brownoarsman]

You can try boatbound.com. It's pricy, by you won't have to own and they insure the boat which helps the owners get comfortable with the idea.
For what it's worth, if you're willing to 'lose' a little money, buy a good deal with cash and sell it on for a few thousand less than you bought it for in a couple of months.
I was in Florida shopping, and willing to drive anywhere for the best deal while monitoring all the ads, and the best deals sold within a couple of hours. My belief is that it's only hard to sell a boat if you're waiting for the price you want, probably goes without saying. But in this price range, low absolute losses are high percentage ones, which works in your favor as a temporary owner.


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[jpmoore10]

We have a 30' morgan that was a liveaboard you might be interested in
John


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