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alma libre · 10-10-2014, 10:36

The question is to buy a roomy cruiser (6 month liveaboard) or a smaller27 ft. and make a 12x16 roofed over floating porch for space(Bahamas). am 56 yrs old with little wanderlust, just want to escape winter, never heard of anyone talking about this and is it permissible in the Bahamas, to have one on a mooring, gunkhole and move periodically a couple of miles. I spend most of my summer on my porch(Ontario)...buddy built a 2 million $ home in sw Fla., lives on his pool deck, with BBQ, and fishing on his dock. the only time spent indoors is to use the washroom, get something from the fridge, or go to bed

**a64pilot** · 10-10-2014, 11:10

Too funny,
There is this guy in Panama City that has an honest to God two story floating house that he anchors out behind Shell Island and has parties in, the first floor looks to be mostly porch with the living quarters on the second, should have taken pictures but didn't.
I assume you register it as a boat and meet the regs for holding tanks etc and it a boat, that just looks a lot like a house?

Steadman Uhlich · 10-10-2014, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by alma libre

The question is to buy a roomy cruiser (6 month liveaboard) or a smaller27 ft. and make a 12x16 roofed over floating porch for space(Bahamas). am 56 yrs old with little wanderlust, just want to escape winter, never heard of anyone talking about this and is it permissible in the Bahamas, to have one on a mooring, gunkhole and move periodically a couple of miles. I spend most of my summer on my porch(Ontario)...buddy built a 2 million $ home in sw Fla., lives on his pool deck, with BBQ, and fishing on his dock. the only time spent indoors is to use the washroom, get something from the fridge, or go to bed

Howdy!

My Suggestion: Post a sketch of what you have in mind. That would help you get more comments and suggestions (and possible ideas).

On the topic of "floating porch" I was interested by seeing some motor yachts with same provision of a nice seating area on deck. In particular, a "sun deck" model trawler yacht caught my attention. So, if you have a big enough budget you can find yachts that do have nice areas for "porch type" life.

alma libre · 10-10-2014, 12:03

Steady Hand,
Learnin comprehension sketchy beyond second grade (never learned to draw on a computer...majic marker will not send...or delete on further screens)...lol. Basically, 12x16 floating dock, 4 posts at the corners, front 8 feet, rear 10 feet, fibreglass (corrugated )panels for roof ,boat tied to the high side- head clears while climbing aboard. rain catcher fills elevated black barrel (solar shower)

tbodine88 · 10-10-2014, 12:24

This is a crazy thought, but maybe tow a pontoon boat behind your boat, be it sail or motor yacht. Use that as your "porch" the main ship for facilities.

Be sure to cross the stream in calm conditions.

**Hudson Force** · 10-10-2014, 13:04

The floating shed known as "Stranded Naked" was in the Abacos for most of the 1980's as I recall. Crafts such as this are not very reliable for crossing the Gulf Stream, but they can be built or modified in place.

alma libre · 10-10-2014, 14:07

Thank you Hudson,

I should have clarified my thought, to build one on site.

Steadman Uhlich · 10-10-2014, 14:19

Some motor yachts have decks that can have furniture that would normally be found on a sun deck or front or back porch.

If I had a boat like this I would enjoy time spent on this deck (in the shade, but open to breezes).

Here is a photo of a "sun deck" (open on three sides, but covered deck) on a 40 foot motor yacht.

oldragbaggers · 10-10-2014, 14:23

That will be our next boat.

**Cotemar** · 10-10-2014, 15:28

Why not. If you can build it, you friends will come.
Hell, I'll even go and visit you to sit and have a beer on your water front porch.

You go guy.....

Cormorant · 11-10-2014, 04:26

Seen in Provincetown harbor this summer. Pretty low-tech and low cost.

Tingum · 11-10-2014, 04:44

"Stranded Necked" is alive and well in Black Sound on GTC. There are always some interesting vessels about. Please do not put a noisey air cooled gen set on it. Remember your neighbors! Everyone has to look at whatever you create.

k9medic · 11-10-2014, 04:52

It sounds like a great idea to me.

A couple of things might fight you in this plan though.

Would the Bahamian government consider this a boat? If so, you may have to pay additional taxes on it.
How would it be secured when you are not on it? Mooring? Anchor?

Having said that, towing an old pontoon boat over would be the easiest way I could think of to get things started.

We spend a lot of time on our "back porch" too.

**HappyMdRSailor** · 11-10-2014, 05:31

NOT the same thing, but a close cousin...

I gotta guy right next to me in the slip who has something like this... His boat doesn't fill a 50' slip, so he made a 12ishx18ish floating dock that fits in the last 12' of his slip behind his boat...

It's got deck chairs, sofa length seating, umbrellas, sun shade, dingy ramp with rollers, and TREES! He doesn't drag it anywhere, but if it were mine, I'd tow it any time I was going to make a short anchor out trip!

I'm jealous as all hell about this thing... I simply can't duplicate it as I don't have the space...

or else I would for sure!

I'll take pics next time I'm there...

edit: AND... we are smack dab in the middle of redneck land!