Another Newbie/Rookie

[Rookie Pop]

Greetings from landlocked Sacramento! I retired a few years ago and am really tired of the vacation paradise of Sacramento. I have nothing to hold me here and want to start an adventure on the ocean. I have no/nada experience at boating yet still want to cruise. Going for a power boat to live on and eventually island hop in the Caribbean. I'm a very active 73 yr old with only my dog, Buster. I was looking for something in the $80,000 range with two cabins. Will be able to pay cash and use my retirement income for GAS! My current thinking is a Silverton 392 or 372...(?) I'm selling my house and will be road tripping in about 45 days to the east coast or northeast, where ever I can find a good boat. Got advice for both the first boat and learning to motor? (Buster is absolutely no help as a crew member! Will be single handing.)
Rick B.

[Celestialsailor]

Hey Rookie...Welcome to the forum. We sail out of Wilton...

[boatpoker]

There are three boats we refuse to deliver, you have just named two of them. Take either one up to about 8-10 knots and turn across your own wake, it will put you off boating for life.

1. You don't want a gas powerboat, they simply do not have the range or reliability for your stated purpose.

2. A much better choice is a displacement hull, diesel trawler.

3. Driving a boat is easy. The hard part is knowing how to fix the inevitable cockups.

Your budget is really tight for a vessel to do what you want.
Read this and see if you think you have the aptitude ...
Marine Survey 101, pre-survey inspection

Something like this is more suited to your plans https://youtu.be/rEKqF1xqeTU

[Retirement home]

Welcome sir.

Displacement hulls offer great advantages.
A much better keel (keelson) to weather with.
Shallow vessels have a keel but art of survival is comfort and in rough weather they need to go faster than a Displacement type such as trawler.
Plus knots below hulls displacement speed go through less fuel and are simply much more comfort on a displacement vessel as opposed to a planing hull vessel.
Plus they are easier to anchor. Which I assume life aboard will be more often than knot. Marina berth same same she's with attached lines to hold.

We used planing hull fishing vessels for commercial fishing. But we were coastal and didn't have to go out in the open.

Best luck bro.

[Rookie Pop]

Thanks for the replies. This is exactly the info I'm looking for. I'm not worried about the continual maintenance. I'm a retired master auto tech and am currently in the process of adding 250 sq ft of space to my house. From what I read, exactly the skills needed to stay afloat. In fact I love to tinker on engines & upgrade houses. This sounds like fun!!
The info about the hull types is what I was looking for, the choices are confusing for a newbie without advice. I'm glad I found this site! As a 1960's hot rodder from LA I'll give up on my need for speed...sigh.....
Is there any site that gets down to the nitty gritty about the difference in the two hull types? I'm not dead locked into any certain boat, just comfortable and doesn't look like some of the fishing boats I've been out on. A couple of them I'd rather pee over the side than used the head! I'm looking for a good solid hull with good engines, just needs some TLC to bring her back to life.
Thanks again,
Rick B

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Rick B.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

There are three boats we refuse to deliver, you have just named two of them. Take either one up to about 8-10 knots and turn across your own wake, it will put you off boating for life.

1. You don't want a gas powerboat, they simply do not have the range or reliability for your stated purpose.

2. A much better choice is a displacement hull, diesel trawler.

3. Driving a boat is easy. The hard part is knowing how to fix the inevitable cockups.

Your budget is really tight for a vessel to do what you want.
Read this and see if you think you have the aptitude ...
Marine Survey 101, pre-survey inspection

Something like this is more suited to your plans https://youtu.be/rEKqF1xqeTU

+1

Everything boatpoker said. The boat in the video looks just about perfect. If you get a survey and find she's in as good condition as she looks - buy her!
LittleWing77

Oh - and take a Power Squadron course, for heaven's sake!