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Buying a yacht with headroom?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by NewGuy, Jun 19, 2017.

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  1. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    I've been a boater for several decades and now that I am nearly at retirement I've decided to take the plunge and buy a live aboard. (I have lived aboard before on a friends yacht for a full year and loved it)

    Up front, I can't throw millions at this and hope to stay in the 250K to 300K range for a good used yacht. From my online looking that seems quite doable as long as I don't buy a piece of kaw kaw. Even though I have an extensive background in boating I WILL be using a professional for a survey of anything I intend to make an offer on.

    With that said, few things I need to ask the knowledgeable folks about and the first may seem silly but to me its critical. I'm 6'6" or there about and it seems most yachts are designed with really small folks in mind. Can you folks give me any pointers on finding a yacht with real head room? Is there one manufacture that is better than the others or is it down to specific models? Being on board a boat with no head room is ok for a few days but living on one,,, not so much.

    Second, as I've been doing on-line shopping I've noticed that yachts overseas (Spain, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean Sea) are LOTS cheaper. Is buying one over seas recommended or are there a million "gottcha's" just waiting for the unknowing?
  2. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Are you using the word "yacht" in the English sense: a sailboat, of almost any length? Or in the "really huge boat" sense? Or...?

    Have you rummaged through yachtworld and similar to give yourself an idea of what boats might appeal to you? (Without regard to actual headroom specs and so forth just yet.) If so, you might mention a few names just to help get the ball rolling in a semi-useful direction...

    One issue with overseas boats is about differing electric feeds, wiring, etc. Not insurmountable, but sometimes not trivial either. Some other issues are more about usage expectations; I've read that many Europeans prefer their chefs and any actual cooking to be neither seen nor heard... That's just from reading, though, and many of the European members here will correct me in a heartbeat if I got it wrong. :)

    -Chris
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm 6'8", our old Bertram 58 MY has room to spare.
    Been on her near 15 years now.
    Oh, watch your head in the engine room, sport fisher lay out.

    Another boat you want to look for, an old Southern Cross flush deck.
    My personal next choice. Two were listed in FL. One with a cockpit a year ago.
  4. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Hatteras LRCs have good head room and make great liveaboards; check out the 58s and 65s. The Hatteras 58 actually has a tad more head room than the 65s particularly in the master head. Not quite the same quality, but similar in head room is the Cheoy Lee LRCS in their 55 and 66 models. Both Hatt and CL have full stand-up engine rooms. These yachts are showing their age with some in better condition than others, but a lot of boat and some of them well worth putting the money and effort in to making them home.

    Judy
  5. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    Thanks so much, I'm actually going to look at a Bertram next week.
  6. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    Thanks Judy. Help a guy out, what is LRCs? I haven't looked at a Hatteras because I thought they were out of my price range but I just did a search and found a couple of older ones that look interesting.
  7. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    No blow boats for me, way too much work. ;)

    I spend way too much time looking at yachtworld. I see some great boats, then I see the ones I can afford and I'm hoping the two meet at some point. I went to look at a SeaRay (looked great in photos) and immediately rejected it as a live aboard. Also looked at an Oceans Yacht and really liked the layout but head room was a real issue. Engines were plain wore out too. Like I said, I really liked the layout because there wasn't a huge aft deck and instead it was enclosed which means more actual living space under roof.

    I should also say I am NOT looking for something with monster horse power. Cruising at 8 to 10 knots is plenty for me and fuel consumption has to be better like that.
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    LRC = Long Range Cruiser
  9. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    Thanks, that makes sense and I should have figured it out on my own.
  10. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Thanks, Ralph, appreciate your expediency.

    Sorry, NG, you said you were new -- it was out of habit, not being presumptious, but a good reminder for me to be more explcit next time.

    Judy
  11. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    judy,

    No problem, I catch on sooner or later. :D
  12. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    If you don't mind moving quite slowly, take a look at Great Harbour trawlers. I am quite tall and I recall they have good headroom. Their 37 has a great live-aboard layout, good engine access and shallow draft. Not the most graceful looking boats, however. Also check out Island Pilot 395 or 435. Reuben Trane built them and he is about 6' 5" -- they offer great headroom. Comfortable layout, good performance, decent quality and usually attractively priced on used boat market since Island Pilot is an "off brand" boat and has some appearance quirks. The newer ones have pods drives. Great engine access.
  13. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    I read your reply and checked out your suggestions. They tend to be out of my price range or are too small (length) for a full time live aboard and my needs. I'm thinking minimum length is going to be somewhere around 60' so family and friends can come spend time with me.
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That's why we got a boat. To avoid family and friends.
    After you start living on a boat, you will understand.
    You want family and friends on a budget, stay at the Hilton for a weekend.
    You want to get away from them, get a boat and always be anchored out when they call.
  15. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    Um, no.
  16. 30West

    30West Member

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    Friends of mine worked at Broward Yacht, they say old man Peterson used to walk through the boats with his thumb on top of his head, and if his pinky finger touched anything it had to be raised. He was over 6'.

    I've noticed most bigger motor yachts have headroom as a rule, while sailboats and working/sport boats often compromise headroom for performance. Even my micro-yacht has at least 6'5" everywhere inside.

    Your price range seems reasonable for something in that size with a few years on, there is an '02, 56' Navigator in my home town the owner is waffling on selling for $300k, beautiful long range cruiser with three staterooms.
  17. NewGuy

    NewGuy New Member

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    I've not had the chance to look over a Boward but I have looked at lots of photos and I like what I can see. I'll see what's available for me to look at up close.