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Introduction and Live Aboard Advice

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Tete Dure, Sep 13, 2018.

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  1. Tete Dure

    Tete Dure New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2018
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    Baton Rouge
    Bonjour from Baton Rouge.

    Like all new post, I need some advice on boats and and mooring among other things.

    1) I grew up in Grand Isle, La during the summer working for my Papa unloading shrimp boats thirty something years ago. Grew up and water and have had a boat off and on since then. The biggest being 20ish although I have piloted bigger boats (shrimp, oyster luggers, tug) it was just a hold the wheel in the gulf or bayou Lafourche.

    2) My Parrin is a newly retired captain of a 312' supply boat and he is willing to teach me how to pilot a bigger boat.

    3) For two years I worked on an inland cement barge were I've had to help the captain do maintenance on everything. Engines, electrical, etc. Also have access to a carpenter to help me make interior improvements.

    4) Single and my daughter is in college.

    Now for the help part:

    What I want is a boat I can live on, take it to Grand Isle, Mississippi, Alabama, and hopefully the Keys. Go up river to Natchez etc. As much as I would like to go to Cuba etc, I own my on business so weekend trips and one three week trip.

    1) The hardest part is finding a place to moor the boat. You think Baton Rouge having a river running through it there would be a place to park a boat. Anyone have any creative suggestions? I've got a couple of calls out to some tug companies to see if I can rent a slip but generally you can't have booze and need a TWIC card to get on the docks. I can dock it in Madisonville and commute 1hr each.

    2) Budget is 300k tops and ~60 max. Boats that I have looked at on the internet are Chris Craft Roamer/Constellation (really love the Constellations) Burger Cockpit Motor Yacht, Bertram 57 Motor Yacht, and of course the Hattaras. Open to suggestions on boats. Prefer not to have a gas boat or at least be able to switch them to diesel.

    3) Besides here, is there a place to do research on boats?

    4) Needs to have or be able to have A/C.


    Edit: I did fall in love with the 1931 Boeing Fantall but I think that would be a money pit.

    Pretty much it. Thanks everyone for the help.
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2018
  2. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Welcome to YF! This is my number 1 go-to place for information. However, you might want to check out Trawlers & Trawlering. The information isn't always as reliable or as broad as YF, but there are some knowledgeable boaters in the group and there's a fair number of bayou boys that participate.

    Judy
  3. Capt_T

    Capt_T New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2017
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    I'd recommend to check out Catalina 310 model it's a 31ft sailing yacht with pretty much anything you would need to cruse and live on. It's priced just around $50-$60k. There's plenty of information about this boat online. Here are some basic details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_310
  4. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Sorry, I beg to differ. In spite of Tete's vast experience, it doesn't seem to include sailing. Lots to learn as a first-time boat owner, but to learn sailing too? Also brings in a lot more potential expenses in case of failed learning curve.
  5. Tete Dure

    Tete Dure New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2018
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    Baton Rouge
    "Welcome to YF! This is my number 1 go-to place for information. However, you might want to check out Trawlers & Trawlering. The information isn't always as reliable or as broad as YF, but there are some knowledgeable boaters in the group and there's a fair number of bayou boys that participate.

    Judy"

    That was a great tip. I've already registered and see there are a ton of guys in my area. Looking forward to learning from all of y'all.

    "I'd recommend to check out Catalina 310 model it's a 31ft sailing yacht with pretty much anything you would need to cruse and live on. It's priced just around $50-$60k. There's plenty of information about this boat online. Here are some basic details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_310"

    "Sorry, I beg to differ. In spite of Tete's vast experience, it doesn't seem to include sailing. Lots to learn as a first-time boat owner, but to learn sailing too? Also brings in a lot more potential expenses in case of failed learning curve."


    Yeah, I love the theory of sailboats but I really don't have anyone here who could teach me. Also, I don't feel like I have vast experience as much as I was lucky to be around boats and people foolish enough to let me drive.

    Thanks for the help everyone.
  6. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Messages:
    2,937
    Location:
    Guernsey/Antigua
    Tete,

    Miss Judy is the #1 broker in this market. Listen to her advice very carefully.
  7. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Feb 29, 2008
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    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    As mich as i love sailing, a 31' catalina isnt a live aboard but a camp aboard...

    Best site to do some research is yachworld.com You can search by price range, size, asking price, etc...

    Forget buy a gasser and repowering to diesel, unless the boat is basically free.

    Most boats in that size range will have AC
  8. Tete Dure

    Tete Dure New Member

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    Sep 12, 2018
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    Location:
    Baton Rouge

    Good to know. I have so many questions that brokers won't answer because I am not ready to buy now. By the way Tete Dure is French for hard head.
  9. Tete Dure

    Tete Dure New Member

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    Sep 12, 2018
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    Location:
    Baton Rouge
    Thanks Pascal, I will keep my ears and eyes open to absorb all this knowledge.
  10. CaptPKilbride

    CaptPKilbride Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2004
    Messages:
    586
    Location:
    On the water
    It seems like you have already identified what looks to be one of your biggest challenges if you plan to liveaboard, with the boat as your residence ... where to keep it as a home base.
    Madisonville looks nice, but it seems like you are limited on where you can go on your weekends ... are there suitable marinas up and down the river? On the ICW on the east coast there are tons of resources like The Waterway Guide. I have heard that Active Captain has come into its own, but I have never had any practical experience using it as a resource. Anything further away than anything on the north shore or south shore of Lake Ponchartrain seems like it would be a heck of a daily commute for you. I have a friend who is a liveaboard on a smaller sailboat in New Orleans, and he seems to like it there.
  11. bobhorn

    bobhorn Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2014
    Messages:
    232
    Location:
    Kemah, TX
    There is a relatively new marina, Lakeshore Marina, on the east side of Ponchartrain. Right off I10 and close to the Rigolets and the Mississippi Sound. Not that far from where I12 runs into I10.
  12. Tete Dure

    Tete Dure New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2018
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    Location:
    Baton Rouge

    I don't know of any marinas on the Mississippi. I'm going to keep my eyes for something on a bayou.
  13. Tete Dure

    Tete Dure New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2018
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    Location:
    Baton Rouge
    I googled it and it looked really nice. Think the commute would kill me.

    Thanks