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live aboard boat

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by paulga, Nov 26, 2017.

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  1. 30West

    30West Member

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    I'm not finding many super-efficient, full displacement hulls in sub-45' powerboats. Trawler-style boats in that size seem to be mostly semi-displacement "fast trawlers", with not a lot better efficiency than full planing-hulls as Capt J mentioned. Trawler-style aft cabins do a bit better in rough weather with more bow flare, at the cost of interior space in the V-berth, and other space compromises mentioned by Capt. J. I love the look and feel of a trawler, but not the compromises.

    My wife and I also like being outside on our boat, and when we take off all the canvas we have a lot of open deck space with fresh air and sunshine. Early spring and late fall, we love being out of the wind with friends behind the canvas and glass. It feels like a different boat without the canvas.
  2. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    I think if you take your time and look at a lot of boats in person you will begin to see the
    ( sometimes subtle ) differences in them.
    I always felt that if you buy a used, higher quality boat you can get a good value.
    It always depends on the P.O.'s ability to keep the boat nice.

    I happen to like the Sport Fish style boats but often found that hard core fishermen used a boat only as a means to get to the fish.
    Not always but they tended to be more concerned about their rods and reels than the boat.
    I'm not talking about " Captained " boats but the " ham & egg" guys.

    Once again you'll start to notice these things as you view more in person.

    And if they look beat in the pictures, they will look even worse in person.

    You need to narrow down your search to what you really want / need or you'll spend years looking and looking and........
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You have to make a list of necessities. But on the size range you're looking at. Mine would be shower size, overall head size, headroom, galley (and refrigerator)size, size of master and storage. In that order.
  4. getreelin

    getreelin New Member

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    For whats its worth my input has been through the eyes of somebody searching for a loop vessel, which in essence will be a live aboard for at least a year. The features than Capt J mentions, all of them, would be incorporated in such a boat
  5. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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  6. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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  7. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Yes, and they make several other models of varying sizes and features. Mainship is another Chevy, in that long list, as is Bayliner.

    Mainship had the same corporate ownership (and build quality, systems quality) as Silverton, Luhrs, and Hunter. FWIW, LARGE Bayliners (i.e., not the small run-abouts) have a pretty good rep in many circles, with varying reports about the last few years...

    -Chris
  8. 30West

    30West Member

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    So far in this thread and others like it, every brand of around-40' aft-cabin boat, is compared to a Chevy. There are a lot of them, fairly popular it seems. I've seen threads on this where someone was looking for a roughly 40' MY with a lot of cabin space and higher quality, there were no suggestions. I can only guess this isn't a market for wealthy buyers, more families on a budget, retired loopers, live-aboards, looking to get maximum living space for the least money.

    Are there higher-than-Chevy-quality small aft-cabin boats out there, that aren't 20-years-old? I love the old Bert and Chris motor yachts, I used to work on them, but newer boats have so much better use of interior space. It would be hard to update the interiors of those older boats to match the useable space and feel of a newer, smaller, mid-tier boat. I love the look of the high-end trawlers and expedition boats, but again, big compromise in interior space and often in performance.
  9. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    I've just worked on a couple of Sea-Rays and Rinkers and cannot understand just how such a piss-poor a product was released onto the boating public. Really poor build quality and cheap fittings. I know they are built to a price but really??

    If any of my Chevy's were like that, straight back to the dealer for a refund.
  10. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    What year were they? I've never had any issues with the build quality of sea rays. I've managed many that were 15-25 years old and still solid boats
  11. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    J, all about 10/15 years old. The hull lamination and gelcoat were of poor grade, the wiring poor, and the bubbling metal fittings dreadful.
  12. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I haven't come across that. The searay gel coat never is and never was super shiny, but it doesn't crack and it lasts.
  13. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Must admit, after a long buffing, the white did come back, but the black. OH Boy, that hurt!!!!
  14. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Can't think of any newer ones in that size range, but I don't follow the market closely. "High quality" US-built to me suggests names like Hatteras, Viking... but most of their aft-cabin models are (were) larger, I think... and older. OTOH, the 45-58' Hatteras motor yachts (for example) would maybe be really good value for money, even if older '70s and '80s models. I've thought about taking on a project like that, but for the most part I'm not doing anything with ladders to the bridge anymore... and that limits my options.

    Anyway, without Chevy boats, boatloads of folks who are boaters... wouldn't ever have been able to join the fun.

    -Chris
  15. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've done A LOT of long deliveries in Searays. I trust their build quality. Their ride is pretty good, it's not a Hatteras obviously. But of all the deliveries I've done, the Searays have had virtually no issues on the entire delivery. The systems are simple, and quality items, the electrical panel doesn't have 200 Euro trash breakers. Access or height mainly in the engine room isn't the best, but I've also seen worse. I took a 1997 45' sedan bridge from Fort Lauderdale to St. Croiz, USVI. A 2007 58' Sedan Bridge from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Conneticut. Another 58'sedan bridge from Delaware to Toledo, Ohio. Those are just a few that I can think of right off of the top of my head. They're an above average quality boat, for an average boater, at an average price, for an average use.
  16. paulga

    paulga Member

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  17. paulga

    paulga Member

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    I found two boats that are not local but within my budget
    http://www.**************/boats/198...ht-3161639/Buffalo/United-States#.WjVBut-nFPY

    http://www.**************/boats/198...696/Chattanooga/TN/United-States#.WjVBs9-nFPY

    I like the desk area near the bed. I didn't find this design in other boats I have seen.
    the Canadian boat has 1100hrs crusader, is priced cheaper and need a bottom job and generator governor repaired. seems to me the owner no longer want to care for it.
    the Buffalo one looks to be well maintained. it has 1300 hrs diesel but this could mean higher annual maintenance cost.

    How would you rate this Trojan boat (Buffalo)?
  18. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    For several years we managed a Ray 58 Sedan Bridge.
    The tan/dark band-aid colored gel-coat sucked. The factory must of mix 3-4 batches and all were different shades in the hull.
    The decks and house were fair white. The bow rail stanchions have cracks from the mounting screws.
    Factory wiring was fair. Had some of those press in plumbing fittings fail.
    All Sedan Bridges we have worked on, the rain water finds a way into the ER bilges and aft.
    Cabin doors never fit well. One day high on a corner, after the next trip, low on the same corner.
    She always ran & rode well but could not back worth a flip.

    I hated reaching my hand deep into dark hull areas. Reminded me of the Chinese Finger Trap.
    My arm was usually covered in blood when retrieved.

    Skippy J and many others may luv the SeaRays, It's a good boat. A bit over priced.
    I would guess many are upside down on their mortgages.

    For a high priced live-a-board; storage was poor, head & shower sizes are poor.
    It's a weekend trip boat.
  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    These are the baby's to our 58.

    Pretty old box models. Not curvy like the newer stuff.
    Larger heads and galleys. Lots more storage.
    I'm 6'8", 300lbs and been living on our 58' Bert MY for 13 years now.

    Older Hats & Berts (& other older MYs) will offer more storage and more accommodations for you and house hold appliances.