Friday, February 6, 2009
Totally lost it or Yeah you got it!
So here's the skinny. You know we're refitting the cutter, that's our first priority. Reality hit, however, when we realized, it will be another year until we can move aboard, and not have cat hair in the varnish or little doggie tracks in the paint. So, another year at the warehouse throwing money at the landlord? That doesn't sound right. A smaller apartment, to lower expenses, maybe. Buy a house since the market sucks right now, uh scary. How about a live aboard that we can move into right away? Hmm that's intriguing. It would be an investment, that we could potentially profit on in the future, while lowering our expenses right now. It would mean using our savings to buy it, which means being broke again, but we do have jobs this time. So, is this a crazy idea, or a savvy approach? Please let us know your thoughts buy participating in our survey! We always do what we're told, ha!
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6 comments:
Hi Maggie & Travis,
Two boats are better than one! :D
Seriously, I think it's a good idea if you can do it. My only worry is the boating market is about as bad as the housing market, so it might be harder to get rid of. I don't know about your location, it's probably totally different out there.
Some cruising folks I've been following for a long time did something similar once. They had a 32-footer that needed some big work done - engine work, etc. They bought a slightly smaller live-aboard that also needed some work (nothing major-lots of cosmetic stuff) and lived on it (anchored out - on the cheap)while they fixed the problems with the main boat that was on the hard in the boatyard. When the big boat was done they moved back onboard it and then went to work fixing up the smaller one. They sold it for a small profit. Worked out really well for them, and gave them even more experience working on boat projects, which is one thing they were after. I think the main thing for them was being able to be close to the boat they needed to work on. And living on a live-aboard, only a short dinghy ride to the real work made it go much faster.
Hope to get some big projects done on my boat this weekend now that the mercury is on the rise. It's been downright unseasonably cold for Louisiana this winter. Brrrr.
Cheers and good luck. Sounds like a great adventure to me!
Karen (s/v Wahoo)
One more thing. I think you guys have 'boat fever.' :D
Cheers!
Karen
If you can find one for a deal, then yeah, go for it. Sounds sane to me but I'm already crazy.
If my boat was up near you guys, I'd let you live on that, but it's not.
Bummer.
But yeah, there must be some supercheap little boats out there ideal for a year of liveaboarding so get looking. Far cheaper than forking out for rent and much more fun. I luv bunks.
:)
Force Ten
The boating market is always bad. He he he he.
We're all for buying a boat and living aboard even though you already have a work in progress. You still have to rent a boatslip or yardspace unless you're going to anchor out, so make sure it all adds up in your favor before you do it. We did the same thing. We had a 32' Bayfield and a 28' Columbia at the same time. We thought it was great, and we had no trouble selling when we were ready. If you love your boat, it will show, and that's why people buy boats. They buy a boat with their heart usually, not their head. If your boat has been loved and cared for, it will attract buyers... especially a sailboat. Almost all sailors are romantic optimists. Great Blog! Best of Luck To You On Your Cruising Journey!
Two boat ownership was expensive! But that is when we had one in California and one in Florida - paying slips on both. But we had no house or apartment to deal with. I would assume slip rent would be less than your house-rent? Spending all of your savings sucks, but living on a boat makes it all worth it in the long run!! Good luck ;)
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