Hey guys,
I am a keen sailor in rural Victoria. My goal is in a year or two when I'm more financially secure to purchase a small/cheap seaworthy liveaboard. Fix it up and eventually go sailing. Hopefully make my way to the Americas.
Can anyone enlighten me on the following topics?...
-Acceptable boat size for high seas.
-What dry docks are availiable in Victoria (maybe Warrnambool or Portland) and cost of general costs, including moorings.
-Hidden boat costs I'm probably not thinking of?!
Cheers,
Jman
Sure we can advise you.
You have two options.
A/ Get 100k come back we advise you how to sail
against trade winds to east
B/ Get 20k plus ticket to west coast states,
come back we tell you how and when
to sail with the wind across the Pacific.
Have a think and save loose change.
Correct me if I'm wrong. You're suggesting I start my journey on the west coast of America because the boats are significantly cheaper there? and then return home when the winds are right?
Duncanson 35s and 34s are good seaworthy hulreckon is usually better to buy a boat already set up for what you want. The great majority of people spend far more buying and refitting a boat than it then sells for. The Dunc 35, S&S34 etc are now very cheap and buying a good one not much more than a bad one.
My advice is don't worry about sailing the Pacific. Aim for good sailing closer to home and if long voyages eventuate so be it. Less than half a percent of us do get that far.
Thanks for the advice guys. I have been looking on the boatsales website to get an understanding of prices. However I'm am still interested in what other costs will be?!? such as boat surveys, moorings or dry dock.
I think I'd be happy sailing around locally until I am a lot more comfortable around the sea, then maybe the Pacific down the track.
Hi Jman.
You not very specific and that would be impossible give you sensible picture.
Lets first correct this:
"and then return home when the winds are right? "
Sailing window from US across is about 6 months.
Trade winds are right all the way - every day.
Than in October get out from cyclone areas.
The most heavy displacements keel boats are ok for
any sailing. Around the coats or across.
Cost ?, a couple feet extra, you pay trough nose.
Looking at 5 to 15k annually, means 25 footer or 36 footer.
Yes there are cheaper places, through harbors or councils but
watch for waiting list / I am on one 3 years and guess 3 to go/.
/see marinas price list mooring and slip services /
There is new trend, a boat over 20 years is not insurable.
Not quite truth, but you might need new rigging and the other things too.
Annual slip might cost $1k, complete with removal old build up 4k
All hidden cost is- what condition is the purchased boat and how much you have to
spend put in reasonable sailable condition.
/rigging, sails, engine, electric, instruments, galley, dingy. safety eqp./
ones you tick all boxes -hoist the sails and enjoy-
