Hi there, I have NO boating experience but I am planning on getting some. I would like to know everything I would need to about living aboard a power boat (thinking 50ft) with spouse and 6 young kids. I wold like to know how it all works. Water tank refill, solar power and how many panels we would probably need, how hard is insurance to get in Aus (preferably full comp, old boat) how do marinas work ( do you organise one ahead of when you dock, then pay your fees or do you just arrive?) are engine repairs extremely costly and high maintenance, and are there and restrictions living aboard in QLD? Also is it sifficult to get internet when at the marina? This is my way of researching, granted alot more has to go into it but I have to start somewhere. Please help. Thanks
My advise would be to take a walk down your local marina, have a chat with a few local boaties, ask these questions in person. What your asking is a lot of info to answer in one single thread.
Previous threads may find many of the answers you search so perhaps spend some time browsing past posts.
Try www.cruisersforum.com/ they have a motor boat forum and again all your questions will most likely be found on past topics.
Once you have established the basic infomation regarding owning a boat and have the odd question that you can't find a answer for give us a try.
Enjoy the start of your journey.
Thanks guys, I know I asked alot, I suppose I'm a bit over keen to know everything I can right now, That other site was my first stop before here but it's been down for a couple of hours and the issue hasn't been fixed yet. I'd love to go talk with some people at the wharf however I'm fairly inland at the moment. Cheers for the recommendations though
Even if you just google the questions that come to mind it's amazing what info you can find on the net these days .....people write blogs about there experiences living on boats.
Living in QLD marinas is very simple.
Water, electricity, facilities on premises, internet that's all part a of the most marina services.
What you need is a boat with insurance.
Marina cost including annual basic maintenance would by roughly 20k annually ( 16m boat ).
Car park is 20 m from the jetty. Shopping, schools and all what you need is 10min. drive. (Talking Keppel Bay - Rossly Harbour)
The most marinas in QLD are well establish, only short term become ridiculously expensive.
In case of living with family, is irrelevant, what is your level of sailing knowledge or how often you take
the boat out of the pen.
Thank you charriot you summed it up well for me and answered alot of my questions.
For Internet the 3G/4G adapters are so cost-effective now that I can't see why you would need to worry about fixed Internet. Opt for Telstra if you want the best offshore coverage, but Optus is fine most places too. Don't consider Vodafone - offshore /remote area coverage is abysmal.
