Your desired time on your boat

Jim, one of the things that hasn't been covered and rcrapps will probably testify to this....Once you move aboard for any length of time, you'll acquire things in your travels, figure out which spare parts you really need to have on hand all the time, Wifey will find stuff she absolutely has to have...etc. Bottom line? Boats get exponentially smaller the longer you live aboard. I'm sure you're the perfect couple, but everyone needs their space every now and then...it's only natural. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should buy something at the upper end of you size range. Buy more space than you think you'll need, A year of living aboard, you'll either thank me or buy a bigger boat! I live aboard a 45' Motor Coach alone, and my storage bins below are full, and I still need more room! Being claustrophobic, I'm very comfortable, until I think about having a Woman aboard living with me, and it's inconceivable. Maybe it's me.

Here's the poop from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

Do I need a freshwater or saltwater fishing license or both?
In general, you need a freshwater license to take freshwater fish and a saltwater license to take saltwater fish, unless one of the exemptions specified on this Web site applies to your situation. Obviously if you are fishing in pure fresh water where no saltwater species live, you need a freshwater license and likewise if you are fishing in the ocean you need a saltwater license.

However, when you get into estuarine type areas where salt and fresh water commingle and fish of both types can be found the issue becomes less clear. The interpretation of the rule is:

1. You need either a freshwater, saltwater or combination license (or appropriate exemption) to take fish (take is legally defined as taking, attempting to take, pursuing, molesting, capturing, or killing any fish, or their nests or eggs by any means whether or not such actions result in obtaining possession of such fish or their nests or eggs).
2. If you are using species specific gear, your license should be appropriate (e.g., freshwater or saltwater) to the species you are targeting, and
3. Otherwise you need an appropriate type license to keep your catch and must immediately release any species for which you are not licensed. License requirements follow the species of fish, regardless of where they are caught. In other words, if you only have a freshwater license and are primarily fishing for largemouth bass or bream (freshwater species) in a river, but happen to catch a red drum (a saltwater species), you must immediately release the red drum.

If you want more Florida licensing info, look here: http://myfwc.com/license/recreational/faqs/#fresh_or_salt

Woodies are better. They are more quiet, warmer, smell better, have more character, usually better looking.
They are definitely cheaper than any bleach bottle boat.
That being said, I gave up wooden boats about 30 yrs ago.
Here is why: Skill - Money - Time
I am handy and mechanically inclined but not a shipwright.
I cannot afford to pay someone to do repairs of that nature.
I like working on boats but I don't have enough time to work on and also run one.
I say this mostly because I like bright work and I would not be happy running around always in a state of " almost done " .

My Dad had a nice 36 foot Richardson cabin cruise. It was a nice family boat. Built in 1953 or so. It was a pretty boat.
He enjoyed working on it and it was a good thing. It only left the slip a few times per summer.
There rest of the time was spent replacing lumber or varnishing or painting etc.etc.etc.

I've seen a number of people buy a wooden boat with dreams to fix them up.
They do their best with enthusiasm for the first season or two.
Then the novelty wears off in a big way.
Sometimes these boats are abandoned and the yard has to munch them up into a container. Some times they just disappear............

Finally, it will be tough to get insurance.

My favorite way to enjoy a wooden boat is to take a picture or be lucky enough to be offered a ride by some hearty soul these days.

What do you think of ferrous cement hulls

Rick,

Please search YF for threads on this subject, as it is not related to the topic of this thread. We all strive to keep threads on track.