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Looking for more advice on a liveaboard

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by mhart62, Oct 4, 2012.

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  1. mhart62, Oct 4, 2012
    #1
    mhart62

    mhart62 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2012
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    Location:
    jacksonville fl
    I know I know... more advise on a liveaboard. I'm another one of those guys who is looking to retire in about 5 years and would now like to be a liveaboard. As I have looked at various MY on the web and spent several nights browsing this website I have found out a lot of good info and I have also found out that no matter who you ask every answer is different. So let me tell you what I'm looking for and then give me your opinion of what you think would best suit my needs. Keep in mind that I want to do the loop, travel to the Bahamas and the lower islands.

    What I am looking for is a boat similar to the 48' or 55' Californian with a cockpit or the 53' or 58' Hatteras YF under $200,000.00. Both of these boats have easy access to the water, I dive so easy access to the water is a must. I also want an aft deck and I prefer it to be enclosed. There will be 3 people living on board so I would like to have a least two double berths and some spare single berths.

    Now for my major concern. FUEL. I don't plan on just having a dockside condo. I have traveled the US in my RV and now I plan to travel frequently in my MY, downsizing is not a problem.

    Anyway, tell me what you think. Tell me what MY you have, why and please... if you have any fuel consumption on certain models, let me hear that too. Especially on the Hatteras and Californians. All information is greatly appreciated.

    Thank you all!!

    Malcolm
  2. RER, Oct 5, 2012
    #2
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Location:
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    For your use and budget I think you have made a very good choice in these two builders and these models and you should have a lot to choose from within your price range.

    The Hatts will be a little older (early '70s to early '80s) and likely have DD8V71TI ...maybe a few w/DD8V71N. The Californians (mid '80s to early '90s) will likely have DD6V92TA or Caterpillar 3208TA ...there are a whole lot of variables but over the long run at 9 knots the Detroits will probably burn about 1 to 1. The Cats should burn less.
  3. mhart62, Oct 7, 2012
    #3
    mhart62

    mhart62 New Member

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    So would that make the cats the better choice on the Californian
  4. RER, Oct 7, 2012
    #4
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    All things being equal I’m going to pick the better maintained, best equipped boat. Some older boats will have been neglected and close to all original - once in a while you'll find a boat that's been maintained and updated like the guy was spending someone else’s money - and most boats will be somewhere in between. Yes, the Cats will probably be better on fuel - but they all burn less fuel if you pull back on the red things.

    I wouldn't hesitate to buy an older boat with Detroit Diesels as long as I get an ok from my mechanic and the price is right. Many (uninformed) buyers today won’t touch them with a ten foot pole. I hear a lot of… “I've got a friend who told me to stay away from Detroits” …to which I respond …well, ok …but you just eliminated 80% of the boats in your price range.
  5. mhart62, Oct 8, 2012
    #5
    mhart62

    mhart62 New Member

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    Location:
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    Thank you for the shared knowledge.

    Would anyone have any fuel info they could share on the Cailfornian. Detroits and Cats
  6. NorCalBoater, Oct 14, 2012
    #6
    NorCalBoater

    NorCalBoater New Member

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    Dec 16, 2011
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    Location:
    California Delta....for now
    Don't rule out some of the Taiwan boats. I just bought a 1984, 52' Kha Shing CPMY. The boat was really well maintained with receipts going back about 20 years. Twin 300hp 3208 Cats with 2000 hours, 4 year old electronics, new canvas and stabilizers. We bought it for $115,000 on the West Coast.

    This thing is a solid tank and weighs in at 48,000 lbs. It handles like a dream and does well off shore.

    Good luck with your search.