small live aboard yacht

13 Dirt-Cheap Liveaboard Sailboats (That Are Actually Good)

When it comes to selecting a dirt-cheap liveaboard sailboat, you don't have to compromise on quality. There are many classic models and a few hidden gems that provide comfort, space, and sailing capabilities at a very affordable price. In this article, you'll find a list of classic liveaboard sailboats, as well as a few original finds that can fit your budget.

Liveaboard sailboats that are cheap but actually good include Westsail 32, Alberg 30, Tayana 37, Catalina 30, Ericson 35, Albin Vega 27, Bristol 32, Morgan 323, Contessa 32, Pearson 365, Hunter 31, Cal 34, and Tartan 30. The prices of these boats range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more.

Living aboard a sailboat on a budget doesn't mean you have to settle for less. These affordable boats can still provide the comfort and performance you're looking for. We've included some models that you can find on Craigslist.

These budget-friendly liveaboard sailboats offer a great combination of affordability, performance, and comfort, making them ideal choices for living the sailing dream.
Some classic models that provide you with enough room to move around and store your belongings include the Alberg 30 and the Tayana 37.
Classic models such as the Westsail 32, Alberg 30, Tayana 37, Catalina 30, Ericson 35, and Albin Vega 27 are known for their seaworthiness and versatility.
The cheaper the boat, the more likely you'll need to invest in repairs and spare parts over the years. This is where some more obscure finds can surprise you, such as the Contessa 32 and the Cal 34, which offer easy maintenance and relatively cheap spare parts.

Sailing performance : Even if you plan to live aboard primarily , sailing performance should still be a priority. Consider its ability to handle light winds, heavy winds, and everything in between. Your boat should be able to handle various sea conditions and be easily maneuvered. It should be versatile enough for various wind conditions and sea states.

Hull design : The hull design of your sailboat will affect its stability and performance in the water. Look for a design that offers a good balance between comfort, safety, and speed. A full-keel or modified full-keel design provides stability and tracking in rough seas, while a fin keel offers better maneuverability in tight spaces like harbors and marinas.

Maintenance and construction : Pay attention to the boat's construction materials and quality. Fiberglass and aluminum are popular choices due to their durability and low maintenance requirements. Wooden boats tend to be more affordable but may require more maintenance and care.

In this section, we will discuss some classic liveaboard sailboat models that are known for their affordability, functionality, and reliability. These boats have stood the test of time and are excellent choices, especially for novices.

Westsail 32 is known as "the cruiser that launched the cruising boom"

The Westsail 32 is a sturdy, reliable, and comfortable liveaboard option for those seeking a classic, bluewater cruising boat. Designed by William Crealock, it boasts heavy construction, a full keel, a roomy interior, and seaworthy capabilities. With many of these boats available on the market, you can find a Westsail 32 in good condition at affordable prices.

Alberg 30 is a classic full-keel cruiser known for its seaworthy design

The Alberg 30 is a classic design from the 1960s, created by Carl Alberg, and built by Whitby Boat Works in Canada. This boat is known for being easy to sail and is a perfect choice for new liveaboards. The Alberg 30 has a simple layout, adequate living space, and enough storage to make it a suitable option for long-term living, all while keeping to a budget.

Tayana 37 is known for its seaworthiness and durability

Designed by Robert Perry and built in Taiwan, the Tayana 37 is a popular and capable bluewater cruiser. This well-built classic boat is known for its comfort, safety, and ease of handling when sailing long distances. The Tayana 37 offers plenty of space and storage, making it a delightfully practical liveaboard choice, even for small families or couples.

Catalina 30 is one of the most popular sailboats of all time

The Catalina 30 is one of the most popular sailboats in its size range and has a reputation for being an incredibly spacious boat, given its 30-foot length. Designed by Frank Butler, the Catalina 30 is known for its roomy interior and user-friendly layout, making it a fantastic option for liveaboard enthusiasts. The affordability and availability of the Catalina 30 also make it a top choice among sailors. It’s a tried-and-true option for liveaboard enthusiasts.

Ericson 35 has solid build quality

For those looking for a slightly larger liveaboard sailboat, the Ericson 35 is an excellent option. Designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts, it is praised for its solid build quality and comfortable accommodations. The practical layout and generous storage space make the boat a desirable choice for those looking to live aboard on a budget .

Albin Vega 27 is a proven ocean cruiser

The Albin Vega 27 is a smaller liveaboard option for those who prioritize simplicity and affordability. Designed by Per Brohäll and built in Sweden, the Albin Vega 27 is a proven ocean cruiser with a surprising amount of space for a boat of its size. If you're looking for an affordable liveaboard sailboat with a compact yet functional layout, the Albin Vega 27 might be the perfect fit for you.

In your quest for a dirt-cheap liveaboard sailboat that's actually good, there are some finds worth considering. Let's dive into these affordable gems that were built for liveaboard life and sailing.

Bristol 32 is known for its classic design and solid construction

The Bristol 32 is a classic liveaboard sailboat with a solid reputation for its sturdy construction and excellent sailing performance. Designed by Ted Hood, this boat is known for its comfortable living spaces and adequate storage. A used Bristol 32 can be found at a reasonable price, making it perfect for those with a tight budget.

Morgan 323 provides stability and safety

Next is the Morgan 323, which offers a great deal of interior space for a 32-foot sailboat. The well-designed layout ensures you have all the necessary amenities for living aboard while maintaining high sailing performance. Equipped with a full keel and skeg-hung rudder, the Morgan 323 provides stability and safety while underway.

Contessa 32 has a solid reputation for being safe, seaworthy, and comfortable

A British classic, the Contessa 32 is a small yet capable liveaboard sailboat , perfect for a couple or solo sailor. With its sleek lines, excellent performance, and well-built hull, the Contessa 32 is a go-to choice for many budget-conscious sailors. It's a rugged, seaworthy vessel that can handle various weather conditions with ease.

Pearson 365 is suitable for long-term and weekend cruises

The Pearson 365 is another popular liveaboard sailboat, known for its spacious interior, comfortable accommodations, and reasonable price. With a roomy cockpit, plenty of storage, and a versatile sail plan, the Pearson 365 is well-suited for both long-term liveaboards and weekend cruisers.

Hunter 31 is well-rounded and spacious

Affordable and easy to find, the Hunter 31 is a popular choice for budget-conscious sailors searching for a suitable liveaboard. With its beamy hull, the Hunter 31 boasts a spacious and functional interior. While not a traditional bluewater cruiser, the Hunter 31 can hold its own in coastal and nearshore environments.

Cal 34 offers solid sailing performance

Another solid liveaboard option is the Cal 34. This well-designed sailboat has earned a reputation for its quality construction and comfortable living spaces. The Cal 34 strikes a suitable balance between performance and affordability, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious sailors.

Tartan 30 has enough space for living aboard

Last but not least is the Tartan 30. This sturdy sailboat is known for its seakeeping abilities and high-quality construction. The Tartan 30 provides adequate space for living aboard while maintaining its performance capabilities. Finding a used Tartan 30 at a great price is an excellent opportunity to secure an affordable, comfortable liveaboard.

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15 Small Liveaboard Catamarans

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If you want to live on the sea, catamarans are probably the most comfortable way of doing it. Unlike monohulls, catamarans have two hulls, giving you a smooth sailing experience and more interior space. There are tons of small catamarans, each with its pros and cons.

The smallest cruising/liveaboard sailing catamaran is the Smart Cat S280. With a length overall of 27.9 feet (8.5 meters), it offers the most economical and spacious living area you can find on any liveaboard catamaran today.

In this article, I’ll talk about the Smart Cat S280, and then ill show you alternatives. This article is meant to give you examples of boats that might be interesting and it’s a jumping-off point for further research into what suits you the best.

Table of Contents

How To Pick a Small Catamaran

Small catamarans are great if you’re on a budget. They’re also ideal if you want a modest space without too much going on inside. However, every small-size catamaran varies in features and design. So, if you’re looking for one, there are a few essential factors you have to bear in mind.

Performance

When choosing a catamaran , your decision depends on what level of performance you need from the boat. Your choice will often come from what you’re going to use the boat for.

However, the performance of a catamaran is a critical factor for safety as well. For example, the sail plan significantly affects the catamaran’s stability offshore.

Some performance features you have to keep in mind when choosing a catamaran include:

Average Speed upwind and downwind
How much weight can be loaded before performance is impacted

Interior Layout

Despite their size, small catamarans come with a variety of living spaces. In between the hulls, you’ll find different types of amenities, including a kitchen, lounge, and dining area.

Every catamaran comes with a unique arrangement for its cabins. Usually, you’ll also have cabins in the two hulls and sometimes a master cabin on the deck. The deck may also have a sitting space with trampoline areas to relax.

The cabins on a catamaran are sometimes referred to as berths. Manufacturers modify one or two berths to make a bathroom with a toilet and showerhead or “head.”

Exterior Design

The interior features are essential because they determine not only your living condition while onboard but also how easily the boat can be sailed, are all lines drawn to the cockpit?

Now that we know how to choose sailing catamarans, let’s look at the smallest liveaboard catamarans on the market today, starting with the most compact one.

Smart Cat S280: The Smallest Liveaboard Catamaran

The Smart Cat S280 is the smallest catamaran on the market today. The Korean-made catamaran offers a mix of space, shallow sailing, and affordability.

At the 2020 Miami Boat Show, the starting price of the Smart Cat S280 was $149,900.

It runs on a 19.8 Yamaha HorsePower engine with a 50 Horse Power option. Depending on your location, you can drop down or lift the engine out of the water. It holds a 102-liter (26.94-gallon) fuel tank and a 135-liter (35.66-gallon) water tank.

The open hard-top version is ideal for summer sailing and boat parties. The cat is also available in a closed “house” version, allowing more privacy and climate protection.

The boat features three queen-sized berths, office space, and a kitchen area. It has two living configurations:

Three cabins and one head
Two cabins and two heads

Each cabin berth has a double-sized bed. The bathroom contains a sink, a head and handheld shower, and an electric toilet. The wide lounge area with two trampolines can accommodate at least four seating positions. It also contains a drop-down anchor with an electric windlass.

The interior is fitted with broad windows and drop-down blinds, cabinet lockers, tour-size hanging closets, and LED step lights to guide you when lights are dim. It also has an 18,000 BTU air conditioning system controlled from the inside. The ceiling has a vinyl finishing, an upgrade from the carpet fabric finishing in previous models.

The kitchen space comes with storage cabinets, a DC 12 V 50-liter (13.2-gallon) refrigerator, enclosed refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, electric stove burner, and a sink. It is wired with a Fusion audio system that includes two speakers.

The Smart Cat S280 supplies hot water to the kitchen and bathroom, thanks to an AC 120 V 6-gallon water heater. The head floor is wooden, while the cockpit has a patterned Seadek floor.

The boat has a VHF radio, a Garmin sail pack navigation package, and a Garmin GPS Chart Plotter. It also includes wind speed and direction equipment, a depth sounder, and a compass. The rigging is performed with a steering wheel.

Specifications

The dimensions of the Smart Cat S280 are:

The Smart Cat S280 has made its mark as the ideal small-size cruise cat. However, there are other options on the market.

Other Small Sailing Catamarans

The Dean 365 is suitable for cruising coastal grounds. Made by Dean Catamarans in South Africa, it is 36 feet (10.97 meters) long with single or twin diesel engines. It can be configured to have four cabins and one showerhead or three cabins and two showerheads.

At $50,000, it features:

A 3-foot draft (0.91 meters)
A mast height of 46 feet (14.02 meters)
A Fixed Keels underbody
Weight of 6 tons (5,443.1 kg)
Speed of 6 to 7 knots
A beam of 17.7 feet (5.39 meters)

The Gemini 105 is one of the flagship boats of Gemini Catamarans. Initially manufactured in Maryland, the compact cat is now made in Florida. It’s 33 feet (10.05 meters) long with a layout of three cabins and one head.

Costing around $100,000, it contains:

Mast height of 47 feet (14.32 meters)
Maximum draft height of 5 feet (1.52 meters)
One diesel engine
Centerboards underbody
A beam of 14 feet (4.26 meters)
Speed of 8 knots
Weight of 4.8 tons (4,800 kg)

At 36 feet (10.97 meters), the Mahe 36 has two inboard diesel engines with sail drives. It contains three cabins and one head, or two cabins and two heads.

Commonly found in the Caribbean, it costs about $300,000 and comes with:

A maximum draft height of 3.6 feet (1.09 meters)
Mast height of 55 feet (16.76 meters)
Fixed Keels underbody
A beam of 19.4 feet (5.91 meters)
A weight of 5.5 tons (4,989.52 kg)
A speed of 7 to 11 knots

Endeavor 36

The Endeavor 36 is a three-cabin catamaran commonly found in the United States coastal areas. This catamaran was made for easy handling and comfort. It is powered by twin diesel engines and costs about $100,000.

It is 36 feet (10.97 meters) long and features:

A mast height of 47 feet (14.32 meters)
A maximum draft of 2.75 feet (0.84 meters)
An underbody of Fixed Keels
A beam of 15 feet (4.57 meters)
A speed of up to 8 knots

This catamaran is 37 feet (11.27 meters) long with an interior layout of four cabins. Running on twin diesel engines, it costs about $150,000.

It also has:

A maximum draft height of 3.35 feet (1.02 meters)
A mast height of 55 feet (16.76 meters)
A beam of 19.68 feet (5.99 meters)
A fixed Keels underbody
A weight of 4.5 tons (4,500 kg)
A speed of up to 11 knots

Seawind 1000

The Seaweed 1000 is an Australian-made catamaran that is 37 feet (11.27 meters) long. It’s ideal for bluewater cruising with four cabins, one head, and a twin gas outboard engine.

It costs over $150,000 and features:

A maximum draft height of 3.2 feet (0.97 meters)
A beam of 19.42 feet (5.92 meters)
A weight of 4 tons (4,000 kg)
A speed of 4.5 knots

PDQ 36 Capella

Designed by Alan Slater, the PDQ 36 Capella is a 36-foot (10.97 meter) long catamaran that costs around $100,000. Its engines can be single or twin gas outboard. It can also run on a twin diesel inboard engine. It contains two or three cabins and one or two heads.

Some of its other features include:

A maximum draft height of 2.8 feet (0.85 meters)
A maximum mast height of 47 feet (14.32 meters)
A beam of 18.25 feet (5.56 meters)
A speed of 7 knots

Lagoon 37 TPI

The Lagoon 37 TPI is 37 feet (11.27 meter) long and costs over $100,000. It is a rare classic catamaran with three or four cabins and two heads. It uses two inboard diesel engines.

A maximum draft height of 4 feet (1.21 meters)
A speed of 7 to 14 knots
A beam of 20.17 feet (6.15 meters)
A weight of 5.3 tons (5,300 kg)

This catamaran is 29.25 feet (8.92 meters) long, making it one of the smallest and most affordable on this list. With either a single gas outboard engine or twin inboard diesel engines, it’s an excellent catamaran for sailing the North Sea.

It costs about $50,000, and features:

A tabernacle mast
A mast height of 54.5 feet (16.61 meters)
A draft of 3.33 feet (1.02 meters)

Prout 37 Snowgoose

The Prout 37 Snowgoose is 37 feet (11.27 meters) long and came after the Prout 35. It’s a great choice for bluewater sailing with three cabins and one head. They cost about $100,000 and run on a single outdrive engine, although some rare models have twin inboard engines.

They also contain:

A maximum draft of 2.08 feet (0.63 meters)
A mast height of 40 feet (12.19 meters)
A weight of 5.5 tons (5,500 kg)
A draft of 3 feet (0.91 meters)
A beam of 6.25 feet (1.91 meters)

The Lagoon 380 is a bluewater catamaran that runs on twin diesel engines. Its price is $100,000, and it measures 37 feet (11.27 meters) in length. The boat launched in 1999 and is primarily found in Europe and the United States.

Some of its features include:

Two or three cabins and two heads
A mast height of 56.1 feet (17.09 meters)
A maximum draft of 3.83 feet (1.17 meters)
A beam of 21.42 feet (6.53 meters)
A speed of up to 10 knots
A weight of 7.1 tons (7,100 kg)

Prout Event 34

The Prout Event 34 looks just like the Snowgoose, although the latter is slightly bigger. It has two diesel engines that can support bluewater sailing. At 34 feet (10.36 meters), it costs nearly $30,000.

The Prout Event 34’s interior includes three berths, one head, and office space. This catamaran is not commonly found worldwide, though a few can be located on European and American coastlines.

It contains:

Maximum draft height of 2.72 feet (0.82 meters)
Mast height of 30.25 feet (9.22 meters)
A beam of 15.7 feet (4.78 meters)
A speed of 7 to 9 knots

Endeavor 30

The Endeavor 30 is 30 feet (9.14 meters) long with two cabins, a galley, a dining area, and two heads. Manufactured by Florida-based Endeavor Catamaran Corporation, the $80,000 catamaran has:

Sails that reach 7.5 knots
Mast height of 48 feet (14.63 meters)
Maximum draft of 2.83 feet (0.86 meters)
Headroom of 6.33 feet (1.93 meters)
A beam of 14.5 feet (4.42 meters)
A weight of 3.5 tons (3,500 kg)

Maine Cat 30

The Maine Cat 30 is a 30-foot (9.14 meters) long catamaran that costs over $100,000. It features a 26-gallon fuel tank and a 63-gallon (286.4 liter) freshwater tank. It has three double berths and one single berth.

The Maine Cat 30 contains:

A weight of 3 tons (3,000 kg)
18-foot beam (5.48 meters)
Maximum draft of 5 feet (1.52 meters)
A speed of 5.5 to 6.5 knots
A mast height of 48 feet (14.63 meters)

Key Takeaways

The smallest liveaboard catamaran, the Smart Cat S280, is 27.9 feet (8.5 meters) long. However, numerous other options are available if you are looking for a small liveaboard catamaran.

Each of these options comes with different interior designs, exterior features, and performance specifications, so look at all your options to pick the best one for you!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

New and Used Liveaboard Boats for Sale

What is a liveaboard boat? The definition of this type of boat is typically a boat that someone makes their primary residence. All types of boats for sale could be classed as a liveaboard boat. For example a powerboat or cruising sailboat, houseboats, or barges, even narrow boats. Some interest... learn more about Liveaboard Boat

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153 New and Used Liveaboard Boat

CHB Trawler 34 Trawler

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ABOUT LIVEABOARD BOAT

What is a liveaboard boat? The definition of this type of boat is typically a boat that someone makes their primary residence. All types of boats for sale could be classed as a liveaboard boat. For example a powerboat or cruising sailboat , houseboats , or barges , even narrow boats . Some interesting types of liveaboard boats may be ex-commercial boats .

Liveaboard is becoming a real trend worldwide and many new manufacturers are in the market building stunning, affordable floating homes. Luxury liveaboards can also be used as weekend retreats, holiday homes and there are many other opportunities to earn an income from your liveaboard, making life on the water an excellent prospect.

Project boats are a good way to start your journey into finding your perfect liveaboard boat. We have many new and used liveaboard boats listed on Rightboat.com, take a look!

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6 Most Affordable Liveaboard Sailboats

Most Affordable Liveaboard Sailboats | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Liveaboard sailboats in clean and operational condition cost anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000, but some excellent vessels cost less.

Finding an affordable sailboat can greatly reduce the overall cost of living the liveaboard lifestyle. Some sailboats that have full-time living accommodations can be found for less than $20,000, making them highly affordable compared to many alternatives.

Table of contents

What Constitutes a Liveaboard Sailboat?

Everybody's definition of a liveable sailboat varies, but there are a few benchmarks we can use to determine if a boat is suitable to become a full-time residence.

Choosing the right liveaboard sailboat starts with deciding what you need to be comfortable. Everything is a tradeoff onboard a sailboat, but carefully-designed cabins and facilities can help improve your quality of life. Here are a few things to look for when choosing the best affordable liveaboard sailboat.

Overall Size

Size is one of the most important factors when considering a sailboat to live on . Small boats that are less than 20 feet in length are almost always too small for comfortable and clean living. The ideal liveaboard sailboat is usually between 25 and 35 feet in length.

That said, sailboat length isn't the only factor that determines liveability. Some sailboats share the same length but have vastly different accommodations. For example, the Cal 20 has barely any usable cabin space, while the Flicka 20 is suitable for long voyages.

Headroom is key for comfortable living on a sailboat and should be considered separately from the overall length. Most sailboats over 27 feet in length have at least six feet of headroom, which is considered "standing headroom" by most people in the industry.

Some vessels may have standing headroom in parts of the cabin, but not all of it. In these situations, you may find a cabin roof bulge over the galley (where standing is necessary), but these vessels often drop the ceiling a few inches over the sitting areas of the cabin and the V-berths.

What kind of galley does your ideal sailboat have? Cooking is an essential part of daily life, and some sailboats have more than enough cooking and cleaning equipment on board.

Before choosing a sailboat, decide how much galley equipment (and what kind) that you'll need. A stove and a sink are essential, but an icebox, oven, and a refrigerator are certainly nice to have.

The head is the sailboat's bathroom. Many boats come equipped with a porta-potty or similar temporary facilities, but the best affordable liveaboard sailboats have a permanent toilet and showering facilities.

Often, liveaboard sailboats have a shower/sink combo, where the faucet transforms into a shower. Holding tanks for the fresh, gray, and black water are larger on bigger boats, so consider your access to pumping facilities before deciding on a sailboat.

How easy is it to hook your boat up to power and water? Modern connections are essential for convenience on a liveaboard sailboat . If you're looking in the low price range, it's important to inspect the condition of the vessel's systems—especially its electrical wiring.

Check the wiring and make sure all (or most) of the outlets, lights, and pumps are operational. Several broken electrical parts and dead switches could be a sign that the boat's wiring is damaged, which is hazardous and highly inconvenient.

Boat wiring is a nightmare, so it's best to find one with operational electrical systems that haven't been heavily tampered with or damaged. Look for and avoid boats with unusually cluttered wiring, exposed copper, and signs of cut-rate repairs.

Best Affordable Sailboats for Living Aboard

What makes a sailboat affordable? Cost is more than just the price you purchase it for—maintenance and spare parts also play a part. We put together this list of the most affordable liveaboard sailboats based on both the initial purchase price and cost of maintenance.

Catalina 25

The Catalina 25 is an excellent entry-level liveaboard sailboat with just enough space and accommodations to keep a single person comfortable. The overall length of the Catalina 25 is less than 30 feet, which minimizes slip fees and reduces ownership cost.

Catalina 25 sailboats were produced in 1978 and 1994, and 5,866 examples of the class were produced. In sailboat terms, that's a pretty big number—which means they're plentiful on the used market.

The Catalina 25 is about as small as it's practical to go when choosing a liveaboard sailboat . The cabin is spacious for its size, with the greatest downside being the keel trunk in the center of the cabin. However, Catalina made good use of the trunk by installing a hinged dining table on the side.

The cabin features a galley with a stove, sink, and an icebox for refrigeration. Floor plans vary, but the majority of used Catalina 25s features a head with a shower, a front V-berth, and a dinette with sofas along each side.

The Catalina 25 is an affordable used sailboat and tons of fun to sail. It's suitable for single-handed sailing, making it a great introductory liveaboard sailboat for single people or couples.

Used Catalina 25 sailboats can be found for between $4,000 and $8,000, making it one of the most affordable liveaboards out there today. With Catalina's build quality and good maintenance, a fiberglass Catalina 25 can last for decades.

Catalina 30

No liveaboard sailboat list is complete without the Catalina 30. This sailboat is one of the most popular 30-foot sailboats ever built, and it features an exceptional interior layout that's perfect for living aboard.

When it comes to size, 30 feet is just about perfect for a single person or a couple living aboard a boat. The original Catalina 30 design was produced between 1972 and 2008, and the company sold around 6,430 vessels during that time.

Down below, the Catalina 30 features a spacious cabin with standing headroom throughout. A full galley is complemented by plenty of overhead and cabinet storage, so owners can safely pack more than just the essentials.

The head is larger than most boats in this size range, and a functional shower is installed on the vast majority of examples from the 1970s onward. The vessel has large storage tanks, which means owners don't need to pump out the black and gray water often.

The Catalina 30 features a full dinette, chart table, and plenty of additional sleeping and berthing locations. A V-berth up front features storage below and along the sides of the hull, leaving lots of room for books, paperwork, personal items, and anything else necessary for living aboard.

The Catalina 30 is easy to find on the used market, and a liveable example can be had for as little as $5,000, but the average price is around $8,000 to $15,000. Parts are easy to find, and there's a wealth of knowledge on the sailing forums about how to maintain, repair, and sail this popular fiberglass vessel.

The Cal 28 is an old but comfortable liveaboard sailboat that's both affordable and readily available. The Cal 28 was designed in 1963 and produced until 1969. Variants of the design were produced well into the 1980s, making it relatively easy to find on the used market.

The Cal 28 is a fast and stout sailboat on the water and spacious down below. It features a thoughtfully-designed galley ahead and several well-proportioned sleeping areas.

Some people regard older fiberglass sailboats like the Cal 28 as better and stronger than their newer counterparts. This is because, back in the 1950s and 1960s, boatbuilders didn't really know how much fiberglass was necessary to build a strong boat. So instead of using "just enough," they'd often make structural components of the vessel way thicker and stronger than they had to be.

The Cal 28 measures 28 feet overall and 22.5 feet at the waterline, making it inexpensive to dock and relatively easy to haul out for maintenance. The vessel features an aluminum mast and boom, which is easy and inexpensive to maintain over the long term.

Cal 28 sailboats have 2,200 lbs of ballast and a long fin keel, making them suitable for living (no centerboard trunk) and offshore sailing (well-balanced hull design). It's also a fast boat, making it an excellent choice for destination cruising.

The Cal 28 itself is highly affordable. The going rate for a Cal 28 in clean, usable condition is between $5,000 and $15,000, especially in areas where sailing was common in the 1960s and 1970s, such as San Diego.

Here's another fun and safe cruising sloop with plenty of room for living aboard. The Aloha 28 is an affordable and comfortable 28-foot fiberglass sailboat with excellent offshore handling capabilities and a sleek design.

The interior layout of the Aloha 28 is similar to the Catalina 30. Aft, there's a well-designed L-shaped galley with a stove, a sink, and an icebox. Some models came with a gimbal-mounted oven and stove combo, which is great for cooking complex meals aboard.

The center of the cabin features two large sofa-style seats that convert into berths and a swing-out table for eating, chart reading, and other activities. There's plenty of storage space along with the seats, around the galley, and below the cushions.

Towards the bow, there's a full head with a toilet, sink, and shower. The shower pan is on the floor, which makes the head a compact but suitable place to clean yourself up.

A 'master cabin' style V-berth upfront offers great privacy, though most models don't have a physical door separating the forward berth compartment from the rest of the cabin. Instead, a curtain is often present.

The Aloha 28 is under 30 feet in length, making it relatively inexpensive to dock at most liveaboard-friendly marinas. You can find this affordable liveaboard sailboat for a fraction of the cost of a new boat, as most models sell for around $10,000 to $15,000 in clean and usable condition.

Catalina 34

It should come as no surprise that the next affordable liveaboard sailboat on our list is the Catalina 34. Almost 1,500 of these fiberglass vessels were produced after its introduction in 1985, making it a popular choice for liveaboards.

The Catalina 34 is a spacious and heavy sailboat. It weighs nearly six tons, and it's 34.5 feet long overall. With a beam of 11.75 feet, the Catalina 34 is also large enough for a couple to live comfortably with a pet or two as well.

The Catalina 34 has a 7.32-knot hull speed, making it remarkably fast for a boat of its size. That means, should you decide to move your floating home, you can get to and from your destination quickly and efficiently in less-than-excellent weather conditions.

Several variants of the Catalina 34 were produced over the years, but the most common design featured a head aft, a large starboard L-shaped galley, and an enclosed master cabin upfront.

The interior accommodations of the Catalina 34 make it an ideal liveaboard sailboat , as the cabin is extremely spacious and easy to move around. The dining table features U-shaped seating, which easily converts into a large berth.

The head is large and includes a separate nook for showering. This is especially useful if you're uncomfortable showering so close to your sink and toilet. The V-berth upfront is in an enclosed cabin with a locking door and storage all around, along with a space between the door and the berth for standing and moving around.

Used Catalina 34 sailboats are pricier than smaller Catalina 30s, but they're still highly affordable given what they offer. Catalina 34 sailboats in serviceable condition run anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 or higher, but a nice model can be found for less than $20,000 in most areas.

Tartan 34 C

The Tartan 34 C is less common than most of the boats on this list. Nonetheless, it's worth a look if you're lucky enough to find one. This 11,200-lb sailboat measures 34.42 feet in length and 10 feet in width. It's a hardy-sailing sloop, but where it really shines is down below in the cabin.

The interior layout of the Tartan 34 C varies slightly, but it has spacious accommodations for two or more people. The L-shaped galley sits in the aft part of the cabin and features a large icebox, stove, and sink. The vessel has a large table in the center, which is surrounded on both sides by roomy sofas.

There's an enormous amount of storage space aboard the Tartan 34 C, especially around the settees and berths. Storage is key for a liveaboard sailboat , as you'll need well-designed spaces to store your belongings and keep them organized. On the Tartan 24, you won't have to store all of your stuff in secluded hard-to-reach cubbies.

The Tartan 34 features a fully-enclosed head between the dining area and the V-berth. The head features everything you'd need, including a shower, sink, and toilet, along with adequate space to move around.

The forward V-berth is also fully enclosed and separated from the head and the aft part of the cabin by a wooden door. The "master cabin" layout of the Tartan 24 is a favorite amongst liveaboards, as it offers superior privacy when hosting guests.

The design of the Tartan 34 itself is unique, as most vessels in the 30-plus-foot category don't feature a swing keel. The swing keel reduces the draft of the Tartan 34 in the harbor but increases its stability and windward sailing abilities when underway.

With a reduced draft, the Tartan 34 is ideal for shallower marinas that normally couldn't cater to a vessel of this size. On the used market, the Tartan 34 can be found for between $18,000 and $50,000, depending on a few factors. For the price, you get an affordable floating home and a highly capable cruising sailboat .

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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5 Best Liveaboard Boats

Table of Contents

Want to live aboard a boat? Maybe you’re looking for more affordable waterfront living, or an alternative lifestyle – either way – living on a boat has many rewards. That said, choosing the right boat will make all the difference to your happiness. Before you commit, consider these five best liveaboard boats :

Motor yachts and cabin cruisers
Trawlers
Sailboats
Catamarans
Houseboats

Find Live Abroad Boats ready for rent here

Motor yachts and Cabin Cruisers

Motor yachts is a broad term that encompasses large(ish) motorboats with accommodations like a bed (sleeping cabin), a head (bathroom), and a galley (kitchen). These boats can be quite large such as an Absolute 50 with a flybridge that provides extra space for outdoor recreation/entertainment, like the backyard of a house.

Models like these usually have three cabins and two heads to accommodate an entire family. Of course, big boats come with big price tags and lots of maintenance needs, so you may not save much over living in a condo.

Consider how much space you need and check out some best liveaboard boats under 40 feet. Cabin cruisers like the Cutwater 32 are great choices. This boat has one cabin as well as a galley and lounge area (living room) with large windows that bring in lots of natural light and air.

The twin outboard engines can transport your home to new surroundings in the blink of an eye. Best of all, boats under 40 feet may save you a million dollars (literally) over large motor yachts and provide many of the same amenities.

2. Trawlers

Trawlers are a great option because they are built with the liveaboard lifestyle in mind. They’re typically slower boats designed for long-distance cruising, and they come in many sizes from a large Nordhavn 60 built for tough ocean conditions to a more compact Beneteau Swift 35 that’s ideal for coastal cruising.

Most trawlers have good liveaboard layouts and will travel at speeds 8-10 knots, where they offer good fuel consumption , which is important with high diesel prices.

Pro Tip: Not all trawlers are slow – the French Swift series is designed to run at planning as well as trawling speeds, so you get the best of both.

READ MORE: Don’t Ignore Your Bucket List: Great Loop

3. Sailboats

Perhaps you’re contemplating living aboard in preparation for long-distance cruising under sail. Sailboats come in all sizes, just like motor yachts, but they’re usually narrower, and most of the living aboard happens lower down in the boat, so they’re not as airy and light.

On the plus side, because space is more premium, sailboat design is very efficient, so you can pile a lot into a sailboat and still have room for sailing necessities.

Looking for a compact sailboat? Consider the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 with two or three cabins in just 38 feet. For something a bit roomier, check out the new Hanse 510 . This massive model can be spec’d with up to five cabins and even has a tender garage.

The great thing about sailboats is that you can travel long distances when you want to change your neighborhood entirely – and with little money spent on fuel.

4. Catamarans

Catamarans are boats with twin hulls and they can be both power and sail models. They have many advantages including more room aboard than the same-length monohulls with better cabin privacy and more system redundancy for backup options.

They’re more stable both in motion and at anchor (dock) so they produce less seasickness and are more comfortable in a rolly anchorage at night. They’re roomy platforms for kids as well as older folks but due to their beam (width), it’s harder to find a slip for them in a marina.

Sailing cat models come in various sizes and prices. Production boats like the Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 and the Excess 11 are both around 40 feet but feel much bigger than a monohull sailboat of equal length.

Many cats come in an “owners’ version” where one entire hull is dedicated to the master suite which is like a bedroom at home. Models like these start around $500,000 but upmarket, carbon fiber, semi-custom designs like the HH55 will set you back multiple millions.

Powercats are growing in popularity and offer the same amenities as their sailing counterparts, except they have bigger engines to travel at much greater speeds. Powers can be on the smaller side, like the 32-foot Aspen C100, or quite sizeable, like the Aquila 54. Cats tend to be more expensive to purchase and to own since there are two of just about everything to maintain.

5. Houseboats

If you want to live aboard but have little interest in being mobile, you may consider a houseboat. These boats usually maximize living space and are shaped more like houses than boats. Household-sized amenities, including side-by-side refrigerators, massive sofas, and large TVs can be had.

Because they don’t require much technical gear like engines, electronics, and advanced power systems, houseboats can be quite affordable and can make the best liveaboard boats under $100k.

A few companies build houseboats like Eco-Sea Cottages, but many will be one-off and home-built designs. Although these boats don’t move (much), they must still have a solid floating foundation to be safe, and only some marinas will allow them to dock there.

One more thing to consider

There are no hard rules as to what makes a great liveaboard boat! You just have to find one that suits you and your budget. Read our Living on a Boat post for more insight, and be sure to browse through Boatsetter to find the perfect liveaboard boat.

About Boatsetter

Boatsetter is a unique boat-sharing platform that gives everyone — whether you own a boat or yyou’rejust renting — the chance to experience life on the water. You can list a boat , book a boat , or make money as a captain .

List. Rent. Earn— Only at Boatsetter

Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin.

A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide.

Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico.

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Best Live Aboard Yachts: Top 5 Yachts

Live aboard yachts are recreational sailboats that serve as both a mode of transportation and a primary living space. These may not be a target for a majority of individuals (see other great liveaboard boats) , but for a select few, living aboard a live aboard yacht is a luxurious dream that may just be the ultimate life-long goal to strive for.

The concept of trading away solid ground for living quarters that can navigate the seas is just something that is so intriguing and can breathe life into people who find the daily grind so dull and tedious.

Whether or not you actually plan to invest in and move into a live aboard yacht, here are a few of the most interesting yachts that have been engineered and designed for permanent living situations, from smallest to largest.

1. Catalina 30

The Catalina 30 has its roots in America, designed by the likes of Frank Butler and Gerry Douglas.

Produced from 1972 to 2008 by Catalina Yachts, several iterations were offered to the public market and over 6,000 of these yachts were sold, making it one of the highest-selling boats in its category in history.

This 30-foot boat is a small recreational boat crafted mainly using fiberglass and wood trim.

It has an internally-mounted rudder (spade-type), a fixed fin keel, and a masthead sloop rig.

During the earlier years, the Catalina 30 was fitted with any of the three engines below:

Yanmar diesel engine
Universal 5411
Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine

These three options were eventually replaced by the three-cylinder Universal M-25 diesel engine in the 1980s.

Why We Like the Catalina 30

We absolutely recommend the Catalina 30 simply because it is a tested and proven sailboat in the open seas. There are also several spare parts that are offered in the United States, and the price point is the most affordable among the yachts listed here.

If you are planning to live in a yacht by your lonesome, or with a loved one as a couple, then the Catalina 30 would be arguably the best option for your needs without seriously breaking the bank.

2. Catalina 38

The Catalina 38 is a bigger version of the previously discussed Catalina 30. Also American in origin, this 38-foot yacht was first produced in 1978 and remained in production until the tail-end of 1990.

This yacht is identified primarily as a recreational keelboat that also depends on materials such as fiberglass with wood trim.

It offers similar features, designs, and engineering as the Catalina 30, but utilizes a more powerful engine, the Universal Atomic 4 which offers 25 horsepower, suitable for small movements and adjustments when docking the boat and navigating the seas .

The Catalina 38 is great for small to medium-sized families and is affordable enough in terms of upkeep and maintenance.

Why We Like the Catalina 38

We love the Catalina 38 because of how deliberate the design was made to cater to individuals who would like to live aboard boats.

It is surprisingly spacious for its size, it can accommodate a family of four to five individuals, and the amenities and facilities are very practical and well-designed.

If you are looking for another sailboat that is relatively affordable and slightly larger than the first entry in this list, then the Catalina 38 is a good option to consider.

3. Nordic 40

The Nordic 40 is another American yacht that had its origins based as a racer-cruiser, designed by Robert Perry in the late 1970s.

The Nordic 40’s production period ran from 1978 to 1991 and was funded by Nordic Yachts in Washington.

Unfortunately, luxury tax regulations caused the cessation of production in 1991.

The 40-foot Nordic 40 is designed with single laminate fiberglass and is topped off with teak wood trim and a balsa-colored deck.

It features a raked stem, a reverse transom, a fixed fin keel, a skeg-mounted rudder (controlled by a wheel mechanism), and a masthead sloop rig with aluminum spars.

This yacht is fitted with a Universal 44 horsepower diesel engine and is one of the first boats to feature a fold-down transom (designed by Gary Nordvedt) which facilitates easier boarding for passengers.

Why We Like the Nordic 40

We love the Nordic 40 since it was originally designed as a racer-cruiser but can also double as a live aboard boat with a host of friendly and dynamic amenities and interesting features.

This yacht is also quite uncommon which may lead to a more challenging time to secure spare parts but what it lacks in parts availability, it can definitely make up for with a spacious interior, comfortable living environment, and standing headroom in areas that actually matter.

4. Nordhavn 76

If you are thinking about a massive yacht that boasts modern features and state-of-the-art technology, then the Nordhavn 76 is one yacht you should definitely consider.

The boat credits its design to the efforts of naval architect Jeff Leishman and a few Taiwanese builders. Needless to say, the end result far exceeded the expectations of the company that spearheaded this model series.

This 76-foot boat boasts advanced structure, machinery, plumbing, electrical, steering, and interior features. The specs can be found online but certain aspects of the boat may vary depending on the model year (the year a particular boat was manufactured or designed for).

Why We Like the Nordhavn 76

We cannot get enough of the Nordhavn 76 simply because of how advanced it is in all aspects.

This yacht is not just a large sailboat. It is as if you are living in a luxury hotel that offers all the latest features and technological amenities.

If you have the budget for a model such as this, then the Nordhavn 76 should be acquisition priority number 1.

5. Hatteras 90

The Hatteras 90 is the largest sailboat on this list and generally the most expensive, largely due to its size and the facilities that it has within.

This modern-style yacht prides itself on simplicity or minimalism but does not fail to make sure that the quality in design, engineering, and craftsmanship is there.

It is actually a very technically sophisticated boat in terms of both the interior and exterior and is essentially a superstructure that allows for the most luxurious type of living for a family of five or more individuals.

The Hatteras 90 contains a total ship management system that helps with the control and diagnostics of every portion of the ship.

Why We Like the Hatteras 90

The greatest appeal of the Hatteras 90 lies in the country-style kitchen facility built within the sailboat. This theme utilizes a style and focuses on natural materials and artisan-like craftsmanship to bring about a vibe or ambiance of comfort, warmth, and familial bonds.

Having a country-style kitchen in a sailboat would definitely be an alluring aspect, especially if you have guests and friends coming over every now and then to dine with you.

Live aboard yachts may seem distant to you today, but you never know what the future has in store for you. If you are the type to dream about living on a boat for the rest of your life, then make sure to keep this guide handy for when the time comes to make a purchase.

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7 Unique Liveaboard Boats For On-Water Living

By Rob Bowman | Posted On Nov 13, 2018 Updated On Jun 03, 2020

As coastal cities become more crowded every day and the cost of living continues to increase, the concept of buying a liveaboard boat as your home has grown in popularity. The idea of being able to wake up every day to the sound of the waves splashing against your boat or being able to move to a secluded cove for the night is romantic and intriguing. There are many kinds of liveaboard boats for sale and practically almost any yacht with a cabin, a galley, and a head can be considered for living on board. However, some yachts distinguish themselves by offering more space, amenities, and home-like designs for more practical on-water living.

Many houseboats for example are like "homes on a hull", are somewhat boxy in shape, but offer massive living spaces similar to a traditional house. These boats are generally meant to be kept in the protected waterways and not the open ocean. Trawler Yachts are a popular style of liveaboard boats for the owner that wants to travel extensively while living on it as well. They offer a hull design and sturdy construction that can keep your on-water home from rocking or swaying too much. Then there is the luxury motor yacht which is capable of doing it all, but comes with a hefty price tag.

With over 150 yacht brokers nationwide, United Yacht Sales lists some unbelievably interesting and unique boats with our wide network of clients. Sometimes these listings include liveaboard boats that were built strictly for on-water living and others are converted cruise ships for example. Below are 7 very unique liveaboard boats currently for sale on the market today from 40 to 220 feet! Don't see anything you like? Give our home office a call at (772) 463-3131 and we will connect you with a broker in your area that can find the right liveaboard boat for your budget and needs.

"Global" - 2007 Shadow Marine 220' Allure - Asking $8,499,000

United Yacht Broker: Christopher Cooke (772) 631-7702

Picture of the Global 2007 Shadow Marine 220' Allure

"Global" is a true combination of elegance, utility, and luxury incorporated to form an unprecedented, evolutionary step in a large, liveaboard pleasure craft. The designers of Global aimed to put safety and seaworthiness in the forefront. Built by Shadow Marine in 2007 this vessel coined the phrase “Sport Utility Vessel” of the sea. Global was built to be the lead ship of the evolutionary ALLURE Class and was built by her original owner to travel Any Ocean, Anywhere, Anytime!

Each of her 5 decks has been carefully laid out and demonstrates the ultimate in elegance with practicality, utility, and a comfort. Four upper levels provide spacious, well-appointed areas for lounging and entertaining along with 6 luxurious staterooms. Her lower deck combines serviceability with crew comfort, so crucial for morale and retention. Key features of M/Y Global’s interior include; 6 staterooms with private balconies, a sky lounge offering panoramic views, a fully equipped workout facility, and a movie theater featuring the latest in automated audio and video technologies. A dining area that lets you watch a helicopter land and take off from the deck are among the features making this converted vessel stand out. There’s also a 65" TV in the theater on the lower deck, just forward of the galley.

2015 Custom Canadian S&E 188' Superyacht - Asking $4,999,000

United Yacht broker: Daniel Voorhees , (206) 407-6411

Picture of the 2015 Custom Canadian 188' Superyacht

This 188-foot Custom Canadian S&E super yacht is the ultimate liveaboard yacht with 34 staterooms and room for 22 crew+. This yacht can safely and comfortably transport, 70+ luxury passengers worldwide or cruise by yourself and sleep in a different room every night! The entire interior and exterior is in top condition. Most staterooms have not been slept in since the complete refit and remodel in 2015/2016. She has fresh paint and launched in 2017. She is truly turnkey ready for private yachting or charter service. Owners will love the multi-level layout with assorted socializing areas and room for activities. There are multiple bar and dining spaces with ample deck and lounge areas throughout. If you are looking for the ultimate liveaboard yacht and have money to burn, this could be your best option.

"Discovery" - 1962 Romsdal 100' Expedition Yacht - Asking $1,990,000

United Yacht broker: John Peterson (910) 546-5760

Picture of Discovery, a 1962 Romsdal 100' Expedition Yacht

The name ROMSDAL has always been synonymous with North Sea trawlers, yachts built for research, and strong North Sea fishing boats. Originally built in 1962 as a research vessel, DISCOVERY underwent a complete rebuild and refit from 1998-2000 and has become one incredible liveaboard yacht. The refit was massive and reported costs exceeded 12 million dollars. DISCOVERY is an aesthetically pleasing yacht that shows outstanding workmanship and stunning craftsmanship throughout. The interior wood is exquisite and the layout is perfect for luxurious accommodations.

Refit to be a gentleman’s expedition yacht the hull was flared and painted with Sterling Flag Blue paint. During the refit a new rolled aluminum superstructure was built and installed using bimetal transition inserts. The superstructure is white. Teak trim was added producing the true yacht finish one would expect. The decks were covered with teak and show little wear. The interior design and layout was designed by an architect while the interior workmanship was overseen by an interior designer. The results are simply stunning. With the finest craftsmanship available, the interior has varnished mahogany wood work and trim, madronal burl woodwork and trim, granite, marble, jade, and exquisite fabrics. "Discovery" is an excellent option for the owner that wants a liveaboard yacht with the versatility and capability to cruise long distances.

"Elena Queen of Arts" - 1982 AC Mcleod 79' Custom Sternwheeler House Barge - Asking $599,000

United Yacht broker: Mordy Miltz (516) 606-1282

Picture of Elena Queen of Arts 1982 AC Mcleod 79' Custom Sternwheeler House Barge

Unique opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind privately owned, self-propelled stern-wheeler, river boat replica house barge that can easily be used as a liveaboard boat. Timeless appealing classic meets function and luxury. “Elena Queen of Arts” boasts an open & airy layout throughout. Well-appointed with 3 staterooms, 2.5 heads & captains berth, large galley, salon, dinette, library, laundry room, bow seating areas, large upper deck with hot tub, custom woodwork throughout and so much more. Some features include, Young Chang grand piano, projector screen, custom carpentry, cast iron propane fireplaces, coffered ceilings, granite countertops, radiant heat, large sliding windows, 4 entryways, recessed lighting, and many other custom features. Her drivetrain is powered by a pair of 250hp Detroit Diesel 6-71 Naturals with PTO driven counter-rotating stern wheels, dual Detroit Diesel 4-71 40kW 3 phase generators, diesel fed boiler, hydraulic dual action cylinders operating a quad rudder system and pneumatic throttle controls.

“Elena Queen of Arts” was commissioned for the late owner of Aflac Insurance John Amos and built by AC McLeod with design cues to replicate the famous Delta Queen. She would make for an excellent waterfront home, floating hotel, B&B or crew vessel. She must be seen to appreciate, call today to schedule your showing.

"Banshee" - 1996 Custom North Sea 58' Trawler - Asking $340,000

United Yacht broker: Rick Hoffman , (425) 405-0132

Picture of the Banshee 1996 Custom North Sea 58' trawler

This 58 Custom steel North Sea Trawler is truly the ultimate bluewater passagemaker perfect for living on the water. The Banshee was incredibly well-designed by her only owner and has been extremely well maintained. She has a single Cummins 300HP motor and is keel cooled with approx. 100 gallons OFM fluid in full length keel 50% anti-freeze, 50% water. The exhaust is water cooled and goes through an aqua lift and out stern. She has a state of the art bridge with full electronics, autopilot and radar.

Her full beam salon includes plenty of seating and great views through her many windows. She is warmly heated by her full-sized Dickerson furnace with oven for those colder NW nights. Her galley has full sized appliances with trash compactor that run directly off her generator or the large inverter system. It has oak floors and Corian countertops. She has a master stateroom with plenty of storage, a full island queen berth and a private master head with full bath. Her guest stateroom is also very roomy with full island queen berth, a single berth and its own private full-sized head. She has a huge engine room that also houses a complete shop area with spacious work area and a lot of storage. Her elegant spiral wood stair case leads up to the drive station with even more seating and the table converts to a double bed. Whether your dreams point you to the San Juans or San Carlos, this spectacular long-range trawler will get you there safely, in comfort and style, for all your liveaboard boat needs.

"Luxuria" - 2017 Global Boatworks 46' Luxury Liveaboard House Yacht - Asking $1,500,000

United Yacht broker: Ron Housman , (617) 549-4123

Extraordinary opportunity to own a state of the art waterfront home and yacht-like motor vessel at the same time! Luxuria is an exceptional liveaboard boat that offers style, luxury, and lots of on-water views. Built to a standard far exceeding most production yachts, Luxuria offers sophisticated interior design, mobility, high efficiency and durability all in one low maintenance luxurious package. Perhaps best of all - LUXURIA = INCOME! Already proven to fetch $1,100/ night without any aggressive marketing, Luxuria will provide her first owner the ability to offset between 70-90% of costs of ownership.

2006 Skipperliner 40' Liveaboard Houseboat - Asking $169,900

United Yacht broker: Ted Gates (239) 849-5357

Picture of the 2006 Skipperliner 40' Houseboat

The Owner ordered and built this liveaboard vessel from Skipperliner in LaCrosse WI. This houseboat was designed and used for hosting dinners/social events. Lower level is all floor to ceiling patio door style windows with slide opening doors on each side and the bow. Large center island and a full galley, with full size appliances, to the aft is set up for food prep and serving. Multiple oversized marine AC units which are zoned to keep lower level very efficiently cooled. Westerbeke generator. Head on aft deck, circular staircase on bow, staircase on aft deck. The top deck is wide open for either banquet style seating or whatever you would desire. In addition there is a slide off the back for fun and entertainment!

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Yachting World

Digital Edition

How to live aboard a yacht for years at a time

Helen Fretter
April 24, 2023

What if one or two years of adventure just isn’t enough? Meet the cruisers who’ve been on board for a decade or more, and find out how to make long-haul cruising work for you

“I probably wouldn’t even recognise the person that I was when I first started,” admits Brian Trautman, skipper of the Amel Super Maramu Delos (and eponymous YouTube channel ). In 2009 Trautman cast off his life in corporate America, hustling to make his own tech business a success, and set off on what he thought would be an 18-month-long cruising adventure. Fourteen years later he’s still sailing the world on Delos , now with his wife and young daughter. But if you have no idea where the future will take you, how can you plan to keep your cruising options open?

We spoke to cruisers who have spent between eight and 40-plus years cruising and living aboard. Some set out with a rough deadline, others had no stopping point in mind, but the common theme is that all were able to keep their plans flexible and had made the life changes necessary to stay afloat.

“When Jill and I moved aboard our 1984 Grand Soleil 39 Yahtzee in Seattle in 2012, we had no time frame,” explains Andy Cross. “It was, and still is, open ended with the caveat that if the lifestyle isn’t working for one of us we’d reassess and make changes. We always intended for the boat to be our home, not just for cruising, and it wasn’t a ‘one, two or three years and we’re done’ plan.

“We both had jobs, but we weren’t tied down to the trappings of a house and cars, so it was relatively straightforward moving aboard, beginning to learn the boat, and starting a family. Our goal was to take it slow, not sail to a schedule too often, and hopefully share the dream with our children. I’m happy to say, we’re still doing that over 10 years later.”

Brian Trautman’s 14-year sailing adventure aboard SV Delos has grown to include a family and a livelihood

Trautman initially thought his cruising adventure would be for less than two years, having sold all his possessions and taken out a mortgage to pay for the boat.

“When I left, the time frame was 18 months. The reason is when I ran my budget and my monthly expenditures, I only had enough money for 18 months. So my plan was to just go, get somewhere cool – my intention was to try and make it to New Zealand – and then figure something else out.

“I didn’t know if I was going to stop and work when I got there, or if I was going to leave the boat and fly home. Or if I was going to sell the boat and go back to work. All I knew was that I was going to go now and figure out the rest at some later point.

“I ended up stretching that 18-month budget to about two and a half years getting from Seattle to Australia. When I stopped in Australia, we hauled Delos out of the water for about a year. I actually did remote consulting while living in Melbourne to make money for the next cruising season because after having had that taste, I knew there was no way I could stop then.”

Like Trautman, Ginger and Peter Niemann dipped back into ‘real life’ after their first major adventure – a four-year, 50,000-mile circumnavigation west-about from Seattle aboard their 47ft sloop Marcy , including rounding both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn .

The SV Devos family onboard

“When we moved aboard we had the idea to live aboard ‘as long as it was fun’, to quote Lin and Larry Pardey,” explains Peter. “It was certainly fun for a circumnavigation , but when we returned to home port four years after departure we were out of cruising funds. We rejoined the working world while living aboard.

“I assumed that was the end of our life afloat, and asked Ginger if we should put the boat up for sale upon our autumn return or wait until spring when the market might be better? ‘Heck no, we are just getting good at this!’ she answered, ‘But maybe we should get a boat you can stand up in!’ And so we lived aboard, swapped boats and worked until the cruising budget was restored a couple of years later, and set off again.”

Ages and stages

Long-term cruising looks different at different life stages. The Cross family always planned to sail through their boys’ childhoods, but are flexible as to how long they spend afloat at any one time.

“Every year is different. Some years, we’ve been on Yahtzee almost exclusively, other years we’ve taken off a few months at a time. This has worked well for us because we’ve planned the time away around northern winters or hurricane seasons in the south – times when we might not be cruising much anyway.

“We want our boys to know and be a part of their grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends’ lives, which has meant taking breaks off the boat to spend time with everyone. Then, we return to Yahtzee excited, rejuvenated and ready to continue the adventure. Our ability to balance life ashore and cruising is one of the main reasons I think we’re still happy with the lifestyle of living on a boat.”

In the 14 years since he first sailed away with Delos , Trautman’s life has gone through huge changes. “I’ve found the love of my life, gotten married, sailed with my family, sailed with tons of friends, we’ve had a child on board,” he reflects.

SV Devos under sail

“When I first started cruising, I was absolutely in the frame of mind that I would spend 100% of my time on the boat. And as time has gone on, I’ve actually seen the value in taking time off the boat, because you don’t really understand how good something is until you take yourself away from it. So when we start to get a little edgy or a little like, ‘Oh man it’s another beach, but I don’t want to go to the beach today!’ then we know that it’s time to take a break.

“So at least once a year now, we’ll put the boat in a marina or yard, and we go back and visit our family for a few months. It’s even more important now that we have Sierra, because she’s three and a half, and I want her to know her Swedish heritage.

“But obviously, we fund our lifestyle through sailing and making YouTube videos. So if we’re not sailing and making videos, then we’re not making money.”

Some cruisers report that as they get older they find themselves spending more time ashore. After a second demanding circumnavigation, the Niemanns are shifting their sailing style. “We are just now entering a new phase of cruising plans,” says Peter, “We aren’t getting any younger, and recognise that at some point in time the stresses of voyaging will be more than we can easily handle. So for now we plan to enjoy exploring a smaller area in more detail.”

“The major life change was: cruising,” says Janneke Kuysters, who has been cruising with her husband Wietze on their steel-hulled Bruce Roberts design Anna Caroline for eight years. “After that, we haven’t had any major changes in our lives, apart from growing older and the repercussions of that re. strength and agility. In our minds we’re still 25, but the bones say different!”

Andy and Jill Cross try not to sail to a schedule but still spend a lot of time aboard Yahtzee 12 years after first setting out on their adventure

Both the Niemanns and Janneke and Wietze admit, however, that they don’t necessarily find being ashore more restful. “We have always needed to get back to the boat to regroup. Afloat is our comfort zone,” says Peter Niemann.

“We would typically fly to the Netherlands every two years for about three weeks, but the boat is our home, so that is where we feel happy and comfortable,” says Janneke.

For Janneke and Wietze, time ashore is instead spent exploring new countries. “For instance: we left the boat in Valdivia, Chile, for five months to go backpacking all over South America. In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa we have rented or bought a campervan to travel inland for weeks or months on end.”

Power of knowledge

‘To cruise is to learn,’ wrote Lin Pardey in The Self Sufficient Sailor , and with experience comes confidence. Many cruisers who have sustained their adventures for decades began their adventures relatively cautiously, building the skills that would then enable them to take on longer passages or explore more remote areas.

“When we were in our mid-30s, we sailed the Atlantic circuit with our 31-footer. This was a test year, meant to find out what it was all about and to gather information,” recalls Janneke. They then bought Anna Caroline “with all the knowledge we had gathered in mind”, and began an eight year circumnavigation – first sailing around Scotland, Ireland, Portugal and Spain before completing a transatlantic, then heading south to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Antarctica and Patagonian Chile. They rounded Cape Horn, visited remote areas of the Pacific including Robinson Crusoe Island, Easter Island and French Polynesia, then headed north to Alaska and British Columbia.

The Cross family moored up

Cruisers often report that ocean crossings become progressively easier, and both faster and with less damage sustained, over the years. Much of that is down to the added knowledge they’ve gained, which feeds into making better decisions when it comes to sail selection, interpreting weather forecasts and predicting sea state, and knowing how their boat – and each other – fares in different conditions.

Also key is confidence in your own ability to handle any problems or fix any breakages when cruising more remote areas or for extended periods. Lin and Larry Pardey famously inspired many cruisers to cast off the lines with their advice to ‘Go small, go simple, go now’.

“I honestly feel that setting off cruising was a lot easier when we went because there was much less equipment that you added to your boat. So they were simpler machines, easier to take care of,” Lin Pardey says.

“I think that more people are put off cruising by the sheer hassle of fixing and having other people fix your boat, feeling like the budget is just being blown by mechanics and electricians.

“But it isn’t just keeping your boat simpler that matters, it’s being able to say, ‘Okay, I really don’t need that, so we’re not going to worry about fixing it right now’. It’s the ability to just do without it, if you can’t fix it. That’s a really important aspect of enjoying what you’re doing. I’ve seen people dream of sailing to the Tuamotus, but they get to the Marquesas with something broken and realise the only place they can fix it is Tahiti, so they just skip right through and miss the whole Tuamotus.

Ginger and Peter Niemann’s first circumnavigation was a four year trip aboard their 47ft sloop Marcy

“For example, the watermaker: if you make sure you have enough water tankage and learn to be quite happy with just limited water for a period, you can fix it later.”

Over years of living aboard, most cruisers we spoke to have made substantial upgrades or modifications to their boats to enable them to take on more adventurous cruising. “We try not to anthropomorphise, but we really have the feeling that ‘we take care of her, and she takes care of us,” says Peter Niemann.

“Our boats evolve continuously: equipment is upgraded, worn items replaced, dodgers added. Specialised Arctic (ice poles, redundant heaters) or tropical/desert (awnings, fans) items are acquired, stowed and put into service as needed. The essential major change we made to both our boats was the addition of cockpit shelter.”

“Pretty much every system has been upgraded over time. We have new instruments, a new chartplotter , a lot of solar and wind. One of the huge improvements was the lithium batteries because that allowed us to get rid of propane. And so we can really extend our range because it’s a lot easier to get diesel fuel in any part of the world,” explains Brian Trautman.

“We’ve also really upped our game with the dinghy. Our dinghy now is aluminium, it’s a little bit heavier, but we love it. It has a big engine, so it’s our SUV, our family car, and we need that.”

The Niemanns heading ashore

Pace yourself

When you have no fixed deadline, how do you plan? Most cruisers we spoke to sketch out ‘big picture’ plans determined by the seasons, but leave themselves the freedom to vary their route along the way.

“We typically plan about one season in advance, but we don’t plan in detail,” explains Trautman. “So right now, we’re planning our South Pacific season. And all we know is that we’re going to try and get to French Polynesia or the Marquesas from Mexico. We’re going to arrive sometime during April and then we have the next six or seven months to figure out what we’re going to do.

If it means we’re going to stay in French Polynesia for the cyclone season, or end up sailing west towards New Zealand for the cyclone season, we just don’t know.

“We just know we’re travelling generally westward best we can, and that’s often worked out for us. We pay attention to the big picture things: the hurricane season, cyclone season, when the good weather is, and we kind of make broad strokes to travel in that general direction.”

“Seasonally, we’ve set our plans to cruise more miles during summers in northern climates and then stopping or slowing down during the colder months of winter. It’s the exact opposite now in the tropics,” explains Andy Cross.

“Here we have hurricane seasons to contend with in the summer and fall, and insurance parameters dictate where the boat can be to continue coverage during named storms.”

The Cross family making great cruising memories

Maintaining momentum is a tricky balance, and will be different for everyone. “What made it work for us is we went without serious plans and kept ourselves highly flexible, we went cruising to just really enjoy sailing,” explains Lin Pardey. “But the thing that really kept us from getting tired of it or frustrated by it was taking advantage whenever we met somebody who said ‘Our family is on this little island, you should go visit them.’ So instead of heading south with other cruisers, we’d turn and head to some island or other, and ended up with wonderful friends who introduced us to other friends. So it was that real unscheduled-ness that kept letting us have new adventures and go in different directions.”

Lin and Larry Pardey broke up their cruising routine, which saw them voyaging for some 47 years, with periods spent working and also treating themselves to short ‘holidays’ on land.

“What people don’t quite expect is that if you set off on a voyage around the world, the seasons push you on and it can leave you feeling tired,” says Lin.

“I’ve watched people sail from England to New Zealand over a year and a half period, because that works nicely with the seasons. But when they get here, they’re just tired of moving on. The fact that we had to work meant we didn’t feel we always had to keep moving on. Every year we’d stop for at least three or four months, to let us catch up with ourselves.”

Equally, long-distance cruising can be exhausting, and without a broad-brush plan it can be tempting to linger, cautions Janneke. “It takes (a lot of) effort to keep yourself and your boat going. You are in a strange environment all the time, change is a constant in this lifestyle. It’s easy to arrive somewhere and make it your home. Especially when you have an open-ended plan, it can be attractive to stay somewhere a little longer.

“But that has an impact on everything that follows: you can manoeuvre yourself in a situation where you have to stay somewhere much longer than expected, because of the weather. Beaten paths are there for a reason, and often this reason is the weather. If you decide to leave the beaten path, you need to be independent in making your own plans and time schedule.”

And, sometimes, it’s about knowing when to stop. “When it came to planning our voyage, we sat with a lot of people that had returned from a long trip. We found that there is a tipping point after about 8-10 years. When people stay out for more than that, it becomes less of a voyage and more of a way of life. We are project-minded people, so we needed the voyage to have a beginning and an end. So we left with a plan to stay out somewhere between six and nine years. It worked out to eight years.”

Go slow, stay loose

So how do you know which pace is right for you? “My advice would be go slow and keep it loose,” says Trautman. “Write your plans in the sand at low tide, and be okay with changing them.

“And just take time. You’re not out there to check items off of a list, in my opinion. There are some places where you’ll be okay with leaving after a couple of days, and there are some places you’ll really want a few more weeks just to enjoy. That could be a factor of the place, or it could also be a factor of your frame of mind after moving for so long. That’s all part of the lifestyle.”

If you enjoyed this….

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Living on a Boat: Beginner's Guide for Liveaboards

It’s easy to romanticize the idea of living on a boat full-time; however, it's an alternative lifestyle like that takes preparation, organization and an ability to roll with changes. When you commit to moving aboard, make checklists of necessities and talk to your partner about deal-breakers. Prepare the boat for life aboard well before you make the move.

Factors to Consider Before Living Aboard

Before moving onboard your boat, you should ask yourself some questions:

Is this just for a period of time before you go cruising or is this a lifestyle choice?
Are you comfortable with repeatedly defending your choice to your friends and family?
Are you living in a climate that is boat-friendly year-round?
Are you handy and a good problem solver?
Who will accept your Amazon deliveries and are you ready to grocery shop frequently since there won’t be room to stow much?
Are you ready to become your own maid?
Will you feel comfortable with your kids being in this new environment?
What’s Plan B if it doesn’t work?

After moving aboard, you may be hauling the laundry to the laundromat or groceries from the parking lot with no dock cart nearby. You’ll need to go to the pump-out station regularly as well as to the post office for your mail. Small doesn’t translate to easy so mentally run through a typical week and write down solutions to the issues.

Essentials: Stowage, Comfort & Connectivity

When you move from a 2,000-square foot house to a 40-foot boat, all the closets are smaller, the cupboards are fewer and there’s no two-car garage. In preparation, you’ll need to de-clutter kitchen gadgets, tools, mementos and clothing. Keep winter clothes in off-boat storage and your business attire at the office if possible.

Make sure the boat is warm and dry with plenty of ventilation. Mildew and condensation will become a part of life and you’ll need a whole new set of cleaners and tools.

Plan your connectivity needs. Whether a dish for TV or high-speed internet access via the marina WiFi, you’ll need a connectivity solution so you’re not cut off from work, friends, family and entertainment.

Beneficial Skills to Have for Living Onboard

Maintenance on a boat may be worse than in a house in terms of frequency and specificity. Basic plumbing, electrical and mechanical skills will be needed because boat systems are generally less reliable than their household counterparts. The alternative is calling a contractor for every issue.

Cost of Living on a Boat

Don’t assume that you’ll save money by moving aboard. Here's some expenses you may incur by living on your boat:

Boat mortgage payment
Boat insurance
Waste management
Food and water

The best way to manage expenses is by making a budget and sticking to it. Depending on the size and value of the vessel, boat insurance may be just as expensive as house insurance. Property taxes will usually be less as will electricity since you’ll not be heating/cooling/lighting as big a space. You’ll probably save money on waste management, gas and water as well.

Where costs rise dramatically is maintenance . Marine parts and labor are usually more expensive—sometimes 20% more, than typical household counterparts. If you take on the tasks yourself and you’re self-employed, every hour you spend working on your boat is an hour you don’t make money.

Learn More in our Boat Insurance Guide

Safety & Security

You’ll need to decide whether to invite strangers inside, and if kids and pets will be safe around the docks. Install CO2 and smoke alarms and a propane sniffer, check the fire extinguishers periodically, and keep an eye on the basics like bilge and battery levels. You may also want to consider the following:

Will you be safe walking from the parking lot to the slip at night?
Will your nice car be okay outside the garage 24/7?
Who will call you if your boat starts to list when you’re on vacation?

There aren’t really more or fewer safety issues, just different kinds.

Daily Life & Socialization

Socializing is easier in a marina than in a neighborhood. Neighbors help neighbors in marinas but it’s a two-way street so be ready to lend a hand when needed. If you’d rather live anonymously, consider an end tie in the forgotten corner of the marina. Although there are challenges to living on a boat, if you’re prepared, you may find it a perfect fit.

I already have a boat in a slip in a marina, so can I just move aboard?

Most marinas require an application for you to move aboard permanently. In some areas, liveaboards aren’t permitted or there are long waiting lists. Liveaboard slip fees are usually higher and your insurance rates may increase if your boat becomes your primary residence.

How do I live aboard a boat with a pet?

Dogs, cats and other pets need to acclimate to their new environments. They need exercise, private space and easy access to food and a potty. Make sure stairs and docks are safe for them and that they know how to get on the boat or dock if they fall in the water. Be careful of small spaces where they can get trapped and wires they can chew. Teach them about their new environment and be patient.

Learn more in Boating with Pets and Tips for Taking Your Dog Boating .

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Affordable Liveaboard Havens: Top 8 Boats for Ocean Nomads

Ever dreamt of waking up on the waves? Dive into our treasure trove of the 8 most affordable liveaboard boats—your wallet and wanderlust will thank you!

I think, at some point, we all dream about scraping our normal existences and moving aboard a boat of some kind. The thought of a water-borne life is compelling and evokes visions of adventure, glamour, and excitement. Unfortunately, for the most part, these remain dreams and musings, often because of the perceived costs involved. However, buying that dream liveaboard boat may not be as out of reach as you think.

Living aboard a boat means different things to different people. You may have a vision of a trawler or a motor cruiser. A sailboat with beautiful lines may come to mind for the more romantic. A static houseboat, permanently moored to its dock, maybe more to your liking. In some countries, living on a canal barge is an alternative.

In any case, finding the right boat at the right price is the challenge. We have searched for what we consider the best boats in several categories. Our selections are based on livability, space, construction, maintenance, and possible uses. These are factors that most experienced liveaboard people mention when asked what to look for in a liveaboard boat.

For many, living aboard a boat means a sailboat. For many people, sailboats equate to freedom. With nature providing the wind for power, a sailboat looks like a perfect way to escape the mundane everyday world. We must admit that sailing is addictive. We have succumbed in the past to the sailboat urge and have never regretted our time spent with a sailboat.

Catalina 30

Sealion Yachts / YouTube

Average Used Cost: $15,000 to $35,000

I know. It’s white, plastic, and almost boring. On the other hand, the Catalina 30 is probably one of the most chosen live-aboard sailboats when the overriding factor is cost.

This popular sailboat has been in production since 1975, and there are thousands of used Catalina 30 sailboats from which to choose. Over almost 50 years of making these sailboats, Catalina has learned a few things and these boats show that knowledge.

For a thirty-foot sailboat, the Catalina 30 is amazingly spacious. Several interior layouts have been available over the years, so you have some options when shopping for these boats if you have special needs.

Catalina designs the Catalina 30 with a wide beam which makes the boat comfortable to sail. The low sail area/displacement makes the Catalina 30 a little stiff under sail, but this generally means a more stable and comfortable ride.

The interior of these boats has standup headroom for all but the tallest people. Every Cataline 30 was originally outfitted with a full galley with plenty of storage space. The heads on these boats are functional for living aboard, with a full-sized shower and extra storage. Later boats feature a slightly wider transom incorporating a boarding platform and ports to the hull sides.

Catalina 30s, suffer from many of the same age-related issues that plague laid-up fiberglass boats of any kind. You should have any used boat you consider thoroughly inspected by a certified marine inspector. There are some issues in particular that you should watch for with a Catalina 30.

Catalina deck cores may be either balsa wood or plywood. Common problems with either construction is the deterioration of the core because of water infiltration and compression degradation, particularly at the mast step.

The deck-to-hull joint can show delamination issues caused by the flexing of the boat in rough water or physical damage from docking incidents.

Islander 36

Michael Facius / YouTube

Average Used Cost: $15,000 to $36,000

When we start talking about cheap liveaboard boats, it is understood that we are considering used boats rather than new ones. That puts the Islander 36 in the mix of the best and cheapest live-aboard sailboats.

The last Islander boats were built in 1985. 750 of the Islander 36s were produced from 1971 to 1985. Many are still on the water and still being lived aboard by happy owners.

If you look at an Islander 36 you can’t help but notice that this boat looks fast. This is one of the few boats that you can race with confidence or cruise in comfort. These boats have a moderate beam that moves through the water easily. There is no dated appearance to these boats. You will look as good on the water as most much newer boats.

The interior is generous and provides ample amounts of space and headroom throughout. The Islander company paid a lot of attention to the appointments and fittings on the interior of their sailboats. However, many of these boats have been remodeled to accommodate upgraded marine navigation stations and galleys.

Construction-wise, these boats are built tough. The mast is stepped through the hull to the keel. The Islander 36 was available with either a shoal draft keel or a deep cruising keel. Originally, the Islander 36 came with a tiller, but most of these boats have been converted to wheel steering in the intervening years.

The construction of the Islander 36 is relatively light, which doesn’t make this a big water boat. These boats were designed for coastal and inland water cruising, so if you want to travel the world, you need to look elsewhere.

In addition, on older boats, the engine mounting, fuel system and the condition of the gel coat on the hull should get a closer look. As with any older boat, the care and maintenance the Islander 36 has been given should be a big factor in your decision when selecting a live-aboard boat.

You will find that most Islander 36s have been modified extensively through the years. Some of these modifications need careful attention to ensure they are properly done and don’t seriously compromise the boat’s safety. Tankage may also be a problem for liveaboards that intend to cruise extensively. The original aluminum tanks may need replacing.

Multi-Hull Sailboats

In the late 1970s and 1980s, multi-hull sailboats gained popularity, especially among live-aboard sailors. The wide beams and multiple hull spaces offered a lot in interior space, deck space, and stability. Even charter companies recognized the benefits of the multi0hull arrangements. Many of these boats entered charter fleets in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Many live-aboard cruisers are still enjoying their multi-hull sailboats in these popular waters.

Gemini 105C Catamaran

multihulls / YouTube

Average Used Cost: $50,000 - $90,000

As liveaboard cruising sailboats, nothing quite compares to a catamaran. Large open deck spaces, generous interior space, and stable sailing characteristics make these boats some of the most popular with liveaboards.

The Gemini 105C is extremely popular as a liveaboard coastal cruiser for families needing more space than a standard monohull sailboat can provide.

If you are used to going belowdecks on a standard monohull sailboat, you will be overcome when you step into the saloon of a Gemini 105C catamaran. The fourteen-foot beam of this sailboat is almost twice as wide as a conventional hull, providing more than ample space to move around. An array of portlights give almost 360-degree visibility. Visually, using fiberglass and wood veneers creates a warm and inviting space.

The shoebox design of the hull and deck are extremely well-engineered, with stainless steel hardware on five-inch centers around the perimeter of the hull/deck joint. The wide beam of these boats gives a gentle and comfortable ride in even the most extreme conditions. If the wind doesn’t blow, a Westerbeke diesel gets you where you want to go without hassles.

By and large, these are easy boats to sail and maneuver for even novice operators. The construction is solid and uses the highest grades of materials. The extra space provided below decks makes these catamarans a great family option if you are considering a live-aboard lifestyle.

As well-built as they are, Gemini 105C owners report some issues you should look for when purchasing a used boat. The balsa-cored decks show a tendency to get spongy over time. This is usually caused by water intrusion where perforations or fasteners are mounted. Some owners have experienced problems with the original centerboards rotting or becoming worm-eaten.

Any boat with a beam of 14 feet may become a problem when needing berthing space. Some marinas may not have large enough berths for the boat, and putting your Gemini into a slip may mean paying for two slip spaces.

If the boat you are considering still has a Westerbeke engine and drive, it will probably pay to have it replaced with a newer engine and drive. The company that services the drive leg of these systems is out of business, and parts can be an issue. Many Gemini owners find it more efficient to scrap the diesel and the drive leg in favor of an outboard.

Click and Boat

Average Used Cost: $45,000 to $90,000

Edel is not a well-known name except among catamaran sailors . These boats were first introduced in 1987, and many are still afloat. Owners of Edel 35 catamarans speak highly of the quality of the construction and the handling of these boats. The spacious interiors maximize the wide beam and the overall length to provide generous amounts of cabin and storage space.

Over the years of production, Edel offered several different interior layouts in these boats. Perhaps the most popular for family cruising and liveaboards are the 3-module design which offers 4 separate double cabins. This interior design gives even a large family room for private space and a large cabin for communal time.

Edel adopted a simplistic approach to the design of the Edel 35. The goal was to provide a solidly constructed boat at a reasonable price that combined performance and stability. This design philosophy made the Edel 35 popular with many charter companies and sail schools. It is also why many private owners opted for this boat since it became a great foundation for customization.

The Edel 35 can be quite nimble under sail, producing 7 to 8 knows upwind and 11 to 12 knots on a broad reach. This speed still produces a stable and gentle ride in all but the roughest weather conditions. The interior appointments are simple yet tasteful without showing their age.

Early-year models of the Edel 35 showed some problems with the composite construction of the crossbeams. Beginning in 1087/88, Edel began using three aluminum crossbeams which proved to be much longer lasting given the rhythmic stress loading these members must endure.

If considering a used Edel 35, pay particular attention to the electrical systems. This is one area where repeated problems seem to surface as these boats age. The interior lining used in some of these boats may also not endure well when exposed to saltwater intrusion. As with any fiberglass boat with sandwich construction, careful inspection of the strength of the hulls and decks should be made.

Early versions of the Edel 35 were designed for use with outboard motors. Later versions were fitted with inboard diesels. In particular, a twin-motor version with a diesel engine in each hull was very popular. Maintenance records and upgrades should be considered if the original equipment is still installed.

Motor Cruisers

If sailing isn’t your thing and power is king, considering a motor cruiser as your liveaboard may be the right idea. In many cases, a used motor cruiser is a cheaper alternative than a sailboat or sailing catamaran of comparable size. In addition, you don’t have to learn to sail, and you aren’t at the mercy of the wind.

Hatteras 40 Double Cabin

Portside Yacht Sales / YouTube

Average Used Price: $50,000 - $130,000

Hatteras is well known for building solid and dependable boats. The Hatteras 40 Double Cabin is no exception. By any standard, these are heavy-weight boats that produce sold stable rides while providing massive amounts of interior space, making them a good choice as a live-aboard motor cruiser. Depending on the boat age you are considering, you may even find some unexpected amenities for a boat at these prices.

The aft stateroom on the Hatteras 40 double cabin is a bonus, especially considering it comes with a private head. A queen-sized bed dominates the space, but there is still plenty of room for storage and living. Couple the live aboard amenities with the company’s reputation for building quality boats, and you have two very good reasons to consider the Hatteras 40 double cabin as a liveaboard vessel.

Outside you will find an oversized cockpit. Most used boats have the enclosure for the cockpit plus the flying bridge just a few steps above. For many families living about their Hatteras 40, the cockpit is not just an outdoor space, it becomes a waterside dining room and an extension of the main cabin. Most used Hatteras models will feature upgraded electronics and navigation equipment as well.

From a performance standpoint, the Hatteras can hold its own. The diesel engines can deliver speeds of up to 20 mph. The deep V hull easily powers through even the choppiest seas, and the heavy, solidly built hull gives a stable ride. These boats come standard with tanks to hold about 350 gallons of fuel, so they have plenty of cruising range.

As with any boat of this age, the care and maintenance it has received during its life are critical to its condition. There are some issues known that should be thoroughly investigated. As with purchasing any used boat in this price and size range, a complete marine inspection by a qualified surveyor is a must before making a deal.

If the Hatteras 40 you are considering still has the original gasoline engines, you are probably facing a major refit to install more modern marine diesel engines. Newer engines will deliver more power with greater economy than older gasoline engines. This will also require new fuel tanks and fuel lines and may require new controls for the new engines.

Many Hatteras 40 yachts have seen service in areas where they are exposed to some heavy seas during their life, particularly along the eastern seaboard, where crossing big breakers regularly puts much stress on the boat. Hull-to-deck joints can see the damage, which can lead to delamination. Check these areas well.

Sea Ray 415 Aft Cabin

Yacht and Boat

Our second choice in the Motor Cruiser category is another aft cabin model. The Sea Ray 415 aft cabin is just a tad larger than the Hatteras 40 but is in the same class and delivers the same sorts of features and qualities.

Owners of Sea Ray 415 models rave about the spacious interiors, the quality construction, and the amenities that are included in these boats. There are many of these boats that have spent their lives on inland freshwater lakes that are in pristine condition.

For interior space, you won’t find many boats in this class that offers this amount of living space. The aft cabin has a queen-sized pedestal bed with walk-around access, storage galore, and a private head with a shower. If privacy on your liveaboard boat is a concern, the interior design of the Sea Ray aft cabin models will allay your fears.

The full galley is a plus, as is the flying bridge. Most of these used boats include the full enclosure for the cockpit area. The flying bridge is only a few steps above the cockpit which keeps the operator in the miss if you are entertaining friends. Many owners find the large forward deck area is another great place to spend time on the water.

From a structural standpoint, these are well-engineered and well-constructed boats. Given the proper care and maintenance, you can expect these boats to perform well into the future with few problems. Most of these used boats are still sporting the original gasoline engines, which do well on inland protected waters. If you are considering coastal cruising, you should probably look for a diesel-powered model or plan to upgrade the power plants yourself.

To be honest, we didn’t hear many disadvantages from the owners of these boats. Some of the problems that were mentioned include electrical wiring. It seems that the wiring is not as big a problem on these boats as the repairs or maintenance on the electrical systems. The wiring on Sea Ray boats runs in tight channels and often terminates in compartments with no access. Check the fuse box and see if the breakers have been changed, indicating electrical problems.

Another problem with some Sea Ray boats is foam saturation, which can affect how the boat floats and handles. If you find areas of the foam core that have been saturated, this can be fixed but may prove costly in the long run. Look at the boat when it is on the water and empty of everything but the fixed equipment. If the boat doesn’t float level, the cores may have a problem.

Water leaks around through hull fittings, portlights, and deck-to-hull joints are a problem in any boat that has seen a lot of heavy weather or stressful situations. Sea Ray owners report the same sorts of problems with their boats. When shopping for a used Sea Ray 415 aft cabin, a certified marine inspector can be your best option to ensure the boat is sound.

Some people want to classify trawlers as motor cruisers, but I tend to separate them. Trawlers feature entirely different hull designs and different design philosophies. Motor cruisers tend to be sportier and more performance-oriented. Since they originated as work boats, Trawlers tend to be a bit more stable and offer a different kind of liveaboard experience. A trawler may be your answer if you want a more classic look in a boat that will get you where you want to go in style and comfort.

Californian 42 LRC

Average Used Price: $48.000 - $70,000

If you are looking not just to live aboard but to do some serious cruising as well, a Californian 42 LRC (Long Range Cruiser) is a great place to start looking for your boat.

These boats, built in Costa Mesa, California, are built for just that purpose. With twin engines, large spacious interiors, and a nicely raked bow, these boats provide ample live aboard room and a conservative easy ride in rough water.

The prominent bow, high freeboard, and semi-displacement hull give great blue water characteristics to these boats. You probably won’t win any distance races, but you will get to where you want to go reliably and comfortably. Most used Californian 42 LRC came equipped with gasoline engines.

Many owners have since replaced the older engines with modern marine diesel engines. In most cases, with new engines, you can expect to make about 9mph on calm seas and get about 1.5 mpg.

Inside, the Californian 42 features a private aft compartment with walk-around arrangements. The aft compartment has its own head. These boats came equipped with either a full-height shower or a bathtub. There is more storage than on most boats this size making life aboard much easier.

The forward stateroom may have either a double berth or stacked single berths. A separate head opens into this stateroom and is accessible from the main cabin. Most of these forward heads only came with a shower. The helm is center mounted on the flying bridge and has back-to-back seating. The console has plenty of room for electronics and navigation equipment.

Used trawlers can suffer from the same sorts of maladies that are common on any aged boat. You should invest in a competent marine surveyor to look at any boat you are considering. Californian 42 LRCs don’t get a lot of bad reviews, nor do I see many comments about problems with these boats other than as they age, they take a bit more maintenance and TLC to stay in top shape.

Some owners do mention the blistering of the gel coat on the fiberglass. This is typically not a structural issue if the blisters are repaired promptly. This condition is often problematic with the binding agents under the gel coat and not the fiberglass itself. Blisters are relatively easy to fix and well-suited for most boat owners.

If possible, get the history of the boat you are considering. Former owners are a wealth of information about how well the boat has been maintained, the types and frequency of repairs, and any upgrades that may have been done to enhance the boat’s value.

CHB 42’ Sundeck

CHB is a Taiwanese company that was founded by an American who saw the benefits of lowering manufacturing costs by going offshore.

The results are some of the best boat designs on the market, especially in the used boat market. The CHB 42-foot Sundeck trawler is a great example of this and offers exceptional value for anyone willing to shop carefully for a well-used trawler to live aboard.

You can get a lot of boat for the money with a CHB 43-foot Sundeck trawler design. The aft cabin design is perfect for a live-aboard couple. The second cabin forward provides ample room for weekend guests or a couple of kids. A private head in the aft stateroom and another forward give these boats much appeal to anyone who has frequent visitors on board and also wants a little privacy.

The twin-engine design provides plenty of power to handle big seas. Most of these boats came from the factory with John Deere diesel engines. Many of the used CHB 42’s still had these original engines and, if properly maintained, will continue to provide years of service without problems. The interior appointments are above average and provide a level of inviting warmth you won’t find on many fiberglass boats.

This trawler design has a wide bow with a deep rake and flare that provides a dry ride in moderate to heavy seas. You won’t win any speed contests, but you will feel comfortable with the handling and ride provided by the hull design on these boats. As with any displacement boat, they tend to rock and roll a bit at anchor.

A few areas on CHB 42 Sundeck boats need to be examined carefully if you are considering purchasing a used boat. Any time you spend money on a used boat of this category, a competent marine surveyor should be hired to inspect the boat thoroughly. Good marine surveyors will know what to look for on specific models of boats where problems are common.

On the CHB 42 Sundeck, the motor mounts should be checked carefully. In some cases, dry rot on the support structures has been noted. Don’t worry too much about engine hours. Diesels, with proper care, can provide thousands of hours of dependable service. While in the engine compartment, sniff around a bit. The smell of diesel in the engine compartment could indicate that the support structures have absorbed diesel fuel which can be a major issue.

CHB installed teak decks on the aft cabin and in the wheelhouse. Many owners have since replaced these teak decks with fiberglass to mitigate problems with the teak. These teak decks have proved to be a source of problems as the boats age.

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Best liveaboard boats: 4 of the best options for long-term cruising

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Our used boat expert Nick Burnham picks out four of the best liveaboard boats on the secondhand market right now.

One of the real joys of boating is the sheer diversity of it. Whatever you want to experience, whether it’s exhilaration, exploration, relaxation, escapism, social interaction or solitude, there’s a boating style and a boat type, specifically made for you.

And exactly the same is true for the ultimate boater’s fantasy – living aboard your floating home full time (it’s what we all dream of, right?).

So here to fulfil the fantasy are four great examples of vessels that could either take you and your family or friends around the world in a constant stream of adventures, or a more modest barge that would allow you to park up on a quiet stretch of the River Thames and enjoy a constant stream of G&Ts! Cheers!

Nordhavn 46

Built: 1997 Price: £350,000

Performance

Nordhavns are all about range, which is why speeds are strictly limited to hull displacement speed rather than forcing more knots via a semi-displacement or planing hull.

Figure on about 8.5 knots flat out with 7.4 knots as the cruise speed, at which the 3,785 litre fuel tank should give about 2,500 miles of range.

There is a lot of boat under the water, with its full hull shape and long keel designed to help the boat plug on and on.

Nordhavn 46 specification

LOA: 45ft 9in (13.9m) Beam: 15ft 5in (4.7m) Draught: 5ft 0in (1.5m) Displacement: 20 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,785 litres Engine: Lugger L668D 134Kw 180hp diesel engines Location: Hamble Contact: Nordhavn Europe

best-liveaboard-boats-aqualine-canterbury-62-exterior

Aqualine Canterbury 62×10 Widebeam

Built: 2019 Price: £182,950

Widebeam narrowboat sounds like the ultimate oxymoron, but it’s a term used to denote canal barges that are, well, wider of beam. A typical narrowboat is 6ft 10in wide, and it’s constructed to this dimension in order to access virtually all of the British canal system.

In short, there are places a wide beam just can’t go. But there are plenty of places that it can. There are four main UK ‘cruising grounds’ for the widebeam owner: London and the South; East Anglia; the Severn waterways; and the Trent and North. Indeed, many owners simply use them as floating homes and never go anywhere at all.

best-liveaboard-boats-aqualine-canterbury-62-saloon

The saloon looks more like an apartment than a boat, with proper domestic furniture…

So what’s the point of a wide beam narrowboat that can’t go everywhere? In a word, space. At 10ft wide, it’s not far short of double the beam, meaning you get almost twice the internal volume for a given length.

But it also gives you rooms that feel far more like those in a house and less like railway carriages. Given that very little of the interior is structural, it’s easy for the manufacturer to customise the layout. This particular boat has a large bedroom at the bow, a generous bathroom and a huge lounge/diner large enough for domestic furniture plus a kitchen.

Narrowboats tend to major on internal space so there is little more than vestigial side decks. There is a decent cockpit at the aft end with a large crescent of seating around a table, and a helm station with wheel steering rather than the tiller of more traditional designs. There is also a ‘well deck’ forward, which is basically a small cockpit in the bow accessed from the forward cabin.

best-liveaboard-boats-aqualine-canterbury-62-galley

…and the fully equipped galley could be the kitchen in a stylish new build house

Performance is probably not a word you associate with 62ft of 10mm steel plating powered by a Barrus Yanmar Shire 50hp, 4 cylinder 2,190cc diesel engine.

It will move you sedately around the inland waterways, but the fact the water tank is almost double the size of the fuel tank encapsulates the priorities of these vessels.

A misnomer – if you’re planning to put to sea, this is not the boat for you.

Aqualine Canterbury specification

LOA: 62ft 0in (18.9m) Beam: 10ft 0in (3.1m) Draught: 1ft 9in (0.6m) Displacement: 33 tonnes Fuel capacity : 430 litres Engine: Barrus Yanmar Shire 50hp diesel engine Location: Bray Contact: TBS Boats

best-liveaboard-boats-triqual-65-exterior

Built: 2002 Price: £399,950

Built in 2002 by Zijlmans Jachtbouw, a family owned yacht builder in Drimmelen on the Amer River, North Brabant in Holland, this Triqual 65 has had a rather colourful history. It ended up in the Caribbean before being shipped back to Amsterdam in June 2011.

Following a tip-off from the French authorities, the HMRC intercepted the boat in Southampton. After seven days of very thorough searching, they found no drugs inside the boat. There was, however, the small matter of 1.2 tonnes of cocaine worth £300,000,000 hidden in a secret compartment located underneath the bathing platform!

The result was rather a lot of work needed when the current owner bought the boat from an HM Revenue & Customs auction in 2013. A total interior strip and rebuild to a high standard followed.

The owner wanted a boat for exploring the coastlines of Ireland and Scotland before heading over to Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, so comfortable liveaboard boat was the name of the game and a full interior refit followed, creating a very contemporary and, above all, spacious displacement cruiser with three cabins (two doubles and a twin), a lower dinette and a large saloon area.

A total interior refit in 2013 means the saloon still feels fresh, bright and modern

A flybridge motor yacht, there is masses of space on the outside too. The large flybridge has been refitted with more seating, there’s an aft deck to enjoy and deeply bulwarked side decks encircle the boat.

A pair of Vetus Deutz DT67 231hp six cylinder diesel engines pushing over 40 tonnes of steel about (the hull is 6mm thick below the waterline, 5mm above) is never going to set any speed records, but a displacement maximum speed of 10 knots and an 8.5 knot cruise is not too shabby at all, nor is the fuel burn of 28 litres an hour, giving an impressive 1,000 nautical miles of range.

best-liveaboard-boats-triqual-65-flybridge

The flybridge is unusually large for a Dutch built steel displacement craft

That weight of the Triqual 65 is also going to do a pretty good job of flattening any chop offshore. Registered as an RCD Category B ‘Offshore’, it’s a boat designed for far more ambitious routes than just coastal cruising.

Triqual 65 specification

LOA: 63ft 3in (19.3m) Beam: 17ft 0in (5.2m) Draught: 5ft 7in (1.7m) Displacement: 40.6 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,768 litres Engines: Twin Vetus Deutz DT67 231hp diesel engines Location: Lymington Contact: Berthon International

best-liveaboard-boats-fleming-53-exterior

Built: 1991 Price: £385,000

Tony Fleming was the technical director of American Marine in Hong Kong, builder of the Grand Banks line of trawler yachts , before leaving to set up his own company under the Fleming brand name. He and business partner Anton Emmerton worked with an American naval architect, Larry Drake of San Diego, California, to develop an all-new range of pilothouse boats.

The Tung Hwa facility, located near Kaohsiung in Taiwan, was selected to build them. The very first model was a 50-footer, with this 53ft version following from hull number 9 onward. Intriguingly, the boat was originally designed as a 55-footer but a dam was inserted in the aft end of the mould to shorten the hull to 50ft.

Soon after the dam was pushed back to create the Fleming 53, then in 1990 it was finally removed altogether and the Fleming 55 proper was launched as it had been envisaged all along.

Available in two or three-cabin layouts, this boat is the two-cabin version which creates a much larger owner’s stateroom with vanity desk, large guest port cabin and storage room all on the lower deck forward.

A raised wheelhouse gives great visibility but also direct access to the flybridge for easier movement between decks. Further aft, a large saloon with the galley forward on the same level makes this a great social area. It’s ideal for extended cruising as a couple with a pair of guests, which is exactly what this boat was designed for.

Spacious saloon and galley are ideally set up for liveaboards and long distance cruising

One of the most noticeable things about the decks of the Fleming 53 is just how low the side decks are. Open a door in the high bulwarks and you can step straight aboard – try that with a contemporary Sunseeker or Princess !

Back aft, the cockpit is kept completely clear for freestanding furniture and there’s another stairway up to the flybridge where you’ll find fixed seating, the tender, complete with crane for launching, and the liferaft.

The original owner of this boat specified twin Caterpillar 3208 NA diesel engines that produce 210hp each, giving a cruising speed of 9 knots and maximum speed of approximately 12 knots.

Separate wheelhouse is well suited to night passages and has access up to the flybridge

Those low side decks help keep the centre of gravity low, aiding its legendary seakeeping and minimising rock and roll (of the non-musical variety).

Fleming 53 specification

LOA: 52ft 6in (16.0m) Beam: 16ft 0in (4.9m) Draught: 5ft 0in (1.5m) Displacement: 31 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,880 litres Engines: Twin twin Caterpillar 3208 NA 210hp diesels Location: Chichester Contact: Ancasta

First published in the September 2021 issue of MBY.

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6 Popular Boats For Full-Time Living (Affordable Options)

It’s a big investment to get a boat you can live in full time.

Here are some of the more affordable boats out there that we can fully recommend.

Hang with us as we guide you through some of the most popular and affordable boats for full-time living.

Table of Contents

Don’t Get “Sticker Shock”:

If you are choosing to live aboard a boat in you will need to brace yourself for the expense.

While this article is showing you “cheap” or “inexpensive” boats to live on, you should not be comparing them to other boats.

We are not talking about small boats here, but boats you can live on, remember.

Daily use boats do not afford the luxuries that a live-aboard boat can. This makes them more expensive. When looking at live-aboard boat prices, you will want to compare it to traditional living expenses. All choices for live-aboard boats are expensive and you will most likely be looking for a used, possibly even a “project” boat.

If you are looking for a new boat, or even a luxurious used boat you will need to be prepared to spend $100,000 or more depending on the size and type of boat you want.

An Affordable TRAWLER You Can Live On

A trawler is an inexpensive option that allows for generous space. Trawlers are also durable and can take large amounts of use.

The wider hull of a trawler allows for roomy interiors that include bigger kitchens, more spacious sleeping areas and more room. This boat is also stable and accessible. This makes getting on and off the boat much easier.

They also have less draft than boats with deep hulls like sailboats and lower clearance on top for bridges.

Some cons of a trawler include noisy engines that are slower moving. They also consume large amounts of fuel.

Trawlers also will need maintenance just like any other vessel and can often be older, so they might require more maintenance up front.

1. Albin North Sea Cutter

North Sea Cutters made by Albin are large, spacious and elegant. These boats offer multiple comforts and sleeping areas.

Depending on the year you select, you could have multiple cabins and many places that convert into sleeping areas. You can purchase a used Albin boat that costs anywhere from $20,000 to over $200,000. These prices vary depending on space, age and amenities offered.

Models older than 2000 will often range between $20,000 to $80,000 and they can get more expensive from there.

An Affordable YACHT You Can Live On

2. beneteau swift trawler.

These boats can be swift, fuel efficient, and stable. They offer a spacious deck as well as spacious living quarters.

They often come with more than one cabin and enough room to move around and house more than one person.

The Beneteau Swift Trawlers are more expensive than the Albin models and will likely cost you more than $100,000.

If you are looking for a brand new Beneteau, you could be looking at a base price close to or even over $500,000.

So you definitely want to get a used model if you are looking for a cheaper alternative here!

2 Affordable SAILBOATS You Can Live On

Sailboats can be a relaxing option for your live-aboard vessel. Sailboats come with an open deck and oftentimes have plush cabins situated in their hull.

Some of the appeals of a live-aboard sailboat are that you will spend less money on gas. They are also quieter than their motorboat counterparts.

If you choose to live-aboard a sailboat, you will want to make sure that you have a motor available in case you do not have a cooperating wind.

3. Island Packet 35

These boats are smaller than the trawler options and are better suited to housing smaller families. They have one main living and sleeping quarters so there is not a lot of privacy offered. These will be ideal for a couple.

These are very popular choices among sailing cruisers and they were designed with sailing in mind. They are very user-friendly sailboats.

The prices on an Island Packet range close to $100,000.

You will be looking for a used vessel, though, as these were not manufactured after the mid-1990s.

4. Cabo Rico 38

Cabo Rico boats were designed with luxury in mind and it is reflected in their prices.

Older models from the 1980’s and 1990’s range between $80,000 and $100,000 while newer models that were made in the early 2000s can easily reach over $300,000.

The main goal of these boats was to increase the appeal of their aesthetic.

Like the Island Packet, these boats are more ideal for smaller couples. This boat also has an abundance of clever storage spaces that will help you maximize the space that you have.

Affordable MULTI-HULL Boats You Can Live On

Multi-hull catamarans can be either double or triple hulled.

The benefit of a multi-hulled vessel is the stability offered as well as the possibility for separate living spaces.

A catamaran offers a wide and spacious deck, however, the living spaces in the hulls are generally smaller than they would be on other vessel types.

The major disadvantage of a multi-hull option will be price. Because the construction of these boats is similar to building two separate boats, you should expect to pay more. If you want to live on a multi-hull vessel you could be looking at spending $100,000 or more.

Like a sailboat, you might consider a used catamaran.

In addition to a higher purchase price, these boats also might require two slips in a marina which can make them more expensive.

5. Lagoon 380

The Lagoon 380 is a smaller catamaran which is not the most common. The Lagoon 380 is the smallest catamaran in the Lagoon fleet.

Unlike some other inexpensive options, these are still being produced which offers you the chance to buy new, which means that you will be more likely to customize your boat.

This boat comes with a full bath and a large queen-sized berth or the chance to instead get four cabins. Stowage on this boat is impressive and it comes with many lockers and storage space.

The boat truly is impressive for its small size and will be comfortable for living in. The price of this vessel can range from $170,000 to over $200,000 depending on the year and the options available.

Other Lagoon options can be more expensive but are also great live-aboard vessels.

6. Leopard 44

If you are looking for a more luxurious catamaran, then you will want to look at the Leopard 44.

The most inspiring part of the design of the Leopard 44 is the inclusion of two cockpits. This allows sailors to change where they steer based on the position of the sun and adds additional comfort.

This boat also provides edging on the surfaces so that you can feel where the boat ends. Attention to detail was key when crafting the Leopard 44.

Like most catamarans, this vessel is also spacious and provides comforts and amenities that will be useful when living on board. These include multiple berths and cabins that are well suited to housing more people.

The average price for this vessel is higher than the Lagoon 38 can range between $280,000 and $400,000.

Affordable HOUSEBOATS You Can Live On

If you plan on living aboard a boat without doing a lot of traveling, a houseboat might be ideal for you.

These allow for plenty of space, but are bulky and are not very efficient so they are generally used for living while moored and never actually venturing out on the water.

The most common form of houseboats is built onto pontoon boats. These boats can even offer full enclosures on the deck with plenty of windows and light.

Another downside to a houseboat is their price. Because these boats offer the most space and comfort they are pricey.

Houseboats can offer anything from multiple rooms to decks. They are essentially a house that floats.

Houseboats are often custom designed and are not generally offered as a part of a fleet or boating line. Prices also range wildly and could be anywhere from $30,000 used to over one million dollars.

When looking at houseboats you also have to consider location as a decision that needs to be made.

Houseboats are not designed to move so in addition to the expense of the boat, you are also often looking for a permanent place to put it, and that can be more costly than a marina or other available options.

What About The Bigger Yachts?

Even more expensive than the multi-hull vessel is the luxury yacht.

This is not an inexpensive option. These are the most expensive choice as they are essentially floating hotels.

For this reason, we have opted out of listing options for the luxury yacht, but they are an option that is available for consideration.

So How Do I Choose The Right Boat?

It is most important to choose your boat based on desired lifestyle, budget, and skill level.

If you do not want to worry about learning to sail, then you should look into the power boat options.

You also want to make sure you pick the appropriate size.

If you plan to go down rivers often, you might not want a boat that is too wide or too tall. This can make river navigation tricky and stressful.

You also want to make sure that while you are conscious about how the size of your boat is external, you allow for enough space internally.

No matter what type of boat you choose you will be giving up some luxuries and living a more minimalist lifestyle. You need to look at what your minimum size requirements will be and start there.

Another thing that is extremely important when choosing is the condition of the boat. Because these types of boats are so expensive, you will most likely be looking at used options.

This means that you will want to get your boat fully inspected before you buy it.

Much like you would get an inspector for your home, you are able to hire marine inspectors who can see things on your vessel that you can’t.

The most important places of consideration are the hull and the engine.

Even a tiny hairline crack in the hull can expand and get worse over time. These are also the most dangerous because you are less likely to see them and get them taken care of.

A marine inspector will also be able to give you a rundown on the vessel and this might help you plan for future expenses and even to negotiate a better price.

In addition to this, when buying a used boat you want to make sure you do not buy a boat that is exactly your budget. You will want to save at least %10 of your budget for possible issues and immediate maintenance needed.

Maintenance will be an ongoing expense that you will have to plan for in order to maintain the integrity of your boat.

Is It Possible To Live On A Boat Full Time?

Living on a boat full time is completely possible if you know what you are doing.

Where to Moor Your Boat:

One of your most major considerations will be where to keep your boat. Many places require marinas to have a liveaboard license and many of the places that do have long waiting lists that could last years.

If you know you want to live aboard a boat full time you will want to start checking into places right away. It would also be wise to not close a deal on a boat until you know you have somewhere to put it.

You will also want to consider the location of where you are mooring your vessel.

If you choose to dock your boat in a marina you will be more likely to have 24/7 access to both electricity and water. This is not true if you choose to live at anchor or on a mooring bay.

This can make a big difference in the comforts afforded while you are living on your boat.

Another consideration to make is the ease of getting on and off your vessel. If you do not moor in a marina you could be relying on a dinghy to get on and off your boat and this can quickly become a hassle, especially if you are transporting things with you as well.

Live-aboard marinas often provide more comfort to you, such as cable, Wi-Fi, or even laundry.

Marina’s do come with a higher cost, so you will have to decide if this is worth it to you.

Comfort Issues To Consider

One major challenge of living on a boat is space. Even with a spacious boat, you will always be living in close quarters to your boat-mates.

Depending on the size of boat you get, you could be asking your partner to move every time you want to move to a different room or area of the boat.

This can quickly get annoying and you will want to make sure that you and your partner both understand the reality of the situation.

Even if you plan to live alone you can be looking as small and confined spaces.

One good way to know if you can handle the day to day challenges of a liveaboard lifestyle is to try it out first. There are plenty of ways to rent a boat to test the waters before you take the plunge.

Another challenge is living without the comforts that most people have every day. Most liveaboards that are affordable do not have hot showers or laundry.

They also usually have small kitchens and bathrooms with small amounts of storage space. If you are a person who likes to have everything and minimal living is not something that sounds appealing, living on a boat is likely not for you.

To keep your space comfortable, you might want to also consider a dehumidifier to keep your humidity in check.

Important Safety Considerations

One major thing to make sure you plan for is safety. Like all boats, you will need to have the proper life preservers and flotation devices. This is a legal requirement on all water vessels.

In addition to the proper flotation devices, you will want to make sure you have all other required safety equipment.

This includes a fire extinguisher, a carbon monoxide detector in all enclosed areas, a flare, an emergency kit, and a first aid kit.

You should also have anything needed to repair unexpected maintenance issues. Depending on where you are, you will want to make sure you can deal with any issues that might arise until you can get to help.

In addition to the standard safety precautions, living on your boat comes with a few more.

If you are planning to live on your boat, and travel, you will want to make sure you are confident in your abilities and your boat itself before you get too far away from shore. It is wise to spend a few months cruising near land and shores before you attempt any long trips.

You also need to ensure you have the proper communication equipment on board.

Depending on how far from shore you get, you might not be able to communicate using traditional methods such as a cell phone.

A cell phone will be less effective the farther away from shore and any cell phone towers you get.

You should be sure to have satellite communications, a marine radio, and a Ham radio on board.

You will also want to make sure you regularly get your boat inspected and perform any routine maintenance. A boat that is fully functioning and well maintained will be the safest.

How Much Will Living On A Boat Cost Me?

Despite the large upfront cost, living on a boat can be cheaper than living in a traditional manner.

Costs that come with a live-aboard boat can include, but are not limited to:

Insurance: Just like with a home, car, or daily use boat you will need to pay for insurance. The live-aboard insurance rate will be higher than just recreational boating insurance. This insurance can sometimes compare to home insurance.
Moorage: Like insurance, live-aboard moorage is more expensive than traditional insurance. You will also need to go to a marina that holds a live-aboard license.
Mortgage Payments: If you cannot pay for your boat out of pocket, which is likely, you might have to make loan payments on it. Depending on what you spent on your vessel this could be costly.
Maintenance Costs: After your initial purchase you will still need to spend money on boat maintenance. This expense will vary based on the age of the boat, how often you perform regular maintenance, and how you use the boat itself.
Utilities: Based on how you have decided to live on your boat, you might have utilities or additional costs with the marina. This will likely still be less than you would pay in a traditional living situation.
Provisions and Entertainment: Just because you don’t live in a traditional manner, you will still need to buy traditional items such as food, toiletries, and entertainment. If you live completely without the comforts you are used to, your experience will not be very pleasurable.

Most importantly while looking at expenses, you need to make sure you are budgeting and stick to it.

If you are not able to afford your lifestyle, you will not have a lot of immediate options.

If you choose to travel while you sail, budgeting will be even more important. Traveling often does not allow for a traditional job and you do not want to overspend if you do not have any money coming in.

If you know this is the lifestyle you want to live, you might consider going all in. Many people sell their homes in order to live this lifestyle.

What Boat Should I Get For Full-Time Living?

Before you buy a boat to live aboard, you need to be clear about your needs.

There are a lot of options to choose from and this is not a decision to rush through. One of the first things that you need to decide when picking a boat is whether you want a motorboat or a sailboat.

A Sailboat Or A Motorboat?

Sailboats are not just appropriate for ocean living, they are also good for lake, river, or bay living. Sailboats are quieter than motorboats and are generally more economical because they use less gas.

One issue with sailboats is that they require more skill to handle and they might not be ideal for a singular person.

Like any boat, you will want to ensure that you are choosing the right size. If you plan on using your sailboat in a river, you will want to think about the required clearance when it comes to bridges.

Motorboats with ample cabin space can also be ideal for full-time living on a lake, river or bay.

These boats are often very spacious and easy to handle. Unlike sailboats, you do not have to take classes or training to be able to maneuver or handle the vessel. Motorboats that you can live aboard can range from trawlers to yachts to certain types of catamarans .

Motorboats do not rely on the wind and this can make them ideal for a boat you want to do both living and traveling on.

The issues with motorboats is that you will need to consider gas and other expenses that come with running an engine. They are also louder than sailboats and often their engines are placed close to living quarters. This can make sleep difficult if you are moving.

Below are some inexpensive boat options that would be perfect for full-time living .

What Are The Benefits?

Even though this all might seem very expensive, there is a large list of benefits as well.

Living on a boat can be cheaper than living in a traditional home, especially in high priced areas.

The main reason that you should live on a boat is the freedom and adventure that comes with it.

You would be able to take your home on vacation with you or just pick up and go to a new location.

You are also more likely to meet adventurous and like-minded individuals who will most likely have interesting stories to tell.

One of the best parts about living out on the water is the views that you will see. There is nothing quite as beautiful as waking up to a sunrise over the water.

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Liveaboard Yachts for Sale

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SAIL OFF GRID? Dirt Cheap Live Aboard Boat! *BOAT IS SOLD*
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COMMENTS

The Live-Aboard Life: Best Liveaboard Yachts
The Live-Aboard Life: Best Liveaboard Yachts. Written by: Heather Francis on August 4, 2021. Only a small percentage of boat owners choose to make their boat a full-time home. These "live aboards" can be found all over the world, living in style and comfort.
Used Live Aboard Yachts For Sale
You can always find a huge selection of live aboard yachts for sale in Florida. These live aboard yachts are made by a number of top brands, including Hatteras, Viking, Sea Ray, Tiara, Sunseeker, Kadey-Krogen, and more. Our inventory also represents a variety of dimensions, ages, amenities, price points and other characteristics and features.
Five Great Live-Aboard Yachts
The small number of cabins is indicative of this yacht's true nature; it's not meant for cramming aboard on short journeys, but is truly designed for long-term habitation. Even the engine room has a live-aboard attitude, with walk-around engine access, easy access to the generators and wing engine (yes, it has a wing engine!) and a ...
Best Liveaboard Boats Under 600K
Some look like actual floating houses rather than boats, others look like more modern and sleek vessels. The 2021 Planus Nautica Aquadomus houseboat in the photo above was listed for sale on YachtWorld for $388,119 by Planus Nautica. With a balanced distribution of space, the capacity is extended to 12 people onboard.
13 Best Liveaboard Sailboats (under 30 & 50 ft)
Conclusion. So there you have it. $15,000 - $50,0000 range, 20 - 50-foot sizes, from cozy towable boats to large sailing houses. A range anybody can choose from to pursue the liveaboard dream. Nothing is stopping you now, so hit the yachtworld.com website and start browsing.
The 80 Best Liveaboard Boats
Draft: 3'5". Beam: 15'4". The Carver 4207 is one of the best-selling motor yachts in her class from the 80s. It has a 350 hp gas engine with a cruising speed of 13-14 knots and a 22-knot top speed. The Carver 4207 has two staterooms, a decent-sized head, a dinette, a linear galley and a large cockpit with a hardtop.
Affordable Live-Aboard Boats
The helm seat flips down to create extra galley counter space—little details that help maximize small spaces. Nimbus also features washable Sunbrella fabrics on its cushions—a nice touch for live aboard boats that get extra "seat time." The portside salon has two benches framing the teak table, which can convert to another bed if needed.
5 Liveaboard Boats Under 200K
3. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349. Those in search of a sailboat for living aboard will find the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 of interest, as this boat can be bought new in the neighborhood of $200K or used in the $150,000 to $200,000 range. The model is available in several arrangements, including two- or three-cabin layouts with a single head, and deep ...
13 Dirt-Cheap Liveaboard Sailboats (That Are Actually Good)
Liveaboard sailboats that are cheap but actually good include Westsail 32, Alberg 30, Tayana 37, Catalina 30, Ericson 35, Albin Vega 27, Bristol 32, Morgan 323, Contessa 32, Pearson 365, Hunter 31, Cal 34, and Tartan 30. The prices of these boats range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more. Living aboard a sailboat on a budget doesn't mean you have to ...
15 Small Liveaboard Catamarans
The Smart Cat S280 is the smallest catamaran on the market today. The Korean-made catamaran offers a mix of space, shallow sailing, and affordability. At the 2020 Miami Boat Show, the starting price of the Smart Cat S280 was $149,900. It runs on a 19.8 Yamaha HorsePower engine with a 50 Horse Power option.
Liveaboard Boats for sale
All types of boats for sale could be classed as a liveaboard boat. For example a powerboat or cruising sailboat, houseboats, or barges, even narrow boats. Some interesting types of liveaboard boats may be ex-commercial boats. Liveaboard is becoming a real trend worldwide and many new manufacturers are in the market building stunning, affordable ...
6 Most Affordable Liveaboard Sailboats
Size is one of the most important factors when considering a sailboat to live on. Small boats that are less than 20 feet in length are almost always too small for comfortable and clean living. The ideal liveaboard sailboat is usually between 25 and 35 feet in length. ... 30 feet is just about perfect for a single person or a couple living ...
Belle Marie: The Skinny Water Queen
This steady, continuous, comfortable cruising speed—11 knots on a 39-foot, 5-inch waterline—is quite unusual. It corresponds to a speed-length ratio of 1.75. This is true semi-planing performance. Yet at 11 knots, Belle Marie makes no fuss at all going through the water.
Great Harbour Trawlers: America's go-anyhere liveaboards
Call or write Sales Director Eric Kraft to set it up, 352-538-4843, [email protected]. Handcrafted by Mirage Manufacturing in Gainesville, Florida, Great Harbour Trawlers are designed for cruisers with a sense of adventure and a desire to live off the grid...part-time or as long as they want.
5 Best Liveaboard Boats: Compare Boats
2. Trawlers. Trawlers are a great option because they are built with the liveaboard lifestyle in mind. They're typically slower boats designed for long-distance cruising, and they come in many sizes from a large Nordhavn 60 built for tough ocean conditions to a more compact Beneteau Swift 35 that's ideal for coastal cruising.
Best Live Aboard Yachts: Top 5 Yachts
Live aboard yachts are recreational sailboats that serve as both a mode of transportation and primary living space. Let's look at the top 5! ... This 30-foot boat is a small recreational boat crafted mainly using fiberglass and wood trim. It has an internally-mounted rudder (spade-type), a fixed fin keel, and a masthead sloop rig. ...
7 Unique Liveaboard Boats For On-Water Living
2015 Custom Canadian S&E 188' Superyacht - Asking $4,999,000. United Yacht broker: Daniel Voorhees, (206) 407-6411. This 188-foot Custom Canadian S&E super yacht is the ultimate liveaboard yacht with 34 staterooms and room for 22 crew+. This yacht can safely and comfortably transport, 70+ luxury passengers worldwide or cruise by yourself and ...
Liveaboard Boats For Sale
View Liveaboard boats available for sale at Pacific Boat Brokers. Check out used vessels adapted to liveaboard. List your liveaboard with us for a hassle-free sale - no charge unless it sells. ... Live-Aboard - Search Results. 11 Matching Live-Aboards Found. 1 2 Next > 32' Fairline Sedan Reduced to $89,500 ...
How to live aboard a yacht for years at a time
Brian Trautman's 14-year sailing adventure aboard SV Delos has grown to include a family and a livelihood. Trautman initially thought his cruising adventure would be for less than two years ...
Living on a Boat: Beginner's Guide for Liveaboards
Essentials: Stowage, Comfort & Connectivity. When you move from a 2,000-square foot house to a 40-foot boat, all the closets are smaller, the cupboards are fewer and there's no two-car garage. In preparation, you'll need to de-clutter kitchen gadgets, tools, mementos and clothing. Keep winter clothes in off-boat storage and your business ...
Living on a Boat: Beginner's Guide for Liveaboards
Here's some expenses you may incur by living on your boat: Boat mortgage payment. Slip fees. Boat insurance. Waste management. Gas. Food and water. The best way to manage expenses is by making a budget and sticking to it. Depending on the size and value of the vessel, boat insurance may be just as expensive as house insurance.
Affordable Liveaboard Havens: Top 8 Boats for Ocean Nomads
When we start talking about cheap liveaboard boats, it is understood that we are considering used boats rather than new ones. That puts the Islander 36 in the mix of the best and cheapest live-aboard sailboats. The last Islander boats were built in 1985. 750 of the Islander 36s were produced from 1971 to 1985.
Best liveaboard boats: 4 of the best options for long-term cruising
Aqualine Canterbury 62×10 Widebeam. Built: 2019. Price: £182,950. Widebeam narrowboat sounds like the ultimate oxymoron, but it's a term used to denote canal barges that are, well, wider of beam. A typical narrowboat is 6ft 10in wide, and it's constructed to this dimension in order to access virtually all of the British canal system.
6 Popular Boats For Full-Time Living (Affordable Options)
The boat truly is impressive for its small size and will be comfortable for living in. The price of this vessel can range from $170,000 to over $200,000 depending on the year and the options available. Other Lagoon options can be more expensive but are also great live-aboard vessels. 6. Leopard 44.

13 Dirt-Cheap Liveaboard Sailboats (That Are Actually Good)

On this page:

Westsail 32 is known as "the cruiser that launched the cruising boom"

Alberg 30 is a classic full-keel cruiser known for its seaworthy design

Tayana 37 is known for its seaworthiness and durability

Catalina 30 is one of the most popular sailboats of all time

Ericson 35 has solid build quality

Albin Vega 27 is a proven ocean cruiser

Bristol 32 is known for its classic design and solid construction

Morgan 323 provides stability and safety

Contessa 32 has a solid reputation for being safe, seaworthy, and comfortable

Pearson 365 is suitable for long-term and weekend cruises

Hunter 31 is well-rounded and spacious

Cal 34 offers solid sailing performance

Tartan 30 has enough space for living aboard

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