Does anyone live on a 380AC or 420AC full time?

[jbobst]

Brand new to the forum here. I don't have a boat but my wife and I recently stayed for two nights on a Sea Ray 380 Aft Cabin in California. The boat itself wasn't cared for very well by the owner, be I just loved staying on the boat and thought it was a great size and layout. We only stayed two days and two nights, but it got me thinking about the future. I've always loved boats...especially boats with cabins that you could actually "live" on, and while I am only 40 years old now, I would love to try and live on a boat for a few years when I retire. This is still along way off, but I started looking at prices for a used 380AC and even the 420AC (1999-2004 vintages roughly). The cost of these boats is quite a bit less than the cost of the house I own now. While I know there are a ton of costs when it comes to boat ownership...besides the cost of the boat...I just wondered if people really can live successfully full time on a boat like this or not? Is the cost of a boat like this not an issue, but rather the fuel cost and marina costs? My wife and I have owned three different motorhomes over the past few years, and while we only vacationed with them and never lived in one full time, we certainly don't mind the smaller quarters. For myself, I am an anti-pack rat type of person (minimalist), and the older I get the "less" things I try to own and keep.

If people do live on "smaller" boats like the Sea Ray 380 and 420 AC, can you actually travel pretty far with it or do most people just live on them in a slip on a marina? Ideally, my "dream" would be to live on a boat like this during the Summer months in a place like the Lake Michigan area, and then take the boat down to the coast of Florida or the Caribbean for the Winter. Not sure if a boat like this could make that sort of trip or not, or if the cost for fuel alone would be too astronomical, but just interested if this kind of thing can be done or not on an average man's budget (assuming I sell my house and have monthly retirement income). My impression is that these Sea Ray aft cabin boats are more designed for weekend getaways and not full time living, so maybe I need to look at something else. I just really like Sea Ray products, and I love the aft cabin yachts!

 

[northern]

When we stopped working we spent 4 months on the boat in the spring and went to Alaska. In the fall we spent 1.5 months and went to Washington. We have a house also. If we lived on the boat full time we probably would land up selling it and spliting the money and going our sperate ways. Any boat is small unless it is 130 feet long. There is little privacy and for us it is damp unless the heaters are on. We now spend from mid April to mid July on the boat then go home for a month or so then a month or so in the fall. The boat is 14 wide by 38 long at the water line and has 100% enclosed back and bridge. Think what it would be lke living in a 40 foot motor home and not be allowed to walk on the ground except when you filled up with gas. The time we spend on it is fine but longer would be too much.

 

[Alex F]

Welcome to the club.

When choosing your next boat the advice usually starts "...it all depends how you'll be using your boat...", but when you talk about live aboard it's even more critical to know the answer to that question. It sounds you have a good idea on the future plans, but you haven't mentioned your boating experience and ownership.

There are two primary categories for liveaboards, people who cruise most of the time and stay in marinas for a short periods and the other type is quite opposite. Folks who use their boats as a house and move it rarely (only few times a year), like snow birds. Knowing to which category you're putting yourself is critical, b/c this will determine the type of boat you'll need.

If you think of staying in one place for a long time, then (btw, I'm assuming this is your first boat) something like 380/420AC might be ok. However, IMO it won't take you too long to realize the limitations of this type of vessel. I've met people who got brand new 441 Meridian as their 1st boat to use as a liveaboard. It took them only couple of months to realize that they made a huge mistake. Now if we're talking about using the boat as a cruisers style, this gets only worst. Without going in to much details just look at the basic items like fuel and water supplies and waste. It's very limited. If cruising fast your range is very short, if cruising slow, wait until you get in to some seas, and it doesn't have to be beam seas. These boats will only do fine going slow in relatively calm conditions. Water will always be an issue until you install a water maker. Is there enough room for it to install and maintain?

I can come up with a list of couple pages long why not go for it, but this is only my opinion and what works for me doesn't necessary what works for you.

Good luck with your hunt.

 

[gerryb]

IMO any Sundancer less than 50' is a difficult boat to 'live' on full time. They really aren't designed to be accommodate that type of lifestyle (whether at the dock or moving up/down the coast) as opposed to other types of boats that are out there. I do think highly of SeaRay and Sundancers in particular but wouldn't look at them for a boat to live on full-time. I hate to say it, but I bet catamarans and monohull blowboats are much better suited to that type of boating, and are more economical as well especially if you're making long trips and island hopping. In comparison to your prior RV's, expect a 40' aft cabin to get approximately .5 MPG... so every mile traveled will cost you about $10 in fuel.

Having owned an RV, I think you are in the same ballpark as a boat in terms of how, generally speaking, a full-time liveaboard boat would work for you... except I think an RV has much more to offer in support of such a lifestyle choice... such as larger sleeping quarters, more storage, real kitchen, better protection against weather, better fuel economy, less insurance hassles/costs, etc.