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In collating this listing of live aboard boats for sale, we've taken the view that living aboard a sailboat smaller than 32 feet is unlikely to provide her occupant(s) with a high degree of comfort - nor would a stripped-out, light-displacement racer of any length.
And what qualifies a boat as suitable for living aboard is very much a personal view.
For example, some liveaboard sailors - happy to rely on a diesel generator - will tell you that they couldn't possibly manage without a flat screen TV and a plumbed-in washing machine, whilst others - more reasonably in my view - consider self-sufficiency in terms of drinking water (through rain water collection and/or a reverse osmosis water maker) and green electrical power (from a wind turbine and/or solar panels) to be primary requirements.
All the boats below are offered for sale by their owners, many of which live aboard their boats for considerable periods at a time.
Single-handers, provided they're content with a fairly spartan standard of living, will tell you that a thirty-two-footer is ideal for living aboard. A cruising couple though are likely to aspire to something with additional creature-comforts and a little more space below.
Having said that I know of two young cruising couples who crossed the Atlantic in their Sadler 25's and cruised the Caribbean in them, so you really don't need a big cruising boat - it's better to cruise in a small boat than not to cruise at all!
Sailboats approaching 40 feet, like the larger ones shown below, are more likely to appeal to them.
Relatively easy to maintain and considerably less expensive to own and operate than those above 40 (particularly so if you're inclined to spend much time in marinas) they represent the minimum size range for comfortable living aboard.
'Sea Wraith', a Hustler 35
Location: Kent, UK
Asking Price: £17,000
'Vega', a Halmatic 30
Location: Canary Islands
Asking Price: €29,000
'Iko Iko', a Wharram Tiki 38 Catamaran
Location: Key West, Florida USA
Asking Price: $75,000
'Golightly', an Island Packet 350
Location: Martinique, French West Indies
Asking Price: $88,000
Location: Fort Pierce, Florida USA
Asking Price: $85,000
Location: Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, California USA
Asking Price: $70,000
Location: Michigan City, Indiana USA
Asking Price: $32,000
Location: Cardiff, Wales UK
Asking Price: £32,000
Location: Port Charlotte, Florida, USA
Asking Price: $28,000
Location: Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
Asking Price: $19,500
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA
Asking Price: $80,000
Location: Martinique, French West Indies
Asking Price: €70,000
Location: Palmetto, Florida, USA
Asking Price: $39,900
Location: Grenada, West Indies
Asking Price: €89,000
Location: Greece
Asking Price: €45,000
Location: Monterey, California, USA
Asking Price: $35,000
Location: Indiantown, Florida USA
Asking Price: $37,500
Location: Athens, Greece
Asking Price: €62,000
Location: Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Asking Price: $62,000
Location: Grenada, West Indies
Asking Price: $22,500
Location: British Virgin Islands
Asking Price: TBA
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Most live-aboard boats fall within this range. All have plenty of space for a cruising couple and all their gear, along with sizeable berths for visiting friends and family members. But watch those marina bills...
'Mis Gale', a CSY 44
Location: Turtle Cay Marina, Panama
Asking Price: $73,000
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Asking Price: $60,000
Location: Chiapas, Mexico
Asking Price: $198,000
Location: Grenada, West Indies
Asking Price: $97,500
Location: Croatia/Montenegro
Asking Price: €475,000
Location: San Diego, California USA
Asking Price: $179,000
Location: Grenada, West Indies
Asking Price: $75,000
Location: Martinique, French West Indies
Asking Price: $185,000
Location: Valencia, Spain
Asking Price: $62,000
Location: Knysna, South Africa
Asking Price: $97,000
Location: Marina Fonatur, Guaymas, Mexico
Asking Price: $43,000
Location: St Petersburg, Florida, USA
Asking Price: $82,500
Location: Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Asking Price: $66,500
Location: Cadiz, Spain
Asking Price: €80,000
Location: Boston, Massachusetts USA
Asking Price: $42,000
Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Asking Price: $50,000
Location: Puerto Penasco, Mexico
Asking Price: $125,000
Location: North Jutland, Denmark
Asking Price: €79,000
Location: Colon, Panama
Asking Price: $65,900
Location: Puerto Rico, Caribbean
Asking Price: $139,750
Although many liveaboard boats within this range are owned and operated by just two people, they can become something of a liability in terms of running costs and an embarrassment when close-quarters maneuvering.
But if space and luxury are your primary requirements, this is where to look.
Location: Subic Bay Yacht Club, Philippines
Asking Price: $165,000
Location: Phuket, Thailand
Asking Price: $230,000
Jan 21, 23 01:37 PM
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Jan 11, 23 09:07 AM