Beginner Question

[skippinout]

I came across some cash and thinking of sjipping out for a few months. Budget for boat is 25k max. Looking for somnething that can sleep a couple people and has a shower etc so I can dock and sleep wherever I end up at. What I am wanting to do is to start out on the east coast head to florida and hit bahamas carribean etc as well as maybe heading along the coast of mexico down to belieze etc. maybe I am being a little optimistic on what I can do but is this possible and safe on a 24 ft boat? I have been looking online (not many boat dealers in KY with boats on hand) at used Regal Boats like the 2000 Regal 2460 Commodore. does anyone know if this has a shower in it? Also if this is not a good boat what would be? Can I get it for 25k?

Thanks for any help or direction

 

[JCF350]

Re: Beginner Question

Is there somebody you know that's knowledgeable about boats? That would be your first step. Have any prospective purchase gone over throughly by pros. If all you have is 25k, budget some for repairs and maintenance.

As far as the trips you have planned unless you plan on stopping frequently they a kinda long and better done in a larger boat. A 24 footer gets real small real quick with even 2 people on board and even smaller when the weather kicks up. Your east coast including the Bahamas trip would be doable with frequent stops. The rest I would forget about.

Take a boating course also.

Welcome to iBoats

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Beginner Question

I have no idea what your proposed trip would be like south of Texas but there is no reason to rule out the gulf coast portion just because you are expecting to do this in a 24 foot boat. It actually would be easier than most of the trip down the eastern seaboard because the ICW has a lot of inland portions from Florida through a good bit of Texas.

I do agree that a 24 foot boat is going to feel cramped very quickly when it serves as a liveaboard. On the other hand, if you can afford frequent hotel stays for months on end, it might not be too bad.

Two things about your proposed trip do make me wonder if you realizze what you are getting yourself into. First, with a 25k budget for the boat, are you prepared for the fuel and maintenance expense involved. You will be refueling at Marinas and will pay $4.00+ per gallon. You will also be operating a boat that will probably get about 3 miles to the gallon. Secondly, how much boating experience do you have? During a trip of this length, problems are inevitable so you will need to be able to effect simple repairs at a minimum, accurately assess pending weather, avoid hazards to navigation and be prepared to deal with any number of emergencies that could arise.

If you have the opportunity for a little adventure, I certainly don't want to discourage you from it. On the other hand, know what you are getting into and do it wisely and safely.

 

[skippinout]

Re: Beginner Question

I have no boating experience at all and not mechanical that is why I set my budget at 25k that will leave me 25k more for repairs in an emergency. I know gas is expensive. My thought was other than island hopping I wouldnt be on the boat except to mostly sleep. What size boat would I need to be able to sleep on it on a regular basis and not feel like a tuna packed in water? I really dont want to stay in a hotel that takes away from the whole jimmy buffet feel at least for me. I will have an income of about 3-4k a month for expenses etc to use plus savings. I have also really considered taking my 6 year old son with me as well so if space is an issue on a 24 footer maybe I need to rethink my plans and look a little bigger but I cant go to a 100k boat. Also has anyone hooked up like a direct TV or dish network antena on there boat?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Beginner Question

I have no boating experience at all and not mechanical

i think if yer gonna do what yer talking about ya really need a boater safety class. the safety class will get ya started for sure. but there sure is much more to learn than that too. united states power squadron or us coatgaurd aux. for sure......

pick up the book chapman piloting seamanship and boat handleing. it's only 642 pages. but it touches on the many aspects of safe boating. it'll give ya idea of the kinda knowledge ya need to do what yer intending to do....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Beginner Question

As this thread progresses I suspect you will need a boat larger than 24 feet. Since you are talking satellite dish and doing the Jimmy Buffet thing, you are also going to need an on-board fridge to keep some perishables. You are now talking electrical loads that would make a small generator (110 volt/60 Hz) a necessity. If you have zero mechanical or electrical skills I suggest you leave your six year old son at home and take a mechanic along, or at least take some basic electrical/electronics, engine and drive system courses so you stand a reasonable chance of fixing even a minor problem that leaves you dead in the water. Navigation skills are apparently lacking as well so the power squadron classes would help. You also need a couple of VHF radios, a GPS plus a hand held unit and know how to use them. With zero boating experience I think you are way over your head with this endeavor and probably under budgeted. Get the experience doing local day trips. Then you have my best wishes for an enjoyable trip. I suggest you also get acquainted with some fire arms to protect yourself as there will be nobody else around to do so. All the more reason to leave your son behind. I sincerely hope you don't intend to do this trip next week. Having the courage to do this is enviable. Having the experience and knowledge to do this is paramount to your safety. Finally, nothing grates on me more than to have people doing things they are totally unprepared for and then having the taxpayer rescue their thoughtless behinds -- for free.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Beginner Question

Take a cruise ship. Tickets should be cheaper by all means. Or win the lottery, get you a good size boat and a crew on deck that knows what they are doing, a captain, and all you'll half to do is sit and enjoy the scenery. I imagine that still can be dangerous, wouldn't be nothing like hitting a hurricane or some storm out there in the ocean.

 

[rndn]

Re: Beginner Question

Totally agree with Silvertip. You really need to be prepared for a trip like this and a 24 foot boat just won't do it. No boating experience and no mechanical abilities will lead to trouble in a hurry. The above post suggests a cruise and I'm inclined to agree. For the 50k you should be able to charter something of good size for a while. The charter would include a captain.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Beginner Question

I have a friend who has a 40' houseboat for sale. He's made some trips like that in it and it's comfortable and safe. Some of the stuff he was caught in would be too much for a 24'. It has 2 250 Yamaha's (he took the 3rd one off) and all the equipment to make that trip. I'd bet you're looking at about the same initial cost.

My opinion -- personally I'd want a lot more than a 24' boat to make that trip.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Beginner Question

You also would need to know what to do in an emergency.The coast off the eastern US can get ugly in a minute.Are you prepared for 20 foot swells and 70 mph winds.The coast off the Carolinas is very dangerous,sandbars that move all the time and the colder north currents meet the warm southern currents.It can get real bad in a hurry.There are more ship wrecks in that area than any other place around the US coast lines.
Then you need a ton of emergency equiptment.Life Raft,Epirb,CoastGuard kit with flare guns ect.Self inflating vests..the list goes on and on.
No way i would try it unless i had a very experienced sailor onboard.
Not trying to scare you just save your life.Also i think a 24 footer is way too small.Twin engines would be a must for me also.25k would not touch the type of boat you need in my opinion.Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Beginner Question

Charter for your first experience of this type which makes someone else responsible for the operational part of the trip. I had my wife and three kids on a charter in the Abacos with 60mph winds. That 44ft CSY sloop felt very small for a few minutes. Good luck!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Beginner Question

25k would not touch the type of boat you need in my opinion.

Ayuh,....... A Good Downpayment ,.... Maybe.......

I totally Agree with everything said above,.......

It's an admiral Dream,......
But,......
Not very Realistic.........

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Beginner Question

There you have it - words from a group of people who have much experience in boating on a singular basis, not to mention the collective experience. Do yourself a favor, invest 40,000 of the 50,000 and spend the remainder on a decent, used boat in the 16 - 18 foot range. Have fun with it and learn.

Adventure is a wonderful thing but it is something that needs to be approached with a certin amount of respect.

 

[QC]

Re: Beginner Question

Not to keep beatin' you up, but I pulled out the ole GPS and started to play with your plan. Inside the Intracoastal (1000 miles) you may never have a problem, but your "and hit bahamas carribean etc as well as maybe heading along the coast of mexico down to belieze" plan is a 2135 mile suicide note. Oh that little leg from Cuba to Cancun is only 138 miles, other than that the cruise along the South Cuba coast oughta be a non-issue after you fuel at Gitmo . . . Sounds like a lot of fun to me too, but dude, like wow, you need mega 'sperience and mega yacht to make that safe and fun

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Beginner Question

where's amynbill when you need him?

 

[skippinout]

Re: Beginner Question

My plan is to take a boating class and get out some on my own. One other thing I was told is if I could follow a cruise ship and or look for other folks making the trip and travel as a group? I guess if there is a problem they are there to help. I am a former state trooper so as far as safety/gun issues that is not a problem I can handle that I still havent passed that 40 year mark so I can still handle myself pretty well.

I am not planning to go on this trip until at least may or june. Gives me some time to learn about boating and taking some classes. I also have thought of delaying a year and taking this class and going in 09
http://www.uti.edu/Marine/TrainingPrograms/tabid/112/Default.aspx


This boat has a fridge (2000 Regal 2460 Commodore) which is what I was looking at to start but I realize now I may need a bigger boat. I dont drink so I dont need to keep beer cold

I will be starting in Florida so the NC weather shouldnt impeed me though.

I really wanted to do this and not charter as when I am done I have something left i could sell so that is why I havent considered that yet but may have to look into it. Maybe delaying until 09 and going to a boat in the 75-100k range might be better and 30+ feet

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Beginner Question

Ten years ago, almost to the day, a recreational boater with over 20 years boating experience lost his life as well as two sons and another family member. They were in CONUS waters and not some foreign country where emergency assistance may be sparse. If you would like to learn from the mistakes of others, go to the USCG.org website and search for "Morning Dew".

 

[tommays]

Re: Beginner Question

You really need a Trawler type boat if you want to go on LONG trips

The regal would be hard pressed to carry fuel for 150 miles

VS a diesel trawler that could go 2000 miles slow BUT make it



Tommays

 

[aspeck]

Re: Beginner Question

Skip, your goals are admireable, and it is good to hear that you are reconsidering some of your original thoughts. Know that a lot of good people with a lot of boating experience have given you a lot of good advice. Keep that good advice in mind and get lots of experience first! It will be invaluable. Start out with a smaller boat and learn the mechanic of boating and repair. Take courses. Charter a couple of "shorter" trips and learn from an experienced captain. Stretch out your goals so that in 5 - 10 years you will have the experience and the $ to get the boat you need and the skills to pilot that boat in all kinds of weather and circumstances. Then you can fulfill your dreams. Just do it smart, and safely! Good luck in your endeavors.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Beginner Question

Sounds like an awsome dream vacation. Maybe buy a big RV and pull a cool Harley and head up to Alaska. Same open feeling only without the drowning part.