Liveaboard Boats: Choosing Your Floating Home

Living on a boat is a unique lifestyle that offers adventure, freedom, and serenity. The best liveaboard boat depends on your budget, desired amenities, and whether you plan to stay in one place or travel long distances. Houseboats are spacious and comfortable but are less mobile, while sailboats offer freedom and efficiency but require sailing skills. Motor yachts are fast and luxurious but come with high fuel costs and maintenance. Trawlers are stable and fuel-efficient, ideal for long-distance cruising, and catamarans offer stability, privacy, and redundancy. The size of the boat, mooring options, and travel plans are also key considerations.

Motor yachts and cabin cruisers

The Absolute 50 motor yacht, for example, features a flybridge that provides extra space for outdoor recreation and entertainment. This model typically has three cabins and two bathrooms, making it ideal for families. If you're looking for something a little smaller and more affordable, the Cutwater 32 cabin cruiser is a great choice. This boat has one cabin, a galley, and a lounge area with large windows that let in lots of natural light and air.

When considering a motor yacht or cabin cruiser as your liveaboard boat, it's important to think about your budget and how much space you truly need. Boats under 40 feet can save you a significant amount of money while still providing many of the same amenities as larger motor yachts. Additionally, consider the number of people who will be living on board and whether you plan to entertain guests frequently, as this will impact the amount of space and storage you require.

Motor yachts offer high speeds and luxurious interiors, making them ideal for those who want to travel in style and comfort. However, they also come with high fuel costs and maintenance expenses. If you're considering a motor yacht as your liveaboard, be sure to factor in these ongoing costs in addition to the initial purchase price.

Ultimately, whether you choose a motor yacht, a cabin cruiser, or another type of boat, the most important thing is to find one that suits your needs and budget.

Trawlers

When choosing a trawler for liveaboard purposes, consider the number of people who will be living on board, the amenities you want, and your budget. Trawlers can range in price from as little as $21,000 to more than $5 million, with the average price for a new liveaboard trawler around $250,000.

Some popular manufacturers of liveaboard trawlers include Albin, Beneteau, Mainship, Nordhavn, Ocean Alexander, Sabre, Kadey-Krogen, and Grand Banks. These manufacturers offer a range of models with various amenities and features to suit different needs and preferences.

When considering a liveaboard trawler, think about the layout and comfort systems, accessibility, and the amount of living space available. Trawlers typically have good liveaboard layouts, with dedicated spaces for sleeping, cooking, and relaxing. They also usually have good fuel consumption, which is important with high diesel prices.

In terms of maintenance, power boats like trawlers generally have higher maintenance costs than sailboats due to the motors and electronics required. It is recommended to budget 10% of the value of the boat annually for repairs and maintenance.

Sailboats

When it comes to sailboats, there are several factors to consider when choosing a liveaboard boat. Firstly, think about your sailing plans and the number of people on board. If you're sailing solo or as a couple, a sailboat with two double berths should suffice. For families or larger groups, consider using the saloon as an extra berth or opt for a sailboat with three separate cabins. The Allures 51.9, for instance, offers a spacious owner's cabin, a double cabin, and a corridor with bunk beds.

Next, consider the amount of storage space you'll need for food, water, fuel, and any sports equipment. Check for dedicated storage areas near the galley, saloon, or cabins to ensure easy access. The Allures 40.9 and 45.9, for example, feature a large technical compartment accessible from both inside and the cockpit.

The manoeuvrability of the sailboat is another crucial factor, especially if you plan to handle the boat with a small crew. Look for ergonomic cockpits and winches positioned near the steering wheels. Electric winches, bow thrusters, and stern thrusters can also make sailing easier. Autopilot capability is another feature to consider for solo or short-handed sailing.

When it comes to specific sailboat models, here are some popular options:

• The Tartan 37 is a well-regarded cruiser known for its performance and craftsmanship. It offers a roomy living space and ample storage, making it suitable for coastal and offshore cruising.
• The Tayana 37 is a classic cruiser recognised for its solid construction and bluewater capabilities. It typically features a spacious saloon, a well-equipped galley, and a separate shower stall in the head.
• The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey series offers modern designs and spacious interiors, including comfortable cabins, functional galleys, and heads with showers.
• The Cape Dory 36, designed by Carl Alberg, is a classic sailboat with a full keel and elegant lines. It provides a cosy and functional living space with teak cabinetry and ample storage.
• The Beneteau Oceanis series is popular for its comfortable accommodations and sailing performance. These sailboats offer spacious interiors with modern amenities, including multiple cabins, roomy saloons, and well-equipped galleys.
• The Allures range, including the 40.9, 45.9, and 51.9 models, provides various layout options to accommodate different crew sizes and entertainment needs. They also offer ample storage and are easily manoeuvrable.

Catamarans

The two hulls of a catamaran are connected by lateral beams and typically designed with a shallow draft and a flatter bottom, originally for navigating shallow waters. They are usually outfitted with a premium rigging and sail system, as well as an optional prop or outboard motor for long hauls or docking.

Many catamarans come in an "owner's version", where one hull is dedicated to the master suite, much like a bedroom at home. These models typically start around $500,000, while upmarket, carbon fibre, semi-custom designs can cost multiple millions.

When choosing a liveaboard catamaran, it is important to consider factors such as space, standing headroom, electric lighting, ventilation, plumbing, and kitchen facilities.

• Manta 42: This boat offers spacious accommodation for up to five people and is one of the few good bluewater-capable boats under $300,000.
• Dolphin Ocema 42: The Dolphin Ocema 42 offers a good balance between performance and cruising. It has four cabins, four berths, two heads, and two complete bathrooms.
• Bali 4.5: The Bali 4.5 is perfect for coastal sailing and charter. It has modern interiors, easy-to-clean surfaces, and a side-by-side refrigerator with an ice maker.
• Privilege 435: The Privilege 435 is known for its high-level craftsmanship and sturdy structure, making it safe and easy to handle during ocean crossings. It has four cabins, four bathrooms, two heads, and three showers.
• Fountaine Pajot Saba 50: The Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 offers extensive liveability and comfort, with space for approximately 10 overnight occupants in either a four or six-cabin layout.
• Voyage 580: The Voyage 580 is huge, with a lot of living space, and is ideal for those seeking a simple, long-distance liveaboard cruiser. It has two spacious cabins, four heads, and three double berths.
• Lagoon 620: The Lagoon 620 is a large catamaran offering exceptional liveability, comfort, and convenience. It features four suites, a galley, and a large saloon.

Houseboats

When choosing a houseboat, it is important to consider whether you want it to be static or have the ability to move around. For strength, affordability, ease of maintenance and widespread appeal, steel or fibreglass is the way to go. For generous internal space, a motorboat with a displacement hull is the best option.

There are many types of houseboats available, from converted lifeboats to decommissioned tugs, trawlers and barges. Some of the most iconic manufacturers of houseboats include Sumerset, Gibson, Stardust Cruisers, Bravada and Custom. These builders construct houseboats with inboard, inboard/outboard, outboard, outboard-4S and other propulsion systems, and fuel systems that are gas, diesel or other. Prices for houseboats can range from a reasonable $6,500 to $1,394,050 for the most expensive boats.

Frequently asked questions