Living in a small sailboat?

[Patrick46]

I've had that very idea Spd2918

good luck, and please post up some pics!

 

[offroad]

I love this and want to buy one !! The lofland 17.

 

[spd2918]

They didn't make that many, most sights say 350 or so. The advantage of this one is the shoal keel / retractable centerboard. It sits lower on the trailer than a full keel boat and can beached once the board is retracted.

What I like is the cabin. It is just big enough to sleep in.

 

[offroad]

Spd2918 - that's what I like also. You need a retractable keel. It's like a Cherokee Jeep on the water. Very adaptable. Think there are other models for other manufacturers too.

 

[vanvanvanvan123]

If you register your boat outside of sd county can use the a9 anchorage for 3mts a year
Save that for winter , the rest of the year you can harbor hop between la playa , glorietta
, mariners cove in mission bay and behind the break water at the entrance to sd bay .
No rent no insurance no problem.The great thing is that in so cal ones boat neednt be all that sea worthy

Is there a way we could PM or email?

 

[spd2918]

Here she is, in all her glory:

The standing rigging is not as tight as it should be. I will be buying shorter turnbuckles to solve that. The running rigging will be replaced. The sails are decent and usable for a few more seasons.

The interior was rotten because the previous owner allowed water to sit inside for years (that led to a cheap purchase price). The wood was bad and the floatation was soaked. Out the came the berth and all that mildew. It will be a lot of work replacing it all, but it will be dry. I will use construction adhesive for floatation.

 

[Patrick46]

Woo-Hoo!!

This is cool, and I'll be watching.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Great little boats. I had one in Fla, but sold it right away, as I found a 32' boat I wanted for live aboard.

 

[Seraphim]

We talk about trailering a sailboat, but staying aboard for any length of time? We like the water, but also being in the mountains and forests.

Like the Lofland. It's a good size for trailering. Don't know about living aboard, though.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Living on the water does present a different set of challenges, especially on a small boat. For 1 person its no less do-able than living in a shorty van.
I think cruising down the Mississippi would be a grand adventure.

 

[offroad]

Seraphim - you must have Viking in you. Water - forest - mountain

 

[spd2918]

We talk about trailering a sailboat, but staying aboard for any length of time? We like the water, but also being in the mountains and forests.

Like the Lofland. It's a good size for trailering. Don't know about living aboard, though.

This boat will serve several purposes, but I won't live aboard it beyond a few weeks. I will develop my sailing skills on Lake Superior, but close to the Port of Duluth. I will trailer it to lakes for weekend sail/camping excursions. I ultimately would like to motor it down the Mississippi from Coon Rapids MN to the gulf. From what I have read it is a royal pain to sail the river due to commercial shipping and contrary winds.

An extended trip will force me to learn about space management and what I really need in a travel van.

 

[Patrick46]

From what I have read it is a royal pain to sail the river due to commercial shipping and contrary winds.

another thing that makes it hard to sail on rivers is the currents. On a smaller boat like this it'll be much more noticeable...but I'd also think that a small boat is alot more maneuverable, and therby makes overcoming these obsticles much easier than a big boat.

The Mississippi river is pretty darn big, and you'll be able to slink along the shoreline and away from the big boys, so I don't think the big barges will be too much of a problem for yas.

Plus, you'll be able to stuff yourself into small gunkholes for hiding out and camping in, which will be cool as heck!!!

I used to pass over the Mississippi just about every week trucking East & West, and I'd see these small coves with houseboats camped in there having family cookouts and campfires on the beaches. Looked like a ball!!!

I nearly bought one myself to use as a livaboard, but backed out of the deal after I saw how rough the condition of the boat really was in. It was pretty tired.

 

[Vic.]

Did someone mention a dehumidifier yet? Because if not, a dehumidifier'll make things a lot easier re: comfort.

I lived on a 32' back in 2012. Nice experience, a taste of living in a small space with few possessions. I realized, though, that you've really gotta like the ocean. And birds. And clanking metal bits.

Turns out I'm a landlubber. The road's more my kinda mistress.

 

[Patrick46]

I realized, though, that you've really gotta like clanking metal bits.

Kinda like a jail cell, huh??