Best Boat For Mid-50s Live Aboard Couple

[Tom Mitchell]

Hi All,

I am looking for ideas on which boats to look at for year round live aboard. We are a couple in our mid 50s living in central Florida. Our near term plans are to live aboard for the next several years and to travel the snowbird routes of the east coast and the Caribbean. We are considering expanding our horizons to include the Pacific, so I would want something we would feel comfortable in the open ocean.

We are particularly interested in around the 40'-45' range with generous fuel and water capacity. I personally like the Endeavour 42 design for live aboard and coastal cruising, however I do not know anything about it's seaworthiness.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

[redbopeep]

Hi, Tom,

You might consider getting a copy of the Cruising Club of America book called "Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts." Google link here to preview. While various of us will point you in various directions for a good cruising boat that is also a good live-aboard boat, its best for you to understand what makes a good offshore boat and do your own screening based on a set of criteria that you personally have developed.

Also, use the search engine on the Cruiser Log website and you'll find several threads about selecting a cruising boat. For example, I like full keel boats, so I entered that search term and here's the threads (most relating to selecting a cruising boat) with the term full keel. Here's the search I did link

Looking forward to hearing more about your boat selection process as you go along.

Fair winds,

Brenda

[redbopeep]

Oh, Tom... I know nothing about the Endeavor 42, btw. But, isn't that a power boat? If so, the reference I gave you may not really help.

Best regards,

Brenda

[Tom Mitchell]

Originally Posted by redbopeep

Oh, Tom... I know nothing about the Endeavor 42, btw. But, isn't that a power boat? If so, the reference I gave you may not really help.

Best regards,

Brenda

Brenda, thanks for the feedback. I will follow your advice.

BTW, Endeavour made sailboats from the mid 70s to the mid 90s. The 42 was produced from 85 to 91. I have had good reports on the Endeavours as live aboards but would like to hear from anyone with knowledge of the character offshore.

Thanks,

Tom

[MMNETSEA]

Hello Tom,

Just so that we are all talking about the same model - here's a photo of a Endeavour 42 centre cockpit sloop; does this match your vision?



Richard

[Tom Mitchell]

That's it. They also made a 43' Ketch.

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by Tom Mitchell

That's it. They also made a 43' Ketch.

That makes much more sense. I was thinking of the Camper & Nicholson Endeavor 42 which I'd heard about recently--totally a power boat and having nothing to do with cruising (see link for it here)

[imagine2frolic]

I charted on this boat before I really understood sailing. I went with friends. I do remember it being roomy, and comfortable with a nice center cockpit. I can't give it a thumbs up, or down on it's sailing, but it seems it was medium. She wasn't a brick, or a thoroughbred, but that's not what she was designed for. She sure was comfy........BEST WISHES in getting a boat that serves you well.....i2f

[fusion40]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

I charted on this boat before I really understood sailing. I went with friends. I do remember it being roomy, and comfortable with a nice center cockpit. I can't give it a thumbs up, or down on it's sailing, but it seems it was medium. She wasn't a brick, or a thoroughbred, but that's not what she was designed for. She sure was comfy........BEST WISHES in getting a boat that serves you well.....i2f

I hate to be the one to say S%#t in the temple, but have you considered a catamaran ?? ratio of living space to overall length is much better on a cat, sails level too !!!!

good luck with your search

Pete

[imagine2frolic]

I myself was directing my thoughts to the question. Their interst was in the Endeavour. In my own opinion all sailboats have to be red with white stripes, or it's not a sailboat.....lolololololol