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My husband and I are interested in purchasing a 32' boat. It is currently on a slip at a marina, but the slip fees are expensive, and we would prefer to place it on a mooring. I've read every page that has information regarding moorings, but everything seems to apply to STT, so I need some help for STX.
We checked at one of the the marina offices (this marina happens to be closest to where we live), and were told that there weren't any moorings for sale. Do people sell their moorings and how do we find this out? Some of the previous posts (from STT) I read stated that moorings aren't transferrable. So, what happens to them?
We are going to visit the DPNR tomorrow and see if we can find out some information about moorings. But, does anyone know how we go about getting a mooring put in? And, is the waiting list as long as we keep reading about? If so, what do people do with their boats until their mooring is completed?
As stated in our post, we are boat virgins and have never owned a boat. We've been going through our list of pros (great island hopping, diving anytime), and cons ($$$$$ and throwing away more $$$), but we still want to buy a boat.
Are there any boat owners out there that can offer us some advice?
Also, we are looking for a neutral 3rd party to look at the boat with us. We don't have any friends that own a boat, and don't have enough knowledge on our own to look at the "really important things". And, of course, we don't want to be seduced into purchasing a boat because our emotions have taken over the other parts of our brain. Any ideas?
As always, thanks for any advice you can provide.
Posted : April 29, 2009 11:30 pm
Hi meowruff,
My best advice is to forget about the neutral 3rd party, and hire a marine surveyor.. Wouldn't dream of buying anything larger than a dinghy without one. We would be glad to talk about moorings and boating, in general, but to do so here would be like writing a book. If you would like to drop by sometime, just PM me here.
You know what they say about the two happiest days of your life, right.....?
All the best,
Juanita
Posted : April 30, 2009 12:16 am
Topic starter
We are DEFINITELY going to hire a marine surveyor before we make the actual purchase. But, we thought a neutral 3rd party might say things to us in layman's terms, so we truly understand what we're getting ourselves into. Or - maybe they could just slap us funny and tell us that we're crazy!
Posted : April 30, 2009 12:20 am
That makes sense. Is it a sailboat or powerboat?
Posted : April 30, 2009 12:24 am
"A boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into." However, I'm with you on wanting one, for exactly the reasons you mentioned! I'm glad you brought this up.
Posted : April 30, 2009 1:28 am
Unless you plan to use the boat very often - or live on it - you will probably find that renting one whenever you want will be a lot cheaper and you won't have any of the maintenance costs, and worries during hurricane season.
Posted : April 30, 2009 3:44 am
Topic starter
Juanita - Powerboat
ExitZero - We dive a couple times a week, so plan on using the boat at least that often. And, because we are both teachers, we frequently have consecutive days off together, so we could island hop during those days. We realize that there are going to be expenses with maintenance, insurance, etc., but we also realize that flying to other islands (and still renting a boat to dive, and getting a hotel room for the night) is also expensive.
So far, thanks for the PMs and messages from everyone. I haven't seen too many threads on purchasing a boat, so I'm hoping that this will bring up some valuable information for others who may be in the same situation that we are. After all, how can one not have a bit of "water lust" while living here?
(Oh - We discussed wanting to purchase a boat before even moving here. But, we forced ourselves to wait a year - just to make sure that this was the right place for us. I guess this means we're here to stay now! YEA!!!!)
Posted : April 30, 2009 11:57 am
Ok - you have all the right reasons to buy a boat! - the island hopping part, if you are on STX will make your choice require a very sea worthy vessel. 32' sounds good for a size range - you will probably also want to have a dinghy - for a mooring situation and exploring from your anchored position on trips.
A convenient and very accessible engine room is something I suggest - good tools and storage for filters,spares and fluids. A generator if you plan to stay aboard for overnites , depending on the power requirements might be a good consideration. A comfortable steering station - a place to stow tanks for your diving and an easy way off and on with people wearing dive equipment - excellent ground tackle and a strong bow platform for anchoring - really solid hand rails - some permanent sun protection - proper hand holds below for underway movement - well mounted cleats - look 1st for these kinds of boat design and construction - all cosmetic things can be fixed -- basic seaworthy design is more important. Have fun boat shopping!!
Posted : April 30, 2009 12:45 pm
I am envious. I would like to dive a couple times a week. It is hard to dive in this desert, currents have nothing on diving against sand and rocks, it's a hard kick no matter which direction you go. Enjoy the water. Dive safe.
Posted : April 30, 2009 5:15 pm
Topic starter
ExitZero - Thanks for the words of wisdom. Stowing tanks and easy on/easy off for diving were huge pre-requisites as we've been looking. And, the boat that we're looking at has all of the items that you mentioned. We know we have to purchase a better dive ladder, but it has a great platform and plenty of storage and a nice area for getting off and on - and even an area to rinse our gear. The only thing I don't know what you talked about is the "well mounted cleats". What is this?
Posted : April 30, 2009 6:44 pm
Cleats are the T things or eyes that they tie the boat up with, where they look the rope.
Posted : April 30, 2009 7:16 pm
Don't know what kind of boat you're looking for, but you might talk to Cynthia Taylor at Farchette and Hanley real estate she has a 32 foot Carver for sale over at the yacht club.
Posted : May 10, 2009 11:38 pm
ExitZero - Thanks for the words of wisdom. Stowing tanks and easy on/easy off for diving were huge pre-requisites as we've been looking. And, the boat that we're looking at has all of the items that you mentioned. We know we have to purchase a better dive ladder, but it has a great platform and plenty of storage and a nice area for getting off and on - and even an area to rinse our gear. The only thing I don't know what you talked about is the "well mounted cleats". What is this?
The cleats will have backing plates, not just bolts with fender washers.
Also, I`d suggest diesel engines, much more reliable & safer (I`ve seen many a melted boat & always think,"dam gas engines").
Straight inboards are much more reliable than out drives too(and don`t suffer many of the electrolysis issues).
Posted : May 11, 2009 10:24 pm
