Live aboard size

[Bentwings]

I’m single with only my dog to care for.

I’m looking at SR Sundancers in the 37-39 foot and 41-45 foot 98-2000 vintage.
So far they really don’t seem to much different in size from each other. In the smaller sizes everything seems just a little bit smaller and a little bit shorter. You give up the washer/dryer. And extra head. Otherwise cabin space is about the same.

For me either would do fine. The washer/dryer would be a huge plus however Even though it’s not very big or fast. In my case it would probably get daily use.

Most of the marinas here have washer facilities but it would be a real inconvience when there is snow on the ground. Others too.

So my question is can some of you more experienced SR owner’s comment on the relative cabin sizes?

 

[Stee6043]

Have you found a local marina that caters to year-round? Is this possible in MN? You may find that heating a boat during winter will be very difficult. In the threads I've read the live aboard folks up north mostly winterize their boat and basically just sleep on the thing. Using the marina clubhouse for all water-related activity. Perhaps I'm way off on this though.

I recently went from a 340 to a 400 and in the process went through 370's/380's as well. There is a pretty big difference in the feel of the boat once you get into the 400/410/420 range. I cannot, however, speak to the 45's you reference.

FWIW the 400 became the 410 in round about 2000/2001.

If you're mostly solo you may not care so much about a second head but that is one of the draws for the 400+. You'll want to keep an eye out on the 370 as depending on year I'm not sure you get a separate shower stall. For a live aboard I think a separate shower stall should be considered as important as two functioning engines

 

[RollerCoastr]

I lived aboard my 400 for almost a full year. It was big enough. I should've bought a better mattress. I had decent laundry facilities at both marinas, so that wasn't a big deal. I would never try it in a boat that lacked a full-size separate shower. If I was choosing a boat to live on, it would have a walk-around master berth and windows. (sedan / AC)

When I sold the house, I rented a storage unit that was near the house, not near the marina. Dumb mistake.

 

[Bentwings]

Thanks. To answer your questions, yes there are marinas that cater to live aboard. The boats do get winterized and almost always get shrink wrapped. Heating is an issue. The chosen marina has propane available with dry break fittings so a yanked hose is not broken but disconnected with no leakage. Most folks use some kind of catalytic heaters and multiple CO detectors. Often a dehumidifier too. There are nice electric heaters available but they are expensive to run.
Most also use a clubhouse for showers and washing. It can get really cold for a couple weeks but bubblers are a given and circulation pumps.

This marina is pretty deep at over 20 feet and has a pretty stout current year around so doesn’t freeze hard, maybe a skin ice over night that you can easily break.

Doc apt gotta go

Byron

 

[Bentwings]

I’m at the doc office so I may have to cut this short.

Rollercoaster, I have looked at aft cabins but they are not “me” as my kids say. I’m a sports minded person and played sports off and on most of my life. I realize the Sundancer compromises space some....a lot. However I did some self examination to see just how much space I use. As it turns out
I use about the same sq ft. As as the boat has.

In my 2 bedroom apt I simply use one just for storage of a few items. I hardly use the living room except for training my dog! I use the kitchen and the master bedroom with its bath.

I could easily simply just call the Vets and have them take everything but my workstation and clothes. Essentially I have down sized to this level.

The 450 I’m looking at has everything. Dishes, silverware, glasses, coffee maker even new bedding and towels. I could move in and start living. I might have to take my dog’s bed...I’ll have to ask her. I do talk “dog” too.LOL

It’s a matter of connecting with the seller and loan co. at this point. Our season is already at the halfway point so if the purchase goes through, I might have to just enjoy the boat for a couple months then part it for the winter. It’s about 75 miles by water and two or three locks away. I’ll have to do a rush course on river navigation. The marina it is at is very nice but they don’t do live aboard. It would not be a big issue as I may have difficulty breaking this dumb lease anyway. Just another hurdle.

Storing stuff is out of the question, that’s for another discussion.
Byron

 

[NotHerDecision]

Bryon

As the boats get larger you also get more space in some unthought of areas. Larger holding tanks, larger freshwater tanks. That can save you a lot of trouble and hassle as well. The extra head is also very nice when one stops working for whatever reason... and it will at some point.

The larger midcabin will also be more important then you think because it will become your storage space.

I have a 460 and I assure you the 450 has more storage space because it doesn’t have the fold out beds in the cockpit salon and midcabin. That being said it’s not a perfect liveaboard. You will want a great camper canvas and helm ac in the summer which will greatly increase your space.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I have looked at aft cabins but they are not “me” as my kids say.

I hear ya! That's why I've had a 'dancer for so long.

That being said it’s not a perfect liveaboard. You will want a great camper canvas and helm ac in the summer which will greatly increase your space.

Agreed. Boats are a compromise. The sportier, lower boats are better for enjoying a beautiful summer day, but they're not as accommodating in January in the north. One winter my friends with a 480DB were just a few docks away. I would step off my DA on a Sat or Sun winter morning, go to their boat and not return until bedtime. Other friends with camper canvas would heat their cockpit, but that's still a distant second to a heated enclosed bridge or perfectly-comfortable salon with daylight coming in the windows. There's precious little sunlight in the winter. Being surrounded by a fiberglass and vinyl cocoon isn't good for anyone's mental state. Just something to consider!