Well, it’s the end of April and we still have not found the boat we want. This has been a learning experience and we still have a lot to learn. For example, the Gemini Catamaran that we had initially planned on has the roomy, live-aboard space, shallow draft, and economical fuel consumption but the useless mast and the retractable keel boards needed to be removed for our purposes. This presented too much complicated logistics in removing and storing the components.
Our next logical focus was the Trawler which has good live-aboard space but deep draft and high fuel consumption. Generally, Trawlers (30-43 feet)have one or two large inefficient, diesel or gasoline engines that power inboard or stern drive mechanisms.
A particular class of Trawlers are shallow draft and have good fuel economy by using outboard(s) power. Unfortunately, Trawlers using outboard(s) power are typically under 20 feet and unsuited for our purposes.
All this has now led us to look at a class of houseboat-like vessels, called “Coastal Cruisers“. The Coastal Cruiser has good live-aboard space, shallow draft, and can have economical power in certain models. The vessel is built like a houseboat but has high floatation and water-tight quarters suited for coastal waters. These boats are abundant along the Great Lakes and inland waters of the Intracostal Waterways, so that’s our focus at present.
This fits well with our “cruising plan”, allowing us to shop boats as we travel north along the “Great Loop”. It also works well with the “weather-window”, meaning that “Great Loop” cruisers must traverse the Great Lakes during July-August. Wherever we find the “right boat” will put us right on schedule.
In summary, we have found some good boat candidates;
30-foot Gemini multi-hull at Fort Myers
34-foot Gemini multi-hull at Fort Lauderdale
31-foot Chris Craft at Tybee Island
43-foot Gulfstar at Skidaway Island
We have learned, tested boats, modified our requirements, and continued our search. So, we continue our quest and enjoy every minute of it.(Bob)