Converting commercial trawlers
72' LOA with a 20' beam that draws about 7'. Where are you going to dock
it? That'll take a mighty big and expensive slip with at least 8' of MLW
water all the way in. You got 8 kids? Do you really need 72 feet of boat?
I think you are probably looking at closer to $200,000 for a "complete"
liveaboard refit.
Do you know how to maintain this boat's systems? Didn't think so. Add
another $10,000 a year for maintainence. How about insurance? Do you have
a 100 Ton Masters License? Didn't think so. You'll also need one of those
to operate this vessle in the US.
I have a friend that converted a 76' steel custom trawler that was built in
Biddeford, Maine. This boat was only 5 years old and in excellent
condition. He converted it to a blue water cruising yacht for a 2 year
around the world cruise with his family. The boat cost him $750,000 and he
added $800,000 over a year before they left.
He is a retired ship's captain and a Merchant Marine Academy grad. He does
know what he is doing. Not counting fuel and other consumables he figured
his monthly maintenance at $1,500.
Leave the exotics to the fools and experts.
Cap'n Ric
USCG Licensed Master
S/V Sezaneh
2003 Beneteau 473 (I live aboard it)
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