As we continue to move down the coast, we look ahead on Yacht World for boats that are on our interest list.
We’re working with a broker who has affiliates all over the place, so generally they’re able to have someone show us boats without anyone needing to travel to meet us.
As we were leaving New Bern, there were a couple boats on our list in Wilmington, NC – a town that had been recommended to us by followers anyway.
This post covers October 28-29.
Carolina Beach State Park
Often times, our brokers aren’t able to schedule us to get on board various boats until rather last minute – which leaves us not knowing exactly where the marinas are for planning ideal overnight stops. Especially when our timing will be over a weekend.
So, we resort to easy.
ReserveAmerica showed availability for a dry camping spot at Carolina Beach State Park, so we decided to snag a couple nights while we could. Even shaded (no solar), we got through just fine for two nights running off our lithium batteries.
The drive in was most annoying through suburban sprawl and big box stores until we reached the Carolina Beach area just south of Wilmington proper.
The campground itself is rather nice – well spaced wooded spots, some even with full hook-ups. Over a weekend, the place was completely crowded, but we imagine during the week this could be quite tranquil.
Check in was unusual, as the marina office that doubles as the campground office is past the campground with no easy RV parking. They also lock the gates at night, with no gate code to get back in – so no going out for a late dinner. Which is a shame, as this campground is right in the middle of dining, shopping and beach life.
We get locking the gates at night, but we don’t get locking the guests in.
Our time in the campground was mostly hitting the trails, which there are several of. After our day of boat shopping, we came back and ‘accidentally’ ended up on a 6 mile hike by getting lost.
Overall, a beautiful park in a gorgeous location… with some oddities.
Boat Shopping
We met our local broker at the marina to tour our latest boat crush – a Cruiser’s Yacht 455. This one is on the higher & larger end of the scale, which we wanted for bracketing our perspective.
While a very nice layout and some great appointments (2 person jacuzzi tub??) – it’s likely more boat than we need for us and an occasional guest. We’re now on the hunt for the smaller version of this one to see how it feels.
We also had opportunity to tour a Sea Ray 420 – a much more moderate arrangement.
The boat shopping continues as we look at more and more, and really start to get a feel for the living space we want around us balanced with seaworthiness for the Great Loop.
Here’s a quick video update on our shopping thoughts, that we took at the marina just after touring these two vessels:
More:
What’s Up Next?
Our stay in Wilmington was just two nights – and we had no time to really explore outside of our boat shopping excursion.
We opted for heading down the island further to Fort Fisher to catch the ferry across Cape Fear back to the mainland. At just $15, it was far quicker than backtracking through Wilmington.
We then continued our way south for a week in Charleston, SC where we met back up with our buddies Nina & Paul.
Those tales are up next..
reading material http://meridianpilothouse.com/meridian-bayliner-pilothouse-motoryacht-history/
Very excited for you and your new adventure! One most excellent aft cabin boat from Cruisers Yachts was the 4450. From year 200 and newer, they can be had for a very fair price and represent quite a lot of value. Living spaces are phenomenal! If that is too much boat for you, the SEARAY 390 (or 400) Motoryacht is another sleeper that offers much for a good price. In either case I recommend diesels. Good luck!
A new adventure – how exciting! We love hearing about all your research as it is a dream of ours to someday have a barge in Europe. Enjoy yourselves!
I think you were initially looking at trawlers like Grand Banks for example. I have been researching them as well and have found the motor yachts to be appealing too. However, I’ve heard the fuel consumption for motor yachts can be significantly more than a trawler. Some have told me that you can in certain cases get close if it’s the right hull design and power configuration. Others say not so. What have you found on the topic? Btw, great video and info. Good luck with the search.
We’re finding mixed reports … some say at certain ‘trawler speeds’ there’s really not much difference. For us, the true trawlers in great shape are mostly out of our price range – above our cash price, but too old to finance easily. We keep an open mind of course to finding the right one for us. But, at the moment, motor yachts are striking a balance for us. Since we’re planning to split the miles up over several years, the fuels costs are of course a concern – but not as much of a priority.
But.. give us another week. Who knows where our heads will be then 🙂
I grew up in Wilmington! What a beautiful place to visit. I’m sorry you only got 2 days worth of visit but maybe you’ll make your way back. I’m envious the days you did get. Good luck with the boat shopping.
Some of the beach districts looked really darling. Wish we had more time to explore! But, more than likely we’ll be back by boat.
I stayed at Carolina Beach a few summers ago. It was a challenge as my spot had supposedly a 50 foot back-in but what they forgot to say was that there was a poured concrete platform right in the middle of the site toward the front with trees on both sides making it impossible to use the site.
Yes, we noticed that in a lot of the pictures on Reserve America. They have now done a great job of posting 3 pics from different angles , which really helped in site selection! Not all sites are really RV friendly, despite the dimensions. We ruled several out as a result.
Hi Chris and Cherie!
We have lived aboard our 36′ trawler full time for ten years, with half a year off for a motorhome trip. We’ve never been interested in the Loop but we have done over a dozen ICW trips…N in the summer and S in the winter. Winter in Fl and the Bahamas and summer in the Chesapeake, NY State or Canada. You are getting ready to have a ball!
An old friend used to counsel to not buy the biggest boat you could afford. Rather, buy the smallest boat on which you are comfortable. Darn good advise.
When you get to the point where you are making an offer you must make it subject to a survey. Hire your own surveyor, not the seller or broker’s surveyor. Someone who will put experienced, impartial eyes on the boat and its systems will be the best money you ever spent.
Finally, the Lake Champlain/Montreal/Ottawa trip is absolutely fantastic, but do it clockwise.
I don’t know how much time you are budgeting but you are in the enviable position of spending part of the year in the bus and part on the boat. Three years would be a great timeframe if can afford the time.
We’re planning a minimum of 3 years to split it up. The more we research all that is along the way, and feeling the call of a slower pace.. five years keeps coming up too 🙂
Nice video on your liveaboard quest. I have a suggestion if you wind up with a boat that has items that are necessary for your cruising, but are a restriction for your bridge clearances. I use rotating downrigger mounts. The unit can be detached with four thumbscrews. For the electrical connections, power, Anderson Powerpole. Comms any waterproof automotive connector with enough pins.
Marine AC is a much easier thing to put into a boat than the RV types. Water makes the whole unit much more compact and efficient, and much more quiet too.
Again I encourage you to contact Ed Robinson. https://www.facebook.com/ed.robinson.7146?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
Those older trawlers will always be more of the Condo you are looking for. But as you have surmised, even if it has been perfectly maintained, you will have lots of work. Northern boats less so. Southern boats are mostly salt water boats. That alone takes a huge toll. And then there is Florida, home of Ford Motor Test facilities for UV resistance. Nothing but one silicone hybrid stands up for even a year in the south Florida sun.
The modern mass produced boats all curry to current what I call Mary Kay appeal. Lots of looks but not much function from all the sweeps and swoops.
In every boat that you look at, ask the salesman to raise the hatches that allow instant access to the engine or engines. If there is no hatch like that RUN FAST. No matter what you do sooner or later something down below will fail while you are on the water. If you cannot get to it quickly it may even be a disaster instead of just a minor break down. Think broken through hull. Your motor home breaks down, you calmly pull to the side of the road. Frustrating sure but no imminent danger. There are no pull offs on the water. If it is not a hole then at least you can drop anchor if you are not a hazard to navigation, and call Sea Tow.
Get the best plan Sea Tow has. They are really great for those emergencies.
As you do your search try to find some marinas with a lot of liveaboards. Stroll down the docks and ask questions. Boaters are just like RV folks always willing so share.
Jerry
We are thoroughly looking at the boats we’re seeing. We’re not asking the brokers to raise the hatches.. we’re going right to it ourselves. Looking at ease of access and maneuverability within the engine room and equipment. We’re also meeting up with liveaboards as often as we can.
While there are different risks with boating for sure, an RV breaking down has a variety of risks as well.
Having been through our fair share of breakdowns over the years, we know all too well that it’s not always ‘calmly pulling off the side of the road’. When you’re moving at 50+ mph with traffic all around, there’s usually nothing calm about it, and plenty of imminent danger (have you tried doing a 360 degree spin down the interstate in a jack knife into oncoming traffic? We have.) . And there’s not always a side of the road to get to.
Thanks for keeping us updated on your excursion! Although Carolina Beach State Park is just a couple of hours away, we’ve never been there, in part because of mixed reviews. So it was nice to get your perspective, which seems to indicate it’s a bit… unusual. I guess we just need to be aware of that and expect it if/when we go.
We read a lot of mixed reviews too, and were well prepared for the odd bits. And were pleasantly surprised by the site quality and location. Wish we had more time and could have been there mid-week.
How fun! Keep us updated!
Crush indeed. That is a beautiful boat!! Very weird that you would not have access in and out in the evening, don’t think I’ve ever seen that. Love that you combined your RV and boating on the ferry :-)))
We’ve seen the gate lock thing only a few times over the years. Always very odd.
I think once you hit Florida and you are staying there for a while it’ll be much easier. Fort Lauderdale is the boating capital of the world I think. But be prepared to stay a couple of days in pretty expensive places as it is the Season. I think you will do well if you contact the Winn’s broker although he specializes in Cats, he might refer you to someone else or find you one himself. I personally love trawlers. If you cannot find a boat it FL with your specs then I don’t know where! Good luck!
We have been in touch with the Wynn’s broker, but he does specialize in Just Cats (thus the company name) – and isn’t a great fit for us. We’re working with someone who specializes in helping Loopers.