I HAVE JUST BOUGHT A 1980 CAT 30. I AM 28 AND I HAVE BEEN A POWER BOATER ALL OF MY LIFE. THIS IS MY FIRST VENTURE INTO THE SAILING WORLD. AFTER SOME FINAL PREP WORK MY BOAT WILL BE IN THE WATER BY FRIDAY. MY QUESTION IS AS FOLLOWS: I AM LOOKING TO LIVE ON THIS BOAT AND WOULD TAKE ANY ADVICE AS TO WANT EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE INSTALLED TO MAKE LIFE EASIER. ALSO WANTED TO LET ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT I SPEND HOURS ON THIS SITE AND I AM AMAZED AT HOW YOU GUYS FEEL LIKE ONE BIG FAMILY THANKS TYLER TREASURE ISLAND FLORIDA
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Same Situation
Tyler, I also just bought a Cat 30 to live on (1979). I don't know how yours is already equipped but I plan to add a hot water heater and fridge to mine. I already have a microwave and electric hot plate and 2 electric heaters. Right now I am basically just trying to stay warm although I suspect that will not be an issue for you! You might consider a A/C unit for summer. I looked at several different types of 30 ft'ers and the Cat 30 was the best live-aboard vessel of them all! Good luck!
Tyler, I also just bought a Cat 30 to live on (1979). I don't know how yours is already equipped but I plan to add a hot water heater and fridge to mine. I already have a microwave and electric hot plate and 2 electric heaters. Right now I am basically just trying to stay warm although I suspect that will not be an issue for you! You might consider a A/C unit for summer. I looked at several different types of 30 ft'ers and the Cat 30 was the best live-aboard vessel of them all! Good luck!
Move aboard
Once you actually move aboard, you'll find all sorts of things you want/need. The biggies would be a working head/holding tank, stove/oven, fresh water, lights and heat. If you don't have refrigeration, use one of those plug-in coolers (they're awesome!) unless you want to lug ice around all the time. Are you connected to shore power? That would make a difference on how things were set up. Just take the leap, move aboard & get what you need along the way. You'll love it! LaDonna
Once you actually move aboard, you'll find all sorts of things you want/need. The biggies would be a working head/holding tank, stove/oven, fresh water, lights and heat. If you don't have refrigeration, use one of those plug-in coolers (they're awesome!) unless you want to lug ice around all the time. Are you connected to shore power? That would make a difference on how things were set up. Just take the leap, move aboard & get what you need along the way. You'll love it! LaDonna
One Family member to another...
...Don't take this too hard, but it's considered really rude to use ALL CAPS in internet messaging. it's considered the same as SHOUTING AT THE DINNER TABLE
That said, I agree with La Donna, go ahead and move on board. Also, another amazing source of information about our boats is the C-30 list at sailnet.com - try it and see. Welcome Aboard!
...Don't take this too hard, but it's considered really rude to use ALL CAPS in internet messaging. it's considered the same as SHOUTING AT THE DINNER TABLE
That said, I agree with La Donna, go ahead and move on board. Also, another amazing source of information about our boats is the C-30 list at sailnet.com - try it and see. Welcome Aboard!It's the little things...
I use my C-30 as my get-away summer/winter cabin every month for a week at a time. Some of the things I find very useful are replacing the hatch-boards with 2 swinging doors with plexiglass inserts(a project for you, very expensive to purchase) so you can get in and out without fumbling with 3 hatch-boards. A latch installed on the interior of the hatch-board/swinging doors for a little security while you are sleeping. A plastic dock step(purchased at any hardware store) attached by line to a stanchion so it won't find a new home if blown into the water(grabbing a shroud gets old, but does keep you flexible). A large plastic trash container in the port cockpit locker that can be accessed inside through a opening below near the ice box. Removing the companionway ladder when you are below for the night. A cutting board that will fit over your stove for more food preparation surface. And sleeping in the aft berth(lots of room for one person). Good luck!
I use my C-30 as my get-away summer/winter cabin every month for a week at a time. Some of the things I find very useful are replacing the hatch-boards with 2 swinging doors with plexiglass inserts(a project for you, very expensive to purchase) so you can get in and out without fumbling with 3 hatch-boards. A latch installed on the interior of the hatch-board/swinging doors for a little security while you are sleeping. A plastic dock step(purchased at any hardware store) attached by line to a stanchion so it won't find a new home if blown into the water(grabbing a shroud gets old, but does keep you flexible). A large plastic trash container in the port cockpit locker that can be accessed inside through a opening below near the ice box. Removing the companionway ladder when you are below for the night. A cutting board that will fit over your stove for more food preparation surface. And sleeping in the aft berth(lots of room for one person). Good luck!
Been on my '30 about 2 years
The other folks on this post have come up with some great ideas. My biggest challenge is to keep everything as simple as possible so I can "unhook" from the dock and be sailing within 15 minutes. I resisted cable TV and I only have a cell phone. Some of my live-aboard friends spend more than 2 hours converting their "homes" back into boats because nothing below is tied down and they have tons of canvas up to protect them from the weather as well as water, cable TV, phone and double power hook-ups. Good luck and just jump in and do it. Jeff
The other folks on this post have come up with some great ideas. My biggest challenge is to keep everything as simple as possible so I can "unhook" from the dock and be sailing within 15 minutes. I resisted cable TV and I only have a cell phone. Some of my live-aboard friends spend more than 2 hours converting their "homes" back into boats because nothing below is tied down and they have tons of canvas up to protect them from the weather as well as water, cable TV, phone and double power hook-ups. Good luck and just jump in and do it. Jeff
Living Aboard
I moved from a large house onto my C30 (I'm now on a C36), and had to get rid of lots of "stuff". I use the 6-month plan. If I haven't touched or used it in the last 6 months, I must not need it, so out it goes. If you don't have a water heater or refrigeration, you will want to add them. I lived on the 30 for two years without either, and when I got the 36 it had both. I was in heaven. I did have a little 'fridge that I had gotten at K-Mart. It worked ok, but took up a lot of space. There is a lot of unused space on a C30, addition of locker doors under the V berth will give you access to a lot of storage. And if your boat doesn't have cutouts behind the settee and dinette cushions, you are missing out on lots of storage. I cut holes in the liner behind the cushions, and it gave me a tremendous amount of added storage. Enjoy! Living aboard is great. I don't know if I could live ashore again.
I moved from a large house onto my C30 (I'm now on a C36), and had to get rid of lots of "stuff". I use the 6-month plan. If I haven't touched or used it in the last 6 months, I must not need it, so out it goes. If you don't have a water heater or refrigeration, you will want to add them. I lived on the 30 for two years without either, and when I got the 36 it had both. I was in heaven. I did have a little 'fridge that I had gotten at K-Mart. It worked ok, but took up a lot of space. There is a lot of unused space on a C30, addition of locker doors under the V berth will give you access to a lot of storage. And if your boat doesn't have cutouts behind the settee and dinette cushions, you are missing out on lots of storage. I cut holes in the liner behind the cushions, and it gave me a tremendous amount of added storage. Enjoy! Living aboard is great. I don't know if I could live ashore again.
Living aboard
I have been living aboard for a year now. Everyone is different. The major theme is SIMPLIFY. My boat is ready to sail with about an hour's worth of effort. I do have a phone line in. But, I am also configured for cruising. Built in fridge, battery charger, decent house bank. I have a TV, and computer that has to be stored. And this is fairly easy if you become a bit anal and have a place for everything. HAving said that, I really enjoy living aboard. As you continue, you will strart knowing what works for you and making those changes. George Stormy Monday
I have been living aboard for a year now. Everyone is different. The major theme is SIMPLIFY. My boat is ready to sail with about an hour's worth of effort. I do have a phone line in. But, I am also configured for cruising. Built in fridge, battery charger, decent house bank. I have a TV, and computer that has to be stored. And this is fairly easy if you become a bit anal and have a place for everything. HAving said that, I really enjoy living aboard. As you continue, you will strart knowing what works for you and making those changes. George Stormy Monday
have fun
myself and my golden retriever have been living aboard for just over 2 years.my girlfriend,and i can have her ready to sail in a little more than 20 minutes.most items aboard can be easily stowed,i.e t.v.,etc.my biggest conern has been amount of stowage,or lack of,so with that in mind remember that everything on board has to earn the right to be there.i use the quarter berth for extra bagged sails,surfboard,fishing equipment and plastic container for grub for my dog. i also installed a rack to hang our clothes in the quarter berth. the previous owner used the hanging locker to install the a.c. i am in the process of having two drawers installed under the vberth for a little extra stowage.i have had an absolute blast living aboard.the idea of living simpler was easy for me to adapt to. you will find ways to make things work for you,and that is both challenging and satisfying.
myself and my golden retriever have been living aboard for just over 2 years.my girlfriend,and i can have her ready to sail in a little more than 20 minutes.most items aboard can be easily stowed,i.e t.v.,etc.my biggest conern has been amount of stowage,or lack of,so with that in mind remember that everything on board has to earn the right to be there.i use the quarter berth for extra bagged sails,surfboard,fishing equipment and plastic container for grub for my dog. i also installed a rack to hang our clothes in the quarter berth. the previous owner used the hanging locker to install the a.c. i am in the process of having two drawers installed under the vberth for a little extra stowage.i have had an absolute blast living aboard.the idea of living simpler was easy for me to adapt to. you will find ways to make things work for you,and that is both challenging and satisfying.
Living aboard
Tyler - I lived aboard my C-30 for 18 months, and still weekend aboard on occasion. If you will be cruising and staying on the hook, screens for your hatches and ports and an awning you can rig to cover the companionway hatch are indispensable in S. Florida. If you will be at a dock most of the time, an A/C is a great investment. Mermaid makes a 12,000 BTU unit that will install in the cokpit locker, and you can put a false bottom above it and still have some storage there. Using dry bags (check a canoe/kayak store) for clothes and books was a help with storage. My main problem was keeping the bilge sweet - frequent manual wipedowns were the only thing that worked for me. Good luck !!!
Tyler - I lived aboard my C-30 for 18 months, and still weekend aboard on occasion. If you will be cruising and staying on the hook, screens for your hatches and ports and an awning you can rig to cover the companionway hatch are indispensable in S. Florida. If you will be at a dock most of the time, an A/C is a great investment. Mermaid makes a 12,000 BTU unit that will install in the cokpit locker, and you can put a false bottom above it and still have some storage there. Using dry bags (check a canoe/kayak store) for clothes and books was a help with storage. My main problem was keeping the bilge sweet - frequent manual wipedowns were the only thing that worked for me. Good luck !!!
C-30 liveaboard
I live aboard an 87 C30 for 7 years & loved it. The boat fulfilled all my needs for a long time. I didn't let other people's notions stop me from making passages with it. It was very easy for me to single-hand most weather conditions & had plenty of room to live comfortably. I had refrigeration but I added a solar panel for when away from shore power. I added a spinnaker & heavy weather sail too. Hope you have as much fun as I did! Rob
I live aboard an 87 C30 for 7 years & loved it. The boat fulfilled all my needs for a long time. I didn't let other people's notions stop me from making passages with it. It was very easy for me to single-hand most weather conditions & had plenty of room to live comfortably. I had refrigeration but I added a solar panel for when away from shore power. I added a spinnaker & heavy weather sail too. Hope you have as much fun as I did! Rob
Live Aboard
I second George's simplify comment - I spent 5yrs living on my C30 - I would do it again in a second, but there is no place to put two kids, dog and wife. Hot water is a must, although you really do not want to have to shower on the boat unless you have to. I cut the quarter berth in half using a nice piece if plywood and trim -that way the area under the cockpit and behing the stairs can be used for storage and you still have a guest berth. A small TV is nice - I installed a cabinet for a VCR or DVD player hanging under the table. But most of all remember why you bought the boat - you want to be able to pop the power cord and the lines and be out of the dock as quick and easy as possible. Have fun Don "Descente"
I second George's simplify comment - I spent 5yrs living on my C30 - I would do it again in a second, but there is no place to put two kids, dog and wife. Hot water is a must, although you really do not want to have to shower on the boat unless you have to. I cut the quarter berth in half using a nice piece if plywood and trim -that way the area under the cockpit and behing the stairs can be used for storage and you still have a guest berth. A small TV is nice - I installed a cabinet for a VCR or DVD player hanging under the table. But most of all remember why you bought the boat - you want to be able to pop the power cord and the lines and be out of the dock as quick and easy as possible. Have fun Don "Descente"
what i heard
I have heard that some one who lives on a boat in a marina lives in substandard housing.
I have heard that some one who lives on a boat in a marina lives in substandard housing.
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