Hello from Mexico (currently)

[WindMaiden]

I'm Chris, married with 2 cats and one dog. Originally from Belgium, I’m now a US citizen and have lived in the US for 20 years. For the past year, I’ve been in Mexico. My wife and I have had sailboats all our lives, but we sold our last one a year and a half ago in WA. I’m 58 and work remotely as a programmer.

We’re considering going back to the water, most likely in WA, and making the transition from sailboat to trawler. We’re thinking of living onboard in WA for the next 4-5 years. At retirement, we plan to ship the boat to Europe and travel the canals in France.

We’re considering a trawler for comfort compared to a sailboat, especially for living onboard, as my wife is tired of handling sails after 32 years. I have all the doubts of someone who has never had a motorboat. I’m also curious about how hard it is to find a marina in WA to live onboard (when we left, finding a spot was hard - we were in Blaine) and what the criteria are for a good trawler. Our budget is around $60-80k, so we’re looking for an older boat in good condition. We love traveling and exploring with the boat, anchoring, and spending time off-grid. Concerning internet connectivity (I need a good one to work), I am betting on Starlink, mostly for conference calls.

 

[mvweebles]

Welcome to TF! There are a ton of folks on TF who are ex-sailors for the exact reason you are considering it: easier and more comfortable to get on the water. There are at least a few circumnavigators (sail).

Not sure what part of Mexico you're in, but if the Pacific side, here's a $90k trawler in Mazatlan that has caught my eye for a while. https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1973-cheoy-lee-lrc-seamaster-47-9031399/. This one looks a bit rough, but these are solid boats. The paravane stabilizers would not work for European canals, but that will be an issue for many boats purchased in the US as many have flybridges.

Best success in your search and transition. Ask all the questions you want.

Peter

 

[Cold Duck]

I'm Chris, married with 2 cats and one dog. Originally from Belgium, I’m now a US citizen and have lived in the US for 20 years. For the past year, I’ve been in Mexico. My wife and I have had sailboats all our lives, but we sold our last one a year and a half ago in WA. I’m 58 and work remotely as a programmer.

We’re considering going back to the water, most likely in WA, and making the transition from sailboat to trawler. We’re thinking of living onboard in WA for the next 4-5 years. At retirement, we plan to ship the boat to Europe and travel the canals in France.

We’re considering a trawler for comfort compared to a sailboat, especially for living onboard, as my wife is tired of handling sails after 32 years. I have all the doubts of someone who has never had a motorboat. I’m also curious about how hard it is to find a marina in WA to live onboard (when we left, finding a spot was hard - we were in Blaine) and what the criteria are for a good trawler. Our budget is around $60-80k, so we’re looking for an older boat in good condition. We love traveling and exploring with the boat, anchoring, and spending time off-grid. Concerning internet connectivity (I need a good one to work), I am betting on Starlink, mostly for conference calls.

Many good trawlers in that price range. 4 years ago I got my 1997 MS350 for $79k. But I would buy a boat in France designed for the canals as a good trawler in the PNW needs a flybridge to appreciate the environment IMHO. The cost to ship to France will be high, and then you will find out your travels are greatly impacted by a boat not designed for the canals. Enjoy the Pacific with a trawler then sell and buy in Europe. A better plan IMHO. Enjoy your search for that perfect boat.

 

[WindMaiden]

Many good trawlers in that price range. 4 years ago I got my 1997 MS350 for $79k. But I would buy a boat in France designed for the canals as a good trawler in the PNW needs a flybridge to appreciate the environment IMHO. The cost to ship to France will be high, and then you will find out your travels are greatly impacted by a boat not designed for the canals. Enjoy the Pacific with a trawler then sell and buy in Europe. A better plan IMHO. Enjoy your search for that perfect boat.

Yes. I think the idea, was to no waste the investment, the time spent etc....any idea of how much it cost to ship a 40 ft trawler by boat?

 

[WindMaiden]

Welcome to TF! There are a ton of folks on TF who are ex-sailors for the exact reason you are considering it: easier and more comfortable to get on the water. There are at least a few circumnavigators (sail).

Not sure what part of Mexico you're in, but if the Pacific side, here's a $90k trawler in Mazatlan that has caught my eye for a while. https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1973-cheoy-lee-lrc-seamaster-47-9031399/. This one looks a bit rough, but these are solid boats. The paravane stabilizers would not work for European canals, but that will be an issue for many boats purchased in the US as many have flybridges.

Best success in your search and transition. Ask all the questions you want.

Peter

I am in Ensenada. Baja California. I saw some in San Diego too. But the PNW is calling us back

 

[Comodave]

Welcome aboard.

 

[mvweebles]

Wrong coast for you, but this Defever 41 is an interesting boat in your price range (asking $67k - laying NJ).

1983 DeFever 41 for sale Long Beach Island New Jersey asking $67,500

1983 DeFever 41 currently in Long Beach Island New Jersey is for sale, Tesseract is well maintained and features many upgrades, she is a single 120hp Ford Lehman and will cruise at 7 knots using only three gallons per hour. She is equipped with a Vetus bow thruster and a hydraulic stern...

www.trawlerforum.com

Good luck - Peter

 

[Captain DJ]

I have the perfect boat for the PNW and a live aboard marina solution with available space on the South end of Puget Sound.
We too live in Mexico, in San Carlos, on the Sea of Cortez, in Sonora, on the mainland. It gets too hot for us there in the Summer, thus the boat in PNW.

Ours is a well sorted 1974 Cheoy Lee Pilothouse 35 ft trawler that is the roomiest and most economical of trawlers in her size range. Like the one Cheoy Lee that Peter of mv Weebles recommended, she has paravane stabilizers and factory fiberglass tanks, plus solar, LiFePo4 batteries, upgraded Navionics, new appliances, twin Ford Lehman econo-power engines, 650 gallons for diesel, 8 kw Onan genset, 365 ft of all chain rode with reliable McMurry windlass, winch and pipe davit for dinghy storage, flybridge, two helms chairs on generous sized FB, huge boat deck with Weaver Davits for securing dinghy, Pilothouse with watch berth, two Tecma freshwater heads, huge s.s. water heater (20 gallons I think), extra large water tank (200 gallons or 2 weeks for 2 people) and big holding tank, (60 gallons), 4500 hrs on very reliable engines, spares for everything imaginable, aluminum bottom, RIB by AB with 6 hp 4 stroke Tohatsu outboard, great cockpit and swim platform, even a shower outside from factory plus two more inside. Freshly painted and well loved.

It is in your price range.

We are cruising now from our liveaboard slip at West Bay Marina in Olympia, WA to Desolation Sound and the Sunshine Coast on beautiful BC. Only now coming to grips with the need to actually sell this unique and amazing vessel. Wife's health and life changes with new grand babies is putting pressure on us to sell this year or next year. As always, we want to get one last cruise in. Installed Starlink and boy has that been a game changer for us.

PM or write to mexicoecoresort@gmail.com
Or call when you get serious about the move, maybe the timing will work out perfect for us both.

Capt DJ

 

[dolcevita37]

Welcome to the trawler life!

 

[dolcevita37]

I have the perfect boat for the PNW and a live aboard marina solution with available space on the South end of Puget Sound.
We too live in Mexico, in San Carlos, on the Sea of Cortez, in Sonora, on the mainland. It gets too hot for us there in the Summer, thus the boat in PNW.

Ours is a well sorted 1974 Cheoy Lee Pilothouse 35 ft trawler that is the roomiest and most economical of trawlers in her size range. Like the one Cheoy Lee that Peter of mv Weebles recommended, she has paravane stabilizers and factory fiberglass tanks, plus solar, LiFePo4 batteries, upgraded Navionics, new appliances, twin Ford Lehman econo-power engines, 650 gallons for diesel, 8 kw Onan genset, 365 ft of all chain rode with reliable McMurry windlass, winch and pipe davit for dinghy storage, flybridge, two helms chairs on generous sized FB, huge boat deck with Weaver Davits for securing dinghy, Pilothouse with watch berth, two Tecma freshwater heads, huge s.s. water heater (20 gallons I think), extra large water tank (200 gallons or 2 weeks for 2 people) and big holding tank, (60 gallons), 4500 hrs on very reliable engines, spares for everything imaginable, aluminum bottom, RIB by AB with 6 hp 4 stroke Tohatsu outboard, great cockpit and swim platform, even a shower outside from factory plus two more inside. Freshly painted and well loved.

It is in your price range.

We are cruising now from our liveaboard slip at West Bay Marina in Olympia, WA to Desolation Sound and the Sunshine Coast on beautiful BC. Only now coming to grips with the need to actually sell this unique and amazing vessel. Wife's health and life changes with new grand babies is putting pressure on us to sell this year or next year. As always, we want to get one last cruise in. Installed Starlink and boy has that been a game changer for us.

PM or write to mexicoecoresort@gmail.com
Or call when you get serious about the move, maybe the timing will work out perfect for us both.

Capt DJ
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Beautiful vessel.

 

[jwurfbain]

Hi Chris,

I'm a Dutchman with a similar journey to yours. I now own two trawlers: one in San Diego for the near-perfect weather year-round and quick jaunts down to Ensenada, and a recent purchase up in the PNW (Port Orchard) to enjoy the PNW cruising. CHB34 in SD and Ocean Marine (Ocean Alexander) 38 in WA.

Feel free to visit come visit in either place.

 

[ranger58sb]

We’re considering going back to the water, most likely in WA, and making the transition from sailboat to trawler. We’re thinking of living onboard in WA for the next 4-5 years. At retirement, we plan to ship the boat to Europe and travel the canals in France.

We’re considering a trawler for comfort compared to a sailboat, especially for living onboard, as my wife is tired of handling sails after 32 years. I have all the doubts of someone who has never had a motorboat. I’m also curious about how hard it is to find a marina in WA to live onboard (when we left, finding a spot was hard - we were in Blaine) and what the criteria are for a good trawler.

Hadn't noticed this before... welcome.

FWIW, I'd think European canals means NOT a flybridge boat. Maybe something like Sylphide, a boat enjoyed and then sold earlier by member Wayfarer (Dave).

OTOH I've seen some suggest flybridge boats are niftier in the PNW area.

Do you mean you'd travel to France, do the canals, then return to the U.S.? If so, maybe store the PNW boat during that, get a canal boat for France, sell it on when you're done? Probably less expensive than shipping a single boat two ways.

Or do you mean you'd stay in France, or Belgium, etc.? In that case, I suspect less expensive to buy in PNW, sell in PNW, buy again in Europe.

Note too, there's all that messy "electrical standards" stuff between boats built for the U.S. power grid versus European shorepower. Not insurmountable, but another factor...

-Chris