Hi, Michael,
In answer to the question of where to put it all on a 26 foot sailboat,
I suggest not getting a 26 footer.
I am in the process of fixing a 26 footer up, and am fully aware of the
space inside. My boat came with a derelict interior, so I have a clean
canvas to paint on, so to speak. Even by using the cockpit as part of
the living space (you might find the last two issues of Wooden Boat
magazine interesting re coastal cruising mods) the space is limited.
One main problem would seem to be the head.
It uses up 2 to 3 feet of one side, and cuts off the visual space as
well as the real space. It limits the options of using the space on the
other side (facing it).
Arguably, going electric will gain you enough space to store the
bottles. But there is still the other stuff whatever it is. Added to the
regular things needed for living, even with a 'camping out' lifestyle,
and you might have a problem that would force abandonment of the goal.
I would suggest that you go 28 feet as a rock bottom subsistence
minimum, and 30 to 32 as a more comfortable size. You can pick up
fixer-uppers for under 3 or 4 thousand bucks. And at the lower end of
that length range, be prepared to basically gut out the interior to
eliminate the wasted extra berths etc. Add at least another couple of
feet if there is another person involved, and a further 20 if they are a
female!
On the positive side, the smaller the boat, the more viable the electric
drive idea. The less batteries, the less charging capability required.
But be prepared to have limited solar panel space, as well, (although
you will probably need a roof over the cockpit, at least when not
seriously underway) and to use the sails as primary propulsion.
Good Luck,
John
2a. Greetings
Posted by: "Michael Fleming" mwfleming2012@gmail.com vinylsociety
Date: Wed Nov 2, 2011 5:15 pm ((PDT))
Another newbie here. Does it ever end?
Have spent the morning reading a few posts and have replied to a post of
a
relative other newbie. I am in the process of developing a total
electric
sailboat that I intend to be my home within the next couple of years. I
am
also an avid diver, though that is preferred to warm salt water as I
find
wetsuits a total drag. I own a skin but have worn it only one day.
Currently
there are 2 regs, a Brut that is being assembled for bottom cleaning and
the
like and an Oceanic Delta 4, 2 BCD's, fins etc., lots of soft weights
and 6
AL 80 tanks and 2 spearguns. Where to put all this on a 26 foot
sailboat?
I believe in the adage that people in motor boats have a special place
to go
and that people on sailboats are already there. Before reaching the
decision
to go electric my priority was to be free of fuel docks and fossil fuels
so
it was with this that prompted going sans motor, and there are many out
there cruising the world without. The situation here is that there is a
method of propulsion that will require a motor. My major concern and the
knowledge desired is type of battery (AGM vs. Lithium) number of
batteries
(for both propulsion and house.) and acquiring enough charge rate to
keep
all this happy. There will be an absolute adaptation of my lifestyle to
the
abilities of the systems on board and not adapt the systems
to accommodate my land-based perceived needs. If living on land had been
so
great there would be no consideration to liveaboard. Living without
refrigeration, microwave, TV, daily paper delivery and the Schwan's man
will
be ok (Have a way to go with pizza delivery! ;-).
Do not have a boat at this time. The one I want was on the hook but let
it
go away. It was not until after it was sold that the full ability of it
to
fill my every desire for a boat was realized (Slap on
forehead immediately followed!). So now it is off to the search again
with
those found going for twice the price and on the wrong side of the pond!
Geez! Meanwhile am somewhat satisfying myself with experimenting with
the
motorized propulsion system. Did I say electrical?
Whew! Sorry! Please stay tuned for my next book!
Michael
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