Buying a houseboat and moving it to STJ?

[Coden]

Buying a houseboat and moving it to STJ? Is this plausible? Would a houseboat hold up against the waves down there?

I think I am too lazy to deal with a sail boat, and would like more outdoor space than a cabin cruiser would afford. Hence the houseboat. But, just not sure they are sturdy enough for the Sea/Ocean.

What are you thoughts on this?

[Pia]

Where would you moor it so you could live - there are no mooring balls available and although I know 1 person that lives on one no they would not hold up in a major storm (not sure where you would go for a "H" as the spots in Hurricane Hole are all spoken for) Also need to think about the whole, go to get water for showering, going to the Laundromat to wash clothes etc - going in via dinghy carrying all that stuff would not be for me

Pia

[jayseadee]

Most houseboats are pontoon-like and wouldn't do well on open waters, especially in rough weather. There may be other designs, but I'm guessing they are pricey.

How would you get it there?

[Coden]

Thnx Pia and Jayseadee! I figured it would be pretty much non-doable.

Jayseadee - I guess I would have had a boat moving company ship it down to STT or STJ. Hadn't gotten that far in the thought process.

Hey Pia - if I had a Cabin Cruiser - there would still be no moorings available? Are they all sold up for the entire island?

[msgcolleen]

Great idea Coden! Seems like there would be some kind of motor boat that is down there on St. Thomas or St. Croix that you could buy and live on until a mooring ball came available on STJ. Not sure how that works . . .
I'm still thinking this idea could work for me:
http://www.on-stjohn.com/2012/04/15/who-needs-a-villa/

[Pia]

You would have to apply to DPNR (see videos on youtube of them wielding their guns in Coral Bay checking registration ) but currently no moorings are available anywhere - we would love one for our small boat but nothing available.

Pia

[Coden]

Pia - thanks for the reply back. May have to rethink this.

msgcolleen - I could live in that!!

Our retirements plans were always to buy a houseboat and live on one of Kentucky's pretty lakes for 6 months...and then to have a small
rv for the other 6 months. Now, with our 1st grandchild coming, we don't know what we want to do when we grow up. Ha!!

[Backtotheislands]

My husband has really talked up retiring to a sailboat and having different islands to wake up to. I just don't know that I could do that. I think I would want a fairly good sized boat-and nice! Then I worry about pirates and seasickness!

[Backtotheislands]

Hey, did y'all see my ticker?!

[Coden]

Backtotheislands - that is exactly was my Sil & Bil are getting ready to do. They should be down STX way this time next year, if not earlier. They are getting ready to move on their sailboat in the next month or so.

I don't think I could live on a sailboat...I need more outdoor room.

Congrats on your short countdown!!

[msgcolleen]

Here's one for you Coden!

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... =1479&url=

You can cruise around the USVI's and BVI's during high season then store it at a marina yard during H season when you want to do your RVing! Plus it has an extra bedroom so you can invite your bestest forum friends aboard~

[msgcolleen]

Sweet ticker Backtotheislands! At the moment you have the perfect forum name!

[Coden]

msgcolleen - WOW!!!!!! That is exactly what I need and right in my budget, too. Woo-hoo!!

I love the Yachtworld website. I spend many a Sunday looking and looking and looking.

[Puddlejumper]

During the winter months, the National Park Service on STJ uses 'Bay Hosts' to be their greeters in each Park bay. Stints as a Bay Host can last up to several months allowing the hosts to stay on a Park mooring at no charge in exchange for greeting overnighters with a copy of Park rules and regs and letting the guests know where to drop the fee for using the moorings inside the park. The host also turns in the guest boat's name/owner to the Park Service. The Park tracks all names in a Park national database, and noted as a non-payer. A non-payer shows up a Yellowstone, and surprise, you are busted!

I have a friend who has done this. It was ideal for him. Every afternoon he visited the boats in his bays, and recorded them on a log. He would visit with many boaters. Did his laundry in town, by lugging it uphill to the Laundromat. Every errand was a chore. Water, grocery, fuel, laundry, etc. He even had a water-maker, but it used fuel that had to be lugged to the boat. Then the occasional storm interrupted life, too.

Living on a boat in the USVI is not as common as some areas in the states. It is a hard life. But the scenery is good. I lived on a boat in the states before I moved to STJ. I suggest you try it in some form or fashion before jumping in this water. It isn't what it seems like.

[Backtotheislands]

I do have the perfect island name today! Colleen, sweet boat and a sweet price! Go for it, Coden! My hubby wants a sailboat! Here's the plan: 4 houses on St. John with 4 different views to rent (We will alternate between the houses and boat whatever isn't rented), a sailboat, and maybe a couple of businesses to help out the local economy! Now we have to get retired first and "grow" our money a good bit! But that's the plan!
Small problem: Our first grandchild is due in about 6 weeks and hubby doesn't think he'll get me to leave once I hold him. Who knows? I've never been a grandma!