Any Mac liveaboards out there ?

[Gypsy Life]

Are there any liveaboards or semi liveaboards lurking about ?
The Admiral and I left Montgomery Alabama April 1st , and at the moment we are in Homosassa River Florida , just south of Crystal River .
Our loose destination is Key West . I say loose because if we don't make it , that's okay , we are taking our time . we plan to turn around and head for home in time for the Holidays .
Our is small and tight but she has been good to us . Efficient cruising and comfortable enough.
We made several modifications before moving aboard , such as solar cells and a freezer .

Would love to hear from anybody else who is spending an extended amount of time on their Mac .
We met in Panama City Fl , a young guy who had come all the way down from Bath Illinois in his
He is currently in Carrabelle Fl , helping a single handed lady rebuild her trawler engine .

[Chinook]

We have been actively planning and preparing for the past 9 months or so to do the Great Loop in our 26X. We intend on spending just over a year on this cruise, so I guess that would qualify us as liveaboards for that time period. We had hoped to begin the cruise this September, however, a family support need has arisen, and we will be postponing our departure for about a year. If all goes well then, we'll become MacGregor liveaboards while doing the Loop.

[Tomfoolery]

When I got this boat, the PO's had installed a small cube fridge/freezer and a microwave. The fridge was under the table, and held it up so no leg was needed, and the microwave was stacked with storage boxes above the batteries, aft of the galley, where that tiny seat that nobody uses is. 120V power for marina connection (with additional receptacles powered by an extension cord through the bilges ), and more crap than I could shake a stick at. Took me a whole day to pull it all out so I could clean.

I've left it all out, by the way. I like things simple. But for living aboard, it seems like there's enough room for things like that while still leaving the vee berth available for sleeping. They even had a 12V powered TV antenna on the mast.





Of course, a full enclosure with bug screens can make it far roomier, especially in bad weather.

[Ormonddude]

In a pinch you could rig up a simple boom tent helps perform like a full enclosure but is simple to rig and don't cost much, anything that helps keep the sun off you here in Florida is a help of course you will need copious amounts of bug spray lol you know that would be a cool easy Mod sew some screen to a decent proper sized tarp for a cheap very practical boom tent.
here is a cool picture from Parrothead

Now if you had weighted screen drop downs that would make it extremely comforting. The bugs in the keys are not to be trifled with the mosquito and no seeum sand flies can truly be a trip destroyer when added to the intense heat (you tend to sweat off bug repellent in minutes) any protection is good protection.

[Chinook]

Hi Kanzler,

Looks like you've got her nicely set up. I suspect we've both done some similar things to facilitate extended cruising in our compact boats. We also have a full enclosure, but without built in screens. We've made our own, with one going over the forward hatch, one connecting the dodger and bimini for full cockpit protection, and we also have a simple companionway bug net for quick use. We have an Engel frig, and have installed it in the original ice chest location. I've installed a 65 watt solar panel on the sliding hatch, and a new 50 watt flexible panel which zips into the top of the dodger. With two 6 volt golf cart house batteries, new wiring, and a new breaker panel, the electrical system is in good shape.

[bartmac]

You are making me jealous!!!! extended time on our Mac...I wish... Had planned to got around Australia towing our 26X,set up for caravan duty both on land and water.But alas economic conditions have forced our hand and requires more hands on in our business for the time being. Criteria for extended living in both our Mac and slide on truck camper has been largely along the letter "S" ie sleeping,showering,shaving,sh*tting,sitting,sailing (our camper has resident "Blokart",sipping (cold beverages),...can't think of other "S" I can use here. So along those lines...you have to be able easily to do the S things...permanent bed, seating inside and outside, going to bed dirty especially on salt water is not the go ...way to scratchy, refrigeration and toilet facilities are both expensive and require other inputs ie power etc so then your 12V system has to be up to scratch.All of this stuff is fine for a couple of weeks but on a more permanent basis you'd have to tick all the boxes for comfortable life or possibly a harmonious life...ie other halves sometimes have other requirements...ho certainly like the full enclosure cw screens

[Gypsy Life]

We have an Engle freezer sitting on the seat to port of the companion way . I found a cutting board the same size as the top and we use it as counter top .
For refrigeration we have two Yetis under the table . I like the idea of putting a refrigerator under there instead , but not sure if our solar system would support it .

Our solar system is three solar cells and a two deep cycle orbital batteries . The cells are a combined 200 watts . These run the freezer and supply the rest of our electrical needs . I have two 'all purpose' start batteries , recharged , mainly , from the engine , but can be combined with the deep cycle batteries , if additional electricity is needed . When the weather gets bad and stays bad , I have to run the engine to recharge .

Rail Makers built us a stainless steel frame over the stern . On top of that we added a wooden roof , with shelves . On top of that we mounted our cells , antenna , and storage .

We turned the stern berth into a storage room or Hold , and have our clothes , food , tools , spare parts , and other goods stowed in plastic Wal-Mart totes .

We expanded the bow berth into a queen size width , with stowage underneath .

The makes a good compact liveaboard boat . The only thing we find frustrating is nothing is "handy" to get to what you want , you must move at least three other things .

But we are enjoying it . We are currently anchored on a sand bar just north of Anclote Key Gulf Of Mexico .

[Tomfoolery]

We expanded the bow berth into a queen size width , with stowage underneath.

Got any pictures of that?

[DaveC426913]

Of course, a full enclosure with bug screens can make it far roomier, especially in bad weather.

omg! Red canvas! Must have!

[DaveC426913]

We expanded the bow berth into a queen size width , with stowage underneath.

Got any pictures of that?

Yeah. Just don't forget to retract the bumpouts before getting underway!

[Tomfoolery]

Of course, a full enclosure with bug screens can make it far roomier, especially in bad weather.

omg! Red canvas! Must have!

But the OEM black main sail cover looks way out of place. Gotta make a new one that matches the rest of it.

[Ixneigh]

Protip: In FL you are NEVER A LIVE ABOARD boater. You are always a CRUISER. Even if you sit for months or years in the same place.
I spend a lot of time on board. I am a CRUISER about 7 months out of the year. My boat is pretty simple, and aside from some minor storage mods, pretty much stock inside. It works well for me. I have a large solar panel, but no freezer or anything. I try to keep the stuff on board to a minimum. I stay close to shore usually, and eat in the way it is possible for a single guy to do. If I want a nice big meal, I will go eat out and enjoy some nice dining somewhere. I am now pretty fanatical about keeping the weight off the boat, since I like to sail, and already have 350 lbs of extra ballast in the bottom...Ive spent much of my "mod money" making the boat easier for me to operate on a daily basis. New helm seat that is better for me (no hump) new nonskid, added glass to some of the deck areas for more solid feel, fine tuned sail handling but without the clutter of ropes for cockpit sail raising, worked out a dinghy solution that is easy to retrieve and launch (paddle board...hey I told you im a single guy)
improved boat handling in shallow water with skegs and lots of practice, spruced up the cabin with some simple teak trim for visual appeal on those cold grey days. mods on my wish list are: Better cabin drop board, sunshade, opening hatches in place of front windows/skyights.
This boat is a good size for a single or couple to spend a lot of time on. Not too small, not too large.
Ix

[Gypsy Life]

You are right about No liveaboards in Florida , only cruisers . That seems to be the attitude we have encountered , from talking to other anchorers . It seems they are okay with you anchoring for a short time , but not permanently
We are cruisers , and we are truly traveling , just slowly , we haven't stayed in one place longer than a few weeks , and we have a land address , as well as a PO Box .
In Crystal River , the deputy sheriff wanted to take our picture , for our protection , I said no . He didn't bother us again .

We built our boat for comfort . We spend all of our time aboard , except for excursions into town , etc . We cook all our meals , so we wanted good food , and a well equipped galley . We replaced the sink with a deeper SS one , two alcohol burner stove , and a charcoal grill . We also added two water bladders for a total of 40 gallons of fresh water , and a
on- demand pump . 40 gallons will last two people about 6 days . Our port-a-potty is the 5 gallon size , it too , lasts about 6 days . So once a week , we have to hit a marina .

I installed a sump pump under the bathroom and caulked the enclosure in , so we can sit on the head and take a shower , when necessary . Our hot water comes from solar bags , hung on the mast with a hose and shower head that reaches the bathroom .
We motor or motor sail , mostly , occasionally putting up the main . I wouldn't mind sailing more , but we are in our 50s and 60s and must go on deck to put up or down the main and we aren't as agile as once were , so if the boats rocking and rolling its dangerous for us .

[Gypsy Life]

We expanded the bow berth into a queen size width , with stowage underneath.

Got any pictures of that?

Sorry no pictures . I have never been successful in downloading pictures to this forum .

I expanded it to the end of the dinette seat and built a frame across , taking up some of the settee on the port side . We then had the cushions modified to fit . We can plug the seat back back in , but never do .
Underneath the frame is stowage . I finished it out in light wood stain , so it blends nicely with the surrounding white

[Gypsy Life]

Protip: In FL you are NEVER A LIVE ABOARD boater. You are always a CRUISER. Even if you sit for months or years in the same place.
I spend a lot of time on board. I am a CRUISER about 7 months out of the year. My boat is pretty simple, and aside from some minor storage mods, pretty much stock inside. It works well for me. I have a large solar panel, but no freezer or anything. I try to keep the stuff on board to a minimum. I stay close to shore usually, and eat in the way it is possible for a single guy to do. If I want a nice big meal, I will go eat out and enjoy some nice dining somewhere. I am now pretty fanatical about keeping the weight off the boat, since I like to sail, and already have 350 lbs of extra ballast in the bottom...Ive spent much of my "mod money" making the boat easier for me to operate on a daily basis. New helm seat that is better for me (no hump) new nonskid, added glass to some of the deck areas for more solid feel, fine tuned sail handling but without the clutter of ropes for cockpit sail raising, worked out a dinghy solution that is easy to retrieve and launch (paddle board...hey I told you im a single guy)
improved boat handling in shallow water with skegs and lots of practice, spruced up the cabin with some simple teak trim for visual appeal on those cold grey days. mods on my wish list are: Better cabin drop board, sunshade, opening hatches in place of front windows/skyights.
This boat is a good size for a single or couple to spend a lot of time on. Not too small, not too large.

In Apalachicola we saw a that had cut opening hatches into the bow facing windows . The hatches were a bit smaller than the windows . Looked Good ! And , I'm sure , helped with the ventilation .
Ix