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Subject: TWL: Well, Not Really a Trawler
Albin43Tr@XXX.XXX
Date: Tue Dec 18 2001 - 18:59:17 EST
'lo All,
Sittin' and a thinkin' - dangerous territory!
If I was going to really retire and live aboard with the intention of
coastwise and some river travel, I would seriously look at a self-propelled
jack-up barge. They are also called lift boats, jack-up boats and probably a
hundred other names, including ugly.
Ok, so what's a self propelled jack-up barge? Look at the Amelia Mary at the
following website: http://www.marine.whoi.edu/UNOLS/liftboat.htm
Just think of the possibilities. A steady boat without rocking or anchor
worries (can be rated for hurricanes), LOTS of tank storage area for
whatever, travels about 6 kts, so is not too slow. Great house, 360 degree
visibility from the helm. Hmm, a waterslide from the helm roof?? Room for BIG
parties! Has a big crane, so it can carry lots of water toys, a serious
dinghy, plus a car or pickup. Shallow draft, so it can go almost anywhere.
Reducible air draft, provided you have the water to accommodate the spuds (I
probably wouldn't want all 80' of 'em). Oh, uh, spuds are the legs that lift
the boat out of the water. No bottom paint necessary, or at least no need to
haul the boat out of the water at a yard. Need to change zincs, wheels or
whatever? Just run 'er over to shallow water where you can stand (and
retrieve whatever you drop) and have at it.
Get tired of the neighbors? Just pull up the spuds and move a mile or so - or
to the next state - whatever. Deeper water would create an artificial reef of
sorts, so the place would be a great fishing spot, especially for cobia and
the like (they like to lie in shadowed places during their migration). A
little ingenuity could result in a "deployable" artificial reef, ah, er,
strange anchor???
Actually, very seaworthy homes have been built on barges. Of course, there
are some that are anything but seaworthy, too. I just like the idea of using
a jack-up barge because of the benefits to be derived.
But, it is not a boat everyone would ooooo and aaahhhh about :)
.......just a dreamin'.....
Wayne
M/V Celestial
Albin 43 Sundeck
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