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LIVEABOARD BOATS FOR SALE

More and more people are exploring alternative lifestyle choices, as seen in the Van Life phenomena in camper vans under 20 feet long, as well as boats of all shapes, sizes, and types. Sailboat, trawler, houseboat, motoryacht, fishing boat, all have single people, couples, and families choosing to live aboard a boat as their primary residence.

At its most basic level, a boat suitable for living aboard provides shelter, security, privacy, and for some, identity. There must be a place to sleep, make meals, have a bathroom, a place to sit and relax, and storage for clothing, provisions, water, and personal items.

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In terms of size, while it is true that sailors have crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 12-foot boats, that is not what is generally accepted as a reasonable vessel for such a passage. So too, a liveaboard boat can be on the smaller side, especially for young couple perfectly content with a minimalist existence, but that is not the case for adults looking to combine living on the water with some degree of comfort and convenience. For these people, a boat in the 36 to 40-foot range is the starting point. And for those who can afford it, a motoryacht over 50 feet will offer top shelf living that is every bit as comfortable as a luxury townhome.

Liveaboard people might be an early career computer programmer living in his Tahiti ketch, an IT manager living on a 34-foot houseboat, and a husband and wife, both surgeons, enjoying life on their 75-foot expedition yacht, all within a thousand yards of each other.

What are some of the features that one should expect in a liveaboard boat? Perhaps a better starting point is to answer several questions first. How many people will be living full time on the boat? If it is a couple, there are likely different accommodation requirements (or compromises) than a family with children. A retired couple may want different amenities than a young couple just starting out.

Where are you going to live? Is this boat going to stay put, such as a downtown urban setting like Seattle’s Lake Union, among the houseboat communities, or will the boat travel to different marinas along the coast with the seasons? We are differentiating living aboard from cruising, as they are not the same. People will be living aboard while cruising, of course, but the primary goal is to travel from one location to the next. Living aboard does not necessarily moving at all, and people who choose to live on a boat may be doctors or attorneys with commitments and responsibilities to remain in one place. They may just choose to live on a boat for the waterfront living experience and the opportunity to occasionally travel on a vacation getaway.

Is this going to be a primary residence? Many people buy a boat to have a summer residence in some waterfront community, such as Stuart, Florida, or Annapolis, Maryland, or Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands, or Sausalito, California. They maintain a primary residence somewhere else, such as Fort Collins, Colorado, but enjoy the fact that they can escape to their liveaboard home in Seattle, or wherever, when they want a change of pace.

What is the budget? This figures into the equation in many ways. If one is looking primarily for a place to live, while in college for example, the boat may not need to be functional as a boat, as they don’t intend to go anywhere, just as a place to live. So, if the engine needs work, it doesn’t matter, in fact, it doesn’t even need an engine. Such boats can be found for extraordinarily little money. The same is true for the condition of a sailboat’s mast, rigging, and sails. For a liveaboard, the critical components of a safe sailing vessel are not required, at least for the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, if there is sufficient budget to buy a fully outfitted motoryacht, sailboat, or trawler that is in pristine condition, the owners can enjoy life aboard in the true yachting fashion, with an outstanding experience at both living aboard and owning a proper yacht. Ultimately, living aboard a small sailboat or a large motoryacht can offer a satisfying liveaboard experience depending on the people and their situation. Go to any exotic tropical anchorage and you will find both, and everyone is having a great time. That is cruising. 

Consider other factors that constitute a suitable liveaboard home. Below a certain size vessel, the head is likely going to be a wet head, which means the shower, if there is one, is in the same space as the sink and marine head. Take a shower and everything in that space gets wet. A dry head, on the other hand, provides a separate shower space with its own curtain or door to keep the rest of the head dry. Given the choice, most people will prefer a dry head in the long run. It feels less like camping.

If there is room for a separate master stateroom that does not share space with the saloon and other accommodations, that is desirable. Privacy and space are important for personal mental health. Visual separation, if not entirely physical, is important for the overall success of living aboard.

It goes without saying that a proper galley is required for meal preparation and cooking. This is determined by the available space given the size of the boat. Bigger is always better to provide the cook with plenty of working counter space, storage for food in a pantry, pots and pans, and the tools of the galley. A minimalist approach will work for some, using a cooler for keeping things cool, while others won’t feel comfortable without the convenience of full-size appliances. The living spaces in a Catalina 27 sailboat compared to a Fleming 55, while abstractly similar, are vastly different in every way. Not leaving the dock, both provide a reasonable living situation, but the liveaboard experience will be different. But for the right person, each can be ideal.

Some of the practical considerations of living aboard include how convenient it is to pump out the black water holding tank? Only the most luxurious marinas, and the most expensive, offer pump out at the slip, something to consider when comparing boats and the sizes of their tanks. Same with fresh water. If one must move the boat every week to a pump out facility at a fuel dock, that is not going to be as care free as a mobile pump out boat that come to the boat with a call on the VHF. Most slips offer shorepower electricity and water at a monthly rate, but is the water shut off during the off season? What are the options then? Boston Harbor is a popular liveaboard location, but the liveaboard residents work around such obstacles, including living inside a shrink-wrapped boat during the winter months. They get by, but the payback comes when they enjoy an outstanding downtown living experience the rest of the year. 

If one’s plans include going cruising at some point when they retire or save enough to begin their adventure, then the choice of the boat will have to match the cruising plans. A trawler or cruising sailboat from the 1980s can be a very workable liveaboard while giving the people time and opportunity to refit, refresh, and bring the boat back to top shape. It is a common liveaboard theme. While it can be inconvenient at times to live aboard while refinishing an interior, many have done it successfully. Whether it is a vintage Chris Craft Constellation motoryacht or an aging Norseman 447, both are terrific choices as a liveaboard in an older boat with good bones.

In a perfect world, the ideal liveaboard boat will have space for storing clothes for each season, holiday decorations, a separate washer and dryer (combo units don’t dry very well), a central vacuum system to make house cleaning easy, perhaps even a dishwasher. Such luxuries will not fit in smaller boats, of course.

Living aboard a boat is a wonderful existence, whether it is on a houseboat, cruising boat, or even an older vessel whose glory days are long gone. The thrill of being on the water, and the potential for changing the scenery when the mood strikes, is a powerful alternative to living on land. If the inconveniences of living aboard can be overcome, such as pumping out the holding tank, having access to fresh water year round, getting secure mail and package deliveries, and a safe place to park the car, life can be grand. Yes, it is unpleasant to trade deck shoes with ice-cold leather work shoes that get stored in the car trunk because they are unsafe on icy docks, but that is minor in the scheme of things. 

And one quickly finds the liveaboard community is strong and the bonds of neighborhood are always there to help one another. On the East Coast during hurricane season, for example, it is common to hold dock parties during periods of storm surge, as everyone stays up during the critical times to adjust dock lines together while keeping the mood joyful and a part of the liveaboard adventure.

And it is an adventure. 

Enjoy these other liveaboard boat articles:

• What is the best liveaboard trawler?
• What is the best sized sailboat to live on?

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Live Aboard Boats for Sale by their Owners

In collating this listing of live aboard boats for sale, we've taken the view that living aboard a sailboat smaller than 32 feet is unlikely to provide her occupant(s) with a high degree of comfort - nor would a stripped-out, light-displacement racer of any length. 

Live Aboard Boats for Sale by Length Overall

• Under 40 feet
• 40 to 50 feet
• Over 50 feet

And what qualifies a boat as suitable for living aboard is very much a personal view.

For example, some liveaboard sailors - happy to rely on a diesel generator - will tell you that they couldn't possibly manage without a flat screen TV and a plumbed-in washing machine, whilst others - more reasonably in my view - consider self-sufficiency in terms of drinking water (through rain water collection and/or a reverse osmosis water maker) and green electrical power (from a wind turbine and/or solar panels) to be primary requirements. 

All the boats below are offered for sale by their owners, many of which live aboard their boats for considerable periods at a time.

Live-Aboard Sailboats under 40 feet

Single-handers, provided they're content with a fairly spartan standard of living, will tell you that a thirty-two-footer is ideal for living aboard. A cruising couple though are likely to aspire to something with additional creature-comforts and a little more space below.

Having said that I know of two young cruising couples who crossed the Atlantic in their Sadler 25's and cruised the Caribbean in them, so you really don't need a big cruising boat - it's better to cruise in a small boat than not to cruise at all!

Sailboats approaching 40 feet, like the larger ones shown below, are more likely to appeal to them.

Relatively easy to maintain and considerably less expensive to own and operate than those above 40 (particularly so if you're inclined to spend much time in marinas) they represent the minimum size range for comfortable living aboard.

'Stratocruiser' , a Pearson 33 MkII

Location:  Plymouth, England

Asking Price: £25,000

'Bonobo' , a Moody 346

Location:  Weymouth, England

Asking Price: £41,000

'Blue Juice' , a Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361

Location:  Edgewater, MD, USA

Asking Price: $349,000

'Galileo' , a Jaguar 36 catamaran

Location:  Grenada West Indies

Asking Price: $150,000

'Petrel Blue' , a Westerly Oceanranger 38

Location:  Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: $38,588

'Hitchcock' , an RM1260

Location: Grenada, West Indies.

Asking Price: €209,000

'Live the Dash' , a  Morgan Out Island 37

Location: St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Asking Price:  $36,900   $33,900

'Kesh' , a  Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

Location: Indiantown, Florida USA.

Asking Price:  $42,000 $36,000

'Pompoen' , a Hans Christian 34

Location: Trinidad, West Indies

Asking Price:  $42,000

'Shindig' , a Custom Design Performance Cruiser

Asking Price:  $49,900

'Just Friends' , a Hunter 376

Location:  Puerto Rico, West Indies

Asking Price:  $70,000

'Seawind' , an Allied Seawind MkII

Location:  Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Asking Price:  $59,700

more ' Seawind ' pics, info and owner's contact details...

'Manhé-1' , a Rival 38

Location:  The Canary Islands, returning to Mediterranean in May 2023

Asking Price:  €78,000

more 'Manhé-1' pics, info and owner's contact details...

'Anna' , a Bavaria 390

Location:  Trinidad, West Indies

Asking Price:  $35,000 now $28,000

more 'Anna' pics, info and owner's contact details...

'Freja' , a Voyager 35

Location:  Martinique, French West Indies

Asking Price:  €35,000

more 'Freja' pics, info and owner's contact details...

'Hero' , a Pacific Seacraft 37

Location:  The Caribbean

Asking Price:  $139,000   now $125,000!

more 'Hero' pics and info...

'Iko Iko' , a Wharram Tiki 38 Catamaran

Location:  Key West, Florida USA

Asking Price:  $75,000

more 'Iko Iko' pics and info...

'Golightly' , an Island Packet 350

Asking Price:  $88,000

more 'Golightly' pics and info...

'Charisma' , a Downeaster 38

Location:  Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, California USA

Asking Price: $70,000

'Maia' , a Moody 376

Location:  Martinique, French West Indies

Asking Price: €70,000

'Svea av Valleviken' , an Overseas 35

Location:  Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: €89,000

'Kesh' , a Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

Location:  Indiantown, Florida USA

Asking Price:  $37,500

'Aphroditi' , a Bavaria 37

Location:  Athens, Greece

Asking Price:  €62,000

A Cal 27

Location:  Waukegan, IL

Asking Price:  $7,000

'Wild Goose' , a Tartan 3000

Asking Price:   $22,500 

A GibSea 37 Ketch

Location:  Martinique, West Indies

Asking Price:   €35,000

Live-Aboard Sailboats from 40 feet to 50 feet

Most live-aboard boats fall within this range. All have plenty of space for a cruising couple and all their gear, along with sizeable berths for visiting friends and family members. But watch those marina bills...

'Maravilla' , a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 DS

Location:  Annapolis, USA

'Bijou' , a Hylas 46 

Location:  Panama

Asking Price: $397,500

'Windward' , a Tayana 48 DS 

Asking Price: $390,000

'Harvester 1' , a Harmony 42 

Asking Price: $79,000

'Alkoomi' , a Hunter 466 

Asking Price: $149,000

'Soul Venture' , a Hunter Passage 42

Asking Price: $69,000

'Penniless' , a Beneteau Oceanis 473 Clipper

Location:  South Pacific

Asking Price: $145,000 / €135,000

'Coco Rose' , a Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41

Asking Price: €131,000

'One for the Road' , a Hunter Passage 450

Location:  Ragusa, Sicily

Asking Price: €135,000

'Wind's Way' , a Hardin Seawolf 40

Asking Price: $66,000

'BlueJacket' , a Freedom 40/40

Location:  Belize, Central America

Asking Price: $150,000   $134,900

'Heart' , a Hans Christian 43T

Location:  Port Saint Louis du Rhone, France

Asking Price: €119,000

'Cabo Frio' , a Catalina Morgan 43

Asking Price: $65,000

'Venture' , a  Bristol 40

Asking Price: $46,000 $36,000

'Revelia' , a  Cheoy Lee 47 Ketch

Location: Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price:  $154,900 $125,000

"Wanuskewin" , a Catalina 42 MkII

Location: Lucaya, Grand Bahama

Asking Price:  $105,000

'Helios' , the Bavaria 44

Location:  Rio Dulce, Guatemala

Asking Price:  $120,000

'Magic' , at Cherubini 44

Location:  Punta Gorda, Florida, USA

Asking Price:  $285,000

'Pegasus' , a Gib'Sea 126

Location:  Curaçao, Dutch Antilles

Asking Price:  $50,000 $45,000

'Untethered Soul' , a Vagabond 47

Location:  Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Asking Price:  $162,000 $96,000

'Merlin' , a Beneteau 473

Location:  Rhode Island, USA

Asking Price:  $179,000

more 'Merlin' pics, info and owner's contact details...

'Mirage' , a Hout Bay 40

Location:  Turkey

Asking Price:  $99,500

more 'Mirage' pics and info...

'Windseeker' , a Morgan 41 Out Island Ketch

Location:  Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Asking Price:  $60,000

'Sirius' , a Beneteau Oceanis 46

Location:  Chiapas, Mexico

Asking Price:  $198,000 $159,000

'Music II' , a Morgan 41 Classic

Asking Price:  $97,500

' Havanesey Day ' , a Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40

Location:  Croatia/Montenegro

Asking Price:  €475,000

'Celebration' , a Morgan 415 Out Island Ketch

Location:  St Petersburg, Florida, USA

Asking Price: $82,500

'Spellbound' , a Hardin Seawolf 40

Location:  Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Asking Price: $66,500

'Blue Jay' , a J/40

Location:  Cadiz, Spain

Asking Price: €80,000

'Coconut' , a Contest 41S

Location:  Norway

Asking Price:  £74,999

'Lola' , a Frans Maas 50 Schooner

Location:  Colon, Panama

Asking Price:   $65,900

'Southern Cross' , a Hunter Passage 450

Location:   Puerto Rico, Caribbean

Asking Price:  $139,750

Live-Aboard Sailboats over 50 feet

Although many liveaboard boats within this range are owned and operated by just two people, they can become something of a liability in terms of running costs and an embarrassment when close-quarters maneuvering. 

But if space and luxury are your primary requirements, this is where to look.

'Searching for the Edge' , a  Bavaria 50 Vision

Location:  Key Biscayne, Florida

Asking Price:  $249,000

'Scraatch' , a Sundeer 56  

Location: Puerto Penasco, Mexico

Asking Price:  $300,000

'Rocky' , a Pearson 530 

Location:  Brunswick, Georgia USA

Asking Price:  $205,000

'Lusty' , a Columbia 56

Location:  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

more ' Lusty ' pics, info and owner's contact details...

'Aleria' , a Bowman 57

Location:  Ireland

Asking Price:  €275,000

'Small World II' a Tayana Flying Dutchman 50

Location:  Subic Bay Yacht Club, Philippines

Asking Price:  $165,000

More pics and details...

'Surgiamo' ,  a Beneteau 500

Location:  Turkey

Asking Price:  €125,000

‘La Scala a Mare’ , a Tayana 55 Cutter

Location:  Phuket, Thailand

Asking Price:  $230,000

More about Living Aboard & Long Distance Sailing...

How Living Aboard a Sailboat Worked Out for the Crew of Alacazam

Could living aboard a sailboat work for you? Here we compare our pre-departure expectations with the reality of living aboard our sailboat and crossing an ocean

Tips for a Tradewinds Sailing Passage across an Ocean

Tradewinds sailing across an ocean is the stuff of dreams for most offshore sailors, but how does the reality of it stack up against expectations?

Caribbean Sailing Information for Sailboat Owners and Charterers

Before setting off on your Caribbean sailing adventure, make sure you've read through this information and advice from an experienced Caribbean cruising sailor

First Time Atlantic Crossing

The story of a cruising couple's first Atlantic Crossing in a sailboat, as recorded at the time by the female half of the crew. A fascinating insight of what a long ocean passage is really like.

Brown Booby Aboard in Mid-Atlantic

Some 500 miles northwest of the Cabo Verdes, I was surprised to discover the presence of an additional brown booby aboard...

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16 New and Used Liveaboard Boat

CHB Trawler 34 Trawler

California (United States of America)

ATTENTION SAILBOATERS! LOOKING TO MAKE BOATING EASIER?Classic Trawler w Dual Cabins & HeadsRaised Salon & Galley w 180 Degree ViewDual Station, Recent Elec...

ATTENTION SAILBOATERS! LOOKING TO MAKE BOATING EASIER? Enjoy Life, Go Slow and Explore,Single Ford Lehman 135 HP Diesel Engine Easy Docking w Bow & Stern T...

Hudson Force50

FIFTY FOOT YACHT - PROJECT BOAT AT A GREAT PRICE FOR THE RIGHT PERSON This was going to be my retirement boat, but it got caught up in litigation. I now have to sel...

Hatteras Double Cabin Motor Yacht

New Bern, North Carolina (United States of America)

Classic live aboard or vacation rental Accommodation Private head with separate shower Teak interior Spacious main salon Four large s...

Beaufort (United States of America)

Fennell HULL # 1 Rugged custom blue water cruiser – Only 6 were built between 1983 and 1986 High gunwales, canoe stern, cutter rig with full keel, double ender and ...

The Pearson 28 has been a very popular racer/cruiser over the years. She actually sleeps 6 and would make a nice small family cruiser. Overall the boat was a...

Kadey Krogen 42 Pilothouse Trawler

Beaufort, North Carolina (United States of America)

NEW S/S 500 GALLON FUEL TANKS 2021 This CLASSIC Pilothouse Trawler has the hard to find and highly desirable centerline master queen berth in the forward stateroom...

Egg Harbor Convertible Cruiser 37

CLASSIC EGG HARBOR - GREAT LIVE-ABOARD!!! Inventory Icom M304 VHF at lower helm station Cobra DSC VHF at upper helm station Raytheon Nav-298 GPS/Loran ...

Hans Christian 41T Molakai

Classic blue water, traditional cutter design. Described as an easy boat to sail with her split keel the HC 41 T is a heavy displacement cruiser built for comf...

Dufour 44'

Newport Beach, CA (United States of America)

On Order - Arriving Jan 2025 Boat | 44' Dufour 2025 Whether for experienced sailors or adventure-seeking lovers of the sea, the Dufour 44 sailing yacht is...

Bristol 45.5 CC

Oriental, North Carolina (United States of America)

Classic Blue Water Cruiser With Recent Major Equipment Upgrades; An Outstanding Value This Bristol 45.5 is an excellent example of Ted Hood’s well renowned, m...

Vancouver 27

“UPDATE:Brand new custom interior, replaced interior bulkhead, head liner and custom teak trim (Sep 2023)– Your Day on the Water just got better!……” This...

Caliber LRC

Ready To Sail Today – 40’ 2003 Caliber Long Range Cruiser – Your Gateway to Offshore Agandau(Silver and Gold) is an excellent example of the time proven ...

Mainship Boats Nantucket 36

Affordable Great Loop Double Cabin Motor Yacht Other Details Galley and convertible dinette a few steps down from the spacious salon Lower helm in salon ...

Island Packet 38

Norfolk (United States of America)

1987 Island Packet 38' Chasing Summer Chasing Summer is a cutter rig, swing keel featuring a large open cockpit with full enclosure and bimini top. The upscale interi...

Sea Ray Sundancer 260

Stockton, CA (United States of America)

2004 26' Sea Ray 260 Sundancer $44,900 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer with heat/air conditioning, and a generator. Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI Bravo 3 stern drive Koh...

* Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price.

LIVEABOARD BOAT BY STATE

• Liveaboard boat in South Carolina (7)

5 Best Liveaboard Boats

Table of Contents

Last Updated on November 3, 2023 by Boatsetter Team

Want to live aboard a boat? Maybe you’re looking for more affordable waterfront living, or an alternative lifestyle – either way – living on a boat has many rewards. That said, choosing the right boat will make all the difference to your happiness. Before you commit, consider these five best liveaboard boats : 

• Motor yachts and cabin cruisers 
• Trawlers 
• Sailboats 
• Catamarans 
• Houseboats 

  Find Live Abroad Boats ready for rent here

Motor yachts and Cabin Cruisers

Motor yachts is a broad term that encompasses large(ish) motorboats with accommodations like a bed (sleeping cabin), a head (bathroom), and a galley (kitchen). These boats can be quite large such as an Absolute 50 with a flybridge that provides extra space for outdoor recreation/entertainment, like the backyard of a house. 

Models like these usually have three cabins and two heads to accommodate an entire family. Of course, big boats come with big price tags and lots of maintenance needs, so you may not save much over living in a condo. 

Consider how much space you need and check out some best liveaboard boats under 40 feet. Cabin cruisers like the Cutwater 32 are great choices. This boat has one cabin as well as a galley and lounge area (living room) with large windows that bring in lots of natural light and air. 

The twin outboard engines can transport your home to new surroundings in the blink of an eye. Best of all, boats under 40 feet may save you a million dollars (literally) over large motor yachts and provide many of the same amenities. 

2. Trawlers  

Trawlers are a great option because they are built with the liveaboard lifestyle in mind. They’re typically slower boats designed for long-distance cruising, and they come in many sizes from a large Nordhavn 60 built for tough ocean conditions to a more compact Beneteau Swift 35 that’s ideal for coastal cruising. 

Most trawlers have good liveaboard layouts and will travel at speeds 8-10 knots, where they offer good fuel consumption , which is important with high diesel prices. 

Pro Tip: Not all trawlers are slow – the French Swift series is designed to run at planning as well as trawling speeds, so you get the best of both. 

READ MORE: Don’t Ignore Your Bucket List: Great Loop  

3. Sailboats

Perhaps you’re contemplating living aboard in preparation for long-distance cruising under sail. Sailboats come in all sizes, just like motor yachts, but they’re usually narrower, and most of the living aboard happens lower down in the boat, so they’re not as airy and light. 

On the plus side, because space is more premium, sailboat design is very efficient, so you can pile a lot into a sailboat and still have room for sailing necessities. 

Looking for a compact sailboat? Consider the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 with two or three cabins in just 38 feet. For something a bit roomier, check out the new Hanse 510 . This massive model can be spec’d with up to five cabins and even has a tender garage. 

The great thing about sailboats is that you can travel long distances when you want to change your neighborhood entirely – and with little money spent on fuel. 

4. Catamarans

Catamarans are boats with twin hulls and they can be both power and sail models. They have many advantages including more room aboard than the same-length monohulls with better cabin privacy and more system redundancy for backup options. 

They’re more stable both in motion and at anchor (dock) so they produce less seasickness and are more comfortable in a rolly anchorage at night. They’re roomy platforms for kids as well as older folks but due to their beam (width), it’s harder to find a slip for them in a marina. 

Sailing cat models come in various sizes and prices. Production boats like the Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 and the Excess 11 are both around 40 feet but feel much bigger than a monohull sailboat of equal length. 

Many cats come in an “owners’ version” where one entire hull is dedicated to the master suite which is like a bedroom at home. Models like these start around $500,000 but upmarket, carbon fiber, semi-custom designs like the HH55 will set you back multiple millions.

Powercats are growing in popularity and offer the same amenities as their sailing counterparts, except they have bigger engines to travel at much greater speeds. Powers can be on the smaller side, like the 32-foot Aspen C100, or quite sizeable, like the Aquila 54. Cats tend to be more expensive to purchase and to own since there are two of just about everything to maintain. 

5. Houseboats

If you want to live aboard but have little interest in being mobile, you may consider a houseboat. These boats usually maximize living space and are shaped more like houses than boats. Household-sized amenities, including side-by-side refrigerators, massive sofas, and large TVs can be had.

Because they don’t require much technical gear like engines, electronics, and advanced power systems, houseboats can be quite affordable and can make the best liveaboard boats under $100k. 

A few companies build houseboats like Eco-Sea Cottages, but many will be one-off and home-built designs. Although these boats don’t move (much), they must still have a solid floating foundation to be safe, and only some marinas will allow them to dock there.

One more thing to consider

There are no hard rules as to what makes a great liveaboard boat! You just have to find one that suits you and your budget. Read our Living on a Boat post for more insight, and be sure to browse through Boatsetter to find the perfect liveaboard boat. 

About Boatsetter 

Boatsetter is a unique boat-sharing platform that gives everyone — whether you own a boat or yyou’rejust renting — the chance to experience life on the water. You can list a boat , book a boat , or make money as a captain .  

List. Rent. Earn— Only at Boatsetter

Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin. 

A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide. 

Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico. 

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7 Unique Liveaboard Boats For On-Water Living

By Rob Bowman | Posted On Nov 13, 2018 Updated On Jun 25, 2024

As coastal cities become more crowded every day and the cost of living continues to increase, the concept of buying a liveaboard boat as your home has grown in popularity. The idea of being able to wake up every day to the sound of the waves splashing against your boat or being able to move to a secluded cove for the night is romantic and intriguing. There are many kinds of liveaboard boats for sale and practically almost any yacht with a cabin, a galley, and a head can be considered for living on board. However, some yachts distinguish themselves by offering more space, amenities, and home-like designs for more practical on-water living.

Many houseboats for example are like "homes on a hull", are somewhat boxy in shape, but offer massive living spaces similar to a traditional house. These boats are generally meant to be kept in the protected waterways and not the open ocean. Trawler Yachts are a popular style of liveaboard boats for the owner that wants to travel extensively while living on it as well. They offer a hull design and sturdy construction that can keep your on-water home from rocking or swaying too much. Then there is the luxury motor yacht which is capable of doing it all, but comes with a hefty price tag.

With over 150 yacht brokers nationwide, United Yacht Sales lists some unbelievably interesting and unique boats with our wide network of clients. Sometimes these listings include liveaboard boats that were built strictly for on-water living and others are converted cruise ships for example. Below are 7 very unique liveaboard boats currently for sale on the market today from 40 to 220 feet! Don't see anything you like? Give our home office a call at (772) 463-3131 and we will connect you with a broker in your area that can find the right liveaboard boat for your budget and needs.

 "Global" - 2007 Shadow Marine 220' Allure - Asking $8,499,000

United Yacht Broker: Christopher Cooke (772) 631-7702

"Global" is a true combination of elegance, utility, and luxury incorporated to form an unprecedented, evolutionary step in a large, liveaboard pleasure craft. The designers of Global aimed to put safety and seaworthiness in the forefront. Built by Shadow Marine in 2007 this vessel coined the phrase “Sport Utility Vessel” of the sea. Global was built to be the lead ship of the evolutionary ALLURE Class and was built by her original owner to travel Any Ocean, Anywhere, Anytime!

Each of her 5 decks has been carefully laid out and demonstrates the ultimate in elegance with practicality, utility, and a comfort. Four upper levels provide spacious, well-appointed areas for lounging and entertaining along with 6 luxurious staterooms. Her lower deck combines serviceability with crew comfort, so crucial for morale and retention. Key features of M/Y Global’s interior include; 6 staterooms with private balconies, a sky lounge offering panoramic views, a fully equipped workout facility, and a movie theater featuring the latest in automated audio and video technologies. A dining area that lets you watch a helicopter land and take off from the deck are among the features making this converted vessel stand out. There’s also a 65" TV in the theater on the lower deck, just forward of the galley.

2015 Custom Canadian S&E 188' Superyacht - Asking $4,999,000

United Yacht broker: Daniel Voorhees , (206) 407-6411

This 188-foot Custom Canadian S&E super yacht is the ultimate liveaboard yacht with 34 staterooms and room for 22 crew+. This yacht can safely and comfortably transport, 70+ luxury passengers worldwide or cruise by yourself and sleep in a different room every night! The entire interior and exterior is in top condition. Most staterooms have not been slept in since the complete refit and remodel in 2015/2016. She has fresh paint and launched in 2017. She is truly turnkey ready for private yachting or charter service. Owners will love the multi-level layout with assorted socializing areas and room for activities. There are multiple bar and dining spaces with ample deck and lounge areas throughout. If you are looking for the ultimate liveaboard yacht and have money to burn, this could be your best option.

"Discovery" - 1962 Romsdal 100' Expedition Yacht - Asking $1,990,000

United Yacht broker: John Peterson (910) 546-5760

The name ROMSDAL has always been synonymous with North Sea trawlers, yachts built for research, and strong North Sea fishing boats. Originally built in 1962 as a research vessel, DISCOVERY underwent a complete rebuild and refit from 1998-2000 and has become one incredible liveaboard yacht. The refit was massive and reported costs exceeded 12 million dollars. DISCOVERY is an aesthetically pleasing yacht that shows outstanding workmanship and stunning craftsmanship throughout. The interior wood is exquisite and the layout is perfect for luxurious accommodations.

Refit to be a gentleman’s expedition yacht the hull was flared and painted with Sterling Flag Blue paint. During the refit a new rolled aluminum superstructure was built and installed using bimetal transition inserts. The superstructure is white. Teak trim was added producing the true yacht finish one would expect. The decks were covered with teak and show little wear. The interior design and layout was designed by an architect while the interior workmanship was overseen by an interior designer. The results are simply stunning. With the finest craftsmanship available, the interior has varnished mahogany wood work and trim, madronal burl woodwork and trim, granite, marble, jade, and exquisite fabrics. "Discovery" is an excellent option for the owner that wants a liveaboard yacht with the versatility and capability to cruise long distances.

"Elena Queen of Arts" - 1982 AC Mcleod 79' Custom Sternwheeler House Barge - Asking $599,000

United Yacht broker: Mordy Miltz (516) 606-1282

Unique opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind privately owned, self-propelled stern-wheeler, river boat replica house barge that can easily be used as a liveaboard boat. Timeless appealing classic meets function and luxury. “Elena Queen of Arts” boasts an open & airy layout throughout. Well-appointed with 3 staterooms, 2.5 heads & captains berth, large galley, salon, dinette, library, laundry room, bow seating areas, large upper deck with hot tub, custom woodwork throughout and so much more. Some features include, Young Chang grand piano, projector screen, custom carpentry, cast iron propane fireplaces, coffered ceilings, granite countertops, radiant heat, large sliding windows, 4 entryways, recessed lighting, and many other custom features. Her drivetrain is powered by a pair of 250hp Detroit Diesel 6-71 Naturals with PTO driven counter-rotating stern wheels, dual Detroit Diesel 4-71 40kW 3 phase generators, diesel fed boiler, hydraulic dual action cylinders operating a quad rudder system and pneumatic throttle controls.

“Elena Queen of Arts” was commissioned for the late owner of Aflac Insurance John Amos and built by AC McLeod with design cues to replicate the famous Delta Queen. She would make for an excellent waterfront home, floating hotel, B&B or crew vessel. She must be seen to appreciate, call today to schedule your showing.

"Banshee" - 1996 Custom North Sea 58' Trawler - Asking $340,000

United Yacht broker: Rick Hoffman , (425) 405-0132

This 58 Custom steel North Sea Trawler is truly the ultimate bluewater passagemaker perfect for living on the water. The Banshee was incredibly well-designed by her only owner and has been extremely well maintained. She has a single Cummins 300HP motor and is keel cooled with approx. 100 gallons OFM fluid in full length keel 50% anti-freeze, 50% water. The exhaust is water cooled and goes through an aqua lift and out stern. She has a state of the art bridge with full electronics, autopilot and radar.

Her full beam salon includes plenty of seating and great views through her many windows. She is warmly heated by her full-sized Dickerson furnace with oven for those colder NW nights. Her galley has full sized appliances with trash compactor that run directly off her generator or the large inverter system. It has oak floors and Corian countertops. She has a master stateroom with plenty of storage, a full island queen berth and a private master head with full bath. Her guest stateroom is also very roomy with full island queen berth, a single berth and its own private full-sized head. She has a huge engine room that also houses a complete shop area with spacious work area and a lot of storage. Her elegant spiral wood stair case leads up to the drive station with even more seating and the table converts to a double bed. Whether your dreams point you to the San Juans or San Carlos, this spectacular long-range trawler will get you there safely, in comfort and style, for all your liveaboard boat needs.

"Luxuria" - 2017 Global Boatworks 46' Luxury Liveaboard House Yacht - Asking $1,500,000

United Yacht broker: Ron Housman , (617) 549-4123

Extraordinary opportunity to own a state of the art waterfront home and yacht-like motor vessel at the same time! Luxuria is an exceptional liveaboard boat that offers style, luxury, and lots of on-water views. Built to a standard far exceeding most production yachts, Luxuria offers sophisticated interior design, mobility, high efficiency and durability all in one low maintenance luxurious package. Perhaps best of all - LUXURIA = INCOME! Already proven to fetch $1,100/ night without any aggressive marketing, Luxuria will provide her first owner the ability to offset between 70-90% of costs of ownership. 

2006 Skipperliner 40' Liveaboard Houseboat - Asking $169,900

United Yacht broker: Ted Gates (239) 849-5357

The Owner ordered and built this liveaboard vessel from Skipperliner in LaCrosse WI. This houseboat was designed and used for hosting dinners/social events. Lower level is all floor to ceiling patio door style windows with slide opening doors on each side and the bow. Large center island and a full galley, with full size appliances, to the aft is set up for food prep and serving. Multiple oversized marine AC units which are zoned to keep lower level very efficiently cooled. Westerbeke generator. Head on aft deck, circular staircase on bow, staircase on aft deck. The top deck is wide open for either banquet style seating or whatever you would desire. In addition there is a slide off the back for fun and entertainment!

Also Read: Living On A Boat: Guide To Choosing The Right Liveaboard

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Best liveaboard boats: 4 of the best options for long-term cruising

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Our used boat expert Nick Burnham picks out four of the best liveaboard boats on the secondhand market right now.

One of the real joys of boating is the sheer diversity of it. Whatever you want to experience, whether it’s exhilaration, exploration, relaxation, escapism, social interaction or solitude, there’s a boating style and a boat type, specifically made for you.

And exactly the same is true for the ultimate boater’s fantasy – living aboard your floating home full time (it’s what we all dream of, right?).

So here to fulfil the fantasy are four great examples of vessels that could either take you and your family or friends around the world in a constant stream of adventures, or a more modest barge that would allow you to park up on a quiet stretch of the River Thames and enjoy a constant stream of G&Ts! Cheers!

Nordhavn 46

Built: 1997 Price: £350,000

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The Nordhavn 46 is Genesis for Nordhavn and set the tone for pretty much every model that followed. Pacific Asian Enterprises was formed by Jim Leishman and Dan Streech in 1974, originally importing and selling a line of boats from Taiwan called Transpac.

In 1978 Jeff Leishman, Jim’s younger brother, joined PAE as a part-time employee whilst still at school. Jeff completed his studies in 1987, and received his naval architecture diploma from the Yacht Design Institute.

As part of his graduation requirement, he was asked to design a vessel of his choosing. That actual design became the Nordhavn 46 and an entire new genre was born.

Saloon and galley are all on one level with stairs leading down to the owner’s cabin

Several layout options were tried in the early days, before settling down to the layout you see on this 1997 example, much of which echoes through to current models.

Designed for long-term living aboard, there’s a large saloon and galley on the main deck, with steps down to an owner’s cabin in the centre of the boat (reducing motion at sea to a minimum).

But another set of steps lead up to a proper separate wheelhouse , little-ship style. Steps forward from here drop you down to a separate guest cabin in the bow.

A wide side deck leads from the cockpit along the starboard side and up around the front of the wheelhouse in the form of a Portuguese bridge protected by a bulwark from the foredeck.

Follow it round and you’ll go back past the wheelhouse on the port side and up the stairs again to the boat deck above the saloon where the tender is stored.

The bridge deck is a few steps higher and further forward than the saloon

Performance

Nordhavns are all about range, which is why speeds are strictly limited to hull displacement speed rather than forcing more knots via a semi-displacement or planing hull.

Figure on about 8.5 knots flat out with 7.4 knots as the cruise speed, at which the 3,785 litre fuel tank should give about 2,500 miles of range.

There is a lot of boat under the water, with its full hull shape and long keel designed to help the boat plug on and on.

Nordhavn 46 specification

LOA: 45ft 9in (13.9m) Beam: 15ft 5in (4.7m) Draught: 5ft 0in (1.5m) Displacement: 20 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,785 litres Engine: Lugger L668D 134Kw 180hp diesel engines Location: Hamble Contact: Nordhavn Europe

Aqualine Canterbury 62×10 Widebeam

Built: 2019 Price: £182,950

Widebeam narrowboat sounds like the ultimate oxymoron, but it’s a term used to denote canal barges that are, well, wider of beam. A typical narrowboat is 6ft 10in wide, and it’s constructed to this dimension in order to access virtually all of the British canal system.

In short, there are places a wide beam just can’t go. But there are plenty of places that it can. There are four main UK ‘cruising grounds’ for the widebeam owner: London and the South; East Anglia; the Severn waterways; and the Trent and North. Indeed, many owners simply use them as floating homes and never go anywhere at all.

The saloon looks more like an apartment than a boat, with proper domestic furniture…

So what’s the point of a wide beam narrowboat that can’t go everywhere? In a word, space. At 10ft wide, it’s not far short of double the beam, meaning you get almost twice the internal volume for a given length.

But it also gives you rooms that feel far more like those in a house and less like railway carriages. Given that very little of the interior is structural, it’s easy for the manufacturer to customise the layout. This particular boat has a large bedroom at the bow, a generous bathroom and a huge lounge/diner large enough for domestic furniture plus a kitchen.

Narrowboats tend to major on internal space so there is little more than vestigial side decks. There is a decent cockpit at the aft end with a large crescent of seating around a table, and a helm station with wheel steering rather than the tiller of more traditional designs. There is also a ‘well deck’ forward, which is basically a small cockpit in the bow accessed from the forward cabin.

…and the fully equipped galley could be the kitchen in a stylish new build house

Performance is probably not a word you associate with 62ft of 10mm steel plating powered by a Barrus Yanmar Shire 50hp, 4 cylinder 2,190cc diesel engine.

It will move you sedately around the inland waterways, but the fact the water tank is almost double the size of the fuel tank encapsulates the priorities of these vessels.

A misnomer – if you’re planning to put to sea, this is not the boat for you.

Aqualine Canterbury specification

LOA: 62ft 0in (18.9m) Beam: 10ft 0in (3.1m) Draught: 1ft 9in (0.6m) Displacement: 33 tonnes Fuel capacity : 430 litres Engine: Barrus Yanmar Shire 50hp diesel engine Location: Bray Contact: TBS Boats

Built: 2002 Price: £399,950

Built in 2002 by Zijlmans Jachtbouw, a family owned yacht builder in Drimmelen on the Amer River, North Brabant in Holland, this Triqual 65 has had a rather colourful history. It ended up in the Caribbean before being shipped back to Amsterdam in June 2011.

Following a tip-off from the French authorities, the HMRC intercepted the boat in Southampton. After seven days of very thorough searching, they found no drugs inside the boat. There was, however, the small matter of 1.2 tonnes of cocaine worth £300,000,000 hidden in a secret compartment located underneath the bathing platform!

The result was rather a lot of work needed when the current owner bought the boat from an HM Revenue & Customs auction in 2013. A total interior strip and rebuild to a high standard followed.

The owner wanted a boat for exploring the coastlines of Ireland and Scotland before heading over to Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, so comfortable liveaboard boat was the name of the game and a full interior refit followed, creating a very contemporary and, above all, spacious displacement cruiser with three cabins (two doubles and a twin), a lower dinette and a large saloon area.

A total interior refit in 2013 means the saloon still feels fresh, bright and modern

A flybridge motor yacht, there is masses of space on the outside too. The large flybridge has been refitted with more seating, there’s an aft deck to enjoy and deeply bulwarked side decks encircle the boat.

A pair of Vetus Deutz DT67 231hp six cylinder diesel engines pushing over 40 tonnes of steel about (the hull is 6mm thick below the waterline, 5mm above) is never going to set any speed records, but a displacement maximum speed of 10 knots and an 8.5 knot cruise is not too shabby at all, nor is the fuel burn of 28 litres an hour, giving an impressive 1,000 nautical miles of range.

The flybridge is unusually large for a Dutch built steel displacement craft

That weight of the Triqual 65 is also going to do a pretty good job of flattening any chop offshore. Registered as an RCD Category B ‘Offshore’, it’s a boat designed for far more ambitious routes than just coastal cruising.

Triqual 65 specification

LOA: 63ft 3in (19.3m) Beam: 17ft 0in (5.2m) Draught: 5ft 7in (1.7m) Displacement: 40.6 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,768 litres Engines: Twin Vetus Deutz DT67 231hp diesel engines Location: Lymington Contact: Berthon International

Built: 1991 Price: £385,000

Tony Fleming was the technical director of American Marine in Hong Kong, builder of the Grand Banks line of trawler yachts , before leaving to set up his own company under the Fleming brand name. He and business partner Anton Emmerton worked with an American naval architect, Larry Drake of San Diego, California, to develop an all-new range of pilothouse boats.

The Tung Hwa facility, located near Kaohsiung in Taiwan, was selected to build them. The very first model was a 50-footer, with this 53ft version following from hull number 9 onward.  Intriguingly, the boat was originally designed as a 55-footer but a dam was inserted in the aft end of the mould to shorten the hull to 50ft.

Soon after the dam was pushed back to create the Fleming 53, then in 1990 it was finally removed altogether and the Fleming 55 proper was launched as it had been envisaged all along.

Available in two or three-cabin layouts, this boat is the two-cabin version which creates a much larger owner’s stateroom with vanity desk, large guest port cabin and storage room all on the lower deck forward.

A raised wheelhouse gives great visibility but also direct access to the flybridge for easier movement between decks. Further aft, a large saloon with the galley forward on the same level makes this a great social area. It’s ideal for extended cruising as a couple with a pair of guests, which is exactly what this boat was designed for.

Spacious saloon and galley are ideally set up for liveaboards and long distance cruising

One of the most noticeable things about the decks of the Fleming 53 is just how low the side decks are. Open a door in the high bulwarks and you can step straight aboard – try that with a contemporary Sunseeker or Princess !

Back aft, the cockpit is kept completely clear for freestanding furniture and there’s another stairway up to the flybridge where you’ll find fixed seating, the tender, complete with crane for launching, and the liferaft.

The original owner of this boat specified twin Caterpillar 3208 NA diesel engines that produce 210hp each, giving a cruising speed of 9 knots and maximum speed of approximately 12 knots.

Separate wheelhouse is well suited to night passages and has access up to the flybridge

Those low side decks help keep the centre of gravity low, aiding its legendary seakeeping and minimising rock and roll (of the non-musical variety).

Fleming 53 specification

LOA: 52ft 6in (16.0m) Beam: 16ft 0in (4.9m) Draught: 5ft 0in (1.5m) Displacement: 31 tonnes Fuel capacity: 3,880 litres Engines: Twin twin Caterpillar 3208 NA 210hp diesels Location: Chichester Contact: Ancasta

First published in the September 2021 issue of MBY.

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How to Choose the Right Liveaboard Boat

March 4, 2019 by Charles Giambalvo , SYS Yacht Sales Associate

Ready to make the move and purchase a boat to live aboard? There are many types of boats that make great liveaboard options, depending on your preferences regarding vessel size, interior layout, deck space, performance capabilities and level of creature comforts. Before starting your search, it’s important to narrow down your preferences. The best liveaboard boat is one where the resident(s) feel safe and comfortable, and includes all or most of the comforts of a land-based home.

Having lived aboard a 50’ Jefferson Motor Yacht for the past 4 years, I would like to share my advice on how to decide which type of boat will meet your liveaboard needs.

The most important consideration for any liveaboard buyer is: will the boat be used mainly for cruising or will it be used more as a floating condo that stays at the marina? From there, you can narrow down your search further: considering your priorities for living space versus performance and operating economy. If you are planning to share this relatively small space with someone else, it is best to include them in the boat selection process. In addition, there are some companies that will allow you to rent a boat for a week or more, so you can “try before you buy”.

Which boat types make the best liveaboard vessels?

Houseboats , Trawlers and Catamarans make the best liveaboards, although they each vary greatly in their design. Motor Yachts and Express Cruisers are also good options. Deciding between them all depends on the overall purpose of the boat. For example, for cruising purposes, Trawlers make great liveaboard boats because they are capable of making long passages with their large fuel and water tanks. However, unless it's a newly offered “fast trawler", they normally travel fairly slowly (10 knots or less). Trawlers also offer a good amount of living and storage space. My wife cherishes every square inch of her closet space.

If you plan to be a liveaboard cruiser, and travel most of the time, then considering your itinerary is also important. For example, the Intracoastal Waterway can be difficult to pilot in some areas, due to shallow spots. Therefore, choosing a boat with a shallow draft may be a better option. Trawlers and Motor Yachts are great options, especially for cruising the Great Loop, however, the boat’s draft should be considered depending on the route you are taking. Additionally, if you plan to cruise mostly “inside”, then speed is generally not important, as most of the ICW is a slow speed zone, due to the amount of boats, homes and manatees present.

For ocean cruising, larger freeboard and ocean-taming hull designs are required for safe and reliable travel. Also, most ocean-going captains prefer to have greater speed capabilities, particularly when needing to shoot through long ocean stretches with a limited weather window.

Catamarans are a popular choice, especially for cruising the Caribbean, because of their shallow draft and great fuel economy. Sailboats are also popular liveaboards boats. With their efficient cruising design, yet limited interior space and comfort, sailboats are more popular for cruising, than long-term living aboard (although there are exceptions).

What are the amenities to look for in a liveaboard boat?

Some of the most important amenities to look for when selecting a liveaboard boat is heating and air conditioning, adequate closet space, a fully-functional galley, comfortable master stateroom, and a practical salon with entertainment systems. In order to narrow down your search, it’s important to prioritize the amenities you’re looking for. Try to determine which are initial “deal breakers” and which can be easily modified or added after purchase.

Charles Giambalvo

New and Brokerage Sales

Contact Charles

617-803-9662‬ | Email Charles and his wife have lived aboard for the past 4 years. He also holds a USCG Master 100 Ton license. When not working on a yacht purchase or sale, he applies his knowledge to training new members of boat rental clubs and captaining a charter yacht. Charles also has over 30 years of experience in high tech international sales. He now applies his experience to assisting clients with their boat buying and selling needs. | View Full Bio

• Event Details

Buying Staten Island ferry was ‘dumbest' purchase ever, Colin Jost jokes

The "snl" writer and funny-man bought the vessel with his former co-star two years ago, by nbc new york staff • published september 15, 2024 • updated on september 15, 2024 at 12:15 pm.

Is Colin Jost having cold feet?

The "Saturday Night Live" star got candid about his headline-making buy with former co-star Pete Davidson when the duo purchased a decommissioned ferry two years ago.

The comedians bought the former Staten Island ferry at auction in Jan. 2022 with plans of converting it into a floating bar and restaurant.

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The ferry played host last week to the Tommy Hilfiger show during New York Fashion Week, where Jost confessed to People magazine that the purchase may not have been his smartest move.

"It is absolutely the dumbest and least thought-through purchase I've ever made in my life," he told People.

"The way I justified it is for the amount of money we were putting into buying it, on just a basic square-footage level, is if you found the right place for it to be, you were essentially buying a building on its side that's 65,000 square feet. So around New York, that is a very good price per square foot."

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Official Instagram of The JFK Staten Island Ferry (@thejohnfkennedysiferry)

The ferry still remains without a permanent home.

There was reporting that Staten Island and Long Island were duking it out to be the docking home to the ferry. Apparently, Jost told People, there's also interest in moving the vessel down to Miami.

"I would love it obviously to be here. I think it's special if it stays in New York in some way and I think it will be re-imagined, but the spirit of it will be the same," Jost said.

The ferry was purchased at auction for $280,100.

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