Adventureman Danvideo
FULL BOAT TOUR [$7,000 Concrete Sailboat] Man Living In Paradise for $0.00
July 7, 2024 · 1h 2m · 35K views · U.S. Virgin Islands
What this video covers
A 1983 39-foot ketch-rigged ferro-cement sailboat, purchased for $7,000, serves as a full-time liveaboard vessel in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The boat features a full-keel, transom-hung rudder, and a 50-horsepower Perkins 4-108 inboard engine. Its construction consists of a metal skeleton and mesh coated in cement, a material that provides natural thermal insulation but requires constant maintenance to prevent rust from expanding and cracking the hull. The rig includes a main mast and a mizzen mast, with a boom-fitted jib that simplifies downwind sailing but lacks a traveler for the main or mizzen. Electrical power comes from two 100-watt solar panels connected to a lead-acid battery bank and an inverter. The current owner has sailed the vessel approximately 2,500 nautical miles from North Carolina. Despite the boat's rough cosmetic condition and slow 3.5-knot cruising speed, the owner utilizes the spacious, boxy deck layout and simple, repairable systems to maintain a functional, low-cost lifestyle at anchor.
More from Adventureman Dan
From Adventureman Dan — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.