What would you do

[Handy]

Hello,
I'm looking at getting a r21, it will be used as a live aboard during week ends and weeks of vacation on Lake Erie ontario.
If you had to get another boat what would you have on it?

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Handy:

For weekend living and vacation cruising I'd want a cockpit bimini to give additional living space that protects you from the sun and or elements at dock or on the hook. Personally I'd want radar to go along with my gps on Lake Erie, especially if you'll be traveling well off shore. If you'll be doing any amount of overnight anchoring you might consider an inverter/charger. A portable grill or cockpit rail mounted Magma type propane powered grill sure would come in handy. One last thing I'd suggest would be a trailer so you can tow your new R21 to new places and have the flexibility to move the boat into and out of storage when you want.

Jim F

 

[jimackert]

I lived aboard on my 21ec for two months last summer on the Chesapeake Bay. I anchored out most days. After a few days at anchor, I started wishing I had (1) an inflatable dinghy and (2) some way to charge the house battery which ran down after 3 or 4 days (other than running the engine for 2 hours). The dinghy solution was easy. I bought an Achilles 2-person dinghy which I can either tow or, what I did more often, stow aboard inflated on top of the engine cover and lazarette seat. Charging the house battery is something I'm still working on. I've always favored solar panels, and two Ganz 12-watt panels would mount nicely on the pilothouse roof. They would give enough of a charge to run an LED anchor light, play the stereo, charge my iphone and keep the bilge pump running when it rains.
I was quite comfortable living aboard alone, and plan on moving aboard for six months next winter down in Florida. If you have a mate, I'd think twice. In that case I'd say an essential would be an R25 or larger!

 

[RProffer]

Along with the radar, I would add a chart plotter (I guess that would be a given). I would also add camper canvas for those rainy or cold windy times. My wife is making mosquito netting out of picnic table umbrella netting to keep the pests away. I added a couple of 6V golf cart batteries connected in series under the aft bench seat on the port side. This is the same place the factory puts the batteries for the air conditioner. These put out a lot more AMPs and last a lot longer than the type 24 house battery that comes with the boat. The battery charger in my 2010 R21 EC can handle 3 battery groups. I also run an inverter off this battery group for whatever requires 110V AC. I don't have one yet, but I am looking for a portable 12V refer/freezer. The refer that comes with the boat does not give much storage for food beyond a couple of days. I got an inline water filter at the RV section at Walmart for filtering water. You never know what kind of water you will get along the way. 25' White water hose for filling the water tank. I also have a couple of blue 5 gal water jugs I carry on the bow for when I am camping out - also available at Walmart in the camping section. Extra water is nice. Don't forget your fishing pole so you can catch dinner.

 

[bbrh842]

I agree with Jim. If you have a mate, an R-25 would be a very nice addition to your R-21. There are several R-25 classics on Boat Trader at very attractive prices.

 

[JamesTXSD]

"Live aboard" has different connotations to each of us. We have lived on our boat while cruising for up to 5 months at a time. Moving every day or two, sight-seeing, dividing the time between marinas and on the hook; using the boat as a camper while on land. Last year, while working summer jobs in Friday Harbor, we lived on the boat for 4 months, and did additional cruising before and after that time, total of 6 months onboard. We have a 25 C-Dory, similar in floorplan layout to the R-25, different in execution. Realistically, the 25 is the smallest boat we could have done this on, and many folks thought we were insane to do that. 😉

We all have different "minimums" for comfort. For us it is: electricity, heat, cooling, fresh water, hot and cold running water, means to cook (microwave, cooktop, grill), entertainment/information (satellite TV, satellite radio), storage space for clothing and food/cooking gear, a comfortable bed, comfortable places to sit. A full camperback enclosure gives us a nice "sun room." We do shower on our boat each day (both of us prefer that over schlepping our stuff to a marina shower).

There would not be the space nor facilities for all that on an R-21. Don't get me wrong: I think the R-21/R-21EC might be one of the cutest boats on the water. It would be good for an occasional weekend out, as long as you are good with boat camping (as opposed to living onboard). One person who was a minimalist might be able to extend that time a bit longer.

My wife and I worked together for over 30 years. Motorcycle camped across the country. RVed for months at a time when we moved up from tent camping. Traveled by various sailboats before we retired. I share this only for reference sake... it is important to know how you intend to use a boat and what you really need for personal comfort.

The cabin on the R-21 is small; the cockpit is large, with an engine box taking most of the middle of that cockpit space. You can enclose the cockpit with a camperback enclosure, which will give you more living space (similar to a tent). Each person has to decide if it is "enough." Consider "elbow room" if there are two of you.

In addition to the living accommodations, we really appreciate having a good chartplotter, depth finder, radar, VHF, and autopilot. An electric windlass makes anchoring easier. Good binoculars and a spotlight. A couple small inverters to use for charging devices (computer, iPad, phones) while underway. A generator is nice when at anchor.

You can certainly live more minimalist without many of the above. Depending on one's personal comfort level... at some point, it can become endurance rather than adventure.

Good luck with your decisions.

Jim B.

 

[Handy]

Thank you !!!!
This is a ton of good information. It’s only going to be my dog and myself. My plan is to camp mostly on the boat.

 

[jimackert]

I'd have to agree with Jim B., the R21ec is a small boat to live aboard. I did it for those two months mentioned above, but I'm a minimalist and enjoyed the challenge! I was satisfied enough with the experience to plan on living aboard in Florida next winter, but I'll definitely have a live-aboard slip at a nice marina with toilets and showers, a car, shore power, and lots of nice restaurants. BTW, my previous live-aboard boat was a Catalina 34 sailboat. There was more room, but it was like living in a tunnel. I prefer the nice open views on the 21ec. In my experience, actual room aboard isn't that important. The marina becomes part of your "home", like a big patio with lots of new friends. Enjoy!

 

[dalee62]

Our first summer very quickly taught us we had to have a bimmini with full enclosures. It is vital on a 21EC in my opinion.

The next best investment was 2 golf cart batteries for the house. We can stay on the hook for 3 days running the fridge and lights with no problem at all.

Dave