Motorsailers?

Question

What's your thoughts on motorsailers as live aboard

Answer 1

Motorsailers make good crusiing and live aboard boats.  The older models were not great under sail alone, and they often had a poor reputation among cruisers.  That is changing with the advent of newer models, and new technology.   They are strong and comfortable.

Today’s real motorsailers— with their feathering or self-pitching props—both sail and power better than ever before. The old-style motorsailer had a sailboat hull with a roomy deck-house that could have been borrowed from a powerboat.  She had an enclosed steering station and possibly a flying bridge. Her accommodations were roomier than a sailboat’s but more solidly built than a powerboat’s. Today’s motorsailer looks more like a pure sailboat, and her impressive ability under power alone often comes as a surprise to those who challenge her.

Motorsailers make very good liveaboard boats.  I know a number of couples who live aboard motor sailers and have sailed them to South America, the Caribbean, etc.  They may not be for everyone but they do seem to  have come into their own.

Answer 2

Motor sailers generally are not good sailers or motor boats. There are many sizes to choose from. The larger ones are fine to live on.  A Mac Gregor 26X is pretty bad all the way around, but many people like them. Motor sailers with a nice enclosed cockpit can be very nice. Fisher, Nautica, are good choices. You need at least a 30 to live aboard comfortably.

Answer 3

I lived aboard my 36" catalina motor sailer and loved it. It had a little 4 cylinder diesal motor that could run all day on next to nothing. It had a self feathering prop that reduced drag when under sail, of course it was tough trying to reverse under power with that prop too!! I would not chose any other type of boat for live aboard, or for that matter, just general fun. I hated the older sail boats that you had to install a little outboard "kicker" motor on.