commercial boat conversion

[artnik]

My husband and I are looking into buying a large-ish ex-commercial vessel that is partly converted to a liveaboard.
I tend to look at Dutch built (small) ships of 25 m + because there is the space to have an office there and live comfortably. It is important that the vessel is sea going.
Our budget is limited and, inevitably, we are drawn to either decommissioned fishing trawlers (cheap) or converted boats that are too expensive.
Has anyone the knowledge and experience to advise on the minimum spec we should be looking for - we need to run a few computers on board and be able to cope with the engine/generator, etc. equipment on our own.
We have very little experience, but love boats.
Also, we are based in Europe (UK) and plan to cruise European and North-African waters.
Many thanks.

[johnt]

Good onya guys, you have ambition (and balls) The central question with regards to budget is : What is your budget?
Talk with me
Cheers
JT

[artnik]

Our budget...
Well, the boat we are buying will need a new set of engines - eventually.
The old ones are Polish and although working, not a long term proposition.
The boat is a patrol vessel, steel and partly converted.
We plan to extend the top deck accomodation and gradually improve everything.
We expect we will have to put a considerable amount of cash into it, but at the moment, we can afford to just buy the boat and paint it.
All else will have to wait and be done in installments.
Truth is, we are not sure what the eventual cost of this conversion will be.
Would appreciate any advice and/or suggestions.
Thanks.

[johnt]

What do you want to do with it?
What is the hull weight?
Single or Twin screw?
Aux engine(s)?
Thruster?
Would any conversion be a straight swap?
How long is a piece of string?
Dont mean to sound cynical, but these are only questions that scratch the surface.
At 75m there are a lot of systems involved so whoever surveys the boat should have your interests completely at heart, and NOT simply do paperwork to satisfy the insurance co.
JT

[artnik]

replies:
What do you want to do with it? - convert it to office and liveaboard
What is the hull weight?- don't know about the hull, but boat is about 60 tons
Single or Twin screw? - twin
Aux engine(s)? - none
Thruster? - n/a
Would any conversion be a straight swap? - how do you mean?conversion will be done as per the above description, but I don't understand what a staright swap is. please, explain
How long is a piece of string? - I know...