Dream project: Converting a support vessel <300 GT into a long-range liveaboard expedition yacht

@fallguy

At this point, I honestly wonder what you’re doing on a boat design forum.

Your posts are not about constructive critique — they’re about telling people why things can’t be done, even when others clearly state how they plan to do them. You dismiss modern engineering, proven solutions, and even professional design processes, only to push your own fearful worldview.

Let me remind you: thousands of boats operate safely with just one or two people aboard — including ocean crossings and circumnavigations. Single-handed sailing is not a myth. What matters is preparation, equipment, and good seamanship. Not fear.

If your contribution to this forum is limited to telling people their projects are doomed, then maybe it’s time to ask yourself why you’re here.

Some of us are building yachts — you’re just building walls.

 

@fallguy

Also, your “what if someone falls overboard?” question — seriously?

Let me ask you:
When you leave your house at night, do you walk alone or do you bring a 10-person crew just in case a car hits you and drives off?

No? Then you already understand risk management and personal responsibility. That’s life. That’s seamanship too.
We prepare, we train, we plan, we equip — and we move forward. Not backwards, wrapped in fear.

You're not raising thoughtful concerns. You’re just looking for excuses.
And frankly, you’re doing a better job making yourself look foolish than I ever could.

 

There are thousands of situations that can arise. Of course, anything is possible if everything works. I saw an interesting documentary on Netflix about saturation divers. This GPS-based active positioning system crashed and the umbilical cord seems to have been severed. The system was operated by a Pole. "Last breath" or something similar.
I also know the story of a couple from Germany who bought a boat that was too large:
Anatomy of a Tragedy at Sea – Blue Water Sailing https://www.bwsailing.com/anatomy-of-a-tragedy-at-sea/

 

@montero

Thanks for the horror story, but we're building yachts here, not Netflix drama.

Yes, things can go wrong. Welcome to life.
But guess what: aviation, medicine, and shipping all exist despite thousands of things that can “go wrong” — because professionals focus on designing robust systems, backups, and training to handle them.

So instead of sharing tales of doom, maybe try contributing ideas on how to do things right.
Some of us are here to create. Others just seem to enjoy watching failure from the sidelines.

 

To all the fearless keyboard warriors out there
…who probably haven’t stepped outside their bunker since Y2K:

Yes — life is risky.
You can get stabbed in the street. Shot in a mall. Hit by a bus. Bitten by a dog. Or, heaven forbid, slip in the shower.
So maybe you should just stay in your flameproof, earthquake-resistant, flood-proof, sound-insulated panic room — and even then, wear a helmet. Just in case.

Meanwhile, some of us choose to live.
We calculate the risks.
We design smart systems.
We take responsibility.
And yes — we go explore the world, even if it means a wave might hit us or a storm might roll in.

So unless you're here to help build something better, maybe unplug your keyboard, go touch some grass, and let the grown-ups talk.

 

Hi Josef,

First of all, thanks for sharing such a well-thought-out vision — I’ve been following your posts with real interest. I’m also passionate about long-range, self-reliant vessels and hope to pursue a similar goal in the future, so this thread has been incredibly informative.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to ask a few practical questions to better understand the direction you’re taking — and maybe contribute something useful:

Do you see this as a full new build or more likely a refit of an existing platform?

Any preferred yard location or region (e.g. Turkey, Europe, South America)?

What kind of tankage are you targeting for fuel, water, and waste (approximate volumes)?

Have you already defined the size or layout of the cold storage area (walk-in fridge/freezer)?

Will there be a dedicated tech room or workshop space below deck?

Any particular systems philosophy — e.g. PTO hydraulic drive, genset redundancy, battery support?

Are you working with a naval architect yet, or still in early-stage planning?

No pressure to answer all of this at once — just trying to better understand the technical scope.

Really enjoying the direction you're taking. It’s rare to see someone plan with this level of clarity and realism.

All the best,

 

How many boats did you build ?
It was Netflix documentary .
For now I see that you has created some idea for the fridge setup.

 

Hi @Varn ,
Thanks a lot for your thoughtful message — really appreciate the tone and the depth of your questions.

At this stage, the layout that suits me best is based on Miss Sarah J. I’ve studied a wide range of vessels and concepts, and while I found another larger model from the same designer, that one is unfortunately too big for my needs (and registration strategy). So right now, I’m somewhere between two options: either a refit of an existing platform like Miss Sarah J (but ideally longer), or a completely new build tailored to my SOR.

I’m currently in direct contact with the original designer of Miss Sarah J, which is helping clarify a lot of technical aspects.

As for the shipyard location — still undecided. I’m focused right now on narrowing down suitable base platforms. If it ends up being a refit, Italy is the most likely location. But if it's a new build, I’d probably look into the yard that originally built the Inace vessels, as I really like their design language and construction approach.

Regarding tankage and storage: I’m designing for autonomy of 6+ months in remote regions. That includes substantial cold storage (walk-in fridge/freezer setup), dry storage, and technical spaces. The vessel will include a dedicated technical room and workshop below deck, as well as secure storage for tools, spares, and consumables.

Systems philosophy is very much “expedition first”:

• Full hydraulic infrastructure (no electric bow/stern thrusters)
• Redundant power systems (gen/genset + backup)
• Battery-assisted support for quiet anchoring and nighttime usage
• Extensive FLIR + camera coverage
• DP Assist (GPS-based) positioning
• Starlink connectivity
• Maretron monitoring and robust NMEA2000 backbone
• Engineered for autonomy, redundancy, and harsh environments
  

Ultimately, the vessel is being designed for two people and a dog, no full-time crew, and high safety standards. It’s not a fantasy — it’s about building a smart, capable, refitted expedition yacht without compromise.
Feel free to ask anything further — always happy to exchange ideas with others aiming for long-range, self-reliant cruising.

All the best,
Josef

Miss Sarah J Yacht

 

@montero

Thanks for your concern — but I’ll ask you to keep future remarks constructive. You've already been reported for trolling.

“How many boats did you build?”
That kind of comment says more about your mindset than mine. I don’t need to prove my ideas by flexing boatbuilding stats on an internet forum. What matters is vision, planning, and execution — which I’m doing.

If you’re here to contribute, great. If not, kindly find another thread to derail.

Some of us are here to build. Others just want to bark from the shore.

 

Hi @Varn
Thanks for the thoughtful questions — here’s a summary of where I stand so far regarding the SOR (Statement of Requirements), layout, and design intent:

GENERAL APPROACH
Primary goal: Full-time liveaboard for 2 people + 1 dog
Use case: Long-range expeditions between Arctic and tropics (e.g., Norway, Patagonia, Pacific Islands)
Operating mode: Owner-operated, no permanent crew. Temporary help only for docking, maintenance, or Panama Canal.
Design preference: Explorer-class steel hull, sub-300 GT, ideally 28–33 m LWL

Current platform under consideration is Miss Sarah J – excellent layout, but I’d prefer a slightly longer version for cold storage, wardrobe space, and more flexible storage on the aft deck. I’ve reviewed other hulls by the same designer (e.g., 126’ Aft House Explorer), but those are too large for my needs.

Also briefly considered shadow yacht platforms, but internal living volume is typically too limited and deck too cargo-focused.

BUILD OR REFIT
Still undecided between new build vs. refit.

• New build: Ideally by INACE (original builder of Miss Sarah J) or a comparable shipyard
• Refit: Likely location Italy, assuming a suitable platform is found

Currently working with the naval architect of Miss Sarah J on design analysis and GA refinements.

SYSTEMS PHILOSOPHY

• Fully hydraulic systems (anchor, swim platform, thrusters) – no electric motors due to heat/load issues
• Joystick & remote mooring/thruster control for easy docking
• Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) for precise station-keeping
• Redundant helm stations (indoor + flybridge)
• Maretron network for monitoring, alarms, and automated logic
• SmartLock and remote control of access and security
• Starlink for data, remote diagnostics, and emergency coms
• QNAP NAS with full CCTV system for local and remote surveillance
• Silent operation + power efficiency are major design drivers
  

SENSORS & NAVIGATION

• Forward-looking sonar (e.g., FarSounder 1000) for underwater hazard detection
• Redundant radar systems (solid-state + open array)
• FLIR thermal cameras for:
  • Night navigation & polar ops
  • Intrusion detection
  • Thermal monitoring in engine room, helm, and galley (early hazard detection)
  • MOB detection
    
• Glass bridge system integrating radar, sonar, CCTV, FLIR, nav data
• AIS + GPS redundancy
• Battery-backed navigation core + offline fallback
  

STORAGE & SUPPLIES

• Targeting >6 months autonomy for provisions
• Walk-in commercial-style fridge and freezer (below deck, ~frames 1–3)
• Dry & vegetable storage separate from frozen/cold
• Dedicated workshop/technical room with tool storage, spare parts, and system access
• No jacuzzi, no beach club – full utility over luxury
• Foldable/swappable swim platform for safety (e.g., bear/unauthorized boarding deterrence)
  

TANKAGE & AUTONOMY

• Fuel: Target 25,000–30,000 L, multi-tank system
• Water: At least 5,000 L, with onboard reverse osmosis
• Waste: Black & grey water tanks sized for remote cruising, MARPOL compliant
• Goal: Full autonomy for several weeks offshore without shore access
  

Let me know if I missed anything. Appreciate the respectful tone — rare these days, and welcome.
If there’s anything else you’d like to ask, feel free — I’m happy to answer in detail.
So far, I’ve mostly been fielding questions like “Did you know it can storm at sea?” or “What if someone falls overboard?” — so it’s refreshing to have a meaningful and technical exchange for once.

Best regards,
Josef

 

Why do you think I want this : "Bark from the shore?"

I like shores. Without them, the ocean is a boring place. I've spent quite a lot of time thinking about expedition boats. Or rather, about technical solutions that are commonly used.

There's often a lack of logic, traditional technical solutions, few progressive solutions, and few applications for new possibilities.

Unfortunately, your project doesn't bring anything interesting.

 

Hi @Varn ,
Since you asked about cold storage layout and autonomy, here’s a breakdown I’ve been working with for provisioning for 2 adults and 1 large dog, targeting 6+ months of autonomy without resupply:

STORAGE ALLOCATION (for a ~33 m explorer platform)

Storage Type / Ideal Temp / Volume Share / Estimated Volume
Dry Store / Ambient (15–25 °C) / ~50% / ~8 m³
Freezer Room / –18 to –25 °C / ~25% / ~4 m³
Fridge Room / +2 to +6 °C / ~15% /~2.4 m³
Vegetable Hold / +8 to +12 °C / ~10% / ~1.6 m³

These are walk-in or commercial-grade cold rooms — not household appliances. The dry store is naturally the largest, holding long-term staples like rice, pasta, oils, canned goods, and preserves. The freezer is for pre-prepared meals and proteins. The fridge holds perishables that need to be consumed quickly. The vegetable hold is a separate, low-humidity space for produce like potatoes, onions, carrots, etc.

Of course, the actual storage volumes will ultimately depend on the chosen layout and the yacht platform itself — which, as mentioned earlier, is still under consideration. These figures are working estimates based on typical needs for our planned autonomy and will be adjusted as we refine the design.

Regarding cooling solutions:

• Dry Store: Kept at ambient temperature, but fully insulated and actively ventilated to reduce humidity and avoid spoilage.
• Walk-in Freezer: Maintained at approx. -18 °C, powered by a commercial-grade compressor system. Ideally redundant, with backup cooling capacity in case of failure.
• Walk-in Fridge: Set at approx. +4 °C, also with industrial-grade cooling and redundancy. Compartments for dairy, open items, and ready-to-eat supplies.
• Vegetable Hold: Targeted temp around +8 °C with high humidity control. Independent cooling unit with soft airflow, designed to minimize wilting and moisture loss (ideal for greens, root vegetables, etc.).

All units are designed with backup power integration, separate temperature zones, and high insulation to reduce power draw. Placement is optimized for motion stability and air circulation. Monitoring will be integrated into the central Maretron system for alerts and live diagnostics.


Best,
Josef

 

That comment is insulting and unwarranted

 

Josef
Looks like you found a way to solve the legal issues to run the vessel with two persons. Pre-planning for failures and physically demanding tasks can make you plan work. I have rolled over a boat while sailing solo and there was no damage or gear thrown around. It is possible to prevent most problems by assuming the worst case scenario may happen.

 

Hey Josef,

Incredibly impressive level of planning — the storage logic, zone-specific temps, and humidity control for the veg hold all show you’re way past "yacht thinking" and into true expedition-grade systems.

One small thought:
On a couple of commercial vessels I’ve seen, the dry store is cooled not by active systems but by using cold-air bleed from the fridge or freezer loop — a passive feed with dampers, no compressor load. Not sure if that would suit your insulation profile or if you’d prefer active ventilation to keep better control?

Also curious:

Are you aiming for a glycol chiller loop for the cold rooms, or individual compressors per zone?

Any fire detection or suppression built into the cold storage area (e.g., gas-based or thermal-triggered systems)?

Last bit — the idea of integrating freezer/fridge diagnostics into Maretron is brilliant. Makes sense especially if you’re planning remote ops in hot zones. Are you using temp-only sensors or looking at full thermal load monitoring?

Honestly, I’d love to see a rough system diagram one day — even hand-sketched. You’re building the kind of platform that usually only research or commercial crews get to spec out. Great to follow along.

— VARN