400 SS Live aboard Advice

Hi Formula Patriots,

I live on the Sunshine Coast Australia and have had boats of my life. I'm on a tight budget and looking to buy a 1999 - 2002 Formula SS to live aboard part time. my budget is a conservative 70 - 90k as I have to budget for importing expenses to Australia. I have looked at PC models but like he 400ss styling speed etc. I'm a bachelor who has my own business. I do some regular house sitting in the area and wont be leaving the vessel in the water full time. Whats your advice on setting up a 400 SS for part time live aboard.

Thank you for your feedback.

G’day, welcome to OSO.

Everyone’s different but I reckon spending more than a holiday on a 40 footer might lose it’s appeal quickly. The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful part of the world and good weather if you’re sure you wanna give it a go.

If you can find a boat locally, it’d be much easier. U.S. boats are all 110 volt (Vs 240v in Aus). Changing everything to 240v would be a nightmare but you can install a converter to lower your shore power to 110v. The 110v is higher hertz than 240 (I think I got that right) so with a converter, everything will operate but at slightly lower hertz. Biggest thing will be air con running about 10% below full capacity. Small things like mobile phones and laptops are universal and will charge up fine.

Aussie boats...... have you looked at any 44 Diavolos? Might get a decent one in your price range and they’re a great offshore boat. Just a few thoughts, interested to hear how you go.

RR

Hi Rak Rua,

Awesome feedback really appreciate it. These are good suggestions food for thought. I'll check out 44 Diavolos.

I`ve never seen anything decent go for any less that $120k , actually I`ve never seen one go for les that $100K.
Good luck but be prepared for a project .

Hi, Great boat! My wife and I lived aboard for a 5 month tour. We were very comfortable and are doing it again this year. my only suggestion would be find one with a full camper enclosure. It doubles the space available in crummy weather. You usually get screen panels to replace certain isinglass panels for ventilation on hot days, yet keeping bugs out. The PC's usually have A/C on the bridge. The SS's normally do not, however there is room to add one but you give up valuable storage. I agree the look of the PC i'm also not in love with.. Diesel is the way to go but in the early years of volvo there were issues. Gas is simpler if your not traveling long distance. 496's are not as fast but really problem free.

In 08 some were going for 80

Well hopefully he has a time machine

What things were going for in 19 doesn’t matter. Covid tan prices up!

id look into a Riviera M470 or the(47 Excalibur) or the Prior 45' version. both comparable in speed to the 400SS. but way more cabin space and headroom. These boats were originally built by Riviera in Queensland Australia

I was going to say the same thing. I picked up my Excalibur 45 last May. Ive slept on it behind the house about 30 nights so far. The interior layout compared to the Forumula is night an day. On The Excal/Rivieria you get two separate rooms and a separate shower...not a wet head.