Hi Gang:
Our "new" boat is a 1985 50' Chris Constellation (sometimes called the 500). Reportedly, it was the last hull laid by Uniflite in late 1984 when CC bought Uniflite. Still working on fixing many of the "known" issues when we bought it (fresh water system leaks, getting TV setup, etc.) We are hoping to get it into "liveaboard" condition by October. Either then or next spring (depending on job requirements), we are planning on moving aboard for at least 1 year...
Vic, the only "breakdown" we had was one of my own doing: I found the bottom just north of Haulover Canal in Florida and tore up the props pretty badly. Spent 7 days in Daytona Beach awaiting the props to be repaired. Frustrating, but that goes with traveling the ICW. BTW, whatever you read about "skinny water" in the ICW, it is MUCH worse than that. Some spots IN THE CHANNEL are under 4 feet at low tide...
More coming.