cobaltblue
Contributor
Oh yeah, I forgot one other very important thing. When looking for a boat, get one with a seperate shower stall otherwise you won't use it and when you do, it trashes the head.
Living on a boat- has anybody done it?
- Thread starter shoupart
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Puddle Pirate
Guest
Another thing to consider is that most boats don't have laundry facilities so get used to using a laundromat. Living on a boat is a lot like living in a camper, it can be done but be prepared for a completely different lifestyle.
ItsBruce
Contributor
When I was in high school, my mom, dad, younger sister, younger brother and I lived aboard a 38 foot tri-cabin powerboat for around 3 years. Before that we spent a bunch of 3 or 4 month stretches aboard. You need to love boats before you ever think about being a live aboard. You also need to recognize that there can be no clutter and you must be good at throwing away junk.
I would not trade the experience for the world.
Warning, most marinas don't allow live aboards. Also, keep in mind there is a huge difference between living aboard a boat and living in a shack on a floating platform.
I would not trade the experience for the world.
Warning, most marinas don't allow live aboards. Also, keep in mind there is a huge difference between living aboard a boat and living in a shack on a floating platform.
KOMPRESSOR
Contributor
shoupart:
Living on a boat? Now why didn't I think of that before... :11:
NJStateRanger
Registered
This is something I am also considering. I retire in 4 months. Grew up at Jersey shore and have run up to 40' twin screw. Now am looking into living/traveling on a boat. Wife has no experience to speak of. Now what about min. size for two people(was thinking somewhere around 30-35'), we are use to living in RV from time to time. Any real good books out there on this?? Plan on doing boat courses with Mrs. this summer for a refresher and a beginning for her.No set time limit. Plan to do ICW NJ - Fla. and then maybe over to islands. I see fuel as biggest expense at the moment. Glad to listen to any ideas,just now in beginning of planning stages. Thanks All
Two things not often considered... boats rarely appreciate in value.
Moisture control is a PITA. Showering and cooking create lots of humidity which needs to be managed via fresh air and heat source. There's an art to this for sure.
If you are not already a boater and very handy with tools and boat issues I suggest getting some boating experience 1st.
PS I lived on a 34' trawler (on and off) for 3 years
Moisture control is a PITA. Showering and cooking create lots of humidity which needs to be managed via fresh air and heat source. There's an art to this for sure.
If you are not already a boater and very handy with tools and boat issues I suggest getting some boating experience 1st.
PS I lived on a 34' trawler (on and off) for 3 years
OP
shoupart
Contributor
Cool, thank you for all the help and suggestions. I'll definitely take courses and stuff before I get into this and make sure I'm fully prepared and overprepared.
84CJ7
Contributor
I second the boat mechanic thing, If you can't fix anything and everything on a boat don't do it, its that simple.
Also consider the drive type, a true inboard as opposed to an I/O is a huge bonus for maintainance if its in the water all the time.
True house boat vs. large cruiser. More of a how do you use it issue.
Dinghy? Maybe a RIB on a crane if your big enough. Allows docking in bizarre places for supplies like emergency 5 gallon cans of gas and food. Try beaching a 40 foot cruiser on a shallow sloped bottom sometime without turning the inside of the engine into a sandbar.
Also consider the drive type, a true inboard as opposed to an I/O is a huge bonus for maintainance if its in the water all the time.
True house boat vs. large cruiser. More of a how do you use it issue.
Dinghy? Maybe a RIB on a crane if your big enough. Allows docking in bizarre places for supplies like emergency 5 gallon cans of gas and food. Try beaching a 40 foot cruiser on a shallow sloped bottom sometime without turning the inside of the engine into a sandbar.
Crawl79
Contributor
I have been living on a survey vessel for about 6 years now but the same situation as Dennis all I need to do is the survey work and the boat crew does all of the boat work so its not a bad deal for me. I have thought about living on a boat a few times but working on a boat I realize what it takes to keep a boat going for a long time.
OceanSailor
Registered
First thought is that living on a boat is definitely not cheaper than living on land. Annual costs vary greatly depending on the where the boat is berthed, the type of boat and your mechanical skills. If you use the boat for extensive cruising (traveling to distant lands), then there may be some economy when compared to the total cost of airfare, hotels, meals, etc...
Berths are priced by the boat's length overall (LOA) and can run from $4 to over $12 a foot. Sometimes water, electricity and sewage disposal is included, but usually not.
Insurance varies according to boat type, construction, electronics, etc.., but the annual average cost is about ~2% of hull value with a premium if the boat stays in hurricane prone areas during hurricane season.
If you're not mechanically inclined and/or dislike doing routine maintenance chores, then I would not even venture to guess what annual maintenance costs could be.
Space is also a big factor. I know a lot of couples who have stopped being a couple after moving on to a sailboat, but also know of a few couples whose relationship has gotten stronger.
Definitely take a boating course and and gain experience in boat handling. Couples kiss, but boats may not.
PM me with any specific questions.
Cap'n Ed
Berths are priced by the boat's length overall (LOA) and can run from $4 to over $12 a foot. Sometimes water, electricity and sewage disposal is included, but usually not.
Insurance varies according to boat type, construction, electronics, etc.., but the annual average cost is about ~2% of hull value with a premium if the boat stays in hurricane prone areas during hurricane season.
If you're not mechanically inclined and/or dislike doing routine maintenance chores, then I would not even venture to guess what annual maintenance costs could be.
Space is also a big factor. I know a lot of couples who have stopped being a couple after moving on to a sailboat, but also know of a few couples whose relationship has gotten stronger.
Definitely take a boating course and and gain experience in boat handling. Couples kiss, but boats may not.
PM me with any specific questions.
Cap'n Ed
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