Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

[lowkee]

I am reading a book titled "All in the same boat", in which a man has a liveaboard and literally sails everywhere and sold all of his shoreside belongings. I'm wondering, is there anyone on here who has taken this route?

I don't mean mooring in a marina with a houseboat which never moves. I mean anyone who lives aboard their boat full-time and only occasionally comes in for supplies/work/whatnot.

A telling perspective of the author of this book is describing the house they sold prior to shoving off as a 'box of walls'. Interesting book to anyone who has considered it or just wants to read about someone who is doing it.

For those who are doing it currently.. what do you like/dislike about it? What would you change if you did it again? Would you do it again? Do you feel more free or stuck on the outside looking in?

 

[KurtG]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

Lived aboard a 50' cat my Dad built while we sailed south for several months. It was fun at times, but I'd rather drown than do it again on the same scale as a live aboard. No electricity, no real heat, no full head (only toilet), no naviagational electronics, etc, etc.

 

[oops!]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

lowkee.........you forgot to add to the poll......

sell everything and go live on a boat AGAIN

i lived on a 43 crusier for over a year.......full galley, washer dryer, shore power, cable tv.....everything......loved it....and plan to retire on a dock somewhere.....(beleize if i can)

the change in lifestyle takes a bit to get used to, you only have limited space.....so you cant buy everything you see at the store.....its just what you need.....only a few sets of clothes.....shop for a week of food only.....and your property doesnt appreaceate.......only depreceate...its allways cost going out, with none coming in.....

but i loved it....and would do it again in a heartbeat.

cheers
oops

 

[LAWDOG2001]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

Lived aboard my 27' Bayliner Buccanneer Sailboat for several years. Had a separate shower from the head. Was a little chilly in the winter- but definitely worked to my favor.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

They can look so big from the outside, yet look so very small from the inside when you've lived on them for a while. It's like being in prison, except you've got a chance to drown, too. Who's on there with you has a LOT to do with it. Hope I never have to do it again.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

My dad lived on a 40' Wind sock. It was tight quarters for him, but he loved it. as he got older the sailing got to much for him but he couldn't give up the water so he bought a 40' house boat. he lived on that until he was 79 years old. now he is a land lubber, and misses it. we have him up here in the great white north and he HATES THE WINTERS. But at 81+ we don't have another choice. I for one would not do it. tooooo cramped and to close to neighbors, I like vast open spaces of the country.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

I'll probably do it sometime in the next few years. I want to wait for my son to get a little older.

I will also want to live on a houseboat or motoryacht of about 45 - 50 feet. Sailboats are way to small for the most part, although I might consider a Morgan Out Island 51.

Living on a boat would be great, but I just don't want to live in a shoebox, so anything below 40' is out of the question. I'm also ging to have to get rid of a lot of stuff, starting with a shop full of outboard motors.

Being a boat nomad might be fun, but its hard when you have a young child who splits his time between you and the momma. Obviously, she would not be thrilled about me taking him off on a two or three year cruise!

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

my 6 yr old daughter keeps sayin we should live on a goat lol. I definitely would, If i were older and the kids were older too.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

I would love to live on a boat for many reasons: no property taxes, no obnoxious neighbors (and if so, move), no yard maintenance, and nothing but water all around. If I could convince the old lady and the kids (well, they're 4 and 6 so they're already convinced), I would do it tomorrow.

 

[skargo]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

my 6 yr old daughter keeps sayin we should live on a goat lol. I definitely would, If i were older and the kids were older too.

Poor goat, how can a whole family live on a h helpless little goat?

 

[jack1130]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

Definitely.......coming from a land-locked dreamer, though.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

You should check out this site:
http://www.livingaboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
A whole board dedicated to living on a boat full-time. Lot's of great information

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

My wife and I both would love to do that in our retirement years. More a boat moored at a nice marina than actually living at sea. But along those lines anyways. A nice converted trawler or something would be awesome, till we're old enough to be 'shipped' to a long term care facility anyhow.

Ian

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

I'm trying to find the right boat!

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

I have always thought about this.

How big of a house boat could i get for 500k? I haven't bought a house yet....

I'd want at least 75+ feet if I was to live on a boat. And I'd want to be able to go out in the ocean with it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

We lived on a 38' trawler, then moved up to a 41' sailboat. (Islander Freeport) for 12 years. Moved from SF Bay where it started, to Tacoma (where it turned to sailboat) then to Anacortes WA for a few years. With 3 summer month long vacations to the San Jaun Islands and then to BC and Desolation sound. That was fun, so hit the inside passage to Alaska. Ketchikan to be exact. After a couple of years, we moved ashore and sold the boat. Now back in WA. state. I Miss and DON'T miss living on a boat.
It was great for a while, but a lot of rules and regulations make it almost impossible for livaboards now. Even anchored out has restrictions in a lot of places.
But I will say this. I look back on my livaboard days and sigh. Wishing time could be turned back. At it's worst, it was better than living on shore.

 

[sasto]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

I lived aboard for over 8 years and had a wonderful expierence. But.....it was my job and getting paid for it made up for all the inconveniences. My plans are to do it again within the next couple years. Good luck on your decision!

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

I believe if you are going to live aboard it would have to at least a 55ft houseboat in warmer climate.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

Nah, just has to be two stories! This is my M&D retirement home. Custom built to my dads design about 5 years ago. They absolutely love living aboard. They have everything they need to be self sustaining. Full size kitchen (Hickory installed by me). Full size bath. Central air! Even has a workshop that many others in the marina have pulled up to on accasion to fix things on there boats. I am so happy for them, they will live out the rest of there hopefully many years in comfort and don't have to go anywhere but down the river for a vacation.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

Nah, just has to be two stories! This is my M&D retirement home. Custom built to my dads design about 5 years ago. They absolutely love living aboard. They have everything they need to be self sustaining. Full size kitchen (Hickory installed by me). Full size bath. Central air! Even has a workshop that many others in the marina have pulled up to on accasion to fix things on there boats. I am so happy for them, they will live out the rest of there hopefully many years in comfort and don't have to go anywhere but down the river for a vacation.

OMG that is FANTASTIC! Would love to know more about this vessel as one like it would be perfect retirement plan for me.
V