Anyone live aboard full-time? Would you?

[oops!]

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

most people dont understand its a total change in lifestyle.....every thing....

only buying a few days food at a time...only having a few sets of clothes....you really have to think of wiether or not to buy something because there is nowhere to put it.
it really cuts down on frivolous things.

that also means a wife can only have a few pairs of shoes !

 

[chriscraft254]

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

My dad has a years worth of supplies stored down in the hull in open crates. They only shop at costco and other stores to buy in bulk. Full size kitchen means same as in a home. They have full size closets and drawer for clothing. It is definately a life style change, but you don't have to sacrifice if you get the right boat. Also, you never have to worry about mowing the lawn.

most people dont understand its a total change in lifestyle.....every thing....

only buying a few days food at a time...only having a few sets of clothes....you really have to think of wiether or not to buy something because there is nowhere to put it.
it really cuts down on frivolous things.

that also means a wife can only have a few pairs of shoes !

 

[dirtymike]

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

I'm 24, and I have wanted to for a while. I'm pretty sure when my lease at my current place runs out I will try my best to live on a boat. My girlfriend for the past few years has prevented me from doing so, but now i'm single and ready to do what I want to do!

 

[dan t.]

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

We have some close friends that did it for 6 years, they got tired of it after a while, I would like to try it at least for a summer. Unfourtunatly I have to work for a few years yet, so the most it will be is 2 weeks at a time on our 24 footer (a little cramped).

 

[phillyg]

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

I would, in a heartbeat. Wife won't let me.

 

[sasto]

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

I did for 8 years and traveled alot. That's another long story.

I have a friend who met himself a lady. She had lived on a boat for many years and wanted my friend to buy a boat to live on. He said "no way in h***" is he ever going to leave his luxury home for a boat. He did buy a 56' sportfish for fishing offshore only. After a few nights aboard he sold his home and everything in it. Sold his airplane and motor home too. He would have it no other way. I've never seen him so happy!

 

[oops!]

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

^^^^^^ i can seriously see this happening. once you are on a boat that you can walk around in and not duck all the time.....and if it has full amenities....lots of shore power. and water......your hooked

 

[NSBCraig]

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

I can't wait to get a chance.

We were able to spend the night on the Chris Craft in Satso's thread last weekend and it was great. I have to agree it matters which boat, since most seem to try and put way too much in them, I don't need a three bedroom three bath. It gets to cramped!

I really want to see some more pics of that boat though and how about some specs?? How big is it?

 

[sasto]

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

Here is a link to the boat with some photos, Craig. She is my doghouse sometimes! http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=462079&highlight=sasto

 

[rbh]

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

I do not care who you are. Your home, whether it be a house, travel trailer, boat, ETC can be both a eden or a prison if you get stuck in it to long.
(This is one of those life needs to be lived moments)

 

[scoutabout]

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

That houseboat is fantastic.

I'd like to try the life for sure. As for getting rid of my junk - no problem - the cost of the divorce would force me to sell it all!

 

[25thmustang]

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

At this point in my life, I voted no. Things might change, but I spend quite a few nights a year on the boat and do enjoy getting back to the house afterwards.

 

[erwinner]

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

My brother lived and worked as a singer on a cruise ship (P&O line out of England) for 6 months and I don't think I could take that. Even as a Technical Director/Sound Designer the drama and relationship issues of that lifestyle would be too much for this simple minded guy.
Sasto's thread about being the Captain of a 53' Chris-Craft is quite the inspiration for up and leaving what I do now and living on board. (eventually) My family has a farm, so there's plenty of storage for all my junk that I don't need...
If I was a rich man you'd bet your butt I'd have at least one yacht that could be livable year round.
But I'd still have a couple houses on dry land.

 

[sasto]

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

I lived aboard this one for over 8 years. 3 Staterooms, 3 Heads and 2400 HP. Memories I will never forget. Photo taken at Green Turtle, Bahamas.

 

[oops!]

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

sasto my friend.....you have a job that i envy.........great stuff bud....


hey austin........check out this thread......a 100 footer total restoration.....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=444185

 

[Texasmark]

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

Not NO, _____ NO!

 

[sasto]

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

sasto my friend.....you have a job that i envy.........great stuff bud....


hey austin........check out this thread......a 100 footer total restoration.....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=444185

Yes, a job, oops As you well know not all is glamerous. I had a home on the water with dock and some toys. A wonderful Golden Retriever, a vintage Caddy, 2 stall garage filled with tools and parts. The home was always locked with a hidden key for any of my friends to enter, enjoy, and do some fishing.

I gave all that up to go to sea. The first month I was miserable. Especially missed the dog. Once I became accustomed to the salt life I never looked back. Everything I own still fits in a large rubbermaid box and a couple backpacks. I'm ready to go again.

Liveaboard is not for everybody. I wish those well that decide to take the big step.

May our paths cross someday.....oops!

Might be a bit big for just me and the wife. She isn't as young as she once was and I would worry about her rowing something that large.

Shucks, Bubba. Rowing is the easy part. Planning the next trip, gathering stores, maintainance on the vessel is never ending. If done right, it is a full time job. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Good luck to all those wishing and planning on living aboard. It can be a once in a lifetime expierence.

 

[NSBCraig]

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

Yeah that's kind of my thoughts too Bubba.

 

[junkman306]

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

I'm secretly in love with small spaces so I think I'd like it quite well.

 

[jdlough]

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

Back in the '70s, I 'lived aboard' the USS Chicago and the USS Midway.

Accommodations were rather cramped, and the decor was kinda bland. But, all-in-all, a good experience. Excellent coffee.

I remember new moon nights on the South China Sea, you could only tell where the horizon was because that's where the stars stopped.

The aircraft carrier Midway was a bit odd, though. Originally it had only one straight flightdeck. Sometime after WWII they added a second flightdeck angled to port, like all modern aircraft carriers. The added weight made the ship permanently list to port. This was very handy, since if you were belowdecks, you always knew that downhill was the port side, so you couldn't get too lost.

Another odd thing: My workspace was way up at the bow, just under the flightdeck. In big seas, when the boat rocked, in a ship this big out at the bow or stern you don't rock side-to-side. It's more like you move straight up....... then move straight down. So it feels like you weigh 10 pounds more....... then 10 pounds less.

If you timed it right, when going down a hatch to a lower deck, the lower deck would come up to meet you as you slid down the ladder.
If you timed it wrong, the lower deck would fall away as you dropped about 2 stories, then stop and come up to bust your ankles.

You could spot a new guy by the Ace bandage around his foot.

Good times.....

I don't know where those old boats are now, but maybe when Capt Mike is done with his current project, he can find out and move on up to something serious.
He's gonna need a lot of grey paint, though.