Living Aboard- any experiences?

[SliderM72]

I am considering buying and living on a 35-40' trawler style boat. I can't afford to buy a house on the water so I was thinking this might be a good way to live on the water. <br /> Does anyone have experience living long term on a boat? Things to consider? Thanks.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

Dude, just a tad large on the avatar there! please resize and get it down to about 100x100 pixels or so.<br /><br />Nice boat and all, but the poor folks on dial up are gonna be ticked! Not only that, it really makes postings look strange.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

You will have no basement to go to during the next hurricane.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

Uh, Roscoe.. Basements in FL are kinda rare.. <br /><br />Anywhoooo.. Living on board.. <br /><br />Can't say the thought of living aboard has'nt crossed my mind.. Is it a good way to live? I dunno... Dependes on the person I guess.. <br /><br />The basic questions you might want to ask yourself are, where ya gonna tie that trawler up?.. A slip?... Maybe a private dock?... ($cha-ching$)<br /><br />Then there's maintnence (a bunch of it, if you want to keep her floating).. Haul out about once a year to scrape/sand and bottom paint.. Thru-hulls, props, rudders, all underwater metals subject to rot... Zincs.. Yard charges... <br /><br />It's gonna cost ya plenty, Slider.. In my estimation, time you pay for a slip with shorepower and water, maintinece, ect, ect, you'd probably end up spending as much as you would on the loan for a modest, yet somewhat inland, house...

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

You did not mention WHO will be living on the boat and the age range. The other thing to consider is where you are going to dock, the lifestyle you are used to and if you are prepared to get rid of most of your earthly posessions. By the way, the boat in the pic, is not exactly what most of us would think of when someone say's a live aboard boat. A pilot house trawler, a large cabin cruiser or (GOD, I hate to say it...houseboat) are more suited for extended living. With that said, if you are talking about a single man, docking that boat in a large marina that is used to spending his waking moments somewhere other than home.....go for it....you'll love it.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

Going thru divorce, had choice of spending money on rent or investing it in a sailboat. Guess what won. I was working at a marina that had slips but wasn't renting them, so I had plenty of choices. My oldest son was with me most of the time and the younger 2 came every weekend. Best summer in memory! Sold the boat a few years later for $600 more than I paid for it, but still below BlueBook.

 

[beniam]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

SliderM72<br />Son of a friend of mine lived on a boat on the Allegheny River for a while. Single guy in his thirties.<br />Docked at marina.<br />First time it went down, the plumbing broke,the city water supply sunk the boat.<br />Second mishap, recent flood stage on river washed boat downstream, recovered at downstream loch and dam intact.Lots of other boats went down.<br />Third time, he bought a house about 4 blocks from my place.<br />Wonderfull thought, living on the water.<br />Be happy,enjoy life,live a little. Batavier

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

I spent 7 or 8 years living aboard an old Constellation up here in the Northeast. Some cold winters, fresh water was hard to come by....<br /><br />Hmm, you're in Florida I see. My only concerns would be finding the right marina. Some around here "frown" on live aboards. Others are ok with it. Guess they'd be more tolerant in Florida at year round marinas.<br /><br />I'd go back to living aboard again in a heartbeat. Would have to sell the 25 Grady and get something bigger though. And give up the apartment to pay for a slip...........

 

[jlinder]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

batavier,<br /><br />Grew up in Pittsburgh. With the winters and river ice it takes a lot to live on the river 12 months of the year. <br /><br />Of course very few hurricanes come through there. Wish you luck sliderM72

 

[smthsaln]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

Slider, I was down in Key West around a month ago and the same thought crossed my mind, bunch of live aboards down there! It's something I believe I'd really enjoy!

 

[BillP]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

What specific questions do you have?

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

I lived on a boat for 2 1/2 years. After a while, it was like being in prison except you had a chance to drown, too. Make sure you're ready for it before making the plunge.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Living Aboard- any experiences?

Ok snapperbait. Substitute "secure storm shelter" for the word "basement."