Posted on 03/10/2019 9:48:59 AM PDT by amorphous
A recently retired friend is thinking of selling his home (which is paid for) and buying a boat for himself and his wife to live aboard without ever having lived aboard a boat before.
Are there any FReepers who have done something similar, or who have experience living this kind of lifestyle, or have advice I could maybe pass on to them?
Another option, I told him, would be a RV. You're on solid ground, still able to travel, it's easier to get to a hospital and you can park an RV next to his kid's house.
His main reason for a boat is the ability to travel outside the US and a more self-sufficient, freer lifestyle.
The two happiest days in a boatowner’s life - when he buys it, and when he sells it
Simply him to try living on a boat for 3-6 months first. You can say “it will help you determine what kind of boat you want.”
He and his wife will notice a thousand little changes, inconveniences, and maybe even some advantages he never expected.
Most likely, like children, having experienced it, they will move on to some other fantasy/obsession.
Rent a boat for a couple of months, if you can find one. Then make a decision after that.
You have to be a very organized type of person. There is little room to stow things, so a place for everything and everything in its place.
Boat on ocean or lake? Bad idea as boats cannot hide from storms. A better option might be a towing vehicle and a nice RV.
If I were to do it, I’d buy a house boat and live on the intercoastal.........
Spent a few nights on
Different Sail boats and
It is A Lot of Physical
Work!
When You are on Your Own
You are SUNK!
Good advice.
Try before you buy.
Have them just spend a month or two in a distant location. Doens’t even have to be a boat. Chances are they will miss home and want to come back. If they haven’t sold home it will still be possible. If they sell it and then try, they’re stuck.
Ive met people who have done that. There is a bay in southern Puerto Rico, in Phospherescent Bay , where people who “disappeared” from society all have boats. These boats are quite comfortable and have all the comforts. They row boat a short distance to clean and sweep shops and resturants in the morning and the shopkeeps feed them. They then go back to their boats which are basically apartments for them.
A lot depends on where.
First-time liveaboards are ready for the pervasive cold in winter or the torrid heat in summer — depending where you are.
The lack of space can drive one bat-krazy.
Don’t think of it as “cheap.” Quite often, it ain’t.
First-timers will almost always pick a boat too small.
It’s not an easy transition, no matter what anybody sez...
Depends on size and condition, of course, plus ammenities. But a boat big enough to be comfortable is pretty pricey and maintenance costs are very high.
We have 3 day limit on our 25’ sloop, just not that comfortable.
A FReeper from Hawai’i was just describing this. It took months to sort out.
I hope he likes mosquitoes and snakes- and bugs- one can live pretty cheaply on a houseboat in certain parts of the US- storms will rock the boat pretty good- even when moored- everything will be damp all the time, humidity- - constant battle with mold- mildew- stuff you would normally leave out like bread will go bad quicker-
Look up ‘things to consider living on a houseboat” for pros and cons
People I know live on their sailboat - and LOVE it... but they kept their two homes and rent them out. They know the time will come when sailing will be too much effort. That said, they’re both experienced sailors and know what they’re doing...
I thought about it.
But other than having sailed a few times I realized I knew nothing about it.
It’s its own language.
Anyhow, my suggestion is to learn from someone who has experience...before even considering getting one’s own boat.
Even then once you have your own boat..its a lot of work just maintaining it.
Not to mention your boat could get caught in a storm..And that she blows,mate.
It isn't easy trying to out run the worsening chastisements.
...meant to say:
First-timers are RARELY ready for winter/summer.
Some of the coldest and hottest periods in my entire life have been on luxury boats — and for stretches of many DAYS at a time. REALLY wears one out...
...and “shore power” doesn’t solve everything —
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