[Rebelbase]

Boat maintenance is a significant expense as well as docking and mooring fees. Boat life isn’t as cheap as a lot of people think it is.

[boatbums]

Here in Florida it can be hard to find a marina that even allows live-aboards anymore. At the last marina we rented a slip as home base - and this was 13 years ago - was charging $1000 a month for a 42 ft. boat plus separate electric. Weekly pump out was provided free as was pressure water at each slip. Add to that fuel if you take the boat out very much, monthly maintenance like bottom cleaning, boat washing, filters, hose clamps, zincs, a/c water intake rodding out (barnacles are a PAIN here), insurance, etc.

I'm glad we did this when we were young. The thought of going back to that way of life now (late 60's) isn't appealing anymore. Now, if we want to see the islands, we can hop on a cruise ship or fly to the Bahamas and stay at an inn. It really IS cheaper to do that than having a boat full time that you may only go out on a few weekends or months at a time.