Does your friend have boating experience as in maintenance routines, navigating, equipment etc? Is he and wife in good physical condition and good health, which is a must. How about money? There is almost daily maintenance required on boats, like fresh water tank filling, pump outs, topping fuel tanks, oil changes, cleaning almost daily. The expenses can be astronomical for routine repairs and maintenance as well.
We had a forty foot on the Great Lakes and will say that was the best time of our lives. We took two and three week long trips and loved every minute BUT getting home to space, unlimited shower time, no pump outs, was heavenly, stocking and storing food is essential. One trip We lost a transmission twenty five miles out of a far northern Lake Huron town that ended up costIng us a fortune and lots of time. This kind of thing is not unusual, happens a lot so you always have to be prepared. If your friend would be living aboard on the east coast, hurricanes can be devastating.
Live aboards are not for the meek.
Good physical condition. He’s also a pilot, so has experience with navigation, weather, radio work, etc. No experience with marine navigation, procedures, etc, except for small fishing boats (less than 20’). Mechanically minded so after learning the marine maintenance requirements, that part shouldn’t be a issue. Both have their passports and some overseas travel experience. It will be a huge learning experience, but that’s part of the fun of doing something different.