How many of you currently live on your sailboat or have very lived on
a sailboat and would your recommend it
a sailboat and would your recommend it
Sailboat Living
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I did for a few months and you could consider me a part time live-aboard these days. I spend as much time on my boat as I do at home because I have a lot of days off. LOL.
My boat is a Catalina 30. I would go back to being a full time live aboard if it had AC and Refridgeration. Those are my two barriers. The ice is expensive when I go on long cruises because it is close to a bag a day. I am still wondering what I may do this summer for long cruises when it is really, really hot outside.
I have debated on selling my boat and upsizing to something like a Catalina 42 that has all of the creature comforts. Jury is still out on that one.
My boat is a Catalina 30. I would go back to being a full time live aboard if it had AC and Refridgeration. Those are my two barriers. The ice is expensive when I go on long cruises because it is close to a bag a day. I am still wondering what I may do this summer for long cruises when it is really, really hot outside.
I have debated on selling my boat and upsizing to something like a Catalina 42 that has all of the creature comforts. Jury is still out on that one.
A must read by a friend of mine for anyone for anyone asking that question:
http://www.rogerlongboats.com/Liveaboard.htm
Tongue in cheek and over the top but should provoke some thoughts you need to ponder.
http://www.rogerlongboats.com/Liveaboard.htm
Tongue in cheek and over the top but should provoke some thoughts you need to ponder.
Has that friend ever lived on a boat for a while? It seems quite negative and while there are some draw-backs to living aboard, there are also good parts. I have met quite a few live aboards who are quite happy and I enjoyed my short 2 month experience. THen again, I am all by myself. My 30 foot boat is minimal for this but it was interesting. I would do it again with a boat with AC and Refridgeration.
He's had plenty of boating experience. There are lots of good things about living aboard but being able to appreciate them means tolerance for much of what he conveys although in an exaggerated fashion.
I just sailed most of the coast of Maine with days of the cold, raw weather this state is famous for in the spring. Most cruisers would think I was nuts but it was a great trip I would do again in a minute. Appreciating the experience required ignoring things like skylights that poured a stream of condensation onto the cabin sole so fast that I thought the gaskets had let go.
Some people think feeling like you have flu for weeks and being beyond exhaustion with a 1 in 10 chance of death is worth it to climb Mt. Everest. Many go back again. I think they are nuts.
A very large proportion of the people who set out to live aboard or cruise long distances quickly give it up. There's a lot to be said for pondering the most negative outlook a bit to be sure it's worth the romantic parts that most people focus on in the dream stage.
A lot of this depends on where you are at. I don't think that living aboard any further north than Hampton, VA would be much fun. The biggest problem is getting fresh water to your boat and that means getting a tank on wheels and filling it up somewhere and rolling it down to your boat to fill the tank.
Having reverse cycle AC would be a huge help too.
Having reverse cycle AC would be a huge help too.
I sort of live on mine when on extended trips but usually eat dinner at the marina restaurants. I could not imagine any long term living on it for any extended periods and even on cruises I stay at marinas for the added amenities. For live aboard I would require something in the 50'+ range or a big Trawler with plenty of room. Even with those criteria I would still need to maintain a land based home for the occasional escape from the confined/controlled living. I think I might be able to endure it during summer season but no way would I winter on a boat in the PNW.
My wife and I have lived aboard our 40.5 since 2000. It was actually her idea. We had a Hunter 35 in Seattle and noticed we were spending most of our nights aboard. We found it easier to take off on short cruises when living on your boat, since you don't really have to do a lot of provisioning. Just unplug, organize a few loose items, and go. We now live in Southern California, but do miss Seattle because of the extensive cruising options.
Some important items that make it work:
1. You better have a storage unit or garage close by. Helps keep "most" of the clutter off the boat.
2. It's our home, so we have a DirecTV dish mounted on the stern. A TV in the aft stateroom and a flat screen in the salon.
3. We're not camping, but rather living in the coolest condo imaginable.
4. We have the holding tanked pumped weekly. (Really Important, LOL)
5. We take all of our showers on board.
6. We have a 3 year old beagle that thinks all dogs have boats
7. We added a portable 2000 watt generator for cruising. (Again, we are not camping.)
And we do use our boat often. Don't do a lot of daysails, but try to go somewhere overnight at least once a month.
We do it because we enjoy it. Don't do it to save money. You'll spend money on upkeep and when you're on your boat daily, there's more upkeep to do. But I also like seeing my systems work on a daily basis. It's not for everyone, but it works for us.
Some important items that make it work:
1. You better have a storage unit or garage close by. Helps keep "most" of the clutter off the boat.
2. It's our home, so we have a DirecTV dish mounted on the stern. A TV in the aft stateroom and a flat screen in the salon.
3. We're not camping, but rather living in the coolest condo imaginable.
4. We have the holding tanked pumped weekly. (Really Important, LOL)
5. We take all of our showers on board.
6. We have a 3 year old beagle that thinks all dogs have boats
7. We added a portable 2000 watt generator for cruising. (Again, we are not camping.)
And we do use our boat often. Don't do a lot of daysails, but try to go somewhere overnight at least once a month.
We do it because we enjoy it. Don't do it to save money. You'll spend money on upkeep and when you're on your boat daily, there's more upkeep to do. But I also like seeing my systems work on a daily basis. It's not for everyone, but it works for us.
We have, and would again, actually plan on it when the kid finishes college and we can afford it. We don't camp, but we enjoy the boat. We have heat and air, DVD and TV, iPod and speakers. We have a a 42, which for the two of us is plenty big. We use the generator when out, and have one PV panel, working on two more to be more self sufficient, which is our goal...leave a smaller footprint and still enjoy life.
Our favorite times are Spring and Fall until the temp dips below 32 degrees. We avoid the holiday weekends, as we enjoy our time and serenity.
Best of luck, it is not always perfect, we have had our share of surprises and mishaps and gear failures, but for us it is the best.
dave
Our favorite times are Spring and Fall until the temp dips below 32 degrees. We avoid the holiday weekends, as we enjoy our time and serenity.
Best of luck, it is not always perfect, we have had our share of surprises and mishaps and gear failures, but for us it is the best.
dave
Here is another twist on Roger's story
Roger, I read through your piece and it reminded me of one about "Simulating Submarine Life at Home". I found something similar to what I remember at http://www.trolinger.com/david/simulate.html except he missed the part I remember about not flushing your toilets after you use them so you get the right smell. Very good article. From a retired Submarine Sonar Technician.
Roger, I read through your piece and it reminded me of one about "Simulating Submarine Life at Home". I found something similar to what I remember at http://www.trolinger.com/david/simulate.html except he missed the part I remember about not flushing your toilets after you use them so you get the right smell. Very good article. From a retired Submarine Sonar Technician.
Boats
We purchased Belle-Vie in 2002, a 1991 Hunter Passage 42. We've completed four two month cruises with many shorter ones in between covering several thousand miles all in PNW waters. I would not consider us a live aboard, but I do enjoy the extended cruising life. Our boat has all the comforts of home including systems to support year around cruising.
We also have a very comfortable home so choosing between the two can be difficult at times. For now we'll settle for divided time, mostly our home, but on the water at every opportunity. Life can be so difficult at times, but that is what life is all about. Make your dreams so impossible to reach that others will laugh at you and perhaps, just perhaps they might come true.
Terry Cox
We purchased Belle-Vie in 2002, a 1991 Hunter Passage 42. We've completed four two month cruises with many shorter ones in between covering several thousand miles all in PNW waters. I would not consider us a live aboard, but I do enjoy the extended cruising life. Our boat has all the comforts of home including systems to support year around cruising.
We also have a very comfortable home so choosing between the two can be difficult at times. For now we'll settle for divided time, mostly our home, but on the water at every opportunity. Life can be so difficult at times, but that is what life is all about. Make your dreams so impossible to reach that others will laugh at you and perhaps, just perhaps they might come true.
Terry Cox
What?!?!?!? The C-34 is nice and I see one all of the time (Usually have one rafted up to me) but I think that the C-42 would be a great boat for Live-aboard. If I got the c-34 I would just want to move up again! LOL....I think that skipping a step inbetween sounds like fun.
Oh, well, I tried, but
Now, the REAL discussion is what layout you prefer on the C42, as you know there were, and still remain, quite a few.
Your thoughts?
Oh, and consider this thread HIJACKED!
Since you have such good taste, you and I would be "bidding' on the same C42!
Now, the REAL discussion is what layout you prefer on the C42, as you know there were, and still remain, quite a few.
Your thoughts?
Oh, and consider this thread HIJACKED!
Two cabin layout, pullman berth. I like the centerline berth but don't think that I have MKii money. The three cabin layout is okay and I would probably use one cabin as a closet/storage area.
I spend MOST of my sailing time when I cruise on the hook so having a forward main owner's cabin is paramount for me. Nothing like having the air blowing down the main hatch right onto you on a nice evening!
I spend MOST of my sailing time when I cruise on the hook so having a forward main owner's cabin is paramount for me. Nothing like having the air blowing down the main hatch right onto you on a nice evening!
C42 Luxuries
But the hatches open backwards!!! Check it out before you think about fwd cabin breezes. Oh, BTW, the C34 fwd hatch, on the other hand....
The 3 cabin galley really leaves a lot to be desired, but I agree with you about the 2 cabin. The galley storage is exceptional. The 3 cabin with the starboard galley chunks up the great saloon space to a horrible extent. Wrecks a great large interior with the midships "couch" and no potatos! riend with a C42 also said the TV stand on the 3 cabins is a wste of space now that flat screens are available.
I'm torn about the pullman berth, but I end up sleeping "inside" anyway!
Not sure they're calling 'em Mark IIIs, but I do understand.
Wanna go get one together?
But the hatches open backwards!!! Check it out before you think about fwd cabin breezes. Oh, BTW, the C34 fwd hatch, on the other hand....
The 3 cabin galley really leaves a lot to be desired, but I agree with you about the 2 cabin. The galley storage is exceptional. The 3 cabin with the starboard galley chunks up the great saloon space to a horrible extent. Wrecks a great large interior with the midships "couch" and no potatos! riend with a C42 also said the TV stand on the 3 cabins is a wste of space now that flat screens are available.
I'm torn about the pullman berth, but I end up sleeping "inside" anyway!
Not sure they're calling 'em Mark IIIs, but I do understand.
Wanna go get one together?
Nah....I would love to get one here on the east coast and stick that big bastard in my slip (it will fit it but it will hang out). Everyone would "Oh Shit" as they looked at it. I saw a 1989 Catalina 42, Three Cabin though, selling in my area for $109,000. It is tempting to look at it but that would make me want to sell my 30 fast and get it, for sure. It would be find for live aboard in my area if I could overcome the issue of getting water to it in the winter. Oh so tempting!
Oh Stu...How many times have you brained yourself in your Catalina 34 in the aft Cabin in that one location near the door! LOL. Everytime I have gone into the Aft Cabin of my Uncle's C-34 I have to watch for that thing.
I will say that the V-berth in teh C-34 is also very spacious. I think that I would be tempted to sleep up there if I had one. Great boat though and it sails really well (kicks my ass all of the time when I am sailing my C-30 and my Uncle is in his C-34).
Now if only I can find a woman who would live board with me and cruise with me....LOL....That is a rare find in this area though.
Oh Stu...How many times have you brained yourself in your Catalina 34 in the aft Cabin in that one location near the door! LOL. Everytime I have gone into the Aft Cabin of my Uncle's C-34 I have to watch for that thing.
I will say that the V-berth in teh C-34 is also very spacious. I think that I would be tempted to sleep up there if I had one. Great boat though and it sails really well (kicks my ass all of the time when I am sailing my C-30 and my Uncle is in his C-34).
Now if only I can find a woman who would live board with me and cruise with me....LOL....That is a rare find in this area though.
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