Comments on: Living aboard

By: Chuck711

Chuck711 — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:29:07 +0000

Well I lost my job in 2003. Plant closed.
I went out and bought a 33 foot sailboat. Luckily for me “Ann” ( love of my life) was
keen to see the world. We left from the Great Lakes (USA)and ended up near South America.
Found it pretty easy to do. Lived on about $500
per month. It really changed our life. We now live debt free and still smile about our 2 1/2 year voyage……… Oh, I married her too!!!

By: claire

claire — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:02:29 +0000

Jacob - i am british, currently living in england. As soon as we make our target savings DH and I plan to leave this place and thinking of moving to canada, nova scotia, where cost of living cheap, the exchange rate with dollars and sterling will certainly help a great deal - this country is soo expensive and quality of life is poor.

I have also thought about boat living, but am a bit concerned about lack of space.

Claire

By: DNA

DNA — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:08:20 +0000

Can’t vouch for this anymore since the couple who owned the boat when we’ve sailed on it retired a couple of years ago, but here’s the link to the Scottish sail trip:

http://www.corryvreckan.co.uk/

By: Jacob

Jacob — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:42:34 +0000

@DNA - I guess I have to keep my eyes out for a trip like that. I’m kinda counting on it not being inclusive for wimps

@yvie - A TV on a the boat - how’s that for compromise Seriously, though, it’s a long term plan. DW’s just starting her career, while I already had mine (at least as fa as I intend to pursue it). I think the biggest problem is that she is still addicted to stuff whereas I am almost allergic to it these days. Not nearly as bad as some people, but still. I could have my stuff packed and ready to go in a couple of hours. Hers would take a couple of days.

@shanti - this is how I figure things would be like initially. DW needs to “serve” the economy for several more years before she is free. $150 rent would certainly cut that time down by a huge margin. We’d be saving $10k+ in rent alone.

@DJ - Hard to say since I haven’t tried it. Currently I live in a place where I don’t know my neighbors at all and I see very few people on a daily basis. I think I wouldn’t mind being part of a community. Incidentally, my home business could be run from the boat and as far as the IRS is concerned, I could deduct part of the slip :O) Also - I think there’s a difference between being anonymous and being invisible.

By: Steve Austin

Steve Austin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:59:43 +0000

DJ, in my experience there are some things about home ownership that are non-anonymous: paying a mortgage, paying property taxes in your name, receiving mail and other deliveries at your house. The next time I buy a house (if that happens), I’ll make sure that those three issues are moot.

By: DJ

DJ — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:02:50 +0000

People who live in harbors tend to attract a lot of attention. Do you really want curiosity seekers to look in your windows and ask you questions every time you sit on deck?

I think I’d rather keep my little house. It gives me freedom and security. I have room for hobbies and/or home business. I can be as anonymous as I want to be. That last one is important to me.

By: Shanti @ Antishay Ventenne

Shanti @ Antishay Ventenne — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:49:07 +0000

I have many friends who sail and so it can be learned! Also, I dated a guy once who lived on a sailboat. He almost never took it out, but liked that it was small and mobile and that his rent was something like $150/month in the harbor - his boat was paid off At the time I had never heard of such a thing and thought it was ridiculous, but over time he led me to believe it would be pretty cool to try

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:47:43 +0000

Boat living, especially in a sailboat, would be extremely liberating and a lot of fun. The biggest problem in my mind would be the inclement weather thing. Sailing into a hurricane midway across the Atlantic would not be a grand old time…

By: yvie

yvie — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:51:15 +0000

I guess you would have to consult your wife in which style she would like to live too. Remember, you’re not a bachelor anymore!

By: DNA

DNA — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:32:55 +0000

I have never owned my own sailboat, but my husband and I have taken trips in the west of Scotland and north Australia on sailboats of around 65-ft in length. Fortunately there is a lot of information on sailing and motors in the libraries, and it is definitely worth taking lessons and maybe spending a week or two on a sailing trip. We love it, but every group we are with has people who find it to be too much work, too scary (in rough weather), boring.