living on sailboat in alaska

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Adventurous Couple Living on a Sailboat Year-Round in Alaska

Megan and Rob are a pair of adventure seekers who are working hard to create the life of their dreams. The couple bought a 1979 Cal 31 sailboat in April 2015 up in Juneau, Alaska and they’ve been living on it ever since.

They’ve added a wood burning stove in the living room and extra insulation in the v-berth to stay warm in the winters, and they’ve also installed flexible solar panels and a small wind turbine to produce their own electricity.

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Images © Venture Lives

For the first couple of years they plan to stay docked in Juneau during the week so that Megan can work at her job as a dental hygienist, while Rob has already secured location independent online work, working for a soil and water testing company. Once they’ve paid down their student debt, and paid off the boat, they plan to sail around the world. For now, they explore on the weekends and when they’re on vacation.

venture-lives-living-on-a-sailboat-in-alaska-photo-exploring-alternatives-photo-2

Watch the video below to take a tour of their sailboat, and to learn more about their liveaboard adventure in Alaska.

VIDEO: Adventurous Couple Living on a Sailboat Year-Round in Alaska

Exploring Alternatives

Couple Living on a Sailboat Video
Venture Lives

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Wey Hey ! .. Good on Ya ! Wonderful ! ..

Yes 🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team

I know first hand living on a sailboat to be somewhat challenging, But I could only imagine what it is like to live aboard a sailboat in Alaska…! Not me, I’m not that brave to live in their weather conditions, especially come winter….!

Had similar thoughts to you Zachary… then I thought, hey, maybe, just maybe they have antifreeze running through their veins. LOL

Agreed 🙂 I’m not cut out for this. But kudos to them 🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team

Antifreeze… haha! Superhuman!

Be careful with that wood stove.

🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team

I think they are in for more than they bargained for re: weather. I m Canadian and have visited friends who have their larger sailboat docked in Toronto. It’s bloody cold, Alaska is a tad bit farther north than there. By the way, why wood stove and not a multi fuelled stove???

Only time will tell 🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team

I would choose wood because the fuel is cheap and carbon neutral.

Shane, I bet one reason they choose wood == it’s free! From California to Alaska, the eastern Pacific is littered with millions of tons of dry driftwood.

Although your suggestion for other heaters might work if they stay safely docked in some harbor (but safely docked is not the purpose of boats nor sailors…), electric heaters probably require too many PV panels and batteries.

I love a good wood stove 🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team

When we first got the boat, I wanted electric everything. After learning about DC currents, the upkeep and expense, you’re right. It just requires too much. There’s definitely a balance in everything on a 31 foot sailboat. Although for the Winter, the boat is docked with a cover, and we have eco electric heaters with a dehumidifier to give her a break from the moisture.

How soon to Hawai’i? How soon to Baja? How long can you stay? Doing the ditch?

Sea Gypsies forever!

Give us a shout, we’re on the net == Large Marge and crew in Baja

🙂 haha — Tiny House Talk Team

Hi Megan and Rob!! How are you liking the Kimberly Stove? We will be installing ours in a few months and would like your feedback on how it’s working for you. Be safe, stay warm, and have fun!!

I hope it’s a great one! — Tiny House Talk Team

Hi Dawn! We love our Kimberly wood stove! It works most efficiently with compressed sawdust logs. The owner is obsessed with this stove and will do anything and everything to make sure you’re 100% satisfied.

Nice video,very good.happy sailing

Tiny, but nicely done. Would love to go sailing too. Maybe one day!

Bravo! My husband and I loved aboard sailboats for 7 years, but mostly in the Bahamas. It was a grand adventure. One caveat: Don’t succumb to thinking it would be easier on a larger boat. It isnt, and the expense will eat you alive. Best if luck.

Good advice!– Tiny House Talk Team

Lynn, that’s what we keep thinking. Cheers!

Lived in S.E. Alaska for 17 years aboard our sailboat exploring amazing bays, harbors, nooks and crannies. We treated our boat like our personal “space” ship. Knowing how all the systems worked and how to maintain/repair everything gave us the confidence to explore confidently. Learning to harvest edible foods along shore lines and trading for salmon,crab,cod and shrimp rounded out our diet. Going ashore and walking on eel grass in our “Juneau Tennis shoes”uncovered bucket full of cockles. Part time teaching and boat repair (electrical,mechanical, wood and fiberglass repair kept our monetary coffer replenished as well. Just thought I’d give a complementary supplement to your and other’s adventures.

just wanna say i scare to do this how come you not scared what make you that strong to make such great trip .

For liveaboards in the Petersburg harbor, the rent is cheap and the water is fine

Down in what most people know as Petersburg’s North Harbor, Pamela Speck, who’s watering her plants outside her houseboat, says she has another name for it.

“I jokingly call it, especially at a really low tide, this is lower Petersburg,” she said. “When you get to the top of the ramp, then you’re in upper Petersburg.”

Speck’s home is actually more house than boat — it’s got a pitched tin roof, windows instead of portholes, and of course the flower pots on the stern deck, which is now essentially a porch. She bought the boat in 1993 while working at one of the canneries. She ended up staying, mainly because it was so cheap compared to shoreside housing.

“People think it’s hard now. But back then, you know might have gotten an apartment besides Kito’s which was a dump — not saying they’re dumps now — for a $1,000 a month or 800 bucks a month. And so it was just an exorbitant price,” she said.

Exorbitant to her but not uncommon. A one-bedroom in Petersburg in “rough shape” can fetch around $850, according to Peterbsurg’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan. The plan also found that 36% of renter households were not living in affordable housing.

Throughout Southeast Alaska, many people make their home on boats. So-called “liveaboards” are motivated by a variety of factors — lack of affordable housing, a sense of adventure or those who already work on the water. It’s not always an easy life. Liveaboards are a longstanding part of the Petersburg community.

Speck came to Alaska via Ohio. And says she didn’t expect to stay very long, much less spend more than a quarter century in a floating house. But she says this lifestyle grew on her, for a lot of reasons.

“You know it allowed me to pay my student loans off ten years early,” Speck said. “It allowed me to save money and do investing. It allowed me to also be able to buy some property in Belize and build a house down there.”

Of course, living on a boat isn’t free. She pays for utilities and moorage fees, plus a $60-a-month liveaboard fee charged by the harbor master’s office. But it’s still cheaper than most rentals in town.

And with the savings, she can spend the cold weather months in Central America. But that makes her an outlier. Petersburg harbor master Glorianne Wollen says the dock’s liveaboard community actually grows in the winter.

“We have a few less in the summertime, we rent about 20, maybe 22,” Wollen said. “And then it bumps up to maybe 30, 35 in the winter.”

Her office tracks liveaboards and she’s not keen to see their numbers grow. That’s so there’s enough room for commercial vessels and boats passing through. On the other hand, she says it’s nice to have a stable community down on the docks.

“You know liveaboards are appreciated by many of the longterm stall holders because they kinda keep an extra eye on things,” she said. “So there’s a pretty good relationship between liveaboards and the entire community down here in the harbor.”

One of the people keeping an eye on things is Frankie Christensen. He lives year-round on his 34-foot sailboat a few stalls down from Speck. He’s a boat mechanic and has been living in North Harbor for the last three years. He was attracted to the freedom of life on the water, the affordability doesn’t hurt either.

“Well, I’ll put it do you this way,” he said. “What a lot of people pay in one month, I pay for a year.”

The cabin is compact but spacious for a boat of its size, and the high ceiling allows you to stand comfortably. A big diesel-powered stove sits in the corner, keeping the place warm. Christensen says North Harbor is a neighborhood.

“It’s a small little community, everybody shares everything. We’re always swapping food,” he said. “And I have a lot of boat captains that drop off fish and crab. It’s a very giving community.”

As if on cue, Pamela Speck walks past and tells Christensen she’ll take his trash up to the dumpster. She’s headed up anyway.

“Ok Pamela, thank you!” he called up to her. “See?” he said, turning back to me. “People are nice. She’s walking by and taking my garbage for me.”

Both Speck and Christensen say they plan to eventually settle on dry land. Christensen says he’d like to build a little cabin. Speck wants to live in Belize full time where she spends most winters. But given Petersburg’s tight housing market, it’s possible that others could soon take their place.

This report is part of CoastAlaska’s Shelter series which examines short- and long-term housing issues across Southeast Alaska.

One option to avoid high housing costs in Juneau: Live on a boat

November 9, 2014 by Kayla Desroches

Juneau has some of the highest housing prices in Alaska. According to the state Department of Labor , the average single family home costs $349,000 dollars in the capital city. A typical rental unit is more than a thousand dollars a month.

One way to combat the high cost of housing is to rent a slip on the docks for a houseboat or a live aboard.

Carrie Warren and her three children live in Aurora Harbor. She’s originally from Washington state, but has lived in Alaska on and off for 20 years. In 2013, she moved to Juneau from Tenakee Springs. As soon as she came to town, she started looking for housing and found a houseboat that suited her needs.

“I chose it because I could actually own it. There are not very many things in Juneau that you can purchase for 50,000 dollars or less.”

Warren says the seller financed the boat for her, and she paid it off in about a year and a half.

She says harbor fees add up to around $200 a month, plus a little extra for utilities. The city’s Docks and Harbors department provides power, water, outhouses and a sewage pump-out. Warren says cooking can be a challenge.

“I have a Dickinson stove that doesn’t work,” she says. “It’s not hooked up. And even if it did, that’s mostly for heat. You can’t bake on it. I mean, you can heat water. I can make a mean pumpkin pie in my toaster oven. I don’t have a microwave. Electricity is hard because you can’t have too many things happening at once. You blow your breaker.”

Warren is a single mother who home-schools her kids and the boat is about 200 square feet. She says sometimes it’s a challenge to make sure the family gets along in such a small area. Warren’s older son plays upright bass and her daughter French horn and they need to arrange individual practice times.

“Our space and boundaries are different than most people’s, and rather than sit around and whine about it, you just suck it up,” Warren says.

Katie Spielberger is Warren’s neighbor. She lives in a houseboat with her partner and a cat.

“A couple of our neighbors have seen the cat and have come by with an extra can of cat food or half a container of kitty litter that they found in the free bin,” she says.

Spielberger works for the state and has been in Juneau for about nine years. She compares living on a boat to the tiny house movement , in which architects design homes that are less than 400 square feet. She says living in a small area has made her more creative.

“It’s kind of nice to have that challenge to simplify things and it feels very rewarding when you actually can live in such a small space and have everything you need,” Spielberger says.

She hangs as much as she can on walls, takes advantage of all available space and rents a storage unit. Spielberger says living on a houseboat provides the best of Juneau at an affordable price.

“It feels very much of this place,” she says. “You don’t feel like you’re living in a house that could be anywhere. The views surrounding a boat in any harbor in Southeast Alaska, I think are gorgeous and hard to beat except at some very nice land property.”

In addition to houseboats, some people in Juneau have live-aboards.

“There’s a live-aboard vessel which is just your normal boat that somebody might live on,” explains Harbormaster Dave Borg. “And then we do have some houseboats designated specifically just as a houseboat. They generally don’t have any mode of power.”

Borg says there are nine houseboats in Aurora, three in Douglas Harbor, two in Harris Harbor, and nearly 140 live-aboards. Monthly moorage fees are $4.20 per foot.

Warren says there are unique problems with houseboats, but they’re mostly in-line with other homeowner concerns.

“When it’s real windy, it’s a little freaky. You know, I worry about things like my canvas blowing away, but you know, I think any homeowner when it’s stormy and yucky has those same kinds of worries. Anybody who’s living in a not super insulated home has those same kinds of worries,” says Warren.

And she says it’s more affordable than other housing alternatives.

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From Apartment Life to Living on a Sailboat in Alaska! Tiny House on the Water

Do you remember megan and rob and their “ strange wedding proposail “ thanks to youtube channel exploring alternatives , we can show you their story..

They’ve made a lot of changes to their boat, a 1979 Cal 31 #10 hull, to turn it into a cozy little home. Megan sewed a canvas bimini top for their cockpit to provide shade, they installed flexible solar panels and a small wind turbine to create their own power, and they added a Kimberly wood stove to keep the boat toasty, warm, and dry in the winter months.

Living on a sailboat isn’t without it’s challenges. The couple had no idea how to sail when they bought their boat, so they spent quite a lot of time during their first year afloat learning how to sail. They also say the cold weather can be quite challenging because the boat is always damp inside. It’s important to be flexible and easy going in order to be successful at living aboard a sailboat, Megan says. You can’t have too many expectations or be attached to deadlines.

On a recent month-long trip, Venture Lives had beautiful adventures sailing to Skagway, Glacier Bay, and hiking the Chilkoot Trail.

Discover more on Venture Lives Official Website .

Sailing for Beginners: A Guide to Ensuring the Safety of Guests on Your Boat

A complete guide to teak maintenance on your sailboat, the inspiring journey of jessica watson, australia’s youngest solo sailor, us debut of the sunreef 80 eco zeahorse at palm beach international boat show 2024, live your passion, subscribe to our mailing list.

Living On A Sailboat During Winter

I was originally going to post about living on a sailboat during winter closer to winter, but here in Alaska, it’s already here. Additionally, I was reminded that this is the perfect follow up to last week’s blog about living on a sailboat in a marina . If you are interested in living on a boat year round and live in a colder climate or just curious about how it can be done, you will get a lot out of reading this post.

When I announced to my friends and family that I was buying a sailboat and going to live aboard year round, the first thing everyone asked was “Even during the winter?” Let’s face it, I live in Alaska, land of ice and snow, so that’s a legitimate concern. To be honest, I didn’t think it would be an issue and hadn’t really put much thought into it. It certainly wasn’t one of the things I researched.

Living on a sailboat during the winter does pose its unique challenges, but nothing that can’t be overcome. There are hundreds and probably even thousands of people doing it. Here in Sitka, Alaska, there are a lot of people who live on their boats year round, mostly due to the incredibility high cost of housing.

So, how do you living on a sailboat during winter, what are the challenges, and how are they overcome. We’ll get into all that, but first we have to get a few basic things out of the way.

Is your boat capable of winter living?

Is your boat able to survive a winter? That is the first and leading question you have to ask yourself before wintering over in a sailboat. To answer the question is rather simple; do you have to haul your boat out for the winter? If you do, you probably can’t liveaboard year round.

In Sitka, Alaska, the harbors stay, for the most part, ice free. Considering the majority of sailboats are either wood or fiberglass, whether or not your harbor is ice free is going to be the biggest issue for living aboard year round. When water freezes it expands and as it does, it crushing anything that is trapped in it. The book Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing about Shackleton’s attempted expedition to the South Pole gives a gut wrenching description of what ice will do to a boat. It will just crush it to pieces.

If you have a Steel boat, you can get away with being iced in a bit, but you better consult with the manufacturer as to how much ice the boat can take. Remember, the Titanic was steel.

If you are able to keep the boat in the water year round, you can live aboard year round. If you can’t, you may still be able to on the rare instance where you are allowed to live aboard on the hard.

Do You Have Heat To Survive The Winter?

Once you’ve determined that your boat can survive the winter, the next question is, can you survive the winter in it? The ability to live on a boat in cold weather will generally come down to whether or not the boat has a heating system. If you don’t have a heater in your boat, you will freeze.

Heating systems for boats are typically going to be one of three things, diesel heat, propane heat, or electric heat. On a rare occasion you will come across a solid fuel system on a boat, but as flames and boats don’t mix, it is not a typical thing.

In my opinion, diesel heat is the best way to go. You get a lot of dry heat and today’s heaters sip fuel. My particular heater uses around .2 gallons per hour for 17,000 BTUs (British Thermo Units). You can buy diesel heaters in various sizes and different BTUs. You can also get both air and hydronic heat systems, much like a boiler, for a boat which gives you even more options. I’ll admit the air heat is nice to keep the boat dry, but being able to have hot water at a cold winter anchorage is a benefit I would not give up. The hydronic heat system is capable of doing both air heat and hot water, providing you have a hot water tank for the system. Additionally it acts as an engine heater.

The next best option, most will disagree with me, is electric heat. Electric heat isn’t going to be built into a boat; you will have to bring in a portable electric heater or two to accomplish this task. I’ll admit that electric heat isn’t the best and has its own inherent issues.

The biggest of those issues is the amount of power it draws. A boat’s wiring isn’t made to support the massive loads a heater can put on a system. I, myself, have seen that in both my winters on board. As pictured below, you can see my shore power cable is the worse for wear due to the load.

Luckily for me, after inspecting the wiring though the system, It is only the shore power cable and outside of the plug that looks like this. All the interior wiring is good and isn’t getting hot when in use. If you use electric, make sure you are checking this; the number one cause of fire on boats is electrical.

Additionally, electric heat is limited. Most electric heaters come in a maximum of 1500 watts. When comparing that to diesel heat, the electric at 1500 watts is equal to 5118.2 BTUs. That is a far cry from my diesel heater. With the electric heater if the temperature drops below the freezing point, I generally have to kick on the second heater to keep up. If the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, even having both heaters struggle, though I am hoping my diesel heat will be back up and running by then.

My last choice is propane. Propane heat puts out a lot of moisture and moisture equals mold issues. I have used propane heat after my diesel heater went out and I wanted to still sail and anchor out during colder months. When I did, everything in the boat was damp by morning, everything. The sheets were damp, cushions were damp, and the condensation could have been my shower for the morning. Maybe it was just the system I had, but for me, it is emergency use only.

As a wild card, let’s talk about solid fuel heat. If I weren’t planning to sail around the world and do so in warm climates I would definitely install a solid fuel system. I have seen boats with them and like a wood burning stove, they put out nice dry heat. Kimberly puts out one that generates 40,000 BTUs and can be fueled by a walk in the woods. Since I like exploring and hiking anyway, that would be the way to go for me.

Regardless of what system you have, make sure you have a back up. If you are living on your boat, losing your heat can be catastrophic for both you and you boat. I actually have a diesel heater, which is backed up by electric, which is backed up by propane. I also keep plenty of candles on board just to prevent freezing in a dire situation. You probably don’t need to go that far, but always have a back up if you are wintering over, even if it’s just a friend’s house to stay at.

Living Onboard Through Winter

Now that we have established that your boat is suitable for winter living, let’s talk about actually living aboard during the winter. I’d like to say all you have to do is turn on the heat and all is good. That is not the case, there is much more to it.

Containing Heat

First sailboats are built with air circulation in mind. A typical sailboat will have several dorades that direct air from the outside to the inside while sailing. The air picked up in the front pushes air out of the rear dorades and helps keep things fresh inside even if the cabin is otherwise sealed up.

This is all great, until winter. Hot air rises and therefore, runs right back out the dorades rather than staying in the boat. The first thing I do when the nights start getting colder is plug off the front dorades. The reason I only do the front is I still want air to circulate in the boat. So, I point the heat forward and let the natural tendency of hot air to rise circulate it around to the back dorades where it can slowly escape.

Another tip to contain heat is a fan. I know that sounds counter productive, but a circulating fan will keep the heat moving around the boat and actually keep it warmer.

Keeping It Dry

Keeping some circulation helps with the second issue a little, but certainly doesn’t cure it. Condensation is a huge issue in the winter. A boat isn’t exactly insulated like a house. If you do insulate a boat, which I would do if I were going to live in the cold forever, you have to be careful. If condensation gets behind or in the insulation, you will soon be pulling out a moldy mess. And there will be condensation.

As you breathe you expel moisture. That is just a fact of life. Another fact of life is this moisture will condensate on the inside of you boat along with any other moisture because the hull will be cold enough to take that damp air and make it water again.

To cut down on condensation, I run a dehumidifier a lot. I typically run it the entire time I am at work, which keeps the dripping from the ceiling type of condensation at bay. I have run it all night, and use it to double as a circulating fan, but despite benefits and the white noise helping me sleep, I worry about the extra strain in the electrical system if I’m running both electric heaters.

Sealing It Up

Going back to ventilation, Sailboats are far from air tight. I found my first winter aboard I was losing a lot of heat form some pretty easy to fix spots, There was a vent in the companion way door that needed to be covered and the gap between the door and hatch needed filled. Both were easy fixes that also keep the bugs out during the summer.

If you take a good look around, there will be plenty of places you can seal up or even put in temporary barriers to heat loss. If you are planning on staying at a place for the entire winter, you can even wrap your boat to keep all that warm air in. It all depends on how far you want to go. Personally I only do enough to be mildly comfortable; this keeps me motivated to head south.

You will also need to look at what you wear. During the winter months you will mostly need to wear some sort of sweatpants or sleep pants when you lounge around. I have some nice warm flannel sleep pants, and yes those are little sailboats. A good house coat will also help keep the chill off. The most over looked item is a good pair of house slippers. The sole of the boat, the floor, will get really cold during the winter. I am here to tell you, if you don’t have house slippers, your feet will go numb while you do dishes.

In addition to nice warm cloths, I also keep several blankets around. On nights like tonight, where it’s a bit chilly, but not cold, it’s nice to just cover up rather than crank up the heat. I actually do this all year; anything below 75 degrees is too cold to me. In addition to the blankets, I also have a down comforter on the bed so I can keep the heater lower while I sleep and stay plenty warm all night.

Wrapping Up

After my first winter on board I read several blogs and watched many YouTube videos about living on a sailboat during winter. There was advice that ran the gamete of what needs to be done, everything from full winter preparedness to tearing the boat apart and insolating every square inch. When I first thought about this post, I was thinking, I will be able to write so much more than anyone else, but the reality is winter isn’t as big a deal as you think.

Yes you can insolate, and I probably would if I could afford it, but it isn’t necessary. If you have a good heater, some warm cloths, and have taken a few steps to prevent heat loss, winter is completely survivable in a boat. I am not going to say they are the warmest, or that it is something I look forward to, but If it’s doable or me, you could do it too. As I said, I am in Alaska, and though the ocean current keeps it rather temperate here in Sitka, it still gets down into the teens every year. As I said, if you don’t have to pull your boat out of the water for winter, you are probably good to go.

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One Year Living On A Sailboat – Q&A

We’ve hit a milestone this month; one year of living on a sailboat . There’s a whole slew of people are out there living the sailing life. This isn’t something new or that hasn’t been done before…exploration by sailboat goes back long before Christopher Columbus. Nevertheless, it’s been a big change in our traveling lifestyle and one that comes with it’s own set of challenges and rewards.

To mark the occasion, last week we beached the dinghy, sat down and reflected on our first year as sailors and boat owners . But we thought, surely we’re missing a few (or a bunch) of curiosities that you may want to know about . So we turned to our Patreon’s for a quick Q&A! It’s one of the ways we show thanks to our Patron’s for being a part of our virtual crew, and we figure, if they have questions it’s most likely one’s others have too .

So, grab a beverage and join us on deck as we sail to Bimini and talk about life on a sailboat.

What a day! Downwind sailing, especially on calm days like this one are dreamy. It’s almost like we’re at anchor with only soft, gentle swaying so comfortable it’s easy to forget we’re moving.

Below are the questions asked in the video along with any links we mentioned that help better answer the question. Also, we forgot a couple questions in the video so we’ve included those at the bottom, oops (that’s what happens when we try to do things pre-coffee).

Q Could you share your monthly cost, not including equipment?

A We will share soon. All current and future posts about expenses can be found under the expenses tab on the sailing page: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/sailing

Q I know you didn’t do this to explore pink beaches. What would be your criteria for the next adventure beyond the Bahamas?

A We’re all about experiences and it’s a never ending curiosity and thirst to see and do everything that drives us.

Q What has been your experience with the Patreon? How has it impacted your plans and opportunities? Is it contributing as much income as you wished?

A Patreon has been incredible. Being viewer funded is indescribable. If you are not sure what Patreon is, learn about it here: https://www.patreon.com/the_wynns

Q A solar flair or crazy rogue nation takes out all of the satellites, are you gonna be able to manage the planet and continue to sail the high seas on charts?

A Ha ha, gotta love the hypothetical. Yes, we did learn how to navigate using charts in sailing school. All of our Sailing Schooled episodes can be found through that tab on the sailing page: gonewiththewynns.com/sailing

Q I’m worried about getting skin damage from the sun….is sunblock your only prevention and how much do you go through?

A Sun exposure is a legit concern. I (nikki) have worn mineral makeup for years which naturally protects my skin: gonewiththewynns.com/product/nikkis-makeup I also like this website as its an excellent place to learn about sunscreens that are good for us and the environment: ewg.org/sunscreen/

Q Were you ‘handy’ before you became full time sailors?

A Not really. If you want to confirm that, check out these How Not To videos from the past: gonewiththewynns.com/install-composting-toilet or gonewiththewynns.com/RV-faucet-install

Q A few years ago you posted about how you deal with mail, health insurance, etc. I’m curious if that process has changed since you’ve moved from RV to boat.

A We are still working out our options for sailing and it all will be different. Here is the RV post this question is referring to: gonewiththewynns.com/rv-questions-residency-mail-health-insurance

Q How do you handle money? Do you have a money manager here in the US or just manage things yourself via internet?

A We’re finding we use way more cash than ever before. The wonderful world of the internet allows us to manage everything from our computers.

Q Is there one thing you miss about RVing? What one thing do you like best about sailing compared to RVing?

A We miss the conveniences of RVing and how much faster we could get things done. If you haven’t checked out our RV’ing page, it’s how we spent our first six years as full time travelers trekking around North America: gonewiththewynns.com/rvin As for the sailboat, the ability to make safe, clean drinking water anywhere in the world is a beautiful thing.

Q How is the water system working that converts salt water to fresh, and how is the quality of that water, and do you drink it.

A Love having a watermaker and couldn’t imagine not having one. Here is our watermaker info: gonewiththewynns.com/product/watermaker

Q What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started? Any surprises.

A We went back and responded to our own Thoughts Expectations, Uncertainties from a year ago here: gonewiththewynns.com/full-time-sailing-expectations

Q What do think about cat vs. mono hull sailing.

A We bought a cat because we knew it was going to be the best for our wants/needs/travel style. I have always loved Pat from Bumfuzzles post on this subject: bumfuzzle.com/tag/cat-vs-mono/

Q Do you think you bought the right size boat? newer model year?

A If we were to do it all again, we would still buy the same boat. The size is just right and we couldn’t afford a newer boat. We scarcely came up with the funds to buy this one. That story here: gonewiththewynns.com/exhausting-journey-buying-cruising-sailboat

Q What would you recommend to someone who is looking to purchase a catamaran to live on?

A Find a good buyers broker who can help you find the right boat for your wants/needs/travel style. We have had a great experience with Kent and the guys at Just Catamarans. justcatamarans.net/

Q What are the top 5 things you would suggest someone planning to live this lifestyle do before buying the boat and getting started.

A I don’t know that we have a top 5 list but Sailing School was incredibly helpful and it would have been great to do that even sooner. Then, finding a good buyers broker was invaluable to us as newbies. They guided us through the process and shared knowledge we couldn’t have learned otherwise. We used Just Catamarans out of Florida and totally recommend them.

Q Do you guys get lonely? It seems you spend a lot of time without any human contact other than each other.

A Not at all, the cruisers we meet are incredibly friendly, helpful and all around an awesome bunch of humans to be around.

Q Does anyone grow veggies on their boats?

A Microgreens and herbs we’ve seen rarely, but no one growing veggies. We sometimes grow herbs but clearing customs with potted plants can pose issues not to mention we have to battle the cats for anything green.

Q How much has maintenance been? How do you even budget for that?

A We have covered a lot of our maintenance and costs that you can find under the Mods & Maintenance tab on the sailing page: gonewiththewynns.com/sailing

We will eventually share more on this subject but until then I found this post from fellow sailors helpful when we were in the planning phase, and from our short experience it seems dead on: sailingtotem.com/2014/02/cruising-costs-routine-maintenance-and.html

Q Your clothes always look “unwrinkled”. Why aren’t half your clothes with holes and oil stains?

A Better than an iron – In a spritzer bottle combine 1 cup water (purified or filtered) with 1 tsp. liquid fabric softener (we like seventh generation or Mrs. Meyer’s). If you want it to evaporate faster, add 1 tsp. rubbing alcohol to the mixture.

Q I think I remember that you have AC in the cabin. How is it powered? From the motor, separate generator, or dare I say battery.

A We are able to power our AC off of our lithium battery bank and here is the device that allows us to do so: gonewiththewynns.com/product/air-conditioning-off-grid

A couple of questions that didn’t make the video…don’t know how we missed them, sorry about that.

Q What do you do with trash?

A We haven’t had an issue finding places to properly dispose of trash. Typically, if there is a place to land the dinghy, it’s a boat friendly place that has a dumpster nearby. We do show us doing this occasionally on video. We show it in both of these videos to give you an idea: gonewiththewynns.com/cruising-marsh-harbour-grocery-stores-bicycles gonewiththewynns.com/green-turtle-cay-tonka-goombay-smash

Q I couldn’t survive without music. Did y’all bring Ipods filled to the brim or pick up music on radio?

A We couldn’t survive without music either. We have hard drives full of music we’ve collected over the years but we haven’t reached for them because we use Amazon prime music. If you haven’t checked it out, it’s worth looking into.

Extra Cruising and Sailing Information

There are a few blogs I have kept up with over the years that have provided both inspiration and information I found helpful. There are tons and tons of blogs out there I follow for fun and I am discovering new ones every day so this isn’t by any means my complete list but rather the ones I was reading a couple of years ago when we were still dreaming and I was looking for helpful information.

Sailing Totem – sailingtotem.com/
Bumfuzzle – bumfuzzle.com/
Windtraveler – windtraveler.net/
Turf to Surf – turftosurf.com/
The Boat Galley – theboatgalley.com/

Did we miss anything? If you have curiosity about sailing life, leave us a comment below and we’ll chat. Thanks for hanging with us and being a part of the journey! And of course, a big thanks to all of our Patrons for helping us to keep the videos flowing.

Gear Used in Video

Rok Espresso Maker: gonewiththewynns.com/product/coffee-tea
Printer: http://amzn.to/2q0DqNe

Cameras Used to Capture This Video

Sony A7ii: http://bit.ly/a7rii-sony
Sony Zoom Mic: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/product/sony-gun-zoom-microphone-black
Sony 24 – 70mm f4 lens: http://bit.ly/2470-zeiss
All of our up to date photo and editing gear: gonewiththewynns.com/best-travel-camera-video-photography

Hello there! I honestly don’t know what to say, so I am going to tell you a bunch of random facts instead. I'm a fish eating vegetarian who hates spiders and loves snakes. I almost never took vacations growing up. I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking (still do). I misspell about every other word I write and still struggle with grammar. I love splurging on a good high tea (which is really hard to find these days). And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I'll HAVE to do it!

Comments (36)

We really enjoy following your sailing adventures! We are curious tho. When it comes to biodegradable wastes like coffee grounds, veggie cuttings, etc., do you toss that overboard, compost it on the boat, or save it to dump when you go ashore?

Curious Minion

Good question and the answer is: it varies! In general, the invisible border for international waters is located 3 miles offshore. If you are more than 3 miles from shore you can legally dump garbage overboard and pump your holding tanks out too. On a long crossing like this one to French Polynesia the Wynns I’m sure are dumping the biodegradable scraps overboard but they are stockpiling their non-biodegradable garbage until they reach shore. Whenever they’re inside the 3 mile limit, everything stays onboard until they dinghy in to a marina.

Hi — Just wondering how the composting toilet is working out at sea… I assume you have to shovel in some dirt from time-to-time. Imagine difficult to ferry dirt in the dinghy — or get it on the open sea. (I saw Waterworld!). Thanks for the videos…

I really appreciate that you explained Patreon. You are the first video provider that explained how it works. This made me sign up!

Lee and I really enjoy all your videos and your web site. One of my big concerns is wifi, honestly. I saw Iridium Go and wonder how it works for YOU. Does it solve your problem with wifi as well as communication 100%? I’ve seen you on video looking for wifi on islands… Do you rent, or did you buy? Would you get it again? Watch for us to be coming from Chicago to Mobile (at least) headed for the Gulf of Mexico in TWO SHORT WEEKS! Kate n Lee, sv Great Debate.

The Iridium Go (or other satellite connection) is the only connection when you’re offshore. Cell coverage and WiFi are only land-based. The Iridium Go lets the Curiosity crew download weather and send or receive small (ie: no or very small pictures) messages but most satellite upload speeds are waaaaaaay too slow to upload a 20 minute HD video in a reasonable length of time. There are really fancy satellite systems that are faster, but they systems and the monthly data plan are pricey. In countries other than the U.S., you can either buy a cell plan to cover you there, or look for places like coffee shops & bars with WiFi that you can use.

You should check out “Sailingdoodles.com” too. Another couple from Dallas with two 90 pound white labradoodles sailing around the Bahamas

I do catch up on their adventures when I can, I enjoy their channel and fantastic attitudes.

My question is for Nikki…where do you get all your cute clothes?!?

Aloha, Thank you for all your videos. Just found your blog and learning a lots. ( perfect timing) We just sold ours house and are following your step… kind a incredible finding you on youtube ,… you really are more helpful them you can imaging. Still have smooch to see but thank you for all your effort and congratulation on making what you want a reality. My wife and me are getting ready for this new adventure … Mahalo

Jennifer Francisco

Have you ever tried sprouting to get some fresh “veggies” during times where fresh produce is too expensive, poor quality, or not available? Sprouts are nutrient-dense superfoods contained in such a small package! I can see how difficult it would be keep fresh herbs out of the cats’ reach, but sprouting is fully contained in your covered sprouting vessel. Also, with your abundant source of fresh water via RO, daily rinsing would not put a strain on your supply. A small amount of seeds sprout into a good sized serving, many times greater than they start out. If you can find a way to store the seeds in a dark, dry place, you can easily store a good amount until you can replenish your supply.

Finding a source of sprouting seeds may be challenging where you are at now, but dry beans, peas, and lentils are staples in many cultures; they can be used for sprouting until you reach a location where other organic, food-safe seeds and grains can be found (like alfalfa, radish, broccoli, quinoa, wheat berries, buckwheat groats, etc).

Here are a couple resources if sprouting is new to you, FYI…

I really like these sprouting toppers made to be used with wide-mouth Mason jars… https://www.amazon.com/Sprout-Ease-Econo-Sprouter-Toppers-Set-Piece/dp/B005P0SM8W/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1494105729&sr=8-2&keywords=sprouting+lids+for+mason+jars

http://www.culturesforhealth.com/learn/sprouting/choosing-equipment-for-sprouting/

Hope this helps you meet the need for greens! 🙂 ~Jenny

Great videos! do you still have the motorhome? are you going to spend the summer on it? or are you going down to central america soon.

Michael E Turnage

You seem so happy! I can feel it!!! Good for you!!! I enjoyed your many RV videos and continue to enjoy these (although I have no intention whatsoever of sailing anywhere, anytime) Youi are adorable people and I wish you the very best always!

My comment is more for your viewers than yourselves. Having lived full time in an RV for 5 years and then sailing full time for 3 years I have an alternative perspective to share with everybody. I honestly think Nikki and Jason could make a video about shoveling poo on a Texas pig farm in the middle of July and make it look appealing. So remember a few things: The grass isn’t always greener on the other side and wherever you go, there you are. In other words, if you, at this moment in your life aren’t happy or fulfilled wherever you are or whom ever you’re with then why in the heck do you think that travelling across the U.S.A. in an RV or sailing across the world is going to change anything? When I read their blog or watch the videos they post I feel like I am nothing like the people that comment here. I wonder nothing of lithium batteries or solar power or water generation or composting toilets or diesel or gas power or monthly expenses or how do you make money travelling or why don’t you have kids or where do the cats take a sh*t or what size sailboat or rv or where do you wild camp or blah,blah, blah. The ability to challenge yourself and learn and fail and achieve is the essence of life. How fulfilled have you been when you passed an open book test with flying colors? The most amazing times in my life have been when I have overcome setbacks or hardships or hell all by myself. That is life! Having a manual is a nice fallback but get your butt out there and just do it! My question after travelling the world over the last 25 years is: Where in the heck did you find a partner that shares your love of adventure? There are 3 keys to an amazing life: 1) Someone to Love. 2) Something you love to do. 3) Something to look forward to. If you have found all three than your search stops here! Most of us are lucky to have one or two of the three. I am more enamored by the connection that you two share of exploring, seeking out new experiences, and living a life of adventure than I am of questions of how did you afford a this or a that or what camera equipment do you use? Oprah Winfrey once said “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” AMEN to that. I’ve been through several relationships over the last decade and one thing in common with all the women I’ve been with is that my lifestyle of spontaneity, travelling, and adventure is something that they only love temporarily. Family, friends, routine, security, and stability always trumps this type of lifestyle for them in the end. I for one have no interest in a 40 hour work week, a mortgage payment, 2.5 kids, health insurance, a 401K, and a white picket fence. That to me is barely one step above of spending your life on Riker’s Island in prison. The connection you two share of life is more intoxicating than a weekend at burning man. I applaud you for the amazing transparency you share via the internet, the absolute professional quality of your videos and blogs that would make any London or New York ad agency cringe, and the information you freely give that not only saves potential globe-goers a lot of time but certainly a ton of $$$. For what it’s worth to the people reading this that are considering dropping everything for a fulltime life of anything. I found that there was no ONE answer for me. So after 25 years I found a happy center by RV’ing 3 months a year, Sailing 2 months a year, working a seasonal job 3 months a year, spending 2 months at home, and then 2 months flying to a different continent every year. Movement and change has been the key to my life……now if only I could find someone to share it with!

-Aloha John G

I love what you said about why you travel, you are “always seeking experiences.” I think that will be my new motto…it can apply to everyone and, really, shouldn’t that be what life is about? Thank you.

Bill Williams

This is what I worry about for you guys. Please be super super careful. http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2017/05/04/rescued-five-months-floating/

Thanks for the concern Bill, we try to be safe…there’s lots more we want to do in life! That story sounds like it was a waterspout and a total freak thing. We’re less likely to come to harm out sailing the ocean than driving down the road in a car.

Wonderful video, thanks for making them!

Can’t wait to hear about the inverter issues 😀

Ha ha, it’s electrifying stuff. 😉

Sense we have cats too. I was wondering if your carrying boxes of litter with you, or do you just fill the litter box with sand from a beach:)

We are lugging around litter. Sand would bring all kinds of creatures onto the boat we may not want living with us.

Charles Babb

Pleased to see that you guys have reached Ft. Lauderdale safely.

I have learned a bunch about sailing from my chair by watching your videos Nikki & Jason. I look forward to each mail and video as quickly as you put them out there for us. We have followed you since the RV thing started with your travels. We have a 40′ diesel RV and travel when we can part time. Hope to retire in the next year and do it way more full time. I am sure you two have done a bunch of research but if not you might also learn things. I also watch https://svdelos.com and they brought up a bunch while traveling the south pacific and around Africa. Dangerous winds, waters and wide gaps of no land between landings. Please make sure you are both safe at all times and careful when out in the open sailing waters ! We watchers and readers care for you and your SAFE travels. I sure hope the crew thing goes good for you and maybe someday my wife and I can join you for a sailing ride of a lifetime at least once or twice

Curious, ever thought about having kids? And, it truly amazes me how we get used to our income and lifestyle so much so that we think at times, “why don’t they all do this” …. wealth is a state of being…. reality? 2300. Per month and qualify for every kind of government assistance program …. paycheck to paycheck. But, in my mind (and my wife’s of nearly 25 years) what we’ve been able to occomplish with little…. yeah, that’s the success story there. And no, those government programs are for the folks that really need it:-). Oh, we thought long and hard about kids…. didnt have any. Bought our 2013 Airstream… and sweet truck…. now, for that day off….. sorry for the ramble.

In the beginning of your video you mentioned Andros. Were you able to stop at Andros Island? Went there last summer with my daughter, an educational program for middle schoolers. Stayed at Forfar Field Station. Saw Blue Holes, lots of snorkeling, basket weavers. Anyway, you mentioned it and it brought back wonderful memories. Love reading and watching your travels. Stay safe. Oh, and I will be trying your wrinkle mist.

We didn’t have the time to explore the island this time. We did meet some fellow cruisers who teach 8th graders to sail on their catamaran and Andros was one of their stops. We thought it was such a cool educational program and a great way for cruisers to make a living. Maybe we will get a chance to explore next go around.

John Dieker

Hi, what is that cool coffee press that you are using at the beginning of the Video? Please let me know…. I love watching your videos, beautiful, entertaining, and make my day!

Love your wrinkle solution! Will try that even though we are not on a boat. Not a fan of ironing, lol

The wrinkle solution works great and takes way less time and effort. Leaves more time for exploring. 🙂

Scott & Monica Vanover

My wife Monica and I have followed your travels. We are currently in Nassau on our way to Exumas this week if you guys are in the area love to meet up for a sunset. We are in a 46 Grand Banks but have our sights on a cat

Cheers Scott & Monica

Carolyn Shearlock

Thanks so much for including The Boat Galley in your list! Glad to know I was able to be of help 🙂

But of course! You have years worth of experience and info on your blog that is helpful to any sailor. Thanks for sharing!

Do you ever get tired of your fawning, loving fans saying that we love you two and are blown away by you?

Awe stop it George. No, go on. 😉 It’s a circle of love and positivity…I love it!

Stephen Lamb

Thanks for the video. I watch “Sailing La Vagabonde” and they now have a Catamaran. Is it true, that when sailing a monohull, in a good wind, that you are always listing as opposed to a Cat? I think not being level would but me! Thanks ~ Steve

Yes, a mono is all about living life on a tilt. Those that like it, love it. It’s lots of fun sailing a fast mono and getting on that lean. But, I still like my cat. Only one way to find out which you prefer. If you get the chance, go out sailing on both!

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Sailboat living in Alaska is extraordinary

Sailboat living in Alaska is a bit different than doing it in the Caribbean.

Living vicariously through others is what many of us do until we can create our own experiences. We are a society where reality TV, the documenting of the drama of other’s lives has replaced sitcoms and dramas. We’re curious how people live and what makes them tick. Often the most popular shows are like a car accident… absolutely horrific, but you can’t help but watch.

There is supposed to be only two situations that make for good movie scripts… extraordinary people living ordinary lives and ordinary people living extraordinary lives. I think I would like to fall under the latter of the two, which is why I am drawn to adventurers that have bucked the norm and are living life by the seat of their pants.

Meet Robert Melanson & Megan Bullers. These two live on their 1979 Cal31 Sailboat, named Turning Point, in Southeast Alaska. The two love being outdoors exploring the inland passages of Alaska and sharing their lives with their Youtube following . I follow a lot of adventures, which I will be sharing with you along the way. I like these two because they seem, well, normal. Their sailboat isn’t a million dollar cruiser and they both have regular jobs. Robert’s allows him to work remotely while Megan is tied to Juneau as a dental hygienist. They are upbeat but not cheesy and seem to live a really cool life. They document the good and bad of life in a tiny home sailboat. They’ve also put together a website with all of their videos located at http://www.venturelives.com . Currently in their second year – check them out an let me know what you think.

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Tiny home hotel in portland makes me happy, tiny homes suck… says forbes, adventure vehicle – no campground needed, the perfect travel trailer (imho) – 1951 spartanette vintage toyhauler, leave a reply cancel reply, what if your kids loved school, ask a yurt dweller, norm bucker on instagram.

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Living on a Boat: The Ultimate Off-grid Living Adventure

Off The Grid Off the Grid , Travel & RV 280

Living on a boat is a unique off the grid lifestyle that has intrigued adventuring souls for ages. For some, it’s an escape from the repetitiveness of everyday life; for others, it’s simply about the freedom and adventure that living on the water can bring. Regardless of the reason, living on a boat requires a certain level of dedication, preparation, and willingness to embrace a different lifestyle.

Considerations for Those Who want to Live on a Boat

First and foremost, before choosing to live on a boat, it is vital to consider the practical and financial implications of such a decision. The daily cost of living on a boat varies significantly depending on factors such as type, size, age, and vessel location. For example, the upfront expenses of purchasing a new or used boat can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar yachts. It is essential to factor in the cost of upkeep, including maintenance, fuel, insurance, and dockage fees. Moreover, living in a marina or dock adds to the overall cost, along with utilities such as electricity, water, and internet services.

The type of boat also plays a role in determining the level of comfort and amenities available. While some boats offer basic essentials, such as a bed, bathroom, and kitchenette, others offer lavish living spaces with high-end appliances, spacious bedrooms, and panoramic views of the water. However, with luxury comes added expenses and maintenance, which may not be feasible for everyone.

Give it a test run!

Before setting sail, it’s important to understand the lifestyle and figure out if you can actually handle living on the sea. The first thing you should do is choose a marina that you can live in for 3 – 6 months. This is an important step to mentally and physically preparing to live at sea. Your body needs time to adjust, and your mind needs time to become accustom to this new way of living.

If you’ve determined that this is the lifestyle you want to live, then there are some steps that you need to take.

Research Thoroughly : Before making any decisions, conduct extensive research on the type of boat, equipment, and amenities that you’ll need to live on a boat, along with the costs and regulations in your area. Talk to people who have experience living on a boat and seek their advice on the challenges and benefits of a boat lifestyle.

Be Mindful of Safety : Living on the water requires that safety be a top priority. Make sure you have a sufficient safety plan in place, including proper safety equipment, navigation equipment, and a thorough understanding of boating safety regulations.

Prepare for Living on a Small Space : Living on a boat requires adapting to living in a much smaller space. You’ll need to downsize and maximize storage capacity, creatively arranging furniture, and appliances to make the most out of the limited space. Selecting multi-functional furniture such as a sofa bed or a wall-mounted foldable table can be an excellent way to save space.

Learn Boating Skills : Before living on a boat, it is essential to learn the fundamentals of boating, including how to navigate, steer and dock the vessel. Take a boating safety course, read boating books or watch tutorials online, and consider hiring a professional

Choosing a Boat

Research, Research, Research. When choosing a boat, don’t jump right into the first cheap one that you find on craigslist. The upkeep on these things can be incredibly expensive, and if you don’t know what you’re doing you could be in for some unwelcome surprises.

When choosing a boat you should consider the following things:

When considering how much to spend on a boat, take the amount that you are willing to pay and subtract about 30%. You will want that extra 30% for any maintenance issues that may pop up.
Check for Leaks – Before purchasing a boat, do a thorough inspection to check for leaks. Any leaks need to be taken care of right away. Mold will become a huge problem, and can make your boat unlivable if left unchecked.
Mold – Mold can be a problem so make sure you check the boat for signs of mold.

Where to Dock

Anchoring . Anchoring or ‘living on the hook’ is going to be your cheapest option, but it also means that you’ll have to be fully self-sufficient. To be able to pull this type of living off, you must.

Have a way to generate your own electricity (solar wind etc…)
Have a way to store enough water, or be able to generate your own drinking water.
Be mentally and physically prepared to live at sea.
Buy a good dinghy for coming to shore for work, supplies, etc.

Mooring . Another cheap option is called mooring. A mooring ball is a method of anchoring your boat without an anchor. It works by attaching your boat to a chain that’s attached to a heavy sunken cement block. There is usually an initial deposit or setup fee and a small monthly fee is usually involved.

Marina Living – Depending on the location, this option can be pretty similar to an RV Park. A growing number of Marinas offer electrical hookups and supply stores within walking distance of your boat.

We highly recommend Marina living for those who are just starting out. Before setting sail, marina living can help make sure you’re able to handle the lifestyle. Choose a marina that you can live at for 3 – 6 months. This is a crucial step to mentally and physically preparing to live at sea.

Local Laws: Another critical aspect to keep in mind is the boating regulations and laws in the area where you plan to dock or sail. Each state or country has its own set of rules and restrictions, including licensing requirements, zoning laws, and boating safety regulations. Furthermore, the weather and tide conditions can significantly affect your comfort and safety on a boat, and it’s essential to be mindful of such factors.

Safety Considerations

This type of lifestyle is filled with hazards. While it is enjoyable and liberating, if unprepared it can quickly become a nightmare.

Pirates – Believe it or not, in certain parts of the world this is still a pretty big problem. Make sure you have the proper equipment to be able to defend yourself in case of attack. (SHOTGUN!)
Make sure you know what you’re doing! – If you are not familiar with boating, you should take at least 6 months of time to cruise around the shore. I highly recommend taking lessons and becoming familiar with your boat before sailing off into the sunset.
Communications – Cell phones when near shore, satellite communications, a marine radio, and a Ham Radio should all be on the top of your list of considerations.
Boats require a lot of maintenance . Make sure you know the ins and outs of your boat, and how to troubleshoot anything that might go wrong when you’re out at sea.

The Benefits of Boat Living

Despite the challenges and considerations, living on a boat can offer many benefits, such as increased freedom, privacy, and the joy to explore different locations. Here are some of the advantages of living on a boat that may appeal to you:

Minimalist Lifestyle : Living on a boat requires downsizing and simplifying your possessions, making it an ideal choice for those who yearn to live with less. The limited space on a boat forces you to make do with what you have, and prioritize what’s essential. This approach encourages a minimalist lifestyle and helps to declutter your life.

Close Connection with Nature : Living on a boat provides a unique opportunity to be surrounded by nature, including stunning sunsets, calm waters, and wildlife. The sound of water lapping against the hull of the boat can be a relaxing and therapeutic experience, helping you to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life.

Ability to Travel and Explore : One of the most significant advantages of living on a boat is the ability to travel and explore different locations. Whether you want to cruise down the coastline or navigate through canals and rivers, living on a boat offers unparalleled freedom and adventure.

Affordability : Living on a boat can be more affordable than traditional housing, depending on the type of boat and location. While the upfront cost may be higher, the ongoing expenses can be lower compared to a mortgage or rent.

Sense of Community: Living in a marina or dock offers the opportunity to become part of a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for all things boating. The sense of camaraderie and socialization can be a significant factor for those who crave a close-knit neighborhood or environment.

Check out our Off the Grid section for more unconventional and alternative ways of living.

195 Comments

Hey, some big draw backs to think you’ll go live on a boat. As suggested above, you’ll be confined, make sure you can live that way. Maintenance can eat you up and sink you, so buy what you can afford to operate and maintain. Sail boats are not free to travel in, sails and rigging wear out and nee to be replaced.

Having a gun of any kind on a boat outside the US can be a big problem and can land you in prison. You can be considered as importing a gun into Mexico for example and end up as a guest for years. Pirates? Yes, some gang is off Mexico in the gulf, but most are on the east coast of Africa, just don’t go there.

If it becomes a matter of survival and you are sitting on a boat in some lake or large river, you could easily be a target with an indefensible position, you are literally, a sitting duck!

If you do go the boat route, most liveaboards suggest buying the smallest boat that suits your purpose. A well constructed seaworthy boat can be built or purchased that is only 15 feet, 12 foot boats have traveled around the world! Some 25/26 footers can serve as a liveaboard for 2 people! Many do it.

I’d rather go small and be able to gunkhole (anchor in some river or lake cove in a covered area) and be unknown than to ever be at a marina tied up during any emergency.

a small sailboat 25ft or less is quite inexpensive. if you are very anal it might be expensive but then you wouldn’t be the type to live on a boat. i spent 75 dollars in 10 years on a bayliner buccaneeer 21ft. but i didn’t have to paint the bottom as a oil company had a spill and painted it for me. the cramped space is nice, your stove is right there bathroom right there what else do you need. the big problem is don’t let things get cluttered up, you can’t sail your boat if you are a horder or close to it, no more than 10 min time between deciding to leave and sails up and on the way 5 for me. most marinas have an underground comunity of illeagle liveaboards so when they say you can stay 3 nites a week you get around it. finding a place you can anchor in safty and peace i’m not sure of. make sure you have a good anchor. halfmoon bay ca you can anchor in the bay for 2 weeks then you have to move on. don’t forget a dingy or rubber raft. raft is cheeper. harpoon is good and fishing pole don’t forget fishing lisence. use mussles for bait they are free. i can live at my marina for 500 a month all expensice high on the hog. stay low key. you will never be off the grid really if you are on a boat that can go out anytime due to regestration, but you can come close. a handheld vhf and computer are all you need for comunication as you can always find a free wifi somewhere or get a cellphone. get used to not taking a lot of showers or join a gym, i would just stink as girls don’t typically get impressed with small sailboats. if you want to attract girls get a wakeboard boat. learn to single hand sail as it’s harder than you would think to get people to go out. meet other underground sailers just don’t leave money hanging around most wont steel but some will. living on a boat on or off the grid is great if you learn to love it, sometimes it can take a while to reach this state of mind it is a little like being homeless.

alot of what u say is true. One should keep in mind that on a hook is dangerous, you are living on or near an ocean where anything can or will happen. I lived on a boat in a marina for years in New England making sure bubblers are working, to keep ice out, i had a space heater catch my sleeping bag on fire almost died, my water hose broke to waterheater almost sunk boat. allthough it was probably the most peacfull sleeps i ever had, its a lonesome life style. Fare weather friends are in every port just stay close to boat because you have to gaurd it from dock theives and prancsters. its a different lifestyle that takes a fit person if you are sickly no place for anyone liven on the hook set your waypoints and fare wind 3 beer bob

I have lived on both a sailboat and a power boat for over 30 years. Have sailed all the Caribbean, Galapagos, S. America and southern US. It is great. You have to be no more careful than living on the land and the rewards are awesome. You meet very friendly,helpful people from all walks of life. Many problems mentioned by people that live up north do not exist. I am now living in the FL Keys. It is the safest place in the US. Weather is great

hello Sylvia, my name is Robert I live on the outer banks of NC. i’me 66 and tired of the every day hustle and bustle, I have been around and on boats all my life the water is no stranger to me, but I have never lived on it.have a question are there a lot of marinas in the keys to dock and live at and are the docking fees high, I don’/t like sail boats my self I like a power boat not to say sail boats aren’t nice they are beautiful but I tried it once and it was a lot to learn and I have had a lot of power boats big and small. thanks for listening to my questions and if you can give me some advice about this way of life I would appreciate it so much. thanks again Robert

hi, I am searching for the best boat to live on, in the keys as well, what footage is the accommodating for most marinas?

thank you anne

can you say without too many details if its smarter to go the powerboat or sailboat route? im 6’3 and will be working as a diver in Marathon

Made the decision 3yrs ago to liveaboarf. Keys are no.1 spot for me. Whats the best anchorage/marina? I lived in Marathon off and on really like the midkeys and lower.

Hello. I happened upon your thoughts on living aboard a boat. Wondering if you might have any more tips even though your comments are nearly 3 years ago. Any more advice? Looking to live on the water Sincerely R Miller

I am looking into living on a boat and chasing the weather I can’t find any down side to this. Either a smaller one for two plus a hired hand or bigger and running charters for a couple what do you think

Hi , give me some recommendation to start to live in a sailboat in Miami marina , I appreciate your recomendation . Thanks

To me boat life is satisfying & unless u have unlimited fuelling $. Its a sailboat.

Gas and propane are dangerous, and one can live with out it. Two years now aboard my boat the SV Garfish, with few problems. Less is more.carry water, caned goods, fish, minimize electric for radio, sonar ect. Old sailors lived with out.

Sylvia I want to bein key west this time next year. Need help with the living there while I finish my captains lic from the coast guard.

How do you know if you want to live on a boat. I think i do but not alone. I get a small check each month. Am retited and all i really enjoy is going to the beach. Ive been on boats and hated comimg home but I have no ideal how to go about startimg this chapter of my life im 53. But how do you lesrn to navigate and maintain your bost.

Donna, take a course at US Coast Guard auxiliary, you can only learn by doing, start at a marina and take day trips till you get the hang of it, it might take you years to get good at it, be a coastal cruiser, watch the weather

DONNA,I would recommend finding an experianced single sailor with his own sailboat that just came out of a yearlong total refit and gets a retirement check as well.and your age range as well. Like me…

I am middle age sailor, retired.

Whereabouts are you sailor oceirin? newbie here looking into the sailing life

Donna, I too am thinking of living on a boat and am not not sure how to go about it and don’t want to do it alone and not a trained. I am retired and will be 53 in March and am divorced. Have you any suggestions for me? And does anybody want to teach me to sail? I’m in Redondo Beach CA.

Redondo Beach Yacht Club can you teach you how to sail for free. You will go out with a memeber of the club’s sailboat and they’ll teach you the ropes.

I have a 26 pearson, i am on it from sat through tues morning, i know nothing about sailing, but use it for my weekend getaway. A/c,heat,tv,etc…its a great life for 160 a month, if i become permanent live aboard i will have to have my electricity metered, maybe another 40 per month

I would love to live on a boat I’m thirty and don’t have the money to own a boat so if u have one and want some help im your man

Hi Donna, I live on the canal, but I’m going to sea next march. I have been reading and sailing dingys at a club to learn . There is a lot to learn, but my main concern is lonliness. None of my friends want to live at sea, so there will be me and whoever I meet, perhaps crew for long trips. I hope you make the leap, I think a lot of people learn as they go, I hope to as I have had very little time at sea so far. Happy days Donna and my the wind bless your sails when you go

I have to say, your opinion on being a sea dog was quite honest and well received, being an advendurest sort, and living in somewhat adverse conditions the past 5 years, I am truly considering living aboard a 27ft hunter. I’m not new at sailing, born and raised on the long island sound, and many bareboat charters internationally and some abroad, doesn’t qualify me to make this decision. I’m a 56 year young man, separated from wife of 30 years and relocating to west Palm beach Florida for a career move, I don’t want to buy or lock into a lease in case the job doesn’t pan out. However mariners that I’ve talked with say it’s illegal to live in a slip, also what do you do in hurricane season and even a honey dipper. Any advice would be appreciated. William

you sound like my grandfather he has the exact same story as you

I don’t think the guy was being negative. He was just telling you the truth. Having lived aboard for a few years, the reality is quite different than the romanticised version.I loved parts of it but found other parts to be quite difficult. And although my boat was a “yacht” it was indeed confining and a little like being homeless at times. There were other times at sunset with wine and Bocelli playing that I thought I could die happy, right then and there.

One of the things I would like to comment on is the assumption that you have to be “out to sea” if you live onboard. Even in a doomsday scenario, creeping along the coastline would be fine and even a novice can learn their way. Going up and down the intercoastal is easy (though a shorter draft helps. There are many places to hide and be protected that are not in 60 mile an hour winds and 15 foot seas. I have owned boats for 15 years and never took any of them out of the harbor unless it was on the intercoastal and brief periods of blue water access. I am still a novice but was able tolive aboard with great success. Go for it, but realize it is a big change if you are used to living on land.

Where are some safe places to hide?

while I agree its not hassle free, you are allowed to carry a firearm on your yacht under international law, you must declare it at customs, some countries will remove it from your possession until you leave. It makes sense to have a gun safe on board as this usually waives the requirement for the customs to hold it for you, gunsafe is a good idea anyway if you own firearms.

But you wont need the firearms while at sea…only near land where the people are. Use your head not a gun. Of all the people roaming the world on yatchs its Americans that have the biggest problems.

I would recommend a semi-automatic assault rifle. Piracy is a real problem and you need to be able to lay down some lead. Lots of ammo also. Safety through Strength

defending yourself is not a problem. defenatly travel heavily armed as you can afford too. the problem is the pirates not the well armed law abiding person.

Typical paranoid american slant on pirates. I have been traveling the globe this last 20 years on yachts and have never seen a pirate yet. As for laying down some lead if you do come across a pirate chances are it will be off the coast of somalia and they going to be a lot more heavily armed and a hell of a lot more willing to use force than the average chump on a sailing boat. Chances are you are going to come out of it a lot worse than if you had stayed away from known pirate hotspots, keeping yourself and the poor buggers that are going to have to rescue you out of harms way.

I’m thinking of buying a cheap boat and sailing into the world’s troubled spots for fun. I’ve got myself the firepower I might need to protect myself and the floating love machine a 50 calibre M2 Browning machine gun strapped 2 the back,two Daewoo USAS-automatic shotguns and two 9mm with built in lazer sights strapped 2each leg for close up combat.I’ll also need a 21year old busty blond who can fish, clean cook and suck (any leaks out of the hull obviously that’s what I meant) and who begs for the pork sword 4times a week. Any takers??? My thoughts were Somalia first then on to Lagos (Nigeria) and then onto the gulf of Aden/red sea then onto the Singapore straits to finish of. Any out there fancy it.?? Or can anyone advise me on what boat to get. l can’t swim very well so it’ll need to be a good one. Will I need oars cos I’ve ordered a pair on eBay

Well stevie mak you have never seen a pirate in 20 years hmm? Well I have never seen a rapist in 28 years. I guess rapists must not exist!!!

Feel free to let your daughter wander around alone in dark alleys and dont worry about giving them a cellphone everyone because rapists and sex-trafficers dont exist according to stevie mack’s logic.

I have also never seen a heart attack…they must not exist either.

I should throw my fire extingisher and smoke detecter away after all my home will never catch fire.

So, what you’re saying is that one should just stay out to sea :/ Don’t be a tard. Get a firearm just in case. I have absolutely no plans to use one and hope I never do. But, it’s always better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Guns are safe if you secure the ammo with lock and key.

Ref: Pirates

in 1993, I was returning from the Bahamas, to West Palm Beach, with a friend who was taking a turn at piloting. I noticed about a 1/2 mile ahead two identical Cruisers w/all glass covered w/either cloth or some solid cover. No people were seen, but I had been forewarned about pirates. One was heading straight for my starboard side, and the other for the Port side. My friend thought I was nuts getting my gun, But, I was waving my gun in one hand while coming up to the deck to keep balance (the sea was very rough as a hurricane had just fizzled out the day before). Evidentally, the must have thought I was challanging them!! At any rate, the both turned simultaneously 90 degrees going 2 different directions and they kept that course until I was out of sight. ;BE PREPARED.

Where I go my guns go…wont be a victim and your right, you dont need a gun…..until you do.

a flare gun is a legal weapon on your ship no declareing anything and shoots real good try fireing it just for effect see what i mean

I many countries a “Flare Gun” is actually considered a weapon and could get you in just as much trouble as a handgun..

No BS, Canada for instance does not allow them, some of the islands can be tricky especially if you are the type to draw attention to yourself.

Just check with local regulations on firearms and / or flare guns for the destination(s) AND along the route you are planning just in case you need to go to shore in some place other than where you were heading.

As to what type of weapon to bring (if you decide to bring one at all).

I recommend a decent nickel or stainless steel pump action 12 gauge (3.5″ Mag) with 00 Buckshot. Buy yourself a roll of rosin (peach) paper, completely disassemble the firearm, clean and oil EVERYTHING, use gun grease anywhere you can, then make sure it is UNLOADED! wrap it entirely in rosin paper and put into a waterproof case. I personally use a FoodSaver vacuum bagger as you can make any size bag you need, and it also is great for keeping the shells, batteries, and oh yea, food!

Store the firearm in an upper bunk or cabinet where it is away from moisture, even in the bag it could sweat.

As to declaring the weapon, again, I would be VERY careful when bringing it, and use the utmost discretion… TELL NO ONE that you have it on-board.

One last thing; I have seen people use modification kits to make a flare-gun fire shot shells…

****DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT THIS!!! It WILL come apart in a most disastrous and harmful way!!!

ok I had to lock my ammo in my car trunk because my gun safe sunk my tender (dang me guns are in it) I guess I will try my flare gun now

You can also use wasp killer spray. Shoots at least 15 feet and cheaper than mace.

Get a couple of super soaker squirt guns and fill the reservoir with gas if pirates are approaching. Effective range is about 35 to 80 feet depending on how much you pump them up but they make great flame throwers. They are only good for one or two uses because the plastic melts but effective short range weapons.

wasp spray is very effective. i rode my HD motorcycle from Colorado to Honduras alone. i obviously could not bring a gun so i brought bear spray that i use for camping in Alaska. it is made to repel 200lbs brown bears, many small hand guns cant do that. truth is intellect knowledge and just having faith in yourself is the best protection.

Good choice if you don’t have a real gun. I prefer a shotgun and have a “toolbox” 357. The issue is the quantity of “pirate” attacks is minute compared to actual attacks. All countries consider attacks in their territorial waters as an attack by a common criminal only, attacks that happen in international water are the only attacks properly refered to as pirate attacks. If all attacks on boats with theft and carnage in all water even coastal water the issue would be well known to all you in this forum.I suggest you Google attacks on cruising boats you will see what I mean,a couple yachting magazines spend resources to try to properly report pirate attacks. I was with a friend only 20 miles off venice fl when we had a boat approach when my friend fried up and I was pulling the hook he tried to cut off out escape I cut the line and thankfully we were considerably faster… I’m prepping for a year long cruise to south east asia and all the places I’m going a shotgun is ok they will want it left on boat and also a count on your ammo…

You are out of your mind to suggest living on a 15 foot boat. The fools that sail around on small boats are fools–like you. You can probably live on a 28 foot boat in a marina. If you are single. I know people who have. If you want to sail on the ocean, 45′ is a better size that can cover some ground. If you want to go fast enough to get anywhere you will need an extra big fuel tank, and an efficient prop. There is little to worry about regarding piracy in the US and most of the Caribbean. Avoid So. America and Mexico. I do agree it is nice to be able to gunk hole in small harbors. Still there are plenty of nice spots for vessels with drafts of 6-8 feet. And you can buy a few flare pistols to defend yourself.

Lots and lots of misinformation on this site. As you may now, one of the more famous liveaboards and a true sailor, Eric Hiscock, traveled the world in a 30-foot boat. Size isn’t the deciding factor in the seaworthiness of a vessel, though I would say that storage of the essentials, food and other provisions, sails, anchors and what have you, would be a factor to consider. I’m on a 31 foot, full-keel sailboat with a broadish beam (11.6′) and have considerable storage space. As for pirates, never seen them except make-believe ones at re-enactments in Beaufort, NC and Ocracoke Island, NC. Living on a boat certainly isn’t for everyone nor should it be, especially those of a “survivalist” mentality. Mostly, sailors are a caring loving community far removed from this nonsense about automatic weapons and firepower. If I were a religious soul, I would pray for you those of that persuasion to stay land-bound. Peace and long life.

I would say if you have to think about living on a small boat, you do not belong, you see I think its in your blood (DNA) to live on the sea or make port calls. If you live on a boat you know exactly what I mean (smile) Happy Sailing

Well if you ever see one you are screwed. If I ever see one they are screwed. Keep sailing and one day it might happen and then you will feel very stupid for insulting us for preparing when you didn’t. Riots, pirates, gangs, home-invaders, rapists, pedos, and sex-traffickers are not make believe and to scoff at those who realize this, train, and take precautions shows what a fool you are. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I suppose if you have never seen a rape that you believe it will never happen to you or anyone you know and think women who take self defense are idiots since it only happens in the movies.

You don’t want a gun fine but don’t insult people who had the intelligence to prepare for danger.

Amen brother…Got a Barrett M107 and I’ll reach out and touch em before they can ever reach me. The ill prepared are victims.

I would like to do this. my downfall is needing an online career to help fund

That’s my problem but there are solutions to every problem. Still working on this one…

So according to Hiscock, size doesn’t matter?

well flare gun would work but now my boats on fire

There are no pirates in the USA until a man has a starving child. Then they are everywhere. If you don’t think that desperate people will do stupid things to get what you have then I hope you’d consider reading some history books about societal collapse. The sail boat isn’t a survival bunker it is a BOB (bug out boat). If things hit the fan sail/motor to a cleaner fan.

A flaregun for self-defense? No thank you. I prefer my AR-15.

223 rounds would do nothing to sink a boat that a good bilge pump couldn’t overcome it’s also to small a round to do damage to an in board hence my preference for shotgun. I keep 4 oo buck first then slugs so I can spray pellets in direction of operator or gunmen then shoot out engine. Have you shot from a boat on the water before? Its a lot like having sex while jogging…just my opinion but a 22 is better then pleading with possible murderers who will throw you overboard and take your boat or if your lucky they will only kidnap you.

Get the Henry .22 survival rifle. You have an oz of protection, survival, and sport. Problem solved: no more bickering.

Lol…Amen…. Me? Got my AR if they get too close but a Barrett M107 to keep em away.

We have a large sailboat….First of all you can not CARRY A SHOTGUN out of the USA. I have done extensive research and if you do be prepared as to what the foreign countries can do to you. Be smart get a PROTECTION DOG! People so do not understand what it is like living on a boat. It is a lot of work and money do not fool yourself. Bikerman you were correct in your writing. Not slamming a dream. When you sail run with other yachters, this helps with pirates. Mexico is safe, be careful in Africa and the Philippians….Serious stuff goes on there.

Philippians?…. ulok maliit na unggoy….I think you meant it’s spelling to be Filipinos… Filipinos come from the Philippines… This tells me you are not as traveled as you’re making out to be…

I have aunt on sailboat w/ hubby and dog & I find all this good information. I think correcting spelling as a means to defend ignorance of yourself is obnoxious and unexcusable AND I’m professional proofreader!

The sex traffic industry is REAL and I lived in Thailand for 4 years as child where when I was getting a haircut at age 12, the other “children” were being dolled up to look 20 (before AIDS made sickos request children because they thought they were “safer”- like you were that little girl’s first time being rented to a creep for an hour!) I do not know the laws of guns, but agree w/ shutgun and sex/jogging comment. That said, if you’re going to have a gun, practice on LAND a lot! It’s not just the gun, but the kickback. My mom’s shutgun for SASS (cowboy shooting club) was padded to help absorb the kick. Get the wrong shutgun and forget about pirates, your shoulder will feel like it was kicked by mule and you’ll be pleading for someone to put you out of your misery.

I am NOT a boater though sounds cool for retirement, but I would Also say practise loading and unloading your gun. It’s not as easy as you think, on land! I’d say join a gun club like sass as people will give you lots of help/info and most will let you try their gun. I’d warn you of common prank, but it would’t fair: too much fun for audience & good lesson for you. SASS only allows old style guns, 6-shooters, etc, but members know all guns and can help you pick best one for you. Another example is Hand Grip– makes a huge difference and everyone prefers a different kind. Last, having an unloaded gun is like having a rubber with a hole in it– you’ll feel protected until 9 months later ;) As a woman whose lived/traveled in the worst neighborhoods, there is nO such thing as a safe one. Look at all the rapes that happen in $100k/yr colleges. Your safest protection is YOU. If you’re traveling w/ a woman, and you use showers at marinas/docking stations (sorry don’t know proper vocab, I do RVing) then stand outside shower/bathroom and wait for her. Lots of rapes happen at Very nice RV sites cause man is already in bathroom waiting in stall for it to be empty except for 1 woman. Even have her check every stall, come back out to says it’s empty/safe and still wait for her. A rapist won’t go inside if you’re by door. Obviously, don’t hover closer than 5′ from door, but if asked, tell the truth, “my wife” (no matter what relationship status) is taking shower & I’m making sure no man goes in there to hurt her” you’ll be the bell of the ball and also educate Other women to get their friend/hubby to watch the door. For those people either naive or sexists, do this even if your “wife” is old, fat, ugly– rape is about violence, not trying to lay the prom queen who turned you down. Last tip as someone who stealth vans and has little room, try to have medical kid do double duty. I like tea tree oil as it’s good for anything: bug bites, rashes, burns/cuts, and can be used on humans & dogs (not cats)! Get real one from spa web stores, as they’re true oils. If place sells different oils at same price– avoid! Also, this is medicine! Too much can cause problems. Try on land during day, when er is empty, first to make sure u don’t react to ANY oils! Google medications your on/type of medication (blood pressure, etc) and make sure it doesn’t contradict. Lavender is also great for cuts/burns and both lavender/teatree oil in olive oil works great on doggy hotspots! Cloves/clove oil great for tooth aches BUT mom had reaction to 4-yr old clove and her blood pressure medicine. Remember OILs are more concentrated so if old clove caused heart papultations, what would OIL have done? Caffinated soda fixed problem. Remember, oils can double as bug/rodent deterant and also makes stinky van nice so I imagine would help w/ fishy smells. 2-4 good oils can work as 5-8 things and a little goes a long way. Remember, its medication!!! If you’re the type who thinks if 2 advils work, 6 would be better, don’t use! Last, for doggies, a lot of over-the-counter human medication works for them too. Benedril great for allergies in dogs, helps if hot spot was allergy-related and also makes dog a little sleepy. So if dogs in pain, can at least help them relax a bit. Some anti-diareea meds work too. Do research, talk to vet, and go by weight of dog! For men: midol is one of best back pain relievers (all dad’s army buddies bought out the store before overseas trips!)

*If sick like me, have medical records on hand. Cop pulling me over and I have 3-month supply of percocet can make me look like dealer.

Hope that helps from fellow travel who just does it on land ;)

People who have never lived on a boat don’t understand what it’s like, and people who have will have different opinions and experiences. It is a lot less work than living in a house, that’s for sure. And far, far cheaper than any other way of life I’ve led (houses, apartments, dormitory, etc.)

If you like dogs and have room, excellent choice. I didn’t.

For off-grid living, a boat is hard to beat for learning to do without. You are forced to get used to less-is-more. Some people would hate that, but I loved it.

For a survivalist, a boat could be good, or not. It’s a great way to live near a metropolitan area (such as Seattle, where I was) and still be able to bug out in under 10 minutes if you want to, without depending on a road network that would be jammed with cars in a disaster. A sailboat will allow you to travel in almost any situation. (I don’t like depending on engines.) However, they are very vulnerable to anybody willing to do violence. A single person in a fiberglass boat cannot defend against a gang in a speedboat armed with rifles, period. And if you go ashore, there’s not going to be any way to secure the boat against intruders.

The beauty of the liveaboard lifestyle is that in normal times, you don’t have to do any of this. I never met anyone on the water that I felt threatened by. Storms, passing ships, treacherous shoals, yes..but never people.

What if the single person on the sailboat has his own rifle and the bad guys dont know it? Im sure a few dozen well placed shots from will sink their boat. Im sure if I had a hundred round drum and some green tips id be fine.

Sharks get a free meal and maybe I can use one of the pirates legs as bait…have me some shark steaks.

Did you live in the Marina in Seattle ?

Mexico is safe? Are you Serious?

Your “extensive research” lead you to believe you cant bring a gun outside the US?. You can carry guns on your boat in international waters and you just have to check the laws of the country you are sailing to and declare them from what I have heard.

Also Mexico is safe my butt. The gangs control that country. I would never go there.

Mexico is safe. The roads closest to texas and arizona are not safe. Baja california, south of san diego there is nothing to worry about. And guns are never allowed to be brought into mexico.

So Mexicans don’t have guns? Hmmmm!

I was driving thru Mexico and got robbed by three Mexican police, I lived on my boat in Rio Dulce Guatemala, do you think the bad guys don’t have guns? Most sailers have guns in Guatemala, I had one, I just didn’t let it be known. The marinas at night have guards walking the docks at night with shot guns. I’ll never go back, Florida Keys are a great place to live on your boat.

in 2013 i solo rode my big red Harley from Colorado to Honduras all throughout Mexico in big cites and small villages. same in Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. is there potential for danger yes! i was stopped several times by armed people. most were polite and just protecting their village, some made adhoc tolls of 2-3 dollars. that said Mexico is not that bad, better than Detroit places in Chicago. most people were extremely friendly and incredibly generous. BTW Honduras makes mexico look like disneyland

Why not get a dog and a gun?

T.Sorry to bust your bubble but their are many countries that do allow shotguns.I have lived all over Europe and in Russia.My favorite is a 410 as no kick(I’m a female) in Russia they have a no recoil automatic shotgun.The west side of the Gulf of Mexico does have pirates plus drug trafficking. Central America is iffy.Something to remember which no one seems to have mentioned is the Coast Guard,Marine police, etc.can board your boat anytime without your permission.This is also true in other countries and beyond the mile limits. Living on a boat is something like living in an older RV with increased maintenance and on the water with movement while sleeping.

Reading forums is not real good investigating… You can Google just don’t stop at opinion sites. You mention Philippines, You declare meds and guns and amount of ammo they will tell you leave weapon on board and will want you to turn in you meds to customs unless you have certified letter from US Dr and pharmacy and they will count ammo when you leave…btw theirs a large population of Muslims on southernmost island on Philippines and they have attacked many boats even at a marin a on one occasion. All were considered criminal attacks. NOT piracy…

For anyone serious about living off the grid on a sailboat you should not worry about fending off pirates with flare guns. Weather, the Coast Guard, electricity generation, boat rigging, and proper gear are the things you should be worried about. I read many of these posts and nobody is talking about gps, charts, vhf/weather radio, EPIRB, tow insurance, tides, mooring lights, beacons, shiping lanes, coastguard regulations or anything else useful that will be considered musts for your adventure. Living in a marina on a boat is just like living in an RV park but costs more. Buy a 28 foot or better boat and go for it. It will be the best thing you have ever done and will really change the way you look the world.

Perfect post… But living in these (Hawaii) Marina’s isn’t even close to living in an RV!! Haven’t been in one yet that comfortable.

Tell us more about liveaboards in Hawaii. Thought it was expensive and hard to find. Shed some lihht for us Andy

Is there a chance we could chat for a bit? I would really appreciate it. Thanks joelbass@ yahu

Thx for leaving the paranoia out of the post.

Excellent advice @ Chris.. Thats the type of info I am looking to better understand. Can you go into a bit more detail on key regulations pertaining to shipping lanes?

I found RV parks more expensive avg.$35.00 a day where as boat slips charge by the foot and I found $10.00 a foot was the average for me.ALSO newbies should really take a class on reading and using the equipment on board plus maritime law.

Opps I forgot the $10 a foot was for the month not the day.

OK so I am on board for the past 4 years anyone out there want to go to Cuba for a year !???

Not to cuba but other places would be fine. I am female 53. Have my own income. Want to live at sea.

Ok,let’s try this again,,, Hello Donna you have piqued my intrest, I have been living aboard since I retired way back in 1998, so a few questions for you. Do you have a great sense of humor (your,gonna need it,ouy,here) do you have any sailing experience, how are you in a crisis situations, do you have wanderlust, are you willing to try,new things, where do you live now. Anyway if,your,interested in a no B.S. guy let’s talk

dam, stone cold Mark, stone cold..

Ya that there would be nice and beautiful to travel the world by sea

Bikerman personally I would prefer a AK, M1A, or AR-15 to a shotgun myself. I don’t think you would be to much of a sitting duck armed with one of those. Of course a Saiga or VEPR 12 loaded with slugs might be nice for sinking Pirates I would think. Muhuhahahaha<—-(Maniacal Laugh)

If I was rich I'd say Barrett M107A1.

P.S. I hate gangbangers and Pirates.

What about a spear gun with Co2 canisters as a weapon…might be better than a gun in a pinch.

Hi all.. I hope there are people still here. I just got a 26′ Cruisers Bar Harbor for FREE. It needs some remodeling inside but I can do that.. the engine is still in good condition. As my name implies, I am currently living on Long Island but would like to start living the boat life as soon as I get the boat completed and ready. It is a 1980s model and the owner told me that I don’t need a title to get it registered, only a Bill of Sale. Is this true, and what else will I need legally to run it? Also, what is the best way to come ashore without having to pay huge cash for a marina boat slip? I’m very comfortable being alone, I am 50 in a couple months and in decent health.. and want to work my way down to the Keys.. Does anyone have any experience with that model and any other advice will be appreciated.. and I have a lot more questions…THANKS and it is Christmas night so Merry Christmas!

Are you lookimg for company? I wNt to tryout boat living. Am 53 retired can pay my own expenses. Have no experience. But I know i would love living at sea. Just need a man to show me the way.

Please leave me your contact info. I am 54. Been building and living on boats for years

Donna did you find a man to show help show you the ropes?

Hello everyone I am marine preper live here in Florida me and my wife live on a 32 foot sailboat outfitted for Bluewater cruising I am a survivorlist and proper I also used to work for the government for me it is the best way to bug out we have a crossbow longbow food for year wind generator solar power engine power we carry 160 gallons of diesel fuel 100 gallons of water plus a water maker AM so much other things if anyone has any questions please contact me

260 gals of fluid and a year supply of food and room left for two ppl to live? I gotta call be on that beside with you generating power your lucky to be able to even use a radio… Yeah b.s….

Lot of story telling on here. Sailers or fishtails? Lol

you know what that comic says “basically, you’re just gathering food and supplies for the biggest guy on the block.” it’s a joke, not meant to mess with your survivalist sensibilities.. i’m sure we’ll be seeing you down the line, you’ll be the one with all the things needed to survive.

This is not for the novice. unless you are independently wealthy and can withstand to lose ALL that you invest. And if you are novice, you must learn a lifetime of knowledge first. When bad things happen they happen faster than you can respond and you are alone, even if you radio the Coast Gaurd you are still 99% alone. They will save you,if they can find you in time, but thats it, if your vessel needs saved thats not their job, except for a very few conditions you will probally not fall under. I lived in this fashion for many years and finnaly ceased to do so due to a trifecto of causes, these being getting worn down by hurricanes Jeanne, Francis and Wilma while I was suffering three herniated discs in the lower back and trying to further my carrer as a marine industry professional. Most, and I think eventually all, marinas and moorings do not allow “live aboards”.And if they do it will be at greater cost than to live on land. Being of the grid and living anchored out is way more harder than you think. Most waterways are “owned” by someone, yes you can ‘own” submerged land. whether it be state,govt,private it is owned and you are a tresspasser. Federally you can “anchor out” as long as you wish,as long as you are in a federal ancorage which is inside most inlet areas prior to passing under the first bridge inland of the demarcation line of the inlet, you most keep out of the assigned waterways managed by the USCG for thru vessel navigation.You can not pump out “waste” legally anyway.so your holding tanks will fill while your water tanks deplete. both must be serviced at dock and at cosiderable cost. Think five times your normal water and sewage rates on land. Now that thats overcome, groceries and supplies are seldom bought at dock. The expense is to great even for these multi-million dollar yachtsmen. You can’t just row to shore anywhere, your probally trespassing,some marinas “will for a charge’ allow you to dock a dinghy for shore leaves,if you do this.dockspace is at a premium. Public areas like parks? theres beaches, but most don’t allow a tender to be pulled up onto them, someone might get hurt tresspassing on it, no-one ever really builds a dock for unrestricted public use, and if so you can’t expect your dingy to be there when you get back. OH,, Pirates. pirates pirates, avast ye; and drop all yer deluded childhood visions about pirates, I actually known a few, only two had gold earings, there’ye everywhere. don’t romantisize what a pirate is, they are as common as street gang members in a county lock-up. They live next door somtimes and even have day-jobs They will row up and swipe yer outboard,deck hardware, break in and take your valuables and leave with hardly a sound. Your shotgun is only of use if your’re on board to use it, and trust me if you do, when you go to court without an established street address ( P.O. boxes don’t cut it) because your a ‘liveaboard’ you will not make bail Mr flight risk. hunker down and wait, Most lawyers would’nt touch you because of this also so having a very meaty cash savings is vital, now in the judges eye your no better than the damn pirate as a matter of fact what you did was worse than what the pirate did since a vessel is not veiwed as a home,residence etc,. You will notice that you are in a caste system. no one likes a liveaboard, employers, insurance agents,marinas,police, other weekend boaters,commercial boaters,local citizens, you are a hobo, a homeless person, you can’t be pinned down,made to be responsible, your a loose cannon, not to be trusted, and the closer you are to the water the greater the dislike for you grows. This isnt at all helped by the fact that most “liveaboards’ reek like B.O., have very weathered look to them, worn sun faded and frayed clothing like a castaway, grease stained hands from maintenance, at least real liveaboards do, in the areas freqeunted by liveaboards like where I lived in south florida. It is nearly impossible to stay clean onboard, resources are at a premium, a degree in air conditioning technology is extremley useful, this is a hard way of life, I found my experiences very rewarding and but eventually non-sustainable,few memories are as favorable to me as those “on the hook” if you do this, my advice is to have at least one certain escape route. Man was not meant to live at sea, The sea was meant to test mans endurance, fortitude and resourcfulness.The sea is unforgiving, and your boat has no brain of its own, it must use YOURS for everything. I can be contacted by those whom belay my warnings and cast off anyway at [email protected] I am willing to share my experience and knowledge with ya.

seems like you want to shoot down peoples dreams….i suggest you stay on land…

If your navigation skills don’t get any better than what I’ve seen here on the blog, you should also consider that option. Stay Safe!!!

I agree. Land is the best place for this guy. Guys we got to keep in mind that when the shtf gold and silver will be worth 10x the amount now. So have some ampex.com.I live off the coast of FL. And have a 40 yacht not a sail boat. Nothing against them either. And I financed it 1990 for $300 a month. And $100.00 for insurance. Docked at my back yard! Oh yea I’m ready. Plenty of islands in the gulf of mexico maybe 4000. Food, fuel,water,and commodities will be the new dollar. The whole world won’t collapse at the same time, not even the same regions. There will always be some where to dock and dingy to land. Keep a little scotter on board as well.Helps you get around on land. We’re ready. With the world technology today the SHTF will be on a scale that we’re not keeping in mine.So have plenty technology. We travel the Coast once month and jump from resort to resort and marinas to marinas. So we’re getting our money worth out of it until we need her.After a few lesson and boater ed anyone could do it . So keep this one at the top of your list. Easily find an island with acres of land and carry about 2 acre worth of seed. Weapons and tools to build on land and you could easily last 10 years.

Besides having seeds and stuff ready to go you could also try getting into freediving and scuba as well as crab traping, fishing, shark fishing, lobster diving, hunting and stuff. There is so much meat in the ocean avalible if you know how and where to get it. Lots of stuff to hunt on the mainland. This is the main reason living aboard a Sailboat is great for shtf.

Heck your idea of planting a big garden on a island is good but I would add that sailing back and forth and planting on multipul islands could be a good idea incase you have to bug out of an area.

Another idea for shtf is getting two female dairy goats as kids and training them to use a litterbox. This way you could have dairy products and take your goats with you when you bug out in your boat. (Just in case shtf and you cant find males to breed them with you could keep some male goat stuff frozen in the freezer. You need to breed them every once and awhile so they keep producing milk)

When SHTF gold and silver will be worth nothing. First, price of silver has barely gone up in last 40yrs. It’s a myth. Most people are coin collectors and it gives the Illusion of silver being worth anything in an emergency– but you can’t eat it!

The best way to survive SHTF is have actual tradable stuff– like goat milk you suggested. Food, seeds, ammo are top bartering. No one where care about gold/silver when there’s no food/water/etc. 2nd best type of bartering is skills! Mechanical, medical, farming knowledge, teaching (reading/writing/math), and then Entertainers– ever hear the phrase “sing for your dinner?!!” Singers, musician, story-tellers, — if u can’t learn to play music and can’t sing, buy joke books and a bunch of old stand-up comic dvds– anything from unkle miltie to modern day & learn 1-3 jokes a day you can repeat w/o stuttering! Buy Grimm’s fairy tales– they were adult stories before Disney got to them, and be a storyteller. I went to comiccon and won $300 art piece because it was artists teaching children to draw and penalty for being late– tell a Clean joke. I was the Only one who had a funny, clean joke for kids & adults. Artists will also be important for both beauty and technical drawing if truely no electric devices/cameras! Writers will be important as entertainers and Because most people w/ knowledge cannot write it in a way other can follow. But no society lacking food, warmth, and technological skills will care about gold/silver! I have 4 acres w/ small orchard– remember 1 apple tree produces 2-400 lbs of fruit and you need 2 trees to polinate! I have a few RV/campers for guests and plenty of room for tents. All my neighbors cut down most of natural trees for better views of mountains/more play space/show off their houses/etc. I kept all the trees for wood, animal shelters, and they’re pretty, give privacy, and clean the air! I have hundreds of bunnies, birds on my property because I kept the forest and also get visiting javalinas (which I could always hunt/capture and breed. At some point I’ll get chickens, etc, but right now my hunting dog catches birds and wukd be happy to share if I ever wanted! I also have about 10 families of quail that can become food if I ever needed to not be a Bird Watcher. Because I have trees, the owls keep my house rodent free. Last, I have good sized manufactured house that is best insulated home I’ve ever owned and since everything was built in factory, no windows leak because the window Guy’s cousin did most of the work.

You cant eat gold and you cant shoot it. Also with your plan you could last alot longer then 10 years. You could last indefinatly.

I agree…you should stay on land. I’ve never lived on a boat before, but my wife and I are planning it and getting ready. We are both retired Marines. I’ve been researching this decision for the past year, and I have yet to read as many negative comments in one past as this one. I could go point-by-point debating just about everything you’ve said, but I won’t waste my time. Most people who’ve done their research will see that you are pretty much only presenting the negative side of being a liveaboard. Yes, it’s difficult, expensive, and can tax the best from what I’ve read, but the rewards seem to outweigh all that for many who do it.

I have lived aboard my Catalina 38 for almost two years now. I can trufully can say that I have never regreted this wonderful living arrangement. In some of the replys on this topic someone mentioned that live aboards are like hobos, LOL.Yes there are those that live like pigs, also if you were to look at their boat it also suited for a pig. It’s now you carry yourself and how mom raised you I guess(-: Go with your dreams and never look back. It’s a good life!

An optimal response about how one carrys oneself.

Live your dreams and don’t let anyone talk you out of it. I have been cruising for 5 years and love this lifestyle. When on land I am like a fish out of water. If you need crew check out Find A Crew. Net. You can get on someone else boat and get some experience and see if you really like it before you buy. Mary Lou

Hello Mary Lou. I know this is a older posting but hopefully you find this. I have pondered the idea of living on a boat for many years but up until recently, finances have been a deterrence. I have been seeing some very nice cruisers in the 40ft range that I can, with financing, actually afford. I do still work in Seattle where nearby livaboard moorings are available and will continue to do so for the next ten years. Soooo, my question is, at 55, and in good health, am I too old to considering this?

Dave, I am 53, on my second (and larger) boat. I just pruchased a Hardin 44 and it is an apartment on the water. She is a slow but steady boat. I have heard from folks in their 70’s still living the life.

sur•vive (s r-v v ) v. sur•vived, sur•viv•ing, sur•vives v.intr. 1. To remain alive or in existence. 2. To carry on despite hardships or trauma; persevere: (families that were surviving in tents after the flood.) 3. To remain functional or usable:( I dropped the radio, but it survived.) v.tr. 1. To live longer than; outlive: (She survived her husband by five years.) 2. To live, persist, or remain usable through: (plants that can survive frosts; a clock that survived a fall). 3. To cope with (a trauma or setback); persevere after: (survived child abuse).

Please read the above description and meaning of the word “SURVIVE”. There is a lot of, what one could call, “negative connotations” attached to its description up there above. What I wrote on Oct, 10, 2010 was for a “SURVIVALIST” blog,… You know? For the type of person that buys gas masks, survival knives, and iodine tablets. If I was writing an article on tournament fishing, boating vacation getaways, waterskiing or any of the other wonderful things you can do on the water, well, I would have chosen another venue. But this is a SURVIVALIST BLOG. So for your sunny adventures on sparkling beaches please go read “Cruising World Magazine” And get out of my hair about what a negative guy I am. My little ramble back then was long enough without mentioning all the things that you don’t need to survive. The boating community and lifestyle are great. So are our national parks and wildlife reserves, but if I read an article about snakebites, bear attacks and dysentery from drinking in streams I would not flame all over the author for his perceived negativity of our forest community. YES,YES…. I only touched on THE NEGATIVE SIDE, …WHY? Because one does not get much credit for SURVIVING THE POSITIVE SIDE of things now does he? And this “is” a SURVIVALIST BLOG. And for those of you that are under the impression that “I think” of anyone, as being a smelly hobo, That was not my intent to imply, I just wished to share with the audience how I have personally seen (some)others view live aboards, this to include law enforcement and other civil entities, other “weekend boaters” ,entrepreneurs and merchants and employers. I thought it would be a bonus for employment being a live aboard as I was, and still am a marine industry worker, but I have actually been turned away(by boatyards) at least twice due to that status, and no, I did not ask for free, reduced or any other dockage for that matter either. This was due to their previous bad experiences with live aboard employees. In general boating is very safe especially for those who are cautious and prudent, every year I see dozens of unfortunate accidents due to alcohol, tom foolery, testosterone, inexperience and other causative mechanisms. Just hang out at a busy boat ramp on a holiday weekend and you can get a sense of what I am saying just from doing that. I am recognized by the American Boat and Yacht Council as a MASTER TECHNICIAN. I have a current Operator of Un-inspected Passenger Vessels license with the U.S. Merchant Marine. I have nearly ten years of service with The U.S.C.G. Auxiliary, to include numerous Search and Rescue, Patrol, Aids to Navigation as well as other various missions with Active Coast Guard and Law enforcement entities. That is all a matter of public record, Also…I write by my true name, unlike most….I have to live by what I say. My intention is not to scare you away from boating. It is possibly one of the greatest experiences you’ll have in life, I wish you to be cautious and wise is all.

http://oaklandnorth.net/2012/03/14/as-the-economy-sinks-homeless-people-move-onto-abandoned-boats/

Please don’t call me “crusher of dreams” or any more of that non-sense. As I have elsewhere stated in this blog. there is essentially no need to “survive” the high end side of living aboard. If your a Former British Marine living aboard as security guard, as one of my haters is,chances are you are on quite the cushy ride if the owner can afford a security contingent. The link above is a view of the “real world” those yachtsmen with onboard security personnel just steam straight past. However if you bought your 30′ chris craft off its third owner well this is what the neighborhood can look like in more metropolitan areas.The article comes from California,But I see a mirror image in alot of places.

Thanks for the useful insight Tim. Unlike others I think your comments are positive and not negative.

Tim As previously said by others, you give the boater and the survivalist, reality checks! You are right, I have sat at boat ramps and watched the craziness that “pops up”. I am a novice boater, but common sense tells me that I need to be sober and watch out for my safety at all times. I too bought a boat to live aboard, and yes, I have already had my 911’s, at a good expense, but, I am committed, and it is a commitment for a long term dream. And that’s what will keep me afloat, and living the dream. Pirates? Yes, like Tim said they are everywhere…have had stuff taken right off the back of the boat from late night raiders. Ask yourself, is that dinghy, outboard secure enough? Well make it secure…you’ll sleep better and pirates won’t waste there time, they will move on to the next one! So what is on this blog is all factual and should be used as a word of caution, cause stuff happens no matter where you are!

As we said in the Navy: Live by the “Six P’s” Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

Or you could make it secure but make it seem insecure and then feed the pirates to the sharks when you catch them. Those Thieving scumbags!

Tim your responses are so long, convoluted, and full of negativity. We can all find our own negativity, what is of much more help is tell us about your good experiences or for gods sake tell us nothing at all. In other words, in my opinion you have so much to say and have said NOTHING of value.

I suggest you all listen to Tom. He knows what he is talking about. I’ll add that if you chose this lifestyle, it is best done with someone else–a wife or friend, or son. It is even better on a much larger vessel with more people. Safety in numbers, and someone can stay with the boat, drop people off on shore, pick up etc. All this is hard to do, most people want their own boat and the freedom that goes with it. I will also reinforce some other things said here. You must keep up appearances. It is easy to slack off. Shave, dress neatly. Act with decorum. This applies to RV’s also. If you are pegged as a bum, you will be treated like one. On the plus side, if someone hassles you, it is so satisfying to move on and leave the crappy people behind you.

I am 66 this year was in the navy have been on or near the water my whole life.what people are saying is mostly true,some of them are writing from bad experiences,these I listen too andasses what to do different !!! Others are enjoying good times and havhe plenty of good experiences AND times .I will get me a fixer upper and start my journey on the water,it may take me awhile ,as I am not trying to impress anyone anywhere.I DO THE BEST I am able but am not out to outshine or1 up anyone!!!! If you see me wave and be cordial I will return the salute!!!! I always try the nice side FIRST ,then on to the ugly things . I wish all of you a fine journey and fair winds where ever you sail !!!!! 1 moken

1moken…I am replying to your post well over a year later. I am 65 and a former Marine. I was wondering if you have made it to the life on the water yet. i don’t have a lot of money but I do have a house I hate! The house will eventually go and be replaced by a live aboard status. If you get to read this send me a mail. Will be waiting.

have you had any expierances with the Coast Guard? Were they good or bad and how? Are you saying you can only spend 3 days on the hook at any inlet or federal waters? Any reservations about Mexican waters? Any other advice, I Absolutely loved your article!!! Thanks, Clark

Having lived aboard for five years. I agree completely.My wife and I Moved ashore and are now enjoying our seventeenth yr of full time living aboard a forty foot motorcoach. homeless. yes..the IRS actually classifies you as :a moderately affluent homeless person: not a wholle lot different, new set of problems maintenance wise. and you wont drown. but everything else pretty much applies.my best advice. try it before you buy it. Z

I have friends that sail and refer to people like you as a ‘walters’. Theres no reason to discourage,just be honest. I have a lucrative job I can do anywhere and Ive spent a lot of time talking to people that live like this and it seems youre talking of the people at the bottom of the barrel. what a negative person you are. let people live their dreams for lifes sake cause on the other hand my friends that do it love it and dont stink.and they are stand up people. I think youre just one of those people that thinks they know everything and is arrogant and basically unhappy cap’n.

Bisbee ,Man was not meant to live at sea ? you must be a spoiled brat , if was not for the adventures of man and sea your country would not be the greatest country that is today what is . stop runing other peoples dreams and stick to your leaving shell ass———–hole

Wow, What he said is true he just said it in the most negative way. I have lived onboard over 750 days on a aircraft carrier and would love to go back! There were bad days believe me but the good days are what I remember.

everything tim says is spot on. Ive lived aboard for 6 months and I can tell you there’s a lot of people who get all prepared for a life at sea are back within a number of weeks filing for divorce. definitely should take it slow as the original poster mentioned and live at a marina for a number of months to see if the lifestyle is for you.

Tim is telling it like it is.

I am a female that has lived aboard a 31 ft sailboat for 10 years and another 10 on a 46ft. All if what you say is true. Most of my time was spent in Texas in nice marinas or private yacht clubs which I enjoyed. Recently retired and we are moving the boat to the east coast of Florida. This is a different experience with different challenges with fog, crab pots and depth and current issues. It has been very stressful for me so I guess you might assume this is not a life I want fir very long. When crossing from Panama City to Clearwater, it was an overnight crossing and about 2am a boat in the distance which was well lit had a 40 ft boat launch from its stern. All you think about are drug peddlers and if that’s who they were we were sitting ducks. Changed our course away from them. All you say us true!

LOL! A 40 footer from the stern? I doubt that was a drug smuggler…probably a Navy or USCG power barge dropping off a surveillance vehicle.

FYI-The day you run into a drug smuggling operation…2 A.M.? In a sailboat? It will be your last.

The solution to your sewage tank is to sail out farther than 3 miles from shore and open the valve to release it into the sea. That’s the legal distance.

Kicks castle headwaters soap leathers in salt water and it only take a quart or two of fresh water to rinse and your squeaky clean. I have no idea why ppl go without bathing it’s not hard. Here in fl we have been able to shoot to kill to protect property even before the stand your ground law which means you can kill if you feel threatened. I fing most of the Grubbs we’re ppl trying to live on no income and those are also the most likely to be pirates. I retired early and have an income although barely a middle classier I can live a wonder waterfront lifestyle but I first lived aboard at 18 and grew up on the waterfront on west coast of fl.

K I r k s not kicks, Damon spell checker on this phone

Chuck, are you still living aboard in Florida? I am considering it and would love the opportunity for your input. Punta Gorda area. Thank you, Susan

You won’t catch me on a boat WTSHTF! It is going to be tough enough on land but out on the Ocean things will be even harder if you ask me. The pirates will be everywhere and every boat on the water might as well have a huge target painted on it. If that isn’t enough reason not to do it then the other reasons that Tim talked about should stop you. I would rather fight on my feet on dry land any day. At least I won’t be shark food.

You guys kill me! You make living aboard a boat sound like a battle zone! Most areas of the world are safe for boaters. There are only a few places where it’s not safe (off the coast of Somalia, some places in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Venezuela), but those are the exception. And if you live amongst other liveaboards, you’ll find that they are a VERY protective crowd…out of necessity! If you do your research, you’ll find some web sites that list all reported crime-related incidents on the high seas, and there are exceptionally few! And believe it or not, IMHO, it’s much easier to defend a boat than a house! In a house, someone can break in when you are home, and you very likely won’t even hear them because of the size of the house, but on a boat…unless you live on a mega-yacht, it would be very difficult for someone to break in without you knowing it. And there are ways to defend a boat without having a firearm…which would land you in jail. Many ways, actually, from noises, electric wires, pepper sprays, etc. The key is to be low-profile and not make yourself a target.

I’m glad guys like Mr. Bisbee and Survival Gear are on land. Leaves more for those of us who want the adventure and excitement of being on our own to enjoy!

If your a recreational boater you already have an idea of problems you can run into. Everyone on this blog keeps talking about shotguns and firearms for looters. I have lived aboard for several years now, have a full time job and don’t have a firearm. I own a spear gun. Take an extremely legal(and doesn’t need to be registered) spear gun and shoot it the length of your house into 2 or 3 sheets of plywood. The spear will go right through. If you don’t know boats, stay on land!

My AR-15 is legal, doesn’t have to be registered either, and unlike your spear gun it is not single shot. I’d prefer 20, 30, or 100 rounds on tap rather then just one bolt…in case of multiple attackers and what-not. Plus it is easier to reload and has a safety.(I’m not sure if spear-guns have a safety)

Plus I am sure that if I empty enough rounds in the right place it would probably sink an attackers boat.

Violence is the last resort of the incompetent.

Guns are needed where people have guns and have access to them. Killing someone is not the answer to every societal problem.

I arrived at a marina where they were having problems with scum. I told them to organize. They all looked at me like deers in the headlights.

Simple: organized, surveillance, evidence, penalty phase- and this phase can be legal or illegal.

You don’t have to involve the police. Trust me, catch the guy, blindfold him, breaks his arms, tie a rope under his armpits and take him out into blue water. Throw him overboard and bob him for an hour. Take him to a secluded spot at night, drop him off and leave and call the authorities, leave no evidence. He will never come back, because he will not know who to come back to while he will know that if he does next time he might not come back alive.

So they did. Within 6 months there were no more scumbags in the area. Fear is better than a gun and with less legal consequences.

Also, Harbor Freight sells driveway sensors and they are wireless. Buy a few and place them in your boat. They reach 400ft.

My friend caught a guy breaking into his sailboat, when the sensor went off and he was on shore. Jumped in his Dinghy and chased the guy down…

Been living on and off the hook for years. I am certain driving down the highway is a lot more dangerous then being anywhere on the water. You can talk all you want about how unsafe living on the water is, i assure you, land is a lot more dangerous.

It is far easier to pick up and move away from the shit than to stay and deal with it. In any event it is good to have options. An RV and a live aboard cruiser.

We have lived-aboard boats in marinas, and also cruised long-distance aboard boats (“cruisers.”)

Boating does NOT require deep pocketbooks, nor life-long boating experience. Sure, these both HELP AL LOT!!! But, we have come across MANY successful rookie and penniless boaters and liveaboards. We have also seen our fair share of “professional skippers” run aground or sink their boats, too!

The main recipe for success is COMMON SENSE.

As far as all the comments about “gun laws for boaters going to foreign countries” and such — IT’S THE SAME FOR LAND-LUBBERS,TOO! You can’t carry your AK47, 12ga pump, or 9mm pistol aboard the plane, or through customs, either! Heck, I’d even argue that port security is much more relaxed than airport and road-based border crossings. If you were bent on having weapons with you as you cruise, you simply toss them into a weighted waterproof bag, and toss them overboad (in shallow water) as you approach your new port-o-call (and mark them via your GPS.) After checking through customs in your new host country, you then return to your GPS waypoint to retrieve your illegal booty.

I’m NOT supporting nor encouraging guns aboard, nor smuggling weapons in/out of a foreign country. I’m simply stating that there is MORE freedom aboard boats (and among the boating community) than there is among the “usual” land-based population. Boaters RELY on fellow boaters (more than typical land-lubbers rely upon their neighbors.)

As far as TEOTWAWKI situations, a well-equipped boat will have HUGE advantages over any land-based approach. When we cruised our boat last year for just over 1,000 miles, we passed maybe 3-4 dozen boats enroute? Try to make that same trip via car/roads, and you will encounter that many vehicles per MINUTE!

A well-equipped sailboat has a nearly endless range, and can truly reposition globally. Here’s an exercise for ya’: Try MapQuesting a road-based route from any city in the USA to Rio, Brazil. (You can’t get there from here.) A sailboat is the ULTIMATE bug-out vehicle. It has its own watermaking gear (saltwater into freshwater.) This also serves as a source of income (selling bottled freshwater, which is worth more than diesel fuel per gallon in much of the world.) You can fish and catch crabs/lobster/shellfish right over the rail. Food + water + endless range.

Pirates: There are 1,000-times MORE land-based pirates than water-based pirates. (Just tune into the news any day of the week?) From bums on the street corner, to the pin-striped-suits playing ponzie games, to government officials and their votes-for-kickbacks in DC. Whereas, if you get yourself 20+ miles offshore, you will be hard-pressed to find ANY boats (let alone pirates.) We made a recent Gulf of Mexico partial-crossing, and in 36+ hours, we only saw about six other boats (and you had to be LOOKING HARD to find them — they weren’t “near-misses.”) Heck, they were barely within VHF radio range.

Wanna read about a couple who sold-up and set-sail with ZERO boating experience (and they are now halfway around the globe, and LOVING it?) Visit: http://www.theslapdash.com

Yes, money and experience help ALOT as you say. And you can live on the cheap. You can set off with zero experience, you can also drive without a licence on land, it’s just playing your chances and not standing out or getting into an unfortunate situation even by no fault of your own.

If you admit to all bad stuff happening to you being your fault then you free yourself from fear.No drivers lic. but need to drive? Stay away from cops and drive defensively and stay out of rush hour. Victims could always have prevented the problem (adults). Pay attention to your surroundings…your spouse..your neighbor and employer..or anyone else that can hurt you. I see it coming and so can you.

The talk about pirates is frankly silly. There are literally tons of “cruisers” (mostly retired) who bum around the Carribean. I’ve never once heard of any fellow cruisers have any issues whatsoever with pirates. The Gulf is far too well policed and traveled for pirates to be able to really do anything. Pirates rely on places where they know authorities won’t come after them and where passers-by are scarce – namely the Ivory Coast and East Africa. Your chances of getting attacked by pirates in the Gulf are far, far, far less than getting mugged on the street.

As far as cost, living on a boat can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. It can be absolutely way cheaper than land living. The initial investment in your boat is not much more than an apartment (depending how big), maintenance can be relatively inexpensive (learn to do all you can yourself, and try to get work done in cheaper places like Trinidad rather than Texas), and it’s also terribly relaxing! Yes, you do spend mornings doing chores and boat maintenance, but the afternoon and evenings hold a strict no-work policy! :) There’s a lot of cruisers out there living on their social security check and nothing more – the islands are cheap! As far as guns getting you in trouble, that’s nonsense. Simply be honest and make sure you claim it and let customs and other authorities know you carry it.

With the advent of solar panels and watermakers, boat living is perfect for people who want to live independently and off the grid. Happy sailing!

(cruisersforum.com and ebaymotors are great resources for info and potential boats!)

I have never once heard of anyone I knew being sold into sex-slavery. Therefor sex-traffickers don’t exist.

No one I know has ever gotten HIV therefor it is silly to be concerned about it and no one promiscuous or otherwise really needs a condom.

I could go on. You were never attacked by a pirate that means they don’t exist and anyone who prepares for that unlikely event is silly.

Jason you are Paranoid. Fear is your daily food. Violence is your comfort food. Nobody is saying what you are implying that they are saying.

They are just not paranoid like you…

So, in line with your reasoning…a medic becomes a medic in combat, because he was stupid?

It is a fact that there is more good than bad. There are more good people than bad people.

I have never met a real cruiser who was a bad soul.

Yeah, happy thoughts will keep you afloat and safe from pirates…

For a while I have been planning my escape from the day to day life of work and home. I have decided that my escape will come in the way of a houseboat. I have purchased a 1959, all aluminum boat that I am gutting completely. Come spring, I will set it in the water and see if it floats. If it leaks, I will fix and continue on. I found a 1958 penta volvo I/O that had the outdrive rebuilt and will use that connected to a WarP 9 electric motor. The boat is only 28 feet and the motor puts out about 35 hp. I hope that can move me around. I will also put in wind turbines to charge the batteries along with a generator. I would like to use total alternative energy, but I don’t think it is possible. If all goes well on a few practice voyages, I will be cruising the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. At least that is the plan. I would like my gal friend to come along, but I don’t think that this is her thing. Just saw your site and would like to share what you all are doing and how you are surviving. Thanks

Life is a fleeting short adventure here.. Do it..

Richard, if your “gal pal” isn’t worth staying home for, then you sure don’t want her on your boat.

Please please please read opinions from ppl out there living the life say about energy production, a wind gen or two can be a minor help during storms when uv is down and wind is up but the opinion from vast majority will tell you solar.read comparisons on batteries also and don’t go cheap.u need engine battery separate from house battery and a separate bilge pump battery wouldn’t hurt. I know ppl who generate enough to seldom ever need a genset.remember a gender big enough to run everything (because wind gens will only keep bilge pump battery charged) will use close to a gal an hour vs a very small unit that would use a gal in the 4-5hours to top off battery when you use ac at nite…

Here’s my experience living on a boat in the waters of British Columbia (damn close to Alaska). True,a liveaboard does face some unique challenges, however as with most challenges, attitude and planning goes a long way. In my case I looked for for the right project. I finally found a 50ft aluminum sailboat which I bought for it’s scrap value. I then spent 2 years fitting it out so that I can maintain every system I installed with my own 2 hands. Food? we keep 6 month supplies on board, otherwise the tide goes out and the table is set, we eat a lot of seafood, I fish regularly, and not for sport. Water?, how about a waterfall so close at anchor that I use a large funnel and hose to fill up the tanks, 600 gal at a time, and yes it’s free, and I trust it way more than the the stuff out of municipal pipes. Ya I’ve got the solar panels, watermaker, genset, heating, woodstove etc. we’re self sufficient. Do I worry about pirates, you gotta be kidding, I look out for Grizzlies.

Hi Lou – Thank you for your post. Love your common sense and creativity in sustaining what sounds like a very fulfilling way of life. Would you be willing to share your 6 month supply list? Thank you

Beautiful…Thanks for that insight!

I worked for Sea Ray boats in engineering for 6 years and put my work experience to work living the life. On the hook just outside of Cocoa. Literally walked into shore but I lived very differently than most. I purchased a big flat steel barge, welded a superstructure on top, and had everything I needed locked AND hidden in special part of the boat. When I took off for 2-3 days on a trip and left the boat there was nothing insdie they could find or take of value. Now I Vanabode which is seriously way more fun, way safer, and provides WAY more variety than boat living.

pirates are only a problem in a few places and you could spend a lifetime as a liveaboard in places that last saw pirates when they were called Bluebeard etc. The Med is a great place to be a liveaboard…cheap (in places), varied and on the most, easy sailing.

I am trying to do all of the above; Grow my own food, catch rainwater and recycle the “black water”. My biggest problem is how to have airconditioning on a small, 16 ft. boat. I was told that one can grow enough food for one person on only 144 sp feet. If so living aboard is possible. Also, if you observe the us navy type water hours, a show becomes possible. You just need a still to deal with the “black water” produced.

Consider an Incinolet. It requires power to run one. A small Honda 3000 generator will handle one cycle. One hour running.

Those are bad ass and leave a cup of ash instead of all that other shit. Pun intended.. We had them on a pacemaker I ran for a Dr and I loved them. We ran miss out a thru hull so no holding tank. Also ran shower into bridge and that helped keep grime from building up.

I am leaving my house and trying out boat living for a few months. We are common sense type folks who will be working down the street from the marina we will be staying at. I have a car and plan on driving to get my basics. I am a woman who loves to have stuff, but I would love the experience of what it is like living with the minimal.

I believe the experience will last a lifetime and heck maybe in the future I would buy a sailboat and travel the world. Dock fees are going to save me an astronomical amount of money in this dingy econnomy we’re in. I will actually have a surplus! So I am looking forward to saving my money, living with the basics, learning something new, and experiencing something i’ve always dreamed of. And I can’t wait to rock the boat with my man. Haven’t done that one yet lol.

If you don’t get what you want from the boat experience try the Vanabode lifestyle instead.

So did you go and do what you wanted Amy? I am considering the same and would love a woman’s perspective.

hey sherry. go to amazon and buy “cruising on a small income” by Annie Hill for a good woman’s perspective.

There is a marin a on manatee river no bridges to tampa bay that allows liveaboard rent is 950 a ft that includes ice everyday free WiFi showers laundry room and a kick ass restaurant with happy hour bargain munchies.I for the life of me can’t recall the name but Google live a board marinas in tampa and it’s only one on the river. Its kinda shallow so if you draw more then 6 ft its not for you.I plan to move my powerboat there in a couple months…

We are planning on buying a boat and setting sail in two years. Two of my biggest concerns is…will I be bored? and what do I do with all my sentamental stuff that i’ve collected my whole life?

Wow, depends what you got that’s sentimental, chances are good most of it should be packed nice and safe and stored with friends or in a storage facility. you’ll be collecting new sentimental’s as you go along, one of my favorites to this day is a conch shell my wife carved out to use as a horn, believe it or not it is a legal marine signaling device, we used it all the time to signal for bridge opening requests here in Florida.My own favorite hobby for boredom was species identification of marine life, opportunity to practice was prolific and source material to study was also. And it comes in very useful too, A lot of marinas have book exchanges which are fun anyway, but allot of books about the marine environment was there for the picking. Cooking too if you like that, cooking on the hook and sitting down to eat with my soulmate, in the beautiful natural setting as the sun set is one of the fondest memories of my life. Learn to scuba or snorkel, learn kite fishing,navigation was a chore for me at first but I knew a few people that charted just because it was fun to them, like Sudoku or something.Even if your just an intra-coastal sailor it’s a big blue world full of life, settling down at night and listening to the fish and what not talk and sheephead pounding the hull to eat off barnacles, laughing about how hard they hit their heads, is another very found memory. I think if you fight the environment you’ll get bored, if you reach out to it, two years won’t be enough.

Thank you for the comments. I was wondering the same thing about boredom and what I should do with my stuff when my lease is over. I really appreciate the insight.

Bring a laptop and a bunch of good games. Also start recording all the movies you can from tv to dvd’s. Look on ebay for a used 12 volt 19″ zenith hd tv. you’ll find one sooner or later under 70 bucks,(I bought 2 for 50 each, still on the first on after 3 years). between computer games, movies, fishing and diving, I usually don’t get bored. Although soloing, I do get lonely and go to shore to just talk to people a lot. I’ve met some of the greatest people living on the water. So to answer you question…It’s up to how you prepeare and what you find you like to do to pass the time. Prepare for days on end sitting in the rain. As far as all your junk, if you haven’t used it in the last 2 or 3 months, you probably don’t need it. Let me add, prepare before you go. I spent 5 years preparing my boat, 4 100 watt solar panels and wind generator for power, lecro-san for waste (takes care pumping out, but can’t go to key west and a few places that don’t allow them), water maker, best investment I ever made, good navigation system with new maps, 12 golf cart batteries all on a 31 ft. sailboat i bought for 12 grand and refitted, including ripping out the interior and making it for one person with a lot of toys. Spend the money while while your working and dreaming, not after you start out. I’m living on abour 120 a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, but it was because i spent and prepared before i left. Don’t give up the dream and don’t wait forever to do it.

Your biggest issue is to avoid alcoholism.

Hey Misti…I was looking at the site for the marina in Claremore OK and couldn’t figure out if they allow any living aboard…do you happen to know this place and their liveaboard policy?

Hi there! Just wondering if you did this, and how it turned out!

You could rent a storage or store it at friends or relatives place maybe.

I am a an ex-advertising executive in New York and am considering life on a sailboat. I grew up sailing small boats in Fla and preliminary investigations have me considering a Bavaria. There appears to be enough room for my wife and I and moving away from the land is something I very much look forward to. I want to go into this with open eyes so the experience of others, pros and cons are greatly appreciated. I welcome all points of view regarding “living on the hook” and am trying to get a handle on maintenance, high technologies, etc.

Good luck convincing your wife of your plan. Seriously. Good luck.

i lived on a thirty two ft. house boat for two years and it was just great. all of the problems i faced (rough weather,mechanical problems,food supplies,water,docking fees,marine patrols,idiots in power boats etc. were all easy to handel,but i was thirty years old ,now at sixtyfive i dont think i could do it again.juust a thought, be sure you are up to the stress at what ever age you are at. like a lot of things it,s great when you are young and tough but things change as you age. i,m still eighteen at heart but my body and nerves are not what they used to be. and believe it or not you will age.

Tim Bisbee……….you clearly have no experience of the environment in which you claim to have lived!

I am a former British Royal Marine, who has lived on boats -in numerous locations for the last 15 years. I make my living in the maritime security industry, and choose the liveaboard life purely because I love the sea. I have berthed in marinas in the US, Mexico, various South American Countries, the UK, the Netherlands, East Africa – to name but a few. On the whole, it is FAR CHEAPER to live in marinas thn it is to rent an apartment or other accomodation. Shopping for groceries is the same the world over, you find the best and cheapest location by experience. I very rarely buy anything other than fuel in marinas!…(although the odd beer is welcome sometimes..) There are numerous websites which one can use to monitor the international piracy situation – all free of charge to the boating community, so there is no reason to be unprepared. All that is required for a successful liveaboard life, is a little research- and buckets of streetrwise common sense.

– As to carrying weapons onboard…… stay out of areas where piracy is rife, and stick to spearfishing, and a rod and line. You’ll stay alive a lot longer that way.

I am planning on retiring (again) early next year like in February 2013. I am very much hoping to and planning on retiring on a boat this time. I am looking for the right boat to live on now and hopefully will find the one I want before then. I’m planning on mooring it in Morro Bay Ca. for a couple of reasons, one the weather is perfect year round for living on a boat, in the winter it only gets down to 55f-60f and in the summer it only gets up to 70f, perfect weather and the second reason being that my daughter and her family live in Morro Bay. I’m in very good heath and am mechanically and electrically inclined so doing my own maintenance will not be a problem. I’m by myself so I’m in the market for a 36 to 45 ft motor boat or houseboat that is used. I’m not sure yet as to witch one I like better. I don’t plan on going anywhere with the boat so I will be sitting on the deck at night and watching the stars from Morro Bay. Maybe short trips now and then. As I said I am living alone and don’t plan on getting involved with anyone so living in close quarters is no problem for me. Just though I’d write this after reading everyone’s comments both the good and bad. But it looks like there are more good ones as for living on a boat.

I started to read but no time right now. Still, i want to say this: I lived on a boat for thirty years (30) some twenty of that (20) I also had a Harley Davidson as my second “lifestyle”. They both work. I am not wealthy but can hammer a nail in the wall if I have to. Living on a boat is as close to getting independent as it is possible these days. Nevertheless, you have to be able to be self dependent and that is what makes it worth while for most of us that do it.

i have lived on my sail boat since 1981 its 25 ft holds 28gal of fuel solar and wind power,i pay 172.00 per month for slip fees i get free wi-fi free tv my onboard heater runs on bio.diesel i have 9gal water tank last for about 2 months,the only pirates i see are on tv the marina has showers clubhouse,i work on boats for a living im never board,yes there can be some problems but they have problems on land to i have lots of good friends around the marina including 2 ducks that stay by my boat,there are grocery stores,marine supply,mall,target,all in walking distance,

we should stay on land but we need to go out to sea sometimes for food and discovery with an animal and other sea living creatures

we could stay on land but we need to go out to sea sometimes for food and discovery with an animal and other sea living creatures

Hey Tim, it sounds great .. where are you doing all this? cheers

Can anyone advise me to a nice live aboard dock with a cove that is reasonable on monthly rate. My wife and I are gonna give it a go I think. Probably around a 30-40 ft. Boat Preferably South Florida. And any tips on what to look for on a live aboard boat. Thanks

I think Tim Brisbee’s words are food for thought. I’ve read many books on sailing, sailboat construction, living aboard, cruising, etc., with the intention of eventually doing it all.

I’ve sailed on inland lakes (I love sailing,) gone out deep sea fishing, and spent a lot of time talking to people on the docks.

I do think that this whole idea of living the “free” life on a sailboat can be romanicised, as “seagurl” points out, and in reading books by the most well-known seafarers, like Lynn and Larry Pardee, I have an appreciation for how spartan, lonely, boring,trying,and somewhat dangerous,this lifestyle can be.

Like ANY lifestyle, it involves commitment and dedication, whether you are slaving at a desk to fund your lifestyle and trying to avoid a heart attack, or putting up with the trials and tribulations of living/cruising on a sailboat, and trying to avoid drowning.

Drinking water, waste water and stores are all huge considerations on a boat, not to mention safety and comfort.

Many sailors who have written online and in the traditional book market led a boating lifestyle and returned to land. That should tell us something.

I’m still very seriously considering buying a sailboat and cruising. However, I expect it to be an adventure, not a long-term lifestyle.

Read, read, read about the cost of boat living and the many discomforts (noise,for example) that boaters have to endure. What I’ve always assumed I could easily handle, I now question. Not because I’ve become chicken, but because I’ve read enough about real sailors write down-to-earth books and articles, to realize it might not be for me.

Rot, mold, continuous humidity, heat, cold, storms, isolation, dingy thieves laundry,fire(the worst of all on-board disasters other than man-overboard situations,)port authorities, Coast Guard authorities…blah, blah, blah.

My plan is to actually pay for fairly long-distance trip aboarda sailboat to determine if I think I can handle this sort of adventure.

I suspect I can, but before I sink a bunch of money into something, I’m going to do the best I can to be sure. Ease into it with the least upfront cost as possible and with an “escape plan” if it doesn’t work out that doesn’t drain my bank account.

Now see, this is the response that I had hoped to generate. Now I was feeling a little on the gloomy side when I wrote down my previous input above,and I did want to scare off those that need scaring off, but this very well thought out,planned and staged approach,by someone with true commitment, is exactly what I wished to generate. I myself did very well living on board and traveling and I did have some really great experiences that made it all very much worth it.But I knew what I was doing (most times)and approached everything with forethought and respect.

thanks for the advice tim.i was in the navy for four years.i think that started this.worked construction for about 20 years.now im a truck driver for 12 years everything is common sense see it on the road everyday.but for the last couple years my gut has been looking at boats and places i have never seen.i believe every country has truck drivers.i think i will buy a boat put it marina learn from other people.meeting ppl is key here then sail afew miles off coast afew times.then go,lol.common sense is good but mother nature is a whole new thing,i look at it this way if its your time to go you will go,dont matter where land,water air.but thanks for the advise maybe we will meet on the water on day and swap tales

Tim, First I want to thank you for your service both to OUR country and to all in international waters that you have helped!

Some people referred to Tim as living “high”– I don’t know his salary, but it sound like he’s mostly government worker. I don’t care, because IF he’s got dough, he spoke to those of us who don’t! But to clear up an lies the movies tell, my dad was true CIA spook & if he didn’t reitre “open” I couldn’t even write this under fake name– but my name is dee! Anyway, dad did not get James Bond money or even post worker money, he did it to stop terrorism, stop drugs from coming into country, and to help countries getting taken over by dictators. He got to see over 70 countries and also got to get shot at in half of them.

Someone said Tim “had nothing to contribute!” I find that distasteful as I do vandwelling/rving & have thought about trying boating as my aunt and unkle live that way. They have stayed in US and are trying for their first overseas adventures which neither of them could have adforded before doing planes/hotels. Tim face the truth, the ugly side no one wants to hear. Jason who keeps saying, “I’ve never seen a rape, so rape doesn’t happen..” has practically been diagonized with “chronic negative nellism!” My van broke down 4x from a bad fuel tank that took 4 mechanics to diagonise. Sitting on the side of the road waiting 4 hours for a tow as the sun starts to go down & having no gun is not a good feeling. Having the NJ cops interrogate my hubby cause I look 12 and he’s a big man & we had a bed in van was comforting until they left us, answering my request for water, “not what we do.” So we were left stranded w/ the final advice we might have to “leave our van.” 1) it had most of our stuff for a move across country that would’ve been ripped off 2) in NJ, the whole van would’ve been stripped 5 mins after we left it.

Tim is actual the guy who will Save you if something happens! So for all you who think he has “nothing to contribute” please tell him you got it covered when you boat hits something and starts to sink and you’re in your dingy surrounded by all those cute sharks.

He’ll still save you, just like my dad who stopped all the 911s you’ll never hear about because they didn’t happen! Neither did 911 on his watch, but he warned about it. Nervous Nelly that he was.

So since it hasn’t been said– info or no info, thank you for the job you do ;)

Meant to say dad didn’t get post office worker money.

How did you go about finding someone for a long-distance trip aboard a sail boat? If you have any info you’d care to share, thanks in advance.

My soul mate and I are thinking of buying a sailboat and taking off for a year. We raised our kids and yes, we do not have enough money to retire but, so many of the people around us waited to long and they never got to retirement. My feeling is why wait till you are too old to do anything anyways. I am 48 and Jim is 56. We are new to sailing having been given a 25 foot sailboat and a cheap mooring on a lake that opens to the intracoastal waterway. So tempted to upgrade to say a 35footer and just do it. We need a little more sailing experience and the guts to jump. We are both avid outdoor people mostly mountain sports like hiking, white water kayaking, road biking… this is just something else we want to try for awhile. How did someone else finally get the guts to jump their good, corporate job for this life? I am hoping when I get back I can find a job… NOT. Probably will not want a conventional job after a trip like this… who knows. I guess the unknown is a bit scary. But, it seems it is our next adventure. Any advise from similar folks is greatly appreciated.

Best advice, do it, stop thinking about it. I thought about it for years and years, finally at 60 I’m doing it and wonedring why I waited so long. I could have done this years ago, just make sure your boat is prepared. Making sure everything is the way you want before cruising will be easier then trying do do it out there. Of course you’ll run into maintenance and problems, but never as many as you do with a house and you’ll have more time to do things.

Sailboat Living: 10 Things To Know Before Moving On Board

Sailboat living can sound like the dream life, and in many ways it is.

Beautiful sunsets, the freedom to travel with your home, dolphins and crystal clear seas are all a huge part of the sailboat lifestyle , but anyone who tells you it’s an easy life has obviously never really lived on a sailboat!

There are times when sailboat living can feel more like a nightmare than a dream, and no matter how much you prepare there will always be a few troublesome scenarios that you just can’t predict.

However, with a little forethought and a lot of planning, there is a lot you can do to make the transition of moving from a house to a sailboat a relatively easy one.

If you’re prepared to put in the hard work now then we promise you will reap the rewards in the future. As we learnt the hard way, we’ve put together the top 10 things that everyone should know before they move onto a sailboat so that sailboat living for you can be 98% dream and only 2% nightmare!

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn from other affiliate programs. This means we may receive a small commission on products purchased through our links at no extra cost to you.

#1 A Sailboat Is Never Complete

a tiny cat looking at a set of tools used for sailboat living

Learn this lesson fast!

Don’t expect to finish boatyard work and stop working. A sailboat breaks. Constantly. Some days it will feel as though your to-do list is endless because unfortunately, it is.

This was one of the things Adam and I were prepared for before we moved onboard our sailboat. After living on a boat in the UK we understood the crazy amount of work that has to go into maintaining something that’s constantly working.

I think a good way of looking at it would be to think of it as a house and a car combined. It has all the working parts of a house – the pipework, the electricity, the leaky windows etc.

It also has all the working parts of a car like an engine, the tires could be the sails, the lines, and all that goes along with them.

Add to that the fact that you’re putting it under huge amounts of stress at all times, in some extreme weather conditions, and you can see why things constantly fail!

a boatyard that a sailor is living in at sunset

Adam and I spent the first few months of living aboard feeling as though we were just sailing from anchorage to anchorage to find chandlers so we could fix things. We made friends with some full-time cruisers who quickly put a stop to that!

They explained how if we actually wanted to enjoy time on board then we had to give ourselves time off the boat work. The broken things we could live with could wait a few days while we enjoyed a new destination.

Find out how much new sails cost

We now try to only do one or two days of boat work a week, which leaves us with a weekend ‘off’ when we’re working our jobs for three days. This suits us perfectly, but you’ll need to find a pattern that works for you to make sailboat living more enjoyable!

A bonus of living onboard is that you do have the extra time to dedicate to keeping the sailboat in tip-top condition.

Many weekend sailors find themselves with a long list of jobs at the end of the season, but (depending on how cheap/how lucky you get when you buy your boat!) if you get some jobs done every now and again through the season you’ll keep the long stints to a minimum.

#2 Sailboat Living = Tiny Space Living

Think of sailboat living as living in a glorified tent and you’ll be (partly) prepared! There is nothing glamorous about sailboat living!

You’ll be getting changed in tiny spaces where you may or may not be able to stand. You’ll be squeezing into the toilet or squeezing past people to use the kettle. It’s a juggling act, even when all your belongings are stashed away neatly.

Add to that the fact you’ll probably be ripping open cupboards every other day to find that essential item that was placed under all the other essential items and it becomes pretty hard to manage!

Our top tips for managing space onboard your sailboat are to downsize before you move in and to prioritise sailboat storage. It might be a hard thing to do to start with, but you’ll be so thankful you gave up all nonessential items before you even moved aboard.

It’s amazing how quickly you can fill a boat when you live on it! We have loads of handy tips on how to maximise limited space in our post on sailboat storage ideas – check it out before you start sailboat living!

#3 Water, Water, Everywhere But Not A Drop To Wash In

a calm sea with a sailboat cutting through the water

Get used to living frugally. We don’t necessarily mean your finances (though it is possible to live on a budget on a sailboat, check out what we spend monthly here).

Things like water and electricity are limited on a sailboat, especially if you’re spending the majority of your time at anchor.

Unless you have a sailboat watermaker (which we highly recommend splashing out on!) you need to get used to using as little water as possible . It’s not always easy to find when you live on the sea.

Get used to taking sea showers and washing dishes in saltwater. You can always rinse in freshwater, and washing in the sea really isn’t too hard once you’re used to it!

Set your sailboat up with a good way of making electricity as soon as you move aboard. You’ll want decent amounts of solar power and possibly a wind generator too, especially if you’re planning on spending time in countries that don’t see very much sunshine or spending winters at anchor.

You’ll also want to make sure you have a good battery bank for storing it over night, and you may even want to consider getting a small generator if you rely on power for things like charging laptops to work from.

#4 The People You Meet Will Be A True Highlight

The sailing community is what makes sailboat living. They are the most giving and generous community of people we have ever met and the best memories we have are the ones we spent with other cruisers.

It’s not always easy to meet other sailors while you’re living at anchor, so our advice is to make the effort and say hi where ever possible. People are always happy to share a drink or dinner, and a salty tale or two!

Meeting other sailors is also the very best way to learn more about sailing life. No matter how long people have cruised for they always have an experience worth sharing and learning from.

#5 The Weather Controls Your Life In Sailboat Living

sailboat living at sunset in an anchorage

We check the weather twice a day, every day. It may seem obvious that the weather is important on a sailboat, but until we moved aboard we didn’t realise quite how much it would affect our lives.

You might be desperate to move the boat and explore somewhere new but find you have no wind to sail. Or you might fall in love with an anchorage and want to stay but be forced to move because of a change in the direction of the wind.

We’ve had to leave beautiful anchorages in the middle of the night because an unpredicted storm had blown through, or been stuck in places we don’t like because the wind has meant it’s the only safe place to be.

The positives of being governed by the weather is that you’re so much more in tune with it. You get up when the sun rises, you notice subtle changes in the temperature and you learn to read the wind and clouds.

Before you move on board you should start checking the weather and anchorages around where you plan on sailing. It makes life easier if you’ve scouted out the best places to be in different weather conditions.

Check things like whether there are safe anchorages for different wind directions or whether you’ll need to use marinas (and how much they’ll be!), and check if there are any ‘bolt holes’ you can use as safe havens in the event of unexpected storms.

You’ll feel more confident and comfortable if you have all this information to hand when you start sailboat living.

#6 Sailboat Living Means Leaving Your Privacy On The Dockside

You’ll be sharing a tiny space with your crew and they will quickly learn literally everything there is to learn about you. And you them.

Before you move onto a sailboat make sure that you’re happy with sharing everything with the people you’re sailing with. I don’t mean you have to tell them about your childhood (though night passages can be pretty dull!) but be prepared to share what you eat, when you toilet, potentially what you throw up.

Expect to be walked in on while you’re changing or showering. Understand that boat toilets break – a lot – so no matter how careful you are you might well end up elbow deep in someone else’s last nights dinner!

#7 Learn To Work As A Team – Quickly

Sailboat living requires a huge amount of team work (unless you’re planning on living alone of course). You need get into a very different mindset when you live and work with the same person or people day in, day out, and when you depend on them (quite literally) to survive.

One of the biggest reasons that people quit at sailboat living is because they fall out with their partners, or call it a day before they do. Sailboat living is hard on relationships, but it can also make your relationship better and stronger if you’re prepared to work at it.

There are lots of things you can do to prepare for this change and I’ve put together a whole range of tips to help you with spending too much time with your partner .

Ultimately, one of the best things you can do is know that this isn’t going to be easy, no matter how strong your relationship is on land. Be prepared for this as a couple, and be prepared to work hard on your relationship when the tough patches come!

#8 Nature Is Incredible

learning to freedive while living on a sailboat

I know, I know, we all know nature is incredible. But sailboat living brings you so much closer to it in so many different ways.

You see things you’d never get a chance to see on land. Every time you jump in the sea you find new sea creatures, either from snorkeling or finding them clinging on to your hull, or washed up on deck.

You see turtles, whales and rays. Birds come to find rest on your boat while you’re on long passages and dolphins swim beside you as you make waves for them to play in.

a man and his cat watching the sunset from a sailboat

Then there’s the sunrises and sunsets, and the endless starlit skies. The thunderstorms that you’re suddenly a part of, when before you could hide inside brick walls. The constantly changing sea and sky, and the sun and wind. You become part of it, and you depend on it, and you’re terrified of it.

Sailboat living makes you feel like you’re part of the nature around you rather than just a lucky spectator. It’s certainly changed the way I see the ocean and the weather for the better and I have a new found respect and healthy fear of it’s power and awe.

#9 Prepare For Sleepless Nights

Before we set off cruising full time I had no idea how little sleep I would get. There are so many different things trying their hardest to ruin a good nights sleep on a sailboat.

Firstly, the weather. If it’s windy, you’ll be half awake all night just watching the anchor and wondering if this will be the night it pulls out and you drag into some rocks.

You’ll be waiting for the wind to shift slightly so that you’re no longer protected from the sea. And even if you’re super happy with your anchoring set up, the wind through the halyards makes a very disconcerting noise!

If the weather is calm that doesn’t mean the sea will be. You can never predict whether the anchorage you arrive in will be the rollyest place on the island, so you’ll spend a good few nights just rolling around all over the place trying your hardest to stay in your berth.

Then there’s the heat (or the cold, depending on where you sail). It can be unbearably hot inside a sailboat, so consider buying a decent hammock and sleep under the stars instead.

But if you decide to sleep outside you’re going to want a mosquito net, because those things are FIERCE. Never have I ever experienced so many sleepless nights due to a buzzing in my ears and painful bites all over my legs.

If you can find a comfortable set up with your hammock and mozzie net then sleeping outside on a sailboat is one of the most magical things ever. The stars are brighter than you could ever imagine, and there are shooting stars a plenty. The stillness of a calm night at anchor is one of the very best things about sailboat living.

If you’re sailing with a baby you can expect even less sleep – make sure you’re prepared for that!

#10 Sailboat Living Is More Difficult Than You Could Imagine (But Totally Worth It)

a couple and their cat on a sailboat at sea

Difficult sounds bad, but that would be inaccurate when describing sailboat living. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the best. And part of what makes it the best is that it’s the hardest. Does that make sense?!

Sailboat living can feel like a constant battle at times. You have to trek for an hour to find the gas to light your oven to make a cup of tea in the morning. You then have to go back again because you forgot the tea bags. Things break and need fixing. You can’t sleep because of a storm. You can’t leave the boat for days because the winds up and you’re scared the anchor might pull out.

I think people run away to sea to find freedom, but like everything freedom can be defined in so many different ways.

Sailboat living takes away your freedom of easy access to food and water. It takes away your freedom to step out of your front door into relative safety. At times it even takes away your freedom to run and walk.

What it does give you is freedom from monotony. Freedom from daily routine. It gives you the freedom to travel where you want (if not when you want) and the freedom from material possessions.

It doesn’t matter what you wear on a boat, it doesn’t matter how flashy your boat is or how much you smell! At the end of the day, out on the sea, it’s just you surviving. And in a way, that’s the most free I’ve ever felt.

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Living on a sailboat: a typical day aboard.

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Leaving the marina for good, 15 comments.

I’ll be moving on a sailboat with my girlfriend this (still very new) year and I discovered your blog via Pinterest. We’re also writing weekly blog posts about our journey. Your writing is excellent, and I’d like to follow you on your mailing list. But it seems your form does not work. Fix it maybe? 🙂

Ah that’s strange! I can see people are still signing up, will have a look into that! Thanks for letting me know. Thanks so much for reading along. Where’s your boat? I’m so excited for you – those first few weeks aboard are the best!

I can’t seem to sign up for more. The web page has an error on my Android. Bummer.

Can you please add my email address to your email distribution list?

Thanks, Steve

So glad to come across you guys, finding out as much as we can before we take that leap. We are a couple coming to the end of a army career. The last 2 years will be in Kenya Nanyuki. Posted in June. Then we plan to get the dream sailing boat and travel. I am doing all my home work trying to find out as much as I can before we do this. Looking forward to reading about you both and tasking in everything any thing that we will I’m sure be incredible useful. Thank you Sandy

Sorry for the late reply, I’ve only just noticed your lovely comment. I hope you’re getting further along with your dream – would love to hear about it! If you need more help we’ve put together a huge guidebook detailing everything we’ve learnt, from the very beginning of the journey through to buying the boat and eventually living aboard and making it all work. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook

That’s really nice post. I appreciate your skills. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for the honest truth in this article. Doing all the research possible before following our dreams and in your footsteps 🙌💕⛵⚓

Thanks so much for your kind comment and really pleased we could help! Keep us updated on your journey, you won’t look back!

Wow! I am on a boat reading this while my partner is away for the first time in months, and it made me feel less insane and like there are tools to help us live our dream of minimalist sailboat life.. Thank you so much for your wise words and good tools..

I’m so pleased it helped and excited for you starting this journey! You won’t regret it, and we’d love to hear more when you find the perfect boat and move aboard! If you need more help we’ve put together a huge guidebook detailing everything we’ve learnt, from the very beginning of the journey through to buying the boat and eventually living aboard and making it all work. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook

Pingback: How To Downsize Your Wardrobe For Boatlife | Two Get Lost

Any suggested reading on preparing your land life (home, insurance, anythin really) for departure. Sell the home or rwnt, thinks like that. Want to start preparjng a year ahead and struggling to make a plan..any blogs ir reading suggestions would be appreciated!

Hello, thanks for reaching out. First off – congratulations! You’re obviously set on your plan to move aboard and it will be amazing (and lots of other things too!!) We actually cover all this in part one of our guidebook. We go through everything we had to consider before moving aboard, things like whether to sell or not to sell, what to do with all your things, even little considerations like what to tell family and friends. We’ve included tick lists for planning the change in lifestyle. You can find it here. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook Part 2 is for after you’ve bought the boat – getting the boat ready for living aboard and all the other things that come along with living at sea. I hope it helps and please do let us know how you get on – perhaps we’ll see you out here soon!

It’s helpful to understand that when living in a sailboat, the weather controls every aspect of our lives. Not long ago, my wife and I decided to invest in a sailboat because we love the sea and nature. We’d like to buy one this year, and maybe in the future, we’ll need to read carefully your advice about living in a vessel.

S/V Violet Hour

Sailing adventures in the pacific northwest.

Sailing in Southeast Alaska Compared to British Columbia and Washington

When we set sail for Alaska in late March, on an 18-day quarantined transit of British Columbia , we knew we’d find adventure in Alaska. But we didn’t know we’d fall in love with it. After 5 months of cruising Southeast Alaska, the mountains, wildlife and fishing have impressed us enough that we’re not sure we’ll want to leave. (And we’ll be living on our boat in Juneau for the winter, so that we’re already positioned for a full season here next spring/summer).

Since this was our first time sailing Alaska, and we spent 5 out of the last 6 seasons in British Columbia (which we formerly considered our primary cruising region), naturally many thoughts turn to comparisons of Alaska vs southern waters (BC and WA). I haven’t blogged much about our time here (focusing on Instagram ) but figured a summary of our learning experience might help other cruisers looking to come here.

Cannery Cove, Pybus Bay

Margerie Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park

Alaska is a tough place to cruise, and the highs and lows are more extreme, but the rewards can also be greater. Some differences (the good and the not-so-good) standout with Alaska:

Taller mountains, with more snow on them
More wildlife – especially humpbacks and bears
Fishing is phenomenal
Weather is colder, with more frequent rain
Summer is shorter in Alaska. We missed out on the warm summer days of August and early September typical in lower BC and WA. While Alaska is warm when it’s sunny, by mid-August we were having mostly 60F rainy days.
Fewer sunsets – since we’re often anchored within tall mountain ranges or closely enclosed by hills, it’s rare to see a colorful over-water sunset like in BC and WA.
Little stargazing, moon gazing or northern lights opportunities. Since many nights have dense cloud cover, we rarely if ever saw the stars. In June and July if we had a clear night, it didn’t always get dark enough to see the night sky.
Longer transit days, generally. We had plenty of 20-30nm days, and even some shorter 10-20nm days, but it’s rare to have a <10nm day like is possible in BC and WA.

Season Timing

We spent April thru August cruising Southeast, and Alaska definitely has a shorter nice weather season than BC and WA. June and July were the two months where we had the most summer-like weather (and most other boaters focus their cruising on just those two months, using May and August to transit from/to Washington).

An inch of graupel on deck in early April towards the end of our BC transit.

It’s true what they say that Alaska is big. But we felt Southeast Alaska is actually pretty manageable – not much different than cruising all of BC. What makes SE Alaska feel bigger is when you try to do it all plus the Inside Passage north and south from the Seattle or Vancouver area. That adds on at least 600 nautical miles (without any side trips / exploration) each way.

By staying in Alaska for the winter we eliminated the return trip and freed up a lot more time / flexibility for exploring Alaska. Since we transited up in late March/early April, we had part of April, all of May, June, July and August to explore SE AK. We were surprised to learn the vast majority of boats spend 2 months (or less) cruising Alaska. Having more time enabled us to go slower (shorter itineraries, more sailing) and explore places more deeply.

What we’d heard is correct – it’s colder and wetter in SE AK. We expected a lot of rain and chilly days, so we were mentally prepared when it was rainy and chilly most of the spring and summer. That said when the sun comes out it can be glorious – and the sun raises the “feels like” temperature tremendously.

I wrote previously about our experience learning to sail in Southeast Alaska – challenging, and a bit different from the Inside Passage, but ultimately very doable. That was a relief, because one of our fears had been the reputation for it being a place where very little sailing is done. That was not true at all. We sailed about 60% of our mileage and 75% of the time. Overall it felt about the same as sailing the Inside Passage (San Juans to Central/North Coast BC) like we did in previous seasons.

As usual the main keys to sailing were not being on a schedule and having plenty of time (so you can go slow and pick anchorages closer spaced). Wind forecasting was a bit trickier however – it took us time to learn the wind patterns of different areas and how the wind would often be much higher or lower than forecast. The sailing was about the same difficulty as sailing the Inside Passage – a lot of tacking and gybing – but the straits were generally a bit wider so we could get in longer tack/gybe lines.

The main difference in SE AK is the distances are often longer – while in BC or WA we could often sail 15nm between anchorages, in AK we sometimes had to do 25-30nm. Many boats do even longer legs (especially motorboats), but they’re usually skipping past 1 or 2 anchorages – since we had plenty of time we could do shorter legs by visiting all of them.

Ports: Far Apart and More Limited Provisions than Expected

Southeast Alaska really only has one city that we’d consider a city: Juneau, population 32,000 – about half of Redmond WA, and a tiny fraction of a major city like Seattle (1/20th its ~730k). In fact all of Southeast Alaska only has about 75,000 people. And all of Alaska has only about 3/4 million people, about the same as the city of Seattle or Vancouver BC despite being about twice the area of British Columbia, or about 1/5th the size of the Lower 48 states.

These incredible demographics explain how the ports can be pretty basic compared to larger ports in BC and WA. BC ports like Campbell River and Port McNeill are metropolises compared to some Alaskan ports. Small Alaskan towns like Kake and Hoonah have only about 1000-2000 residents, and get their groceries by ferry once a week generally. This means they may be out of some things, and fresh produce may be not-so-fresh (a week or two older than what you’re used to in big cities).

During our summer cruising, towns were out of eggs, bananas, lettuce, fruit in general, potatoes and sunscreen (I guess Alaskans didn’t anticipate sun in July! All of Petersburg was out of sunscreen, across all 4 stores that normally carry it). Propane was also difficult to refill at times. Parts you need to ship by mail take a few days to a week longer.

And because the distances between ports are a bit larger than in BC and WA, boaters typically keep to a schedule of moving every day, simply to get to their next port before running out of groceries. If you can find a way to slow down and stay in an anchorage for 2 or 3 nights, as we often did, it’s well worth it. Since almost all other boaters are moving every day and doing long days, the anchorage typically clears out by mid-morning, is empty for a few hours, and then the next round of arriving boats come in starting mid-afternoon. Staying in a place for more than 1 night gave us a lot more time to explore and relax.

Other Boaters: Few of Them, but Incredibly Generous

Southeast Alaska has a few thousand boaters plying its waters in June and July, but spread out through hundreds of anchorages and 1000+ nautical miles of distance – making for a much lower density than the tens of thousands of boats in the Salish Sea (San Juans, Gulf Islands) that come from boating epicenters like Seattle and Vancouver.

In April, May and August we often were the only boat in the anchorage. In June and July, the peak months, we typically shared an anchorage with only 3-5 other boats. The scarcity of other boaters meant it was often hard to meet people and things were a bit lonely in the early season. When we did meet people, it was usually on park docks or marinas (this holds true in southern waters as well – docks are social hubs; for some reason other boaters are hesitant to approach at anchor).

When we did meet another boat we often experienced generosity beyond any we’d experienced before. A megayacht invited us to happy hour and then gave us their leftover groceries because their cruise was ending the next day! When I lost some fishing gear, another fishing boat generously offered up two new flashers and a lure. In turn we gave away fresh fish to many boats, freshly baked banana bread or whatever someone was in need of.

Perhaps since there are fewer boats up here, and self-reliance is more important with ports far apart, there’s a stronger culture of sharing and helping others. Or perhaps it was simply a post-covid effect – people, including us, are craving genuine human contact after a year of relative isolation.

One difference from BC and WA that surprised us was the breakdown of different types of boating – it was very different up in AK:

Far more cruise ships, tour ships and megayacht/superyacht private charter cruises
More commercial fishing boats (this we expected)
Very few local cruising boats, and even fewer full-time cruising boats living in Alaska (see my pyramid of cruising models analogy in this post ). The majority were from WA and of the local Alaskan pleasure boats we met, many were out for only a few days/weeks or for fishing. We met some boaters who live in Alaska and cruise for 3+ months but we can count on one hand the number of those we met.

The impact of the latter meant that most boats are on a schedule, and in August most of the cruising boats have left and anchorages are much less busy than in WA or BC, with the remaining boats there for fishing or charters.

Boat Issues: Humidity and Electrical Power

We were fortunate to have few serious boat issues this year. The biggest was when our engine fuel filter developed a leak in Hoonah, but that was relatively easily repaired.

One issue we perpetually struggled with was controlling humidity inside the boat. We ran our diesel heater as much as possible in the chilly months, which other boaters have reported does a good job expelling moisture, but that wasn’t always sufficient. In the ice cold waters of Glacier Bay in late May/early June, with 50F air temps and 100% relative humidity from daily rain, any moisture in the air condensated onto the cold hull surfaces (which were seawater temperature – near freezing). We had mildew start to grow in places. Nothing but a dehumidifier on 120v power could really address this. Or a few days of sun with low exterior humidity (but that isn’t something we could ever count on).

Shag Cove, Glacier Bay National Park

So for dehumidification we relied on going into marinas with shore power every couple weeks. But a challenge at times was that not all marinas in Alaska have shore power. A few don’t have any shore power wired at all, and a few have it on certain docks but not necessarily the transient dock.

Another problem was keeping our batteries charged up – we normally are 80-90% powered by solar (10-20% by engine alternator when we motor) and that worked pretty well in the super-long daylight months of late April, May, June, and July. Even though many days were cloudy, 18 hours between sunrise/set meant a good chance of getting a decent amount of power. That coupled with moving mostly every day or every other day (due to long distances between ports) meant we got some alternator time.

In August however, more rainy, cloudy days return and the daylight hours shorten along with the sun’s angle getting lower (less solar radiation). Sometimes we saw the sun only 1 or 2 days out of each week. On dark days we only got 1-5% of the solar output of a sunny day. Adding solar panels wouldn’t really solve the problem – a near zero percentage of 1000 watts is about the same as near zero of 350 watts.

For next year we’re considering a portable gas generator like this one as a supplementary power source. I really don’t like them (they’re noisy and will mean burning more gas) but there aren’t many great options on a sailboat that doesn’t have a built-in generator and doesn’t motor every day. A wind generator is very appealing, but doesn’t help when you get sunless, windless days. We have seen sailboats with wind gens up here, but almost every boat also has a generator or runs their diesel engine a lot.

If I had to sum up sailing in Southeast Alaska I’d say the challenges are tougher but the rewards are greater as well. The highs and lows are amplified – which is notable given that cruising already is known for high highs and low lows. It was totally worth it though, and having several years of experience first cruising BC definitely helped prepare us better.

We’re living in Juneau for the winter and will start cruising Southeast Alaska again in May. Living here in the winter will certainly be hard, but we’re excited to experience it – and surviving the winter is the price Alaskans pay to reap the rewards of a full spring and summer here.

6 thoughts on “ Sailing in Southeast Alaska Compared to British Columbia and Washington ”

Wow, what an amazing adventure. Interested in learning more about your fishing there.

Thank you for sharing this incredible adventure with us landlubbers! Not only are the photos amazing, but your narrative completes the picture. Stay warm and safe this winter!

Wow, I have shared your experience. Sailed up from Port Townsend in May, and had so much fun decided to winter over in Wrangell. Maybe we’ll see each other in the spring sailing. Charley S/v Hongvi

Nice! I don’t think we saw you around this summer, what type of boat do you have? We know a couple liveaboard boats in Wrangell. Will keep an eye out for you in spring.

Love your stories and photos. Wish I could be along, perhaps be a bird sitting up in the rigging. It would be a thrill. I have been to Alaska and taken the state ferries and enjoyed the islands and coast lines seeing lots of creatures of all types. You all are taking a wonderful adventure. Jane, neighbor of Keil & Paul.

What about a wood stove? Nothing dries a home or boat as well.

Choosing a Saltwater Boat

What to consider when buying a saltwater boat in alaska.

by Marcus Weiner

Saltwater boats for the Alaska angler come in several shapes and many sizes, ranging from the high-end luxury cabin cruiser to an open-air skiff. For many, no matter the choice of model, this is the pinnacle of boat purchases. In Alaska, there are also several unique factors that contribute to the design of a good boat that should be considered before making a purchase. Beyond the necessary electronics and safety equipment, much of the accessories available are a matter of choice. We will examine the factors that many consider when buying a boat,the different types of craft available, power and trailer options.

Factors to consider: Alaska’s saltwater environs are no joke. Icy-cold water, huge tides and unpredictable, violent weather can make fishing offshore a very difficult task. Safety is a prime consideration when buying your boat.

Dudley Benesch, owner of Alaska Mining and Diving in Anchorage, talked with me in depth about saltwater boats and conveyed how important it is to get a boat that will be safe in the application that you are going to use it for. He has personally rescued people in dire straits, who were unprepared on the water.

One example of adding safety in boat design that Dudley has proposed to some of the manufacturers he works with is to integrate a motor mount bracket with a full-height transom, rather than mounting motors directly to a partial-height transom. This will help eliminate a following wave from entering the boat and will also add more floatation to the vessel.

From a simplistic approach, before beginning to shop for boats, figure out if you will be in open or protected water. I’d personally keep a boat smaller than 22 feet in protected waters and keep a close eye on the weather when fishing in boats ranging to 30 feet. That is not to say that a boat larger than 30 feet is meant to sail through all seas – it is just my opinion that boats of this class seem capable of handling the size of seas that one might typically encounter.

For most of us, 6- to 8-foot waves are about all one can handle while bottom fishing and mooching, while substantially smaller seas are needed for salmon trolling. It’s like one captain told us as we plowed through 8- to 10-foot waves. ‘We can probably get there,’ he said, ‘but I don’t think we can fish.’

With the ever increasing cost per gallon of gas and diesel, fuel economy becomes a very real factor in your boat purchase. In general, it takes more power to push more water and therefore consumes more fuel. Power plants consist of inboard options in gas and diesel and outboard gas choices in two- and four-stroke motors. Here you have to measure cost, fuel consumption, life span and ease of service.

If you expect to be able to take your family with you, you will probably have to consider comfort in making your choice. A heated cabin and enclosed head would be smart choices. A decent-sized forward berth with a bunk to sleep on may also be a boon, as this will allow some space for storage and for people to rest. Another comfort factor is how the boat rides in the water, especially in following seas. If it pitches and rolls versus riding flat, then seasickness could become an issue.

Other considerations are the smell of diesel and the roar of the engines. If it’s just a couple of 22-year-old roughnecks who love 30-knot winds, catching air and the spray of salt in their eyes, then an open skiff and an old two-stroke might be all you need. Most likely, the comfort of your boat will determine how often your family joins you on the water and may directly affect the amount of time you spend in the boat. A boat buyer’s challenge is to match budgetary constraints with the safest boat possible that fits the needs of you and your family. The advice here is to get the best boat that you can for your budget and add the accessories later.

Craft Design

The hulls of your standard cabin cruisers are categorized by either a plowing or planing design. Further delineation occurs between single hull and multi-hull designs like catamarans. Most boat sales in Alaska are of planing hulls, with manufacturers balancing the V of the bow with the rest of the shape. In comparing designs of your average planing hull, a deeper V in the bow will allow the boat to ride more smoothly through chop and handle bigger seas, while a shallower V allows the boat to plane more easily but will ride poorly through chop. For boating in protected waters, a flatter boat would perform well, while a deeper V would be more beneficial in open water.

Catamarans are becoming more popular in Alaska’s waters as well. Twin hulls are connected through a broad base, providing a wide, steady platform. They are usually quick to plane, ride smooth and track straight. The hull shape provides good fuel efficiency as the bulk of the hull rides out of the water. Boat roll is usually limited and this also contributes to a reduction in sea sickness. Design is especially important with these boats, as the stresses are different than those in a single-hull craft. Dudley explained that a badly designed catamaran will show a ‘stuttering’ effect – when one hull planes and the other rides out of the water. This problem manifests itself in cornering, as the boat slides rather than tracks around corners.

Other considerations to include are the horsepower rating, weight capacity, position and size of the hand rails, and presence or absence of a transom door (especially nice for getting large fish on board).

A crucial component is the design of the pilothouse. A forward leaning pilothouse offers several benefits including minimizing glare, spray and rain as well as more room on the dash for electronics. Additional specifications include cockpit layout, steering and electrical systems, fuel and water capacity, size of the fish holds, amenities (stove, shower, head, heater, seating, etc.) in the cuddy cabin, gear and rod storage space, hardware on the boat and all the standard items that come with the craft. It is quite a task to compare this many items, but for the size of the investment, it pays to do your homework.

Choice of Materials

The primary materials used in the design of saltwater boats are fiberglass and aluminum. It appears that there is a pretty even split among boat owners in Alaska, and there are certainly pros and cons to each material. In general, fiberglass hulls require more maintenance but are easier to repair. They allow for more insulation, which results in greater sound dampening, less sweating and more heat retention. They can be molded into intricate shapes and this results in a more appealing look for a boat to the average buyer. Warm-water fiberglass boat owners can experience blistering from year-round exposure to heat and sunshine, though this is rarely a problem in Alaska with our colder climate and short season. Aluminum boats are rugged and easier to power than fiberglass. They will take the abuse of everyday fishing and can handle the wear and tear of trailering. Aluminum is less likely to catastrophically fail if the boat collides with a large log or submerged structure.

A metal boat will also suffer less from an accidental or purposeful beaching. Improvements have been made to the interior design of aluminum boats, giving the pilothouse more of the feel of a fiberglass craft. The ride is harder than fiberglass, but the fuel bill is easier on the wallet. In the end, it is a matter of budget and preference between materials.

Provided the boats have been engineered properly, both will perform well in Alaska’s saltwater.

Options for Power

Boat owners need to choose between inboard and outboard motors. A combination of fuel economy, horsepower, boat space, average distance to travel and hull design factor into this decision.

In boats larger than about 35 feet, the overall weight of the boat seems to dictate the need for greater horsepower, and therefore, an inboard motor (or two). In your average 15- to 35-foot craft, outboards are growing in popularity. In the past, inboard motors were more reliable than outboards. Today, outboard technology has closed the gap. In trying to determine whether to use one large outboard or two smaller motors equaling the same horsepower, there are several things to consider. A larger motor is less expensive – from the cost per horsepower to the cost of rigging and steering. The larger motor also produces less drag in the water than the two smaller units and therefore adds to fuel efficiency. On the other hand, there is an intrinsic factor of safety in having two motors. It is not a question of when your motor breaks down, it is simply when. It is always good to have a kicker on board, for not only trolling, but as a last resort to get you back to land.

Boat owners have a greater variety of outboard manufacturers and designs to choose from than ever before. The advent of the four-stroke outboard has increased fuel economy and decreased emissions quite significantly. Likewise, today’s direct injected two-stroke motor is a far improvement over its predecessors and rivals the four-stroke technology in fuel efficiency and pollution. A decrease in emissions also contributes to less nausea among those afflicted with sea sickness.

Among the inboard enthusiasts, there is a pretty even split between diesel and gas engine advocates. Diesel proponents would argue that their motors have a longer life, the motors are more efficient and the fuel is less combustible and thus safer. Gas motor users would argue that their motors are less costly to fix and replace, and that they provide better performance.

For saltwater applications, a trailer should be made of galvanized steel. I prefer ones with sealed hubs and grease fittings. These seals are not completely waterproof but will help to keep the saltwater from corroding your bearings as quickly and the grease fitting will allow you to keep the bearings lubricated more easily. Since saltwater is so damaging, we’d recommend that you go over the bearings each season to make sure they are staying properly lubricated and to help slow down corrosion. Like everything else in the boat that touches saltwater, it should be hosed down with freshwater after each use. Trailers come with either bunks or rollers. Dudley recommended ones with bunks rather than rollers. The trailer we use on our 20-foot Fiberform has bunks and they don’t appear to be causing any harm to the boat. The bunks provide good hull support and allow the boat to slide on and off with ease. The roller that serves to guide the winch cable appears to be wearing a small spot in the gel-coat on the bow, so I am inclined to stick with the bunks over rollers on a fiberglass boat.

The Whole Package

The dealer is the place where the hull, motor, electronics and trailer come together and therefore becomes a truly crucial component in your decision where to buy your boat. Dudley conveyed to me that there is a debugging process in every new boat. This can be frustrating to both the dealer and client since both want the boat to work and the client wants it right now and without any glitches. I feel that it is important to buy your boat locally, if that option exists, so that you have someone with expertise to turn to get your boat running right.

My Mandatory Safety Items

The US Coast Guard mandates that you have certain items on board your vessel depending on the size of the boat. Check out www.uscgboating.org for a complete listing of the items you need to have. The following serves as my basic checklist of safety items.

Satellite and Cell Phones
Fire extinguisher
Life jackets and survival suits
Survival kit – including food, shelter and warm clothes

Marcus Weiner is publisher of Fish Alaska magazine.

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23-year-old artist paid $500/month to live in a 'dry' cabin in Alaska—it had no running water: Take a look inside

The day after AnnMarie Young graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021, she and her best friend moved to Fairbanks, Alaska for the summer.

The 23-year-old artist lived in Alaska for three months before returning to Texas. But Young tells CNBC Make It that the moment she left, she knew she wanted to go back to the Pacific Northwest state.

"Something in my heart just didn't want to leave Alaska," she says. "I wanted to prove to myself I could tough it out."

Young used the money she made from selling her art that summer to buy a van that had already been converted into a tiny home. She packed up, headed toward Alaska, and after a week of driving cross country she arrived.

"I was going slow and taking scenic routes," she says.

Young spent the summer of 2022 living out of her van, but when winter rolled around, she had a decision to make — either go back home to Texas again or find a different living situation there in Alaska.

The artist eventually found a cabin in Fairbanks through word of mouth, but it did come with a catch. The cabin Young was being offered was a dry one — a residential structure without running water. The property did come with an outhouse.

The owner, Molli Sipe, a retired educator, 71, was renting it out for $500 a month.

Sipe tells CNBC Make It she bought the cabin in 1988. It is one room about 10 feet x 20 feet with a bedroom nook. It includes a kitchen area with a stove and a microwave and a heater that runs on heating oil, which Sipe always fills up before each new tenant.

Young got to see the cabin from the outside, but never got to tour the inside before deciding to accept the rental. Fortunately, it all worked out just fine. "It's not the dreamy cabin that you imagine but it is really cute on the inside. It was very cozy and perfect for just me at the time," Young says.

"I had a whole section to do my art stuff and that was the most important thing to me."

'It's a place for women to take a turn in their lives and jumpstart in Alaska'

Sipe started renting the cabin in the 80s, and the vast majority of her tenants have been women living alone — a total coincidence that Sipe loves.

"They always find the next person for me, and it has always been women. That's sort of the mystique of the 'Cabin Girls, ' as I call them. They have been very dependable that way, so I never have to look," Sipe says.

Throughout the years Sipe's tenants have started new jobs, new relationships and had boyfriends move in and then out of the transient space.

"It's a place for women to take a turn in their lives and jumpstart in Alaska," she says. "It's just a way of life that you get to find out what you're made of, what you can do, and how capable you are."

After rent, Young's expenses included 25 cents to fill up three five-gallon water jugs, something she drove into town to do every week and a half or so.

Young admits that one of the biggest issues she had living in the dry cabin was access to internet. The cabin is surrounded by tall trees which made it difficult to get reliable cell and internet connection. She even tried using Starlink at one point, but had to cancel due to inconsistent service.

Living in a dry cabin meant Young had no plumbing, laundry, shower, washer, or dryer.

She washed her dishes and brushed her teeth in a five-gallon water jug that drained into a bucket underneath and had to be dumped manually.

"Because I was already living van life, transitioning to a dry cabin was a lot easier. I was already living without things that the dry cabin didn't have, like a shower or bathroom," Young says. "It took me a week to get used to it, and then it just became my new normal."

"I'm not a tough person; I didn't grow up camping and am not a rugged outdoor person, but if I can do it, I think a lot more people can do it," she added. "It's all about setting your mind to something," she adds.

Young was able to take a proper shower in the main house on Sipe's property every couple of days, and used baby wipes and other products in the dry cabin in between.

"We had a deal setup that I would come and use the shower when they weren't home because they wanted someone to use the pipes to make sure they didn't freeze," she says.

And when she needed to use the bathroom, Young would throw on a thick robe and slippers and start walking the path to the outhouse in the back. Young was sure to always keep that path clear of snow.

A typical day in Young's life when she lived in the dry cabin included training her dog, Moose, driving into town to a coffee shop to use the Wi-Fi and work on her website, and hours spent painting.

While some may think living in a cabin in the middle of the woods sounds isolating, Young says she's never felt more of a sense of community than when she lived there.

"I had such a good group of people in the area that I felt like I was hanging out with friends every night," she says. "I loved feeling like I was doing something special and tough and that the whole way of life is normalized in the area."

"You can do it by yourself but it's a lot harder, so I loved the community aspect of everybody leaning on each other to live that kind of lifestyle," she adds.

Young lived in the dry cabin for about eight or nine months before she moved into a one-bedroom apartment with her boyfriend in Anchorage, Alaska. The two split a $1450 a month rent payment and while she loves having the extra space, Young admits she misses life back in the cabin and would do it again in a heartbeat.

"I think that we could do it again. I miss the aspect of living in a cabin," Young says.

"I feel so connected to Alaska since the first summer I came up. I don't know if I'll be here forever, but I know it's where I want to be right now."

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Molli Sipe's name and the wording of a photo caption. The owner has clarified that the majority of tenants have been women.

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A ‘cowboy ski town’ where high earners can’t afford a home faces a housing battle

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — Despite offering a salary of $167,000, the city of Steamboat Springs can’t find a head of human resources who can afford a place to live in the remote Colorado community surrounded by ranches and famous for training Olympic athletes.

At the Steamboat hospital, doctors willing to pay more than $1 million for a home have been repeatedly outbid by all-cash, out-of-town buyers, and housing costs have caused some positions to go unfilled for more than two years. The local ski resort has been leasing a hotel for its employees to live in as the homes they once rented are increasingly turned into short-term rentals for visitors.

“Houses used to be for employees and hotels for guests. Now houses are for guests and hotels are for employee housing,” said Loryn Duke, director of communications for the Steamboat ski resort. “We have a lot of great staff who are early in their careers or have young families, but they just aren’t able to put down those roots.”

In Steamboat, along with other mountain towns and destination communities across the country, a pandemic-fueled real estate boom driven by remote workers, second-home buyers and short-term rental investors has caused home prices to nearly double. Those prices have shown few signs of easing, despite rising interest rates and a push for remote workers to return to the office, leaving even high-income professionals struggling to find housing in small, rural communities across the country.

“I know that it’s so hard for folks outside of mountain or resort communities to even wrap their heads around, but housing is just so through the roof that unless you’re extremely wealthy, it’s unattainable,” said Margaret Bowes, executive director of the Colorado Association of Ski Towns.

But addressing the problem has created a predicament of its own, dividing residents in a battle over how to provide more housing and who should pay for it.

Local governments and state legislatures, including those in Utah and Virginia , have been at odds over restrictions on short-term rentals like Airbnbs, and ballot initiatives to add taxes to those rentals have had mixed results at the polls. When it comes to building more housing, residents have mounted opposition to some efforts over concerns about everything from traffic congestion to wildlife migration patterns.

In Steamboat, the latest battle lines have been drawn over a 534-acre ranch that the city’s housing authority purchased with a $24 million anonymous donation. Under the current proposal , the housing authority would use state and federal grants and proceeds from a recently passed tax on short-term rentals to build more than 2,200 housing units in phases. Sale and rental of the properties would be restricted to residents who meet a certain income threshold, work locally, and plan to live in the unit full-time.

“In this environment where there’s always going to be significant amounts of demand, we have to deal with it on the supply side, and our supply side just has not kept up year over year over year over year,” said Jason Peasley, director of the Yampa Valley Housing Authority, which would oversee the development.

The project, called Brown Ranch, has been met with opposition from a group of local residents who have raised concerns about its financing and the impact on traffic and local infrastructure, along with what it could mean for the character of the community.

During a city council meeting in October that stretched into the early-morning hours, dozens of residents spoke for and against the project, with supporters pleading for affordable housing and opponents urging the city to scale back the plans or take more time to study the impact. In the end, a divided city council voted to approve the Brown Ranch plan. But opponents collected more than 1,000 signatures to get the development placed on the ballot on March 26, leaving the final decision up to voters.

Jim Engelken, who has lived in Steamboat since 1979 and previously served on the city council, has been helping organize the opposition. Engelken said he sees a need for more affordable housing but would like to see the development downsized or grow at a slower pace.

“Yes, we need affordable housing, no question,” Engelken said. “It needs to be smaller to start with, it needs to have some ability to generate its own way, its own money.”

He said he is concerned that the city won’t have enough funds for the planned infrastructure, like parks and public transit, and that the projected 6,000 people who will ultimately live at the development — the majority of whom are expected to move there from out of town — will add to traffic congestion and create a need for more water infrastructure.

“It’s an overreach, it’s too big, it’s too much, it’s too expensive, it causes too many problems for the existing city,” said Engelken. “We’re concerned that the infrastructure won’t be in place in this new, large, separate portion of our city, and it will create a second-class neighborhood. That the people living there will be treated like second-class citizens who don’t have access to public transportation or city parks, and we don’t know how many of them are coming from outside.”

With a population of around 13,000, Steamboat has prided itself on its small-town, Western feel. While housing has always been a struggle for entry-level and hourly workers, Steamboat had been viewed as relatively affordable for middle-income professionals compared to other mountain towns, like Vail, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming.

“Steamboat has always been known as a cowboy ski town. It’s real authentic,” said Steamboat City Manager Gary Suiter. “And the real estate prices had not gotten crazy like everywhere else. Well, that ended with the pandemic.”

Since 2020, single-family home prices have increased about 80% to $1.8 million on average, and all real estate sales, including condos, increased 64% to $1.1 million, according to data compiled by Jon Wade, a local realtor. For existing homeowners, those rising sale prices have caused property taxes to shoot up, with the average tax assessment up 86%, Wade said.

That’s put homeownership largely out of reach for most people making less than $200,000 a year. And even for those who can afford a home at that price, the competition for housing is so fierce given the low inventory that those without all-cash offers are often losing out, said local realtors.

“We are seeing across all segments of the market even high-paid professionals, they’re turning down jobs because they spend a little time looking at housing costs and they can’t do it,” said Christy Belton, who has been selling real estate in Steamboat for 20 years and whose family has been in the community for five generations. “The people who are coming here are paying a million dollars for an entry-level house — a totally entry-level, 50-year-old house.”

Steamboat isn’t alone in its struggles. As demand shot up during the pandemic, so did prices in more high-profile destination towns like Aspen, Colorado, and Park City, Utah. With even wealthy homebuyers priced out of those markets, they began looking to more off-the-beaten-path locations.

In Driggs, Idaho, which used to be an affordable-housing refuge for workers in more pricey Jackson Hole, average home prices have also gone up around 80% to $735,000 since the start of the pandemic, according to data from Zillow. Woodstock, New York, has seen prices increase 78% to more than $600,000 on average amid an influx of buyers from New York City. In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a popular resort community in the Great Smoky Mountains but not one known as a hot housing market, home values have risen more than 80% to an average of $480,000.

Houses dot a hillside in Steamboat Springs, Colo.,

For the city of Steamboat, the high housing costs have caused two job candidates to turn down a position overseeing the town’s human resources and risk management because they were unable to find a place to live despite the six-figure salary, said Suiter. Even Suiter’s daughter and son-in-law, with well-paying jobs and a home in Denver, had to abandon their plans to move to Steamboat after the pandemic because the town he runs had become too expensive for them.

The main hospital for the region, UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, has had positions for mammography technologists go unfilled for more than two years. Even for its highest-paying positions, like doctors and administrators, housing has been a struggle.

“No income earner is immune. Even your top earners with physician pay ranges are sitting in my office saying, ‘I don’t know if I can afford to live here,’” said the hospital’s president, Soniya Fidler. “I think that probably every week there’s someone who comes back and tells me we lost someone because of housing.”

Sanaya Sturm, the nursing manager at the hospital’s cancer center, is among those hospital employees who have been struggling. When Sturm moved to Steamboat in October 2020, her family of four sold their 3,600-square-foot house in Denver and planned to temporarily live in a 1,500-square-foot rental for $3,350 a month until they found a place to purchase in Steamboat.

At the time she began her search, the average home price was within her budget with the money from the sale of her Denver home and the income from her and her husband, who works remotely as a product manager. But as Sturm began her search for a new home, so did hundreds of out-of-town buyers looking to relocate to Steamboat or buy a second home.

“I can say confidently that I’m now priced out,” said Sturm. “We had the means in the early-2021 price range, but unfortunately I don’t think that’s an option for us right now as things stand with the interest rates and the price of housing.”

Sturm said she was outbid on more than a dozen homes, often by all-cash, out-of-town buyers putting in bids as much as $100,000 over the asking price. She saw one home she was outbid on put up for rent shortly after the sale closed for $7,500 a month.

“It’s really kind of a knife in the gut that’s being turned,” she said.

To address the problem, the hospital has gone into the residential real estate business and is building 42 apartments with rent that will be capped at around 30% of the employee’s income. While the hospital could be spending the money it is investing in housing instead on new patient facilities or updated equipment, Fidler said the hospital has little choice unless it is going to cut back on the services it provides because of a shortage of staff.

“It is hard because we are here to deliver health care, we’re not here to deliver houses. Usually, if we have the dollars to spend, it is on state-of-the-art equipment and upgrading our facilities,” Fidler said. “But we don’t want to have to close services, especially because we can’t staff for it.”

At stake, residents say, isn’t just the fate of their own personal lives or businesses, but the larger character of the community where they says they’re more likely to run into ranchers and Olympic skiers than celebrities or billionaires around town.

“You come downtown and it’s full of normal people, which is one of the primary attractions here. We’re still very authentic,” said Suiter. “That’s one of our biggest threats is that we become so exclusive that we lose our character.”

Shannon Pettypiece is senior policy reporter for NBC News digital.

What It's Like To Live On A Sailboat

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Have you ever wondered what living in a sailboat would be like? Well, it may be quite easy to glamorize the idea of living on a sailboat full-time. However, this is a very unique lifestyle that brings forth a mixed bag of adventures and challenges. Although you never really know what each day might bring, living on a sailboat requires a lot of preparation, organizations, and an aptitude to take up whatever the waters throw at you.

Choosing to live on a sailboat is not for everyone. It’s a unique way of life that requires a particular lifestyle that would be a step too far for what most of us are used to. But the fact that you’ve even been thinking about it might well mean that you’re one of the few folks out there who find the oddities of living on a sailboat appealing.

It will, however, require you to change your lifestyle, make a few compromises and living on a sailboat could be splendidly rewarding. There are also a lot of things to consider such as the type of boat you purchase and to where you’ll moor it. You’ll, of course, have to carefully think about leaving your comfortable status quo to live on a sailboat. In essence, living on a sailboat is great and offers a very unique experience but it’s not perfect.

So, what is it like living on a sailboat? Well, let’s find out.

Table of contents

Financing Living on the Water

Unless you have huge sums of money stashed away and you’re completely happy living off it, you’ll have to find ways of financing this lifestyle. While many people might tell you that you’ll have reduced expenses when you decide to live aboard your sailboat, this is far from the truth. In addition to the cost of buying the boat itself, it would be a very wrong move to assume that you’ll be saving money by moving aboard your boat.

Here are some of the expenses that you may have to deal with while living on a sailboat.

Boat mortgage payment
Boat insurance
Food and water
Waste management
Boat maintenance

While you should carefully manage these expenses by coming up with a budget and sticking to it, you’ll need to work if you do not have huge sums of money stashed somewhere. You should also keep in mind the boat maintenance will always cost over the roof if you do not have the expertise to do it all by yourself. This is because marine parts and labor is usually more expensive.

Unless you are a millionaire, living on a sailboat would only be perfect if you can work from the boat. Whether you’re self-employed or a freelancer, you’ll need to create time and work to sustain this lifestyle and pay the bills that come with it . In essence, living on a sailboat is not all about wines, grapes, and beautiful sunset as always depicted in the movies. It also involves putting in some hard work to finance and maintain this unique and truly rewarding lifestyle.

The Beauty that Comes with Living on a Sailboat

In today’s life, everything out there seems to be fast-paced, uncompromising, demanding, and even more stressful. It seems almost impossible to take a break from it all, slow down and savor the best that life has on offer. Fortunately, living on a sailboat can offer you some form of sanctuary from the breakneck hassles of everyday life.

In addition to the sense of freedom that it gives you, living on a sailboat brings you close to nature as you’ll get more up close and personal with some of the most amazing creatures in the world while exploring some of the best places on earth. You’ll spend most of your time living next door to whales, dolphins, sharks, tuna and many more. That’s not all; you’ll learn to embrace the best and the worst that Mother Nature has on offer. From the beautiful sunsets and basking on the sun to heavy storms and high winds, these will become normal parts of your life. We must, however, admit that it’s much better than the daily hassles that come with living a typical lifestyle on land.

As such, let’s highlight some pros of living on a sailboat.

It’s a Relaxed Lifestyle – The sense of freedom and the chance to explore some of the best places and things in nature is perhaps one of the main attractions to this thrilling liveaboard lifestyle. Although there may be an endless trickle of things to do while on the boat, this lifestyle is generally casual, laid-back, and of course, independent.

It’s an Active Way of Life – Normally, we always strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle by watching our diets and going to the gym. And given that exercise is an integral part of wellness, you’ll never lack it while out there on the boat. Whether it’s about cleaning or maintaining the boat, there are endless projects when living on a boat. The best part is; you’ll be fixing things, exercising, and staying healthy in glamorous places!

A Deeper Sense of Community and Safety – It would be far-fetched to proclaim that living on a sailboat is very safe, especially if you’re planning to sail or moor in areas that are prone to piracy. However, living on a sailboat is much safer than living on land. This is because there are limited chances of being targeted by crooks, getting involved in road accidents or even being a victim of burglary and such negative vices.

More importantly, boat life is widely associated with boat lovers; a boating community that is willing to share and help one another. While you may not share necessities and become that close, the overall philosophy and approach to this lifestyle remain the same across the board and the sense of togetherness brought about by the love of this unique lifestyle will always be evident.

You’ll Embrace Nature – Whether it’s the sight of a flying dolphin, the beautiful sunset or the melodious sound of swans hovering around your boat, living on a sailboat is one of the best ways to connect and embrace nature. You’ll never lack something to bring a smile on your face. You’ll also have to deal with thunderstorms, high winds, and in some cases, noisy and full-of-life neighbors.

We all love to plan about things although we generally do not stick to the plan. So if you’ve always had difficulty in sticking to the plan, living on a boat could give you a perfect excuse not to stick to one. In most cases, your plans will change due to weather conditions. You may have to wait for days on end to venture out or go to the shore to resupply, especially when the winds are high and there are huge storms.

What does this mean? Living on a sailboat will more often than not mean that you throw most of your plans out of the window. This is part of this unique lifestyle and you’ll get used to it. Again, maintaining routine will become almost impossible and so you’ll learn to let go, make compromises, and feel more stoic about certain things in life that you initially thought you couldn’t do without.

With that in mind, let’s look at some cons of living on a sailboat.

A Slow Pace of Life – Your life aboard will become pretty slow and this can be quite frustrating if you’re used to the fast-paced city life. The projects are many and the chores may take up more time. For instance, going for groceries would mean that you lock up the boat, ensure that the dinghy is ready and then row to the shore just to get to the nearest store!

Bad Weather and Wildlife – Living on a sailboat means that nature plays a huge part in your life and huge storms, heavy rains, and cold nights may sometimes become the order of the day. Additionally, you may have to deal with bugs such as mosquitos, as well as other unwanted visitors such as seabirds.

Lack of Space – Even though living on a sailboat can be perfect for minimalists, it can be challenging for most of us since it would mean that you have to do away with most things that you’ve always needed in your life. This is because a fairly-sized boat will never have as much space as your house and this can be a big issue. You’ll, therefore, not only have to be very tidy but you’ll also have to bring necessities only.

Seasickness could be a thing – Living on a sailboat is perhaps not a good idea if you’re prone to seasickness. You’ll be spending most of your time on the water and so it wouldn’t make any sense to embrace this lifestyle only to become seasick.

Tips for Living on a Sailboat

If you’ve been thinking of living on a sailboat, keep the following tips in mind.

Don’t Buy a Boat that You’re still Going to Fix – Fixing and maintaining boats can be very expensive. As such, avoid buying a boat that still needs to be fixed to work perfectly. This can cost you huge sums of money and may ruin your dream before it even begins.

Get a boat that You can Manage – Unless you’re a billionaire with endless pockets, it’s always advisable to go for a boat that you can easily manage. It’s best to go for a small boat that will not require crew members and huge maintenance costs. Again, smaller boats can perfectly fit in marinas, are easier to handle, and tend to be a lot cheaper.

Look at your slip options – Believe it or not, the cost of renting a boat is often cheaper than the rent of any given house in the coastal area. It’s, however, important that you carry out thorough research and find out whether living on a sailboat is the right lifestyle for you in terms of finances, your work, and your family.

Embrace the minimalist lifestyle – Living on a sailboat means that you’ll only have room for essentials. As much as it seems like a luxurious lifestyle, fairly-size boats have very small spaces. You should, therefore, make sacrifices, become tidy, and embrace the minimalist way of life.

Living on a sailboat is a perfect lifestyle that presents both sides of the coin: the bad and the good. While it is a tremendously rewarding experience that gives you the freedom to explore some of the most exotic places in the world, it has its fair share of challenges. This is a unique lifestyle that’s not meant for all. Well, you’ll have to make some sacrifices, deal with bad weather, while also enjoying the best weather and the best that nature has to offer.

In essence, sail away from the comforts of your home, catch the wind, explore, discover, learn, and you’ll never regret it.

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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F.A.A. Audit Finds Quality-Control Lapses at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems

The regulator said the audit found instances in which Boeing and one of its key suppliers did not properly adhere to quality-control requirements.

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Four airplanes with green fuselages parked on a tarmac.

By Mark Walker

Reporting from Washington

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday that a six-week audit of Boeing and one of it key suppliers, Spirit AeroSystems, found “multiple instances” in which the companies failed to comply with quality-control requirements.

As part of the audit, which looked at production of the Boeing 737 Max, the F.A.A. said that it had “identified noncompliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control.” The regulator did not publicly release further details.

The F.A.A. initiated the audit after a door panel came off a 737 Max 9 jet while at about 16,000 feet in early January, raising new questions about quality-control practices at Boeing and Spirit, which makes the fuselage, or body, of the 737 Max.

Boeing declined to comment on the audit. A spokesman for Spirit, Joe Buccino, said the company was reviewing the findings and was “in communication with Boeing and the F.A.A. on appropriate corrective actions.”

The episode involving the door panel, known as a door plug, occurred on an Alaska Airlines flight shortly after it took off from Portland, Ore., on Jan. 5. The F.A.A. quickly grounded similar Max 9 jets , though the planes were allowed to return to service later that month after being inspected.

In a preliminary report last month, the National Transportation Safety Board said that four bolts used to secure the door plug had been removed from the jet at Boeing’s factory in Renton, Wash. The report suggested that the bolts may not have been reinstalled before the plane entered service.

The F.A.A.’s audit was one of several steps that the regulator took in the aftermath of the door-plug episode to step up scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing processes. The agency also opened an investigation into whether the plane maker failed to ensure that its products were safe and conformed to their approved design, and it barred the company from increasing production of the 737 Max series until quality-control issues are addressed.

Last week, the F.A.A. gave Boeing 90 days to develop a plan to improve its quality-control practices. In response, the company’s chief executive, Dave Calhoun, said the plane maker had “a clear picture of what needs to be done,” adding that its leaders were “totally committed to meeting this challenge.”

A week earlier, Boeing announced a leadership shake-up in its commercial airplanes unit. And on Friday, the company said it was in talks to acquire Spirit , which it spun out nearly two decades ago.

Mark Walker is an investigative reporter focused on transportation. He is based in Washington. More about Mark Walker

IMAGES

Living on a Sailboat in Alaska
Adventurous Couple Living on a Sailboat Year-Round in Alaska
Adventurous Couple Living on a Sailboat Year-Round in Alaska
From Apartment Life to Living on a Sailboat in Alaska! Sailing
Adventurous Couple Living on a Sailboat Year-Round in Alaska
Adventurous Couple Living on a Sailboat Year-Round in Alaska

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COMMENTS

Adventurous Couple Living on a Sailboat Year-Round in Alaska
on November 2, 2016. Megan and Rob are a pair of adventure seekers who are working hard to create the life of their dreams. The couple bought a 1979 Cal 31 sailboat in April 2015 up in Juneau, Alaska and they've been living on it ever since. They've added a wood burning stove in the living room and extra insulation in the v-berth to stay ...
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Juneau has some of the highest housing prices in Alaska. According to the state Department of Labor, the average single family home costs $349,000 dollars in the capital city. A typical rental ...
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Megan and Rob are a pair of adventure seekers who are working hard to create the life of their dreams: living on a sailboat and exploring Alaska, working onl...
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Last winter i lived on my 26 ft. sailboat. in this video i explore the many sides of living on a boat during the winter, including how to heat the boat, how ...
From Apartment Life to Living on a Sailboat in Alaska! VIDEO
VIDEO. From Apartment Life to Living on a Sailboat in Alaska! Tiny House on the Water. The couple bought a sailboat in April 2015 up in Juneau, Alaska and they've been living on it ever since. For the first couple of years they plan to stay docked in Juneau during the week so that Megan can work at her job as a dental hygienist, while Rob has ...
Living On A Sailboat During Winter
Living on a sailboat during the winter does pose its unique challenges, but nothing that can't be overcome. There are hundreds and probably even thousands of people doing it. Here in Sitka, Alaska, there are a lot of people who live on their boats year round, mostly due to the incredibility high cost of housing.
Embracing Adventure: Anchored in Alaska's Sailboat Lifestyle!
For adventure seekers Megan and Rob, the pursuit of their dreams led them on an extraordinary journey, transforming their lives from mundane apartment
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One Year Living On A Sailboat - Q&A. We've hit a milestone this month; one year of living on a sailboat. There's a whole slew of people are out there living the sailing life. This isn't something new or that hasn't been done before…exploration by sailboat goes back long before Christopher Columbus. Nevertheless, it's been a big ...
Sailboat living in Alaska is extraordinary • NORM BUCKER
Sailboat living in Alaska is a bit different than doing it in the Caribbean. Living vicariously through others is what many of us do until we can create our own experiences. We are a society where reality TV, the documenting of the drama of other's lives has replaced sitcoms and dramas. We're curious how people live and what makes them tick.
Liveaboard in Alaska
Join Date: Mar 2003. Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W. Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 49,032. Images: 241. Quote: Originally Posted by diverguy. Hey all, A fwe weeks ago I got this crazy idea to move to alaska (currently in NC).
Liveaboards in SE Alaska
Liveaboards in SE Alaska. We liveaboard and cruise full time, without any permanent moorage, on our 54' Cheoy Lee LRT. While our original plans were to spend this winter in the Sea of Cortez, Covid-19 ended those plans. Instead, we have found ourselves in the opposite climate - SE Alaska, where we are spending the winter and plan to stay out ...
Is It a Good Idea To Live on a Sailboat?
Beth lives on board her 1983 30ft S2 sailboat with her husband, 6 year-old son, and her two fur babies. She has been sailing and boating for most of her life. Beth has been blessed to experience cruising in the Great Lakes, the Bahamas, and in Alaska. She loves to travel and adores living on her tiny boat with her family. Read more articles
How To Live on a Sailboat
Living on a sailboat can be a rewarding experience, especially if you come prepared and make strategic lifestyle adjustments. Living on a sailboat is possible if you find the right boat, stay organized, manage maintenance and utilities effectively, make an income, and choose a suitable marina. Anyone who follows these steps can live a frugal ...
Winter Living On Our Sailboat in Alaska. Blocked by ICE
Check out the beautiful high-quality aluminum prints that I'm now offering at http://alluringarctic.myshopify.com . This limited edition is only available un...
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Off The Grid Off the Grid, Travel & RV 280. Living on a boat is a unique off the grid lifestyle that has intrigued adventuring souls for ages. For some, it's an escape from the repetitiveness of everyday life; for others, it's simply about the freedom and adventure that living on the water can bring. Regardless of the reason, living on a ...
Sailboat Living: 10 Things To Know Before Moving On Board
Watching the sunset every day is one of the best things about sailboat living. Then there's the sunrises and sunsets, and the endless starlit skies. The thunderstorms that you're suddenly a part of, when before you could hide inside brick walls. The constantly changing sea and sky, and the sun and wind.
Living On A Sailboat
Living on a sailboat brings us closer to nature. We tend to go to sleep when the sun sets and rise with the sun. You're dealing with the weather on a daily basis, whether it's heat, wind, rain, or cold. You experience weather more intensely on a boat. This causes us to appreciate the good weather all that much more.
Sailing in Southeast Alaska Compared to British Columbia and Washington
Very few local cruising boats, and even fewer full-time cruising boats living in Alaska (see my pyramid of cruising models analogy in this post). The majority were from WA and of the local Alaskan pleasure boats we met, many were out for only a few days/weeks or for fishing. We met some boaters who live in Alaska and cruise for 3+ months but we ...
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Live Aboard Power Listings. (Click on the photo below for details) Builder: Tacoma Boat Works Model: Ranger. Length: 61' - 0 " Year: 1958. Asking: $99,900. Description: Here is your opportunity to own a piece of Alaskan history. Tongass Ranger is one of two steel vessels commissioned by the United States Forest Service in the 1...
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Victoria Sass dreamed of buying an R.V., but her husband, Torben Rytt, wanted a sailboat. They compromised on a 44-foot-long motorboat with living quarters.
Alaska Sailing Charters
WELCOME ABOARD! Hoist the sails aboard Sailboat Bob and adventure in Alaska with us. Our sleek 50-foot sailing vessel offers three en suite cabins for up to six guests. Sailing is an active way to experience the pristine waters of the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park. Watch whales, fish, hike and kayak while visiting remote towns ...
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The day after AnnMarie Young graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021, she and her best friend moved to Fairbanks, Alaska for the summer.. The 23-year-old artist lived in Alaska ...
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Despite offering a salary of $167,000, Steamboat Springs can't find a head of human resources who can afford a place to live in the remote Colorado resort town.
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Video dinner parties, spa days, stuffed animals, favorite hoodies and cozy, colorful fleece blankets. Cole Brauer's Instagram feed hardly feels like the work of someone racing a 40-foot sailboat ...
What It's Like To Live On A Sailboat
Living on a sailboat is a perfect lifestyle that presents both sides of the coin: the bad and the good. While it is a tremendously rewarding experience that gives you the freedom to explore some of the most exotic places in the world, it has its fair share of challenges. This is a unique lifestyle that's not meant for all.
FAA Audit Finds Boeing Didn't Comply With Quality-Control Requirements
The episode involving the door panel, known as a door plug, occurred on an Alaska Airlines flight shortly after it took off from Portland, Ore., on Jan. 5.