Liveaboard Hate: The top 10 things we hate about living aboard a sailboat in Seattle

1/19/2013

Now, hate is a strong word. I really wouldn't say we hate anything about living aboard, but dislike isn't really the opposite of love (our last post). So, get on board the hate train, she's leaving the station! Surely there are things you dislike about the live aboard life, if we didn't list them, leave them as comments below. Let's get negative.

1. Laundry.

Before we moved aboard we rented a nice little house. It had a washer and dryer. We never took them for granted. The ability to do your own laundry whenever you want should never be taken for granted. Now we haul the dirty clothes from the boat all the to the laundry room...only to find it full of folks.

2. Lack of Galley Counter Space.

Captain wifey loves to cook. She even loves our small, two-burner-with-oven Force 10 stove. The only problem is, she needs more counter space to make the magic happen!

3. No Tub.

This is a hotel…not inside our boat.

Another captain wifey issue: no tub. Hey wait, the giant yachts we check out at the boat show don't have tubs either. Hmmm, I wonder how much a custom tub would cost {see #6 below}.

4. Birds.

Besides crankies giving me a heart attack every time I mosey down the dock, all of the other birds tend to poo on everything when I'm not looking. I know Shilshole/Seattle aren't too bad compared to other marinas around the world - I've read some interesting stories from Australia - but nothing is worse than getting home to find that the welcoming committee (the 3 seagulls that are always yelling at me when I get home after work), has applied a new coat of bird-paint to my top deck {Insert swab the poop deck joke here}.

5. Are You Gonna Sail There?

One of our friends actually warned us about this one. She grew up aboard and started to notice that when you'd tell people you were going somewhere on a 3-day weekend, let's say San Francisco, they would ask, "Are you gonna sail there?"
Hey everyone, Amber and I are going to the San Juans for one night only {A.Y.G.S.T.?} We're off to Napa for Veterans Day weekend {A.Y.G.S.T.?}. Visiting Maine for the first time…from Seattle...{A.Y.G.S.T.?}. Silly landlubbers!

6. Custom Work.

Did you notice how a propane tank at a boat store costs double a propane tank at a hardware store? Or how replacing those foam saloon cushions & fabric will run you around $3,000? OK, this one I actually hate - I thought yachting would be cheap (kidding:).

7. No Room To Stretch.

Besides the Wii Fit being out of the question, yoga kind of is too. I've read great posts of people exercising aboard, usually in warm climates out on deck, but then my winter reality on a 32 foot sailboat in Seattle sets in. Downward-facing-dog is tricky with the wife spreading her cooking all over the living-room {see #2}.

8. Power Limits.

Flip goes the breaker! It's not a huge deal, but 30 amps of power at a time is all we've got. Any live aboard knows, things that heat up stuff use a lot of power. Hairdryers, toasters, & electric heaters need to pretty much be used one at a time…oh well, toast can wait.

9. Boat Forums.

Wow - look at all of these online boat forums! Let's see, the power on our boat just went off for no noticeable reason (noticeable to me anyway - we're kinda new at this). It's 26 degrees outside so I really need to figure out what is wrong. Let's download that forum app. Click on the problem, oh sweet, there are like 235 posts about this very problem…and none of them…I repeat...none of them have a solution to the problem. We need solutions!
P.S. - It was a dirty/faulty ground connection (one of the green ground wires located around the boat got a little dirty and need cleaning)

10. Condensation.

Here we are at number 10. You thought it was gonna be the head, didn't you? Well, we can live with our head. The thing that keeps you honest and makes you own less and less stuff every year (which is actually a good thing sometimes), is condensation. In the winter the boat is hot on the inside and cold on the outside. We're inside breathing, cooking, and sometimes showering. It gets a little humid. A dehumidifier helps a lot. Those little black damp-raid things with the white dip-in-dots do too. But man, if you leave a bunch of stuff pretty much anywhere aboard over the winter and don't check it every month or two…get ready…for mold:(

80 Comments

ray jeffrey

1/20/2013 06:19:46 am

the daily long walks up and down the docks every time you want to do anything on land...and forget one small thing?...ok...another long walk...and don't forget to hold on tight to your cell phone and car keys when climbing in and out of the boat... could be a $200 slip-up...(still I love it)

Darren O'Brien link

1/20/2013 08:36:50 am

We can totally relate! Laundry tops our list, too. Regarding item #10, we have employed a few things on the boat to keep condensation WAY down. The first thing was to buy two household dehumidifiers (we live on a 46' trawler). We run them fore and aft alternately days and night. The second thing was to affix the clear plastic sheeting over the inside of the main saloon windows (the plastic you shrink to fit w/a hair dryer). Condensation? Now we only get it in the galley when boiling water for pasta. The third item we put on the boat keeps the overall moisture level down especially in lockers and smaller spaces. They're H2Out Space Dryers, and they're a vast improvement over the old style air dryers you show in the photo. H2Out is reusable and you don't end up with any caustic water to dispose of. Here's a video we made on them: http://www.pacificnwboater.com/h2out-space-dryers.html

Korey

1/20/2013 10:41:02 am

Get a sit down tub.. do laundry in it.... Condensation suuuucks... Not sailing enough can be the worst part too but that's your own fault.

Butch Leonardson

11/29/2017 09:50:00 am

Solution for the laundry issue: find a dry cleaner that offers "wash and fold" service. We have an excellent Cleaners here in Anacortes that offers this service. So dry cleaning and laundry are taken care of.

Darren And Cindy Matwichuk

1/20/2013 10:44:00 am

Very True, except our list is exactly inverse to yours #10 was our #1 then we met an ol'salt on a steel boat whos boat was nice and toasty and dry as a bone inside. So we ask how? He said "Its counter intuitive If you want a dry boat open the hatch and leave it open 24-7!" Wait dont you loose all the heat! Nope it lets the water vapor out and now we have interior humidity at 46% at 70 degrees just by leaving a hatch open 1".....Cheers

BCC link

1/20/2013 11:53:50 am

So much for a retirement option.....laundry, heating, moisture, space vs accumulated stuff makes this sounds like a young one's game. Hard to play Bingo on a rocking boat anyway.

Sarah 'Paniolo' link

5/1/2014 10:34:01 am

Take up cribbage...better game anyway.

Jennis Bay Marina link

1/20/2013 02:20:36 pm

Greetings from Jennis Bay Marina! I love following the posts on FB! Great articles, and quite evident is the passion to be on the water! Please come visit Jennis Bay...we're going to be waiting...!

Kim and Kent
Jennis Bay Marina

andy

1/20/2013 02:43:06 pm

put a vent fan in the head, turn it on when showering. I use a bilge blower fan. Sucks all the warm wet air out so it doen't get out into the boat. My last boat I just left the port open so that natural convection removed the moisture.

Paul S Schernitzki

1/22/2013 11:48:42 pm

Andy - sounds good, we're gonna try leaving the hatch open an inch - thanks for the advice!
-Paul

1/22/2013 11:49:56 pm

Kim & Kent, thanks!
-Paul

1/22/2013 11:51:22 pm

BCC, It's not that bad - did you see our 'things we love post'? Thanks for the comment!
-Paul & Amber

1/22/2013 11:52:28 pm

Darren & Cindy, I've read about the leave the hatch open technique...okay, we'll try it, thanks for the comment!
-Paul & Amber

1/22/2013 11:53:46 pm

Korey, don't give Captain wifey any more tub on a sailboat dreams:)
-Paul

1/22/2013 11:58:12 pm

Darren, thanks for the info - I've heard of the company and that some folks were using the fuel tank H2Outs for this purpose - condensation - glad to hear there is an actual product! Wondering about cost, they are probably cheaper over he long run, and boiling aboard (would this just send the humidity back into the boat...not to mention the moisture from the propane stove?). Anyway, thanks for the comment - see you at the boat show?
-Paul

Dana link

7/14/2015 03:08:30 pm

I have two of the H2Out canisters that are about 6' long and 1.5' wide that I keep under the head sink and in the closet with my favorite clothes. Every 6 weeks you need to bake them to recharge then, but so far so good. I'd recommend getting a bigger size than they suggest. They were not cheap, but at least they are reusable. The damp rid hanging things seem to fill up right away.

1/22/2013 11:59:30 pm

Ray, I hear ya - luckily I haven't dropped anything too important yet (my neighbor says there is a dock cart under my boat:)

-Paul

Courtney link

1/23/2013 02:50:52 am

#7, no room to stretch. And in winter there's nothing to be done for it, it's too wet or cold to go out and move!

#9, so many know-it-alls who can't wait to tell you how much they know about X, who admonish and warn you about X, but never answer your question.

Edward Teach

11/21/2013 06:54:46 am

They're called the Dockside Admirals.

MMWallflower

5/31/2014 11:18:53 pm

Love this! You guys are great! I dream about live aboard all the time. You guys are helping my dreams be more real.

Barnacle Bill link

3/1/2013 07:03:46 am

For the birds, get a few rubber snakes (Archie McPhee probably has them), and leave them on deck. I have my boat in dry storage at Shilshole and never have problems with bird poop or angry gulls occupying my deck.

Chris

9/25/2013 02:37:16 pm

Been sailing all my life, and now one more step to my dream of living aboard. I have wanted this for 20 plus years. with that said, I have listened to lots of bad stories and they always end up with this. I would do it again !!!! Life on a boat is like life on land. always a problem to deal with or fix. the plus of a liveaboard is one word.
FREEDOM .

Catamaran Cruisers link

1/28/2014 01:59:02 am

Our company has solved all of your problems except the birds! Check us out.

hunter

3/9/2014 06:58:45 am

Hello! ive had a dream of living aboard my entire life and im finally ready to start. but I have no idea where to start. I was wondering if anyone had any advice.
thanks!
-Hunter

mark

12/8/2014 06:51:39 am

Do you own a boat? If not you need to decide on sail or power. Then get one. Start spending time on it. It can be small (25 feet or bigger 40 feet) it's very easy to live aboard if you don't care too much for a lot of "junk."

Dan

10/5/2016 11:19:09 pm

Many marinas in the Bay Area won't let you liveaboard unless your boat is 35 feet minimum

3/9/2014 07:08:43 am

Hunter, Cool. Well, it's kinda funny, but we're getting ready to start a 'Liveaboard University' series here on our site, basically start to finish on buying, living, and selling a boat.

First steps? For us it was get rid of stuff, save money for a down payment, find a bank that would give us or even does a boat loan, find the right boat - that's the hardest - and go for it. What follows is the boat survey, the offer, and more! When you have more specific questions feel free to comment some more or email. Expect posts here about this kinda stuff soon!
-Paul

Thom gates link

7/13/2014 12:46:32 pm

part of my dream come true is a sail/cruise boat to live aboard. I experienced the nightmare portion of the dream this week, visiting a yacht brokers dock, here in seattle, I toured a beautiful older 36' cruise boat and found it horribly over priced, at $139.000. all this week I have been on the web,finding much more boat for the money,selling by owner. for instance a spin drift 43 cutter ( several of them) from $95,000 to, $130,000. My commercial fishing days,in Alaska, brought me back to reality. a broker is just an additional expense. .They offer nothing that a marine surveyor,which, I would pay for anyway, can provide. Seller, and buyer can come to terms, and a sales agreement can be written, by both parties, and underwritten, by a law firm. I hope to find just the right boat, even if I have to travel across country to find it. that's what I did, buying several expensive motor homes. there are a million things I need to know about blue water sailing ( and or, living aboard, say, in seattle) and I am catching on fast. I am being priced out of my condo, and it is a yawn anyway. this is just a comment, glad to know there are others like me. Freedom is the word, thanks, will book mark this site, and read more in: my< " Chapmens guide to navigation.

2/9/2015 03:14:34 pm

4/8/2014 11:59:14 am

Thank you, Very informative; considering living aboard. After 10 months living off of my BMW F800 thru US Mexico Central and South America; setting up my little tent EVERY night, (cold, hot, wet, snow, insects, snakes, thieves, etc...) hope to "relax" on a boat for awhile. Looking forward to Liveaboard U.

Michael

4/19/2014 04:56:59 pm

I really love reading everyone's comments about the issues they've had migrating to living aboard a sailboat. I'm only 39, but preparing for an early retirement and purchasing the right sailboat to spend my years away from the corporate world as well as the hussle and bussle. Allot of the things mentioned in the comments, I never really took into consideration, but as with anything, there are always ways to work thru them.
At the moment, I'm trying to find the right sailboat to purchase and as looks and style go, I'm really leaning towards the Catalina 38ft or an Irwin 42ft. Dues anyone have any thoughts, experiences or even suggestions on what the best recommended sailboat would be??

Chris: Yes, unless you want to live in a dark cave with no view get a pilot house design like a sceptre 41 or a Cooper 412 The Cooper even has a bath tub!

9/27/2018 08:46:36 am

Chris: Yes, unless you want to live in a dark cave with no view get a pilot house design like a sceptre 41 or a Cooper 412 The Cooper even has a bath tub! These boats have plenty of space and light and you can actually see the view outside the boat. (I have a cooper for sale if you are interested )

6/1/2014 03:39:37 am

Living aboard was an awesome choice for us. It's a trade off with a lot things (love/hate:), but worth it!
-Paul

Mark

6/6/2014 05:20:02 am

Get a motor boat. Carver 506

Leon

6/23/2014 04:54:57 am

I have a trawler and all these suggestions are top notch. I don't live aboard but would love to, for a while anyway.

Kim

6/25/2014 12:23:08 am

I love living aboard and plan on living on a boat for a very long time. I agree about the laundry, however, I bought a washer and dryer, deep freeze and my husband installed deep shelves and we turned our v-birth into a handy area, our printer is on top of one drawer top and our microwave is on top of the other one. I have hammocks hanging across the top where I keep my clothes. Works out great. I bought a fold away table to put out if I need extra counter space/table top and a fold away foot stool to sit back and kick my feet up. We installed an a/c that helps with the condensation and I make sure my phone is stuck in my back pocket when I get off or I don't take it at all. Power? We split ours so we can use everything at the same time. Takes some getting use to the smaller space, but well worth it because your home is anywhere you want to make it.

danielle

8/21/2017 02:21:44 pm

hello i am interested in corresponding with you about living aboard.

Mike Jay

8/28/2018 07:57:58 am

With many years of sailing in San Diego
primary I-20 Catamaran racing. Now,
68 yrs. young and retiring😎 Have always
thought about living aboard. Have found
2008 Catalina 32 MKll that’s upgraded
and immaculate - one owner. Unfortunately, the boat is in Florida. So,
would cost about $5k to transport here.

I’m healthy and in good physical condition.
However, have never owned a boat like
this. And don’t want to make a $90k
mistake. So, trying to find out about
overall general maintenance. With this
boat being in immaculate well kept condition. I would like to be able to keep
it that way.

Any info about age considerations and
approximate annual maintenance would
be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Mike

Paul link

8/31/2018 03:05:59 pm

Hey Mike,
It sounds like you’re ready to work on your boat in exotic locations!
Price will vary of course depending on location. Here’s some thoughts on what you will get charged for. I arrived at these numbers by comparing my liveaboard life in Seattle versus one here in Eastern North Carolina. Long story short: it seems like it costs between $600-$1000 a month to liveaboard, assuming you have the boat paid for.

*Purchasing the boat ($)
*Variable interest rates on boat loans (sometimes based on the type/age of the boat) (Paying cash - no problem)
*Survey & haulout ($500-$1000 and up)
*Boat repair (0-?)

————Reoccurring costs below----------
*Slip ($275-$500 and up /monthly)

*Liveaboard fee (0-$117 and up /monthly)

*Trash & Water ($0-?) (usually included in liveaboard fee)

*Electric ($15 - and up/monthly) (cheap if no air conditioning)

*Pumpout (a.k.a. sewer) ($0 - $90 /monthly) (sometimes marinas do it as part of liveaboard fee, others work with a 3rd party to pump you out weekly without moving the boat).

*Zincs and clean bottom ($100 - $200 /annually)

*Haulout and bottom paint [saltwater] once a year (If you do this annually you can eliminate the zinc cost above by changing them yourself - not everyone paints every year) around $1000

*Propane for your stove/oven - $50 or less annually

*Maintenance - wash, wax, and stuff that breaks ($0 and up haha) (in our 3 years on a 2000 Hunter 320, we had a few electrical issues that we fixed ourselves and had to replace the hot water heater - we did that ourselves too).

*Boat registration ($/annually or sometimes biannually)
*Property tax (?)
*parking pass (some marinas require $ for this)
*TV & Internet (optional - similar priced as land)
*Mailbox (sometimes included at marina, sometimes a fee)
*Random stuff like fire extinguisher and flare renewal ($25)
*Fuel and oil for oil changes - we used very little fuel each year because, uh, sailing! ($100)
*Other mystery fees from the city or state ($?)

Since you asked and it’s got me thinking, I plan to write a blog post on this topic in the next few weeks so check back!

Also, check our Aboard Series - http://www.everyonestravelclub.com/blog/category/aboard%20series

Our 2000 Hunter 320 was probably a very similar boat to the one you are looking at. Between you and me, we purchased our boat in 2010 for $60,000. It was in poor shape but a diamond in the rough - low engine hours and after replacing the lines and cleaning her for days she turned out great. We sold her in 2014 for around $60,000.

-Paul everyonestravelclub.com

Terence

7/17/2014 12:58:02 am

Any opinions on having kids and living aboard. They're 7 and 9. I think it's doable but would love to hear from people who actually do it. Education, healthy eating, friends, experiences... thanks.

I feel like I'm trying to hijack this post now :) It was very fun to read. I thought the head would have gone on it. I'm already planning for a compost head when I get a boat... AYGST sooo funny.

Kevin

3/1/2015 08:22:01 am

Terence,
I am a single father with two boys (11 and 7). My youngest has been living with just me (he has only seen his mom 3 times in 6 years) for the last 6 years. My oldest lives with his mother and I get him weekends, holidays, trips, etc. We have been full time liveaboards for 5 1/2 years. My youngest doesn't really know anything other then being a liveaboard. We usually spend about 6 months out of the year anchored up (We live in VA). My kids have an amazing childhood. They spend all of their free time swimming, fishing, tubing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, combing the beach, and pretty much anything you can think of to do on the water. They can name just about every part of all of my boats and they can operate all of them (supervised of course). They can name all of the creatures in the water in our area. The worst part about having kids living aboard is getting from the truck to the boat in bad weather. I do HIGHLY recommend it and if you ever need any advice feel free to ask.

7/25/2014 05:12:18 am

Tom, Sounds like your adventure has already began! Good luck in finding a great bluewater boat...we've always had a crush on Pacific Seacraft boats, especially the small but stout Dana 24...
-Paul

7/25/2014 05:13:18 am

Leon, Thanks! Go for it!

-Paul

7/25/2014 05:14:10 am

Kim, I like the upgrades - great ideas!
-Paul

7/25/2014 05:24:32 am

Terence, No experience with kiddos here, only the cat (she loves the boat). A lot of folks on our dock an around the marina have kids living on boats. I even have a few adult friends that grew up aboard. Anything is possible, and we've found that everyone gets used to the space they have...

As far as the head, the only time our normal-cheap pump head bothered us was when we needed to change the joker valve...we recommend changing it once a year for good measure. Here's a good article from Three Sheets on the compostable head though - http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/2011/06/on-watch-heads-up-part-two/

Good luck!!!!:)

7/26/2014 09:27:28 am

Thanks for the info. I hope to be there soon.

Scott Burrell link

10/12/2014 09:11:57 pm

Very insightful petspectives. i want to get a boat,trying to weigh it all out./ Scott B,

Paul S Schernitzki link

12/6/2014 12:53:35 am

Scott - It is almost equal parts challenging and life changing:)
-Paul

Walter

11/19/2014 01:46:04 am

Hi,

Like your aricles. We have lived aboard for almost 2 years in The Netherlands even when minus 20 celcius. Yes cold but very well doable on our 50ft. Now we are transporting it to Singapore and we will live aboar again, our heating will have to be replaced...airconditioning would be better in place. But I think ventilation is everything.

A tip for you bird poo is cheap and simple. We had two strings of old empty data cd's, (they are very shinny when new) on either side of the mast, hoisted almost halfway. We never had a bird any more.

Laundry, yes, I had that but...I am happily married (if you get the idea :-) ) My wife does not want a washing machine so far, but I am sure the boat or next refit, whatever comes first, will have a combined machine, wash and dry.

Regards
Walter

12/6/2014 12:55:26 am

Walter - thanks for the comment and tips! Singapore! What an adventure! Good luck!
-Paul

David

12/8/2014 02:13:18 am

Hi. My family and I are thinking of buying a sailboat and living on it as we sail down around the Panama Canal from Seattle. Any advice on where would should live and dock our boat in Seattle ? Thanks. Dave

2/21/2015 08:15:51 am

Dave,
We chose Shilshole in Seattle because of its healthy liveaboard culture and the fact that it's on the salt (as opposed to going through the Locks each time you want to leave the city limits). Shilshole Marina is also in a great Seattle neighborhood - Ballard. Good luck!

bluewater gypsy

1/12/2015 06:55:35 am

i'm wondering what is the easiest and largest sailboat to sail solo? i want to live aboard and take off whenever i want to where ever i want. looking in the 50' to 70' range. not looking for speed just safe comfortable travels

2/21/2015 08:20:41 am

Bluewater Gypsy,

If you're looking for sailing freedom I wouldn't choose a 50-70 ft boat! That's a lot of deck to swab! Also, know that bigger doesn't always mean safer when it comes to bluewater boats...check out Pacific Seacraft's Flicka and our dream bluewater boat - the Dana 24:) Good luck!!!
~Paul

Dave

2/24/2015 01:39:04 am

Hi. Thanks for the info on Seattle! We are coming up in August to sail the San Juans. Take care. Dave

Ron

4/3/2015 05:30:35 pm

Very entertaining vignettes from you live-aboards! I'm trying to adjust mentally to living aboard after I sell the old homestead. I've sailed on & off for years in Hawaii and our west coast. So I'm toying with the idea of a ~30' sloop or cutter rig, fitted out for single-handing, with standing room and lots of windows for light. Probably moor in Seattle for starters.

Paul

4/3/2015 10:27:42 pm

Ron, sounds like a plan! You might want to talk to Dean Paris at Shilshole about moorage - he's the go-to guy. There's probably a waiting list but there may be some sub-lease options available until a slip opens up. Good luck!
~Paul

Charles Levy link

8/20/2015 04:51:40 am

If you had a bad back do you think pain would be at the top of the list? I do have one but am thinking about a motor yacht in Florida. Would be in slip most of the time and travel would be limited to ICW. I know waves and wakes are problems but what about just a little bit of rocking and rolling?

Peggy Jenkins

8/20/2015 12:42:13 pm

I also am struggling with this issue. So far, I have thought about what makes me feel most comfortable at home. Bedrest, heating pad, ice pack, drugs, and back support to include my back and head, and medication. Make a list of the things you require, and make sure you have these items addressed aboard your boat. Set them up in the marina and try this to make sure you get the same level of benefit you get a home.

Mostly, I think of the ICW as a narrow ditch. Plan places where you can set in for a rest or a tie-up. You need current charts of this area. Research anchors, to make sure you have one that will stick to the type of bottom you are having. You probably need two anchors to make sure you don't swing out into the ICW and therefore impede traffic.

Learn the horns for passage= 1 bell for passing on the left and one bell passing on the right. Nudge as close as possible to shore if you are unable to find an inlet to turn into.

Study the draft of your boat and the charts for the ICW. Does your draft give you enough water to move to the side, or slope of the shore?

Waves and wakes should not be a problem, as I think that the speed is restricted in the ICW. Of course, if others create this, your best bet is to point to the wake, and take it on the bow.

The last thing I can think of is the captain's chair. You need a modified chair that can support your back and head. USE THE CHAIR.

8/20/2015 12:23:01 pm

I lived aboard about 4 years, 20 years ago. We had to modify or living habits somewhat.
1. Change your wardrobe. 100%cotton is best for everything. Souwesters are best for warmth, and dryness.
2. Reduce the number of changes. Shirts and underwear are needed for daily changing. Shorts and pants can be worn multiple times before laundry.
3. Dry storage bags are excellent for keeping your clothing dry and mold free. Buy the marine type for large items such as linens, etc.
4. A folding dock kart is essential. Coolers with wheels and a handle are excellent for provisioning. We kept ours on the boat, but best would be in an old van you use for land transportation. I also kept my shoes in a bag in the van. I had still not worked down to just a couple of pairs. A hanging rod can carry any special items that you need to keep hung, such as those items that are drycleaned. Not all boats have hanging closets.

5. A post office box must be arranged for unless the marina has a mail drop.

6. Test the mattress that will be slept on. If it is not comfortable, research having a "real" mattress custom made. After all, this is going to be your home. Have fitted sheets and down comforters made for use within the boat. They are worth their weight in gold in dealing with making and keeping the bed presentable.

7. You absolutely require a bimini. I sewed very long zippers to the edge to connect to two different awnings. One was a clear vinyl that dropped from the bimini on four sides to enclose the cockpit. This increased dramatically our ability to sit in comfort even in cold weather. One was a netting. It was for use during bug season. Again, it increased our living space much like an outdoor room.

8. Most marinas require that you use the marina toilet and shower facilities. You need an excellent bathrobe to make trips up there when in your night clothes. Slippers or bath shoes are also required.

9. Not all docks are made the same. The floating docks are much preferred. Otherwise, high and low tide becomes a real challenge when entering or exiting the boat. Boats that do not adjust also require re-tying the boat lines to provide security.

10. Think carefully when considering the family pet. Living aboard is not a natural environment for a dog. They must be taught to not fear the water, how to exit if they fall in, and overall how to negotiate meeting their daily needs, barking when neighbors arrive, etc. Cats are better in that they can have food, water, and a box. They have few demands. Other pets must be evaluated based on basic needs.

11. When traveling, some marinas have reciprocity. If your local marina researches this, they can tell you of marinas that could be away stations to stop for parts, provisions and basic creature comforts. Research this.

12. Many live aboards with children consider homeschooling. Many states have required curriculum for the basic grades. Check with state guidelines of specifics in each of the required areas: reading/language arts (including spelling, sentence construction and paragraph writing. This is leading to be ability to write paragraphs that address specific types of writing. Mathematics are taught with the main goal of specific problem solving using numbers. Science and social studies should be easy in that they could include specific areas of interest that present themselves in the new locals. Find out what they must know. The states put on the internet the required objectives for transfer from the grade to the next. Some companies have this information on line, and others have actual lesson examples provided as well as assessment. It is best to align with the state curriculum that you plan to have the child graduate from.

13. While traveling, you need to figure out what to do with your garbage. Many people bag it us and toss in the dink. Remember that when you go to empty it, you must fit in there as well. When talking to the harbormaster, find out where you have to take it, and if there is a price. Recycling is the appropriate thing to do.

Good luck. I hope this provides you with some ideas to deal with.

david

11/19/2017 05:01:14 pm

well put...

Hudson Force

4/23/2016 04:11:58 pm

I enjoyed your list. My wife and I have been living aboard our sailboat for 45 years years and we still understand all ten on this list, but we never had a house or owned more than would fit in a car, so we can't really remember what we might be missing,

Why can't I get the laundry done? I keep washing the same clothes over and over again. What's up with that? 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

everyonestravelclub link

5/3/2016 04:13:20 pm

Thanks Hudson! 45 years!?!?! Congrats on that! That's a lot of 'joker valves"! We're back on land for now...all I do is mow the lawn. Take care - fair winds:)

~Paul ETC

carl vogel

4/30/2016 04:28:24 pm

I keep seeing stuff about laundry and fresh water for dishes?
Why can't you just use salt water? The boat is floating in it?

5/3/2016 04:24:26 pm

Carl,
That would be nice. I know some folks use saltwater for different things while on passage (out to sea). The problem is, well, salt. It's everywhere and it damages anything it can. For laundry - every zipper, metal button, really anything doesn't stand a chance without at least a quick freshwater rinse. Imagine carrying your smartphone in a clean but salty pants pocket.

As far as dishes, you might fair better, however it will start to get onto everything. Also, most of our liveaboard-life was at a city marina, where the surrounding saltwater is usually a little, uhhhh, cloudy. Cleaning dishes with saltwater while on passage with (or without) a quick freshwater rinse is fairly normal I think. Collecting rainwater to do the job is even better.

The one place that used saltwater on our boat was the head (toilet). But even then, the 'joker' valve the prevents back flow (from our poo-poo holding tank) would get covered it crusty salt buildup and have to be cleaned and changed regularly.

~Paul ETC

Daniel P

9/14/2016 07:42:33 pm

Hey can someone in Seattle tell me how much they pay for a liveaboard slip for a 32 - 40 ft boat. I am looking to buy a sailboat live on it for 3 years and save some money as I work in Seattle. Not sure if I will actually save money though?

9/15/2016 03:59:19 am

Daniel - a few years ago we paid just under $500 a month. That included trash and water. Showers were paid (quarters) and electric was very minimal ($30 a month-ish).

Buying a boat to save money is a funny thought - but I get what you're saying with the crazy Seattle real-estate market!!!

~Paul ETC

s/v Adventure link

10/5/2016 07:50:55 am

The funniest thing I read was the "forums". I started using them long before I moved onto the boat. They are full of blowhards, know-it-alls and wanna-be sailors. Those who are living aboard, and cruising are, for the most part NOT on those forums.

No time, no Internet, and frankly, don't much care what arm-chair quarterbacks think about anything.

Heck, I do a blog for my family to see what we're up to, and a lot of folks read it. Some HATE me for saying the truth about places and things. Like what happened to us in a marina last year. It happened to be one person's favorite marina and this person admonished me to take down my blog post simply because she disagreed.

Problem was, she wasn't there when all the bad things happened.

Obviously everyone's mileage may vary :)

Laundry is number one on our list.

Just me

11/3/2016 03:56:23 pm

We're at Shilshole also. Our absolute number 1 hate is the dog crap all over our docks. Every day. Not just on ours but the finger piers all around us too. It's so disgusting. I wouldn't mind if the owners picked it up but they don't. Then when it rains it becomes a gross smushy wet smelly mess. ugh.

Patrice

5/29/2017 07:37:22 am

Thank-you 4 sharing. This was one mistake I diden't make. As a single woman-I at the lasy minute shyed from it at the last minute. A typical aries dreamer who can do anything----until you can't. Moved to Fl. 17 months ago...with its awful health care ---they have lots of doctors-n-hospitals but this area leaves them only practicing,so the can afford all the goodies----and you aint it,. Stay in your cozy boat-enjoy each other----no place is perfect,and I know because I've tries them.

Abijah

7/10/2017 07:39:26 pm

Hey there. Im new to the liveaboard idea. I have been researching boats, watching videos, and reading blogs/forms. It is something I definitely want to do but the only problem that not a lot of people talk about is the job situation...
I would love to take off for 2 weeks - a month and sail around, but what can I do to make money so I can pay for the boat, repairs, food, ect,ect.. I know most jobs won't let you off for 4 months to sail around the world.

Any ideas would be amazing. Thanks.
Safe travels.

7/10/2017 08:28:21 pm

Abijah,

I'm a school teacher - it's my wife that can't get the time off - ha! It kinda depends if you want to do both - sail the world and work/live-aboard. If you want to sail the world just search online for skippers who need crew. They're all over the place! They'll provide room and board (and boat) and a little pay...could be quite an adventure! But perhaps you just want to live-aboard like we did: get a coastal cruiser, move aboard, work a normal job, and sail around on your time off...

I've known of a couple who worked tech-ish jobs, and could easily find work abroad...they bought a boat, both worked for a bit to save cash and get the boat ready, then off they sailed. They eventually landed in Australia and paused for a bit, obtained work visas, and worked normal jobs for awhile to save and start again.

We started our liveaboard adventure like you - but the more we researched we found that, at least to start out, we wanted to learn the ropes on an easier boat (not bluewater) and try the liveaboard thing before we made bigger plans. Just living on a boat full-time is an amazing experience that changed us forever, even without the sailing around the world part... ~Paul ETC

Josh

5/15/2018 08:42:04 am

I've wanted to live aboard since my teenage days. That sort of went on the back burner for awhile. I've worked a number of jobs, got married and now I'm in my 30s.

My desire resparked recently and it's now a burning one. My wife says absolutely not, she would not consider living on a boat. I'm completely at a loss. Any advice?

Not going to leave her. If you would meet us, you'd know that's not in the cards. It's this one thing in life, living aboard and the freedom, that I just can't shake it. It always comes back, harder than before. I don't know what to do.

5/16/2018 03:42:47 am

Josh,
This is a tricky one. "Happy wife, happy life" may apply. All I can share is how it worked out for us.

*My wife and I loved sailing, we had the opportunity to boat share on Lake Washington in Seattle for years. I had learned how to sail from my Dad, my wife had been on boats but not really sailed herself.

*My wife desperately wanted to move back to warmer weather - she is from Key West (I grew up in the Midwest).

*We made a plan to move from the PNW in three years. In that time we would save up for a boat and buy one when we moved East.

*But then we thought, why not buy now, learn for 3 years, then either ship the boat to Texas and sail the Intracoastal to FL or sell and buy again.

*We went for it - put stuff in storage, sold a lot, bought a coastal cruiser - a Hunter 320 (not a bluewater boat), and moved aboard.

*We loved it. It brought us closer together, removed a lot of stupid stuff that we argued about (like, yesterday - in our current land life - we argued about cleaning a rice cooker).

*In the end though, we stuck to the plan, sold Kingsley, and moved to warmer climates.

*I would definitely live aboard again - my wife is a maybe. In warmer climates now I have a little Hobie that sails amazing when I have the itch.
________________________

I showed my wife your post and we both thought that it would have been crazy for us to move aboard if we weren't both onboard with the idea. However, for us, the experience brought us closer together, in some ways it brought us back together.

Do you live near the water? Marinas? It's usually easy to get on boats, especially if there is racing nearby. I answered a craigslist ad and joined a Thunderbird (sailboat) hobby race team. The marina in Seattle (Shilshole) even has a crew circle on one of their docks - you would go stand in it on race night and if a boat needed help they would pick you up.

Anyway, best of luck - even though we're back on land my wife and I have no regrets about the boat life. It's give and take. She moved with me to Seattle and lived for 11 years (we had only planned on 2 years originally!). I loved the Northwest, but [eventually] gave in to move with Captain Wifey to the Southeast. Give and take.

~Paul EVERYONESTRAVELCLUB.COM

5/16/2018 10:20:46 am

I live a quarter mile from the Ohio River and about 2 hours give or take from Lake Erie.

Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to ween into it because I think she'd be cool with the idea of living aboard if I could manage getting a boat and taking a few weekend trips or vacation. It may be years before I'm able. Even though I have a good, upper middle class job, our debt from the time the steel mill closed to it's reopening brought our credit card debts up. A $50k + a year pay cut for over 2 years is not pretty, especially with a mortgage, 2 cars, student loans, etc. I've got the cars knocked out, and I'm catching back up.

The daily grind of managing all of this, watching time fly by so fast makes my heart literally ache; especially the thought of all of the elderly people in nursing homes regretting working like I do and never taking those chances.

In the mean time, I'm trying to figure out ways to expand on my skills and find means of becoming more financially independent.

I know I'm droning on right now. I'm over encumbered by what I have to do to even make this dream possible, let alone try to convince the wife to try it even if it's part-time.

christopher german link

10/23/2018 08:27:56 am

Thanks for the add! I would love to invite you all to join the newest Club devoted to Live Aboard and the RV Lifestyle, please let me introduce you to The Charted Life Yacht and Motor Club

sue

10/26/2018 05:28:27 am

I need help in deciding weather to shrink wrap or tarp does anyone have advise on this I have a 380 carver and I live aboard this is my first winter so need some advise.

mikumbadiving link

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Anthony link

4/19/2019 03:16:41 pm

Love all the sailboats you have here!

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