Whats the scoop with being a liveaboard?

Question

I'm thinking of living aboard a boat (likely a sailboat to save money and ship-space from a big engine, in addition to gas money). I have a few questions to put out there that I'm having a hard time getting a clear idea of from browsing the internet...

Some preface information... I would be thinking of living in Baltimore (looking at Anchorage Marina because I've read some great things about it)... it would just be me and my girlfriend living on board, so I'm thinking of something like a 35-or-so ft. I think that covers most of what I'm looking at, so for the questions...

1. I'm under the impression that by combining residence, transportation, and recreation into one investment, that living aboard saves money and is a very affordable means of residence... what kind of pay range do you recommend as the minimum to make such an ambition work? How much can you save by living on a boat versus a house/condo (I know it depends on what kind of house/condo/boat, but generally speaking)

2. How does power, television, and internet work? Is it an exceptional hassle? I'm pretty reliant on the internet and xbox on roughly a daily basis -- how much of this would I have to give up? or would it not be that much of an issue? (for what its worth, the Marina I'm eying from a distance has WiFi on dock [but is this a legitimate internet connection?])

3. How difficult is it to sail? I think it would be a therapeutic hobby for me to pick up, as I have anxiety -- How much time should I give myself to learn before living aboard?

4. What are the best types of boats to look at? I'm just not sure what types to narrow down to -- what types are typically for liveaboards versus racing and fishing

5. How difficult is it to liveaboard during the winter? Is heat an issue?

6. Are there any good websites that are well designed and well organized for people getting into living aboard that I can refer to in the future?

7. Is the bathroom an issue? Both toilet performance, and shower quality -- I dont know how much it would differ from land bathrooms

What other general tips would you spread to me?

Answer 1

I'm doing what your thinking about. It's a different life style and it's a bit unusual for a non-boater to undertake living aboard. However, some of your questions show at least an understanding of things to consider. I'm in the inter harbor and slips are limited. Slip fees vary with the amenities offered. They range from $5500 a year to $2500....



Let me answer some of your questions.



1. Living aboard is very cost effective.....standing alone. If you own the boat (now's a good time to buy) you can budget less than $600 a month. That includes slip, parking, water (seasonal) and cable TV, and WiFi. Options may include Gym and pool.



The apartments in this area start a about $1k a month and range up to $2400 a Month



2. You have dockside power (metered) but unlike a house where you often have 200-500 AMP service, boats have 60-90 Amps available....which means you have to actively manage your power usage. TV is Comcast cable.....basic service is included. Wifi is available from Portnet.net.....Under 30 a month if you have to pay. 11 MPS. Higher bd rates available. It's not a big hassle, but you have to think green!



3. Sailing is not difficult, but I wouldn't rule out power boats as well.. I'd guess there are more liveaboards on power than sail. The learning curve isn't learning to sail but learning to live aboard.....the first winter is hardest......but as a friend said,"I survived the winter, but look at what I wake-up to now.".....meaning living on the water.....it's like the beach only better.



4. In sail, 80's 37-42 sailboats.....Hunter, Catalina, Tartan, Irwin, Morgan. Newer Beneteau's . In Power , don't think just houseboats....Mainship, Carver, Bayliner, Sea Ray..... Think Cruising sail or power.



5. Most boats are not well insulated, so you have to do that.....then it's not much different from a house....with electric heat. two 1500W heaters can be expensive to run, (250 a month) in winter but will keep you comfortable. Compare that with what a lot of people pay for their house.....they would love a bill that low. Sleeping bags or electric blankets are a must have on a boat in winter.



6. There are a couple web sites, but person to person contact on the docks is far more valuable........Google "liveaboards in MD"



7. Another answerer said you pumpout weekly. That's way to much more like once every 2-3 weeks or less...., but you do learn to go ashore. Marine tolets do have a learning curve. Water pressure is 40 psi. where city pressure is 80+psi. but you can shower......a lot of us use the gym or marina showers...



One fact is often overlooked. There is much less crime, don't know the reason, but even the petty stuff is less. and you barely hear the police and fire sirens that are a part of city life....Then there are things like the Pirate weekend in fells point, boating the inter harbor, Clubing in Canton, the Tiki bar at BMC lunch at Bay Cafe ; then the ringside seat for the fireworks shows.



If you like e-mail me (click) next to avitar.

Answer 2

Any one of your questions could take an hour to discuss.



1 Live aboard costs are in general less than a house, How much to earn is an unknown - depends on your debt and the cost of the boat and your general lifestyle choices. I know people who barely need ten grand a year - and others who find 200 K a year not enough.



2 Power etc. will be enough to run up to a couple of thousand watts of load at least - check with the Marina Manager for details.



3 You don't need to know how to sail if tied up at the dock - but an immediate enrollment in a training course will only be for the good. It can take years to be truly competent, but the basic skills are critical to your safety - and the safety of your passengers.



4 You will want a 45' ketch rig cruising hull. Look at a boat that size as being the same as living in a loungeroom, bathroom a small bedroom and a couple of closets. Total.



5 You will probably use at least one fan heater, although many cruisers are fitted with small furnaces and even small wood stoves.



6 Yes. Google is your friend.



7 Yes - you can't piddle or poo in the water, so you either collect the greywater and blackwater in a holding tank, and pump out weekly, or use shore based facilities. You will do your clothes washing onshore too, mostly.



Rent a boat for a week in a Marina to get a taste - go sailing with competent skippers on boats similar to your favoured type. The racing crews and boats will be pretty full on, probably scary to the uneducated. Take the girlfriend on these trips - no good finding out too late that she gets sea sick watching the ripples on a glass of water....



Educate yourself fully - rose tinted glasses on boats only cause you to stub your toes.



Best of luck.



Oh yeah - and only consider a boat after a competent marine surveyor has given a full written report identifying any issues. Ask around the live aboards in a marina - they will know the people that are honest and value for money.



Edit - I guess it depends on the size of waste water storage system on the boat, if big enough you could go months, but most of the 200 - 300 litre ones I have dealt with add up to only 40 litres a day - for all water collected. Most marinas have very strict policies on what is allowed to be discharged into the water. Most have a zero tolerance, so every flush, every shower, every sink full must be collected. On my own I am lucky to use 10 litres a day, but most people use hundreds of litres a day at home - it's an attitude thing as mentioned, you develop a very green and responsible attitude to your consumption and waste. Cost of living ends up a lot cheaper that way too.



Don't worry about the negative attitudes, you might try the lifestyle and find it just doesn't fit, but that's cool 'cos at least you will have had a shot at it. Don't die wishing you had done a lot of stuff but never got around to it - you only have this life so use it wisely. And you should consider converted fishing boats etc. as well, that is an excellent point - there are a lot of options out there and some are sure to fit you.



See you on the water one day :)

Answer 3

well living aboard is a whole new world .all my family are boat builders including myself.for a start maintaining a large sailing vessel is expensive .allow 1 week on the slip a year for anti fowling, or your sail boat will be really slow, painting,sail repairs,ETC .where will you live for that week and how much will it cost?/. i suggest u do a sail repair course .and be prepared for a big downsize .essentials only.look for a yacht with a shoal draught it has smaller keel allowing you to go in shallower waters .and easier for sailors with not much experience.make sure u have good bath facility's there's nothing worse than trying to shower in a match box u will get pissed off very quickly and your lady will leave u lol.ok myself i would look for a 35 to 40ft steel shoal draught yacht .my cousin at the moment is living on his 38ft steel yacht he built it himself its strong and good for open ocean.before u purchase any thing go get some sailing lessons in small yachts for a few months, and study navigation cause your going to need it . for internet just go with a national wireless isp.power and water and sewerage pumps are available at all marinas.finally take a shipwright with you to inspect the yacht ,then take it for a good days sail with the owner ,then if u like it buy it i hope this helps.

Answer 4

People like you SHOULD NOT LIVE ABOARD. You don't know enough about BOATS and BOATING to be a live aboard.. just that stupid 'bathroom' question tells me how ignorant you are about marine heads.. a WHOLE NEW ISSUE.



Baltimore is TOO FAR NORTH to live on a boat in the WINTER...



All you people who think you can just move on a boat and life will be wonderful, usually end up selling it and moving back on land when you suddenly realize that LIVING ON A BOAT is an entirely DIFFERENT ISSUE than going on a boat ride on a nice day.



There are THOUSANDS OF BOOKS on the subject of BOATS and LIVING ABOARD and you need to BUY SOME BOOKS and READ THEM before you EVER buy the boat.



Go to www.bluewaterboats.com and ORDER SOME BOOKS ON BOATING and then decide if you REALLY want to live on a small boat.

Answer 5

I think most of the cat litter scoops are similar, as long as you use them in the right way