Any of you ever live on a sailboat?

[Bonhomme Richard]

I've been thinking about it for a few years. Thought of selling the house, buying a 35 footer and just coastal cruising here on the east coast. LOL haven't figured out what to do with the guitars yet.
Anybody with experience or advice it would be appreciated.
Anybody want to join me?

[bowens43]

1. No, but I did live in an abandoned car.....

probably not the same thing.

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. Actually it probably is close.

[RebelOne]

3. No, but I lived on a houseboat.

Really not the greatest place to live, though. It was docked on a canal and on weekends the pleasure boaters would speed through and that boat would bounce up and down like there was an earth quake. And not to mention the rats that were around the banks of the canal.

[ixion]

4. I did for awhile

it's no cake-walk, I can tell you that. A 35 foot boat gets very small, as well. You'll find that you've always got something to do to keep her seaworthy. Ocean water rusts everything -- even things that aren't supposed to rust. ;-)

That said, it's a cool experience, and if you're not concerned about alot of hard work, it would be something you'd enjoy.

Not sure what sort of sailing experience you've had, but if you're serious, pick up a copy of Chapman's Piloting. It's the bible of boating.

[Bonhomme Richard]

5. I currently own a 26' and the reason.........

I would look at around 35' is because that is about the biggest you can go and still handle by yourself. If you start going larger everything from need of mechanical/electrical help to cost go up exponentially.
My brother said that if I want to try it then go live under my kitchen countertop for a week. He's a funny guy.

[nono]

8. Sailboat

Rigged right a 42ft can be.

[Bonhomme Richard]

10. My cousin has lived on a 42' Shannon in Florida for..........

quite a few years. Everybody in the family but me thinks he is the crazy one. I guess the only time it got hairy for them was during hurricanes.

[nono]

13. Liveaboards

You are right about that. Seems like the anchor breaks out is the middle of the night.

[ixion]

19. yeah... I had a 34' Ketch

it was runnable by one person, for sure.

[SOteric]

15. An important point to note: saltwater corrodes stainless steel.

People who live on the water tend to know and remember this. Otherfolks, notsomuch.

You're going to have to learn a whole new way of cooking, eating and disposing of your rubbish and sanitation issues. Chucking things over board is often not environmentally sound, and can, - in some waters- attract sharks.

You're better off chosing hard breads and crackers, and after a week everything you own, foods included, will be soft and wet from ambient humidity if nothing else.

Learning to cook on an alcohol burning stove is trippy. They explode often when you're starting them. Anticipate this when planning social events for which you might like to sport eyebrows.

Bear in mind that moorage in some places is exhorbitantly expensive, and that in others, it simply isn't available. And if you find a secluded cove to weigh anchor, you still might be sent along if the folks in the neighbourhood feel they're beeing spyed upon or you're setting up a homestead.

[nono]

16. Cooked with gas

Always had ice and cold beer. You can dump paper 3 mi.out, also the holding tk.

[ixion]

18. absolutely

Your entire life changes. The way you cook, eat, bathe... everything.

And SOteric is right about moorage. Unless you're indenpendently wealthy, you can't afford it.

Be sure and have a skiff, that's normally the only decent way to get to shore.

I remember swimming to shore many times, which is fine, except if you want to be presentable for something.

Also, be prepared to deal with any number of authorities, from the Coast Guard to Fish and Game. Any number of gov't agencies can board your boat any time they feel like it.

And yes... stainless steel rusts, I can vouch for that. ;-)

[nono]

6. Sailboat

My wife and I sold our house and lived aboard our boat for 20 yrs. Had a great time. We are off it now due to age.

[Bonhomme Richard]

7. I assume by your avatar your on the east coast.

What would you say was the best or worst of the experience and what size boat?

[nono]

9. Yes

Spent most of our time in So. Fl.

[Cassandra]

11. Does three weeks on a 3-masted schooner count?

Many years ago, I was part of a crew on a three-masted schooner. I think it was 54 feet long. Fun experience, but I wouldn't want to be still doing it.

[Bonhomme Richard]

12. Cool

I once had the opportunity to crew a 50' ketch (actually once owned by Ted Kennedy) that was being moved to Tortola. Couldn't spare the time and afterward glad I didn't. The guys were wet from the second day out from LI Sound then ran into the remnants of a hurricane. The friend of mine on the boat was making peace with his maker cause he was sure he was going to die. Said the waves hitting the boat were just like a wrecking ball and the wind in the rigging sounded like some weird organ. They did OK but had about $30,000 worth of damage. He hasn't sailed since.

[nedlogg]

14. I've gone on several liveaboard dive cruises . . .

with an operation named Blackbeards out of Miami. They run three 60 foot schooners over to the Bahamas for a week of diving and island adventure. I loved every minute of those trips and have some very fond memories of them.

As far as your guitars go, I'd be happy to keep an eye on them for you while you're gone. :-)

[Bonhomme Richard]

17. Figured I'd take and acoustic and an electric with.....

a small amp. My oldest has already volunteered to watch the rest. Thought I'd be able to supplement income by playing the acoustic along the way. You know, Buffet and stuff like that.
Played in Capt. Tony's Saloon in Key West once. That was a kick.

[ixion]

20. anything electric will corrode very fast

amps, stereo equipment.. everything. I would suggest going accoustic.

[MaineDem]

21. Martin's got a good little "backpack" guitar

Funky looking but sounds fine.

We've had small sailboats and always wanted to liveaboard but when we finally retired we wanted terra firma under our feet. We still have an old 20' O'Day but we sold the 25' Bristol.

Good luck with your decision. :)

[Heyo]

22. My dad and his wife does it for like 3 months at a time...

around once a year or so.. and takes several shorter trips now and then too....

Last time my girl and I went we had a blast.. flew out to the Bahamas on a little twin prop plane, and stayed on the boat out by Abaco for 4 days..... exploring, swimming snokeling.. it was a blast...

We explored this abandoned resort that is all in shambles... neat stuff....

As far as living on one full time, I dont know if I could do it.. but I guess if you have electricity, power, cable.. its just like your house if you are in the marina.

Heyo