Can/should a single guy live on a boat? Why not?
 

But wait, it gets better.... Can it be done in say.......Michigan:) You know, a bubbler for the ice and a furnace, the whole deal. Probably a 40+ footer. I'm just throwing it out there without much thought. No it's not for me:) Any thoughts would be appreciated.

OK, a little more info. Guy is early 30's, twice divorced, women are evil. Stable career, ok money. Just wants a more relaxing lifestyle and enjoys being around people (we have some really nice/active marinas). Would probably get a 10-20 year old boat in the 60k-90k range. Something that has taken its biggest depreciation hit already so he can sell it in a couple years. Not a muscle boat, a big fat Chris Craft style cruiser.

Discuss:)

Sonny Crockett did it... So why the hell not! I think it'd be a great adventure.

My former boss did it. Lived on a sail boat while fixing it up, she retired 4 years ago. Last we heard she was in the S. Pacific on her way 'round the world.

Remember - a boat is a hole in the water you throw money in.

I know it's easy in the south, but has anyone ever heard of it being done in Northern climates? NewYork, Mass, etc...

My neighbor lived on his boat last winter (pending divorce). He said he only had a few bad days weather-wise. He had no complaints. I think it can be done easily.

I contemplated that about 6 years ago. found a nice 38 foot Chris Connie for $15K (!!!). A liveaboard slip at the time was $320/mo. I think the beam was about 14.5' so It could have been done without feeling impossibly cramped.

People I know who do it deal with remotely garaging their cars, long trips to do laundry; long trips for comfortable showers/bathroom facilities...

Forget having pets, and be prepared to have a different 'neighborhood experience' than you would most other places. It seems like lots of drunks live on boats -- at least in our local marinas. My friends' cat fell off the houseboat and the neighbors sat drinking and watched it drown as if it were just an interesting TV show.

I'm not sure why it would be all that different in a colder climate, except maybe there wouldn't be so many loud parties on deck/dock.

"Ray 911s" lived on a boat in the Detroit area when he was younger and single. I believe he dry docked the boat in the winter and live in an apartment on the marina.


I've always thought that if things really went to crap...I'd just sell everything and go buy a good size boat and live on it at a Chicago Marina, then find a apartment in the winter.....I've already got "Boat Beotches" lined up :D

We're considering doing it here since it's impossible to afford a house any more. Get a "real" boat too - one with sails, not some redneck fantasy. They're cheaper and far more elegant.

I've considered it, and have not yet rejected it. I love water.

MacGyver did it.

Just keep some duct tape handy.

Know several people who have done it. Just have to like the water and boats a lot as its a different life.

BTW, women are evil at all ages. It just depends on if we feel that they are worth putting up with...

Joe A

I use to sail on Lake Erie. I thought about buying a boat and living-on during my single days.

My thoughts at the time would be that it would be an awesome place to live in the summer, and pretty much suck during the winter. You would have a big thriving neighborhood during the summer (and yes, chicks would dig it) but a wasteland during the winter (and yes, chicks wouldn't dig it).

Of course, you would get the tax deduction since it can be classified as a home.

How does it go in the winter? Would it be stupid to leave it in the water? Are they cheap to heat? etc.......... REally in the dark on the winter part.

Heating will depend on the type of boat... I know a guy that wintered in a steel-hulled sailboat and sold it the following spring... just couldn't keep it warm.

Most guys I know pulled them out during the winter and found an apartment or room-for-rent.

To live-on during the winter on the freshwater lakes, you typically have to have a hull heater to keep the water from freezing around the hull. Then a good space heater inside. Plus, you're the only one on the dock.

Lots of folks in the PNW live aboard year round and do just fine. Comparing moorage+upkeep+loan to mortgage+taxes+upkeep can be enticing especially when you factor in the romantacism of living on a boat and that you can take it with you on vacation. Other than my need for a garage, if I was single I would definately consider it.

I know a county inspector that lives on a 40ft sail boat. All he talks about is that boat, his dog, and that he hasn't been laid in 10 years.

Stan Mott (Yes, the R&T cartoonist) is a friend. He & his lady were liveaboards for 18 years. A '57 foot wooden ketch. It's definitely an adventurous and often difficult life, being a "liveaboard". Techweenie nailed it...it's a hassle for many of the daily functions we take for granted. from laundry to shopping to showers...all present problems. As far as actual hours boating? A 10 year old with an optimist dinghy sails more hours in a year than a liveaboard on a 40' yacht. On the flipside,Stan & Ise saw and experienced things that most of us never will. Most of his time was spent in the Mediterranean, then out the straights of Gibraltar, across the Atlantic, to the Caribbean for 5 years. From there to Florida where he sold the boat. He's now living in Germany. For a guy in his 30's it could be an interesting lifestyle, but it's work. Now that I'm in my 60's? I prefer the comforts of a house. Oh, I've spent a few months aboard Stan's boat when he needed crew. A great experience, but one that convinced me it's not what I'd want as a permanent lifestyle.

Wow, thanks guys. Good info all, I will pass it on. He wants a relaxing lifestyle as he is otherwise stressed out. Sounds like a condo may be a better option:)

I am living on my 43' sailboat whenever I am in Kahleefornia. I know they have submerged bubbler systems that keep the wayter from freezing around the hull up there in the Nord.

In SoCal, all the big slips (over 35 feet) are on a waiting list. I waited 4 years for my 30' slip, and Immediately!! went on the waiting list for the largest in my marina (a 40' with a 3' overhang). 4 years later I had one on 10 days notice. I waited another 2 years to get a liveaboard permit. Most CA marinas are only allowed 10% of their slips to be liveaboard. I pay a $135 premium a month for the permit, and $11 a foot a month for the slip. Plus electricity bill. The marinas are now going electronic to catch the 'sneakaboards'. Most marinas say about 9 nights a month allowed on your boat. It's in that small print you sign when you are getting your slip the first time.

Now the good part. Beautiful weather. Waterfront property in SoCal. Always warm in the winter(seawater temp 68F most of the time), so small electric heat suffices here in SoCal. Gated parking; yes, I rent a hangar for my toys, but a garage was rented before it got too small. Nice neighbors, lots of walking distance restaurants.

Good luck!

Singpilot: Your my hero. If I wasn't in love with my wife and my two wonderful kids, I would be living the life.

Wow, very cool!

I know people that live in house boats here on the Mississippi River. One of them lives in it year round. It's a pretty common lifestyle here and I run into people regularly that have done it at one time or another.

Hey, this thread was getting me into the idea of living on a boat...

...then I saw this...

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/WORLD/am....crash.ctv.jpg

Here's the link:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/06/30/ferry.accident/index.html

Yeah, I heard about that. I guess they lost power approaching the dock.....

I forgot to mention one of the down sides that having to have a cell phone SMS and email notification on the Tsunami warning net. I get two or three of them a week, mostly in Alaska, and saying no threat to SoCal. The recent real one in NorCal, I was in Palm Springs, and decided to stay rather than rush back to the marina. The Redondo Beach police reported that the cliffs along the Esplenade overlooking the marina were crowded with people who came down to see the wave that never showed.

My marina is at the head of a very deep submarine canyon (very bad Tsunami wise), and I am 2 breakwaters (nothing in Tsunami terms) away from a 50 foot wave.

The upside (if there is one) is that two city blocks inland I am 150 feet of elevation higher.

I have this picture of me (and whoever is there with me) being the only ones running naked in the middle of the night up the street screaming "TSUNAMI!!!"

Not a pretty picture.

LOL....regardless, it sure sounds like you're enjoying yourself Sing...I'm envious.

Actually Souk, today I am in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy soaking up the sunshine. I leave tomorrow for Nice, France, then Sunday afternoon to Bangor, Maine (to clear US Customs cuz they are on holiday hours at LAX), then on to Van Nuys Calif; 14.2 flight hours.

Wednesday (my birthday) up to Sun Valley for the Allen conference, back to LaLaLand friday night. Twenty four hours later via Gander Newfoundland to Nice France again for a week.

The Tsunami alerts still arrive over here.