I’m sure many people like me have had the romantic dream of living aboard a boat: being rocked to sleep by gentle waves and waking up to new neighbors in the marina, chatting with friends over drinks in your cockpit while cooking a freshly caught fish on a tiny stove. Having your home on the water can be both extremely rewarding and more work than you ever thought.
People who live on boats are probably the top experts on how to live in a small space and how to conserve limited water and power.
Living on a boat does take some adjustments to the way that you would live in a house. Space is a major factor when living on a boat and every inch needs to be used effectively. While most boats are built with an eye on efficient storage, you will have to downsize your possessions quite a bit to get things to pack neatly into the boat.
Life Lessons: Moving onto a Boat
Living on a boat is also different from living in a small house. Water and weather is a constant threat to the integrity of your home and your comfort. While many newer boats have everything you need for comfort, some older, less expensive boats may need constant upkeep and maintenance. The ability to know your boat inside and out, and be able to make repairs yourself can save you big headaches and bills.
Once you do have a boat, if you are not cruising, you will need to find a marina or dock you can rent or buy. Prices for docks vary for different areas. They are usually priced by the foot or the yard. However, not all marinas are liveaboard friendly. Many marinas consider someone who lives on their boat as a transient. On the other hand, you can find a few marinas that offer showers, storage, laundry facilities, electricity and cable TV to liveaboards.
If you are able to create your own power (many boats come with solar panels), haul your own water and wastewater and be as self-sufficient as possible, you may be able to live very cheaply on anchor or on a mooring ball.
Dock Search is a database of docks and marinas around the world for rent and for sale. Some offer liveaboard options. Marinas.com shows aerial and map views of marinas around the world.
Mark Nicholas, who lives on a sailboat, has written the book, The Essentials of Living Aboard A Boat, and also has some interviews with liveaboards that are available as video podcasts. His blog also has loads of information and links about how to be a successful liveaboard.
I found some additional excellent blogs, videos and websites about living aboard a boat and each covers the issues of space, boat problems and maintenance, cruising, cooking and docking.
Living On A Boat: One Woman’s Transition to Living Onboard A Boat
Toast Floats: A Family of Five Living on a Catamaran
Sleeping with Oars: Living on a 47 foot Hans Christian Traditional
We Live On a Boat: Family of Four Living on a 40 foot River Queen
On the Boat Where She Lives
Hillary Johnson is a writer who lives on her 35 foot sloop, Surprise in Ventura County, Calif.
So You Want to Buy a Boat: Liveaboards in the UK
Bumfuzzle
Although they no longer live on their boat, Bumfuzzle, Patrick and Ali Schulte have an excellent blog about their travels aboard the 35 foot catamaran.
They now live and travel happily in their VW panel van. But that’s another story.
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An absolute gem. I’m hooked on the tale of the Bumfuzzle!
Me too! I love their story and enjoy following their adventure. Someday I hope to get a catamaran and go explore! 🙂
Donate your boat to Charity Boats to help us continue to help individuals and families in need. Our organization would not be possible without people just like you. Don’t just let your unused boat waste away. We will help you along the way ensure your donation process is as quick and easy as possible. Visit our website at http://www.charityboats.org to see just what your donation could potentially do for a nearby community.
By you donating your unused boat (running or not) it helps allow us to help others in need. When you donate your boat to our charity you are donating to a non-profit organization, which means you are helping a family, a school, even a local charity that is in a bind and doesn’t have the means or the opportunities that many others may have. You will receive a tax deduction – All donors that we receive boat donations from will be able to file a tax deduction with the IRS. As a donor you receive a full market value federal deduction! This could reduce your tax obligations by thousands. We make sure that you receive maximum possible tax benefits for your boat donation.
Have any questions? We welcome the opportunity to discuss how our boat donation program can benefit you. Charity Boats takes pride in making your boat donations experience as stress free and effortless as possible. Just visit our website http://www.charityboats.org to tell us about the vessel you would like to donate, or you can call us toll-free at 1-888-888-7187 a friendly knowledgeable volunteer is ready on the other side of the line to help you.
Turn off any running water and don’t use the water supply system in your home (it may even be a good idea to turn off the water supply to the building);
Love watching sunset every night !
Kristin said that she is also passionate about letting people know that there is a support system and a community that will offer advice and inspiration when it comes to tiny home living.Â
I have recently become single again and I am seriously considering moving onto my 1993 SeaRay 330 Sundancer. I lived on it for 6 months 4 years ago in Cincinnati OH while waiting for my home to be built. I loved it, and I am ready to get rid of everything. I want to move to a different body of water like the Florida area. I hate Cincinnati winters and want to be able to boat year round. Any suggestions on locations? Most places in Florida don’t allow liveaboards. Cincinnati has some great marinas on the Ohio and are liveaboard friendly. I found a few nice places on the Hudson River that will allow great river boating and big water boating. The only down side is New York winters are worse than Cincinnati. I would appreciate any helpful information to my big delima, thanks.
Hi paul, I myself just bought a sailboat and moored Port Salerno, In Fla. Its beautiful here. It is the east coast sturat area. I been on my boat for 1 mo now and LOVE IT. Come on down and enjoy the weather.
Try Jacksonville Fl, St Augustine lots of great places to live aboard. I’ll be doing it myself soon.
Hello Paul,
When doing research for this post, what seemed to be the issue was not a lack of live aboard marinas, but finding open spaces with no long waiting lists. It seems that once someone gets a spot, they hold onto it.
Have you looked at Living Aboard Magazine? How about Docks.com? Do a search on the Living Aboard magazine forum for the area in Florida you want to live. There are tons of very helpful people on those forums.
Good luck and let us know about your new journey! We might want to do a post on you in the future.
Fabulous article. I loved it. I have also written about living aboard
in Marina Del Rey.
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-MARINADELREYBOATPeople
This is so interesting to me! I own two sailboats and two VW vans! I found the best place to live on a boat or in a van was… Mexico! In the summer, take the van into the mountains and enjoy cool breezes. The winter is perfect sailing and every marina is a full time liveaboard deal. You are expected to live on your boat in Mexico! Food is cheap (I’m a vegetarian and my food budget is about $30 a week). Free wifi everywhere. RV parks right on the beach. I’ve been coming to Mexico each winter for sailing since 1997, but moved here full-time in 2006. I still earn a living, but now work over the internet.
Are you still living in Mexico? I was planning a trip. How are things down there? What type of things are there to do? What is you slip fee and what does it include? Thanks Chuck and Beth
Jim,
Where do you put your boat in in Mexico? And what are doc fees?
Matt
Thanks Jim for the information. I have heard that about Mexico too. Have you seen Misty Tosh’s blog?
http://sweettooth.typepad.com
I am going to look at your blog. I would love to learn more about how you live. We may do a post on you!
Living on a boat might a good move if you consider conserving energy and water etc. This could be a “Go Green” direction. We like the “Go Green” idea. It is safer on the environment and can show us a new way to live better. It seems it might be the eccentric way of living only having access to certain material products that we have all grown so accustomed to. We enjoyed this information- Thanks
One this about this micro house stuff… Why is everyone getting screwed for so much money? I can build a 16×20 for $5000…
Nice article. Helped a lot with the following post:
Hermit Friendly Lifestyle Options
My girl and I are looking for a boat to rent to live on.In the Seattle to Edmond’s,WA area.I work on the water ,and we both love it.We are very clean and neat.Does anyone have any websites or have any leads for us.THANKS..Steve an Katie.
Steve: did you find any websites that helped you locate a rental boat? I’m looking for a month’s rental on Florida’s west coast for this coming Feb-March. Thanks, H.
I have lived on a boat sents june 1993 and would advice looking into the laws federal state and local. dont get in a jam for lack of this!and learn to handle your boats please!
Dan fishcamp goodland
I am part-time living (during the week) on a 16′ C-Dory. It is very doable. I find the stress level way down without all the other distractions of a house.
I have been living on a 40 foot pilot house ketch scince 2000. Been around the world once. I have met so many interesting and a few strange people too. I have found that the only stress there is is trying to figure out where to go next.
Does anyone know what the term is for a person who lives on a boat? I know it exists and have heard it before, but for the life of me can’t remember it or find it anywhere online. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
In Australia we’re referred to as Grotty Yachties or liveaboards, hope that is of some help.
This has always been my dream, but I was cursed with terrible sea sickness that hits me almost immediately when I step onto our boat. I take medication to help reduce that nausea but it doesn’t work well enough to allow me to stay aboard for very long.
Great blog! We have been living on board our sailboat for two years up here in Maine. I’ve found that there are few resources for living aboard in nothern/colder climates, so I’ve started a website some of you may like to check out! It’s http://www.maineliveaboards.com. There are quite a few of us, and the wealth of knowledge from those who have been living on board (some for over 20 years!) is immense. Hopefully we can get the tips/tricks out there for some newbies to find!
Best,
Sophi
I’ve dreamed about living on a boat ever since I was a little boy. I guess reading Moby Dick got to me. Never got to do it though. But I hope that when I retire I’ll get myself a boat and go on a world-cruise. In the meantime, I have to get as much information as possible on living in a crammed space. good post!
They are usually priced by the foot or the yard. However, not all marinas are liveaboard friendly..
Great page! Here is my story on living on a boat. I’ve been working toward this goal for the last couple years.
What I find completely fascinating is that every live aboard has their own story. Liveaboards are just as different as their boats are.
Living on a boat definitely is a lifestyle change. It is an experience one should try in a lifetime. Take a break from your busy lifestyle and do it for a year.
We are the Bumfuzzle.com mentioned in the article. Turns out this tiny lifestyle just suits us. After sailing around the world we sold our catmaran and then drove around a good chunk of the world in a ’58 VW Bus. After that we bought another boat and had a couple of kids down in Mexico. It’s been a busy four years since this article was published. 🙂 Anyway, if you’d like to read about life on a boat with kids come and check us out.
Pat Schulte
looking for some help. -i-will be getting my houseboat this time next year.-i-will start my trip in Missouri -&-taking the Missouri river down to some place in florida.need all the info that is out there for me to make this dram come true.
I’ve been living on a 38′ Riverqueen in Cincinnati for over a year. I love it. I’m a nature lover, so I’ve enjoyed that part of it. I just love being on and around the water. Always have. It’s small, but laid out nicely and efficiently. It’s very cozy. I have a land dwelling as well, but I stay at the boat 90% of the time. I actually look forward to windy evenings, unless I’m out and about…
Hey I’m thinking of doing the same thing what area are you in? I live in Nothern KY right now.
Thanks
My husband and I have been living on our boat for 18 months. It is definitely a different lifetyle but one we have both come to enjoy. Our boat has 2 staterooms and 2 heads. This affords us a dedictated spot for my husband to work as well as a certain amount of privacy. I work from a small piece of furniture in our salon that holds my computer and all my files. The top slides back to hold my laptop and chargers. It’s tight but we won’t be working forever. We are in covered moorage so even though it rains alot in Oregon, we can be outdoors in moderate winter weather. We have a table and chairs on our cockpit and enjoy them year round. Our marina is very friendly to liveaboards and has a gym, showers and laundry. We have our holding tank pumped every two weeks. We are lucky to have a floating service to handle this so even if we aren’t going out that weekend, the task of cleaning out the holding tank is not overlooked. Other than that, we are plugged in to power when we are at our dock and use our generator if we are out on the river or up north in the San Juan Islands.
Would like to hear from others who are living on board.
Best –
Melody
i am 44 male & disabled with perithel neuropathy, i am doing very good with meds like lyrica,i have 3 boats 40ft houseboat, 24ft pontoon,& a 14ft alum. i live on kentucky lake near pairs tn. & am looking for someone to travel from tn. to new orleans or on to fl. would like someone easy going that likes to hunt & fish, hopefully can start a guide servise or just take life 1 day at a time, if anyone is interested in liveing & traveling on houseboat pls. call me @ 731-377-3574 or mail me bradrivertime@hotmail.com Thanks & happy boating…
live on the water
Hi,
Do you happen to live on a boat in South Florida?
I made the big jump and moved to living on a boat in Southern California last year. I am keeping a blog about the transition and what it is like to really live aboard. Also info about day to day maintenance of a 38′ marine trader trawler and a Cal 20 sailboat. http://boatgypsy.blogspot.com/
A few years back while our house was being renovated my wife and I lived on our boat in a harbour on the North coast of Ireland. It was far from a holiday but I loved every minute of it!
I wish I could live on a boat…if anyone is coming to fiji…let me know.
Thanks for your amazing article.
I started a new insurance agency here in Louisville KY and was surprised at the volume of calls I’ve retrieved from people that actually live aboard their boats.
With Louisville sitting right on the Ohio river there are quite a few large marinas in the area. It amazes me the size of some of these house boats that residents buy and live on.
Insuring them is another story. And I’m doing my research on providing this service. At the same time I’m thinking about a boat for me and the wife! Not that we’d live on it full time. But some extended stays during the summer would be nice.
Hi Kelly-just going through some blogs about living aboard or living in tiny spaces and yours is the “Newest” one I came across. My husband and I have been living aboard a boat in Maryland for 23 years!! The boat we live on presently is our 3rd boat-a 42′ Carver Aft Cabin Motor Yacht-biggest one we have had to date…it can be challenging at best sometimes-especially the last 2 winters that MD has experienced, however we would NOT trade it for life on land by any means!!! This is absolutely the BEST life that anyone who is a true boater can have!!! Both of us still work and have to stay local-but maybe once retirement comes into the picture that may change..although we do have a daughter with 2 children we are very close to, so who knows?? The Marina we have been living at for the last 5 years is very nice and live a board friendly-we love every minute of this life and would never discourage any one from doing it..There are some people who think they can be a live a board and in fact are not so they give us down home live a boards a BAD name…SAD state of affairs for those of us who have been doing it and know how to do it and have things down to an art to be associated with those who don’t have a clue!! My suggestion to those who want to venture aboard a boat to live on would be to-above all know about boating-do your homework on being a live a board and learn the boater customs before you they go and just jump in!! Have a Great Life-we do!!
I recently stumbled on HarbourSpot.com and think it could be really helpful to people with house boats. Not only does it let you book berths around the world in advance and search for available moorings on a map rather than having to contact each marina one by one, but it let’s owners rent out their boats as a hotel alternative when they’re not using them. So, if you have a liveaboard you can rent it out and recover some money to cover other costs rather than let it sit empty.
Interesting old boat videos:
http://www.boatsofla.com/
BoatsofLA
Thanks for letting me know that marinas will often price their docks by the yard or the foot. My husband and I love the idea of living on a tiny houseboat. We have always liked the water. Your article should help us once we find a houseboat to buy.
That’s a good point that water would always be a concern. I would think if water got into your food or anything that it would cause a lot of damage. I’ll have to consider getting a watertight door or something to help keep any water out of the living space.
Don’t forget about Brunswick Landing Marina! We would love to have you guys come stay with us sometime 🙂
It makes sense that space would be a really important factor when you start living on a boat. My brother is thinking about getting a boat this year for him and his wife to live on. He needs to find a community nearby that has a lot of other boaters doing the same thing.
Living in the boat is everybody’s dream. You can go anywhere with it. However access to stores, etc. is not that easy, you have to set schedules for it in going to a land.
It is nice to reread this. I am very excited whenever I think of experiencing life on a boat. You are so lucky!
probably less expensive than renting in may cities. I know people who do this for that reason. However, to see which boat is for you, it is best to charter a variety of boats. Catamarans tend to have more space. However they can sometimes rock uncomfortably with certain frequency waves. Much more important than that, they can usually only be docked on hard to find end ties! A good charter boat service like OnBoat in Los Angeles has a wide variety of catamarans and other boats to try.