Living aboard - any advice?

Subject: Living aboard - any advice?
From: GUEST,Boatman
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 09:49 AM

Does anyone have experience of living aboard a narrowboat, or a boat of any kind?

It¹s my dream to get back afloat, having sold my beautiful Shetland-built clinker sloop in 1977 in order to fund children, mortgage, sensible life-style and the full catastrophe (as Zorba the Greek put it).

In 18 months my youngest daughter (four of them in all and wonderful girls) will be off on her own (university perhaps). I no longer need a house. I need a boat.

But I also need info. Stuff like running costs, practicalities of energy sources, hazards of the terrible floods we¹ve had, temporary moorings, lifestyle, etc. Basically any advice to an enforced landlubber who¹s just aching to cut the tow rope and return to the nomadic life, playing lots of music and enjoying good companionship along the way.

Why don¹t I just do it? I have yet to persuade madame that we should do this. Tomorrow (my 55th birthday, gulp) I am taking her to Braunston Marina to see whether I can infect her with the same bug that¹s got such a grip on me. The signs so far are not good. In fact she gets cross whenever I mention boats.

Some encouraging words of advice?

Thanks if you can.

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: paddymac
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 10:20 AM

My guess is that Madame is probably thinking about security and grandkids (born or yet-to-be) and such things, and wondering why you're such a fool. She might also be wondering whether you're just suffering through some sort of mid-life crisis. But, if you're successful in getting the bug to bite her, she'll think differently, and life will be wonderful. But, if she doesn't share, or come to share your dream, you'll face some really tough decisions. Personally, I think you're being entirely rational and thoughtful and deliberative and considerate, and all those other sterling qualities of a good husband, father, provider, et cetera. When ya gotta itch, aint nuthin to do but scratch it. I suspect most of us will be pulling for you, and envious as hell to boot.

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 10:56 AM

Have you thought of one step at a time, instead of the full leap? Like a short cruise for starters, then maybe a craft you can take out for a weekend with the good woman playing first mate? Something you can make payments on until she gets the bug herself and suggests selling the house, the car, the children, the whatever, and hitting the high seas. Edging ever-closer to the dream...

I understand that time can seem short during the middle years, as one faces the reality that one day, should life extend so long, one won't be physically able to slip the moorings, much less hoist sail and all. But half a loaf, etc.

Too, are you asking Madame to leap into the unknown (for her)? Has she any experience in sailing? If not, fear of failure/seasickness and all those death-at-sea stories may be coloring her outlook. If you use some patience, and are visibly proud when she proves to be a good sailor herself, she might come to enjoy the vagabond life enough to begin asking when the two of you can take a longer (and longer and longer) offshore trip.

Just food for thought.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 11:01 AM

There is a web site which has masses of advice & info on the ins & outs of living on boats. All sorts of legal advice & serious stuff. Can't remember now where I found it, but I'll have a hunt about - it can't have been that hard to find. It sounds like a lovely thing to do, and everyone I've ever met who has done it has loved it. I suppose I'm half-way there though - we've got 1.5 foot of flood water under our floorboards, so we are technically living on the river!!
Best of luck in evangelising to the madame....

Kris

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: annamill
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 12:26 PM

Whatever you do, be sure NOT to let her see "Perfect Storm"!

A compromise may be in order methinks. Buy a boat you can go out in. You may be able to live on a boat now, but in a few years you may not be physically able to and then where will you be. Don't leave yourself high and dry, so to speak ;-)

Love, annamill (whoalsodreams)

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: kendall
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 12:37 PM

I lived in a 40 foot boat for four years in Penobscot Bay Maine. Winter and Summer. No thanks. You may have to choose between the boat and the wife. Are you willing to make that choice?

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 12:45 PM

My wife was always willing to go look at boats, listened for hours to my logical (to me) arguments, and when the time came to make a decision firmly put her foot down and said "NO!" Now that I am divorced I have kids in college and no money to pursue that dream. So I go out on boats belonging to friends and take what pleasure I can there. And I get to evaluate what life in those conditions would be like.

And, in my new found maturity, I guess I'd have to agree with Kendall. The dream is better than the reality. My wife was right.

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 12:53 PM

My brother used to take me out night fishing on a charter boat. Nothing more soothing than being rocked to sleep on a hot summer night with the stars bright and unhindered by city lights. I could live on something 100' long but 40'? UhUh. Where would I go to pout?

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 01:20 PM

So much advice so little time... Best advice I can offer you in just a few lines= Decide what you want to do with your boat, and where you will keep her, sail her; and how you intend to use her. Before buying one decide what kind of a boat you need the most. ie. Liveaboard Power or Sail. Canal boat, house boat, Motor sailor, cabin cruiser, sports fisherman. etc... Never buy a boat until you have handled her at sea. Never trust a vendor. Hire your own surveyor, and attend the survey at the time he does it. (Get references) Always have the engines inspected by a mechanic first. Think of how much it costs to purchase; and expect to spend half as much again on repairs and maintenance. Good Luck! and welcome to the yachting fraternity mate. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 01:32 PM

Forgot to add... There are many people sailing around in thirty footers, with minimal electronic gadjets, who are out enjoying their dreams. A good older fibreglass boat will suit you just fine; forget about shiny and sexy, go for seaworthy and sound. Yours, Aye. Dave (proud owner of a thirty year old 27ft Sportsfisherman)

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: kendall
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 01:35 PM

I'd still like to sail around the world in the CGC Eagle, but, I'm too old to climb the rigging. Forget the wise cracks spaw!

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 01:56 PM

Captain Morse, How could you leave yourself wide open like that? Even I had at least eight responses jump to mind before you added "Forget the wisecracks, Spaw." I will restrain myself and suggest a "Windjammer Sail" where they will take your advancing age into consideration.
(ASIDE) Spaw - how long before he falls out of the rigging now that I have forced him up there?

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: mousethief
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 02:20 PM

I suppose, then, that viagra jokes are not called for at this time?

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: Grab
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 02:36 PM

My folks are thinking about selling their moderately expensive house, buying some cheap flat somewhere to store all their stuff, and then using the proceeds to finance several years sailing in the Med. They've currently got a 34 footer (from memory) which is fine for them and a couple of passengers, but they're reckoning on trading up to a bigger boat for longer-term use. I think they're looking at about 40 foot as being ideal for the pair of them.

I know they're looking around for various books and stuff about it - I can gouge them for info if you like. I spose the main thing is to be in a warm climate, then you don't have to bother too much with heating, insulation etc!

But they've both been sailing most of their lives, first dinghy sailing, then a bit of crewing on friends' boats, then finally getting their own a few years back. If your wife doesn't like it "when it tips", then you may have a problem - I know that my wife won't do anything except sit in the cockpit, and she won't get into a dinghy at all. This after experiencing sailing in the slowest, most stable boat I could find - a hire boat filled with lead with tiny sails that goes slower than an Optimist!

Grab.

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: paddymac
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 02:56 PM

I was sitting in the lounge of the "Green Turtle" in Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, several years ago getting pleasantly soporific on some strange-but-delicious pineapple/coconut/rum concoction and asked an elderly couple what time it was. She replied "August", and then he added the year. I nearly fell out of my chair laughing at their truly helpful response to my own Type-A behavior. We got into a longer, most enjoyable chat about what they were doing, which was exactly what Boatman is contemplating. They had sold the house, bought a small one near the kids, and spent about half the year sailing. Taking advantage of differing economies, they stocked the boat (actually, they said "ballasted") with canned hams, which they used to barter for most of their needs while in the islands. The difference, it seems, was that both of them thououghly enjoyed the life-style and each other's company.

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:07 PM

Thread Creep - Paddymac, about 3 or 4 ears after my father retired I was visiting and happened to ask him the time. He leaned forward, looked out the window and said, "Mid Spring!"

That is my goal in life. To not need to know the time or where it's going!

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: kendall
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:38 PM

I "round filed" my calendar years ago...gets me into trouble with those who are still tied to it.

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: InOBU
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 03:57 PM

I think most folks have missed the word NARROWBOAT in this post... Living on the cannals of England is a lot less trying than many living aboard problems. I have been toying witht he idea myself, though the Mrs. says, Nope, so nope it likely will remain. There is a very good complete little narrowboat marina just outside Devises, called, remarkably enough, the Devizes marina. I believe the fellow to speak to there is Richard. Drop me an email at [e-mail] and I will search up his number for you. Also there are some narrowboat folks at Foxhangers in Wiltshire who can assist you. You have my best hopes and wishes. Of course the only major difference between a boat and a house is that both the roof and floor leak...
Cheers
Larry

Subject: RE: Living aboard - any advice?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 11:57 PM

Before checking out a boat of any kind make sure she'll be at ease, feels that she'll be a co-partner, doesn't get overwhelemed or left out. Life aboard can be romantic & exciting but for some to big or to fast of a change can give a feeling of being adrift, slow & easy & making sure you both still have a social life style could make a difference. Barry, an ex from the Lahinia Roadstead