Best Place to Learn About Living Aboard?

[imagine2frolic]

Originally Posted by drew.ward

Try downsizing your life into a single room. That's a good first start. See just what all you can get rid of in your daily life and still be happy.

Also start playing around with cooking as if you had only a few square feet to work in. A lot of it is making a mental adjustment.

I am going to have to remember that one.....THAT'S PERFECT......i2f

[rivardco]

roger on downsizing! EXCELLENT IDEA

I got divorce 2 years ago ... and split to the Caribbean. Then I journeyed to South America. Just been back in USA for two months. My life is my online businesses, the people I meet and the things I do - and a closet here and there with cloths I really don't care about.

I have great freedom with my new life. I think this suits me well.

[Whispering Star]

Two things in life I have learned is: "Life is to short" and "Wait is what broke the bridge" Get the training, move forward and relize your dreams. You will make mistakes along the way. But, that is part of the journey. Get as much information to make the best educated guess you can. Move forward, have fun and get in the game.
Trish

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Rivardco,
Welcome aboard! Try to talk with people at the marinas that are actually living aboard. Usually they are friendly and will invite you aboard to take a look at their boats. You can talk with them about living conditions.
I too recommend a sailing class to get you started. Just basic sailing is a really great idea. From there you can decide if you want to get more instruction.
There are many many books in the public libraries on the subject of sailing and living aboard. That would be a good place to do research.
I prefer monohulls. Single handing is only something I do when I can't find someone to go with me. It can be done but I wouldn't do it for anything more than a day sail by choice.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[imagine2frolic]

Sounds like you are living light already? This is going to be a huge advantage to you. Many try to import their shore life to boat life. You may find a cat too spacious, but that just makes room for a few guests.......i2f

[Talbot]

I am a cat person, but there are advantages and disadvantages to any boat, and you need to get some experience afloat to understand what it is that you need from a boat. The motion in a cat is very different to that in a mono, thus you need to get some time in on both types of boat before saying that you are a mono or a multi person.

Personally I like to be able to live life upright, but that is my preference - you might like living in damp caves!

[rivardco]

I have lived for days, not weeks or months in a mono on several occasions. How does the saying go - a bad day boating is better than the best day ...

But, I do relate to the comments of Talbot regarding the upgrade the cat gives to a living space. Being recently introduced to the space of a cat is what brought this idea to life for me.

I appreciate the "sailingness" of monos. I value the "livestyle" of the more spacious cats.

But, for me this will be a slow motion explosion. I will learn and get experience on both. And I certainly appreciate all the advise!



For me, I am a

[Ocean Girl]

But, for me this will be a slow motion explosion.

Wow what a great way to put it, good on ya

Erika

[First Mate]

Rivardco,

check out this month's Cruising World magazine - a special section on catamarans - really made me want to win the Lotto....

[rivardco]

These boats are a little expensive, but they are substituting a house. I would like to get a better understanding on the annual upkeep; mooring etc But on the surface you can pick up a used nice vessel for less than a house. It will keep its value better than a house I imagine it will cost a ton to live aboard in the DR and Caribbean, but hell ... what a view. I am still a PRIME candidate to not just dream but do it.

I will certainly pick up Cruising World Magazine Thanks

[rivardco]

I don't want to seem lazy. You guys can save me tons of time, however

What is the best way to approximate operating costs of monos and multis? I imagine there are already excellent references that take into consideration region.

Thanks

[GeorgeH]

Good thread topic, rivardco. I am trying to figure this all out myself. I will follow along.

[First Mate]

someone told me $10K a year to keep up a liveaboard size vessel - on the cheap - best scenario. If you buy an expensive boat - more money (hole in the water - throw your money ....)

totally unverifiable by me.

figure every two years, the hull bottoms need to be repainted - double for a catamaran - 2 hulls.

sails replaced every 5-10 years.

lines - every few years.

engine maintenance.....


just sit down, look at all the parts.


surprised noone has responded based on their personal experience.

Originally Posted by rivardco

I don't want to seem lazy. You guys can save me tons of time, however

What is the best way to approximate operating costs of monos and multis? I imagine there are already excellent references that take into consideration region.

Thanks

[Ocean Girl]

rivardco
The operating cost depends on the boat, depends on the person, I know thats a lame answer. I am in the middle of a total refit so I cant give you a good idea of my normal operating cost. My parents averaged 30,000 a year full time cruising for five years, they were very self sufficient. I do know that since it is a boat estimate high then double it and you might be close
Erika

I pretty sure there is a formula based on the price of your boat, anyone know that?

[captain58sailin]

Generally everything is 10 times more expensive than you think. It takes at least 5 times as much time to repair things as you think it should. Generally something I would think would take a couple of hours to repair, takes me two days. The cost can range widely, depending on how innovative you are about finding materials and solutions for the different challenges that arise. Also depends on the individual's style, do you want to club hop every night? Or can you be happy playing your guitar in the cockpit of your boat with a few friends & beers?