Living Aboard: The Dream of Life on the Water

THE ZEN OF THE WATER, a morning commute that involves kayaking, watching sea turtles surfacing nearby, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, a guaranteed waterfront view – these are some of the top ten favorite things about life on the water as listed by liveaboards… people living on their boats. But is it really a dream lifestyle?
           
Many have entertained the thought of leaving land behind to sail off into the sunset. Whether for a week, a month, a year or a lifetime, there is a growing community of liveaboards each having unique needs, wants, expectations and experiences. Living Aboard Magazine notes, “Living aboard is a dream many share and more and more are achieving. With jobs becoming more flexible, the home office becoming more powerful, and people demanding more from their lives, it’s a trend that is on the rise.”

But where to start? There are three main types of liveaboards: cruising liveaboards, who are chronically underway; non-cruising, who are primarily located at a slip, only leaving for short excursions; and the “one-day-I’m-gonna’” potential liveaboards who look to the opportunity to try it one day.

Those with liveaboard experience agree that realistic assessment of means, motivations and goals is the first, and most important, step. The next three crucial steps are planning, planning and more planning. There are many decisions that have to be made. It’s advisable to research them all. Bridging the dream with a realistic plan is what it takes to be successful.

One of the realities of this lifestyle is the question, what will it cost? One possible answer is, how much do you have?  It can cost as much to live on a boat as it does to live on land. Realistic cost estimates are vital. Living Aboard surveys show that most full-time liveaboards have retirement or investment income. Others choose to begin enjoying their boats while still working, keeping their jobs on land and commuting to their boat. A select few move their office or business onboard. Others decide to cruise until the money runs low, drop anchor and obtain temporary jobs, and then continue once the funds are replenished.

How does one prepare for life aboard? By reading, learning and experiencing as much in advance as possible, and by visiting and talking with other liveaboards and gathering information from their advice and experience. There is a growing network of resources available through books, magazines and websites with input from liveaboards themselves, many of whom are more than willing to share their triumphs, failures, unique stories and first-hand knowledge.

One such example is Mark Nicholas, author of The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat: The Definitive Guide for Liveaboards. Nicholas is a self-proclaimed expert on what can go wrong. Through his lessons learned the hard way, he shares his comprehensive overview on everything from choosing a boat, buying a boat, estimating costs, accommodating family and preparing for the lifestyle to issues of climate, safety, sanitation and government oversight.

Some of the best advice is to start small. Try it for a day or two. Many waterfront areas offer on-the-water accommodations such as sailboats and powerboats as an alternative to lodging on land. Outer Banks Ferry Service in Beaufort offers luxury houseboat rentals which allow for the opportunity to experience life on the water for a day, a couple of days, or a week with no long-term investment required. It is an opportunity to take in the nuances of the onboard lifestyle including sleeping, eating, comfort, and weather to name few. It’s also a great time to assess what items are a necessity for this type of lifestyle and what are considered a luxury.

Take advantage of the local resources waterfront communities have to offer. Be sure to contact advertisers listed in this magazine to further your own dream of life on the water. For details on Outer Banks Ferry Service houseboat offerings and other services, call 252-728-4129 or visit outerbankshouseboats.com.

Read more feature articles in the print edition of Waterfront Magazine.