Advice please?

[ufo-digital]

Hi all

I am about to embark on a voyage of reverse evolution - leaving dry land and heading back into the ocean. In other words, I'm planning on buying a sailing boat and living on it, in the UK initially and then further afield as my confidence grows...
Unfortunately, I know nothing about the bureaucracy involved in such a move e.g. what is your address for the purposes of bank accounts? Do marinas allow full-time occupancy? etc etc
I was hoping to find lots of advice for absolute beginners on this forum but, so far, I haven't found very much at all. This is almost certainly my own fault but I would be very grateful if some kind soul could point me in the right direction.
Is there a book/thread/website that you would recommend?
Any and all advice very much appreciated...

Stewart

 

[Tranona]

Welcome to the forum

What you plan to do is perfectly feasible as hundreds, probably thousands are already doing it.

Starting from scratch the first thing to do is learn to sail so you can find out if you actually like it. Doing this will also provide a starting point for thinking about what sort of boat to buy.

There is absolutely masses of information out there from people who have already done it in the form of books, magazine articles and particularly blogs (including some at the top of this forum, and referenced in the posts from members). If you scroll through the pages here you will find answers to all your current questions. You will also find that there is no one way of going about it, never mind a "best" way. Much depends on budget, capability and attitude to life.

So do some research and reading to get a feel for what is involved. Try to avoid being seduced by photos of tropical beaches - there is a lot of hard work and preparation first before you stand a chance of getting there.

Once you have absorbed some of the basics, new questions you have not yet thought of will come up and then there is value in posting on here.

 

[Spuddy]

There are only a few marinas that officially allow liveaboards but in practice it's no problem at all. Don't have noisy parties and don't hang your washing from the guardwires. The security at some marinas actually like liveaboards because they act like a neighbourhood watch.
I's almost essential to have an official address and if the marina are willing, that would work. Otherwise a friend ashore or commercial intermediary works. Government might try to up the poll tax if friend gets single person rate so watch out for that.
UK living aboard can involve periods of hibernation during the winter - make sure heating is sorted and a dehumidifier helps as well; glorious for the other 6 months though. Another option is seasonal migration: head south for the winter but you have to go further than you might think to stay warm - Canaries probably.

 

[Sandyman]

A good book to start with: http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/sell-up-sail-9780713674033/

 

[ufo-digital]

Hi Tranona - many thanks for your reply - I'm actually not a complete sailing novice, I sailed dinghies for a while as a schoolboy and I did an Atlantic crossing in 2006 while in the Army (as crew, obviously) Canaries to St Lucia then island hopping to Antigua for the flight home, so there's no doubt in my mind that it's what I want to do...
My budget is relatively small, but so is my need for luxuries etc - capability wise I feel up to the challenge
All of the blogs that I've looked at so far are just basically tales of exploits - good reads (some of them) and there's quite a few books about living on narrowboats but what I really need is logistical advice for moving aboard and living on a sea-going yacht and (so far) I've not had any luck
I appreciate you taking the time to reply - thanks

 

[Tranona]

Have you scrolled down this forum? all the topics you raised get coverage at some time or other. Usually picked up in title of thread.

There is nothing particularly difficult about the process. Suggest you also join the Cruising Association as most members either cruise long distance or liveaboard. Good advice on line or even better use the library at their clubhouse.

 

[jamiepyoung]

We did this a couple of years ago. If you're near London I'd be happy to meet and tell you of our experiences so far.

 

[lindsay]

Just confirming what others are saying, it is essential (even more important than knowing how to sail)to know if you can actually stand and enjoy the life. Since you have crewed across the Atlantic you will know this already.

See following site and article on liveaboards

www.macnaughtongroup.com/living.htm

No BS advice from a US source..


Otherwise just do it. Dont wait till you are completely ready, either the boat or yourself, before "doing it" otherwise you run the risk of joining the majority of those who spend a lifetime thinking and preparing.


As has been said it is doable!