liveaboard try out?

[muminator]

My husband and I plan to liveaboard when he retires, but I've suggested we take a six month sabbatical at some point, and live on our current boat to get some idea of what it might really be like. I realise it won't be a true experience, (smaller boat, knowing it's only short-term, etc), but it might point up some things we haven't thought of.

What do forumites think - trial run or just jump right in and do it?

Sue



<hr width=100% size=1>Definition of an expert: An Ex is a has-been, and a Spurt is a drip under pressure...

 

[TonyMS]

As it happened, we had to move out of our house for 6 months while the foundations were redone. We decided to buy a narrowboat, intending to resell at the end, rather than rent another house.

At the end of the 6 months we decided we preferred living on the boat, so sold the house instead, and used the proceeds to buy a proper boat (actually 2 - a river boat for the winter in the UK and a cat for cruising in the summer).

One big benefit of the 6 months' trial was that we'd forgotten most of the posessions we'd put in store, and had little pain in disposing of them.

So, a trial worked well for us

Best wishes

Tony

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[ccscott49]

I think it is an excellent idea, it will also show you just how much "stuff" you do not need.

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[Sea Devil]

Sounds so sensible - also you will find out what sort of boat suits you - nobody should sell up and sail - lot of unhappy faces out there as well as the happy ones.

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[mainshiptom]

trail every time !

I did 3 months last summer and about to do 6 months next summer !

Love it

tom

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[AndrewB]

Good idea. But there are some major aspects of moving aboard permanently that make it different from simply an extended summer holiday aboard.

During your sabattical I expect you'll keep your house idle and revisit it frequently while living aboard. As a permanent liveaboard, you'll probably find this impractical.

Giving up your house is a major psychological impediment to many. You have to get rid of all the clutter you've accumulated over a lifetime. Sure, you can put it in store, but if you eventually plan to live aboard for more than a couple of years its not economic - most just sell up. You have to learn how to cope without a permanent address, in particular making arrangements to pick up and deal with mail while on the move. If you would expect to move away from Britain and the nearer parts of Europe, you have to accept that you will see your family far less and have much less influence both in their lives and in that of your local community.

If you can shut your house up completely and move the boat well away from the temptation of dropping back, it will help you appreciate how well you might cope with this side of things. Best would be to let it out during your sabattical then you'll also make some money!

 

[muminator]

Thanks Andrew (and everyone else, of course) - good advice.
We were planning to rent the house out for the period, and do all we can to make it as close as possible to the real thing. You're right, there will be things we can't experience fully, but this seems a good compromise to prepare us.

The concensus does seem to come down strongly for "try before you buy" - Thanks everyone.

<hr width=100% size=1>Definition of an expert: An Ex is a has-been, and a Spurt is a drip under pressure...

 

[[2574]]

"nobody should sell up and sail" - by this you mean "retain the house and sail"? And we always hear from the folk having a great time - but what are the typical unhappy issues for those who have "unhappy faces" that you refer to?

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[Sea Devil]

For some people it just does not work - I think because it is just not like what most people think it is -

Some do it to escape - and find themselves trapped and of course just sell the boat and go back to land - All the way down the Atlantic seaboard and in Greek - Turkish harbours you will find 'liveaboard' boats for sale or just rotting.

Some people also get badly frightened and just do not want to do it any more - more boats on sale.

I have heard it said that 10 years is enough for anyone - I think It could be about right - for a lot of people.

Having said that I would go back again, full time, if circumstances allowed.

For the British If you are in the house ownership market I suspect it is very important to try renting out and holding onto the property so one day you can move ashore again - Lots will not agree with me but I have found it do-able.

Generally speaking wives like it a lot less than husbands and that makes problems

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[Trevethan]

Remarkably my wife likes living aboard as much as I do.

I had real problems selling her on the idea, but a quick look at London property prices convinced her to try.

She enjoys it most of teh time, even in winter, and considering she is not boaty and from Calgary Canada -- dry and 1000 miles fromt eh water she has adapted well.

The things which have made it easier for her are the heating -- lots of it, the pilothouse -- lots of light and view, rather than being trapped in a dark dank it all the time, and the plumbing. Still not got an onboard shower, but leccy toilet and lots of hot water at good pressure really helped.

Shower should be ready in a week or two so all complaints will be satisfied.

The lessons we have learned over the last two years are that we love each other very much -- otherwise one or both would be dead. I am messy and need to improve!, and she is perfect in every way (and is a damned fine woodworker)

I think you do need somewhere to escape to away from the boat -- be it a pub or work or whatever, unless you are somewhere warm and wonderful.

All the best,

Nick

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[mikewilkes]

<: The lessons we have learned over the last two years are that we love each other very much :>

I guess you need to Nick if you aint had a shower for two years !!! /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif



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Ceum ur

 

[muminator]

Thanks Nick.
The need to have time and space on your own is one of the things that concerned me a little. We have a very strong marriage, we are best mates and we both LOVE sailing, but I think everyone needs to have time to themselves now and then.

How do you other liveaboards deal with this aspect of the life?

Sue

<hr width=100% size=1>Definition of an expert: An Ex is a has-been, and a Spurt is a drip under pressure...

 

[Sea Devil]

In fact you spend most of the time on anchorage - and there are always communities of other cruising folks and it is very possible to socialise independantly -

You meet lots of very nice people in the washing machine hut of many marinas as well!

I have had two small dinghies on board for the last few years - it gives you boat some freedom and independance.

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[AndrewB]

For those 'now and then' moments, a yacht with two separately inhabitable cabins is a must!

 

[mikewilkes]

We have been at it - so to speak - since early 2001 and as yet have not found the need for "ones own space".
We do have the availability of the other fwd cabin or there is also an aft cabin, but that may be a bit of a struggle for a fat ba***rd like me. OK when the kids come down as they sleep in there.
You will always be able to go somewhere, even if only out in the dingy, so dont let that put you off trying.


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Ceum ur

 

[Velorum]

I lived aboard (solo) for a year on a 19 footer with 5'5" max headroom. No running hot water, portapotti etc. Sold my flat and stored nearly everything in a number of peoples lofts. Great stuff - had a ball! Anything is possible with the right mindset!

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[orca3brewer46]

one must just commit with an open mind and a duffle bag of posessions I have been living aboard for twenty four years and am now raising a family with wife and a few pets people sometimes ask why are you nuts ?? well im not !! what i have is rare i know . our front porch is small but our yard is huge