Wansworth
Well-Known Member
And there is taking responsibility !
Reality of Selling up and Living Aboard as a Family
- Thread starter Serious_Dreamer
- Start date
Graham376
Well-Known Member
2024 prices here - https://marinadeportimao.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/TARIFARIO-2024-Marina-de-Portimao.pdf
My boat in high season last year €46.95/night and 45ft that OP likes would be €63.90/night, both plus 23% VAT. I would guess UK south coast marinas would be similar prices, if not dearer.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
Well, some three days later there is no sign the OP has been back since asking his question (which was his first ever post). 
That's a shame, as unless and until he reappears we have no way of thanking him for the opportunity to get our related experiences and prejudices off our chests.
That's a shame, as unless and until he reappears we have no way of thanking him for the opportunity to get our related experiences and prejudices off our chests.
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Maybe the reality was too much shattered his dreamWell, some three days later there is no sign the OP has been back since asking his question (which was his first ever post).
That's a shame, as unless and until he reappears we have no way of thanking him for the opportunity to get our related experiences and prejudices off our chests.
BobnLesley
Well-Known Member
I can only comment from the outside looking in, we don't have kids of our own - which was primarily why we got to bugger off to sea earlier than most - but based on the best part of twenty years observation:
Boat Kids seemed to do very well with primary education and the majority of those that we've seen/heard of since, who went home for their secondary education did well; they'd gained the necessary academic knowledge, plus a lot of real life practical skills besides. However, while it wouldn't be fair to say that those who had their secondary education 'home-schooled' whilst living aboard have done badly, they definitely reached adulthood with less choice; all of those we're still in contact with/hear about are working in the marine industry... Being a boat-kid's probably a plus point if you want to crew on a super-yacht? Even those who obtained some formal GCSE/A-Level qualifications found that while notionally the same exam and qualification, their ones obtained in Grenada, Trinidad and Antigua don't carry the same weight in the real world as did those obtained back in the UK.
Hooligan
Well-Known Member
I think home schooling is all about the effort the parents put in, which is sort of akin to m life ie the more effort you put in the more chance they all have. We know boat schooled kids who have done brilliantly and I believe most kids adapt to their circumstances. Selling your house to buy a boat at your age ie well pre retirement, is an awful financial decision. Awful. If that doesn’t matter then fine. Living in a boat in the UK in winter with young kids going to school strikes me as bordering on insanity. Stay where you are, learn how to sail, charter a boat in the school holidays and live at anchor and do this every holiday possible and then work out who still likes it. Better still charter a boat in a marina at Christmas during the holiday and live on it for a month. I will bet you don’t last a week!
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Cornels wife wrote a book about children on yachts…..could be worth a look.
kingsebi
Well-Known Member
Serious_Dreamer
New Member
Thank you everyone for your responses, as I said I am looking into the "reality" of doing it, and wanted to gather a whole host of different points of view that I may not have considered, which has now been provided 
It was never going to be a "tomorrow" move, and was going to be approached carefully weighing up the pros and cons. I think that moving forwards we will get the relevant training out of the way, and the re-evaluate timelines etc.
I expect we will try joining a local Yacht club to see if we can get more experience and understanding of life on the seas.
Thank you again
It was never going to be a "tomorrow" move, and was going to be approached carefully weighing up the pros and cons. I think that moving forwards we will get the relevant training out of the way, and the re-evaluate timelines etc.
I expect we will try joining a local Yacht club to see if we can get more experience and understanding of life on the seas.
Thank you again
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Thanks for coming back….keep us in the loop!Thank you everyone for your responses, as I said I am looking into the "reality" of doing it, and wanted to gather a whole host of different points of view that I may not have considered, which has now been provided
It was never going to be a "tomorrow" move, and was going to be approached carefully weighing up the pros and cons. I think that moving forwards we will get the relevant training out of the way, and the re-evaluate timelines etc.
I expect we will try joining a local Yacht club to see if we can get more experience and understanding of life on the seas.
Thank you again
ylop
Well-Known Member
Pick the club carefully... some boats never leave the yard, and their owners never leave the bar! If you are genuine about exploring the world, certainly many who do it are in clubs, but probably more club members start and finish at the same place each weekend!Thank you everyone for your responses, as I said I am looking into the "reality" of doing it, and wanted to gather a whole host of different points of view that I may not have considered, which has now been provided
It was never going to be a "tomorrow" move, and was going to be approached carefully weighing up the pros and cons. I think that moving forwards we will get the relevant training out of the way, and the re-evaluate timelines etc.
I expect we will try joining a local Yacht club to see if we can get more experience and understanding of life on the seas.
Thank you again
Ray Purchase
Well-Known Member
As far as I understand it, home schooling it not allowed in Spain. What they could/would do if you were caught is something might want to look into.
Ray Purchase
Well-Known Member
Sea Change
Well-Known Member
Do they care if you are just passing through?
We spent over a year in Spain living on our boat, homeschooling our son. Nobody batted an eyelid.
I fear this thread is giving a very negative impression of family boat life. It's the best thing we've ever done.
Tradewinds
Well-Known Member
Totally Agree 1000%. BTW we met the Mollymawks on their old boat, Maamari, in Porto Santo back in '93. Their children were a similar age to ours. Nice people.
Last edited:
Boathook
Well-Known Member
I can't see the Spanish being to bothered about UK kids living on a UK registered boat doing home schooling as they pass through.
Serious_Dreamer
New Member
That is something that I hadn't considered, I'll have to look into it for this winter.
I take your point, active clubs would be much better, bar proppers not so much, thankfully the local ones seem to allow a "trial" before committing.
Sea Change
Well-Known Member
By the way, boat life is about 70% normal life but in a small space, 15% maintenance and repairs, 10% exploring, and 5% sailing.
Don't get too hung up on the technicalities of sail trim etc. More useful to start servicing you car and lawnmower yourself.
Don't get too hung up on the technicalities of sail trim etc. More useful to start servicing you car and lawnmower yourself.
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Good advice
mattonthesea
Well-Known Member
Talking of 'bar proppers' I'd suggest keeping your antenna tuned for nay sayers. Probably more than nine out of ten people you talk to will suck air through their teeth and tell you how dangerous it will be. Pirates will be the main topic of danger. Was for me but maybe it will be Orcas now.
You will also be told off/experience some antagonism from people who find the idea too scary. You're irresponsible. You haven't got enough safety equipment. You should go on a cruise. You'll be guided to YouTube scare stories. Shouldn't you have a license? The list of antidisestablishmentarianism goes on (always wanted to find a use for that word).
If you truly want to do it then you will. It may not be as you planned but it will be something you will never forget. And neither will your family.
