Starting the liveaboard life - some advice?

[Ariadne]

I also did a stint working on wooden boats, and quickly formed the view that wooden boats are lovely; for other people..

Having done the basics, a couple of years sailing a 22ft'er and a dayskipper the process for me was:

* Buy a boat on impulse
* Move aboard
* Learn how to fix decrepit diesel engines
* learn how to sail the thing..

Probably not the recommended route, but it worked for me

Best

Sam

Pick your own size of boat and go for it, it'll never happen otherwise!

Oh yeah, the old cruddy engine bit is critical - you have to be able to fix, cobble together one of these! Only rich & recently retired people can afford decent engines, sails and live aboard at the same time - the rest of us make do with what we have and sail the buggers all around the place - while they rot in posh marinas.

 

[Zanziba]

The first few pages of my thread "The clock is ticking, I will live aboard" will show you how I did it...

I would suggest the following thought experiment:

1) Ask yourself honestly why you want to and what you hope the lifestyle will give you (Peace, cheap, freedom, sailing, work)
2) Decide whether you want sail or motor or both based on the above
3) Decide what you need in terms of size and amenities to be happy
4) Make a budget, add 20% for repairs and the unexpected
5) Look for boat online, turn up with rose tinited specs in place, buy it.
6) Put your feet up. Love the life.

I have just walked "home" along the pontoon from a neighbours boat having "jammed" a few tunes on our guitars. Just kicking back with a beer before bed and work tomorrow. I will never, ever, live on land again.