The Liveaboard Dream...

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Wandering Loon

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I decided in the summer of 2010, while spending the summer on an island along the coast of Maine, that I would one day chuck it all and live aboard my own boat. All I knew was that I loved the water (vacationed every year in Maine since I was a small child, whether for a week or two or whole summers), and that I needed to make some major changes in my life or go crazy!
Though I've been aboard many different kinds of boats, I've never really learned anything about operating one myself, so I've been reading all I can get my hands on and hope to get some first-hand experience this coming summer. I've been gazing longingly at every boat I see for sale, making inquiries and mental notes, trying to decide what kind of boat will be right for me and my needs.
Meanwhile, I work full-time and do a lot of on-the-job dreaming and scheming -- I'm a professional driver, so have lots of time for that! And I find forums like this one (just found today!) to tap into all the rich resources out there and pick people's brains for tips, suggestions and encouragement. I'm hoping to make my dream come true by summer 2013, either alone or with someone else sharing the same dream!
 
Follow that dream! I was just like you over 42 years ago, I still remember saying "when I have enough money I will buy that yacht". I never did buy THAT yacht but still bought one.

Good luck to you and welcome to the forum.

Peter
 
Good luck.

In 1971 I said "I will buy THAT boat, and in 1984 I did, and I still have her. Looking forward to moving back aboard once the sprogs are away - there will be no question of them hanging around in the parental home - they can crew the parental boat, which they've done since they were no age,if they wish, but there won't be a parental house for them!
 
I started dreaming about 2 years ago... just a year later I was aboard my Westerly 31' sloop... Been aboard for 9 months now and loving it.

Maybe the thread I started would give you some feel for what I have gone through...

"The clock is ticking, I will liveaboard".

Just keep saving, looking, weighing the pro's and con's. Most of what was on my wish list I ended up getting but a few things I didn't need at all (Got a shower, never used it)
 
keep the dream alive!

We started dreaming in 2001 and by 2002 were gone for "a year or two".

Eight years later we came back, complete with two kids :D

SWMBO wrote a book about how to do it for the newbie dreamer.

www.sailawaybook.com

We plan to do it again. :cool:
 
I'm also new on the forum; been a long time lurker; I thought that I might as well jump in and introduce myself as well.

I'm Dan; I'm 27, and I'm from The Wirral, UK.

I've always wanted to own a yacht; for as long as I can remember. When I was 12, I was out looking at yachts on the sandback at Meols; on the swing moorings; and I was cut off by the tide.....thankfully; there was a trawler not too far, and I jumped in that; instead of being washed out to sea; the RNLI came to my rescue, and I lived to fight another day...

I've been captivated by oceans since I read Kon-Tiki as a nipper; and over the years, I have soaked up and I adore books by the likes of Slocum, Willis, Moteissier, Rebell; etc- not live-aboards as such; I know-but I truly believe that I am singing from the same sheet as these guys; and I am looking forward to getting out there for myself as soon as I can.


I'm embarking on a career in the Merchant Navy in September; to become a deck officer; and I plan on treating myself to a Yacht that I can live on, when I qualify. Working for a number of weeks, and having a number of weeks off, pretty much ties in perfectly with being a live aboard; and obviously the skills I will learn as a Deck Officer should assist me with my currently inferior lack of sailing knowledge. It's all with the long term goal, that all amalgamates; into a singular manifold of one day circumnavigating the world. I hope to get out there to some of these remote islands, before Mc Donalds beats me to it, and sets up shop on them!

I am realistically going to be getting my fist boat in 2015; but I may have to pull a trick like Zanziba, and get something sooner....We will see; let's just say, I am monitoring the Hurley 24/70's that pop up for sale, now and again. That's the boat I could start off in; and eventually get something a little bigger (in 2015); but not too big!

Cheers

Dan
 
Wow! Thanks so much for the welcomes, the encouragement, and the suggestions. I look forward to following my dream and appreciate finding others who've already done the same. I'm sure you all understand my desire much moreso that the nay-sayers who think I'm simply going through some sort of crazy phase in my life! :p Thanks again!!!
 
Welcome!

Speaking from my own personal experience I think you ARE going through a crazy phase of your life. With luck you it should last for the next fifty years or so.
 
Crazy Phase of my Life

LOL! It's funny you should say that, John, cuz I just bought a refrigerator magnet the other day that says "It's not a phase!" (meaning having a livaboard boat, of course). I'll have to remember your line, though, next time someone questions this "phase" I'm going through! :p
 
have a look at Mahina.com - john and amanda currently around here in Tahiti have nice website, sort-of professional cruisers i spose. John will also help advise via email on boat selection, unlimited advice for $600 it says. He is also at boat shows around USA.

Your ability to go a long way and/or live on a boat for years is prolly more dependent upon you having the skills and wherewithal (=$$$) to fix things, and less to do with sailing skills.
 
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7htas said:
I'm Dan; I'm 27, and I'm from The Wirral, UK.

I've always wanted to own a yacht; for as long as I can remember. When I was 12, I was out looking at yachts on the sandback at Meols; on the swing moorings; and I was cut off by the tide...
Click to expand...

Me too. Lived at Meols between 11 and 21. I still have a photo of me sitting on one of those boats, but more than twice as long ago as your age!
 
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