Where to even start?

[crewd]

I've been wanting to live on a boat for a long time, as an alternative to buying a house. The problem is, I don't have any experience with power boats so the thought of selecting a boat, buying it, and then driving it around (sailing it? See, I don't even know the proper word to use) is a bit daunting, though I'm willing to learn if someone can point me in the right direction. Can you fine folks suggest some good resources for a complete beginner like me? TIA!

 

[nimbusgb]

Budget and location to start with?

Expectations?

 

[25931]

I've been wanting to live on a boat for a long time, as an alternative to buying a house. The problem is, I don't have any experience with power boats so the thought of selecting a boat, buying it, and then driving it around (sailing it? See, I don't even know the proper word to use) is a bit daunting, though I'm willing to learn if someone can point me in the right direction. Can you fine folks suggest some good resources for a complete beginner like me? TIA!

Join a club and learn a few things.

 

[Tranona]

I've been wanting to live on a boat for a long time, as an alternative to buying a house. The problem is, I don't have any experience with power boats so the thought of selecting a boat, buying it, and then driving it around (sailing it? See, I don't even know the proper word to use) is a bit daunting, though I'm willing to learn if someone can point me in the right direction. Can you fine folks suggest some good resources for a complete beginner like me? TIA!

Living on a boat is not an easy alternative to buying a house. The biggest difficulty is finding somewhere to moor rather than buying and using a boat. Although many people do live on boats, it is not always legal, often insecure and tend to be incompatible with living a "conventional" working life.

You have to decide first on whether you want the boat to be able to undertake voyages or whether it is just a base for living. If the former, you have to find a way of trying it out and learning how to do it. There are structured ways of doing this through courses, or you can join a club and get experience sailing with other people. If you just want a home in a fixed location, find the location and that will determine the type and size of boat you need, and learning how to operate it is perhaps of secondary importance.

Remember many people have such dreams that rarely become reality once they see the obstacles to overcome or ignore the obstacles, take the plunge and fail!

 

[abraxus]

I've been wanting to live on a boat for a long time, as an alternative to buying a house. The problem is, I don't have any experience with power boats so the thought of selecting a boat, buying it, and then driving it around (sailing it? See, I don't even know the proper word to use) is a bit daunting, though I'm willing to learn if someone can point me in the right direction. Can you fine folks suggest some good resources for a complete beginner like me? TIA!

The driving it around is only one aspect. There is also getting used to managing things that you currently take for granted, such as juggling power needs, topping up water, and emptying waste tanks, that are all very different to what you'd be used to on land. If you're thinking about buying a boat to live on, rather than just for fun, then it would make sense to get some idea of these practical differences, as some people take such things in their stride, whereas others can quickly tire of the inconvenience. Perhaps hire a boat on the river/broads/canals for a couple of weeks, to get a taste of what it's like. Winter would probably be a good time if you want to get a realistic feel for the practical realities.

 

[crewd]

Thank you all for your input. To answer your questions:

I live in the Houston Clear Lake area so there are lots of marinas around. Luckily cold weather is not as big of an issue here.

Ballpark I'm looking at $100-150K, which is what I'd spend on a house.

I'm thinking I'd keep the boat moored during the week since I work, and maybe a couple of weekends a month I'd take it out for a spin. Being a newbie I'd probably stick to places like Galveston and Corpus Christi while I get used to things, but once I get my sea legs I'd like to venture out farther, like Florida.

I have stayed on a motor yacht before so I am aware of the space issues, but you're right, I don't have any experience with power and water/waste issues.

Now for my own questions:
What kind of club are you talking about? I know there are sailing clubs in this area but I think they just sail around the lake.

Any courses you recommend?

 

[demonboy]

What kind of club are you talking about? I know there are sailing clubs in this area but I think they just sail around the lake.

Any courses you recommend?

The best advice I can give you is get on as many boats as possible and go sailing/motoring. Even a day's sail will teach you loads and you'll start to get your head around adapting from life on land. Try going out with different skippers; you'll learn something different off each one. If you can find the time, try some deliveries. You won't get paid but you'll learn loads. Ask them questions not just about boat handling and rope work, but about life at sea. Each person will have a slightly different perspective. Hopefully all of them will tell you you're doing the right thing

As abraxas says, handling the boat is only one aspect of it. In fact I'd go as far to say that that's the easy bit, so the courses you should consider include engine maintenance, safety at sea, first aid and VHF radio operation. These will arm you with the basics and help boost confidence. The RYA does a range of courses covering all of these, but really they only scratch the surface. I've never joined a club and never felt the need to, but if it works for you, do it. Oh, and buy books. Read lots.

'They' say that you should only spend 3/4 of your budget on the boat. The rest should be saved for repairs, maintenance, spares, new gizmos etc.

But most of all, just get out there by any means and get experience.

 

[Tranona]

Thank you all for your input. To answer your questions:

I live in the Houston Clear Lake area so there are lots of marinas around. Luckily cold weather is not as big of an issue here.

Ballpark I'm looking at $100-150K, which is what I'd spend on a house.

I'm thinking I'd keep the boat moored during the week since I work, and maybe a couple of weekends a month I'd take it out for a spin. Being a newbie I'd probably stick to places like Galveston and Corpus Christi while I get used to things, but once I get my sea legs I'd like to venture out farther, like Florida.

I have stayed on a motor yacht before so I am aware of the space issues, but you're right, I don't have any experience with power and water/waste issues.

Now for my own questions:
What kind of club are you talking about? I know there are sailing clubs in this area but I think they just sail around the lake.

Any courses you recommend?

Most of the people on this forum are UK or European orientated cruisers who live on their boats sailing in the sea, which is all very different from your situation. Those who do live on boats in marinas while working have different issues, particularly dealing with finding a location where it is permitted and dealing with our weather!

So although some things are common to do with living in a small space, not much else is particularly relevant to you. You need to find a way into the liveaboard scene where you are to find out what the issues are there and how people have solved them.

 

[AndrewB]

Thank you all for your input. To answer your questions:

I live in the Houston Clear Lake area so there are lots of marinas around. Luckily cold weather is not as big of an issue here.

AC will be though!

As Tranona says, this is primarily a UK/European based forum and we are not best placed to advise you about Texas. I know there are particular liveaboard issues in some parts of the USA. I'd recommend you repost on an active US based liveaboard forum, where you'll more likely get local know-how. There are several, but one good one would be Cruisers and Sailing Forums (Liveaboard Forum). Try this posting about Texas for starters: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f74/liveaboard-marina-recommendation-needed-in-texas-64422.html.

 

[rivonia]

AC will be though!

As Tranona says, this is primarily a UK/European based forum and we are not best placed to advise you about Texas. I know there are particular liveaboard issues in some parts of the USA. I'd recommend you repost on an active US based liveaboard forum, where you'll more likely get local know-how. There are several, but one good one would be Cruisers and Sailing Forums (Liveaboard Forum). Try this posting about Texas for starters: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f74/liveaboard-marina-recommendation-needed-in-texas-64422.html.

Best advice I can give you is to find a liveaboard forum in good old USA

 

[crewd]

Ah, I didn't realize this forum is Europe based. Thanks for the good tips and I will look for a more local forum.