How to Move Onto a Boat
Boat-living is fundamentally different than living in a house. Everything becomes a lot smaller and you won't be surrounded by some of the comforts of everyday life. Boat maintenance is ongoing and, if you are on the move, you will constantly have to reorient yourself. The trade-off for these difficulties is a life of endless possibilities and freedom. Making workable plans in advance will help to ease your transition to living on a boat.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Give away, sell or store everything you own that isn't absolutely necessary. Living on a boat, you will only need a few clothes, a few books, some kitchen implements and a few personal items. Anything else will just get in the way.
-
2
Look long and hard and be very picky before purchasing your first boat. Don't even think about buying until you have sailed on a number of different boats and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Buying the wrong boat could be a very serious financial mistake.
-
-
3
Buy the smallest boat you can live with. Mooring fees, maintenance costs, fuel use and repairs are all related to the size of your boat. The bigger the boat, the more it will cost you to live on it.
-
4
Consider hiring crew to start out unless you are an experienced sailor. Having a knowledgeable person on board, at least for the first few weeks, can help to ease your transition to a life on the water.
-
5
Buy your boat in the place where you will be living, if at all possible. Starting out ownership of your boat with a long voyage would be both stressful and unsafe.
-
6
Secure a mooring or docking privileges at a marina before buying your boat. Be sure you have enough money to cover docking fees, insurance and maintenance for your boat before buying it.
-
7
Take the plunge when everything is ready. Sell your house or give up your apartment, walk onto your boat and begin life as an on-board resident.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
