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The True Cost of Living on a Sailboat: Our Monthly Expenses

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How much does it cost to live on a boat? This was my biggest question when we were planning and saving to cruise. I was clueless when it came to creating a budget for our future life aboard. I was looking for someone to tell me exactly how much it would cost ME to live on a sailboat full-time.

I quickly learned some people cruise for less than $1,000 a month and some for upwards of $10,000 a month. Most are somewhere between.

Not so dissimilar from living on land, different people cruise on all sorts of budgets.

For us, our cost of living on a sailboat isn’t so far from our land-based spending.

Part of this journey was learning to live with less, but we still maintain some creature comforts on the water.

Here is a breakdown of our cost of living on a boat full-time while cruising the US east coast.

Cost to Live on a Sailboat

Average cost of $2,424 per month*

Sailboat Maintenance Expenses

Average cost $1,006.

Maintenance, Parts & Tools ($687)

It’s no surprise boat maintenance is top of the list.

You will continuously be fixing broken things or maintaining things on a sailboat. You will also need different tools, spare parts, cleaners, etc., as you cruise.

There will be months when you won’t need much in the way of tools and parts (especially if you already have a lot of tools and spare parts onboard). Then in one month, you might spend 40% of the annual budget.

We make a strong effort to do most boat projects ourselves.

Shortly after we began cruising, our wallets learned the hard truth of paying people to work on your boat.

Since then, we’ve been our own plumber, mechanic, seamstress, and electrician.

You’ll always be learning. But if you can maintain and fix your vessel, you’ll save boatloads of cash (pun intended, I couldn’t resist).

READ NEXT: Check out our 9 Helpful Things You Need in Your Sailboat Tool Kit .

Insurance ($233).

If you are a newbie cruiser, your boat insurance options will most likely be limited. Insurance was a considerable expense in our first year. In our second year, the cost dropped from 2.8% of the boat’s value to 1.3%. (We now have restricted cruising grounds for July – November.)

Do your research and consider using a broker. Get quotes based on where you’ll be cruising and staying in hurricane season.

Miscellaneous ($86)

The miscellaneous category is everything else boat-related. This includes any small purchases we make for the boat (ex. rug for the salon), our USCG documentation, Amazon Prime membership, etc.

We also have a Boat US membership , which more than pays for itself. We get dockage and fuel discounts often. And, of course, the towing service is priceless when you run aground with only one engine. (What, just me?)

For a modest fee, this membership is a no-brainer for boat owners.

Marinas vs. Anchoring

Average cost $339.

Marina Costs

If you’ve been researching the cost of living on a boat, you know it is more economical to anchor than to dock in a marina slip. We love anchoring out, but it does come with a set of variables that dictate comfort and safety while you’re on the hook. Not to mention, it requires a lot more planning.

Marinas can be expensive, especially in popular cruising areas. Dockage is usually charged per foot, so the bigger the boat, the higher the costs associated with docking fees. However, you can find liveaboard boat marinas with slip fees that are paid monthly.

Many cruisers prefer to dock at a liveaboard marina during hurricane season and save anchoring for cruising season. This allows you to keep your cost per night at marinas down, and your overall costs balance out throughout the year.

READ NEXT: Check out our post on Liveaboard Marinas: Finding the Best One for You .

Anchoring challenges.

Dreaming of our cruising days, I had the idea we would anchor out and rarely pay for marinas.

In reality, that’s not what worked for us out of the gate. Being beginner sailors and newbies to cruising and boats in general – there was an enormous learning curve.

Learning to live this lifestyle is not always easy. And yes, marinas make it easier. Especially when you REALLY need it to be easier.

Anchoring out requires the captain to always be “on”. You must be aware of the weather, wind direction, currents, and tides. You also have to be aware of the boats around you. None of this stops when you leave the boat or when you sleep.

The reality is you need to slowly become more comfortable living on the hook.

With experience, you can build more confidence.

You’ll become more comfortable with boat systems, weather, and making repairs while on the anchor. Conserving power and water becomes more natural, and you learn how to stay warm in the cold and cool off in hot weather. With some practice, you can spend less time (and money) at marinas.

For folks dreaming of this lifestyle, I’m not saying you won’t be able to start living on the anchor immediately. But the stress level accompanying living on the hook will lower with time and experience.

Average Cost $449

Provisions are consistently one of our most significant expenses on the boat.

Anticipating my new life on the water, I knew I wanted to learn more about cooking, baking, and making things from scratch. And since we planned to live on a smaller budget, I also wanted to be conscious of spending on food.

A game I often play with myself is to see how long we can go until the next big provisioning trip.

You might be thinking – that sounds miserable. But we eat pretty darn well most of the time.

We ration veggies and fruits, ensuring we leave the hardiest for last. We start with fresh salads and other raw veggie meals, such as cilantro hummus bowls. As the freshest veggies thin out, we work our way to curries and stir-fries. Then, when the fridge grows empty, we move on to rice and bean dishes, pineapple and jalapeño pizza, and bean tacos with pickled onions and cabbage.

One skillset you develop living on a boat is the ability to eat more sustainably.

Learning to make bread, yogurt, and vegetable broth from scraps is super satisfying.

Spend time learning to make flexible meals. Use a balance of fresh, canned, and dried ingredients. Do this, and you can stretch your provisioning budget without sacrificing flavor.

You can also save money by minimizing disposables, such as paper towels, sandwich bags, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil.

READ NEXT: Check out our ideas for Flexible Meals on a Boat and our Best Zero Waste Swaps for Small Spaces .

Having sundowners is a bit of a staple in the boating community. It’s a common way to meet and greet other boaters in a marina or in an anchorage. Given that, we always like to have a few extra beers onboard or the ingredients for a simple cocktail.

We love good wine, but we managed to find some enjoyable boxed wines. (Bonus, lose the boxes at the dock, and there’s very little trash to contend with.)

When we find a deal, we stock up on beer. Nothing hits the spot like a cold beer after the anchor drops. We even discovered a reasonably priced rum we enjoy. (No boat is complete without rum!)

Expenses here are based on personal taste. For us, it was possible to have more affordable beverages and still enjoy sundowner traditions!

Average Cost $233

As a couple who dined out regularly in our Colorado ski town, it was going to be tough to start cooking three meals a day living aboard.

I read a lot of advice that said, “if you like eating out, you probably won’t stop eating out because you move on a boat.”

There is truth to this. Whenever we are in a place where eating out is convenient, we tend to fall back into old habits.

However, when we dock in remote places or anchor away from shore access, there is less (or no) opportunity to eat out.

Instead, we experiment with different types of food to make meals onboard rewarding.

We still enjoy going out to experience the local cuisine, but it has become a treat instead of how we live.

A great way to cut costs is by dining out for a late lunch rather than dinner or skipping the alcohol. Opting for a refreshing drink on the trampoline while watching the sunset isn’t a bad way to close out a night.

Average Cost $103

Diesel, gas, and propane are three resources you will continuously be aware of while living on a boat.

Here are a few adjustments we make to maximize our fuel efficiency.

• We use our sails. This isn’t easy as new sailors on a big boat. We have slowly become more confident, but it took us months of traveling on the water to start getting comfortable using the sails. We are still learning.
• We don’t put ourselves in a position where we are in a hurry or have a schedule. This almost always leads to running the engines more.
• We run on one engine. We can run one engine instead of two on our catamaran and only lose about 1 – 1.5 knots. On the ICW, we unfurl the jib to improve speed if the wind is right.
• We always make sure to travel at an optimal time for the current. Some areas of the Intercoastal Waterway can have a current that’s pushing 2-3 knots. Choosing a departure time around the current makes a big difference in travel time and fuel efficiency. 
• Heating water with the electric kettle if the engines are running or we are on shore power.
• Using hot water from the engines (when we have it) to get water boiling.
• When cooking pasta, we use a minimal amount of water. We’ll often turn the propane off and let the noodles finish cooking in the hot water.
• Quality cookware makes a big difference. Once brought to a boil, some dishes can finish cooking with the lid on. This is helpful when coming into an anchorage. Often, I’ll kill the propane, and by the time we are anchored, dinner is ready.
• If we plan to make a few trips to shore, we’ll anchor closer to the dinghy dock. This doesn’t always work out, but being conscious of it has helped us stretch our gas budget.
• If it’s a short trip to the dock and we aren’t carrying supplies, we use the kayak. Paddling is free (and fun)!

Average Cost $140

When we were saving for the cruising kitty, we found ways to cut our mobile bill by using data on our home and work WiFi. When we moved aboard, our phone plan became the primary internet source. We quickly realized we would need to rethink our data plan.

There are a lot of options for unlimited data in the US, as well as hotspot data. I recommend having at least unlimited mobile data for research and logistics involved when cruising. If you need to work from the boat, you may also want to invest in an additional mobile service as backup or satellite internet. Starlink is starting to become popular in the boating community.

Our Mobile Plan

While cruising the east coast, we use T-Mobile. With this carrier, we get unlimited data and 40GB of hotspot data each month (20GB per phone). This is on the pricier end, and we have been looking into other options, but we enjoy having the hotspot data. Even after the 40GB, we still have hotspot data at 2G. When we cruise the Bahamas, we are planning to use My Island WiFi service .

Entertainment

Average cost $23.

This category is for consumable entertainment since most other entertainment on the water is free.

Music, movies, and books are popular forms of entertainment onboard. Even when we cut down on spending, we kept a few options that provided these services. Instead of ditching all the monthly streaming apps, we looked hard at our memberships and cut back or found free services to supplement.

• Spotify membership for music (we can download or stream) $11
• Movie library on an external hard drive created before we ditched our DVDs Free
• Hulu (included with Spotify) Free
• Disney Plus (prepaid for three years during a special offer) $4
• Nexflix (included with T-Mobile plan) Free
• Tubi (a free streaming app) Free

Spotify and Audible are great for downloading books and playlists for when you are out of service or on passage. You can also download movies and shows through many streaming apps for playback when you don’t have a signal or are running on a budgeted amount of mobile data. An external hard drive of your favorite movies is also a great source of video entertainment that will never let you down.

Personal Care & Clothing

Average cost $73.

Hair & Skin Care

Go more natural with skin and hair care. Most boats won’t have spare power for hairdryers and straighteners. On top of that, the sun and humidity will destroy makeup.

Start now researching ways to simplify your personal care regimens. It will make the transition abroad much easier.

Tips for Hair & Skin Care

• Get a tinted moisturizer with SPF for your face (I like Raw Elements ), a flexible eye shadow, and waterproof mascara. Opt for reusable makeup remover cloths to cut down on waste.
• Work on a natural look for your hair, and see if you can find a style you can cut yourself. Shampoo and conditioner bars are a great way to save space and are typically made with clean ingredients that won’t harm sea life.
• Opt for a simple personal care routine. The fewer products you use, the more space, time, and money you’ll save.
• We love to use UPF clothing in combination with sunscreen. The more you can cover up, the less sunscreen you’ll need.

For us, this area is where expenses remain similar to land life. There are no unique expenses with health or dental care, although finding healthcare coverage for multiple states can be challenging.

For the lady sailors, I recommend researching ways to have a zero-waste period. A menstrual cup is something I wish I had transitioned to before cruising. It will make your life easier, plus save you money and storage space.

If you can minimize laundry and wash some stuff on board, you can limit the need to find a washing machine.

Tips for Laundry on a Boat

• Wear clothes that are easy to wash and dry and can be worn several times between washes.
• In the summer months, wear UPF synthetics and bathing suits that can be washed by hand. This will also extend their life.
• In the winter months, wear merino wool and dress in layers to get the most wears out of your clothes before washing.
• Save sheets, towels, and bulkier clothing for when you have access to a washing machine. We aim to do machine washing about once a month.

Having a solid system in place for handwashing clothes helps limit our laundry budget. We average $8 per month spent on machines.

We try to buy high-quality clothing that is durable for boat life. Once you’ve created a boat wardrobe that works, you’ll find there is little you will need.

In six months, the only clothing I have purchased is a UPF shawl, a sun hat (to replace one I lost overboard), and a tank top. I previously spent a lot of money on clothes. Now I enjoy dialing in a functional, minimalist wardrobe for living on a boat.

READ NEXT: For more on clothing for boat life, check out What to Wear Sailing and How to Downsize Your Wardrobe .

Average cost $58.

For us, our travel budget for many years has consisted of only credit card membership fees. These help us earn points that pay for our travel.

Booking a flight or rental car without worrying about how it affects the budget is a nice perk in this lifestyle. There are times you need a car to get a project done or to book a last-minute flight to visit family.

We also get an annual travel credit with the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. We use a lot of the credit toward Ubers and Lyfts – great for when grocery stores aren’t within walking distance or you need to make a larger provisioning run.

Getting Started With a Cruising Budget

Here are some final thoughts when creating your future sailboat cruising budget.

• The above expenses are based on actively cruising on our 38-foot catamaran. For us, extended time at the dock is just a redistribution of funds. Maintenance and fuel go down, and marina expenses go up.
• Our maintenance costs are at about 4% of the hull value. Aside from the trampoline, we have not replaced any big-ticket items, so we expect this percentage may increase over the next couple of years.
• If you hope to stretch your cruising kitty, give yourself time to overcome the learning curve. Learning to maintain, operate, cook, and just be on a boat will take time. As you get more experience, your spending habits will improve. Be patient and keep moving forward.
• I highly recommend you continue researching and reading as much as possible about the cost of living on a sailboat. Get perspectives from different cruisers. This will help you create a cruising budget that will be unique to you.

Other Resources

• Gone with the Wynns created a very detailed article and video that breakdowns their cost of living on a boat.
• Sailing Kittiwake also has a great video on the cost of living on a sailboat on a budget .

*Costs not included in this overview are health insurance, taxes, business expenses, and gifts or donations. These expenses are particular to each individual’s situation and so are excluded from this article.

Want more tips on how to get started cruising on a boat?

For more information on the reality of boat life and tips for living on the water, view our complete guide.

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Morgan, the founder of The Home That Roams, has been living nomadically for over five years. She began her journey traveling across the U.S. in a motorhome and cruising on a liveaboard sailing catamaran. Currently, she lives full-time in a travel trailer, sharing resources on RV living and boat life to help others downsize their lives and thrive in an alternative lifestyle.

Excellent article. Thank you!

I started getting the urge to return to the sea not long after I got out of the Navy in 1974…. Started out on a 15′ Phantom…. Up to 21′ Keels, up to a 26′ Bristol and finally a 28′ Newport…. You learn alot of tricks of the trade at a working marina… Barter system, I used to go up the mast or anything Aloft in return for favors with anything that I had a problem with …. Had to give up the sailboat when I couldn’t sail it by myself anymore … Looking for a 35′-38′ trawler to live in the Tampa Bay area for the rest of my day…. From the Sea I came, back to sea I will return … Anchor’s Aweigh….

Hi George, it sounds like you have lived and breathed boats for a while! One of my favorite things about a good liveaboard marina is how everyone trades boat maintenance favors and helps each other out. I sure hope you find a good trawler to liveaboard in Tampa – sounds lovely!

Do you use a specific budgeting software or anything to track your transactions? Please share if so

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Living & working on a sailing boat: the pros and cons

Updated On 20th June, 2024

There is something about the idea of living and working on a sailing boat that is so romantic. Moving from marina to marina, coast to coast, country to country, all while simultaneously travelling and working sounds like bliss. If you’re wondering what it’s like to live on a boat or to work on a boat, or if you’re considering living on a boat or working on a boat, this is the post for you.

It’s not all glamorous, but it can be fun! If you’re ready for a huge adventure, full of highlights, compromises and challenges and everything in between, living on a sailing boat could be just what you need. Learning to expect the unexpected, to prepare for anything and everything, and to embrace spontaneity are just some of the things you’ll get out of working on a sailing boat. It’s a unique way of life, and it’s not for everyone, but if you’ve made it to this post and you’re thinking of living on a sailing boat, you might be ready to take the leap.

I have lived and worked on boats all over the world so I’m biased in thinking living on the water is a fantastic experience! However it’s not all plain sailing and I’ll talk you through some of the pro’s and con’s of living and working on a sailing boat for me. Spoiler alert: I definitely think that the benefits outweigh any inconveniences, but keep reading to find out why!

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• A guide to backpacking the Greek Islands
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• Getting your working holiday visa for New Zealand: our guide
• Sailing the Whitsundays: which boat should you choose?

Living and working on a sailing boat: the pros and cons…

Pros of living and working on a sailing boat, 1. the freedom to choose where you want to be and where you want to go next..

This is an obvious starting point and is probably one of the key motivating factors for most people when they choose this lifestyle. The world is your oyster and your travel plans are only limited by your imagination (and both you and your boat’s capabilities!). This is definitely one of the biggest pros of living on a sailing boat for me. 

2. Living in the moment.

Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. It can be challenging to be present in our busy and chaotic lives. We can also be tempted to constantly worry about the future and dedicate so much energy to our plans that we forget to focus on the present moment. Life is fairly unpredictable when you’re living on a sailing boat and appreciating the small things and being flexible with any future plans is so important. 

3. You bring your home with you.

You might think you have to leave a lot behind when living and working on a sailing boat, but that’s not necessarily the case. Sailing away can be the ultimate form of escapism but you also have the luxury of bringing your little home with you on your travels. 

You make the call whether you want to sail off into the horizon by yourself or share the experience with people close to you or furry friends. I’ve sailed with a little dog who would constantly be on the lookout for dolphins to chat to and would be too excited to sleep once she had spotted them! Another friend has a cat as his crew who can paddle board to the beach (assisted by his captain) and wander around onshore with his GPS tracker before making his way back on board. 

4. Every day is an adventure.

When you’re living on a sailing boat, nothing is as easy as living on land but it’s also more exciting! Even going to the shops can involve an unexpected hike to find civilisation and trying not to sink the dinghy if you have been over ambitious with your purchases.

5. Home is where the anchor drops.

Wherever you want to go, you can find a good location on the water, and if you change your mind, you can change and go wherever the wind takes you! Launching the dinghy and arriving somewhere ashore for the first time never gets old and watching your home bobbing around on the water waiting for you is also very special.

6. You meet like-minded people from all over the world.

Sailors tend to be very friendly people and living on a boat throws you into a worldwide community of all sorts of different people with something in common. I also think it’s quite entertaining how quickly you start to spot people who live on boats by the telltale signs of being tanned, sun-bleached clothes, waterproof bags (you never know if you might have a mishap on your way to shore) and the fact that they’ve probably already introduced themselves to you. 

See more top tips for making friends when travelling here.

7. You can work on board with the Internet.

Even relatively recently it was difficult to imagine how queuing at internet cafes or walking around a town scanning for any potential WiFi networks would become less and less common. There are much cheaper and more reliable mobile internet options now which make being connected whilst on a boat a reality and living and working on a sailing boat much more feasible. Remote working in general is much more widespread and makes this lifestyle more compatible with a ‘normal’ job.

CONS OF LIVING AND WORKING ON A SAILING BOAT

1. the weather can change all your plans..

It takes a bit of getting used to when you first start living on a boat that any ideas you might have about what you want to do need to be run past the weather gods first! If the conditions aren’t right, you won’t be going anywhere and you need to have a Plan B, C and even D to hand. 

2. Supplies are limited.

Living on a boat means being aware that you are working with limited resources especially in terms of water, fuel, electricity and food. The more luxurious the boat the less obvious this might be but the point still stands that if you turn on the tap it’s coming from your supply not the mains. This can be a bit tricky to get across to guests who could happily use up a whole water tank with one shower! It can be quite eye-opening how much we use or how little we can consume if we are careful.

See more sustainable travel tips here.

3. Lack of space.

Space could be seen as your ultimate limited resource to which the only solution would be a bigger boat, but the harsh reality is there will never be a big enough boat if you don’t adapt your mindset. Living with less is definitely a challenge as you try to predict what you might need most. The small space doesn’t just affect material things; think carefully about who you choose to have onboard too!

4. Keeping your boat afloat isn’t easy.

It may look like you are living the dream and let’s be honest, most of the time you probably are. Especially as you are less likely to share with your friends an update on a very glamorous morning spent fixing a toilet than a beautiful sunset photo. So you can’t blame anyone who underestimates how much time you will need to spend maintaining your boat. Keeping your boat afloat is a bigger challenge than you may initially imagine; cruising is described by many as fixing your boat in exotic locations, and this is something you should definitely consider before you start living on a boat!

5. Saying goodbye is hard.

It can be difficult feeling transient and although you are definitely part of a wider community, frequently saying goodbye to friends is a reality when you’re living on a sailing boat. The flip side of meeting so many fantastic people is that they will be on the move too but your paths may cross again sooner than you think! You can also choose to move around slowly or base yourself for long periods of time in the same area to feel like you’re creating more of a base. 

6. Working on a boat with the Internet is easier than before, but not easy.

Internet becomes another factor to consider in your plans as to when you need to be connected and when you can be sailing without any signal. For remote working on a boat this could mean planning any longer passages for the weekends if you’re trying to work a traditional 9-5 Monday to Friday schedule, or making sure you have a certain amount of control over when you work.

I think if you’re looking for an easy life sipping cocktails and watching the sunset, it’s probably better just to have a holiday on the water and not to spoil the illusion! But if you’re up for an adventure, and a steep learning curve, you’ll realise that your sundowner in your unusual home is priceless. 

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Have you ever thought about living on a sailing boat?

Have you got any top tips for working on a sailing boat? Anything you’d add?

Love as always and happy adventuring…

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IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU

I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

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My Cruiser Life Magazine

Living on a Sailboat – Cruiserlife Reality, Pros & Cons Of Boat Life In 2023

What could be more romantic or inspiring than living on a sailboat? Maybe you dream of traveling and “sailing off into the sunset.” Or maybe you dig the sailing lifestyle and are looking to join a community of like-minded people. For some, it has been a lifelong dream. Or perhaps you’ve landed here because you’re out of options, and life on a sailboat sounds cheaper than land-based obligations and a good way to save money.

Table of Contents

The dream of sailboat life, can you live aboard any boat, sail or power.

• Price Range 

Monohull or Catamaran

Dock life or off the grid, living spaces, five reasons boat life is awesome, five reasons why a liveaboard boat can be a bummer, before you do, try life on a sailboat first, sailboat life faqs.

The truth is, many reasons bring people to move onto a sailboat—or any kind of boat. If you’re unfamiliar with boat life, think of boats as floating RVs or campers. They attract all sorts of people, from wealthy travelers to people making ends meet. And just like with RVs, they range from palatial yachts to cramped, dingy things you can’t get away from fast enough.

Buying a sailboat to live on has grown in popularity in recent years and has boomed during the coronavirus era. While the global pandemic certainly slowed world travel, it has pushed more people to work from where ever they like. With unlimited data cell phone plans, you can take your boat nearly anywhere and still be connected with the world.

The first question to ask is, “What sort of boat do you want to live on?” Boats come in every shape and size to suit every boater. As a result, the choices can be overwhelming when you first consider the lifestyle.

All boats represent compromises. The vessel designer made compromises to fit all the things in the boat that they could. There are compromises in performance in favor of more creature comforts, or vice versa. 

Likewise, you’ll make compromises when you purchase a boat. You may find that the vessel of your dreams is out of your budget, so you compromise with a smaller boat or one lacking some features. You may opt for a stout bluewater boat built for ocean crossings. If that’s the case, you will invariably compromise on some liveaboard comforts that cheaper coastal cruisers might offer. 

What the boat needs to have for you to liveaboard is entirely up to you. Is your idea of the liveaboard lifestyle all about downsizing and living simply? Or is living aboard a means to an ends—a way to slowly travel the world comfortably while taking “home” with you? Do you live for the passion of actual sailing, or is sailing just a cheap way to move from place to place?

In other words, before you go boat shopping, you must narrow down your goals for the vessel. Next, we’ll look at some of the features that will make how to live on a sailboat easier, but remember that nothing is mandatory. 

Buying a Sailboat to Live On

If you’re wondering whether or not sailboat life is right for you, start by thinking about what the perfect setup would be like. Chances are you have some preconceived notions of what living on a sailboat is like. And chances are there are ways that it could be like that, but there are also ways that it could be completely different. 

Before you dive too deep into the lifestyle, don’t pigeonhole yourself into looking at only sailboats. There are tons of powerboats that you can get for similar prices as used sailboats. And motorboats have a few advantages over sailboats, especially for living aboard.

The most common types of powerboats you’ll see people living on are trawlers or cabin cruisers. First, the design of these boats means that their hull shape is better able to accommodate living space. They’ve got wide sterns and bigger interiors. They also usually have large windows and a nice view out of the living area, something most sailboats lack. 

The only thing that a powerboat can’t do is sail (obviously), and most people don’t cross oceans in them. But most people who buy sailboats to do those things never actually do them! So again, it all comes back to being honest with yourself about what you want to do with your boat. If you’re after comfortable living space and the ability to travel anywhere along the coast, a trawler should be high on your list.  

Price Range

You can’t go boat shopping (or even dreaming!) without at least some idea of your budget. You can spend anywhere from $1,000 to well over $10 million buying a sailboat. You have to narrow it down a bit!

Here are a few pointers to guide you. If you browse for a boat on Yachtworld , you can get a pretty good idea of a particular make and model’s nominal value. 

These are brokered boats, so the list prices seldom equal the sale price. But it provides a good way to analyze the market. Some will be priced very high because they are newer, have newer upgraded engines, are better maintained, or are otherwise “better.” By eliminating those, you should be able to estimate the average value of a particular make and model. 

You may find listings that look like bargains because they are priced lower. Chances are, these are project boats. Project boats require “elbow grease” or “DIY skills” to restore. A project boat is always a losing proposition because it will usually take many more dollars to get it ship-shape than it would cost to have just bought the kept up boat to begin with. 

Here’s an example. Say you’re shopping for one of the best liveaboard sailboats , like a Catalina 30, and the average price is around $18,000. Then, one day while browsing Craigslist, you see one listed for $5,000. A bargain, right? Well, it should be no surprise that the $5,000 boat “needs a little work.” But what you might not realize is that it probably needs $20,000 or more worth of work (and even that number is if you plan on putting in your own elbow grease).

The moral of this story is pretty simple—plan on paying the average price for a sailboat. Of course, there might be some bargains out there. But generally, if you want a functional, livable boat, it will cost you some cash.

Catamarans are popular choices for liveaboard boaters, especially if you plan on anchoring or traveling a lot. These boats have expansive living spaces that feel much less crowded and claustrophobic than typical boats. Even sail cats ofter raised salons with wrap-around windows and lots of fresh air flowing through.

On the flip side, it can be challenging and expensive to find a dock or repair facility in some parts of the world when you need one. So if you plan to live at a dock on a catamaran, start your search by finding the dock first. Catamarans are too wide to fit in regular slips, so marinas must put them on the limited number of bulkhead or t-head docks they have. 

Catamarans are expensive, and it’s generally not good to stretch your budget when buying a boat. If you do, you’ll have less money in the back to travel or spend on upgrades and repairs. So if the catamaran lifestyle appeals to you, double-check your numbers to ensure you can afford to do it right.

Being a liveaboard boater does not mean you must spend your life tied to a dock. You could travel regularly from your marina home base. Or you could travel and not have a home base. It all depends on how you organize your life and your obligations. 

If you intend to live as off-the-grid as possible, that should be considered when you go boat shopping. Some boats are easy to set up that way, and others are not.

If you spend a lot of time away from docks, you must come up with a plan to get some necessities. Some things are easy, and others are more difficult. You’ll have to answer questions about how you will get electrical power, fresh water, pump outs, fuel, and groceries.

Electrical Power

At a dock, you can plug in with a large extension cord and enjoy unlimited power just like you would in a home. Since all the power arrives through the one big cord, there might be some inconveniences, like you cannot blow dry your hair, make microwave popcorn, and brew coffee all at once. But generally, you’ll have outlets that work and plenty of power to run air conditioners, heaters, cooking appliances, and whatever else. 

Away from the dock and unplugged is another thing entirely. Some boats have generators that will run 24/7 to maintain the same comforts. But generators drink diesel fuel and are noisy and smelly. Most sailors who live off the grid prefer to use solar panels and a large bank of batteries to power what they need. In all but extreme cases, however, this means that some power-intensive conveniences like air conditioning and heaters are not viable options.

Fresh Water

Docks will supply city or well water for use onboard. In some cases, you plug in a hose for unlimited supply, but on most boats, you simply fill up the water tanks whenever you need to. 

Away from the dock, you’ll have to rely on the tanks alone. When they get low, you’ll need to visit a dock to refill them. Any marina will let you fill up, but most boaters combine it with a trip for fuel or a pump out. 

Some boaters catch rainwater and put it in their water tanks. Others carry jerry cans of water from shore in their dinghy. And on ocean-going boats, you can install water-making systems that desalinate seawater and make it potable. 

If water goes in the boat, it must come out, right? It is illegal to dump your toilets overboard in most parts of the world unless you are far offshore. So boats are equipped with a holding tank—the boat equivalent of the RV black water tank.

To empty the tank, you visit a pump out station. This is simply a pump that takes the tank contents and puts them in the local sewage treatment system. It is far more ecologically responsible than dumping it. 

The size of your holding tank is a significant limiting factor on most liveaboard vessels. On average, a 20-gallon tank will last a couple about one week of full-time living aboard. So plan on a weekly trip to the pump out dock. You can just use the marina’s facilities as often as possible if you live at a dock. That will extend your time between pump outs considerably.

Some places have pump out boats that will come to you. This is common in busy mooring fields or anchorages like those found in Florida. Some are provided by marinas, and others are done by local cities or counties. Interested in liveaboard marinas in Florida , visit our guide!

Living aboard doesn’t burn any engine fuel. And it’s usually easy to find gas or diesel fuel docks when traveling.

But you’ll also occasionally need cooking fuel, usually propane. You may also need fuel for your heaters during winter. Boat heaters work on diesel, propane, or solid fuels.

Finally, you’ll need a plan for groceries. For example, if you live at a dock at a marina, you might keep a car there and live like you would if you had an apartment. 

If you don’t have a car or are traveling, you will start looking for grocery stores near marinas. Walking distance becomes important, as do marina loaners cars or Uber.

You can make a lot of upgrades and modifications to make the boat you choose, but it’s not possible to fundamentally change the boat’s characteristics. If you’re thinking about living on a boat full time, you need to consider the living spaces and whether or not you and your family can comfortably live there.

Salon, Cockpit, and Staterooms

You’ll spend most of your time in the larger spaces, like the cockpit and salon. The cockpit is like the outdoor patio, and the salon is like your living room and dining room combined. Do these areas have enough space for everyone to lounge comfortably? What about regular everyday things like reading a book or watching the tv? 

Designers make boats comfortable and safe while boating, but it’s only recently that they’ve emphasized the livability aspect of their designs. As a result, many sailboats have small cockpits that are safe at sea but cramped for day-to-day life. Likewise, settees and lounges might not be engineered for comfort so much as use in rough seas. 

A common complaint that people have about boat life is the shape of the beds. Staterooms on small boats usually have v-berths, vee-shaped cushions in the bow. These can be very difficult to get in and out of, especially for couples. They nearly always involve getting trapped inside and having to climb over your partner to get out. Island berths, which stand in the center of the stateroom and can be accessed on either side, are a great upgrade. 

Galley and Head

And then there are the functional parts of the boat like the kitchen and bath (or the galley and head in boating terms). Kitchens will be much smaller than even efficiency apartments. Expect a simple gas range and small oven at the most. Some boats will have a microwave, but not all. Refrigerators are small, and on sailboats, they are often awkward top-loaders. The biggest problem you’ll find with most boat galleys is a lack of counter space and storage. 

The head is another place to analyze what living aboard would be like. Smaller boats have “wet heads.” That means that if you want to have a shower, you’ll sit on the toilet, and everything will get wet. The opposite of a wet head is a separate shower stall, which is a great upgrade if you are living aboard full time.

Pros and Cons of Life on a Sailboat

So now you’ve got some ideas about what makes up life on a sailboat—or at least a look at the variety and sorts of boats that you can liveaboard. What would make you want to take the plunge, and what would give you pause? Here are a few pros and cons to the liveaboard lifestyle.

Living on a sailboat provides an amount of freedom that people with houses can never know. Don’t like your neighbor? Change slips or move to a new marina. Sick of this town? You and your house can be in another state in a few days.

Not being tied down means you can organize your life to travel more. For example, if you aren’t tied to a local job, you could spend summers staying cool in New England and winters in Florida or The Bahamas. Or if you’re entirely untied, head off into the sunset for the Caribbean or an around the world cruise.

2. More Time On the Water

It only follows that you must like the water if you’re looking at boat life. Many people feel a special connection to nature from being near the sea, be it at the beach or on a boat. Boats provide you with endless million-dollar waterfront views that can change as much as you want to travel. You’ll enjoy your morning coffee with a whole new crowd—pelicans, dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees may be in your backyard every morning. 

3. Romantic, Slow Paced Travel

Even if you don’t cruise, there is a romantic connection to travel in every boat. Arriving in a new town by boat is unlike any other travel experience. Every town looks like the same strip malls and chain stores by car. But by boat, you can see towns like an explorer, viewing each historic waterfront and finding all the best dive bars and cruiser hangouts. 

With the right sailboat, you can travel nearly anywhere in the world. Some people dream of completing a circumnavigation, while others stick to seasonal cruising. Whatever your goal, sailboats might not be the fastest way to travel, but they are certainly the most romantic.

4. Small Space Simple Living

On the one hand, boats and RVs are the mobile equivalents of the tiny house. If the idea of downsizing your possessions and valuing experiences more than material goods appeals to you, living in the small space of a liveaboard boat might be right for you.

It might seem counterintuitive because boats are pretty complex and expensive items. But downsizing is a relative thing, and no matter how fancy the boat is, chances are the people living on it downsized their lives to get there. Boats themselves are complex, but they also prevent you from being burdened by many non-essentials.

5. Sailing Community

Finally, the sailing and boating community is full of interesting and fun people. Everywhere you go, you’ll meet boaters that come from a wide range of backgrounds who have similar interests to your own. The community is supportive and known for fun get-togethers over cocktails or pot-lucks.

1. Difficult to Find Liveaboard Marinas

If your goal is to live on a boat and stay in one place, you might find it’s hard to get a marina or anchorage that suits you. Marinas are businesses, and each one is operated to suit a particular crowd. Some welcome liveaboards while others do not. Sometimes it’s the marina policy, and other times it has to do with local city or state regulations. 

However, if you are traveling on your boat as a cruiser, you have little to worry about. Travelers and voyagers are always welcome, and transient slips at marinas for up to three months are usually readily available. 

2. Small Spaces

Wait, wasn’t “small living” a pro of living on a boat? It was, but it can suck too. Cramped spaces, storage limits, and small living get old and frustrating after a while. No matter how hard you try, you’ll wind up collecting too much stuff that you have no room to store. Downsizing is a process, not a one-time event when you live on a boat. 

And then, there are the problems that stem from sharing a small space with your partner or family. Boats offer very little in terms of private space. Even if you get off the boat everyday and travel, living together so closely for any length of time will test any relationship to the breaking point.

3. Constant Maintenance Costs and Fixing Things

Boats are constantly breaking. They float in an acidic solution 24/7, are subject to constant motion and vibration, and are full of explosive substances and toxic chemicals. Sometimes it seems like they are willfully trying to self-destruct and take you to the bottom of the ocean.

Of particular note regarding crew morale are those ever-constant maintenance issues related to the toilet plumbing. Marine heads stink—but literally (sometimes at least) and figuratively in their design and function. 

Engine problems are also a big concern, primarily for their expense. A new engine can easily cost more than you paid for the entire boat!

Repairs on boats slow down after the first year of ownership once you handle everything the vessel needs. But by then, your time will be full of preventative maintenance tasks to keep it all working well. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

4. It’s Really Very Slow

If you’re buying a boat to travel, you might be shocked at how little traveling you can get done. Boats travel at the whim of the weather, which often means sitting in port and waiting for better conditions. There’s a lot more sitting and waiting than actually sailing. If you’re coming from the land-based road world, this is a stark contrast to hopping in your car and driving off whenever you feel like it. 

Even when you do travel, moving between five and seven miles per hour is slow. What can be done in one day in a car now takes you three to four 24-hour days of constant travel.

5. Sometimes, It’s the Worst

Maybe that’s mellow dramatic, but experienced sailors will understand the sentiment. But sometimes, it just seems like the weather or entire ocean is trying to kill you.

Then, there’s the constant inconvenience of it. Just getting a cold beer out of the fridge might involve clearing the countertop, opening the lid, taking out two top shelves, and leaning down at the very bottom to find the last bottle. Then, there are marina wifi problems, seasickness in rolly anchorages, and boat parts lost in the mail or stuck in customs. 

 Like many choices you make in life, living on a sailboat is not about the boat or the place. It’s all about your attitude. Is it an adventure or a nuisance? Of course, everyone experiences inconveniences once in a while, no matter where they live. But boats make everything seem more dramatic, causing you to doubt your choices at the first signs of discomfort.

It’s hard to describe both the pleasure and the dispair that living on a boat can provide. It’s been said that for every low-low, like a back-flowing toilet, there are high-highs, like the perfect sunset with dolphins dancing just for you. 

From my observations, most people who move aboard give it up after their second or third year. Unfortunately, many don’t make it past year one, which is always the hardest due to the steep learning curve. 

The best advice is to try sailboat life before you buy into it. Charter a boat or take some sailing lessons. Find friends with boats who will take you out and share their stories with you. Do research, go to boat shows, and try it out in any way you can before taking the plunge. And no matter what you do, remember to enjoy and savor the adventure!

Is living on a sailboat worth it?

I think so, and many others do too. But living on a sailboat is not for everyone. Boats range from luxurious yachts to cramped, floating tents. No matter what size boat you choose to live on, there will be times when you doubt that it’s worth it. 

All boats are cramped and uncomfortable at times. Life revolves around the weather, the boat, and staying safe. Sometimes it means getting out of bed at 2 am to move the boat in a storm, and sometimes it means not joining your friends at the beach party because something broke and you need to fix it. 

It’s impossible to answer whether or not living on a sailboat is worth it to you—only you can make that call. This is because sailboats offer not only a way to travel but a way to completely change your life. 

Can you legally live on a boat?

Yes, you absolutely can live on a boat. But depending on where you want to live, it can be challenging to find marinas or anchorages that will allow you to. There is nothing inherently illegal about living aboard a boat, but liveaboards are frowned on by many dockmasters and local governments. However, you can find liveaboard marinas, and many have lovely, welcoming communities of people who love their vessels, the water, and the sailing lifestyle.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

How To Live on a Sailboat: Consider These 5 Things

"Someday I want to move onto a sailboat and sail off into the sunset...”

It's a common dream shared by thousands, even millions of sailors and non-sailors world-wide. And it's a compelling dream shared by so many, but what does it really take to do it? What does it even mean to live on a sailboat?

There's a strong "paradise mythology" that surrounds cruising and living aboard. That it's an easy lifestyle, with days spent in your swimsuit and sunsets under palm trees with a rum drink in your hand is a common idea. The reality is pleasant and worth it, but it's a far cry from the myth.

With this guide, I'll give you some insight from years of experience living on board so you can figure out if it's something that really is practical for you, and if it is, what you need to start thinking about.

On this page:

Liveaboard or cruiser, the basics of living on board and cruising, useful skills and knowledge, what kind of people do well as liveaboards, is the liveaboard life for you.

There are two basic ways to live on a boat, though there is a spectrum from each extreme to suit anyone's taste. At one end, you have the "Liveaboard," someone that lives on a boat instead of a house but rarely moves. At the other end are the "Cruisers" who roam the world under sail. This article focuses on the Cruising lifestyle, though much applies to liveaboards in marinas.

The Liveaboard

Someone who lives on board a boat full-time may never leave the marina. This lifestyle isn't so different from life in an RV in a park on land or a tiny house. You don't have the trappings of owning a home, and you live in a small space. But you may have a day job, a car, and you can keep plants on the dock next to your slip and have cable. You need not be in a sailboat, as a powerboat or houseboat will do the job just fine.

This article isn't about setting you up as a modern-day Travis McGee, though there is much to recommend the lifestyle. Your needs differ greatly from someone who takes their boat places. You will have ready access to parts, service technicians, and grocery stores, for example.

The Cruising Lifestyle

Cruising means moving your boat from destination to destination, whether it's in one region or across oceans. You won't have a year-round slip you return to, though some do come to the same place for a time every year. You can cruise in a sailboat or a powerboat, but the blue water cruisers who cross oceans are almost exclusively in sailboats.

This is very different from living in a marina. It turns your whole financial world on end since you can't easily work in a building on land year-round, and you have a lot more planning and equipping to do since you will move around. You may just move up and down the inter-coastal waterway, or you may sail around the world - the issues are similar.

Most cruisers also avoid marinas regularly as they are a very expensive way to spend the night in your own boat. Nothing eats through a cruising kitty more quickly than marina time. So many of us prefer to be at anchor, which adds its own challenges.

To get an idea of what it costs to dock your boat in different types of locations, check out our article on How Much it Costs to Dock Your Boat for a Year .

The Hybrid Life

We've had a few cruising friends who have lived a combination of the liveaboard lifestyle and cruising. Some will live on board part of the year, or live in a marina part of the year and cruise the rest of it. The combinations are limitless, but much of the Cruising lifestyle applies since the boat moves around.

Living on a boat - even in a marina - requires a hard reset of some of your lifelong habits. There are a million little details that are different, but there are a few major areas that you should know in advance.

Space Management and Your Things

Coming from a house or apartment, you must downsize. Space is everything on a boat, and you can't have piles of stuff loose in the boat when you go offshore. Devices need a dual function or more, and you can't afford to have excess things around since you'll also need space for spare parts, food storage, and safety gear.

When we moved on board, we:

• Got rid of all but a handful of our pleasure books. This was painful, but with limited shelf space, there's little room beyond mechanical texts, sailing books, and navigation and maintenance related reading. Fortunately, we'd begun the move to Kindles well before we moved on board.
• Pared our clothing down to minimal cold weather clothes and tropical clothing.
• Pulled all our CDs and DVDs out of cases and stored them in compact organizers. Eventually, we ripped all the CDs and went digital.
• Eliminated most kitchen gadgetry. With power limitations, it lowers your small appliance needs. But you don't have room for single-purpose items like salad spinners or big serving dish sets.
• The kids got rid of all the aged-out toys, and many of the current ones. Ours were older at twelve and fifteen, so they didn't have so many large things to take with them as younger children would have.
• Simplified our coffee making to a French press, eliminating the Keurig and regular coffee maker we had in the house.
• Reduced duplication in my tools and pared them down.
• Picked only a select few sets of linens, towels, and cloth napkins.

Those are just a few examples of some of the downsizing and re-thinking we had to do about the accumulation of "stuff" that most people view as necessities. We've also learned different attitudes about acquiring new things, as everything needs a place on the boat when we get it.

You will take too much with you when you cast off your lines, but over time you'll learn you can do with a lot less.

Changing Habits and Resource Management

Every time we come back to land, we realize how much our daily habits have changed. We don't run the water when we brush our teeth; we turn off every light when we leave the room. The little bits of daily life on land you don't think about come out when you live on board.

The big habit changers are water use, power consumption, and waste management. In a house, when you flip a switch the lights come on, when you flush the toilet the contents go ... somewhere. You don't really think about these things, the water will always come out of the tap as long as you pay the water bill or don't run the well dry.

As a liveaboard, you learn how unpleasant it is to run out of water in the middle of a shower, or have the low battery alarm come on in the middle of the night. We won't even go there about overfilling the holding tank. The responsibility to make or provide things and services you don't even think about on land forever changes the way you live.

Food, Spares, and Supplies

People ask us "what do you do for food while you're out there?"

The good news is, everybody eats. The bad news is, it's not always what you are used to eating or how you're used to eating it. Any place with people you can get food, but it takes more planning to make sure you've got what you want when you want it.

Anchored in a remote atoll in French Polynesia you actually can go ashore and buy flour. If it's not too close to when the weekly ship comes and no one else has bought it all. You can get meat and vegetables if you are willing to pay the high prices. To make your life more manageable requires foresight, since you can't just hop in the car and pop down to Stop & Shop if you run out of eggs.

Spare parts and other supplies also take planning and management. Carry spares with you, and know you will run out and find alternatives. You'll learn how to navigate importing parts and spares, and how to improvise repairs when you can't. But figuring out what you will need and buying it when you can to stock up is a never-ending challenge.

Living on board and cruising requires many different skills. Some you must have to cruise safely, others will save you time, aggravation and money. You can train and prepare, but nothing replaces hands-on experience.

Repairs and Maintenance

We planned for years to cruise. Part of my preparation involved courses at a local vocational school. Not everyone has the time or resources to take it to this level, but the courses on diesels, electricity, household systems, fiberglass and outboards have all paid for themselves in the years since. From sorting out my submerged outboard in Sydney when I couldn't find a vendor to service it, to rebuilding a water pump in the Tuamotus or troubleshooting and repairing the autopilot, it's been invaluable having these skills.

Even if you can't take professional-level courses, you will need to take some time to update your skills. If you aren't "mechanically inclined," then maybe your partner is. You can't rely on others for basic maintenance tasks, and you want to speak knowledgeably when things beyond your skill to repair break in foreign countries and remote places.

Navigation, Weather and Sailing

These are basic sailing skills, but it no longer surprises me in the day of YouTube and Patreon cruisers how many disregard their importance before setting sail. Time and again on social media discussions focus on what type of boat to buy without regard to the ability to sail it safely from point A to point B.

Perhaps I'm conservative, but knowing your boat and how it handles is critical. So is knowing how to find your way safely between ports while avoiding dangerous weather.

If you're newer to sailing, take classes. Sailing classes, navigation classes, even weather classes if you can. There are good online resources if time and budget limits you, but take steps to learn about what you're getting into. The Seven Seas Cruising Association , the American Sailing Association , and many other resources offer training courses on the web. Though there's no real substitute for time on the water, you can get many of the basic ideas to start.

If you want to get started immediately on the cheap, we have a great article on 9 Ways to Learn to Sail for Practically Free . There, you'll find a bunch of good resources to get you started. But nothing beats the real thing.

Charter a boat, or better yet if you live near water get your cruising boat a year or three before you're ready to leave and spend some time getting intimate with its systems. Sail it places, take long trips with overnight passages.

Provisioning

Cooking on a boat differs from cooking in a kitchen in a house. It's not just the lack of counter space, specialized gadgets, cooktop space, refrigerator capacity, enough burners, or a large oven. You have to re-think how you shop, what you eat, how you prepare it, and how you store it.

We've learned to make many of our favorites from scratch, whether it's pancakes, tortillas, or bread. The conveniences we have on land when a supermarket is a short drive away disappear or become very expensive. When cruising, time is an ingredient you have plenty of and we've discovered joy in making something better from scratch than you can buy in a package.

A collection of staples you can make things from not only saves you money, but saves you space since you're storing the components (flour, butter, baking powder, rice, pasta, cocoa, sugars, spices) instead of bulky boxes of cake mix, pancake mix, and shortcut rice and pasta dishes. With those basic elements we can make anything from a killer chocolate cake to one-pan copycat hamburger recipes.

We've also learned little tricks like having cream of tarter and baking soda to make our own baking powder, since baking powder doesn't last long in humidity. You pick up tips for what works in a lot of places, from other cruisers over sundowners to the internet to cooking forums on the web. We're always looking for better ideas and willing to share ours.

Our freezer is our top consumer of power, but it also allows us more flexibility and time in remote places. Meat and cheese bought in Panama carried us halfway across the Pacific, but it took planning and packing to make it work.

This is a tough question, because there are so many ways to cruise, and so many ways to solve problems when you live aboard. Someone with a large cruising kitty needn't be as self-reliant as someone in a small boat on a shoestring budget ... but they may still want to be. And "living aboard" can mean many things to different people.

Self Reliant & Independent

A liveaboard who can't solve problems and manage life without outside help will struggle. The assumption "out there" that you have some idea what you are doing. Cruising the world has a lot of alone time, outside the reach of others. There isn't always a lifeline.

Low Maintenance

Physical limits of storage, space and power prevent bringing a massive shoe collection or a full array of must-have gadgetry. Most of us don't have a lot of formal wear or fancy clothes on board, it just isn't practical. Not wearing shoes is a life goal.

Most cruiser gatherings are low key, impromptu, and informal. There's not a lot of room for fussing, and not a lot of judgment about what clothes or jewelry you wear. "Dinghy Hair" is a thing when you travel everywhere over in a small open boat, so most of us don't aim for a flawless hair look.

You don't have room to take everything with you. You will not have room for everything you want. You need to prepare for tough choices about what you need versus what you want. So if your wants are simple and you can live without many of the things we accumulate in modern society it will be an easier transition for you. If you take joy in the simpler things in life, you'll fit right in.

You can have a comfortable life though. Cruising shouldn’t mean camping, and most cruisers live in comfort. But it requires a more complex boat, driving up size and price. The more minimalist your viewpoint on life and possessions, the easier it is to live to a tighter budget.

The final decision is different for everyone, and the liveaboard lifestyle you choose will be unique to your personal habits and financial means.

To come up with an answer requires time spent the reality and exploring your own wants and realistic expectations. If it's the right choice for you, you won't notice the things you leave behind and you'll enjoy the things you learn.

There are other alternative lifestyles to choose from. Porch.com published a good Q&A article about it (featuring us as well), so if you're unsure whether boating is for you but like to explore other options, check out their article about alternative housing here.

Hi William,

this is super interesting - thank you so much for sharing.

As I am starting my sailing education with a goal to go cruising full time in a few years, I wanted to ask you a quick follow-up question. You mentioned you took some “courses on diesels, electricity, household systems, fiberglass and outboards” - could you please share more information on this? I’d love to take this kind of courses as well and would love to hear more about the specific recommendations you have.

William Porter

I took some courses at a local vocational technology school that had an associates degree program in Marine Technology - New England Institute of Technology. The typical profile of a student there was someone looking for a career working on and fixing boats, so the courses were in depth and technical with hands on lab work that made a big difference in how much I learned.

It was expensive and time consuming - I was considered a full time student while I was taking the courses - but well worth it.

While not everyone has the time to do that, there are other courses that you can take on nights and weekends to sharpen up your skills.

Thanks very much for writing this as it was eye opening and informative.

I’m 53, from Pennsylvania, a professional chef who’s semi retired as of this year. I’ve been thinking about buying a used bluewater sailboat as it’s been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. After reading your article I’m a little concerned that I may not have enough time at my age to learn everything that needs to be learned to sail safely. I’m fairly good at fixing things and problem solving but I’ve never taken pro courses for diesel, plumbing, electric, although I’ve fixed similar things in my business and home over the years. Most importantly I’m not a sailor but was planning on getting trained. I’m conservative as well as an old Boy Scout that likes to be prepared whether it’s prepping for a wedding of 350 or sailing across the Atlantic. Do you think I’m possibly too old to get properly ready for this undertaking or am I overthinking which is something I often do because I want everything to be right?

It’s Shawn here from Improve Sailing.

I don’t think you’re ever too old to learn, especially since the characteristics you’ve listed would make you particularly well disposed to learning the various fundamental sailing skills. When you’re ready to start learning, you can take a look here: https://improvesailing.com/sailing

Best of luck with your sailing dream,

Hi William! Just a quick question, how do you shower in the winter times?

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How to Live on a Sail Boat Full Time: All You Need to Know

Written by J. Harvey / Fact checked by S. Numbers

Table of Contents

1. Choosing the Location

2. what people you live have to say, 1. the essentials, 2. cost of living, 3. safety and security, 4. socialization and daily life, 5. living life sideways, final words and ready to sail.

Don’t just romanticize when settling in a sailboat because there are some things that you have to weigh in. It’s an unconventional lifestyle that necessitates the ability to adapt to changes, make preparation, and commit to organization.

Before getting on board for good, you need to gather information on how to live on a sail boat full time. You have to think of the essentials, comfort, daily life, connectivity, safety, and security.

You also have to adjust to a new home as you learn your balance and do stuff inside a sailboat. The following part discusses important things regarding this topic.

Are You Ready For A Full-Pledged Life In A Sailboat

Living in a sailboat full time is not for everyone. Thus, you have to ask yourself if you’re ready for a frugal lifestyle and carrying out daily maintenance. If you’re someone who truly loves water and natural elements, there’s no doubt you’ll be joyful about it.

Sailboats are the best choice if you wish to travel and not just stay in the same location. But first, some things should be a part of your decision, and they are as follow:

Your job can interfere with your decision. But you can always find the right choice to give way to it. You’ll find areas with reasonable proximity to water. As an example, the city canal barge is popular in the UK as sailors can take advantage of boat living options. Don’t forget to check on the availability as well as the cost of the docking stations.

Your partner or family has something to say about living in a sailboat. Those people will choose to live with you, so they have to agree with it. They should also be willing to limit things that are taken on board.

It’s tricky to bring small kids and even the bigger ones in a sailboat. They may struggle to live in it.

Important Things To Deliberate When Living On A Sailboat Full Time

You may leave your 2,000 square foot house for a 40-foot boat. When it happens, expect that cupboards are fewer, closets are smaller, and you won’t have as much space as before. To make the most of the available space, devote some time to de-clutter.

You can begin decluttering kitchen tools, clothing, and mementos. You may keep your business attire in your office and winter clothes in off-boat storage. Also, make sure that the boat’s interior is dry and warm with plenty of ventilation to avoid condensation and mildew, which will require you of a new set of tools and cleaners.

Another thing that you have to look at is connectivity. You may need marina Wi-Fi for TV and high-speed internet. This connection will keep you posted with work, family, friends, and entertainment.

Some skills are needed to keep your boat spic and span. You must know that sailboat maintenance can be more demanding than a house when it comes to frequency and distinction.

Basic electrical, plumbing, and mechanical skills are essential because systems inside a boat are less reliable than a house. Some opt for a contractor to fix issues as they can’t manage it by themselves.

Don’t assume that you can save from living on a boat. You can estimate and make a budget with these expenses:

• Boat insurance
• Boat mortgage payment
• Food and water
• Waste management

Just like with everything, expenses can be managed well when you stick with the budget. Insurance to live aboard boats can be as expensive as home insurance. It depends on the vessel’s size and value.

You can pay less on property taxes and electricity as you don’t need to heat, light, or cool an ample space. Moreover, you can save some bucks on waste management, water, and gas.

What you would likely spend more money on is the maintenance. Labor and marine parts cost 20% higher than the household equivalent. When you work on something in your boat and you have a job at the same time, you don’t get paid for the hours that you spend on the task.

In regards to this matter, it includes the decision of whether to let dogs, kids, and strangers in your sailboat. Be wise with your judgment; will it be okay to have them around? Installation of CO2 and smoke alarms, as well as propane sniffers, is important for onboard safety and security. You can also get an alarm that can detect CO2 and smoke at the same time.

Fire extinguishers should also be on board in case of fire hazards, and you have to regularly check them. You need to keep an eye on battery levels and bilge. For the sake of safety, you must find out the answers to the following queries as well.

• Is it safe to walk from the parking area to the slip even at night?
• Is my care secured being stored in a 24/7 garage?
• Who will give you a ring when your boat is on the list while you take a vacation?

Don’t be surprised but socialization at a marina is way better than in a neighborhood. It’s because everyone helps each other so it’s like a two-way street. If you wish to be by yourself, you’ll end up unseen in the corner of the marina.

Life on a sailboat will train you on how to tilt at least 20 degrees. You’ll do it when you walk, sleep, cook, and pee. This practice is a constant act of balance. The world inside a boat seems to be sideways most of the time.

At some point, you feel like you’re in a black and white movie with a room that rotates while there are people that dance on the wall and the ceiling. You may be in discomfort and frustration for the first few days.

With the help of muscle memory, adjustments will be made by your mind and body. The time will come that walking sideways is just the normal way of walking to you. You must be able to adapt to the boat’s tight layout and unexpected movements.

To deal with the motion, calculated movements should be observed. Moving around the boat is sometimes similar to how astronauts behave when they walk on the moon. In this case, the rule of the sea can help you and it’s by having your one hand on the ship while the other is for yourself.

This rule can be applied in every task that you make onboard. For example, I can’t take two plates at a time. I needed to dedicate two rounds for it instead. You may experience being tossed in the cabin too. You may get some scrapes and bruises but they will heal later as you’ve learned how to walk sideways.

The way on how to live on a sail boat full time is akin to a rollercoaster ride. It can sometimes be scary but it’s worth it after you put things in order. Since you know the important things you have to set before going on board, you’re good to go. Your expectations are also set in what may happen when living on a sailboat.

It won’t be hard for you to manage things in your sailboat with the right knowledge that this article has imparted to you. So, bon voyage and enjoy life at the sea!

Read more other topics about sailboat:

• Steps to paint a sailboat.
• What is the average speed of a sailboat?

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Sailboat Life

Sailboat Cruising and Lifestyle Magazine.

How to Live on a Sailboat for Beginners

This is a guide for how to live on a sailboat – but be warned, if you have any desire for the liveaboard lifestyle, you might quickly become on of us! Living aboard a sailboat requires an enjoyment of water, being okay with small living, and a sense of adventure. It’s not hard to begin living on a sailboat, but a few tips can help.

Let’s consider a few basic liveaboard questions first:

Is it living on a sailboat a good idea?

Living aboard a sailboat give you freedom that you won’t find in any other lifestyle. A suburban house can not be moved from place to place. But living on a sailboat gives you the options to live anywhere – literally in any country in the world! Living aboard a sailboat offers such a unique feeling of freedom to explore that you won’t find anywhere else.

Is living on a sailboat hard?

It is tough to live on a sailboat in a place like San Francisco where everyone is trying to escape super-high rent. In resort areas, many marinas have years-long waitlists for a liveaboard slip, and these slips cost double than a regular slip. However, not all places, in fact most places are easy to liveaboard.

Are you thinking about living aboard? Well, it takes time, planning, and preparation to being living on a sailboat. Here are a few videos to help you make a few calculations.

Adjusting to Liveaboard Life

Today, Emily sits down with 3 other female friends in the harbor to chat about how they transitioned from being landlubbers to liveaboard sailors in recent years. We’ll let you in on the conversation, and 4 different perspectives (though there are MANY others in the world).

• Emily, 34, aboard Temptress – liveaboard for 5 years
• Kris, 57, aboard Sixth Girl – liveaboard for 1 year
• Meredith, 44, aboard Tla Hla – liveaboard for 3 years
• Hannah, 26, aboard Sojourner – liveaboard for 2 years

How to Afford and Start Living Aboard

Your dream is to become a liveaboard? You want to know more about sailboat life, and what it means to live on a sailboat? You want to know how to afford living on a sailboat and how to afford staying liveaboards? How it feels to daily hoist the sail and follow the wind?

Start Small, Start Now

One philosophy in getting started living aboard a sailboat is to start small, start now. That doesn’t mean you have to buy a major refit project of a sailboat. You can get started in a small 24 foot single cabin boat for less than $10,000 or a mid-size 36 foot sailboat (see video below) for less than $60,000. Or grab a 1980s fixer upper that’s 42 feet in length that costs $25,000 – but beware, a fixer upper is a major expense even when you do it yourself.

Is Living Aboard for You?

No one can answer this question except you. However, if you enjoy freedom, have a sense of adventure, and love the water, then you might enjoy living aboard a sailboat.

We hope you enjoyed this how to guide for life on a sailboat for beginners. Leave us a comment or question a below.

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Life on a Sailboat: Everything You Need to Know About Living on a Sailboat Full-Time

Living on a sailboat full-time is often romanticized as a life of endless sunsets, gentle waves, and freedom on the open sea. Many dream of casting off the lines and setting sail for a horizon of adventure and tranquility. However, the reality of life aboard a sailboat can be as challenging as it is rewarding, as frustrating as it is relaxing, and, more often than not, as mundane as it is exciting.

This blog post aims to peel back the curtain on the picturesque scenes to reveal what daily life is really like when you call a sailboat home. We will dive into the motivations, preparations, joys, and challenges of living on a sailboat full-time, providing a realistic glimpse into a lifestyle that is far from ordinary.

Our Live-Aboard Life

Our dream of living on a sailboat was a distant one for many years. But as we watched plans and dreams fall by the wayside in the wake of COVID, we made the decision to make our dream a reality. Once the borders opened up, we made a beeline for the Mediterranean and have since spent each summer living aboard our little 29-foot sailboat Whisper. Without any experience sailing or living on a sailboat, we have taught ourselves to sail and manage life on the boat along the way.

Before we took up sail life, we had been living “van life,” and we’ve come to realize there are lots of similarities but quite a few differences between the two . However, on the whole, learning to live van life first put us in good stead to take on life on a sailboat. Unlike most people, we up-sized when we moved onto a boat.

Despite the upgrade in living quarters, the learning curve and the adjustment to living on the sea were no less challenging. Nevertheless, the shift was not as scary as we thought it might be, and the reality of living on a sailboat full-time quickly became our new normal.

Initially, our plan was to buy a boat and spend one season aboard sailing the Mediterranean before selling the boat and settling down. Instead, it’s safe to say we have fallen in love with life on a sailboat. Now, as we enter our third season, we aren’t sure when we will be ready to furl the sails for good…

Get a Taste of Life on a SailBoat

We document some of the realities of living on a sailboat full-time on our YouTube Channel in our The Vanabond Sails series.

Deciding to Live on a Sailboat

The journey to becoming a full-time live aboard often starts with the desire for change.

Some people are transitioning from one stage of life to the next as careers wind up or children move out. Some yearn for adventure and excitement, while others seek a simpler way of life. Many are drawn to the promise of freedom, the allure of the sea, and the appeal of living more closely with nature. However, the decision to live on a sailboat full-time is not one to be taken lightly. It requires thoughtful consideration and planning.

For us, it was a long-held dream to sail and live aboard a sailboat. It was also a natural progression, having spent several years living and traveling by van . We were ready for a new challenge. 

It began with a conversation, then a plan, and then trawling classifieds for second-hand boat sales. Before long, the decision was set in stone, and we were on our way to Croatia to buy a boat , learn to sail it, and move aboard. 

Choosing the Right Sailboat

The type of sailboat you choose is critical and depends on your budget, sailing skills, and the kind of sailing you plan to do (coastal cruising, bluewater voyaging, etc.).

Will you prefer the size and stability of a catamaran, or will you prioritize the sailing experience of a monohull? Are you looking for something small that’s easily controlled and maneuvered by a limited (and potentially inexperienced) crew, or do you require the space of a larger vessel? Are you interested in the clean lines and comforts of modern boat designs, or do you prefer the style of older boats? There are a thousand decisions to be made when choosing a boat, and your own aspirations for boat life and, of course, your budget will be critical when it comes to making this decision. 

Spend as much time researching boats that are available in your price range, ask questions of sailors you know or on sailing forums, and, if possible, spend time aboard different types of sailboats to get a clearer picture of what life is really like on board before making a purchase.

Check out our full article on buying boat .

Emotional and Practical Considerations for Sail Life

Living on a sailboat means embracing minimalism and being comfortable with the idea of having less space and possessions.

You’ll need to consider the impact of such a lifestyle on relationships with family and friends, as it can mean spending long periods away from loved ones.

The decision also involves considering how to manage work or income while living at sea , which might include remote work, seasonal jobs, or living off savings.

There are plenty of options for those planning on working remotely while sailing. With the rise of remote work , there has never been more opportunity to work and sail.

All of these considerations represent potential challenges to adjusting to life at sea, but they are certainly not insurmountable. You just need to be honest with yourself and decide if your love of the open water and the freedom of living aboard a sailboat will be greater than the inconveniences.

Preparations and Adjustments

Transitioning to life on a sailboat involves a series of preparations and adjustments, both practical and psychological, to ensure a smooth and sustainable living experience.

Training and Skills

If you are thinking about taking up sailing, you should, of course, invest time in learning to sail, navigate, and understand weather patterns. While this may seem like a daunting task, it’s not an insurmountable one. Time on the water is the most important thing, so it’s time to sign up for sailing courses, start planning trips with sailing friends, join a local sailing club, or seek out opportunities to crew for other sailors.

Learning basic boat maintenance and repair is essential to manage the myriad challenges that come with life at sea.

Safety courses, such as first aid, sea survival, and radio operation, are also crucial for handling emergencies.

These skills are important for safe and comfortable sailing and are often legally required. Make sure you are aware of the licensing and registration requirements for sailors in the region you are preparing to sail.

In our case, I had experience sailing small dinghies as a child and thus some understanding of the fundamentals, while Kelli had zero experience. My existing marine license issued in Australia was recognized in Croatia, where we bought our boat. I only needed to acquire a VHF radio license to become adequately certified for inshore sailing in the Mediterranean. 

We paid some local sailors to come aboard and teach us both the fundamentals of our new boat (lots of docking and anchoring practice).

Downsizing and Adapting to Limited Space and Resources

As mentioned, moving onto a boat was actually upsizing for us. With a second cabin, a flushing toilet, and a large indoor table, our relatively small 29-foot monohull seemed luxurious compared to the vans we had been living in until this point. 

However, for most, moving onto a sailboat often means significant downsizing, and space becomes a premium commodity. The process of downsizing for sail life involves prioritizing essential items and learning to live without the comforts of a traditional home.

Space isn’t the only limitation on a boat. Reliance on water tanks (if you don’t have a watermaker) and solar, wind, or generator electricity often means a downshift in access to creature comforts we take for granted in a house on the grid.

Creativity in organizing and making the most of limited space and resources becomes a daily practice, requiring innovative storage solutions and multi-functional furniture. Most modern sailboats are well-designed with endless space-saving measures and designs. Nevertheless, an adjustment will likely be necessary.

Financial Planning

Financial considerations are paramount, as the cost of living on a sailboat can vary widely depending on factors like marina fees, maintenance costs, and lifestyle choices.

Setting a realistic budget that includes regular maintenance, unexpected repairs, and living expenses is essential for sustaining life at sea.

Depending on your personal aspirations for boat life, this lifestyle can be as affordable or as expensive as you want to be. For us, as a couple in our thirties still in the building and saving part of our lives and careers, we are able to live on a boat in the Mediterranean affordably and comfortably for far less than we (estimate) we would spend living a more stationary lifestyle.

Check out our full article on the Costs of Living on Sail Boat Full-Time

Overall, adjusting to the confines and challenges of sailboat living demands not only physical preparation but also mental resilience and adaptability. The transition from land to sea is a profound shift, requiring a willingness to embrace simplicity, flexibility, and a sense of adventure.

Daily Life Aboard

While there is no typical day aboard, and experiences will differ wildly from person to person and day to day, we can describe what many of our days do look like.

As we work from the boat, our weeks are generally divided into work days, Monday to Friday morning and weekends. The truth is that the novelty does wear off, and many days, especially during the working week, become just as mundane as any other lifestyle. However it never stays mundane for long, one exhilarating sail, a dolphin sighting, a picture perfect anchorage or even surviving an impromptu weather event and the thrill of living on a sailboat quickly returns.

A typical workday for us living on a sailboat often starts with the sunrise (or a little bit before if we have a lot on). Ideally, we are well rested after a still night without rolling swell or, worse, strong wind, but that isn’t always assured at sea. Mornings involve checking the weather first and foremost, all plans revolve around the direction and strength of the wind and waves. 

If the weather is calm, we usually try to work in the mornings when we are fresh and focused.

We travel slowly, often spending a few days in a quiet, well-protected anchorage, on a town quay, or in a marina before moving on a short distance along the coast. On sailing days, we often sail in the afternoon when the winds are a bit stronger in the Mediterranean. On days we are staying put, the afternoon might be spent exploring a new town, getting provisions, swimming, or finding a beach to lie on and read a book. In the evening, we will cook dinner onboard and get some more work done or watch some TV. 

Weekends look different, and we will take advantage of not needing to be close to reliable network services, completing longer passages along the coast, or visiting islands. 

Daily Differences in Sail Life

Living spaces on a sailboat are compact and multifunctional, necessitating an organized and tidy approach to prevent clutter and ensure safety. Cooking in a small galley kitchen presents its challenges, from securing pots and pans on a constantly moving boat to managing limited ingredients and storage.

Meals often need to be simple yet nutritious, requiring creativity and planning. Our approach is to cook simple, one-pot, vegetarian meals like dal or vegetable curry two or three times during the workweek and eat leftovers for lunch and dinner. On the weekend, we like to get more creative with our meals, seeking out local produce or fresh seafood and taking our time to prepare something special.

As mentioned, resource management is a critical aspect of daily sailboat life, especially when it comes to conserving water, fuel, and electricity. Efficient use of these resources is vital, whether it involves careful water usage, monitoring power consumption, or planning the next opportunity to resupply. For us, an electricity supply is mainly dependent on the sun when we are not under motor or plugged into shore power. Extended periods of cloud can alter our plans. Similarly, if we are not careful with water, more frequent visits to refill are required, which can be limiting. 

Personal hygiene and privacy take on a new meaning in the confined space of a sailboat. Showers may be quick and infrequent. In our case, we generally rinse off after a swim to bathe and take proper showers during marina stops. Personal space is limited on a sailboat and managing personal relationships can have extra challenges.

Sleeping on the boat can take some getting used to, especially when on anchor. Even on a calm day, the constant rocking of the water can be disruptive at first, and novice sailors may find they get seasick, although these symptoms usually go away after a few days. When it’s windy, or there is some swell, the noise, movement, and the ever-present worry that the boat may pull off its anchor with the movement can make it very difficult to get a good night’s sleep. 

Unforecast storms, gear failure, or some other emergency can occasionally create scary and challenging scenarios, especially if disaster strikes late at night. These situations are part of the adventure but can certainly be stressful.

Despite the challenges, daily life on a sailboat is interspersed with moments of profound beauty and peace. Whether watching dolphins play in the bow wave, enjoying a sunset over the ocean, or stargazing on a clear night, these experiences often make the hardships worthwhile, offering a sense of freedom and connection to nature that is hard to find elsewhere.

The Pros and Cons of Living on a Sailboat Full-Time

Pros: the joys of sailboat living.

Living on a sailboat brings a unique set of joys and rewards that can make the challenges seem insignificant.

+ One of the most significant benefits is the sense of freedom and adventure. Sailboat dwellers have the luxury of exploring new destinations, anchoring in secluded bays, and experiencing different cultures in a way that most people never will. The ability to call a variety of picturesque locations home, even if only temporarily, is a remarkable aspect of this lifestyle. Even compared to other forms of nomadic lifestyle, waking up in your own private bay or cove is hard to re-create. 

+ The connection with nature is unparalleled in sailboat living. Being surrounded by the vastness of the ocean, witnessing marine life up close, and experiencing the rhythms of the sea create a deep sense of harmony and peace. The simplicity of life on a boat can lead to a greater appreciation for the small things, like the beauty of a sunset, the changing colors of the sea, or the silence of a night watch under the stars.

+ Community and camaraderie are also central to the sailboat lifestyle. The sailing community is known for its close-knit, supportive nature, with fellow sailors often ready to lend a hand, share advice, or offer companionship. This sense of community extends across harbors and anchorages around the world, creating a global network of friends and contacts.

+ The personal growth and self-reliance developed through sailboat living are profound. Navigating the challenges and unpredictability of the sea fosters resilience, problem-solving skills, and a strong sense of self-confidence. The lifestyle encourages continuous learning, from mastering sailing and navigational skills to understanding weather patterns and marine ecosystems.

The Cons: The Challenges and Hardships of Liveaboard Life

While the joys of living on a sailboat are plentiful, the lifestyle also comes with its fair share of challenges and hardships. These difficulties test the resilience and adaptability of those who choose this way of life.

– One of the most significant challenges is dealing with bad weather. Storms, high winds, and rough seas can be terrifying and dangerous, requiring skill, experience (which you can only get by …experiencing it), and a calm demeanor to navigate safely (perhaps the trickiest thing to achieve). The stress from poor weather can be mentally draining, disrupt work, and put a strain on relationships.

– The learning curve required to become a confident and comfortable sailor is not small and can take many seasons while mastering sailing can take a lifetime.

– The constant exposure to the elements also means that maintenance is a never-ending task, with saltwater and sun causing wear and tear that must be regularly addressed to keep the boat functional and safe. Especially on an older boat like ours, fixing and maintaining gear and rigging is an endless cycle. Most systems and hardware on the boat are essential, and when they fail, there is often no one around to help. Constantly sorting out jammed anchors, engine or electrical issues can quickly become tiresome and (if you are trying to work) quite disruptive. It can also be quite stressful when critical systems fail.

– Isolation is another aspect of sailboat living that can be challenging. Long periods at sea or anchored in remote locations can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection from land-based communities. The confined space of a sailboat can strain relationships, making it essential for the crew, be it a couple, a family, or friends, to communicate effectively and give each other personal space.

– The financial aspect of sailboat living can also be a hardship. Unexpected repairs and maintenance can quickly drain savings, and the cost of mooring, fuel, and supplies can add up. Sailors must be adept at budgeting and often need to be resourceful in finding ways to sustain their lifestyle, which might include picking up temporary jobs or remote work.

– The physical demands of managing a sailboat should not be underestimated. It requires strength, stamina, and a willingness to tackle everything from sail repairs to engine troubleshooting. The learning curve can be steep, and the responsibility of keeping the boat and its occupants safe is a constant pressure.

Despite these challenges, many sailboat dwellers find that the hardships are part of what makes the lifestyle rewarding. Overcoming difficulties and learning to live in harmony with the sea can provide a profound sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Final Thoughts About Life on a Sailboat

Living on a sailboat full-time is a journey that encompasses the full spectrum of human experience, blending moments of sheer joy and beauty with times of challenge and adversity. It’s a lifestyle that demands resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. While the romantic allure of sailing the high seas is undeniable, the realities of daily life on a sailboat are grounded in practical challenges and the necessity of continual learning and personal growth.

The decision to live on a sailboat should not be made lightly, as it involves significant changes in lifestyle, mindset, and social dynamics. However, for those who choose to embark on this adventure, it offers unparalleled opportunities for freedom, exploration, and connection with nature. The hardships encountered along the way are not just obstacles but also catalysts for growth, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

If you have a question about living on a sailboat full-time, let us know in the comments below or shoot us an email anytime!

Fair winds and following seas!

In 2016, I had been dumped by my girlfriend, fired from my job, and the lease on my house was running out. Facing moving back in with my parents, 26, jobless and alone I decided to listen to the message the universe was trying to send me. I took off on my first solo backpacking trip, with a one-way ticket to Bangkok and a well-thumbed Lonely Planet guide. From there I wandered Southeast and Central Asia, traveled the Great Steppe, and made my way across Russia and throughout Europe.

In Estonia I met Kelli, who, despite having a less frantic travel style, shared my my restless spirit and passion for exploration. Together, we embarked on a new journey, van life. Over four years we travelled across three different continents with three different vans.

In 2022, as the world began to re-open post COVID we took an opportunity to realise a long held dream, to live aboard a sailboat. Since then we have spent two summers in the Mediterranean, sailing and living aboard our little sail boat Whisper. When we aren't sailing we continue to live our nomadic lifestyle, guided by a philosophy of slow travel and self directed adventure be it by van or backpacking.

We find excitement through our journey into the unknown, stillness and content in the beauty of the places we discover and we find ourselves in the vastness of our world.

Hopefully, we can help you find what you're looking for too. Get lost with us and find your own path.

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Set Sail: How to Enjoy Living on a Sailboat to the Fullest

Whether it's your dream for retirement or your wish for tomorrow, living on a sailboat can be a dream come true. Believe it or not, this liveaboard life can work out well for families, couples or singles who are living on a variety of budgets. 

All you need is the will to make the jump to a liveaboard life and the energy to get your sailboat set up to accommodate your needs. 

And of course, you'll need a sailboat. There are other types of boats that people live on, like trawlers, but sailboats have plenty of advantages.

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Why Live on a Sailboat?

There are many reasons you might want to spend your days living on a sailboat. First of all, every day can be an adventure when you live aboard a sailboat. All you need to do is raise the anchor  and lines and hoist the sails and you can set off to make memories.

If you're looking for more downtime, living on a sailboat can also be wonderfully relaxing . Sailing on calm days or lounging about as you rest at anchor or in the harbor is just about the right speed of life for many people.

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Contrary to popular misconception, liveaboard life can actually be quite affordable . You just need to budget accordingly with an eye toward routine costs and unforeseen repairs, as well as covering the rare but catastrophic issues that can arise, such as a fire or even a sinking.

Before you commit to living on a sailboat, know that the lifestyle does come with more inherent danger (remember when we talked about sinking a few seconds ago?) and responsibility than life on land.

But your house or condo is never going to carry you out over the shimmering waters at sunset or help you haul in a prize-winning marlin or bass. When your sailboat is your home, you can live out these dreams and so many more.

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The way to enjoy liveaboard life? Be prepared for it.

A Quick Look at the Cost of Living on a Sailboat

If you're still actively working and earning income, it'll be important that you balance the cost of liveaboard life with your earnings and other expenses.

Many people live on a sailboat in retirement, and this requires even more careful planning. This is true first because your net worth is likely fixed or at least largely static (stock dividends and bonds might keep making you money, for example) but also because you probably won't spend the rest of your life on a boat.

Dodging the jib might be fine in your sixties and even your seventies, but it's probably not ideal much after that. Unless it is, and that's great.

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Insurance Costs

While boat insurance isn't mandated in all parts of the United States, when your sailboat is your home, you're going to want to have it insured.

Sailboat insurance is generally calculated as around 1.5% of the boat's value, so a sailboat that's worth $40,000 will cost you around $600 to insure each year, and that's a small price to pay in the scheme of things.

Marina Costs

The fee a marina charges you to use a slip varies widely around the country (and the world) so there's no good range of costs to use.

In San Diego, you'll pay around $1,000 per month in many marinas.

In Baytown, Texas you'll pay only around $250 per month for a boat between 35 and 40 feet in length.

Do the research based on your area, and watch out for additional liveaboard fees, which are common.

Scraping, Painting and Other Maintenance

Every few years, you need to get a sailboat entirely out of the water and have it thoroughly cleaned, scraped of barnacles, repainted and generally repaired and maintained. This can cost several thousand dollars, so assume $1,000 per year is a safe bet, even though it's not an annual expense.

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Unless you're able to live a very stripped-down lifestyle indeed, chances are good that you'll want to own more worldly possessions than you can store on your boat.

If you don't have friends or family around who are willing to let you stash boxes and bins of sundry goods at their homes, then you'll need to rent some storage space on land. This usually costs only between $50 to $100 per month, but everything adds up.

Water, Electricity, Fuel, Etc.

You need water to drink, bathe and cook, electricity for lights and radios and various types of fuel for heaters, stoves and (for most sailboats, anyway) for the backup engine.

Some marinas include power and water in their fees, but many don't. Do the research ahead of time and, if need be, do the math, too.

Setting Up Your Sailboat as Your Home

A sailboat offers freedom and adventure and often an affordable lifestyle, but one thing it doesn't offer is a plethora of free space. You'll be confined to a few hundred square feet of living area, with about 300 square feet serving as a decent average.

Many sailboats come with cabins that are hard to move or reconfigure, but you can still choose how you use the space.

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Bedding Down

Your bedroom on a sailboat is probably not going to serve only for sleeping. It will likely also be your office, your den and your closet.

Choose the smallest bed you can comfortably sleep in and consider a setup that allows the bed to fold out of the way or also be used as a seat.

Make sure to maximize storage space underneath the bed.

Bathroom (AKA Head)

A boat's bathroom is going to be small and cramped. Just accept that. The head is also a frequent location for the growth of mold and mildew , as it's often moist and usually closed off. 

One good way to combat these issues is to rig up the door to stay open when the bathroom isn't in use. Also consider adding a fan, a  dehumidifier  and dehumidifier refill bags .

Speaking of boat bathrooms, you'll want to be sure to use marine and RV toilet paper , which is specifically designed to break down so that it doesn't clog marine septic systems . 

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Better Boat's mildew stain remover is perfect for use on boat covers, seats and tops as well as tents, outdoor furniture and other items. It removes stubborn stains to make the upholstery look new. Use on vinyl , fiberglass, plastic, tile, grout and canvas. 

Kitchen (a.k.a. Galley)

Your boat's kitchen is probably not going to be suitable for preparing a five-course banquet for 15 people. Oh well. What you can do to maximize its useful space is get creative.

That sink need not be wasted counter space, for example. Buy or fashion a cutting board that neatly covers it for when you're prepping a large meal.

And use your fridge wisely. Any food that doesn't need cold storage can be kept in cabinets or even in another room entirely, say under the bed, for example.

Folding furniture is key when you live aboard a sailboat. It's good to have at least one or two comfortable chairs and/or a couch, but as much as possible, use furniture that folds down for storage and for easy movement.

You can use a folding chair as extra seating in the cabin, on deck or on the dock, which will become your new front yard.

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Three Great Places to Live Aboard a Sailboat

Your sailboat is your home, but where you have that home tied up matters, too. You already know to look for costs associated with the marinas of various areas, but here are three reasons to consider these three locations other than money.

When you live aboard a sailboat in Boston, you're right beside the downtown area. You can even walk from several marina locations to centers of business, commerce and culture.

So, if you want great professional opportunities or you want to enjoy an urban lifestyle while still living on a boat, Boston is a great place to consider.

If you prize consistently warm, mild weather and you don't want to deal with the hurricanes that often swirl their way across Florida, then Southern California (specifically San Diego), is a great place to live aboard a sailboat. The days are hot in the summer but the nights are cool all year round.  

Great Lakes

Living aboard a sailboat in any of the Great Lakes of North America means getting to enjoy all four of the year's seasons. Yes, it gets cold in the winter, but the fall and spring are both mild and lovely. During the warm summers, you can always take a dip.

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Is Living on a Sailboat a Good Idea?

In short, yes. Yes, it is. It just takes extra planning ahead, being ready for a contingency place to spend some time if there's a bad storm or if your boat needs repairs, and other such long-term thinking.

In taking the very long view, just know that if you plan to retire onto your boat, you'll almost surely have to move at least once more in your life, but hopefully not for a good many years.

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We live and work on a sailboat full-time while traveling around the world — even with high-powered jobs

• Ryan Ellison and Sophie Darsy were living in Stockholm when they decided to buy a sailboat.
• The couple set off in 2016 with the plan to sail for a year while working remotely.
• Eight years later, they are still sailing. The couple shared how they juggle work and travel.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ryan Ellison and Sophie Darsy about living and working full-time on a sailboat. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Ryan: In 2016, I sent a WhatsApp message to my girlfriend, Sophie Darsy, about a couple who sold all their belongings to cruise the world on a sailboat.

Imagine my surprise when Sophie said she'd be willing to do it for a year.

Since then, we've built a life we love and found success in fulfilling and important careers — all while living on the boat.

We've had medical emergencies, weathered bad storms, and struggled both on a relationship level and with our mental health.

We'd both bought apartments in Stockholm during the crazy housing-market days, so we were able to take some equity out of those apartments to buy our 40-foot boat, the Polar Seal.

Sophie: Before we embarked, Ryan had just taken on investors in a battery-tech startup he'd founded in 2015 with his college roommates.

Ryan: Sophie was recovering from corporate burnout and had just begun her journey as a creative.

We thought we'd try sailing for a year in 2016 and return to Sweden. Eight years later, our apartments are rented long-term, and we're still adventuring.

We organize sailing around our work

Ryan: For every week we sail, we are on anchor or in port for five or six weeks. Regardless of being at sea or in port, we still work like everyone else — with a few adjustments.

We have to work whenever we can, sometimes even in the middle of the night.

That's because Sophie advises companies in Europe and I work with the US. We often have different office hours from each other and our coworkers, especially if we're in a more remote part of the world.

One of us might need to be on a call while we're sailing, and while technology such as Starlink has made it easier to stay connected, it isn't fail-proof. We plan our travel and leisure around our work schedules.

Sailing changed our career paths

Sophie: When Ryan took the risk of living on a boat while scaling his startup, he left his job at another startup in Sweden.

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His company, Dakota Lithium , had only been around for a year when we set sail. Ryan worked remotely with his team to continue scaling — all while at sea.

Our boat was the first to have Dakota Lithium batteries installed. Because of our positive experience, other boaters have also put Dakota Lithium batteries in their vessels. Now the company is a major battery brand in sailing.

Ryan: Sophie began documenting our adventures and cracking jokes on camera with a DSLR, a great camera, given to her by a friend. What started out as a hobby turned into a professional YouTube channel . Now, Sophie makes a living from filming.

Sophie wanted flexibility in her work, so she also began consulting with companies to create e-learning content — an extension of her video-editing career.

For both of us, sailing allowed us the freedom to reinvent our careers as well as our personal lives.

We manage our alone time differently than most couples

Sophie: On the boat, we share a tiny space 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We work side by side in the cabin all day. Ryan's work requires him to be on the phone a lot, whereas my work requires me to focus a lot.

Doing both at the same time is really difficult to do in such a small area, so we have to communicate effectively.

After work, we sail together and spend evenings exploring ports or the open sea. Having our relationship in a healthy place is an important part of making this life work.

We've learned that while other couples have breaks in their relationships throughout the day, we take ours in large chunks.

Ryan: A few years ago, when Sophie approached me saying she wanted to go home to France for some alone time, I felt threatened. However, we realized that we needed time apart to keep life on the boat enjoyable.

We have a great couples' therapist helping us navigate this unique situation.

Getting our dog Barnacle has also helped because it encourages us to get off of the boat to take her for walks.

When we have the opportunity, one of us will get a desk at a coworking space or take time to go to the gym — all ways to keep this lifestyle sustainable.

The reward of living on the sailboat is extremely high, but so is the cost

Ryan: Living on a boat for six years is a dream for some people. The truth is that we hold each other's lives in our hands.

When Sophie got a third-degree burn off the coast of Africa, I had to act as her medic until we sailed to Spain for professional help.

Living on a sailboat means working together and trusting each other as crewmates as well as partners — all of which require excellent communication.

What it costs to sail full-time

Sophie: The cost of living on the boat can also vary drastically, depending on what part of the world you are in and what you are doing.

As Ryan always says, you can live on a boat on whatever budget you have — from almost nothing to living like a king.

In Northern Europe, we could get by on $1,500 a month. But in Bermuda, everything — from anchoring and marina fees to insurance to food — is significantly more expensive.

We take breaks from sailing to spend time with family and friends

Ryan: Sometimes, we need to take a vacation from it all, so we leave the boat for a couple of months out of the year and go to land. This lets us spend more quality time with our families in France and Iowa. If we don't stay with family, we stay with friends or rent an Airbnb.

Wherever we are, we still work. But on land, daily amenities like a flushing toilet, a dishwasher, and unlimited showers make life more convenient.

While at sea, we miss having a supportive community around us. We've had to learn to make friends fast and say goodbye fast, both of which are hard. We've had to cultivate a strong relationship because we are everything to each other on the water.

We want to get a bigger boat

Ryan: Our next big adventure involves buying a more purposeful boat with a separate workspace for each of us and room for a bit more crew.

For the time being, we're about to move into our first apartment in six years. Annapolis, Maryland, will be home base for the foreseeable future, though we will continue sailing.

As Sophie has always said, we wanted to build our work around the life we wanted to live. Eight years on, we've done just that.

Watch: This couple quit their jobs and used their wedding budget to sail the world

• Main content

How To Live on a Sailboat

Living on a sailboat can be a rewarding experience, especially if you come prepared and make strategic lifestyle adjustments.

Living on a sailboat is possible if you find the right boat, stay organized, manage maintenance and utilities effectively, make an income, and choose a suitable marina. Anyone who follows these steps can live a frugal and comfortable life on a sailboat.

In this article, we’ll cover all the major points and lifestyle adjustments necessary to live a clean and comfortable life on a sailboat. Additionally, we’ll cover some of the benefits and go over the technical steps you’ll need to take to keep your boat in good shape.

We sourced this information from experienced liveaboards and included the lessons they learned from living on a boat.

Table of contents

‍ Decide if the Liveaboard Life is Right for You

Living aboard a sailboat can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. Many live aboard for adventure, and others choose to live a more laid-back lifestyle and reduce their living expenses. Regardless of your reasoning, it’s important to consider the realities of living aboard and the sacrifices you’ll have to make.

Living aboard requires careful attention to maintenance, good organization, and an actual desire to live the lifestyle. You can successfully live on a sailboat without experience if you’re willing to make some changes to your lifestyle, reduce the amount of stuff you own, and stay on top of maintenance.

Is Living Aboard Common?

Yes, many people live aboard sailboats. It’s legal in most places, and there’s a relatively large online community dedicated to the practice. The majority of people who live on sailboats do it because they love sailing and the lifestyle.

Liveaboard Sailboat Utilities

Like a house, your sailboat needs utilities if you plan to live aboard. These systems have been well-integrated over the years, so it’s pretty easy to get power, water, and fuel for living aboard. Here’s how utilities work on a liveaboard sailboat.

Power, Water, and Sewage

When living in a house or apartment, the only time you really have to think about power, water, and sewage is when the bill is due—or when it stops working. On a sailboat, these things aren’t so hands-free.

Boats store water and sewage in tanks. Usually, a sailboat has a freshwater tank (for drinking) and a greywater/black water tank (for sewage). Eventually, these tanks will be full and need to be dumped, but you don’t have to rely on your freshwater tank when living aboard.

Most liveaboards hook their sailboats up to shore power using a special marine extension cord and a dock outlet. Water is connected this way as well, and some marinas offer sewage hookups at each dock.

However, you’ll probably have to pump out your septic tank at a separate location every so often. Plus, marinas charge for power and water.

Saving Water and Power on a Sailboat

Conservation is key to a convenient and clean life on a sailboat. You may have unlimited fresh water from a shore connection, but your septic tank will eventually get full. This may necessitate taking shorter showers and other water-saving steps, which are good habits to develop anywhere.

Additionally, your sailboat’s electrical system is designed to operate with or without shore power. This makes it relatively easy to install solar panels or a wind turbine, which (with a battery bank) can completely eliminate your dependence on shore power.

Liquid Fuel

Sailboats usually don’t have electric or gas appliances. Instead, sailboat stoves and heaters usually run on liquid fuel such as kerosene, alcohol, or diesel. Unlike a house, you’ll need to haul in fuel and use it safely and conservatively.

Alcohol stoves are the cleanest, but diesel heaters are the most common. These systems must ventilate correctly and be free of leaks, and you have to clean them once or twice per season to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Liquid Fuel Alternatives

Liquid fuel can be messy, smelly, and dangerous if used or stored improperly. Most sailors don’t like having a diesel tank in their living room (understandably so), so they use practical alternatives.

For heating, you can use an electric heater when connected to shore power, provided your wiring is safe enough. Figure out what gauge of wiring your 110-volt system uses, and hire an electrician to retrofit it if the wiring is too thin.

Another alternative is propane, which is cheap and cleaner than diesel or kerosene. Propane stoves used for camping fit on top of liquid-fuel stoves, and they’re a great choice for cooking when in the dock. Additionally, portable indoor propane heaters can be used, provided you have adequate ventilation.

CO Detection

Always install at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your boat, regardless of what kind of fuel you use inside. A sailboat cabin is essentially a ziplock bag and the perfect environment for carbon monoxide to settle.

Install the meter near the floor, as carbon monoxide tends to sink. Additionally, an extra meter in your sleeping area is a great idea as well. Always test your meter before using a propane heater inside, and keep a window cracked or a vent fan on regardless of the outside temperature.

How to Choose a Sailboat to Live Aboard

Choosing a sailboat to live on is the first step in the process. You’ll have to first determine what kind of a sailboat you want, your budget, and what level of space and comfort you’re looking for.

The smallest feasible liveaboard sailboat (in which you can be hygienic and stand up straight) is about 20 feet in length, though the average size ranges from 26 feet to 40 feet. This is strictly speaking for monohull sailboats, as multihulls like catamarans have very different size and space standards.

The average comfortable liveaboard for one or two people is about 30 feet in length. A boat like this is affordable on the used market and includes everything you need to live a normal and healthy life.

A 30-foot sailboat almost always includes a shower, a full-size marine galley for cooking (with an icebox), a comfortable sleeping area, and a separate space for dining and working. You’ll likely have additional sitting areas too, and a chart table for navigating.

Anything beyond 30 feet will add additional space, but the accommodations will be about the same. A boat 25 feet and longer will likely have good standing headroom, which is a necessity for the vast majority of liveaboards.

Liveaboard Sailboat Prices

Finding a boat is largely a budget issue. Thankfully, there are lots of used sailboats on the market that are suitable to live in and relatively inexpensive. New sailboats cost upwards of $150,000–but don’t use this price as a benchmark for used sailboats.

The majority of suitable liveaboard sailboats can be found for less than $50,000, and a little bit of searching can get you a nice liveaboard for $10,000 or less. This makes the lifestyle an affordable option for many people, especially if you have a house or a car to sell prior to purchasing your boat.

The price of a used sailboat doesn’t necessarily predict its value or condition. Used sailboats, especially those 30 to 50 years old, don’t have pricing guides like cars do. Additionally, the maintenance and docking requirements often prompt owners to sell for far less than they’re worth.

Sailboat Accommodations

The minimum accommodations you’ll need to live aboard are a galley (kitchen), a table for eating and working, and a head with a toilet and a shower. Almost all cabin sailboats have a berth (bed), even if they don’t have anything else.

You’ll want a sailboat with electrical power too. Most sailboats produced after the 1940s are equipped with electric lighting and outlets, so just make sure that they work. All of these features can be found on sailboats 25 feet and larger.

Sailboat Condition

Condition is another important element to consider, and it can make or break your liveaboard experience. A sailboat with mold, leaks, a messed up electrical system, or other systemic problems can hamper the quality of life and be more trouble than it’s worth.

Cosmetic repairs are much easier to deal with than other problems, and you can always reupholster the interior. When given the option, choose a sailboat that’s solid and sanitary over one that looks good but has serious issues.

How to Stay Organized on a Sailboat

Staying organized is a big part of living aboard, and it can make the experience much more enjoyable and practical. In fact, liveaboards say that staying organized is one of the most important skills to develop. Here are some tips for staying organized aboard a sailboat.

Downsize Your Tools

Everyone needs a certain set of tools to live a clean and healthy life. These include cleaning equipment, dishes, pots and pans, and so on. On a sailboat, your primary constraints are space, power, and water, so you’ll have to develop a system that makes the most out of each.

Start with your cleaning equipment. Toss out that large vacuum and replace it with a dust buster. A well-made dustbuster-type vacuum can easily keep a sailboat clean, even if you have pets. It’s worth splurging on the best one you can find, as you’ll get more out of the space and electricity with a high-quality unit.

Next, change your habits to reduce the amount of cleaning you have to do. Try to minimize crumbs and spills by eating only at the table, and use glasses designed for sailboats.

Additionally, you can reduce the size of your cooking utensils and wash them immediately instead of using a second or third pan before doing the dishes. You’d be surprised by how much stuff you can do without if you’re conscientious about what you use.

Dedicate Storage Spaces

Dedicate storage spaces aboard to specific types of items. For example, choose a cupboard for cleaning supplies and figure out how to fit everything you need inside. Keep safety equipment in one area, and be sure to separate dirty from clean items.

For example, you can choose a cockpit locker for storing sails, engine tools, and other items to keep the smell and grime of diesel fuel, oil, and fiberglass resin away from your living space. Sailboats are often filthy because outdoor items are stored inside, but you can break this trend by separating them into logical spaces.

Many sailors store clothing underneath sitting areas, and you can keep them clean by using vacuum-seal bags or plastic boxes. Glasses can be stowed overhead, and books can be kept on exposed shelves.

Buy Smaller Items

This will cost more initially, but using supplies conservatively can offset the cost. Things like soap bottles, toothpaste tubes, and paper towel rolls are usually purchased in bulk but are available in smaller quantities.

It’s cheaper to buy in bulk, this is true. But some items that take up lots of space in bulk simply aren’t worth sacrificing a sitting area or an entire box of clothing for. Over time, you can use the smaller quantities to become aware of how much you use and how to reduce costs.

Reduce Garbage

We produce a lot of trash. Trash is the most useless waste of space aboard a sailboat and also one of the worst contributors to unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions. The simplest solution is to stop using as much disposable stuff as possible.

A dish rag used instead of paper towels will reduce costs, save space, and last infinitely longer. Avoid buying items with excessive packaging, and if you do, dispose of the package onshore before bringing it aboard.

This is a great opportunity to eat healthier, too. Many liveaboards live without a microwave, as it saves space and vastly reduces the amount of processed food and food packaging trash you produce.

Instead of throwing out extra food every day, cook portions that you can finish. You’ll have to shop more often, but you’ll have more fresh food every day and your health will improve in the long run.

Downsize Your Stuff Collection

The most dramatic shift that new liveaboards have to contend with is the lack of space. There’s simply not enough space on a sailboat to store years of stuff. Unused Christmas presents, old shoes, that workout machine you got at a yard sale—it’s all gotta go.

Things like photo albums and hard drives should be kept (maybe offsite), but other items can almost always be disposed of one by one.

An easy way to choose what to donate or throw away is to lay everything out on your driveway and sort through each item individually. Address each item one by one, and decide if it’s indispensable. After you’ve chosen all of the things you need, the rest of the space can be used for the things you don’t need but want to keep.

How to Make Money Living on a Sailboat

Another necessity when living aboard is money. Unless you’ve got a major nest egg, you’ll need to work and make a living somehow. Decades ago, this was complex, as there were few jobs on the waterfront that paid well and didn’t break your back. But today, you can make a full-time living without stepping foot onshore.

Remote Work and Freelancing

Remote work is the best prospect for making a liveaboard income. The minimum required to survive is between $1,000 and $2,000 per month, and virtually everyone can utilize or learn a skill to make money online.

Freelance careers, such as writing, web design, or coding, are a great option if you have the skills or want to learn, and entry-level opportunities are available. Additionally, personal assistant jobs are a way to go if you have experience in that field or want to give it a shot.

If you already have a job, enquire if it’s possible to work remotely. Today, many types of work can be accomplished remotely, including everything from mortgage underwriting to accounting.

Living aboard is the perfect opportunity to start a career, such as photography. The reduced expenses and location give you an opportunity to learn the ropes without going broke in the interim, and you can do virtually everything involved with an internet connection and shore power.

Boat Repair

Living aboard a sailboat puts you in the best environment for boat repair work. Skilled mechanics, carpenters, and handymen can find work almost anywhere that boats are stored. You’ll have to ask around, but liveaboard mechanics are indispensable in many areas.

Engine repair pays very well—upwards of $50/hour—as local mechanics like liveaboards can charge below shop rates. Fiberglass and hull cleaning gigs can net several hundred dollars per boat, and cosmetic/interior repairs also pay generously.

Finding a Place to Dock

Finding a marina is one of the most frustrating steps to living aboard, as location has a big impact on cost and the viability of living aboard. Some marinas encourage liveaboards, but others ban it outright.

A good medium is a clean marina with a few liveaboards, as these areas encourage responsible living and quickly expel people who don’t respect the area. Piles of garbage on derelict boats are unsanitary and shouldn’t be found in the best marinas.

The best way to find a marina is to call all the local docks and inquire about living aboard, price, and general atmosphere. Additionally, pay each marina a visit to see what it’s like in person. Try to talk with other liveaboards about marina management, hidden costs, and how they like the experience. This can save headaches down the road.

Where to Learn More

The liveaboard community online is sizable, especially on platforms such as YouTube. If you’re looking for insights, spend some time on the internet searching for videos and forums on the topic.

Lots of channels are dedicated entirely to living aboard, and you can learn a lot about day-to-day tasks and realities. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn vicariously and improve your liveaboard experience, and it gives you an opportunity to meet other people who share your new lifestyle.

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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