I knew two separate guys, both retired, who lived aboard sailboats. Coincidentally, they were both Morgan Out Island 28s.

Slept on a docked sailboat a few times in college.
V-Bed in the bow, light bob. Slept like a baby, loved it.

Not sure if could do it full time, though

Agreeing with most others. It's a romantic thought, but in reality, I think you'd find it old pretty quickly.

Bareboat charter once a year to get your fix and then go home.

Check this guy out. They went around the world with zero experience but they’re still at it.
https://www.bumfuzzle.com/

Yup, first one was a 60’ houseboat , two berthing compartments-slept 9 men on either side, galley, 2 showers but Uncle Sam sold it after 2 years and we had to move ashore to a new station.

Then I lived aboard a 110’ boat with all the amenities to include a cannon. But no washers, and we only had enough food for a week…sooo

Then it was on to bigger things like a 270’ one with a hundred other passengers and a helo! Woo hoo- this one had a laundry, but it was DIY- and only on your day….

I know I could live aboard one but only if it was a large yacht not a sailboat. And there’s no room for any of your stuff.

It could be "we're getting too old to continue to go boating".

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Ask those "Boomers" WHY they are selling off those boats!
There's a difference between "It's not what we thought it was going to be" and "It's getting too expensive"

Mrs DF wants a houseboat. I want an offshore superboat. So we’re at a merciful impasse.

quote:

Anyone ever live on a boat?

No, but I've crawled down into a tight space to use a "bathroom". That's enough.

Living on a boat without traveling from place to place is just making compromises without getting anything in return. What I would put up with(out) while island hopping the Bahamas is different from the same if just living on a boat here in Jax.

I was thinking 55-80’

The marina fees/options get high for the 70-80’ ones, but really nicely maintained ones, set up for shorthanded sailing are going for very reasonable amounts.

Over 80’, they seem to need professional crew. Saw one interesting one which says it was single handed by a couple every summer until they got too old. (Every broker I’ve talked to has said either “owner has died”, or “spouse has died” or “can no longer go in the boat.”

I am only looking at well-maintained older ones. Too much shoddy work in the newer ones I looked at, and part of me thinks that a boat which has been well kept for 20+ years is something enjoyable to sail.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
Mrs DF wants a houseboat. I want an offshore superboat. So we’re at a merciful impasse.

Tie the superboat up alongside the houseboat

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Ask those "Boomers" WHY they are selling off those boats!
There's a difference between "It's not what we thought it was going to be" and "It's getting too expensive"

As the old adage goes: Your two happiest days as a boat owner are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it

I have not lived on a boat, was a boater for years. Wife and I weekended on boats for 20 years, 30 ft express styles. My take on liveaboard is at least a trawler, sailboats have no room. Trawlers go where you want to go without a lot of effort. We bareboated a 49 ft and 46 ft Grand Banks in the Virgin Islands, I could live on the 49 ft. A small family probably could, too, but they aren't cheap.

A friend lived aboard his 37 ft Silverton in Red Bank, NJ for a couple of years, one winter was brutal and he had to go to a motel for a bit. He had some health issues and finally got a townhome, sold the boat.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Ask those "Boomers" WHY they are selling off those boats!
There's a difference between "It's not what we thought it was going to be" and "It's getting too expensive"

As the old adage goes: Your two happiest days as a boat owner are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it

BT/DT!
38' Fountain.
Soooo happy when the deal went through!

quote:

Originally posted by AUTiger89:
It could be "we're getting too old to continue to go boating".

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Ask those "Boomers" WHY they are selling off those boats!
There's a difference between "It's not what we thought it was going to be" and "It's getting too expensive"

Ya won't know until you ask!

We used to go to BVI on vacation with four of us on a 44 ft.
Living on one full time? No way.

Lived aboard a 38' sailboat for 4 years. I was single then. Had a girlfriend live in for a year. I was glad I had the opportunity to do it. But it is extremely expensive. Plus you rarely have a day off. There's always something you need to repair or do maintenance on. And you have to live a minimalist lifestyle. Before you buy anything you're not going to eat you have to take measurements and plan a spot for it.

^^^ It sounds very romantic. If I was young and single I might try it too.

But where would I put all the ammo?
"Buy it cheap, and stack it deep" doesn't seem to work on boats.

I’m with the consensus here. But I applaud your willingness to consider it.

I had a friend when I was in grad school who lived on a beautiful 49’ S&S but as was said above he was always working on something.

During that time I was into competitive sailing (Did the SORC twice, Block Island to mention a few) and also raced a J29 in a solo race. Now granted racing and cruising are two completely different animals but there’s a lot of things to do on a boat when you’re under way. I can’t imagine handling a bigger boat for any length of time.

Is there any way you could charter one for a month or so and try it out?