While not a boat owner, I've stayed aboard several live-aboard dive boats...and I would not want to be in that space for more than a single-week.

As others have pointed-out, space is at a premium, its not a great mystery why the majority of people who enjoy sailing full-time, spend the vast majority of their time in warmer environments. If you're in a region with more than one season, the space needed for clothing and gear takes-up all available room. Food prep, storage and cooking will be challenging, when the one-pot meal recipes have all been exhausted, doing anything beyond that will be a source of frustration. Can't imagine having kids aboard, one parent will be completely occupied with watching them, while the other is having to do all 'the boat things', never mind the close quarters that'll wear everyone out.

I’ve had my sailboat for almost 32 years, and lived aboard half the time for 11 years. My wife and I are gearing up to buy a larger more capable boat for retirement. We’re based in the Chesapeake, but plan to spend more time cruising the coast and Caribbean. Obviously not for everybody, but we love it. Nothing like a secluded anchorage, dinner on the grill, a glass of wine in hand, watching ospreys and eagles fish for their dinner while the sun slips the horizon. Or Dolphins catching a ride in your wake

On a sailboat, size matters, but so does design. A revolution began in the early nineties when bows became plumb, beams were carried aft, and topsides got tall which allowed larger more plentiful portlights and hatches, and with them light. Today, a 36’ boat will have the room of a 41+ footer from the eighties. We chartered a 2023 Jeaneau 440 for 2 weeks with another couple in the BVI in January and found it to be perhaps too big for us. 20k lbs of displacement handled 10’ northerly swells comfortably, but felt more disconnected from the sailing experience, and made docking and reverse with twin helms and rudders an adventure in crosswinds. Currently, another revolution is in full swing. Catamarans. They’re not for everybody, but if you want light and space, they have them in spades. Used to be older sailors moved to trawlers, now it’s more likely to be a cat with power winches for push button sail handling.

I also love the community. Sailors tend to be older, experienced, adventurous, generous, and very capable. As a group, these guys can really fix and fabricate. The demographic for sailors is aging for a number of reasons, but yes, boats are expensive specially when you don’t know how to fix anything. Getting ready for sailing season today I replaced the T&P valve on the water heater, stripped and repaired a 2-speed winch, pulled down the headsail to inspect and lube the furling and make a small repair on the sail, retaped rigging sharps on turnbuckles and lifelines, and pulled the speed sensor to clean growth and paint with anti-fouling. I figure I saved about $800 in boatyard labor, and enjoyed doing it.

And Jimmy, if you think sailboats are loud, I think you’re doing it wrong.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jigray3,

Does the USS Kitty Hawk count?

@jigray3 You mean, when they got ugly?

I’ve been thinking about a cat. I realize they are probably the most practical choice - especially for the Caribbean.

I’ll probably pick up something to try out (I had dinghies and a buoy racer but never traveled by sailboat), before it’s “rent out the house and sail off”.)

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
@jigray3 You mean, when they got ugly?

Yes, I do. I love the lines and craftsmanship on a classic Hinckley or Morris, but pretty sure I don’t want to own one. I will not give up a walk through sugar scoop transom, 6’8” headroom, 80” long berths, or a dry head with separate shower, and have no interest in laying 8 or 9 coats of varnish on teak. What’s happened in sailboats is not unlike what’s happened in new home construction. Think transitional architecture, open floor plans, and huge square footage. Think low maintenance Hardy Plank siding and Trex decking. It’s merely a response to consumer demand, and is also why you see very few sailboat offerings on the 30-40’ range at boat shows.