Living on a boat is a dream for many, offering a unique lifestyle filled with adventure and tranquility. However, like any living situation, it comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. Things that were simple in a house are much more time consuming or difficult at sea, but conversely there are things you can do living on a boat that just aren't possible on land.
We have been living aboard our Leopard 45 catamaran for a few years now and despite our rollercoaster ride of an experience with warranty issues, we're still committed to a life at sea. Based on our real life experience, here’s a look at the pros and cons of living on a sailboat.
Pros of Living on a Boat
Starting with the positives, these are the things that keep us motivated even when live aboard life gets tough.
1. Freedom and Mobility
One of the most significant benefits of boat life is having the freedom to lift anchor and move your home whenever you want. You can sail to different countries and cities, exploring everything they have to offer without leaving the comforts of home.
Living on a boat creates opportunities to experience different cultures and environments, and undertake challenges like crossing an ocean. Depending on your personal interests you can live in different regions of the world and move about with the weather, even spending half the year in Europe and the other half in the Caribbean.
Personally we love the freedom a boat gives us to explore different places while being self sufficient. So far our boat has sailed from South Africa to Europe and across to the Caribbean, with our ultimate goal being to cross the Pacific and reach South East Asia.
2. Connection to Nature
Living on a boat places you in close proximity to nature. While there are obviously many opportunities to stay in populated areas, you can also chose a remote or quiet anchorage and enjoy the peace and quiet. Enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets, stargazing without light pollution and having no noise but the lapping of the water and movement of the sails. This constant connection to nature can be incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating.
Something particularly magical is when sea creatures come around. When you're out sailing there's a chance so see fish whizzing past and at anchor we've had turtles coming by. There are two moments though that always stand out to me. I love when dolphins bow ride the boat, and when we're sailing at night and bioluminescent plankton lights up with the movement of the boat like a trail of stars in the water.
3. Minimalist Lifestyle
It's a running joke among many liveaboard cruisers that no matter how big your boat is, it's never big enough for all the stuff you want to carry!
Boats have limited space when compared to most houses, which naturally encourages a minimalist lifestyle. You learn to live with fewer possessions, focusing only on what is necessary. This can lead to a simpler, more organized life, reducing stress and increasing contentment.
Living on a catamaran we carry more stuff than most, but what we have was carefully selected to maximize our enjoyment of life aboard. We have no TV, no gaming console and no cupboards full of stuff that hasn't been touched in years, everything is has a purpose.
4. Cost Savings
Not to say living on a boat full-time is cheap, but there are certain expenses that are forgotten about once you move aboard and depending on the choices you make others can be minimized.
Installing renewable energy systems, choosing a cost effective registration, learning to do maintenance and repairs yourself, living at anchor, and choosing countries to cruise in that have a lower cost of living can make it an economical way to live. The temptation to buy and accumulate unnecessary items is also minimized as you don't have the space and to be honest, I find there's less time to shop or impulse buy out of boredom.
5. Meeting New People
Now that I've been living on the boat for a while I don't really chat to friends I had back home. But, I find the boating communities in certain places can be very social and open to meeting new people.
In Europe the social scene was more closed but now that we're in the Caribbean things are different. Cruisers meet people in one place, hang out, and then the next time you're both in the same location you catch up again. Some also "buddy boat" with people they really like, sailing around together for months at a time. I have friends I met through yachting who I've seen in 6 countries and counting!
Online you'll also find Facebook groups where boaters frequently help each other out, sharing knowledge and resources. We've had many people we initially spoke to online who've then been cruising or hauling out in the same area so we've met up in person.
6. Health Benefits
Sailing and working on the boat involves quite a bit of physical activity, and there's vast opportunities to engage in different water sports including swimming, paddle boarding, snorkeling and scuba diving. Since you don't have a car there's also a lot of walking when you need to get supplies, as well as many opportunities to explore new and interesting places by foot.
The fresh air and natural surroundings can also improve your mental health. While we know better than most how stressful owning a boat can be, being close to nature and having opportunities to experience new things can be rejuvenating. It's also nice to be able to separate yourself from the rat race of city life and do things in your own time or way, in your own space.
7. Adventure and Exploration
Every day on a boat can bring a new adventure, from discovering hidden coves or ancient ruins, to encountering marine wildlife and meeting new people. This constant sense of exploration and discovery can make life more exciting and fulfilling.
Our boat has been to 3 continents and visited countries with vastly different cultures and histories. We get off the beaten path and explore thing our own way whenever we can, for example finding abandoned tunnels in Gibraltar and Roman ruins in Italy.
Even in the extended time we spent on the hardstand in Trinidad, we still had some wonderful experiences with local friends we made. We joined them on their boats to go "Down De Islands", enjoyed limes in popular spots like Gasparee Island and Couva River, and tried various Trinidadian cuisine, including one of the best curries I've EVER eaten.
Cons of Living on a Boat
Life on a boat isn't all fun and games, there are some negatives as well. In my option the cons are important to consider in order for you to mentally prepare yourself for the down side of living on a boat.
1. Limited Space
Living on a boat means adapting to a smaller living space. This can be challenging, especially for those used to having larger homes with sheds or garages.
On a boat storage is limited, and you’ll need to be mindful of the space you have, prioritizing the essentials over the nice to haves. Organizing your belongings often requires creative solutions including air tight boxes, vacuum bags and making modifications to the interior.
2. Maintenance and Repairs
Boats require regular maintenance and repairs which can be time-consuming and costly. The marine environment is harsh, leading to wear and tear that needs constant attention. This can be a significant downside for those not prepared for the upkeep.
Improving your DIY skills can go a long way towards alleviating this pressure, especially if you learn to service engines, install basic systems, troubleshoot devices, sew and do quality repairs. We do most of our boat maintenance ourselves and as well as saving money, we also like the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly how it was done and with what parts.
3. Weather Dependence
It sounds so silly but we really do live a life dependent on the wind and waves. Storms, rough seas, and extreme temperatures can impact your safety and daily life aboard a boat, so weather ends up playing a huge part in route and destination planning.
You’ll need to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about weather patterns to navigate these challenges, especially seasonal patterns like hurricane seasons. Insurance coverage is also impacted by weather with most policies having named storm exclusions between certain latitudes at a given time of year, and special conditions for damage caused by lightening strikes.
4. Limited Amenities
Boats typically lack some of the amenities and comforts of a traditional home because you have a smaller space and less resources to work with. The kitchen is compact, toilets have waste tanks and finding a clear workspace can be challenging.
Access to utilities like electricity, water, and gas often requires careful management to ensure you don't run out, especially if you don't have renewable energy systems, like solar panels, or a water maker aboard. Getting essential items like food, medication and diesel can be more time consuming, and access to the internet can be more restricted if you don't have a satellite solution like Starlink for boats.
5. Accessibility
Accessibility can be an issue, especially for those with mobility challenges. Moving around a boat often requires balance and agility and there are tasks that require you to be hoisted up the mast, contort yourself into the bilge or engine bay, and dive under the boat to the sensors or propellers. There are also times when getting on and off the boat can be difficult, particularly in rough weather or when docked on a high wall.
6. Isolation
While the boating community can be quite social, living on a boat can also be isolating. This is especially true when anchored away from shore for extended periods or in countries where people don't speak the same language. Limited social interaction and being away from friends and family can be hard for some.
To overcome it there are people who get a pet, take on hitch hiking crew, team up with a buddy boat or cruise in areas where they know people tend to be more social. Having internet aboard the yacht can also help alleviate things thanks on online video calls.
7. Financial Considerations
While living on a boat saves money in some areas, there are expenses to consider which can really add up. The cost of marinas, hardstand storage, fuel, registration, boat insurance, new equipment, maintenance, and repairs is thousands per year. Add to that a varying cost of living as you sail around and other expenses like extended visas, cruising permits, and international health insurance, and it becomes clear that you need a realistic idea of your budget, expenses and income to make it all work.
Luckily, one thing that has become easier is working while living on a boat. If that's something that intrigues you, you can learn more about it here.
Summing it up
The reality of living on a boat is it's a lifestyle filled with amazing rewards and difficult challenges. For those of us who crave adventure and are prepared for the unique demands, living aboard a sailboat can be a rewarding and fulfilling choice, where the hardship and effort is work it for the freedom to explore the world by sea.
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