Has anyone lived on a boat?

[LadyAnn]

I won a little bit of money and I've saved a little bit of money. 

It's not enough to buy a house or even put a down payment on one.  Also, no bank is going to lend me any money.

But I noticed that there are nice decent sized older boats that I might be able to afford.   There are people that live onboard them all year 24-7.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this because it looks like a good option.

[ill88eagle]

You should watch nomadland if you haven't already.

My cousin lives in a boat. Before that he lived in a van. I used to live in a mountain cave. There are people who live in cardboard boxes. You can make any decent shelter your home by trading off some commodities. The issues with boat/van life are primarily where to park it + sources of water and electricity (and heat if you live where it gets cold). I was quite comfy in my cave with a recycled gas cooker, water fetched in gallons at the mountain spring and reading secondhand paperbacks by candlelight.

[anonemoose]

I have friends that live on a house boat on San Francisco Bay for at least 10 years afaik. Works for them, they take their skiff to shore. He walks to the bus stop and takes it to the city, cheaper than bridge tolls and parking for a car. She works locally, takes the laundry with her to do, pick up mail. They rent a car every couple a weeks or so to do their major shopping. Solar is worthless for most of the year so they heat with propane and at the local docks, it is 2 to 3 dollars more than if they shop around. Their generator runs on gas so they have to cart that back - Calif gas in that area is $6 a gallon. Hauling water every few days for drinking, bathing and dishes in filtered sea water.

Last time I visited them was 3 or 4 years ago, seemed to be happy but the stress does show. They have very little 'off' time as they are always fixing something, having to go to shore during bad weather.

Personally, the smell was the worst part. Seagull and pelican poop mixed with gas and diesel fumes.

For an alternative to consider, try RVing. I have a teardrop trailer and spend several months a year on the road and have met lots of off grid people. Most get a "package" that lets them camp, for free, for a limit time, like 5 days and then they move to a new location in the program.

One guy that lives in our area gets his gas at the local "indigenous reservation" station $20 at a time, takes the receipt to the casino which gives him $20 in free play for the slot machines and he says he breaks even or makes a couple dallors.

[am a giant]

[LadyAnn]

I have friends that live on a house boat on San Francisco Bay for at least 10 years afaik. Works for them, they take their skiff to shore. He walks to the bus stop and takes it to the city, cheaper than bridge tolls and parking for a car. She works locally, takes the laundry with her to do, pick up mail. They rent a car every couple a weeks or so to do their major shopping. Solar is worthless for most of the year so they heat with propane and at the local docks, it is 2 to 3 dollars more than if they shop around. Their generator runs on gas so they have to cart that back - Calif gas in that area is $6 a gallon. Hauling water every few days for drinking, bathing and dishes in filtered sea water.

Last time I visited them was 3 or 4 years ago, seemed to be happy but the stress does show. They have very little 'off' time as they are always fixing something, having to go to shore during bad weather.

Personally, the smell was the worst part. Seagull and pelican poop mixed with gas and diesel fumes.

For an alternative to consider, try RVing. I have a teardrop trailer and spend several months a year on the road and have met lots of off grid people. Most get a "package" that lets them camp, for free, for a limit time, like 5 days and then they move to a new location in the program.

One guy that lives in our area gets his gas at the local "indigenous reservation" station $20 at a time, takes the receipt  to the casino which gives him $20 in free play for the slot machines and he says he breaks even or makes a couple dallors.

I've found a place where it's super cheap to dock.  It's $150 a month plus my utilities and black water removal.  They estimate around $225 monthly.  Insurance company said it would cost me $200 for a year.

I'm looking at some boats in Mexico where I can get a nice 35ft ketch for what I can afford.  But with this Covid craziness I imagine it's going to be hard to get to Mexico.

[Moe]

Don't underestimate the expense of boat maintenance, both in terms of time and money. Salt water does a number on fittings, on top of the wear and tear of daily usage.

[anonemoose]

Importing a boat from Mexico... Wonder what the tax is on that, registration, inspection... Hope it wasn't stolen... Friend got a great deal in Baja for a Jeep, got arrested for a stolen vehicle when he crossed the border.

[InfernoSource129]

Last year I did live on a boat for about 2 months. I went for a vacation in the boonies as I was too tired of being at home 24/7. I thought it would be a change of environment for me and my gf. But it was fun only in the beginning. Everything was good but as we did not have wifi, we became more frustrated. Aside from this, it was a good experience...

[LadyAnn]

Don't underestimate the expense of boat maintenance, both in terms of time and money.  Salt water does a number on fittings, on top of the wear and tear of daily usage.

I'm paying $1300 plus utilities each month.  This will be a lot cheaper even with maintenance

[RobertX]

I don't like the sea; get seasick a lot and that's in a ferry. Imagine living in such a means for days or years.

That would be living hell.