All four seasons - the first year aboard.

[Abrain]

Okay so we made it - our family of 3 living full time aboard. Sure most of the time was spent dockside doing upgrades but considering where we came from its "major" positive progress.

I am posting this for those that are interested in our year living aboard, the lifestyle and encourage others to post something about there first year aboard. I would love reading about your first year. Please leave comments and a link if you have one.


part 1
part 2
part 3

[Hudson Force]

We moved aboard a narrow 30' Sparkman & Stephens design and spent the summer of our first year moving from Annapolis down to Florida. Actually, it turned into more than the summer. We left Maryland June 17th and didn't actually get our boat across the Florida State line until Christmas Eve. We were in Swansborough, NC with our 8hp one cylinder Palmer unable to move us against the Bogue Sound currents. Back at Hampton Roads, Va it had taken us a half hour to travel the length of the Forrestal at Sewall's Point to enter the Elizabeth River. We took refuge at Casper's Marina where they were laying the foundation for a house. By the time we left with a rebuilt Atomic 4 there were kids playing in the front yard of that house. When we arrived at the Duplin River at Doboy Sound, Georgia, we put the engine in reverse while backing to anchor and our shaft shot out the back of our boat! We were "young and in manure"! With little knowledge and thirteen times running aground on the Atlantic ICW, we made it to Florida after six months and we had expected a three week trip. The next half of our first year was easy and just fun sailing. Our first year was a challenge, but did better over time.

[Abrain]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

We moved aboard a narrow 30' Sparkman & Stephens design and spent the summer of our first year moving from Annapolis down to Florida. Actually, it turned into more than the summer. We left Maryland June 17th and didn't actually get our boat across the Florida State line until Christmas Eve. We were in Swansborough, NC with our 8hp one cylinder Palmer unable to move us against the Bogue Sound currents. Back at Hampton Roads, Va it had taken us a half hour to travel the length of the Forrestal at Sewall's Point to enter the Elizabeth River. We took refuge at Casper's Marina where they were laying the foundation for a house. By the time we left with a rebuilt Atomic 4 there were kids playing in the front yard of that house. When we arrived at the Duplin River at Doboy Sound, Georgia, we put the engine in reverse while backing to anchor and our shaft shot out the back of our boat! We were "young and in manure"! With little knowledge and thirteen times running aground on the Atlantic ICW, we made it to Florida after six months and we had expected a three week trip. The next half of our first year was easy and just fun sailing. Our first year was a challenge, but did better over time.

Sounds exciting and scary all at the same time Thanks for the share.

[Amapola]

Abrain, thank you for sharing.

[Cheechako]

Cool, the first year is the hardest. or maybe any year in the PNW! have fun!