Liveaboard - Pros & Cons

[Matthew Venable]

Hello to the whole community.

I'm a newbie to this site. Currently, I live in southern California, and I'm considering living aboard. I started sailing about a year and a half ago, and I absolutely love it. After searching through several very informative threads, I decided to post my own. What I'd really like to know is a rapid-fire list of "pros & cons" as to living aboard, straight from the people who know. The pros already in my own mind are many, and worthy (e.g. Getting to sail whenever I want. Being on and around the water constantly. What ocean air and scenery does for the soul. Somewhat affordable living that's very close to the beach in Los Angeles, etc...)

What worries me however are the cons - the one's that I don't know, and the one's that I underestimate. (e.g. how big of a deal is it having to walk to the use the marina facilities on a chilly February morning? What kind of average maintenance costs can I expect to incur on a yearly basis in addition to my note, insurance and slip fees? Am I going to fall into the trap of never taking the boat out to sail once I actually live on it? Am I going to become that "creepy boat guy" who turned into a hermit once he started living aboard?)

I understand that it's a lifestyle adjustment, but I mean, it must be worth it to many people if they're doing it, right? Keep in mind that I'm single, hetero (btw, I only mention that because it begs the question of how women might respond to dating a guy that lives on a boat), and have no kids, and I also don't own a boat yet...though I do have my eye on an early '70s 43' Columbia. So, any insight as to the reputation of that model would help a great deal as well.

I understand that's a lot of info, and probably covers quite a few topics, but any advice at all is greatly appreciated...