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Old 31-05-2012, 13:18   #1
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Anyone ever had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

Hi,

I've long had an interest in the live aboard lifestyle, and I'm wondering if anyone has ever had any success finding a trial version. By this I mean either finding an arrangement in which you were able to either live aboard someone else's boat as a caretaker or a tenant of some sort for a period of time? I recently posted an ad on craigslist along these lines, to see if I might get any bites and I'm just wondering if anyone here has ever had an opportunity come a long like that, or if I'm completely shooting in the dark?
(I posted the ad in the Burlington Vt craigslist. That's where I'll be spending the second half of my summer, and it seems like a great place to live aboard!)

Thanks
Sarah
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Old 31-05-2012, 13:47   #2
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

Living aboard a boat in a marina is no different from living in a small trailer except that there might be more maintenance required and sometimes the scenery is more pleasant than a trailer park. Your neighbours might be closer too. For those that actually sail their boats it might be slightly different as they get off the dock occasionally but for the folks that simply want to live on a boat in a marina it's akin to living in a trailer.
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Old 31-05-2012, 13:49   #3
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

Crew jobs on a delivery move, or cutting a deal with an owner of a charter boat for an extended charter using owner's time, or just plain crewing for someone on a long-distance crossing are the closest the commonly come to mind.
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Old 31-05-2012, 13:50   #4
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

My personal feelings are that you just 'know' that you will like it before you try it. My first live aboard boat was only a cramped 25' sailboat and I just 'knew' I would like it and I did.
A trial version is not a committment. Too easy to think you might like it because you know in the back of your mind you can just get up and leave. Usually if there is a reluctancy, then living aboard may not be for you. This is not always the case though. If you really want to live aboard, just do it and you will make it work.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
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Old 31-05-2012, 15:12   #5
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

We lived aboard the front half of a 38 foot two tone rustoleum painted 1958 trailer with fins for ten months before we moved to our first sailboat. 'just myself, my wife and a Capuchin Monkey.
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Old 31-05-2012, 15:20   #6
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

rgscpat: thanks for the suggestions. That helps!

tony B: it's more a financial reluctance that's out of my control! But it'd like to get as close to it as possible if I can!

captforce:I'm not so much worried about getting used to the small space- I live a pretty ascetic, scaled back life already and the small living space is actually one of the biggest draws. I guess I'm more trying to find out if this is seen at all as 'common practice', that is, the renting out of one's sailboat to a tenant or letting someone live aboard if it's not in use.
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Old 31-05-2012, 15:26   #7
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

The toughest decisions to be made when you are ready to move aboard is what you can take and what you cant. Most people have little keepsakes and mementos and other stuff that just wont fit. We gave away my old art work and ancestal treasures to my kids and old friends so I can always visit my old stuff.
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Old 31-05-2012, 15:41   #8
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

Charter something for two weeks in the off season when it's cheaper . . . . then don't go anywhere.

Two weeks charter fees are way cheaper than buying a boat/lifestyle you hate.
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Old 31-05-2012, 16:32   #9
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

I believe, over a short period, everybody will LOVE it! So this kind of test has little value. Serious issues tend to build up over longer time and then it is usually to late to back off in style.

So I say just go for it head first and make sure there is a somewhere for you should you find the whole business a waste of time.

Cheers,
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Old 01-06-2012, 05:40   #10
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Re: Anyone every had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

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........................ I guess I'm more trying to find out if this is seen at all as 'common practice', that is, the renting out of one's sailboat to a tenant or letting someone live aboard if it's not in use.
I think it's very rare. I've never heard of such a case where someone has rented their boat for a trial living aboard space; however, with the proposals that can be made online, maybe you could have some success.
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Old 01-06-2012, 05:56   #11
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Re: Anyone ever had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

Back in '96 a bout of potential homelessness due to domestic in-tranquility, led me to bed down in my '28 Bertram Sportfish for the night..... That "trial" lasted seven years until I moved back to shore.
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Old 01-06-2012, 06:01   #12
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Re: Anyone ever had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

I can see plenty of people renting boats to live in them but I do not see many liveaboards renting their liveabords to anybody.

I think it is like my boat is a pretty intimate place and I (for one) would not like anybody to watch my tapes (guess why;-), sleep in my bed and drink from my mug. My boat is my house. My ONLY house.

So I think it may happen but it is not what happens everyday in the real world.

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Old 01-06-2012, 15:24   #13
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There are some REALLY flash boats whose owners sail them to different ports around the world, then the owner flies home and a good friend flies to the new location and looks after it for a few months until the owner wants to sail again. Basically you need to know someone and be very keen on polishing.
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Old 01-06-2012, 15:34   #14
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Re: Anyone ever had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Teeto View Post
There are some REALLY flash boats whose owners sail them to different ports around the world, then the owner flies home and a good friend flies to the new location and looks after it for a few months until the owner wants to sail again. Basically you need to know someone and be very keen on polishing.
Doh!

And make sure, if you like it, do get the same size of boat for yourselves, and someone else to polish it too!

;-)
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Old 01-06-2012, 16:28   #15
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Re: Anyone ever had any success doing a "trial" version of living aboard?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Teeto View Post
There are some REALLY flash boats whose owners sail them to different ports around the world, then the owner flies home and a good friend flies to the new location and looks after it for a few months until the owner wants to sail again. Basically you need to know someone and be very keen on polishing.
Urban myth. Give me one example.
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