Haul Out and Winterize or Stay Aboard?

[off-the-grid]

I'm in NJ and this is my first year living aboard, what do you think?

As much as I'd like to stay aboard all year...

I REALLY HATE winter weather it's on the water or on dirt.
Dry storage will be cheaper than a slip.
I'll save on electric.
Won't have to waste money on heaters, etc. which will be useless when I finally cut the lines and head South.
I have to haul out anyway to do some work.
My marina has a pretty long season, so it would only really mean about 3 months out of the water. I'm also throwing around the idea of going on a mooring next year, so I could probably launch early.

I'm just thinking, if the plan is to eventually head South, hauling out may allow me to save a little more, get the loan paid off faster, etc. than toughing it out and staying in the water all year.

[GordMay]

Where are you going to live, whilst off the boat?

[gs41escapade]

I don know of some who have lived aboard on the hard. They uniformly say it is unpleasant (ladder up/down, issues with water and waste, etc.). But, if its only for one winter and you need to be out for other work, it may be worth the hardship.

Note that most yards will not allow living aboard on the hard.

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Where are you going to live, whilst off the boat?

I guess either crash with relatives, probably the parents. Hmm...that may be even harder than winter on the boat.

Or look for the el cheapo room. Like one of those 100 people renting a house looking for one more roommate kind of deals. For what they charge for slips in NJ, even that would probably be a little cheaper. And I've gotten rid of enough of the dirt dweller posessions, that I could probably fit everything in a large closet.

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by gs41escapade

I don know of some who have lived aboard on the hard. They uniformly say it is unpleasant (ladder up/down, issues with water and waste, etc.). But, if its only for one winter and you need to be out for other work, it may be worth the hardship.

Note that most yards will not allow living aboard on the hard.

Well if I'm going to stay on board anyway, that kind of defeats the point of hauling in the first place. I'm a cat, so no ladder needed. Swim ladder is plenty to get on and off.

Yeah a little bit of work to do, but not so much that it would force me to be out long term.

[zeehag]

why not just head south and enjoy your winter for a change?? there are many places in which to winter that are so much more pleasant than noo joizey....warmer as well.....and not as pricey...lol.....and some interesting folks as well....ye might just enjoy the winter for a change and start a trend...lol...~~~~~~_/)~~~~~~.

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by zeehag

why not just head south and enjoy your winter for a change?? there are many places in which to winter that are so much more pleasant than noo joizey....warmer as well.....and not as pricey...lol.....and some interesting folks as well....ye might just enjoy the winter for a change and start a trend...lol...~~~~~~_/)~~~~~~.

Of course that would be my first choice.

Still tied to the job...and the loan on the boat, though.

Maybe it's time to start doing so aggressive negotiations on that telecommute from the boat plan I have.