We did this. We lived in the
Alaska Bush for 20 years, so we were well familiar with small houses and never really worried about the loss of space. We also just "moved" onto the boat, sailed it from Anacortes, WA to Juneau AK and have lived on it ever since. We like cruising, we like it when we are in port. We switch easily from land activities (running, soccer, swimming) to sea activities (fishing, exploring, kayaking). We do not have a huge
retirement income, nor a large bank of cash. We live in a 42'
North Pacific Pilothouse Trawler. The
diesel engine and slow travel are perfect for us and fit our
budget. I don't think we could afford to pay for speed. We do have a
generator and a transformer aboard (which we use a lot and love) and we have a washer/dryer aboard. This summer we put in a
freezer (because of the fishing). Life is good. Life is affordable. The most difficult thing we faced was getting rid of a 5'x7'x6'
storage locker with "precious memories" stuffed into it. Ultimately we kept the camping
gear, gave the art and the photos to the
children, found room on board for the zsuuper (fish processing), the
sewing machine, the banjo and a keyboard. This was only possible because we do not "collect" clothes, shoes, etc --- use it or lose it. For us. it's a little bit of a move "up" in comfort from a two bedroom three room "house" in -40F winters. We have a large
family and lots of visits from
children, their spouses, and grandchildren.
We believe in the theory that "if you think you'll like it you probably will like it" --- a theory that has worked sending children off to college, sending ourselves off to a cold
remote area to live, and
buying a boat to live on.
There is so much to learn living on a boat. Before this home, we had
water ski boats, john boats for
fishing, and had kayaked throughout Southeast
Alaska extensively for weeks at a time. Everything you know about operating a
small boat is a transferable skill. We took a
marine diesel engine class from the University of Alaska and everything else we learned by reading
books. The
plumbing is simple and easily resolved by following the
advice of an expert like Peggy. The electricity is something we should all know by our age, but never had time to learn. Taking a 100 Ton class or a six pack class is an option that will reinforce your confidence in yourself, but nothing teaches like experience.
Good luck and have fun. We can say it --- we have fun everyday. The area you live in sounds just perfect for your
experiment. Be flexible. So what if you decide to do something else? Isn't that what life is .... change?