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sailorboy1 · 10-07-2019, 07:18

I think the real question to ask about liveaboard stereotypes is: Who is passing these around?

Mostly it is us, the boaters!

TCM1968 · 10-07-2019, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I think the real question to ask about liveaboard stereotypes is: Who is passing these around?

Mostly it is us, the boaters!

Exactly!! This is my point. And this is what I would like to change. This is why the term “Cruiser” was coined. An attempt to detach themselves from the live-aboard sterotype. Well like it or not cruisers if you live on your boat then your a live-aboard.

TCM1968 · 10-07-2019, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by valhalla360

It's not about making oneself feel better about themselves. Owners could care less as long as it doesn't hurt profits. If liveaboard were more profitable, you would see them driving out weekenders.

A stereotype is far easier to implement than doing an assessment of each individual and most of the time there's enough truth to it that it's easier to address the occasional outlier and give them an exemption to the rule (ie: my earlier comment about how they forget to check if a cruiser in a well kept boat just happens to stay for a month...and then when he doesn't cause problems and keeps his boat ship shape, it evolves into years).

Keep in mind, doing that assessment takes time and effort (ie: it costs the owner money to have staff do this) and without simple rules, it can be very subjective (ie: people won't like it when you say their boat looks like @%#$).

Look, I am a free market capitalist. I have no grudge against a marina owner doing what ever is best for his business and profits. What I do have a problem with is the stigma that will be attached to me when I make the move to full time living on my boat.
So for the last time this is not a post about how a marina owner chooses to do business. It’s about people like you judging people like me based off of some preconceived notion that because I live on a boat I am low life trailer trash that can not afford a real home.

chowdan · 10-07-2019, 08:19

I will say here in WA, my marina has a full capacity of liveaboards, and out of all of us, I'd say 1 of them is of the stereotype.

My experience is that we liveaboards do not low profits rather we increase hassle on management due to complaining about things.

Regardless if one lives aboard or just has a weekender, there will be people constantly coming to their boat, equipment is going to break, it's the cost of doing business.

For a financial aspect, my marina, like others, charge liveaboard fees. These fees should be at an appropriate level per person(not per boat) to cover wear and tear of our continued usage of things

**sailorchic34** · 10-07-2019, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCM1968

So for the last time this is not a post about how a marina owner chooses to do business. It’s about people like you judging people like me based off of some preconceived notion that because I live on a boat I am low life trailer trash that can not afford a real home.

This from a person that doesn't want to be stigmatize as a cheap live-aboard, because of all the cheap liveaboards. You're worried about being seen as possibly homeless. You need not worry. All the liveaboards will greet you with open arms, and treat you fairly. Sadly it's the folks that don't live aboard that will look down on you. Doesn't matter what your boat looks like.

What I like about liveaboards, is they are neighbors that share a common Bond of enjoying being on the water. We talk to each other just like the 1940s and 50s before gated communities when people started hiding in their homes. Liveaboards come from all walks of life and all social strata. It's an absolutely lovely community.

If you're worried about being stigmatized as a low-life liveaboard, you're probably not ready for that lifestyle.

TCM1968 · 10-07-2019, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

This from a person that doesn't want to be stigmatize as a cheap live-aboard, because of all the cheap liveaboards.

I am not sure where you have gotten the notion in your head that I have a problem with “cheap liveaboards”. Like I replied to you before If it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg then live at let live.

**sailorchic34** · 10-07-2019, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCM1968

I am not sure where you have gotten the notion in your head that I have a problem with “cheap liveaboards”. Like I replied to you before If it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg then live at let live.

You seem to be worry, that you will be seen at a lower social standing, by being a live-aboard. I was just saying that, yes, you will be seen as being someone lesser. Not by the liveaboards, but by land dwellers. I have experienced this myself. I used to make a six-figure income. Now I'm a boat bum-ette. I far prefer the latter.

TCM1968 · 10-07-2019, 08:58

Definitely don’t care how I am viewed in the social ladder. I too have spent my whole life climbing that damn ladder to nowhere and am looking forward to shorts, a worn out tee shirt and flip flops as my formal wear.

LargeMarge · 10-07-2019, 09:27

Well.

Some opinions seem doomed to polarize their listeners.

My preferences:
*** I am fond of SteamPunk, DieselPunk, MadMax, and WasteLand Weekend.
*** I admire a tarnished patina... including rust and nicely-greened coppers.
*** I eagerly seek home-built by working hands through an adaptive imagination instead of fancy chrome ordered from a catalog and installed by a five-star shop.
*** I am appalled by new; I appreciate re-purposed and 'found' objects.
*** I would not be comfortable around perfection, nor am I certain it exists.
*** Wabi Sabi == everyday human-induced imperfection.

Re-reading Ecclesiastes last weekend, I enjoyed the [paraphrased] wisdom of old King Solly:
*** 'None of it matters. You may as well chase the wind'.
I like his analogy!

sailorboy1 · 10-07-2019, 10:21

Is this thread now about winning and as such it is going to become useless petty bickering weak attack posts?

Just so I know how to plan.

BTW - you want to expand the liveaboard stereotype grouping? Go to a marina with a bunch of people living on their boats full time (could be stuck cruisers or could be people "living" there) and watch the various "liveaboard stereotypes" break up and regroup into the "marina queen bee" groups.

TCM1968 · 10-07-2019, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Is this thread now about winning and as such it is going to become useless petty bickering weak attack posts?

It appears so.

The main reason I joined this forum was to gather knowledge to prepare for my transition to the cruising/live-aboard life. But have become disheartened by all the negative remarks made about the live-aboard population. Not that I worry about what people will think of me personally. I just like to understand the situation I am getting into. I started this thread because although admittedly my experiences are very limited at this point, I have witnessed just the opposite from what I have seen and the people I have met so far. So I do not understand where this stereotype has come from.

I suppose it does greatly differ depending on where you are. All I can do at this point is move on, keep under the radar as best I can and hope for the best.

sailorboy1 · 10-07-2019, 12:56

Well WE are the "liveaboard" people. And as such I can say there are scum liveaboards and their stereotypes are correct. At same time there are neat, clean, good liveaboards and the stereotype for them is correct. And then there's the people in between and since they wouldn't take a side the stereotype for them is neutral and correct for them.

But in the real world it matters little what the stereotype is. If your boat is well kept and you don't make trouble there really overall isn't an anti-liveaboard issue and plenty of marinas will accept you even if they have a "no liveaboard" policy.

All stereotypes about liveaboard were caused by boaters, or made up by magic in the minds of someone who didn't like looking at boaters.

You need to move on to finding the roots of legends as it is just as achievable.

TCM1968 · 10-07-2019, 13:03

Yes I believe you are correct. Moving on to more important things. Like selling the house and getting rid of all that useless land crap I have accumulated over the years.