What Don't You Like About Living On A Boat?

[robert sailor]

Lack of a fixed address as when we need something sent to us it is always an issue. Also when we are in other countries it can make sense to open up a bank account but can't do that because we don't have a fixed address. Right now we are in the Caribbean and it is unbelievably expensive to have money sent to you by wire.

The thing we like best is no fixed address!

[neptunesjester]

I second the lack of a fixed address. Makes things more difficult in the US. With legislative changes meant to combat terrorism, lack of a physical address makes these things fun or require purgry on your part:

1) opening a checking account
2) receiving proceeds from stock sales
3) obtaining a passport
4) registering to vote
5) obtaining a drivers license
6) taking out loans
7) getting a PO Box to recieve mail

The list goes on, but you get the point. There are ways around the Physical address requirements of these items, but its justban extra hassle.

Sent from my SM-P600 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[jpsgirl96]

First, (more or less) full disclosure. We are part-year liveaboards. We have spent anywhere from 5-7 months of the year getting from the Chesapeake to the eastern Caribbean, or sailing around in the eastern Caribbean while living aboard.
The worst part of this (for me) is the amount of work we do to get her ready to be on the hard and to get ready to splash. I think we are at #8 since June of 2011. This is a product of our chosen "battle rhythm", but let's say it's a lot of hot work, ladder climbing, yard management, etc.
I don't feel the lack of space (on a 2 cabin 2 head 41' sloop with generous cockpit, swim platform, and even "yoga" space on the foredeck); the Caribbean weather and water temps generally help avoid cabin fever, as do the many interesting people, places and things to do ashore in all the islands).
I do feel a bit the transient nature of the relationships you form if you are out there in one place or one pattern of cruising for months.
I'm lucky to have a captain and a sailing partner who take a lot of satisfaction in the never ending list of boat projects. Me? I cook, I follow the weather, I take pictures, I try to keep us connected when possible, and I keep watch in rotation on passages. I HATE boat maintenance but not much different at home.




Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[MarkJ]

I would like a full size shower, both water quantity, quality and bathroom size.

I do miss that.

[FSMike]

A nice long dinghy ride with a bunch of groceries and a load of freshly done laundry --- in the pouring rain.

[FamilyVan]

Only one other guy mentioned it but- Shower! I have a shower- sort of, but it sucks. It's just a shower head on a hose in my head. I have a centre cockpit which means I have to walk through my head to get to my galley/salon and get my socks wet.
Orrr.... I have to walk 200 metres or so through -30 temperatures to reach the marina shower, and so does my wife. I chose the latter, just because showering on board is such a nightmare in cold weather (ie- carrying jerry cans of water from said shower to boat in order to shower).
I know you asked for one item, but I'll give a second. Dealing with Ice Eaters in the winter also sucks. Everything about them, they draw over 10 amps, they love to eat plastic bags, stall and get all twisted up. For some reason you always need to deal with these issues with bare hands too.

[Tayana42]

13 months aboard so far. We still love it. Had a few bad weather sleepless nights. Got out of Avalon just before the Santa Ana wind got so strong. Love being out. Most of the marinas we've been in were nice enough, a few not so nice. All too expensive. There are times I really wish for more space. My wife would love a bigger galley and a bathroom of her own.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brob2]

Small heads and short showers.

[blackswan]

No shower area.
Not enough storage for ALL the kit below decks.
Lack of water for more than a six weeks of isolated cruising.
After every ocean crossing a new set of leaks.
That winter it rained non stop for 3 months: cabin fever for 2 on a 4 tonne boat.
Having our cruising decisions made by where we knew we could get work.

Next boat will be alloy with welded deck fittings, 8 to 10 tonne displacement and we are working/saving for the next cruise so that work will be optional..

Nirvana is a mirage you'll never reach but dreams are here and now..

[Julie Mor]

My introduction to living on a boat kinda spoiled me. It had a separate shower and two heads. Wasn't much for sailing but that boat was sure comfy. No wonder my favorite boats today have interiors like that.

Sleeping has to be comfy too. I've never had a bad sleep on a boat except once, but that was a different boat and it's not on my list.

How about laundry?

[IdoraKeeper]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I would like a full size shower, both water quantity, quality and bathroom size.

I do miss that.

We would all be glad if you took a shower.
When I lived aboard the worst was a furnace failure in January and trips up and down a very icy dock. One is more strongly motivated when freezing.

[dohenyboy]

Home bowling alley is impractical as well as pool tables because boat is never level.


Sent from an undisclosed location on the high seas or from the lounge chair by the pool, you decide.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Kids aboard = lack of easy romance time.
When they were young they didn't know why we would send them to the beach and tell them not to come back for 30 minutes....(OK 15........damn....7 minutes).

Now that they are teenagers that can stay up later than we can....they know what's going on when we kick them off the boat or refuse to go pick them up at the dock. That's where being on a mooring is nice.....no surprise guests or kids knocking on the hull!

[UNCIVILIZED]

The trip through the sand to the dink, hauling a pair of full, fresh water jugs. Ugh!

That & teaching newbie's how to use the head, especially including checking it's valve settings after they've used it to ensure that the boat doesn't sink.... You'd think that some of'em can't read basic instructions or something. Frickin' Dain Bramaged Land Lubbers.

[mausgras]

The worst thing I found about living aboard was having to go ashore,

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app