Some Common Misconceptions About Living Aboard a Sailboat Full-Time
If you’re scrolling any type of social media these days, I’m sure you’ve seen a bunch of reels/TikToks/etc. of some cute young couple or individual selling everything to move aboard a boat. While this is nothing new, the influx of social media clips has been overwhelming, at least my algorithm, often showing people who are completely new to the world of sailing. (Nothing wrong with this, by the way; everyone’s gotta start somewhere.) However, it’s easy to be swayed by some aesthetically pleasing video with trending audio. Boat life can be extremely rewarding and a great lifestyle, but as with anything in life, it’s probably a good idea to have an understanding of what you’re getting yourself into. So, as someone who’s been living aboard sailboats under 40-ft full-time for the past eight years, I put together my top takeaways and want to bust some common misconceptions of landlubbers.
Disclaimer: I’m obviously very biased, as I’ve only lived aboard sailboats under 40-ft, in California. Other parts of the world are going to be much different, as well as other types of boats and personal situations, but as a liveaboard in Southern California who has bounced around the state, I have years of experience pertaining to this specific context.
No. 1: It’s Cheaper — OK, there are definitely circumstances in which boat life can be substantially cheaper than living in a house on land. For example, let’s say you live in an expensive city in California, like Los Angeles or San Francisco. With housing costs in places like this being astronomical, the thought of purchasing a boat under $100K and living on it for five to 10 years does sound much cheaper.
However, some folks new to the sailing world might not grasp just how much maintenance a boat requires, especially while living aboard. Also, the maintenance largely depends on the vessel you purchase. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, a 30-year-old 40-ft boat is selling for $50K–$80K. Chances are it’s going to need A LOT of work to be livable and in functioning shape. Most older boats are going to need updated electrical work, plumbing, rigging, mechanical and in some cases structural work in order to just be a comfortable living space.
Another factor is marina space. In crowded, sought-after cities, marina space is going to be hard to obtain. Lots of marinas have long waitlists for “liveaboard” slips. If you’re lucky enough to score one, you still need to make sure your vessel passes the approval of the marina, and that you can afford the slip fee every month.
