Is living on a boat right for you?
How many times have you felt trapped at your nine-to-five desk job, the same restaurant for lunch break, the same coffee shop after work hours? Daydreaming about escaping from the daily routine, being free. Imagine yourself traveling, watching the sunset every evening, or drinking your morning coffee at a different place every day. Anywhere in the world. On the deck of your own boat. Just, sell everything, buy a boat, pack up and set sail.
Sounds like a dream come true, but let`s get back to reality. Are you sure what you`re getting yourself into? Are you ready to pay for your freedom? And what is the cost? Lots of people have done it before, so why not learn from them.
You have to part from (almost) all of your possessions. After making that final decision on moving permanently on a boat, the next logical step is to sell your property and your possessions. You may be surprised by how many things a person can accumulate while living in a house, and how liberating can be to get rid of things you no longer need. Living on a boat can mean living minimalistic, given the limited space available. So, pack up the essentials, and put your property on the market, because you can use those funds to buy a boat.
But, if you`re just not ready to sell your home, you can always place your belongings in storage, and rent your house, in order to cover the expenses of living aboard.
And, if you’re ready to commit to a boat, do extensive research in order to determine how much you can expect to spend.
Although a lot of people claim that this lifestyle is cheaper than living on the land, it can get more expensive than you thought it`ll be. Taking the boat around the world will require somewhat maintenance. You will spend time and money maintaining your vessel – and expect that you’ll have to do a good deal of work yourself. There is a long list of care responsibilities, including caring for your sails, equipment, insurance for your vessel and more. The costs of repairs can quickly add up. Also, there are the marina expenses, which may vary from place to place. Charges are based on the size of the boat, how close the marina is to the ocean, the amenities such as electricity, parking and showers, and the general condition of the docks. A hint from the ones who already are living aboard: to reduce marina expenses, anchor out and take an inflatable boat to shore.
With everything mentioned above, one has to think about ways to earn money, while living aboard. Renting your home is one of the options if you already owned one. But this lifestyle also gives you the opportunity for a productive hedonism, especially if you`re a freelancer, or don’t have to work from an office.
When it comes to actually buy the boat, one has to consider the size, the cost, the sailing performance of the vessel and the price deal. The size mostly depends on the size of the crew – are you single, a couple, or a family with children? You might miss the comfort that comes with living in a house, but just because you have to downsize your living area, doesn`t mean it will be uncomfortable. You will sleep in your bed, eat on your table, work from home, and yet, be at a different place on the planet every day. You`ll be able to spend more time with your family, and have an actual vacation whenever you want. All you have to do to feel the freedom is to go out on the deck, feel the warm breeze on your face while enjoying the breathtaking landscape before you. The whole world will be your backyard and a playground for your children. Downsizing on living space can be a cheap price to pay for your freedom.
Everything in life is a compromise, so maybe its better to try living on a boat, before making the commitment of moving aboard completely. Lucky for you, there are lots of ways of trying before buying, and chartering a boat is one of them. That way, you can gain some experience, learn about sailing and living free.
