Living on a Boat – Cheap Living
I often get emails from various people asking all sorts of questions about Living on a Boat. Many are from people who are contemplating moving aboard themselves and are looking for information and knowledge from those of us who have already taken the plunge (so to speak.) With that is mind, I plan to do a short four post series on the topic of Living on a Boat touching on the topics that I get asked the most often.
This then is Part 1 in our Living on Boat Series.
Part 2: Living on a Boat – Questions.
Part 3: Living on a Boat – Family and All
Part 4: Living on Boat and Alcohol
Living on a Boat – Cheap Living
I recently worked my way though the book by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin called Your Money Or Your Life – Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence.
We are living on a boat in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Mississauga a major city right next to Toronto, Ontario although without signs nobody would know where Toronto ends and Mississauga begins. Before moving aboard our boat 4 years ago, we lived in a little brick bungalow in Toronto. So, we’ve lived (and owned) on land and lived on the water … we prefer the water. As I look back at my old budgets from the house, and compare them to what I am spending today, I figure that my housing costs are approximately 2/3’s less today. Living in the house with the mortgage, taxes, gas, hydro and water came to around $1600.00 per month and that would be considered living cheap compared to most people living in Toronto. Here on the the boat we average out at about $600.00 a month living year round. The living on a boat number could be further reduced by converting to propane heat for the winter – a move that I am thinking about for this upcoming winter. Without the extra hydro required for the winter, our slip costs for the year would go down to a little over $350.00 per month! We also live in one of the more expensive marina’s on Lake Ontario – slips can be had for a fair amount less if you are further away from Toronto. Finally, I don’t
So I say again, there is no way anyone is living on land for $600 a month within 20 mins of downtown Toronto. Further, we are a 5 minute walk from the GO train which will take us to Union Station in 1/2 an hour for $8 bucks. So – Yes, living on a boat is cheap living.
Other Options for even Cheaper Living on a Boat
Anchoring. Depending on where you are in world you may also find a place to anchor out or ‘live on the hook’ as it is called. This would mean that you have have to be self-sufficient – able to generate your own electricity and haul your own water and waste but there are many who live on the hook for $0 per month – yep, it can cost you nothing to live on the anchor! Where we are, this would not work for winter living as we need the electricity and the safety of the harbor to be able to combat the ice that forms on the lake, but this would be feasible in many southern or more temperate locals. A dinghy is essential for this living situation as a method of getting ashore for work, supplies, etc. A couple of years ago, we anchored out in a little bay just off the Leslie Spit in the Toronto Harbor Islands area and met a gentleman who was living there during the week. He worked at one of the hospitals downtown and took his dingy to and from work each day. I think he was American and went home to the US each weekend, but during the week – his housing costs were …$0. Smart man.
Mooring. Again, depending on your particular water situation there may be mooring balls or a mooring field available for very low cost. A mooring ball is a method of anchoring without using an anchor. Usually someone has sunk a heavy cement block down to the bottom and attached a chain to it and a big ball or float of some sort. All you do is grab the chain and attach your boat and you are ‘home.’ The owner of the mooring ball (or mooring field, if there are a bunch of them in one area) usually charges some small fee to use that particular mooring. There is a mooring field just off of downtown Toronto called the Aquatic Sailing Park. It is absolutely lovely there – so private, yet so close to downtown Toronto. After an initiation fee of $650.00, their fees work out to $73.00 a month (summer only, unfortunately) and there is a work requirement of 16 hours in the Park itself. Hows that for living on a boat – cheap?!? Again, you would have to be self-sufficient as there are no hookups, electricity or anything like that. Plus a dinghy is a must have to get to shore.
Private Dock. This option may be available in your area but will likely require some searching around. Many rivers and lakes are growing private docks like seaweeds. Many of those docks are either virtually unused or only used a couple of times a year or on weekends when the owners are there. With a little creative negotiating maybe with cash in hand or on a trial basis you should be able to rent a dock or slip for a small fee for a month or two. I would suggest even trying for free in exchange for say a bit of yard work if it is a someones cottage or maybe even just to keep and eye on the place. Creativity and personal negotiation skills will be your biggest assets here.
House vs. Boat
Now let me say this before you say it, because I know you are thinking it … yes, the boat is much smaller than a house. I know it, believe me I know it! However, my backyard is bigger than yours I likely have a better view, and if I don’t like my neighbours, I just move. Can you say that? There are trade offs – some people may not be willing to live in a smaller place to be able to live more cheaply and to have more freedom. For us, the trade off is more than worth it. I’ve commented on Living on a Boat vs A House before.
Other Living Costs
- No Hydro bill.
- No Water bill.
- No gas bill (although you will have to fill the propane tank a couple of times a season.)
- No land tax.
- No cable bill.
- No phone bill – no land line, so you will likely need a cell phone.
- If you live on a sailboat, your fuel bill will be very low. As it is, our boat is a house first – and a boat second, so we don’t use much fuel either. Of course, that means we don’t go far.
Food. Depending on what your boat is equipped with, you may or may not spend a lot of money on food. When we were living on our sailboat (Alberg 30) we did not really have a proper kitchen. We had an Origo non-pressurized 2 burner alcohol cooktop and a nice sized toaster oven. Our fridge was very small – and only a fridge – no freezer. What ended up happening is we started to bring more and more purchased and prepared food onto the boat – just because the cooking and food storage was such a hassle. That is NOT the way to save money and live cheaply! We were spending a fortune on food. When we moved aboard the River Queen, we got a very nice 3 burner propane stove with oven and a full size fridge with a top mount freezer. Perfect for just normal every day, live on land type cooking. Unfortunately, we were so used to just bringing home take out that we did not use our new kitchen to its full potential and were still spending a pile of money on food. Since reading Your Money Or Your Life
Yachty Magazines
One final comment that I would like to make about living on a boat cheaply is this: you don’t need, nor will you ever use all the crap you see for sale in all those glossy naughty yachty magazines. I’m not even sure what is all being touted in those rag mags these days as I don’t read them anymore, but back when we were looking to purchase a boat we got sucked in by all the ‘must haves’ that populate those mags. If it is shiny and electronic, you likely don’t need it. A simple $50.00 hand held GPS works just as well as the $3000.00 binical mounted model. Your boat will likely come with a VHF radio – it will work just fine, you don’t need that new hand held model which is waterproof down to 2000′ (why?) and will call the cows home from pasture at the same time. You don’t need all those extras and unless you are the guy buying the gold plated yacht, you can’t afford it anyway – and from what I’ve seen, he likely can’t afford it either. I talked about this issue way back when I first started living on a boat:
I’ll admit that I had read one too many of The Magazines and Books and that I was beginning to think that I would need a complete refit before sailing. (I no longer believe this.) So, we went to boat shows and priced out and bought those things that we just felt we could not do without. Things like a handheld VHF, self-inflating life jackets, etc., you know, just the bare essentials. Now I wish that I had spent that money on more important thing; things that would have made us more comfortable. A bimini cover and dodger for instance. But you just have to have a VHF in your hand when sailing, right? And you must have a self-inflating life jacket on at all times, right? Well, here’s the truth. I’ve used the handheld VHF maybe half a dozen times in two years and have only put on the jackets when in rough weather which we normally don’t sail in anyways. The VHF already on the boat would have worked just fine and the Canadian Tire life vest for 40 bucks would have worked just as well and could have provided a butt pad when not in use. Oh well, live and learn. What The Magazines and The Books say you need and what you really need are two very different things!
Other things you can do to save money on a boat:
- Build your own wind generator out of scraps. My neighbour did this – works great!
- Do your laundry in a hand washer – and hang everything out to dry – we do this.
- Haul out your own waste in jugs and dump down the nearest toilet to save on pump outs. See this post on how I managed the holding tank on the Alberg.
And finally – just stay home. You live on the water – you don’t need a cottage or a boat or all the hassle of going north or south or whatever direction cottage country is. Just brew a cup of coffee and sit out on deck, enjoy the view, suck in the clean air and enjoy the gentle rocking of your home.
Next up in our Living on a Boat series will be: Living on a Boat – Family and all. Until then, would love to have any questions or comments you might have on this topic.
101 Comments
Karl
I'm in the California delta I bought two identical large POS old houses boats for the low tax rates. I gutted them, one is totally refurbished the other is storage/workshop. The upper decks have power winch lower-able patio roofs to get under bridges. The patio roofs are all covered with solar panels. When I'm tired of the view, I tow one with the other (both) are power-able (gasoline), but I'm able to travel at least 5 miles a day with electric thrusters without loosing too much juice to keep other things running . I make my own water too. My bit of paradise
Marc
I would like to fond insurance company that permit in water storage/live a boad here in Canada. Any hint?
Mark Lee
I normally live in s.Colorado but have property in s.Cal. At some point, I'll sell one house here and want to get a life. I will be able to get a good 37 to 40 sailboat'.I must say that the mooring looks so expensive that the dream is fading. I'm an artist and need to get costs down. There seems to be open hostility to anyone here who wants to live on the cheap. I'm not thinking of a floating eyesore with junk all over the dock.Just a free lifestyle where I can focus on the art and have more peace of mind. Artists have to be tough but the rat race is pure poison.Any ideas? I will have some rental income and I'm single.
g miller
I live in N.J and I,am thinking of living on a boat .I need feed back on a good location moor it.
Tony
thank you for maintaining such an informative site. i was just curious about your physical address. obviously you can use a po box for physical mail, but what about your identification, or credit cards, insurance, etc… ive been under the impression that you need a physical address for those. would you mind sharing your knowledge on this? thank you in advance if you find time to reply.
Kathryn Snider
Does anyone want to rent out their liveaboard boat for July & August 2011 (both months or one or the other). I am a Canadian teacher living abroad and am home for the summer, and would love to try this out. Please email me if you can assist at all. Much Thanks
Kathryn
monica
We are looking for a boat. We really want to live on a boat and will arrive in Toronto in july it'd be great to start by renting your boat one or two months and if we like it then we can buy one. DEPENDING ON THE PRICE!
Please tell me more! How big, pictures, sailing experience, year, mooring place… Thanks!
Lynn altergott
Does anyone live on a boat in the chicago area? would love to hear about that adventure. some said it can be done.
Stewart Force
My wife and I bought our first sailboat to live aboard in 1971. We've never had a house and have continued to live aboard for the past forty years. We raised two children aboard and we are now retired and cruising. We love our lives, but accurate comparisons are weak, as we know little of life ashore and owning houses. Take care and joy, Aythya crew
Dominique
Hi, I have a few questions, Im a 24 yrs old and relocating to Florida, my parents passed and left there house in Miami, I am selling it because I can't afford the mortgage on the house, I wanted to stay in Florida, and buy a boat, this will be my first boat, how do I know if I can live abroad in certain cities? Where do i do the research for that?
Patti
I have always had the dream of living all year round on a houseboat. So far my research has reflected that for a single 53 year old woman, investing in a docked boat as opposed to a sailing boat would be more feasible. Where would be a good place to live in a houseboat, docked, all year round, that wasn't too badly crowded, etc.?
Erik
I bought a 38' X 20' Piver Trihull ketch with zero sailing experience, site unseen… got on her and sailed her 380 NM and loved every minute of it. I have to say it was the most exciting thing I have ever done in my life… a real adventure… and you know what I'm dreaming about to top it now… I live aboard now for less than 400 usd per month. The money I'm saving though goes right back into equipment, ammenities… fiberglass… I have never enjoyed life so much.
–Erik
Marty
Hi
Thanks for the excellent site. There is so much negative information on the web about boatlife it's good to see a balance. My wife and I have recently moved to Fiji wher I am working and are planning selling the remainder of our Australian assetts and purchasing a sailboat to live on for a few years here in the South Pacific. We have lived in a VW Kombi with 2 border collies before so even a 35' boat is quite spacious!
Have been checking out several boats and attitudes here via the Suva yacht club and others and have found there are two types of sail boat owners. Those with abundant funds who sail rarely, burn much fossil fuel and like to tell stories of huge costs. And those who sail, committ themselves to the lifestyle and take the costs and relative discomfort as part of the journey. Like all things in life we have gravitated to the mindset that fits best with ours. Check out http://www.sailngforsustainability.org for some inspiring work being carried out by some good friends of ours.
Looking forward to the book!
Marty
Marty
er that was http://www.sailingforsustainability.org
vinaka!
Robin
Hey, Thanks for all the useful information. I live in Jacksonville, FL. For the last 3 years have been thinking of selling my home anmd moving on a House boat full time (live-aboard). I have been doing A LOT of reseach, and still have lots more to do. my question is….why do so many people choose to live on Sailboats opposed to Houseboats? it seems there so much more room on a houseboat. thanks in advance:)
Jeff Stanley
Glad to here all the positive comments. My buddy Randy lives aboard a 35 ft Tri, in Rio Vista Ca.He loves it . He does spend most of his time working and up grading the boat or thinking of his next repairs. I myself say it is not for me.Too much work! I prefer a simple life style with a lot of freedom,a turn key existence if you will. I wish you all well but be realistic with you expectations for the water lifestyle it is not for everyone.
bob
Hi allmy wife and I have been burnt recently thanx to the stock market etc so we thought our retirement plans were pooched and suddenly went from 5 yrs to retirement to god knows when. The idea of living on a house boat sounds like a very interesting idea. A cottage and home all-in-one. We love the water and the idea of being able to move about when we want to.
We are looking in the Windsor/Amhurstberg to Bell River area.
Does anone know where we could moor and do the live-aboard thing in that area. BTW we have a 50' house boat.
Bob
Milly
Hi Guys,
This is a great website, thanks to all. I just took the plunge and put a deposit on a houseboat that I plan to live on all year. I will need to find a place to dock her someplace along the Greater Toronto waterfront. My ideal spot would be Etobicoke to Mississauga, even the Leslie spit sounds great.
Center Island would be mind blowing, just I need to be at work at 6:30 so I can not wait for the ferry on take a dingy to shore.
Does anyone have any suggestions please. Also, I really do not want to be in some posh marina with million dollar boats turning their noses up at me living on this thing, LOL. Just so you know, after Palm Beach and the Hamptons Toronto is snob centeral, LOL.
Would be very grateful for any suggestions.
Regards,
Milly
phil and Diane
Reading all the comments just confirms that we are not nuts and although we are retired (healthy) seniors and having owned a small sailboat years ago….we are planning to make the plunge this year…our plan is simple…purchase a used 35' sailboat and spend 6 months (fall& winter) in the Bahamas….leave the boat in a safe storage facility during hurricane season, fly home for the spring and summer and just repeat the procedure the following year…we may even save a little money ….can't wait to live the dream…will keep you posted
Paddy Fitzgerald
Hello, I'm new to this website and I am looking at purchasing a live-aboard in Florida. I would like to stay close to the intrarcoastal waterway or right on it, the sailboat I'm interested in is in Miami area.
Question: are there areas where I can tie-up to a bouy/mooring? I want to keep the cost down, no marina dockage. At present I live in Ontario.
Great website, Thanks……..Paddy
Goran
It would be helpful to see a breakdown of boat living vs. living in a similarly priced condo for example. Not having cable or phone subscription is not exclusive to living on a boat. However, carrying your waste in jugs and flushing them down a toilet is.
I'm contemplating getting a cruiser and living aboard few months at a time as I travel.
Gordon Glenn
I grew up in a sailing family and sailed with my late dad from the age of about 4. Sailed on many lengths and makes from 22-30 ft. I am currently seriously researching live aboard lifestyles, and looking at boats for sale. I spent last Sunday in port credit hoping to talk to someone regarding costs. On a recent Hamilton cruise the captain suggested not looking at anything too small, approx 42 ft. I wondered if you may be willing to meet and give advice.
Ryan
I am very interested in what you have to say and would like some advice on where to get started I'm selling m house and looking for a boat to buy any help would be appreciated.
Cheers
Ryan
Rick DesVergnes
Hello all I am thinking about a live on boat 30′ or so wife will Probably stay on land and do her thing oh well after 30 some years to to move on I guess. I would like to get a boat here in Arizona USA at one of the lakes and save some money. Some slip rates are around $320-$395 per. I can get covered or uncovered. I think after reading this forum I am right, it would be a lot cheaper then living on land. Just don’t know what I should invest in a sail or power. I don’t care about moving around if I want to do that I will use my little boat. If I get a older glass boat what would be the upkeep on the hull for sitting in fresh water year-round
Randy Fox
I have been living on my Gibson 41 for 8 months in the gulf of Mexico it’s too big !
I will be returning to Canada this fall and plan to live on my 26 foot nonsuch in the Toronto area, we all have more then we use or need or eat this simple life allows us to live without financial burdens or. “stuff” we never use, it is a complete and uncluttered life living aboard and I would suggest that any one who has thought of this way of life just to do it. Great site!
Lynette
Hi,
This is such a great topic.
We just returned from the BVI after cruising there for 2 months from Dec 2012 to 5th of Feb 2013. We bought a Beneteau 510 a huge and ideal live aboard yacht and fast passage maker. We took delivery of her a month after purchase in October and went across to Virgin Gorda from South Africa – And its’on the other side of the world with a 6 hours time difference .
Wow !! What an incredible experience!! We also owned a Beneteau 50 before in 2005 in took delivery of her in Greece , Milina and sailed part of Greece , Turkey, Cypress , Israel and Red Sea . We had her delivered from El Gouna to Seychelles, spent 6 weeks there and delivered from there to South Africa. We sold her soon after wards and that is always the saddest day of my life.
But yes the question always remain HOW CAN YOU PERMANENTLY MAINTAIN AND ENJOY THIS LIFESTYLE?
You definitely need funds . For each person it will vary – the question here is – HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED?
Some people can only travel if they stay in the Hilton and for other the Best Western is more than enough or even a modest guest house.
I don’t have all the answers and coming from South Africa – have no idea what is possible to live and maybe even make a living aboard cruising the world. Live aboard is banned is South Africa . All I know is this is what I want to do permanently and will give up my life on land any day to pursue this dream and as soon as possible.
My yacht is on the hard In Virgin Gorda – and also up for sale – Unless I can get away from here and have a plan to do the above- cruising happily ever after. I really hope some one have some advice for me. Keep on cruising!!
John Briese
Love your site!
If I buy a big enough boat, can I live through winter on Lake Ontario and also travel back and forth to Haiti and Toronto?
Thanks in advance
JB
strathy
Yes – there are several people I know who travel back and forth between the Carib and TO. Definitely doable!
Patti
We found your comments very informative…Thanks for sharing….You have helped us realize we are on track with our desire to live on the water,especially in the same area as you…We are empty nesters and living in a condo on the water,just west of your marina…We are definately interested in hearing from you concerning groceries and cooking aboard and shopping for living aboard….We are newbies but dedicated…
Cheers
strathy
For us, food was not an issue. We had 3 grocery stores all within a short walk of the boat. We bought food just like everyone else does. Cooking and refrigeration depends on your boat and your set up. On our Alberg, it was a bit more difficult because we had a very small fridge and no freezer. We were also using an Alcohol stove and did not have an oven. You can adapt many recipes to fit your situation though – and you find the ones that work and they become your favorites. If you are short on refrigeration, then you will have to adapt by using more canned and dried goods. Really – if you have a basic stove and fridge, the cooking part of living aboard is not a huge issue.
Patti
WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS and welcome opinions….After numerous hours of thought and shopping for our first boat,we were sure of our final choice,a 40 ft. 2001 luxury Cruisers 3750…We are both under 60 yrs., retired and were searching for a home on the water for 6 months a year and then spend our winters in our waterfront condo on Lake Ontario about 15 min. from the Port Credit Marina….After reading an article in a Yacht Mag. about living aboard and all options we suddenly became uncertain as to living in the summer on a pontoon style houseboat(far less expensive than our 3750 Cruisers choice) or an actual boat with all ammenities…..I am an interior designer and could make a palace of a used pontoon houseboat along with hubbies construction skills,but wonder if a 40ft.flybridge yacht including a tub would be easier to sell down the road…Either way we have a large custom tender to motor around in for our water car…We would appreciate and respect opinions from experienced boaters,the wisest direction to take…
Many thanks in advance
Patti
Pat
I have been living on my 60 foot power boat for 7 years now year round. It is pretty much the same room and more than a condo and has all amenities’ including a hot tub on the top deck. Looking to sell it now and willing to hold the mortgage. I think it is also listed at Port Credit yacht Club
Bill
I currently live in the Atlanta, Georgia area, and I’m not very far from Lake Lanier and Lake Altoona. I am just now beginning my research on the topic of year round boat living in the area, but don’t seem to be making much headway. ANY advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. Spending 1,000 a month for rent is absurd, Especially for a mountain biking nature buff who would like to spend his money and time pursuing the great outdoors while leaving as small a foot print as possible. Thanx y’all!
Julian
I’ve been told that you cannot legally live-aboard in Toronto according to municipal by-laws unless you were grandfathered in. Have you heard of this? I am just beginning to explore the idea and I am considering setting myself up with a houseboat. I have lived aboard my sailboat in Georgian Bay for the summer so I have a good idea what I am getting into.
Julian
strathy
I had not heard that about Toronto. I think there was a by-law in Oakville that was something like that which is why there were no live aboards at Bronte, etc. Maybe it’s new for TO? Can anybody confirm this?
Rosemary Charlton
There are plenty of live-aboards in Port Credit and Toronto. I personally have seen many winter boats at Port Credit harbour, Port Credit Yacht Club and At Bluffers Marina in Scarborough. iam sure there are more. I live in Oakville and you cannot live in the winter on your boat there, but Port Credit is a not far. We are looking into winter boat living fo next year.
Matt
I live in Toronto, and although I’m not looking to live on a boat (at least not yet), I am finally learning to sail and would like to buy a small used sailboat in the next year or so (maybe around 20-25′). Though my biggest concern right now is slip fees. It seems that slip fees in the area could cost me almost as much as my boat every season ($80-100/ft/month). That’s prohibitive for me, especially since it’ll mostly be for recreation at this point.
Does anyone here know if there are areas in the GTA where I can simply anchor in a relatively protected area for a lot cheaper? And what would your advice be for this type of mooring. Obviously I’d need a small dinghy to get to and from shore, but are there any other aspects I may need to know about?
Thanks for any help you may have.
Sincerely,
– Matt
Dirk
I bought a ’78 Down Easter 32 that I am refurbishing to be my home at some point very soon. I know that I can live and be OK on my measly pension by living aboard and be able to work part when and where I feel like it, as opposed to working full time at a job I absolutely hate to make enough money to live ‘land locked’ with all the trappings that entails. I just hate it. Unfortunately, due to elderly parents who need more and more assistance, I am forced to suck it up and stay in upstate NY, only being able to use my boat for weekends (since my girlfriend has the damn house I a helping to afford). But…..is it possible to live aboard along the Erie Canal at any point does anyone know? We have to haul our boats from the marina on the southern end of Seneca Lake by the end of October, so living there over the winter is not an option. Thoughts? Feel free to email me. Thanks!!!!!
Gene Rybarczyk
On another entry, I was amused by your description of your prairie childhood as having views that weren’t obscured by the intrusion of hills or mountains. I live in Tucson, Arizona, where I heard this supposedly true story:
A local woman was visiting a friend in upstate New York, where the friend’s apartment had a view of the Hudson River. After a few days, the friend asked the Arizona woman what she thought of the view of the river. Arizona replied, “I really can’t say; it’s been full of water all the time.”
mike
Hello, I live in England. There are places even in this overcrowded island to anchor, up quiet rivers, There is not that many big enough and devoid of men with badges and rules in the whole u.k but I have found one and it is fantastic. From Easter to Haloween is perfectly feasable to live aboard, I’ve done it. , The thing that thwarts me though is the 16 hours of darkness in winter. I have to admit I crawl back to the brick house and watch The Big Bang Theory until the Equinox. All the best.
Michael Skorulski
I’m in the process of buying a boat now in Toronto and don’t have a place to keep it. Can you tell me where you keep your boat and if there are any free places for another boat? Many thanks.
Mike
Hi I’ve been intrigued with boat living for years and now at
Retirement age and wishing to downsize,
Declutter and try an adventure I just wonder, where do I
Start, what type of boats do I look at, I prefer houseboat types where I can have my kayaks and bicycles handy. Do you have any advice. I’d be looking at locating in the Ottawa area to be near the kids and
Would appreciate an input, thanks. Mike
Ray
I would like to leave my boat in the water for the winter are there rules against this? I’m on Lake Simcoe and I found a small canal that doesn’t freeze ,am I allowed to stay there for the winter raysdream7@gmail.com
Lucy D Holmes
How do I go about having this lifestyle? Can I rent a boat already set up?
Bill
I’m tired of spending virtually every dollar I make on the traditional house, yard, pool, two cars, city taxes and driving across town to a job I’m growing tired of. I’m ready to give it all up. I’ve got enough equity in my house to pay for or put a good down payment on a nice used16x35 houseboat. Problem is most mooring fees on the lakes in central Texas are around $500. Add in the gas to drive the extra 80 miles round trip and maintenance on the boat and I’m almost back at my mortgage payment. I can’t find anywhere that tells me if I can anchor in the middle of the lake and live off grid and be legal? What are typical laws on this. I’ve heard no one Owens the lake or river but I don’t need someone knocking on my door asking for back compensation after living on the lake for a year. Anyone know the answers?
Moira Blythe
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of living on a house boat. If I could convince my husband, we would be out there right now! I like what you say here about saving even more money by washing your own clothes and air drying them. Boat life sounds so simple and free!
Marty
I have started my search for a catamaran, and I am looking at a Selina 48′ nothing that has been charted I prefer owners, I just think they take better care of them for the most part.
I was a commercial diver for years and miss the water I have been land locked for too long, the cat will not be a dock dolly, I am going to use it for what it is, and a boat is made to travel, I have been in two hurricanes working, getting things ready for the storm but getting caught in them on the water you understand there power, both just 3s but still the waves were over 30′ by the time we were able to leave the job site, needed two ocean going tugs to pull us in.
I am single and am looking for some input on what anyone thinks, I am not afraid of traveling alone but on very long trips to have someone to talk to might be nice.
I have been single for 13 years and am looking forward to getting under way.
Marty
Matthew
Hello I am really considering purchasing a house boat but I cant seem to find information on rules/regulations on living on one. Do you know of any websites/resources that can help.
I really enjoyed reading your experiences of living on a house boat and wish one day I can too live on a house boat.
Quyn
I knew you must be out there somewhere. I have been obsessed with living on a narrowboat in England, then fell in love with the houseboats on the Seine, but a liveaboard in Canada – thank you for this info. It’s the beginning of great things
Tim
Living in Durham Ontario but looking to retire on a motor yacht and do the “snowbird” thing back and forth to the caribbean 5-6 mths at a time. Should I buy my boat from down there where it is already used to the salt water ? I know it would have to have a water maker.