Anyone here ever lived on a boat?

**justinc** · 18th May 2007, 11:16 PM

Hi All,

After selling our property and paying out the bank etc etc, we are wondering what to do with ourselves. We have moved back into suburbia, renting a 'villa' and are finding it unpleasant dealing with barking dogs, foul language from the neighbours, domestic disputes, burnouts, parties etc etc.

Our thoughts have turned to living on the water.

Some friends of ours have done this, without their offspring though, who has left home anyway, and we are contemplating the same lifestyle.

The cost of a decent habitable boat down here I've been told is about 95 to 130K, and at about 100$ a week in mooring fees at the marina with power and water thrown in sounds good to me. Our two 9 and 13 yo girls are enthusiastic which is a relief. Can anyone add some of their experiences?

JC and Family

**RobHay** · 18th May 2007, 11:20 PM

Learn to swim!

**Bradtot** · 18th May 2007, 11:24 PM

Sea sickness comes to mind...thinking your ****ed when u are not as its just the sway of the boat not what u consumed.

Justin what a wonderful lifestyle that would be for you.
permanently on Holidays
sounds good to me...but I do get sick on a boat and could never do what u are contemplating, however getting away from it all somewhere does sound good, like u I am sick of neighbors too.
Good luck
Brad

**dobbo** · 18th May 2007, 11:27 PM

Big lifestyle changes, things you take for granted like using toilets, having postal and garbage services, 240v powered homeware and household goods.

I'd be hiring one for a few weeks and see if you can hack it as a family, It might cost a few thousand to do, but it may save you a lot more.

**ladas** · 18th May 2007, 11:28 PM

My feeling with boats are that they depreciate, and the maintenance is high, where as with a house - they tend to appreciate and whist still need maintenance it's less than with a boat.

I owned/lived on a longboat/barge in Holland for two years, a novalty at first......but after a while a bit cramped, but that might have been caused by the junk I collected.

It was fun when I was in my 20's but unless I could afford to get something in the real 'luxury' class (which I can't) I certainly wouldn't do it again..........

....................but everyone to their own.

**justinc** · 18th May 2007, 11:36 PM

Thanks Brad, and Rob, I can swim!

Actually there wouldn't be too much of a holiday, I'll still have to borrow some $$$ and after moving into bigger premises at work I am even busier! But I guess that motoring across the D'entracasteau channel to Bruny Island for the weekend seems like it could be construed as aholiday....Couldn't it.
Or a long weekend fishing for southern bluefin Tuna off Pedra Branca...

Yes the missus gets sea sick she says, but reckons that a few weeks alongside may cure her of it....I hope.

The other thing I forgot to mention is the cat. It will have to become the ships' cat and find some sea legs pretty quickly.

We're looking at a steel hulled 45 foot Ketch next week, I cant believe how cheap it is, a heck of a lot of boat for $120k. 3 cabins, one a double.Hot water etc, freezer, genset, tender and outboard, new Nav equipment, built 1986 locally. I am trying REALLY hard not to get too excited just yet....

JC

**RobHay** · 18th May 2007, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by justinc

Thanks Brad, and Rob, I can swim!

Or a long weekend fishing for southern bluefin Tuna off Pedra Branca...

I forgot to mention is the cat.

JC

There!........ you see problem of bait for the bigfellas

.....solved

**justinc** · 19th May 2007, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by RobHay

There!........ you see problem of bait for the bigfellas

.....solved

When we got this pedigree feline, It was a standing joke that it cost more than the car. At that time I had a $300 diesel gemini....
Actually, as well as nice hats, cats make great cray bait I've heard.

JC

**Blknight.aus** · 19th May 2007, 04:17 AM

been there done that, your going to want to have a really close knit family and where do you park the rovers?

oh theres plenty of things that can destroy a house but a boat gets yet another one

ever seen a house sink?

**Mudnut** · 19th May 2007, 04:56 AM

Hi Justinc,
I have lived on a boat but for only about 8 months, and I was 18 years old. Was a small one, and I couldn't even stand up in it. Would do it agin, but would need a large one with 2 kids, wife, and cat as in your case. Also I lived on mine in the Bahamas, so temperature was not too improtant. In Tassie, you would need good heating, and more space as "getting away" can be made more difficult. Have you considered hiring a "bare boat charter" and seeing if it is what you want after a fortnight or so.
Good luck,

Ken

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