EXPLAINING BOAT LIFE…. TO A VIRGINAL BOATER

I waited a bit before mentioning boat life again…. to show that it wasn’t just a fleeting thought.

Hubbie- “We’re not living on a boat.”

Ok, why not?

Hubbie- “Because.”

Nope. In my family, because isn’t an answer. Try again.

Hubbie- “It’s just not going to happen.”

How can you immediately dismiss an idea when you haven’t even entertained the thought? Never having been on a large boat that would be capable of living aboard, you don’t even know what you are saying “no” to. So – challenge accepted! I will work to at least get you to consider it as an option. But! You can’t say “no” yet.

Over the years, as I have shared with people that I lived for several years on a boat, I have learned many immediately assume the boat was a yacht. No, not really a yacht. That term invokes images of 100 foot triple deck floating mansions. It’s really more like a floating R.V. (And if retirees are willing to go snow birding in an R.V., why couldn’t we do it on the water?) While they may be called different names, there is a kitchen (galley), bathroom (head), living area (salon) and multiple bedrooms (berths). Sure, its a bit compact from our house, but we have rooms we rarely go in. And the ability to change the view out of your front door whenever you like… awesome!

Oh, but how would you ever afford a boat large enough to live on? Through careful planning, strategic saving, and keeping your “wants” in check, it is completely doable. Think of how many people own R.V.s. The pricing can be very similar. Have no fear Hubbie – I have a plan!

The first step, to be on a boat. To get a feel for the space. It took a few months, but we were finally able to get away for a weekend to my Dad’s Bayliner 32. The weekend was a success! Baby steps mind you, but a success none the less. On our drive home we chatted a bit about the boat and its pros and cons from our perspective. He was pleasantly surprised with the layout and how spacious the salon felt.

I don’t have any interest in owning a powerboat/trawler. My preference is a sail boat, specifically a catamaran. Initially, Hubbie’s thought was that a sail boat wouldn’t have a motor at all. Once we cleared that up, I think he appreciated the idea of a wider living space, a more stable ride and the option to beach the cat on soft sand.

A few months later, it was boat to the rescue! We were on a road trip back to Idaho after a long day’s work. Hubbie was committed to pushing all the way through, but I convinced him to stop at the boat in Umatilla, OR (about the halfway mark). He was lights out the second his head hit the pillow. The next day he admitted that it was very convenient to have the boat available for us to crash. Win!!