Idealising and romanticizing the idea of living on a boat full-time can be inspiring enough to leave your boring life and brave the unknown but the actual reality is not as easy as it looks and it’s not always as appealing as you think it is. You need to prepare yourself financially, mentally, emotionally, and physically to be able to partake in the journey. You also have to make sure that your boat is sturdy enough to travel great distances if you plan to do a globetrotting expedition. Aside from that, you have to prepare all the necessary boat supplies and equipment that will make your living conditions easier.

Before you jump ahead and drastically change your daily life, ask yourself first why you’ve decided to live on a boat; Do you want to live on a boat as your permanent home? Are you planning to travel to different places, or are you using your boat as a second home where you can escape your drab routinary life?

Your plan and preparation should be based on your reason since there are a lot of factors to consider if you want to reside in your boat for a long time. The tips presented below will help you consider and ponder carefully if you’re going to live in a boat full time:

Cost of Living on a Boat

Don’t assume that you’ll save money by moving aboard. Here are some expenses you may incur by living on your boat:

• Boat mortgage fees
• Boat insurance
• Boat maintenance
• Waste management
• Boat motor fuel
• Food and water

To avoid draining your finances, make a budget that divides your expenses according to highest to lowest priority and make sure to stick to your budget.

Consider Your Safety And Security

Being on a boat 24/7 poses a lot of risks that you won’t necessarily experience when you’re living on land. You need to prepare yourself and your boat to face the worst. Expect you’ll be facing terrible storms, unexpected accidents, and engine failure, other unfortunate circumstances. You need to stock up on safety accessories and equipment. Make sure you have fire extinguishers and smoke alarms ready to prevent fires from devouring your boat. Make sure your first aid kit is placed somewhere secure.

Make sure you’ve drawn a proper plan for the locations you’ll be travelling to. Let your loved ones, friends, and fellow boaters know where you’ll be heading if you plan to travel to different places. Make sure you saved the numbers of whom you can contact in case of emergencies.

If you’re only mooring your boat in a marina for a long time, check out the security arrangements in that place. Make sure it is a safe and secure environment. Ask the people in charge about their security arrangements.

Daily Life & Socialization

Living in a boat can be isolating most of the time, especially if you spend long periods on the water, but you get to meet kind people, most likely mariners and boaters, who are willing to lend a hand to you if you need it. The nautical community are willing to help each other out and they can be the type of people that you can count on. In return, you should also be willing to sometimes go out of your way to help someone in times of distress.

Upgrade Your DIY Skills

If you’re tight on money or if you’re travelling in distant places, you know you can’t easily call someone to do a boat maintenance job for you so you need to brush up on your skills. If you’re not competent in basic plumbing, mechanics and electricals, for example, it’s time to learn and master them. Consider taking basic courses to do them properly. You’ll save a lot of time and money if you can fix a small problem on your own instead of calling a professional. If there are repairs or maintenance issues that are big to handle on your own, that’s the time you’ll be calling a professional to do the job for you.

Consider Your Nautical Skills

If you’re sailing to various places, you need to be competent in your nautical skills. You need to know how to properly navigate your boat on different waterways and in different weather. Remember that help will not come as fast as having your car break down in the middle of the road so you need to know what to do in different situations. If you’re not confident enough in your skills, consider signing up for a boating course in marine schools.

Essentials for Comfortable Living

Remember that living in a boat doesn’t offer the same space and comfort as living in a house. Spaces are smaller and cramped (unless you’ll be living in a luxury yacht). Don’t bring everything you own; only bring the essential stuff that you’re going to need for a comfortable living aboard. Pack clothes that are appropriate to the weather or season.

Make sure to install the proper ventilation in your boat to avoid the growth of mildew and mould. Make sure to bring the appropriate cleaners and tools to keep your boat spic and span. To avoid boredom, bring your electronic gadgets with you. You still need to stay connected to your friends and loved ones. This can help combat homesickness. You can install a dish for the TV signal, and a marine WiFi for internet access.