Question:
my roommate and I are thinking about living aboard a sail boat.
We figure making the rent every month is the same as making payment for
the sail boat. We don't really know much about sailing but love it dearly.
We have sailed the 14ft Lido and are taking course in sailing the 30ft Shields.
Please reply with info regarding the followings:
1) boat types (please include featured amenities aboard)
2) prices (both used and new)
3) docking fee (in general)
4) maintenance
5) any literature that we should be reading
6) whatever else you think we should know
Answer:
DON'T DO IT! I don't say this because I don't like sailing, don't think that
living aboard can be a satisfying life style, or that I am trying to be mean.
I don't know if you are looking for a boat to be a residence, a boat to be
a hobby (or recreation), a boat to be an investment, or a boat to be a life
style. And, I suspect you don't know either. Before you plunk down your
money, you need to figure out what kind of sailing you like to do, what
kind of boat you like doing it in, and if you really want to live on the boat
you sail. When you have answered these questions, know what you are *really*
going to use the boat for, and have answered your own question #1, ask your
questions again. Actually, by that time you will have answered many of them
yourself.
In other words, do not look at living aboard a sailboat as inexpensive housing,
or an inexpensive way to pay for a sailboat. While both of these things can
be true once you know what you want out of sailing, they can be a disaster
to the novice.
