Living on a Boat

As I search the web to ensure my take on the subject is unique, I see lots of exaggerated comments that are headline-grabbing hooks to get you to click and read. For sure, I would like you to read my article, but I will not say anything that I had not experienced myself.

I have another post called Liveaboard a Boat that you might also find interesting.

Mindset to liveaboard

Lots to consider as to why you would choose a liveaboard lifestyle. You will probably be able to take a step forward or backward towards living on a boat if you question your motives carefully.

Do you suffer from depression or a phobia if you sleep in closed or small spaces? Most of us who enjoy boating are not worried, they find sleeping in a small cabin great apart from sitting up in bed reading or getting in and out with a low ceiling.

If the thought of living in a confined space frightens you or triggers an alarm in your head, proceed with caution. You can overcome natural fears with logical thoughts but if a fear of confined spaces turns you off, then think again if living on a boat is for you.
My answer “I can very happily dig a hole in the ground and sleep, so long as I am warm, have a good airflow, I am happy and snug. I don’t need so much space when I am sleeping”.

Do you need lots of stuff on a boat?

Not so straight forward this one because most of us who live aboard accumulate loads of junk. Lockers fill before you know it”! The point is, can you live without your junk? “I don’t throw things away, I become very attached to my stuff, but I can live without it”. “I find the more I have, the more I want.” Strip back in your mind to the absolute minimum of what you need to survive. The answer should come back to a few food calories a day, access to clean fresh water, and a feeling of well being. A feeling of well is the goal for life aboard a boat.
Ok, apart from the obvious question, do I get seasick when I am in a confined place? Then, in my opinion, if the answer to that question is no, I don’t get seasick, then you are good to go!

Plan A Location for your boat

Based on considerations of your personal needs, for this article’s sake not becoming a book, let’s say you don’t have any other location needs than to be near your work. On that assumption, you can live on a boat for some considerable time before you need to declare this as a permanent life choice. When I lived on a boat I gave myself six months. I was very lucky a friend gave me the use of an almost new 15 metre Jeanneau Yacht. The cost was nothing other than to look after it while trying to sell it. When the time came to move on I did so feeling happy I achieved my personal goal. Could have just moved back home anytime? The answer to that question being no. I didn’t have a home at that point and was in transition from the UK to Spain. I make no apologies for never eating alone on the yacht. I simply went out to eat two or three times a day. Life was good! Not to move away from the topic but this is the point. I never considered for a moment to tell the Marina I was a liveaboard. I suppose in a year or so somebody might have said something, but maybe not? There are lots of ways to consider a timeline for your liveaboard declaration. If you are a so-called “professional” who gets up and goes to a job away from a Marina each day for work and keep a reasonably tidy profile, then you can easily manage a couple of seasons without issues. The only issue is getting a post box and that can be tricky. Certainly, you need to register as a resident if you are abroad to stay legal.

Location Location Location

The location of your boat is an interesting point that we can dwell on a little. Living on a Boat can be much the same as living in a busy neighbourhood. You might be someone who keeps yourself reasonably quiet. At some point, you are going to start talking to others around the Marina. The odd thing about that is how long it takes to get to know people. And how uninterested people are with each other. For sure, you will notice others on boats during times when most are away or living at home (most mid-week times), but again, a few months R&R away from home is perfectly normal. Marina operators become aware of individuals who appear to be different. Perhaps your boat starts to acquire a liveaboard look. Lots of unused stuff lying around on deck or, dare I say, looks a little untidy. The Marina might then question you about living aboard, but that could be a year or two from the actual date you decided to make the boat your home. Have in your mind living on-board is temporary, or be prepared to be rejected by many Marina’s if you declare this from the beginning.

What is the problem with living on my boat in the Marina?

Almost all Marina operations provide temporary space for individuals? Marinas could not cope if nobody went home. At peak times, almost every Marina struggles to provide adequate facilities for all berth holders. Therefore, if you are clearly permanently living on-board, you might be ejected and not understand why. On the positive side, most Marina operators turn a blind eye to live aboard’s. As you become part of the Marina community, if you fit in with the look and feel of the space you occupy, you will most likely find no one cares or questions how long you stay on your boat. After all, it is not any concern provided the Marina operator does not get complaints.

See our page Marina Berthing Port Ginesta Barcelona. We have a very active liveaboard population in Port Ginesta, Barcelona. The Marina is close enough to the city for travelling to work each day, giving space and distance from the bustling city.

Visit our sister company website if you are thinking of Yacht Charter European Yacht Charters. Network Yacht Brokers Barcelona has lots of private berths available at prices well below the standard marina tariff.

We recently moved to a bigger office and can now be found in the new part of Port Ginsta amongst the bigger yachts. If you are interested in becoming a yacht broker by joining our Group, please contact us to find out more.

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