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A boat can be a home but it is certainly not like a house! A house is on land and if there any repairs that need to be done, usually you can put them off until absolutely necessary. However, a boat needs constant attention, as it will be completely exposed to all elements! Plus; If the worst happens? Your whole world will be lost!

There are many ways and reasons to live on a boat! You may do it for the adventure? You may want to tour the world? You may live on a boat, because it is cheaper than owning a house or condo? Which ever your reason, there are many phases of boat living, that have to be considered, at some possible point, in your aquatic endeavors:

There is the choice of dry-docking. This is where your boat is hauled out of the water and placed upright, with leg supports, in the back of a Boatyard or a Marina facility. Many people who live on boats, usually spend their winters in dry-dock, as the weather can get quite nasty. Electricity and facilities are usually provided.

Additionally, if your boat requires maintenance? Dry-dock is where this is best done! With the boat completely out of water for a lengthy time period, it is much easier to access, all external areas and check for deterioration and damage.

When your boat is ready to hit the water in the spring, the Boatyard will crane hoist your boat, back into the water, just as easily as they took it out. There are many fees associated with all of this; Docking, Hauling, Slip usage, mooring fees and if your boat requires special attention, such as mast and sail safe-keeping, then there will be fees for the removal, storage and re-placement.

Once in the water, there are many things to consider; Keeping fresh water on hand is one of them! Staying sanitized, is another! Keeping a constant supply of food, may be a problem, depending upon your accessability to local markets? In any case, it is advisable, to keep a variety of canned foods on hand! You never know?

If there is an in-board engine? It is important to keep your fuel, well away from your living quarters, as the smell will get into your food and into your clothes. Besides, there is nothing worse than spending an evening, in your lower quarters, rocking from side to side, with the unpleasant aroma of Diesel and/or Kerosine! If there is a generator? It is well advised, to keep it and it's fuel, outside!

It is also important to keep an up to date, First-aid' kit handy, especially if you are using a mooring location, or plan on taking a voyage. At the same time; Communication is imperative! Make sure that your radio(s) and cell phone(s) are completely charged!

Depending upon the location of the Marina or Boatyard, you may have to be aware of the tidal flow and keep your boat protected from pier or pontoon damage. It is also vital, to be aware of other boats, that are coming and going, as well as keeping a vigil, on weather forecasts and warnings from the Marina.

Living on a boat can have it's ups and downs: Security maybe a problem? Leaving for the day and returning to a ransacked home, is not only invasive, but it is darned inconvenient! Make sure that your boat is kept, in a not so secluded area, in full view of other boats. Additionally; Lock all items of value, inside of your boat, as you will be tempting the worst by leaving them on deck!

Boat living can be extremely romantic: Watching the moonlight dancing on the evening waves and feeling the cool breeze, whisk past your nose as you sip that glass of wine; Your friends watch with envy, as they too, sip their wine and experience the wonders of buoyancy under the stars.

What ever floats your boat?

Learn more about this author, Jon Coe.
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