The Basics of Live Aboard According to Certified Liveaboards

Choosing the live aboard lifestyle is not easy, so what could be a better way to learn the art of living at sea than to hear it from experienced liveaboards themselves? Mark Nichols has been a liveaboard for years and his vast experience of braving the sea teaches us the essentials of a seafarer’s life.




In his series of Youtube videos, Nichols and his certified liveaboard mates talk about the basics of living aboard. Learn the meaning of living aboard, who becomes liveaboards, why people choose this way of life and some tips how you can actually start living the wet and wildlife.

What is Live Aboard?


To live aboard simply means to live in a boat. It basically involves moving out of a regular inland home and living at sea. However, the experience is nowhere near simple. Whether you choose to stay at a marina or go cruising, it takes careful preparation to realize this unique way of living.


Why Do People Live Aboard?


According to Nichols, there are all kinds of different issues and obstacles liveaboards face. In this lifestyle, you’ll find that everything gets damp every time, but that’s the least of your worries. You’d have to worry even more about the storm brewing or your engine dying on you in the middle of nowhere if you go on cruises.


However, this lifestyle offers many wonderful benefits as there are issues that only true liveaboards could experience. The main reasons why liveaboards choose this lifestyle are because of the freedom and excitement they get living at sea. The freedom to choose where to live and excitement of carrying out a unique lifestyle drive aspiring liveaboards into fulfilling their dreams.

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Who Actually Gets to Live Aboard?


John Proctor, a yacht broker, said that younger and more adaptable individuals often venture in the live aboard lifestyle. These liveaboards are people who haven’t acquired material trappings yet or guys who were booted out of the house and are looking for a cheap home.

There are two kinds of liveaboards according to maritime technician Chris Birch:

  1. Cruising liveaboards – they are liveaboards with no permanent home or marina to stay at. This kind of liveaboards is usually young couples who think traveling is a fun or financially smart thing to do. 
  2. Liveaboards with home ports – this is the more common type of liveaboards. They stay at the same marina or city all the time and would rather live a more comfortable life at sea without spending much for a house per month. 


How to Start Living Aboard?


Living aboard does not start by checking out boats on a dock. Successful liveaboards start by sitting, creating and planning their dreams. They start by talking it out with their significant ones and deciding what kind of liveaboard they want to be.

Once everything is planned, the next thing to do is to choose your boat. Buying a boat is different from choosing one in the sense that buying is just the execution of your plans whereas choosing embodies your hopes and dreams. Living aboard does not begin with buying but choosing a boat.

When deciding on a boat, here are some tips from liveaboards based on their own experience:

  • Choosing a boat is a matter of preference. 
  • Consider the price, what is available and how much are you willing to spend. 
  • Set your expectations in terms of how comfortable the boat should be. 
  • Choose a boat depending on what kind of liveaboard are you: cruising or with home ports. 
  • The smaller the boat, the easier the boat sails. The preferable size is at least 32 feet. 
  • Set parameters and come up with a list of features for easy screening. 
  • Know the difference between live aboard and recreation boats. Live aboard boats tend to have more living space and storage. 

If you are going to stay at home ports, then choosing a marina is as important as choosing a boat.

  • Depends on your lifestyle. Do you want to live away from everybody? Do you like going to professional sports? Consider your preference when choosing a marina. 
  • Maintenance is easier if you live in fresh water since salt water is more corrosive than the first. 
  • Choose a marina that is calm, protected and not bouncy. This saves you from the hassle of storms throwing your boat back and forth. 
  • Pick a marina near your office if you are working. 
  • Learn the rules and regulations of the marina before making a decision. 
  • Choose a well-maintained marina. Some marinas have a telephone, internet and television cables while some don’t. Pick whatever suits your chosen lifestyle. 

Now that you have learned the basics of the live aboard lifestyle, are you still up for the experience? If the challenges don’t scare you and rather make you excited, then take the first step and start living the dream. Sit down, plan, and begin creating the dreams with your significant ones today.


Experience your first live aboard here at Papua New Guinea.


Reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWuITJb-OAM




Comments

  1. thanks for this. I am really interested in live aboard

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