living on a 22 foot sailboat

Life on a Sailboat: Everything You Need to Know About Living on a Sailboat Full-Time

Living on a sailboat full-time is often romanticized as a life of endless sunsets, gentle waves, and freedom on the open sea. Many dream of casting off the lines and setting sail for a horizon of adventure and tranquility. However, the reality of life aboard a sailboat can be as challenging as it is rewarding, as frustrating as it is relaxing, and, more often than not, as mundane as it is exciting.

This blog post aims to peel back the curtain on the picturesque scenes to reveal what daily life is really like when you call a sailboat home. We will dive into the motivations, preparations, joys, and challenges of living on a sailboat full-time, providing a realistic glimpse into a lifestyle that is far from ordinary.

Our Live-Aboard Life

Our dream of living on a sailboat was a distant one for many years. But as we watched plans and dreams fall by the wayside in the wake of COVID, we made the decision to make our dream a reality. Once the borders opened up, we made a beeline for the Mediterranean and have since spent each summer living aboard our little 29-foot sailboat Whisper. Without any experience sailing or living on a sailboat, we have taught ourselves to sail and manage life on the boat along the way.

Before we took up sail life, we had been living “van life,” and we’ve come to realize there are lots of similarities but quite a few differences between the two . However, on the whole, learning to live van life first put us in good stead to take on life on a sailboat. Unlike most people, we up-sized when we moved onto a boat.

Despite the upgrade in living quarters, the learning curve and the adjustment to living on the sea were no less challenging. Nevertheless, the shift was not as scary as we thought it might be, and the reality of living on a sailboat full-time quickly became our new normal.

Initially, our plan was to buy a boat and spend one season aboard sailing the Mediterranean before selling the boat and settling down. Instead, it’s safe to say we have fallen in love with life on a sailboat. Now, as we enter our third season, we aren’t sure when we will be ready to furl the sails for good…

Get a Taste of Life on a SailBoat

We document some of the realities of living on a sailboat full-time on our YouTube Channel in our The Vanabond Sails series.

Deciding to Live on a Sailboat

The journey to becoming a full-time live aboard often starts with the desire for change.

Some people are transitioning from one stage of life to the next as careers wind up or children move out. Some yearn for adventure and excitement, while others seek a simpler way of life. Many are drawn to the promise of freedom, the allure of the sea, and the appeal of living more closely with nature. However, the decision to live on a sailboat full-time is not one to be taken lightly. It requires thoughtful consideration and planning.

For us, it was a long-held dream to sail and live aboard a sailboat. It was also a natural progression, having spent several years living and traveling by van . We were ready for a new challenge. 

It began with a conversation, then a plan, and then trawling classifieds for second-hand boat sales. Before long, the decision was set in stone, and we were on our way to Croatia to buy a boat , learn to sail it, and move aboard. 

Choosing the Right Sailboat

The type of sailboat you choose is critical and depends on your budget, sailing skills, and the kind of sailing you plan to do (coastal cruising, bluewater voyaging, etc.).

Will you prefer the size and stability of a catamaran, or will you prioritize the sailing experience of a monohull? Are you looking for something small that’s easily controlled and maneuvered by a limited (and potentially inexperienced) crew, or do you require the space of a larger vessel? Are you interested in the clean lines and comforts of modern boat designs, or do you prefer the style of older boats? There are a thousand decisions to be made when choosing a boat, and your own aspirations for boat life and, of course, your budget will be critical when it comes to making this decision. 

Spend as much time researching boats that are available in your price range, ask questions of sailors you know or on sailing forums, and, if possible, spend time aboard different types of sailboats to get a clearer picture of what life is really like on board before making a purchase.

Check out our full article on buying boat .

Emotional and Practical Considerations for Sail Life

Living on a sailboat means embracing minimalism and being comfortable with the idea of having less space and possessions.

You’ll need to consider the impact of such a lifestyle on relationships with family and friends, as it can mean spending long periods away from loved ones.

The decision also involves considering how to manage work or income while living at sea , which might include remote work, seasonal jobs, or living off savings.

There are plenty of options for those planning on working remotely while sailing. With the rise of remote work , there has never been more opportunity to work and sail.

All of these considerations represent potential challenges to adjusting to life at sea, but they are certainly not insurmountable. You just need to be honest with yourself and decide if your love of the open water and the freedom of living aboard a sailboat will be greater than the inconveniences.

Preparations and Adjustments

Transitioning to life on a sailboat involves a series of preparations and adjustments, both practical and psychological, to ensure a smooth and sustainable living experience.

Training and Skills

If you are thinking about taking up sailing, you should, of course, invest time in learning to sail, navigate, and understand weather patterns. While this may seem like a daunting task, it’s not an insurmountable one. Time on the water is the most important thing, so it’s time to sign up for sailing courses, start planning trips with sailing friends, join a local sailing club, or seek out opportunities to crew for other sailors.

Learning basic boat maintenance and repair is essential to manage the myriad challenges that come with life at sea.

Safety courses, such as first aid, sea survival, and radio operation, are also crucial for handling emergencies.

These skills are important for safe and comfortable sailing and are often legally required. Make sure you are aware of the licensing and registration requirements for sailors in the region you are preparing to sail.

In our case, I had experience sailing small dinghies as a child and thus some understanding of the fundamentals, while Kelli had zero experience. My existing marine license issued in Australia was recognized in Croatia, where we bought our boat. I only needed to acquire a VHF radio license to become adequately certified for inshore sailing in the Mediterranean. 

We paid some local sailors to come aboard and teach us both the fundamentals of our new boat (lots of docking and anchoring practice).

Downsizing and Adapting to Limited Space and Resources

As mentioned, moving onto a boat was actually upsizing for us. With a second cabin, a flushing toilet, and a large indoor table, our relatively small 29-foot monohull seemed luxurious compared to the vans we had been living in until this point. 

However, for most, moving onto a sailboat often means significant downsizing, and space becomes a premium commodity. The process of downsizing for sail life involves prioritizing essential items and learning to live without the comforts of a traditional home.

Space isn’t the only limitation on a boat. Reliance on water tanks (if you don’t have a watermaker) and solar, wind, or generator electricity often means a downshift in access to creature comforts we take for granted in a house on the grid.

Creativity in organizing and making the most of limited space and resources becomes a daily practice, requiring innovative storage solutions and multi-functional furniture. Most modern sailboats are well-designed with endless space-saving measures and designs. Nevertheless, an adjustment will likely be necessary.

Financial Planning

Financial considerations are paramount, as the cost of living on a sailboat can vary widely depending on factors like marina fees, maintenance costs, and lifestyle choices.

Setting a realistic budget that includes regular maintenance, unexpected repairs, and living expenses is essential for sustaining life at sea.

Depending on your personal aspirations for boat life, this lifestyle can be as affordable or as expensive as you want to be. For us, as a couple in our thirties still in the building and saving part of our lives and careers, we are able to live on a boat in the Mediterranean affordably and comfortably for far less than we (estimate) we would spend living a more stationary lifestyle.

Check out our full article on the Costs of Living on Sail Boat Full-Time

Overall, adjusting to the confines and challenges of sailboat living demands not only physical preparation but also mental resilience and adaptability. The transition from land to sea is a profound shift, requiring a willingness to embrace simplicity, flexibility, and a sense of adventure.

Daily Life Aboard

While there is no typical day aboard, and experiences will differ wildly from person to person and day to day, we can describe what many of our days do look like.

As we work from the boat, our weeks are generally divided into work days, Monday to Friday morning and weekends. The truth is that the novelty does wear off, and many days, especially during the working week, become just as mundane as any other lifestyle. However it never stays mundane for long, one exhilarating sail, a dolphin sighting, a picture perfect anchorage or even surviving an impromptu weather event and the thrill of living on a sailboat quickly returns.

A typical workday for us living on a sailboat often starts with the sunrise (or a little bit before if we have a lot on). Ideally, we are well rested after a still night without rolling swell or, worse, strong wind, but that isn’t always assured at sea. Mornings involve checking the weather first and foremost, all plans revolve around the direction and strength of the wind and waves. 

If the weather is calm, we usually try to work in the mornings when we are fresh and focused.

We travel slowly, often spending a few days in a quiet, well-protected anchorage, on a town quay, or in a marina before moving on a short distance along the coast. On sailing days, we often sail in the afternoon when the winds are a bit stronger in the Mediterranean. On days we are staying put, the afternoon might be spent exploring a new town, getting provisions, swimming, or finding a beach to lie on and read a book. In the evening, we will cook dinner onboard and get some more work done or watch some TV. 

Weekends look different, and we will take advantage of not needing to be close to reliable network services, completing longer passages along the coast, or visiting islands. 

Daily Differences in Sail Life

Living spaces on a sailboat are compact and multifunctional, necessitating an organized and tidy approach to prevent clutter and ensure safety. Cooking in a small galley kitchen presents its challenges, from securing pots and pans on a constantly moving boat to managing limited ingredients and storage.

Meals often need to be simple yet nutritious, requiring creativity and planning. Our approach is to cook simple, one-pot, vegetarian meals like dal or vegetable curry two or three times during the workweek and eat leftovers for lunch and dinner. On the weekend, we like to get more creative with our meals, seeking out local produce or fresh seafood and taking our time to prepare something special.

As mentioned, resource management is a critical aspect of daily sailboat life, especially when it comes to conserving water, fuel, and electricity. Efficient use of these resources is vital, whether it involves careful water usage, monitoring power consumption, or planning the next opportunity to resupply. For us, an electricity supply is mainly dependent on the sun when we are not under motor or plugged into shore power. Extended periods of cloud can alter our plans. Similarly, if we are not careful with water, more frequent visits to refill are required, which can be limiting. 

Personal hygiene and privacy take on a new meaning in the confined space of a sailboat. Showers may be quick and infrequent. In our case, we generally rinse off after a swim to bathe and take proper showers during marina stops. Personal space is limited on a sailboat and managing personal relationships can have extra challenges.

Sleeping on the boat can take some getting used to, especially when on anchor. Even on a calm day, the constant rocking of the water can be disruptive at first, and novice sailors may find they get seasick, although these symptoms usually go away after a few days. When it’s windy, or there is some swell, the noise, movement, and the ever-present worry that the boat may pull off its anchor with the movement can make it very difficult to get a good night’s sleep. 

Unforecast storms, gear failure, or some other emergency can occasionally create scary and challenging scenarios, especially if disaster strikes late at night. These situations are part of the adventure but can certainly be stressful.

Despite the challenges, daily life on a sailboat is interspersed with moments of profound beauty and peace. Whether watching dolphins play in the bow wave, enjoying a sunset over the ocean, or stargazing on a clear night, these experiences often make the hardships worthwhile, offering a sense of freedom and connection to nature that is hard to find elsewhere.

The Pros and Cons of Living on a Sailboat Full-Time

Pros: the joys of sailboat living.

Living on a sailboat brings a unique set of joys and rewards that can make the challenges seem insignificant.

+ One of the most significant benefits is the sense of freedom and adventure. Sailboat dwellers have the luxury of exploring new destinations, anchoring in secluded bays, and experiencing different cultures in a way that most people never will. The ability to call a variety of picturesque locations home, even if only temporarily, is a remarkable aspect of this lifestyle. Even compared to other forms of nomadic lifestyle, waking up in your own private bay or cove is hard to re-create. 

+ The connection with nature is unparalleled in sailboat living. Being surrounded by the vastness of the ocean, witnessing marine life up close, and experiencing the rhythms of the sea create a deep sense of harmony and peace. The simplicity of life on a boat can lead to a greater appreciation for the small things, like the beauty of a sunset, the changing colors of the sea, or the silence of a night watch under the stars.

+ Community and camaraderie are also central to the sailboat lifestyle. The sailing community is known for its close-knit, supportive nature, with fellow sailors often ready to lend a hand, share advice, or offer companionship. This sense of community extends across harbors and anchorages around the world, creating a global network of friends and contacts.

+ The personal growth and self-reliance developed through sailboat living are profound. Navigating the challenges and unpredictability of the sea fosters resilience, problem-solving skills, and a strong sense of self-confidence. The lifestyle encourages continuous learning, from mastering sailing and navigational skills to understanding weather patterns and marine ecosystems.

The Cons: The Challenges and Hardships of Liveaboard Life

While the joys of living on a sailboat are plentiful, the lifestyle also comes with its fair share of challenges and hardships. These difficulties test the resilience and adaptability of those who choose this way of life.

– One of the most significant challenges is dealing with bad weather. Storms, high winds, and rough seas can be terrifying and dangerous, requiring skill, experience (which you can only get by …experiencing it), and a calm demeanor to navigate safely (perhaps the trickiest thing to achieve). The stress from poor weather can be mentally draining, disrupt work, and put a strain on relationships.

– The learning curve required to become a confident and comfortable sailor is not small and can take many seasons while mastering sailing can take a lifetime.

– The constant exposure to the elements also means that maintenance is a never-ending task, with saltwater and sun causing wear and tear that must be regularly addressed to keep the boat functional and safe. Especially on an older boat like ours, fixing and maintaining gear and rigging is an endless cycle. Most systems and hardware on the boat are essential, and when they fail, there is often no one around to help. Constantly sorting out jammed anchors, engine or electrical issues can quickly become tiresome and (if you are trying to work) quite disruptive. It can also be quite stressful when critical systems fail.

– Isolation is another aspect of sailboat living that can be challenging. Long periods at sea or anchored in remote locations can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection from land-based communities. The confined space of a sailboat can strain relationships, making it essential for the crew, be it a couple, a family, or friends, to communicate effectively and give each other personal space.

– The financial aspect of sailboat living can also be a hardship. Unexpected repairs and maintenance can quickly drain savings, and the cost of mooring, fuel, and supplies can add up. Sailors must be adept at budgeting and often need to be resourceful in finding ways to sustain their lifestyle, which might include picking up temporary jobs or remote work.

– The physical demands of managing a sailboat should not be underestimated. It requires strength, stamina, and a willingness to tackle everything from sail repairs to engine troubleshooting. The learning curve can be steep, and the responsibility of keeping the boat and its occupants safe is a constant pressure.

Despite these challenges, many sailboat dwellers find that the hardships are part of what makes the lifestyle rewarding. Overcoming difficulties and learning to live in harmony with the sea can provide a profound sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Final Thoughts About Life on a Sailboat

Living on a sailboat full-time is a journey that encompasses the full spectrum of human experience, blending moments of sheer joy and beauty with times of challenge and adversity. It’s a lifestyle that demands resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. While the romantic allure of sailing the high seas is undeniable, the realities of daily life on a sailboat are grounded in practical challenges and the necessity of continual learning and personal growth.

The decision to live on a sailboat should not be made lightly, as it involves significant changes in lifestyle, mindset, and social dynamics. However, for those who choose to embark on this adventure, it offers unparalleled opportunities for freedom, exploration, and connection with nature. The hardships encountered along the way are not just obstacles but also catalysts for growth, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

If you have a question about living on a sailboat full-time, let us know in the comments below or shoot us an email anytime!

Fair winds and following seas!

In 2016, I had been dumped by my girlfriend, fired from my job, and the lease on my house was running out. Facing moving back in with my parents, 26, jobless and alone I decided to listen to the message the universe was trying to send me. I took off on my first solo backpacking trip, with a one-way ticket to Bangkok and a well-thumbed Lonely Planet guide. From there I wandered Southeast and Central Asia, traveled the Great Steppe, and made my way across Russia and throughout Europe.

In Estonia I met Kelli, who, despite having a less frantic travel style, shared my my restless spirit and passion for exploration. Together, we embarked on a new journey, van life. Over four years we travelled across three different continents with three different vans.

In 2022, as the world began to re-open post COVID we took an opportunity to realise a long held dream, to live aboard a sailboat. Since then we have spent two summers in the Mediterranean, sailing and living aboard our little sail boat Whisper. When we aren't sailing we continue to live our nomadic lifestyle, guided by a philosophy of slow travel and self directed adventure be it by van or backpacking.

We find excitement through our journey into the unknown, stillness and content in the beauty of the places we discover and we find ourselves in the vastness of our world.

Hopefully, we can help you find what you're looking for too. Get lost with us and find your own path.

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How to Live on a Sail Boat Full Time: All You Need to Know

Written by J. Harvey / Fact checked by S. Numbers

Table of Contents

1. Choosing the Location

2. what people you live have to say, 1. the essentials, 2. cost of living, 3. safety and security, 4. socialization and daily life, 5. living life sideways, final words and ready to sail.

Don’t just romanticize when settling in a sailboat because there are some things that you have to weigh in. It’s an unconventional lifestyle that necessitates the ability to adapt to changes, make preparation, and commit to organization.

Before getting on board for good, you need to gather information on how to live on a sail boat full time. You have to think of the essentials, comfort, daily life, connectivity, safety, and security.

You also have to adjust to a new home as you learn your balance and do stuff inside a sailboat. The following part discusses important things regarding this topic.

Are You Ready For A Full-Pledged Life In A Sailboat

Living in a sailboat full time is not for everyone. Thus, you have to ask yourself if you’re ready for a frugal lifestyle and carrying out daily maintenance. If you’re someone who truly loves water and natural elements, there’s no doubt you’ll be joyful about it.

Sailboats are the best choice if you wish to travel and not just stay in the same location. But first, some things should be a part of your decision, and they are as follow:

Your job can interfere with your decision. But you can always find the right choice to give way to it. You’ll find areas with reasonable proximity to water. As an example, the city canal barge is popular in the UK as sailors can take advantage of boat living options. Don’t forget to check on the availability as well as the cost of the docking stations.

Your partner or family has something to say about living in a sailboat. Those people will choose to live with you, so they have to agree with it. They should also be willing to limit things that are taken on board.

It’s tricky to bring small kids and even the bigger ones in a sailboat. They may struggle to live in it.

Important Things To Deliberate When Living On A Sailboat Full Time

You may leave your 2,000 square foot house for a 40-foot boat. When it happens, expect that cupboards are fewer, closets are smaller, and you won’t have as much space as before. To make the most of the available space, devote some time to de-clutter.

You can begin decluttering kitchen tools, clothing, and mementos. You may keep your business attire in your office and winter clothes in off-boat storage. Also, make sure that the boat’s interior is dry and warm with plenty of ventilation to avoid condensation and mildew, which will require you of a new set of tools and cleaners.

Another thing that you have to look at is connectivity. You may need marina Wi-Fi for TV and high-speed internet. This connection will keep you posted with work, family, friends, and entertainment.

Some skills are needed to keep your boat spic and span. You must know that sailboat maintenance can be more demanding than a house when it comes to frequency and distinction.

Basic electrical, plumbing, and mechanical skills are essential because systems inside a boat are less reliable than a house. Some opt for a contractor to fix issues as they can’t manage it by themselves.

Don’t assume that you can save from living on a boat. You can estimate and make a budget with these expenses:

• Boat insurance
• Boat mortgage payment
• Food and water
• Waste management

Just like with everything, expenses can be managed well when you stick with the budget. Insurance to live aboard boats can be as expensive as home insurance. It depends on the vessel’s size and value.

You can pay less on property taxes and electricity as you don’t need to heat, light, or cool an ample space. Moreover, you can save some bucks on waste management, water, and gas.

What you would likely spend more money on is the maintenance. Labor and marine parts cost 20% higher than the household equivalent. When you work on something in your boat and you have a job at the same time, you don’t get paid for the hours that you spend on the task.

In regards to this matter, it includes the decision of whether to let dogs, kids, and strangers in your sailboat. Be wise with your judgment; will it be okay to have them around? Installation of CO2 and smoke alarms, as well as propane sniffers, is important for onboard safety and security. You can also get an alarm that can detect CO2 and smoke at the same time.

Fire extinguishers should also be on board in case of fire hazards, and you have to regularly check them. You need to keep an eye on battery levels and bilge. For the sake of safety, you must find out the answers to the following queries as well.

• Is it safe to walk from the parking area to the slip even at night?
• Is my care secured being stored in a 24/7 garage?
• Who will give you a ring when your boat is on the list while you take a vacation?

Don’t be surprised but socialization at a marina is way better than in a neighborhood. It’s because everyone helps each other so it’s like a two-way street. If you wish to be by yourself, you’ll end up unseen in the corner of the marina.

Life on a sailboat will train you on how to tilt at least 20 degrees. You’ll do it when you walk, sleep, cook, and pee. This practice is a constant act of balance. The world inside a boat seems to be sideways most of the time.

At some point, you feel like you’re in a black and white movie with a room that rotates while there are people that dance on the wall and the ceiling. You may be in discomfort and frustration for the first few days.

With the help of muscle memory, adjustments will be made by your mind and body. The time will come that walking sideways is just the normal way of walking to you. You must be able to adapt to the boat’s tight layout and unexpected movements.

To deal with the motion, calculated movements should be observed. Moving around the boat is sometimes similar to how astronauts behave when they walk on the moon. In this case, the rule of the sea can help you and it’s by having your one hand on the ship while the other is for yourself.

This rule can be applied in every task that you make onboard. For example, I can’t take two plates at a time. I needed to dedicate two rounds for it instead. You may experience being tossed in the cabin too. You may get some scrapes and bruises but they will heal later as you’ve learned how to walk sideways.

The way on how to live on a sail boat full time is akin to a rollercoaster ride. It can sometimes be scary but it’s worth it after you put things in order. Since you know the important things you have to set before going on board, you’re good to go. Your expectations are also set in what may happen when living on a sailboat.

It won’t be hard for you to manage things in your sailboat with the right knowledge that this article has imparted to you. So, bon voyage and enjoy life at the sea!

Read more other topics about sailboat:

• Steps to paint a sailboat.
• What is the average speed of a sailboat?

“My intention from the first day establishing Boating Basics Online is to provide as much help as possible for boaters who want to experience a first safe and convenient trip. So feel free to join us and share your beautiful journeys to the sea!”

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Sailboat Cruising and Lifestyle Magazine.

How to Live on a Sailboat for Beginners

This is a guide for how to live on a sailboat – but be warned, if you have any desire for the liveaboard lifestyle, you might quickly become on of us! Living aboard a sailboat requires an enjoyment of water, being okay with small living, and a sense of adventure. It’s not hard to begin living on a sailboat, but a few tips can help.

Let’s consider a few basic liveaboard questions first:

Is it living on a sailboat a good idea?

Living aboard a sailboat give you freedom that you won’t find in any other lifestyle. A suburban house can not be moved from place to place. But living on a sailboat gives you the options to live anywhere – literally in any country in the world! Living aboard a sailboat offers such a unique feeling of freedom to explore that you won’t find anywhere else.

Is living on a sailboat hard?

It is tough to live on a sailboat in a place like San Francisco where everyone is trying to escape super-high rent. In resort areas, many marinas have years-long waitlists for a liveaboard slip, and these slips cost double than a regular slip. However, not all places, in fact most places are easy to liveaboard.

Are you thinking about living aboard? Well, it takes time, planning, and preparation to being living on a sailboat. Here are a few videos to help you make a few calculations.

Adjusting to Liveaboard Life

Today, Emily sits down with 3 other female friends in the harbor to chat about how they transitioned from being landlubbers to liveaboard sailors in recent years. We’ll let you in on the conversation, and 4 different perspectives (though there are MANY others in the world).

• Emily, 34, aboard Temptress – liveaboard for 5 years
• Kris, 57, aboard Sixth Girl – liveaboard for 1 year
• Meredith, 44, aboard Tla Hla – liveaboard for 3 years
• Hannah, 26, aboard Sojourner – liveaboard for 2 years

How to Afford and Start Living Aboard

Your dream is to become a liveaboard? You want to know more about sailboat life, and what it means to live on a sailboat? You want to know how to afford living on a sailboat and how to afford staying liveaboards? How it feels to daily hoist the sail and follow the wind?

Start Small, Start Now

One philosophy in getting started living aboard a sailboat is to start small, start now. That doesn’t mean you have to buy a major refit project of a sailboat. You can get started in a small 24 foot single cabin boat for less than $10,000 or a mid-size 36 foot sailboat (see video below) for less than $60,000. Or grab a 1980s fixer upper that’s 42 feet in length that costs $25,000 – but beware, a fixer upper is a major expense even when you do it yourself.

Is Living Aboard for You?

No one can answer this question except you. However, if you enjoy freedom, have a sense of adventure, and love the water, then you might enjoy living aboard a sailboat.

We hope you enjoyed this how to guide for life on a sailboat for beginners. Leave us a comment or question a below.

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Set Sail: How to Enjoy Living on a Sailboat to the Fullest

Whether it's your dream for retirement or your wish for tomorrow, living on a sailboat can be a dream come true. Believe it or not, this liveaboard life can work out well for families, couples or singles who are living on a variety of budgets. 

All you need is the will to make the jump to a liveaboard life and the energy to get your sailboat set up to accommodate your needs. 

And of course, you'll need a sailboat. There are other types of boats that people live on, like trawlers, but sailboats have plenty of advantages.

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Why Live on a Sailboat?

There are many reasons you might want to spend your days living on a sailboat. First of all, every day can be an adventure when you live aboard a sailboat. All you need to do is raise the anchor  and lines and hoist the sails and you can set off to make memories.

If you're looking for more downtime, living on a sailboat can also be wonderfully relaxing . Sailing on calm days or lounging about as you rest at anchor or in the harbor is just about the right speed of life for many people.

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Contrary to popular misconception, liveaboard life can actually be quite affordable . You just need to budget accordingly with an eye toward routine costs and unforeseen repairs, as well as covering the rare but catastrophic issues that can arise, such as a fire or even a sinking.

Before you commit to living on a sailboat, know that the lifestyle does come with more inherent danger (remember when we talked about sinking a few seconds ago?) and responsibility than life on land.

But your house or condo is never going to carry you out over the shimmering waters at sunset or help you haul in a prize-winning marlin or bass. When your sailboat is your home, you can live out these dreams and so many more.

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The way to enjoy liveaboard life? Be prepared for it.

A Quick Look at the Cost of Living on a Sailboat

If you're still actively working and earning income, it'll be important that you balance the cost of liveaboard life with your earnings and other expenses.

Many people live on a sailboat in retirement, and this requires even more careful planning. This is true first because your net worth is likely fixed or at least largely static (stock dividends and bonds might keep making you money, for example) but also because you probably won't spend the rest of your life on a boat.

Dodging the jib might be fine in your sixties and even your seventies, but it's probably not ideal much after that. Unless it is, and that's great.

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Insurance Costs

While boat insurance isn't mandated in all parts of the United States, when your sailboat is your home, you're going to want to have it insured.

Sailboat insurance is generally calculated as around 1.5% of the boat's value, so a sailboat that's worth $40,000 will cost you around $600 to insure each year, and that's a small price to pay in the scheme of things.

Marina Costs

The fee a marina charges you to use a slip varies widely around the country (and the world) so there's no good range of costs to use.

In San Diego, you'll pay around $1,000 per month in many marinas.

In Baytown, Texas you'll pay only around $250 per month for a boat between 35 and 40 feet in length.

Do the research based on your area, and watch out for additional liveaboard fees, which are common.

Scraping, Painting and Other Maintenance

Every few years, you need to get a sailboat entirely out of the water and have it thoroughly cleaned, scraped of barnacles, repainted and generally repaired and maintained. This can cost several thousand dollars, so assume $1,000 per year is a safe bet, even though it's not an annual expense.

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Unless you're able to live a very stripped-down lifestyle indeed, chances are good that you'll want to own more worldly possessions than you can store on your boat.

If you don't have friends or family around who are willing to let you stash boxes and bins of sundry goods at their homes, then you'll need to rent some storage space on land. This usually costs only between $50 to $100 per month, but everything adds up.

Water, Electricity, Fuel, Etc.

You need water to drink, bathe and cook, electricity for lights and radios and various types of fuel for heaters, stoves and (for most sailboats, anyway) for the backup engine.

Some marinas include power and water in their fees, but many don't. Do the research ahead of time and, if need be, do the math, too.

Setting Up Your Sailboat as Your Home

A sailboat offers freedom and adventure and often an affordable lifestyle, but one thing it doesn't offer is a plethora of free space. You'll be confined to a few hundred square feet of living area, with about 300 square feet serving as a decent average.

Many sailboats come with cabins that are hard to move or reconfigure, but you can still choose how you use the space.

Better Boat Cup Holder

Bedding Down

Your bedroom on a sailboat is probably not going to serve only for sleeping. It will likely also be your office, your den and your closet.

Choose the smallest bed you can comfortably sleep in and consider a setup that allows the bed to fold out of the way or also be used as a seat.

Make sure to maximize storage space underneath the bed.

Bathroom (AKA Head)

A boat's bathroom is going to be small and cramped. Just accept that. The head is also a frequent location for the growth of mold and mildew , as it's often moist and usually closed off. 

One good way to combat these issues is to rig up the door to stay open when the bathroom isn't in use. Also consider adding a fan, a  dehumidifier  and dehumidifier refill bags .

Speaking of boat bathrooms, you'll want to be sure to use marine and RV toilet paper , which is specifically designed to break down so that it doesn't clog marine septic systems . 

Better Boat Dehumidifier

Featured Boat Care Product

Better Boat Mildew Stain Remover

Better Boat's mildew stain remover is perfect for use on boat covers, seats and tops as well as tents, outdoor furniture and other items. It removes stubborn stains to make the upholstery look new. Use on vinyl , fiberglass, plastic, tile, grout and canvas. 

Kitchen (a.k.a. Galley)

Your boat's kitchen is probably not going to be suitable for preparing a five-course banquet for 15 people. Oh well. What you can do to maximize its useful space is get creative.

That sink need not be wasted counter space, for example. Buy or fashion a cutting board that neatly covers it for when you're prepping a large meal.

And use your fridge wisely. Any food that doesn't need cold storage can be kept in cabinets or even in another room entirely, say under the bed, for example.

Folding furniture is key when you live aboard a sailboat. It's good to have at least one or two comfortable chairs and/or a couch, but as much as possible, use furniture that folds down for storage and for easy movement.

You can use a folding chair as extra seating in the cabin, on deck or on the dock, which will become your new front yard.

Better Boat Fenders

Three Great Places to Live Aboard a Sailboat

Your sailboat is your home, but where you have that home tied up matters, too. You already know to look for costs associated with the marinas of various areas, but here are three reasons to consider these three locations other than money.

When you live aboard a sailboat in Boston, you're right beside the downtown area. You can even walk from several marina locations to centers of business, commerce and culture.

So, if you want great professional opportunities or you want to enjoy an urban lifestyle while still living on a boat, Boston is a great place to consider.

If you prize consistently warm, mild weather and you don't want to deal with the hurricanes that often swirl their way across Florida, then Southern California (specifically San Diego), is a great place to live aboard a sailboat. The days are hot in the summer but the nights are cool all year round.  

Great Lakes

Living aboard a sailboat in any of the Great Lakes of North America means getting to enjoy all four of the year's seasons. Yes, it gets cold in the winter, but the fall and spring are both mild and lovely. During the warm summers, you can always take a dip.

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Is Living on a Sailboat a Good Idea?

In short, yes. Yes, it is. It just takes extra planning ahead, being ready for a contingency place to spend some time if there's a bad storm or if your boat needs repairs, and other such long-term thinking.

In taking the very long view, just know that if you plan to retire onto your boat, you'll almost surely have to move at least once more in your life, but hopefully not for a good many years.

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The Ultimate Guide To Living On A Sailboat

Are you ready to live the life you’ve always dreamed of?

Get your copy of the ultimate liveaboard e-guidebook here

If you’re desperate to become a full-time liveaboard sailor, but you’re not sure where to start, then this is the guide for you.

200+ pages of actionable tasks and information to get you up and running, or should we say out and sailing! From buying a boat, to learning to sail, to making this dream life last. This e-book is in digital form to make it easy to bring aboard and have with you whenever you need.

What’s Included?

Dreaming and scheming

• Why should you live on a sailboat?
• Will you enjoy life on the water?
• Top tips to prepare for living on a sailboat
• Taking the stress out of the planning process
• How to downsize to live on a boat
• Making a fallback plan

Learning the ropes

• How and where to learn to sail
• Radio training
• Taking sailing advice
• Boat maintenance

Making the leap

• Choosing the right sailboat
• Setting a reasonable budget
• Where to buy a sailboat
• Is a project boat right for you?
• Where to find a sailboat
• Comparing sailboats
• How to buy a sailboat

Safety at sea

• What safety equipment do you really need?
• Rules of the road
• How to make a float plan
• Reading the weather
• Preparing for storms

Preparing for life afloat

• What should your cruising budget be?
• How to work from a sailboat
• Getting internet access
• The best websites and apps for sailing
• How to provision
• How to make water last onboard

Making the dream last

• Making your boat a home
• Living and working together
• Well-being aboard
• Sailing with kids
• Sailing with pets
• Friends on board
• The sailing community

Cruising problems solved

• How to get mail while living aboard
• How to get prescriptions
• Purchasing and receiving supplies
• Seasickness
• How to stay cool
• Doing your laundry
• Things to remember when cruising outside your home country

Who Is This Guidebook For?

Wanting a new adventure but not sure where to start?

Tired of the 9-5 and desperate to see the world?

Hoping to reduce your carbon footprint and live in a simpler way?

Already living aboard but scared to untie the docklines?

Buy the ultimate guide to living on a sailboat here

When we first decided to embark on this epic adventure we had literally no idea where to start.

Every time we thought we had a decision made, we would realise we hadn’t considered some other important factor that took us all the way back to square one.

We were clueless about the boat buying process, the paperwork, and the legal side and didn’t know where to start when it came to choosing the right boat.

After tackling that we needed to actually learn to sail!

And then there were all the other things we hadn’t thought of, like radio courses and fitting the boat out with the correct safety equipment and so much more.

It has taken us years (literally) of research and asking other cruisers to be confident in our setup. We wanted to produce a guide that would be full of all the advice we wished we’d had access to at the beginning of our journey.

So here it is – the ultimate guide to running away to sea !

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Sailing Print Outs

We’ve been using checklists on our boat since day 1, whether to organise our grab bag and medical kit or every day before we head off sailing.

These printable sheets can be laminated or kept in a plastic folder on board to help you stay on top of all the many things to remember when you live on a boat!

Home » Blog » Live on a boat » Living on a sailboat – Is it right for you?

Living on a sailboat – Is it right for you?

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: November 10, 2022

Living on a sailboat seems dreamy – but what are the trade offs?

How would your life look if you didn’t have to pay rent? Would you quit your day job, become an artist or writer, sail the world? I did all these things and living on a sailboat is what made it possible. If you’re tired of grinding it out 9-5 to pay exorbitant rent, moving onto a sailboat may be your ticket to freedom. But, before you tell your overbearing boss to shove it, there are 7 things you should know.

Already know you want to live on a sailboat? Check out our  FREE 6-part series that shows you how to become a liveaboard .

1. Pay little to no rent!

You might be surprised to know that the cost of living on a sailboat full time is very low. In boat land we call rent “moorage” cost – it’s essentially the amount you pay per month to keep your boat somewhere. Moorage costs will vary based on the amenities being offered (think laundry, power hookup, internet, etc.) To give you an idea of the costs, here are some examples of liveaboard moorage we’ve paid over the years:

• Living at the marina: $550 per month – We spent two years living on a sailboat full time in Spruce Harbour Marina in Vancouver, BC and we had it GOOD! We were right downtown and the moorage cost included power hookup, a parking spot, storage space, showers, a woodworking shop, and laundry facilities. Not bad when you consider that the cheapest one-bedroom apartment we could find in Vancouver at the time was $1100.
• Living on a mooring ball: $150 per month – We had no amenities while staying on a mooring buoy in San Diego for a month, but hey we had a secure holding in a central location. Considering we were spending at least as much in coffee shops every month – it really wasn’t a bad deal.
• Living at anchor: FREE. Yes, that’s right FREE rent! For 3 years sailing the west coast of North America and across the Pacific to Australia, we by and large spent $0 on rent every month. In most cases you can anchor for free, though be warned that you should check the regulations in big centres like San Francisco, San Diego, and Vancouver because some municipalities place limits on how long you can anchor in a given are.

Keep in mind, for all of the above the moorage costs don’t include the boat itself or any maintenance and upkeep. You have to buy a boat to live on and they can be expensive. My husband and I bought a 35 foot sailboat from 1979 and that cost us around $10,000. Still, after saving $600 a month on rent we figure we’d more than paid for it after two years. Here are some examples of other liveaboards who’ve saved money.

Some sample liveaboard budgets:

• This  UK couple  is living aboard for  £500 ($570) a month  while sailing around the globe.
• This  family from San Diego  told Business Insider they pay just  $2,200 a month  to live aboard.
• These  San Franciscans are spending just  a few hundred dollars  a month  on rent and utilities while living aboard.

For more on the pros and cons of a marina vs. mooring ball vs. anchoring. See our post “Where to live aboard a boat?”  for more info.

2. The catch: liveaboard spots are hard to come by

Alright – you’re stoked to never pay rent again, you’ve secured the domain for your new lifestyle blog, you’re about to put down a deposit on a boat….but, HOLD UP! There’s something you need to know: It can be EXTREMELY challenging to find a place to actually put your boat . Many municipalities have restricted the number of liveaboard slips (spots in the marina) that are available. You’d think that with affordable housing being an issue in every major city, that they’d be all over it. Unfortunately there’s a perception that liveaboards clog up the waterfront with dirt-bags, sea-vagabonds, and floating tarp cities. All that to say, my recommendation would be: FIRST, find a spot to put your boat, SECOND, buy a boat. A good place to start is to sign up for all the liveaboard marina waiting lists. But don’t stop there, there are other strategies you can employ . Read  how we skipped a 10 year wait list and got into the best liveaboard marina in Vancouver! Your last resort is to “sneak-a-board”. Some marinas will turn a blind eye to this and others will unceremoniously give you the boot. So ask around with other liveaboards.

3. Ready to rough it?

Living on a boat is harder than it seems, especially if you live at anchor. Maybe you couldn’t find a liveaboard spot in a marina, or perhaps you like the idea of paying no rent at all, but if you’re looking at the anchoring or mooring buoy options it’s important to understand that living on the hook will be a lot rougher than at the dock . At the marina you’ll have access to power and water, on-the-hook you’ll be essentially living off-grid. This may sound sexier than it is – sure solar panels are cool, but is lugging jugs of water on the boat every week all that fun? It puts daily showers totally out of the question. Also, being at a marina makes it easy to get on and off the boat. On-the-hook you’ll be commuting to shore in a dinghy, less fun when you have to run big loads like groceries, bikes, and pets back and forth. However, if you’re adventure-ready and outdoor showers crank your gear, you’ll do just fine living aboard a sailboat.

4. Is living on a sailboat romantic? It depends on your partner.

It may be your lifelong dream, but if your partner thinks that living on a boat sucks, it can quickly become a waking nightmare. I know a few liveaboard couple who’ve broken up shortly after moving on a boat together- it’s just not for everyone . There can be a bit of discomfort associated with the liveaboard lifestyle: lack of space, motion, water dripping on your head. On the flip side, if you’re both game, it can be FANTASTIC for your relationship. Living on a boat requires communication, teamwork, patience and in those regards it can help you grow as a couple . If you or your partner is on the fence, I’d recommend that you  test-drive the liveaboard lifestyle (e.g. airbnbing a boat , chartering, or boat-sitting) before you jump into the deep end and liveaboard full-time. I love this story by Sheena Jeffers, “ When your partner falls in love with a sailboat ” about coming to terms with her boyfriend’s desire to live on an sailboat. Don’t worry, it has a happy ending!

5. Living in a sailboat is a bit like living in a basement apartments

No offence meant to sailboat or basement apartment dwellers (I’ve happily been both) but the comparison is useful when thinking about the best boat for you to live in. On a liveaboard sailboat you will get less light (because you’re half underwater) whereas with a trawler much of your living space is above water. If you want a view from your breakfast table, a trawler is a better option. Sailboats also offer less personal space than an equivalent sized power boat. However, all things considered, the option to be propelled by the wind, enjoy the quiet of the water, and okay, enjoy the romance of it, all more than make up for the lack of space.

6. Don’t you wish you could find the time to ….

Whether you want to start an ecommerce business, learn to paint, pay off debt, or go back to school, living aboard can create space in your life for the things you really want to do . If you save $600 a month on rent that’s equivalent to 40 hours a month at $15 an hour. A whole week of wages every month! Many people, especially creative types, have lived on boats (Nick Cave, Rod Stewart, Jimmy Buffett, and Alan Watts to name a few). If you’re not sure what to tell your employer about cutting back on your work hours, you could look to Lyle Lovett’s song, “If I had a boat”, for inspiration. He sings, “Kiss my ass I bought a boat, I’m going out to sea.”

7. Sail into the sunset

The best part about calling a liveaboard sailboat “home”? You can untie the lines anytime you want . Whether it’s getting out for some serene weekend cruising or an action-packed ocean crossing , sailboats are an amazing way to see the world. All of the big North American cities we’ve sailed in (Vancouver, Toronto, and briefly San Francisco, and San Diego) have beautiful cruising grounds just a few hours away. Getting away from the city bustle and into nature is easy when you live on a sailboat. It’s also a lot more affordable than having a second-home or cottage.

Think you’re ready to take the plunge? You probably have other questions like:

What does a boat cost to own?

What makes a boat a good liveaboard boat? 

Where should I look to find a liveaboard boat for sale?  

Find all this and more in our  Ultimate Guide to Living on a Boat.

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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15 Things That Change When You Live on a Catamaran

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So, the dream of living on a catamaran is starting to look like a reality. You hit the internet to read as much as you can about life aboard.

I get it. For one, I was going to be ready for this big adventure and all the challenges that come with it. There was no way I was going to be caught unprepared. (Yeah… right.)

Preparing for Sailboat Living

When we moved on our sailboat, I quickly learned you have to experience this liveaboard lifestyle to understand the challenges.

It’s been almost two years of living full-time on our sailing catamaran. So, I decided to look at the day-to-day things that are different from our habits in land-based life.

Many things we didn’t think twice about have a massive impact on our lives on the boat. Things like water conservation, provisioning, cooking, cleaning, and adjusting to a small space all take time and energy.

Here are some of the big changes to everyday habits that we discovered living on a catamaran.

1. Laundry on a Boat

A few years back, I was one of those people who threw most things in the hamper after one wear. It was just easy.

Unless you have the convenience of a washing machine onboard, it’s not so simple to run a load of laundry.

It costs money, and it can take a lot of time to haul your clothes around. Alternatively, handwashing is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and hard on your water usage.

To minimize laundry, you have to think about what you wear and how you wear it.

Summer Washing

In the summer, you can get sweaty just sitting on the boat.

I learned to wear quick-dry items like leggings, swimsuits, and UPF tops I could easily handwash with a small amount of water. If you can stretch the life of your outer clothing, you can clean undergarments and swimsuits in a small collapsible tub.

Winter Washing

Re-wearing clothes in the cooler months is much more comfortable than in the summer months. If it’s not dirty, I don’t wash it. If clothes smell or I’ve been doing boat work, I move them to the dirty pile. Just paying attention to these details reduces laundry. And the less you wash your clothes, the longer they’ll last.

2. Cooking Aboard

There are a few aspects of living on a boat that heavily influence your cooking.

Space. Access to ingredients. Water conservation. Ventilation.

If you only have a small area to prep, you learn quickly to do it in stages. Prepping vegetables, putting ingredients away as you work, and washing dishes as you go is also essential.

Access to Ingredients

Before boat life, recipes were iron-clad when I was cooking. But without the convenience of running to the store, they’ve become more of a guideline. You learn how to adjust recipes based on what you have on hand. You get comfortable substituting vegetables, different spices, and acidity for flavor.

Water Conservation

When off the dock, fresh water is at a premium. How much water you carry (or make) will dictate how you cook.

We do a few things to conserve water in the kitchen . Wash dishes in saltwater first. Use an Aquabot for pressurized cleaning. Cook pasta with a small amount of water. I’ve also embraced one-pot meals to save water on cleanup.

Ventilation

Our catamaran is “galley up,” so it’s easy to open the cockpit window above the stove to release heat and steam. But that’s not always enough.

We use the thermal cooker in the summer to avoid heating up the boat. You can make beans, rice, broth – even casseroles or banana bread without expelling heat in the boat.

READ NEXT: For more tips and ideas for cooking on a boat, check out our lists of easy and versatile meals on a boat and sailboat galley essentials .

3.  water usage.

When off the dock, water is a high commodity on a boat.

Even with two 80-gallon tanks, water can go fast if you aren’t paying attention.

You can minimize water through small changes to your habits, including:

• cooking pasta with a few cups of water
• swapping soap for hand sanitizer
• rinsing dishes on the sugar scoop
• we even recycle the cat’s stale water in the herb garden

Me, I love hot showers. Just steaming for like 30 minutes, that’s my kind of heaven. So learning to shower with less than a couple of gallons of water was a big hurdle.

Conserving water can be a challenge, but you’ll be surprised what you can save when you use it thoughtfully.

We had days in the winter when we used less than 5 gallons. It just takes a little practice, as with most things on a boat.

READ NEXT: For more tips on conserving water, check out our guide to saving water on a boat .

4. sustainable practices.

When you live in a small space, you realize how many disposable items you are harboring.

When we first moved on the boat, the paper towel storage alone took up half a cabin.

Not only are you losing storage, but those disposable items are just that, future trash for you to deal with.

Ditching paper towels, plastic bags, and other single-use items saves space and money. As a bonus, you get to feel optimistic about creating less trash.

Here are a few sustainable options we switched to:

• Reusable “Unpaper” towels
• Cotton napkins
• E-Cloths, microfiber towels
• Beeswax wraps
• Foldable reusable bags
• Glass straws
• A quality set of plastic containers in various sizes

READ NEXT: Zero Waste Swaps for Small Spaces for more eco-friendly options.

5. fridge space.

The residential fridge. Something I took for granted as a landlubber. A fridge door full of condiments, anyone?

Managing food in a tiny fridge requires strategy and a little education.

Learning what you NEED to keep in the fridge is helpful. Sure, it’s nice to have cold ketchup, but necessary? No.

Sriracha, soy sauce, hot sauce, mustard – out you go.

We also switched to almond milk and tofu brands that only need refrigeration after opening. This way, we can still stock up without loss of fridge space.

The Right Storage

Once the condiment bottles are out, having the right storage makes all the difference.

Containers need to be the right size to fit inside shelves on the door and inside the fridge. You want various sizes, so you don’t need to use a huge container if you have a smidgen of something.

Prepping Vegetables

You can save more space by chopping fresh veggies when you get back from the store. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and hardy greens can all be prepped ahead. I store any scraps in the freezer for homemade vegetable broth .

6. Provisioning

Keeping track of your grocery store when you live on a boat is crucial. You probably won’t be able to run back to the store because you forgot the butter.

Stocking Up

One of the nice benefits of living on a catamaran is the space.

We tend to stock up on these when we can.

• Beans (dried and canned)
• Grains, pasta, oats
• Canned and dehydrated vegetables
• Baking goods and almond milk
• Oils, vinegars, spices, nuts, seeds
• Wine and beer

Most of the time, we are hand-carrying our groceries. So when we have the opportunity to have a car, we load up on heavy items.

When we plan to be at a marina, we have a list ready for Amazon and Walmart.com to have shipped.

READ NEXT: Get a detailed overview of stocking your boat in our Practical Guide to Sailboat Provisioning .

Supplementing fresh food.

We keep a variety of veggies on hand: dehydrated, canned, a little frozen, and fresh. When cooking, I use a little bit of everything to stretch fresh foods.

We have a nice space in the cockpit where we keep potted fresh herbs. They can really step up a dish!

As a bonus, they add to the coziness of the cockpit living space.

7.  Downsizing Your Closet

Before I started to plan for boat life, I had a giant wardrobe. I love clothes. And I had been collecting them most of my life.

Believe me, when I tell you cutting my wardrobe down to less than 100 items was a long, emotional process.

A Minimalist Wardrobe

The less you have, the less you need to care for.

Aim for a wardrobe of pieces you love that work for living on the water. It’ll be easy to get dressed, and you’ll be happy in your clothes. And if you are managing your laundry (see #1), you won’t need many clothes.

The owners’ version of our catamaran has great storage. I can easily see all the clothing in my wardrobe. I only need to store a few off-season items under our berth.

READ NEXT: For what type of clothing to have on your sailboat, see What to Wear Sailing . Or see How to Downsize Your Wardrobe for more on getting rid of clothing.

8. temperature control.

Spoiler: you don’t have much control of temperature at anchor. And what power you have isn’t as easy as turning the dial on the thermostat.

On a catamaran, you can pretty much open up the doors and hatches on the bridgedeck and get a cross-breeze on a hot day.

I was surprised that Georgia in August (as miserable as it was during the day) was never unbearable at night. We used Breeze Boosters over our cabin, and it worked wonders moving the air around at anchor.

Cold Nights

When it’s cold on a catamaran, you know it. There’s no insulation, and the boat cools down quickly. Below 40 at night is chilly.

Fortunately, if the sun is shining, it can heat the bridgedeck nicely in the morning.

Down blankets, the right clothing, and foul-weather gear will keep you from becoming an icicle.

9. Storing Things

On a boat, you can’t just throw your things in a locker and forget them. Nope.

You’ll need to plan when storing clothing, personal items, and food.

Mold, leaks, and bugs are all things to be concerned with.

Essential oils, bay leaves, vinegar, and plastic bags will be vital to protecting your items.

You’ll also need to think about where you store things and how accessible they are. It becomes a bit of a puzzle to make sure you keep items you often use in an easy-to-access location.

READ NEXT: For storage tips, check out Helpful Boat Storage Ideas for Liveaboards .

10. slowing down.

A big part of living happily on a boat is moving at your own pace.

It is being in the mindset of appreciating what you are doing now and not continually looking to the next move.

When we first moved aboard, there was self-imposed pressure we should be moving faster – doing more.

When we finally slowed down and started to embrace the here and now, we enjoyed the boat so much more.

11. Your “House” Breaks (A Lot)

When things go wrong on a boat, they tend to go really wrong.

A pro and con of catamarans is there are a lot of duplicates. It’s great to have a backup, but it also means double the maintenance. Two hulls, two engines, two heads… you get the picture.

On the plus side, when our starboard engine broke, we were trying to maneuver through a bridge. We had to turn 260 degrees to turn toward the bridge, but one engine is better than none!

The hardest thing in these moments is keeping your head when everything is against you.

We try to slow down and take a breath if the situation allows. Once any immediate concern is taken care of, we take a breath before diving into solving the greater issue.

12. You Learn to Live Intentionally

Our decision to move on a sailboat was for the rewards of the lifestyle.

One of the most significant rewards is being intentional with space, time, and money.

Living on a boat offers freedom from your stuff. It allows you to live more simply.

On the boat, we get to spend more time with each other. We only have what we need because space is limited.

Don’t get me wrong. A boat requires time and money. But we are intentional about how we spend those when maintaining our floating home.

READ NEXT: Our article on the cost of living on a sailboat breaks down expenses by category.

13. appreciation for nature.

Living in the Colorado Rockies for over a decade, it was easy to love the outdoors. But living on the water creates a deeper connection.

You wake up to the water lapping on the boat. The sun dances off the waves, throwing reflections across the cabin.

Walking outside at anchor and seeing the birds hunting for breakfast is a morning routine. And a sea turtle drifting by for a visit is not uncommon. Even relying on the sun for power and the wind to travel is part of the lifestyle.

All these experiences bring you closer to nature and beg you to slow down, breathe, and take it in.

14. Personal Space

It doesn’t matter how much you love your significant other. If you live on a boat together, you will be looking for some “me time.”

When you sleep, eat, shop, travel, and take care of a boat as a team, that’s a lot of togetherness.

How We Find Space

It’s nice to create spaces for personal time in a small space like a boat.

A big plus of a catamaran is you can create a few separate spaces.

We have four main spaces where we spend time: the cockpit, the trampoline, the salon, and the owners’ berth. Ensuring these areas are comfortable and cozy helps us find our own spaces in a tiny floating home.

Sometimes, it’s not about physical space but mental space.

I like to have personal time while I’m cooking. It’s something I enjoy, and I can put on my headphones with a show or playlist and tune in while I cook.

Even a quick solo kayak adventure is rejuvenating if we are in a nice anchorage.

15. Minimalism

Embracing minimalism was a change we made going into boat life. But it’s not the typical view of minimalism that has become trendy these days.

Minimalist Lifestyle on a Boat

The typical “rules” of minimalism aren’t as clear-cut on a boat.

We have a lot of extras when it comes to spare parts and tools. Some parts can be hard to come by, and with two engines, you need double the spares. Not to mention, things never break when there’s a West Marine around the corner.

We also have a lot of non-perishable food and duplicate personal care items. It’s easier to stock up when we have the opportunity. This process keeps our routine shopping to mostly fresh items.

How We Live Minimally

On the flip slide, we don’t have a lot of extra stuff – extra clothes, additional personal items, disposable items.

We don’t have more typical things you would find in a house, such as a dishwasher, microwave, or washer/dryer. We are minimalists with water and power when we’re off the dock. 

We aren’t the typical minimalists, but we use space intentionally. And we continue to evaluate our needs based on this lifestyle.

READ NEXT: Check out our full guide on ways to downsize and live minimally .

Can you live on a sailing catamaran.

After a year as liveaboards, many of your daily habits will change. We are still adjusting and finding the best ways to adapt to life on a sailing catamaran.

You lose many conveniences of the modern world, but it’s entirely possible to live without them. It comes down to deciding which comforts are important to you.

How you use space, time and money will shift. You’ll learn to be sustainable, thoughtful, and more self-sufficient.

Living on a boat is a unique experience. No matter how long you do it, it has the power to change the way you live in the future for the better.

Want to learn more about cruising on a boat?

For more on the reality of boat life, the cost of living aboard, and tips for life on the water, view our complete guide.

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Morgan, the founder of The Home That Roams, has been living nomadically for over five years. She began her journey traveling across the U.S. in a motorhome and cruising on a liveaboard sailing catamaran. Currently, she lives full-time in a travel trailer, sharing resources on RV living and boat life to help others downsize their lives and thrive in an alternative lifestyle.

11 Comments

That’s really great post. I appreciate, Thanks for sharing.

Glad you liked the post!

So glad I found this site, looking forward to exploring the rest of it! But here’s my first question, as someone who’s still in the "dreaming" stage: This article tells me that the most basic aspects of day-to-day living are a constant source of concern and effort. Yet there are yachts nicer than most five-star hotels. So what’s the price point (or size point, or whatever point) where your daily concerns don’t revolve around things like do we have enough water to cook dinner and how bad do my clothes really smell? Does frequent marina access solve these issues? Is there a way to live on a boat where it’s easy, or does that only happen in Jimmy Buffett’s songs?

Hi Frank and Lola, thanks for stopping by and asking some great questions! Generally, the number of conveniences onboard a boat directly correlates with the time and dollars needed to have those conveniences. So when you think of the hotel like yachts, also think about the captain and crew and resources it takes to keep them running. It’s the same with smaller yachts. Even when you have the systems, you still have to manage your power or resources to run the watermaker or watch the weather and route plan to get to the marina. This is one reason a lot of boaters opt for fewer systems.

I had to laugh in agreement at your Jimmy Buffett reference – I think Jimmy must be doing a lot of day boating, haha. I personally feel that if you had around a 45-foot cat and a big budget to outfit it, you could have a lot of modern conveniences (watermaker, large solar setup, washing machine, etc.) However, living on a boat is never going to be easy IMHO. You have to put in the effort to live on the water!

I hope this was helpful and didn’t discourage you. My goal is to provide a realistic view of the lifestyle!

Agree. Especially #11. We live on a monohull so only have one head to contend with. Also whatever the purchase price, expect to spend 10% a year maintaining said boat. Things break at the most inconvenient times and improvisation is absolutely key.

Hi Breanna, #11 is definitely a big one! And of course, the head is always interesting. The first time we had a real maintenance issue with the head I posted on Instagram and announced my husband and I’s relationship had officially made it through our first serious head malfunction, haha. As you mentioned, Improvisation is also so crucial! We tend to get pretty creative with solutions 🙂

What entertainment do you use on a long haul, such as books, cards, chess. How do you plan the nights such as sleeping or on watch. Do you use automatic steering.

Hi Stephen, we like Audible for downloading books, I also like to download podcasts. We also use an external drive for movies. We do have and use an autopilot onboard. We don’t have experience with long passages, but The Boat Galley has what I think is a great article on the subject, you can find it here! https://theboatgalley.com/passagemaking-and-sleep/

Thanks for such an informative post. We’re in the process of buying a 42ft catamaran and plan on sailing up the east coast of Australia next year…scary and exciting!

I see that in some of you photos you have a gorgeous looking cat 😊 I’m planning on taking our 6 year old cat with us on the trip. Do you have any tips and advice on how to make life more comfortable and safe for a cat onboard and how to get them acclimatised to boat life?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Dee

Hey Dee, this is so exciting! I’m sure there’s lots of planning and preparation in your future but in a good way 🙂

I have a post about sailing with cats that you can find here – https://thehomethatroams.com/blog/cat-on-a-boat/

But in general, I would say to take it slow and keep a close eye on them in the transition period while they’re testing their limits. Our cat is good at finding any open compartments, so when you’re working on things or storing things, make sure they don’t slip in! You will probably want to use a life jacket in the beginning at anchor, as well as keep a good eye on them until they become more comfortable. The top of the bridgedeck seems to be a favorite spot for cats since they can see so much from up there!

Best of luck on your new adventure! – Morgan

Wow. Thanks for sharing your experience. Unfortunately, not all people experience that, so we must enjoy every second. Nice post!

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Living on a Sailboat

Photograph by Rona Proudfoot

By Kate Zidar

Last year, on Halloween, we splashed our boat in New Bedford, MA for the first time since purchasing it (in parts!) earlier that year.

Now it is over three months later, and we are still miraculously afloat in the fabled “Marshes of Glynn” between Brunswick and St. Simons Island in coastal Georgia.

To be perfectly honest, if you would have asked me three months ago to point out Brunswick, GA on a map, I would have tactically changed the topic. The same could be said for a dozen or so locations along the southeastern coast of the US that we have nonetheless called home during the maiden voyage of SY Tranquility. We are, quite literally, off the beaten track.

At this point, I cannot claim any expert status as a liveaboard, nor am I even a very competent sailor. Fabio, my partner and the official captain of our two-person crew, will surely confirm both of those assertions. In the grand scheme of things, I am a total newcomer compared to many we have met along the way. But I can share with you all how we have successfully made it this far, and how we plan to continue.

I should also clarify that my experience is limited to one kind of liveaboard situation–two people on a 29-foot bluewater sailboat with minimal systems and almost no storage. Joining the crew of a luxury motor yacht, restoring a historic wooden boat, or running a charter business on a catamaran will all offer totally different experiences. There are as many ways to live on water as there are ways to live on land, so even if the specific way we are doing it doesn’t appeal to you, keep looking. You will find your way.

How to Travel Full-time

From making a living to raising your kids, where to go and more!

Preparing the Mind

Living on a small boat means changing a lot of your expectations, and continuing to adapt to reality as it emerges. For example, my early expectations of living on a boat were that the chatter of my mind would be drastically reduced, my daily life would simplify and therefore the most important things, my real values, would emerge as the central focus each day.

These types of lofty expectations are somewhat mitigated by the emerging realities of having very little privacy or personal space, essentially living outdoors in winter, and a precipitous drop in face-to-face interaction with my friends, family and colleagues.

To move on to a boat is to physically secede from your mainstream community. How do you remain empathetic, confident and sane? Next to this, getting rid of most of my worldly belongings was actually the easy part. Maybe I should start there.

Get Rid of Stuff

When Fabio and I first met he was working on a boat in Panama, and when he came to visit me in NYC in the winter, I had to meet him at the airport with footwear, because his only shoes were flip-flops.

You know you don’t need most of the stuff you own. Admit it. I always lived in a small apartment, and never had a walk-in closet full of shoes. But living on a boat means having only one of things, and having very few things total. A year ago I had two floor-to-ceiling bookshelves packed with titles on everything under the sun. Today we continually grapple with our distilled library of boat-related titles so that it fits in a space the size of a shoebox.

A lot of things are easy to get rid of. You have a yard sale, your friends show up with donuts, you hang out on the sidewalk in the sun, and at the end of the day you have cash in your pocket.

But then you find that some things have “real value”. I had several film cameras that I inherited from my Grandpap, who was our family historian. He documented every dinner and holiday we shared, with these huge Nikon assemblies, and we would all dutifully smile and submit to the pop of his roving flashbulb. I inherited not just the cameras, but also the photography bug. However, on the boat what use will I have for film cameras? The salt will destroy the machines as well as the film. Plus, storage. The rational decision would be to sell them in the marketplace of New York City, to a photographer who knows their value, and would use them daily, just like my Grandpap did.

But every time an obvious camera-toting photog would inquire about the camera bag I guarded behind me at my yard sale, the interaction would wind down through a nostalgic review of each of the carefully packed lenses, and how hilarious my Grandpap was. Each of three prospective buyers helped me carefully pack it all away and refused to even discuss a price. “You shouldn’t sell everything.”

No matter how much you renounce, and you will need to radically let go, find some space on land where you can save these things with real value.

Finding a Boat

When we found our boat it was in pieces, in a yard, with no systems and no rigging. She was perfect.

Boats are not hard to come by along the east coast of the US, especially since the economic downturn of 2008. Most boat owners have primary residences and perhaps a vacation home or two, and when times are lean, a boat is one of the more painless things to put up for sale or forsake outright. All down the coast we have seen boats abandoned at anchor, tied up for good at marinas and left to rot in boatyards.

Don’t fall for it. There is no such thing as a free boat. What you save on the low cost of a fixer-upper, you will pay back (and then some) in time and money during the refit. The starting cost of a boat is everything it takes to get it to “sail-away condition”.

We started our search based on three things: budget (under 10K), size (under 30ft) and performance (bluewater-capable). Go look at boats in person. If they are on land, you can take a good look at the hull, and if they are in the water you could request a sail trial. Once you know the features and models you really like, you can broaden your search online and know if something is worth traveling for.

When it came down to it, we were choosing between two similar boats, one in sail-away condition near our target budget and the other, priced much less but in pieces. Ultimately, we preferred to do the refit ourselves so that if something malfunctioned while we were underway, we would know the systems completely, having built them ourselves.

This was surely the harder and ultimately more expensive route, but we haven’t regretted it yet.

Fixing up Your Boat

Let’s get something straight; we are still fixing up our boat. We might always be fixing up our boat. A boat only spends one brief moment as “finished” when it is fresh from the factory and has yet to touch weather or salt water.

We have the benefit of living in an era where do-it-yourself types can use open source information online to train themselves to do almost anything. Between sailing forums and YouTube, you can get step-by-step instructions for most boat jobs. We considered the Internet to be a starting point, and would follow up on these ideas by peppering the more experienced folks around us for more detailed advice in real life.

Again and again, we got the recommendation to monitor the trash bins at boatyards and marinas. Even if you are not on a freegan, this makes sense for the small boat owner because when bigger boats get work done, their scraps are often the perfect size for your small project. We have diverted nice wood, mixing cups, paint trays, half pots of varnish…anything you need really, will someday appear in the waste stream. Eventually in the yard, our neighbors began to know what we were on the lookout for, and would deliver us delicacies such as life vests and fenders.

Avoid marine products and marine stores wherever possible (there goes my West Marine sponsorship). Some products–marine paints come to mind–do not have a civilian substitute, but many boat products are just more expensive for no real reason. For anything you want to incorporate on your boat, from materials to appliances, it must resist rust and corrosion, take up very little space, and draw little or no power. Beyond that, don’t worry about if it has a navy blue anchor on the package or not.

Major truck stops–the real ones with showers and “vitamin” packets at the checkout–usually have a wide array of 12v accessories and electronics that could work great on a boat. Yard sales in seafaring towns will typically turn up all the tools and vintage bits you could ever hope for. For everything else, return to the Internet.

The most reassuring piece of advice that we got, out of all the advice that people generously heaped upon us through our initial yard period, came from a fiberglass guru named Nate up in New Bedford, MA. He repeatedly assured us, “Everything on a boat can be fixed.” Don’t worry if you don’t do it perfectly on your first attempt, there is always the next refit.

Pick your Crew

On our crew, we have a Capitan (Fabio, a licensed sailor with thousands of nautical miles logged) and a First Mate* (me, whose first offshore experience was three months ago). Somebody on your crew needs to know how to sail. Not everybody, but definitely somebody.

Somebody on your crew also needs to be awake. Not everybody, but when you are underway, there is a crewmember on watch at all times. For us, being on watch means that you are actively sailing the boat, as we have no fancy stuff like an autopilot. So before I had my sea legs, we needed an additional crewmember to attempt our first offshore passage, to ensure that Fabio had a solid teammate in case I turned green and curled into a ball for three days (which I did).

Plenty of people sail single-handed (solo), and even circumnavigate the globe, all without a First Mate. These folks usually have lots of experience, and have rigged their boat to be sailed by one person, and have autopilot. We have a friend here, Brian, who is planning a solo passage to the Azores and beyond this spring, and his preparations are focused on the level of safety and independence that solo sailing demands. We’re taking style notes and will definitely steal some of his ideas.

We have also met plenty of folks with an extended crew that includes pets and small children. On one evening visit to a marina back when we first began boat shopping, we heard a baby’s cry wafting around in the wind, and followed it to the open hatch of a small 30-ft boat. Since then we have met larger families living aboard who are quite successfully tackling the responsibilities of parenting while maintaining buoyancy. It can certainly be done! So far, however, our aspirations for expanding our crew are limited to incorporating a small cat named Beta.

* Fabio is actually withholding the official conveyance of my title as First Mate until I clean the bilge with my long ape-like arms. I am procrastinating this job for obvious reasons, but feel as though I have otherwise earned public use of the title.

What about Work?

If it is not completely obvious by now, Fabio and I are not independently wealthy. In fact, we both decided to do this as a way to live more affordably and simply. The original decision to buy a boat under 30ft had to do with reducing the price and scale of everything else involved. Our other decisions about generating and storing electricity, opting for an electric motor, capturing/storing/purifying water are all working toward the goal of having increasingly more independence and even less expense.

Most liveaboards we have met along the way so far are retired, meaning that they are quite a bit wealthier and older than us. Although we sometimes feel a bit out of place, our retired colleagues have consistently expressed their admiration for how we are “going for it” before it was completely comfortable to do so financially. That feedback is always reassuring, but it doesn’t put bread on the table!

So we still need to work, to keep bread on the table as well as to keep our brains from going all soft and mushy.

There are three kinds of “traditional” work available to us as liveaboards: telecommuting, seasonal and temporary. What is available to you depends on your experience, your location, the season and your access to technology.

Fabio began sailing and living aboard full time several years ago, and has pursued quite a bit of training. Depending on the season and location, he can find some kind of work delivering or maintaining boats, usually larger international yachts. It is sometimes quite difficult labor, but he can usually find work quickly when he needs to refill the coffers, and it gets him out into the world of boats and boaters.

I have yet to really find my place in the transient workplace, and I am in a moment of having a very open mind. Ideally, I would continue work in my field of training, environmental planning, but short-term or “low residency” work has been hard to come by. I have already transitioned a bit, teaching online science classes through American Museum of Natural History, and offering part-time editing for scientific journals. Essentially, as long as I have some form of regular contact with the Internet, I can do some kind of telecommuting work, but that gets me into mushy brain territory very quickly. It is good to be around other human beings sometimes.

Since we landed in Brunswick, I have applied for a long list of jobs, everything from Private Island Manager (that really exists) to Overnight Shelf-Stocker at the grocery store. As it starts to warm up, the fancy resorts and restaurants will begin hiring, and there are seasonal jobs abundant in those industries. I am taking a free class online about financial markets and day trading. I have found a few outlets (shoutout to Wandrly Magazine!) that have paid for my writing and photographs, and I am developing ideas for the next leg of the trip.

There is, after all, no wrong brainstorming.

Enjoying Life

Fabio and I will be arguing about any number of things, and we will both want to quit and sink the boat, and then we pull up the dock lines, raise a sail and get into our operating dynamic. Suddenly we have smiles on our faces, and there is a dolphin jumping around portside and a pelican dive-bombing for fish starboard.

Just like that, you remember why you have taken all of the risk and renounced all the stuff. Sailing is the whole point of doing all of this, and sailing is enjoying life to the fullest.

Choosing (or not) Places to Visit

For the last three months, people along the way would ask us, “Where are you going?” and the only answer we had was, “South!”

On a sailboat, a lot of your trip planning is constrained by the physical properties of coasts, oceans and weather. Your job as a sailor is to learn as much about these dynamic factors as possible, combine that with your understanding of your boat, and if the probability of safe passage outweighs the ever-present risks, you go.

But you can’t just go anywhere you want, right now, on your boat. You can try, but its not totally up to you.

Sometimes you are charging along underway and the winds suddenly die down, leaving you to just bob around out there playing Bananagrams. Other times, the wind picks up and pushes all the water out of the tiny harbor you would like to arrive in, stranding you on a suddenly shallow sandbar. You can’t really get too specific with your appointment book when you travel under sail.

This has been interesting for me because sometimes, the conditions just make the decisions for you, and you arrive someplace you didn’t plan for, or you are hustled on to your next destination while you are still enjoying the present location. It makes for plenty of serendipity. I can’t say I ever wanted to visit Wachapreague, Coinjock, Manteo, Okracoke, Southport, St. Helena or Jekyll Island…but I now know that I want to go back to each of these places.

Now that we are stationary for the time being, we have the new challenge of deciding between going South or North…or staying put!

Difficulties

I am a tall girl, and in the boat I need to crouch, crawl and hover a lot. When I get off the boat, I try to walk and ride bikes, and stretch out as much as possible, but the physicality of living on a boat is a major challenge.

Every once and awhile, I envision waking up at dawn and doing yoga on the deck, but it has been a brutal winter, even at the southern extreme of the polar vortex. So that yoga dream has been continually replaced by huddling up in a sleeping bag with hot tea, the opposite of expansion for the vertebrae.

With the warming weather and our planned improvements to the boat, Fabio and I expect to have more comfort both living and sailing. For future excursions we plan to add an autopilot that can steer for us when we are on a monotonous offshore course, affording us the privilege of moving freely about in space. Remember, everything on a boat can be fixed.

In Conclusion

It has only been a very short time since I stepped off of land and onto this boat, but it feels like a lot has happened. Time has slowed down.

By doing this, I wanted to discover what kind of mettle I had, if I had any survival instinct left, or if I had just sort of become a blobby consumer of goods and services. I have learned that I am actually more of an idiot than I could have ever imagined, that I can be somehow meticulous and lazy at the same time, and can injure my partner with a careless tone of voice. However, I have also found that I have a fair amount of courage and more ability in certain unexpected areas. I am a decent maker of things out of fiberglass–who knew?

Getting here has taken an enormous amount of work and solidarity with Fabio. Even if I am learning how to do a lot of this myself, we would not be where we are now without each other’s support and emboldening influence. We have found that we encourage each other’s most improbable aspirations, and are supremely nurturing of one another in everything from the pursuit of interesting food to the development of new skills and creative endeavors.

More than anything, the pace and the intention behind traveling by sailboat gives you the time to consider what you really want, where you want to go, and who you want with you along the way. It’s been a massive gift.

How To Pick the Best Sailboat To Live On (Full Guide)

I see you are ready to sell everything you own, buy a boat, bid your old life farewell, and spend the rest of the new one on the sea. Great choice. Romantic. Adventurous. Nothing gives you the freedom sailboats do. So let's have a look at how to pick the right one. Preparation is the key to success; that is, after all, why you are here.

So how do you pick the best sailboat to live on?

• Determine your budget
• If possible, try to save at least $30,000
• Know where you will sail to choose the right model
• Understand your comfort needs and choose the boat accordingly
• Be honest with yourself about what amenities are important to you
• Make sure you chose the right size

Because this is a complex topic, let's analyze this a bit.

Living on a sailboat can be sublime. The freedom to go pretty much wherever you set your mind to. The oceanic sunsets and sunrises. The neverending cradling. The feeling that you are always home, even though you are always traveling. The fact that you take your home with you wherever you go. Your micro-universe with its own rules. Your design.

Now to have all of the above, you need to pick the right boat . It's like with cars. There is a reason why the roads aren't filled with just one model. Different people have different needs.

There are a plethora of choices that can seem daunting at first. But know that though this is a complex topic, it isn't a complicated one. There are many moving parts to it, but once you know what questions to ask, you will get where you want to go successfully.

On this page:

How this article works, questions to ask yourself when choosing a boat, size matters, the perfect sailboat to live on.

This article is here to have you ask the right questions. If you do and answer them all, you will have thought about the most important categories to consider when choosing a liveaboard sailboat. I will try not to put specific boat models in your head, as I don't want to constraint you. But I want to give you a deep enough understanding of the topic so that you can arrive at the perfect answer yourself.

• What's my budget?
• What's my intention?
• What's my comfort level?
• What things would I like to have?

What's My Budget?

I know this is not the most exciting of categories, but it is important to consider. Regardless of your passion for the sea, this should be the first thing you ask yourself. Why? Well, of course, it is easy for me to recommend to you the Amel 60, a fabulous sailboat large enough for a whole family, built like a tank, to withstand a proper storm, easy to operate with just one person on board yet still compact enough to fit into most harbors. And that recommendation could be the end of this article, which would make for a great read for those who can face the over $2,000,000 price mark. And a disappointment for those who can not.

The good news is that you can most likely afford it whatever your current budget if you want to live on a sailboat. Either now or within a few months of saving. In my article The Cheapest, Smallest Boat to Sail Around the World , I talk about Hurley 22, which can be yours for about $3,000. And that's not a rare find of questionable quality; that is a boat in good condition, ready to go.

The minimal ideal budget is around $30,000

To give you a more concrete idea of how to navigate the vast sea of choices (no pun intended) so that you can successfully reach the harbor of your choice (really, not intended) and drop the anchor at the right place (okay, I'll stop now) let's answer the question 'what is the lowest ideal budget when buying a sailboat'.

Because yes, there are boats for all prices, starting at the aforementioned couple of thousands of dollars spanning all the way to hundreds of millions. Both of these extreme categories come with their sacrifices. A very cheap boat will either be in good condition but quite small or not very well equipped. Or it will be the right size but old and worn down, making you spend money down the line on repairs. On the other side of the spectrum, you'll have the quality and comfort you like, but for a price that could force you to postpone your boat life while you save up.

So at which point does a budget start to be considered a good amount of money to have when setting out to look for a boat? Around $30,000. Starting from around that budget, you won't have to make many considerable compromises in terms of quality, size, or the state of the boat.

Now that doesn't mean you can't get a great sailboat for less. In the age of the almighty internet, some rare finds are truly extraordinary. But imagine it as shopping for a car with two thousand dollars versus twenty.

$30,000 will easily get you a boat around 30 - 50 feet long, 15 - 30 years old, in a good, sailable state, without much money having to be put in repairs or refurbishment. So in case that isn't a possibility for you now, yet one you could save up in a reasonable timeframe, it pays off to wait until you have it. And if you aren't ready for that liveaboard life now but know that ten or fifteen years down the road you will be, start setting aside money with this amount as a good entry budget in mind.

On a side note, It's not all just about the upfront cost. Another thing to consider is the expenses that living on a boat needs. I am talking about potential marina fees, repairs, winterization, fuel, maintenance, all that jazz. Before beginning your onboard life, it is good to know about these and make a calculated decision to ensure that your travels won't get cut short.

I won't spend more time on this topic since it is just a part of the whole liveaboard matter, but do consult our article Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Sailboat , which goes into much more detail about these boat purchase costs as well as costs that wait on the other side once the boat is yours.

Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Sailboat This article compares thousands of sailboat prices at different ages and lengths, and also talks about all the costs of owning a sailboat.

What's My Intention?

This is a big one. If you are planning on buying a liveaboard, know what you intend to do with it. Not all boats are created equal.

Do you plan on staying relatively close to the coast, never very far from a marina? Do you want to sail on lakes, maybe explore some rivers around, never venturing out of sweetwater? Do you plan on staying in a harbor most of the time, taking the boat for a spin occasionally, not far from your home port? Do you want the freedom of a bluewater boat that can go anywhere?

Your choice of a sailboat will be mirrored in this. If you are a lake person , you might want to get yourself a shallow draft boat since you will probably run into many situations where too deep of a keel would limit you from entering. That either means something with a bilge keel or perhaps a wing keel , such as the Moody s31 , a boat that is affordable, decently sized and nicely furnished, to provide that home sweet home coziness you want from a liveaboard. Or, if the Moody's age puts you off and your budget allows it, you can go for something like the brand new GT35 . Both are shallow draft friendly.

If you want to be in a harbor most of the time , you don't have to care about the boat's performance, or its bluewater ability much. You would be spending money that could instead be spent on more comfortable equipment or layout. Why invest in stability for instance, when harbors tend to be in areas protected from the waves. Why care too much about whether all the ratios are correct, whether the sail setup is good enough for extreme conditions, and so on. You won't be making long passages and the times that you take the boat out, you can just wait for good weather, instead of having to face storms. An example of such boats would arguably be smaller Bavarias, Jeanneaus or Beneteaus and similar - sailboats that are capable of ocean crossings, but they are primarily designed for coastal cruising, putting emphasis on comfort and convenience, sacrificing rigidity, weight, tank size and so on.

If you want the freedom of a circumnavigator , you will need a seaworthy boat that will be able to face whatever the oceans send your way. For such scenario, a full-keel boat could come in hand. It will provide enough stability for crossing the oceans and add comfort to your ride when things get bumpy. You will also want to make sure your energy and water management makes sense when it comes to either storing or generating it. Without the ability to be connected to a grid, having solar panels will be something you will want to consider. Also, your boat will have to be in a solid condition, as opposed to those being docked most of the time at a place where help is easy to find in case something breaks.

What's My Comfort Level?

Sure, nobody wants to live on a racing boat that was constructed to be as light as possible without as much as a bench to sit on inside. But even among cruisers, there are various levels of equippedness, ranging from boats that focus on performance and stability, which, at times, can mean sacrificing comfort, to boats that are made to please your senses, even though they might not be the most practical to sail long-distances with.

Now although you might consider yourself an adventurer who needs little more than a rock under your head and a blanket of starry night over you, spending a few days on an uncomfortable boat versus actually making one your home are two very different things. So knowing this is your private moment and nobody sees inside your head, be honest to yourself about what you need. Especially men out there tend to act tough before and regret later.

This is highly personal, varies from person to person, so I won't put ideas in your head, but when looking for a boat, ask yourself:

• Does it feel spacious enough that I won't feel like I'm living in a coffin?
• Can I stand up straight in the salon?

If the space feels cramped, but that's all I can afford size-wise, does the deck make up for it?

• Am I okay with a manual pump toilet or do I want an electric one?
• Is the kitchen well equipped enough for me to store and make the food I want to
• Is the lack of a warm water shower not a problem, and if I want a hot shower, I'll just use my solar camp shower?
• Is there enough storage space for all the things I want to have with me? Is the boat well equipped with enough handles, cup holders, hooks for hanging things, places to sit comfortably?

Simply, has it been designed with the user comfort in mind and if not, am I okay with that?

Last but not least, is the ease of use sufficient, meaning can I reach all I need to reach from the helm or do I have to run marathons around the deck to operate the boat well?

If your answer to any of these questions is negative, don't worry, it's not a dealbreaker. A lot of things can be fixed with aftermarket solutions. But know about them and know that a potential fix will be within your budget.

Generally speaking, coastal cruisers that are primarily aimed at weekend sailors or the charter market are very good at comfort. I am talking about the aforementioned Bavarias , Jeanneaus , or Beneteaus . Then there is Hanse, Elan, Dufour … brands that you will often encounter when chartering a boat. These manufacturers know their target audience well and though they do make boats capable of interesting speeds and impressive crossings, their primary goal is to provide comfort. This means you will always have a handle to hold onto, making the heeled passages more convenient. It means there will be plenty of cushions and storage for all the little things you need. It means that things will be within reach. It means that the sailboat will likely be quite easy to operate since it is designed for people without much sailing experience. All in all, it means the lady or gentleman who designed the boat looked at their sketches thinking 'will this be a pleasant place to be at?' And that kind of mindset is what you need when it comes to living on a sailboat.

What Do I Consider Good Things To Have?

Going further, here are categories to consider when looking for a sailboat to live on. This partially relates to the previous chapter about comfort, partially to practicality. I'm not saying you need all of the things listed below, but know that these are important categories and very 'nice to haves'. They are important elements that many sailors would go for when choosing a liveaboard. So in case you decide not to have them, know about it and be consciously okay with it.

Not all sailboats will allow a grown-up to stand up in them. Though it is not a definite requirement, you will probably want to make sure you can move around the salon freely without the need to bow your head all the time.

Well equipped kitchen

Though you can cut your onions on the dining table just as well, and though you can boil your rice in a portable gas cooker, having a dedicated kitchen space with all the usual amenities is a big plus. That means a stove, sink, some counter space, and ideally a fridge. You want to keep the homeyness alive, which isn't gonna happen if you'll feel like you are on a camping trip. The less improvised certain things are, the better.

Proper Toilet

The above point relates to a toilet too. Though it is possible to do your business overboard or to use those nasty little smelly portable toilets, you don't want that to be the case. Thus a proper room with a proper toilet with proper storage or disposal mechanics will be highly appreciated by the future you.

We've touched upon this before. The portable solar showers or any other improvised way of going about this are a possibility and bathing in the sea has its charm too. But a shower is a shower. Even if it is just a shower head in your toilet room, as is quite often the case.

Interior Lights

The ability to flip a switch and have light indoors is a big one. Portable LED lamps work just as well, but they will add to the feeling of being on a camping trip. And that just doesn't sit well with the feeling of home sweet home.

Power Outlets

Though 12-volt outlets paired with converters work, you don't want to limit your options to that. A classical 120V wiring system with enough power outlets will make you happy when you have to charge your computer, phone, tablet, portable AC, and the smoothie maker you just couldn't resist buying.

That simple, yes. The small, one-room sailboats where the seating space is also your bed, lose their charm very quickly for most people. You want a sleeping place to be a sleeping place and a seat to be a seat. Again, we aren't talking about a 'must-have', but about something that will make you feel like home.

Air Management

Cooking on a boat gets the place steamy. Not mentioning the food smell, which is delicious, but you don't want it to linger for longer than necessary. Since there will be water all around, you want to make sure that your boat is mold-free, ventilated, so that the clothes you are drying indoors don't make the place all humid. This is something quite a few boats underestimate. Many weekend cruisers, otherwise well equipped, forget this, since a couple of days in a humid interior isn't a big deal, especially if you spend most of your days on deck. But a liveaboard is something different.

Comfortable Sleeping Space

A well-rested soul is a happy soul. Again, a few days on a holiday cruiser without comfortable sleep isn't a big deal, but a liveaboard should have a bedroom that is as ideal as possible. That means a large enough cabin with enough ventilation and the possibility to cover the windows with something light proof. One that is ideally close to the helm so that you don't have to run too far if an alarm wakes you up in the night.

Storage Space

Luckily, this is something most sailboats get right. But be sure that yours has all the storage you need. Yes, living on a sailboat will probably mean minimizing your lifestyle a notch, but the few unnecessary things you like to have should have a space of their own.

It matters, it really does. Ideally, you would want to have a sailboat as small as possible, because size costs money and can present handling and maneuvering difficulties.

The trouble is that this 'as small as possible' isn't as small as you might think. A small size presents several issues. Ranging from the obvious lack of space for you and your stuff to less obvious but very important comfort when on larger waves, to even less obvious but equally as crucial lack of speed that goes hand in hand with shorter hulls.

Sailboats have a maximum hull speed. In short, it means longer boats are faster. Learn more about how fast sailboats goes in our article What is the Average Speed of a Sailboat?

Space Constraints

Let's not spend too much time on this one as it is quite self-explanatory. Ask yourself what is the least space you need to feel good on a boat. Not the least space you need, since for that, a 20 foot Flicka suffices, but the least space you need so that you don't feel cramped and so that you can call the place your home. The same goes for storage space. Go as small as you can to still be able to fit all you want on your boat without having the annoying feeling you had to leave behind half of what you consider dear in the world.

Comfort On The Seas

A disadvantage of a small boat is that it is light and so the waves are felt way more than on a big boat. Even in smaller waves, you will feel the difference significantly - a 20 vs a 40 footer is a different world in even just 4 ft waves. A larger hull will point better in large waves, will be easier to operate, and a bit more forgiving.

All in all, living on a twenty footer is more than possible, it just comes with some comfort compromises, as well as the need for better sailing skills.

And then there is hull speed. I don't want to get too deep into the physics of it, partially because it wasn't my favorite subject in school, but long story short, the smaller your boat, the slower you can go. And though if you live on the sea, you probably aren't in a rush to get anywhere, you still want to have a reasonable ability to outrun bad weather as well as the ability to cross long passages in the minimal time possible. Because a longer passage requires more food and water, it means more time when something can break and is difficult to fix, which means more spares… and weighing your small boat down with hundreds of kilos of food, water, and parts, is the last thing you want to do.

Now I know that in the beginning, I said I won't give you specific models so that I don't rob you of the sea of options. But to put all of the above characteristics and ideas into a specific, tangible form, let me show you some concrete examples.

Great Budget Boat To Live On

We started this with a budget, so let's begin with that here too. We established that a great budget to have is around $30,000, but in case that isn't an option, let's see what would be a good choice if the funds are scarce.

And as already mentioned, Hurley 22 wins this category hands down. It is a perfectly seaworthy boat with which you can sail around the globe. It has character, despite its size. It has a separate sleeping space, two couches, a table, kitchen, possible toilet, inboard engine... Hell of a boat for that money.

Great Ideal Budget Sailboat To Live On

Back to the $30,000 budget . If you decide to spend this on a boat, a Catalina 38 would be among the ideal choices. It is large enough even for a couple that doesn't like to feel cramped and needs separate space from time to time. Kitchen, heads, all that jazz is of course included. Catalinas are generally well equipped.

Great Coastal Sailboat To Live On

Going further, we talked about those of you who want to stay in marinas most of the time, taking your boat for a spin sometimes. For this lifestyle, a great choice would, for instance, be the 40 foot Jeanneau Sun Legende . Jeanneaus are constructed to spoil and pamper you. Especially the newer types. Hardcore sailors might frown when you'd wanna take them across oceans, but with their plenty of space, light, and aim at comfort, you won't go wrong.

Great Circumnavigator To Live On

Then we mentioned those of you who need adventure and will spend much time on long crossings. For you, Hallberg Rassy 42F would be a fantastic choice. Swedes don't mess around, this one's built like a bull, to withstand pretty much anything. Its efficiency in terms of space usage is incredible, as is its attention to design. Comfort wasn't forgotten either. Plus it's fast enough to get you across the watery deserts quickly.

Great Big Sailboat To Live On

After talking about some practical equipment elements, of which most of the boats above have plenty, we said that having size helps. So without venturing too far up in terms of budget, C&C 43s or some Peterson 44s are great choices, since they are affordable models with decently long hulls. Of course, if you up the money, you can go bigger, but these two brands are among the choices where, for relatively little money, you start to get quite a lot of space.

Great Practical Sailboat To Live On

And last but not least, know that boats can and oftentimes will be a project. So the practical elements, like air ventilation, shower, heads, 120V electrical system, and so on, can sometimes be added if your boat of choice doesn't have them. Sure, it means some tinkering, and some models won't allow certain modifications. But it is good to approach choosing your future liveaboard with this in mind. Keep a few thousands aside for custom tweaks and keep the fact that tweaking can happen in mind and you will find that your possibilities just grew quite a bit larger.

So there we go. Choosing a liveaboard is a big thing, not unlike buying an apartment or a car. So take your time, make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into, read this article in depth, a couple of times even and before you'll know it, you will be waking up on a boat every morning.

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My Cruiser Life Magazine

17 Best Sailboats to Live On + What You Should Know First

Many dream of living aboard a sailboat, but finding the right one can be daunting. There are many different types, and countless manufacturers have come and gone over the years. 

Here’s a list of 17 options – a sailboat for every sailor on every kind of budget. 

Table of Contents

17 best sailboats to live on, pros of living aboard a sailboat, cons of boat life.

• Find Your Type of Boat 

Set Your Boat Budget

What size boat to pick, best liveaboard sailboats under 35 feet (< 35 feet), best liveaboard sailboats under 40 feet (35–40 feet), best liveaboard sailboats under 45 feet (40–45 feet), best liveaboard sailboats under 50 feet (45–50 feet), best liveaboard sailboats under 60 feet (50–60 feet), want to live on a sailboat, best sailboats to live on faqs.

• Catalina 34/35
• Panda/Baba 35, Tashiba 36a
• Gemini 105MC
• Islander Freeport 36
• Passport 40
• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS
• Leopard 42/43
• Beneteau Oceanis 473
• Hallberg Rassy 46/48
• Leopard 46/Moorings
• Amel Super Maramu 2000
• Privilege 585

What to Know First

So, boat shopping is a challenge, to say the least. Understanding where to start and what to look for comes down to understanding what you want to do with your boat.

Here’s a look at some pros and cons of living aboard to get you started.

• Seaside living at a fraction of the cost of a waterfront home
• Ability to travel anywhere by water
• Ability to move anytime—not tied to one location/town
• Different liveaboard lifestyle options to choose from: at a dock, mooring, anchoring, cruising (traveling)—tired of one, mix it up for a different experience
• Small living space lacks storage and privacy
• Limited resources: you must meter your fuel, water, and electricity use when not at a dock
• More exposed to the elements and more affected by weather events
• Seating and furnishings are less comfortable than in a house
• Constant maintenance to keep the boat seaworthy and clean

How to Find the Best Boat to Live on Year Round

At first, you might think boat shopping is like looking for a new car. But when shopping for a car, you have a small pool of manufacturers and models to choose from. In the end, you might have five choices and already have an opinion about each maker’s quality and reputation.

Boats are different. We’re usually shopping for boats that are a decade or more old. The manufacturers may have gone out of business years ago. When you total up all the possible makes and models of each type of boat, you might have dozens of choices with brands you’ve never heard of. Yikes!

Find Your Type of Boat

There are dozens of types of boats you could live on, depending on where you want to live and where you want to take it. Most people shopping for a sailboat will choose between coastal cruisers, bluewater boats, and sailing catamarans.

Here are some of the pros and cons of these sailboat types. 

The Coastal Cruiser

• Inexpensive compared to bluewater and catamarans
• Perfect for dock living or near-shore hops
• With modifications and the right outfitting, many have island-hopped the Caribbean
• Many to choose from, and often they are lightly used
• Designs are often race-inspired and faster than typical heavy bluewater boats
• Newer, bigger boat for your money
• Often production boats have low-quality, lightweight builds

Related: Best Trailerable Sailboats

The Bluewater Sailboat

• The best bluewater cruising sailboats are capable of going anywhere
• Built to last and take anything
• Give the most comfortable ride in rough conditions
• Newer examples are expensive
• Good ones sell quickly
• Older vessels may be tired and in need of an extensive refit
• Often lack the living space that coastal cruisers have—narrower beams and transoms

The Catamaran

• Cruising cats have the maximum living space, especially cockpit dining and upper salon
• Light-filled with plenty of airflow, perfect for the tropics and living at anchor
• Larger models (40+ feet) are bluewater boats capable of going nearly anywhere
• A shallower draft than most monohulls allows for more cruising and anchoring choices
• More expensive to purchase, keep, and maintain than similar-sized monohulls  
• The most in-demand vessels, prices are high and good ones sell fast 
• Sometimes hard or expensive to find dock space and boatyards that can haul it out for maintenance

Still unsure which side of the monohull vs. catamaran debate you’re on? Try to get aboard some boats and experience the living space first-hand.

Everyone has a budget when going boat shopping, even if you’re Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk. Establishing how much you can spend on your boat is the biggest factor that will affect your decision, and it’s the backbone for all other decisions. 

You must understand just how much boat costs increase as the size of boat increases. Boats are already expensive, and the average cost of owning and buying a liveaboard sailboat varies dramatically. But when the boat gets bigger, it needs bigger hardware, lines, rigging, sails, motors…everything. And bigger means more expensive, so these costs add up fast.

And then there are your storage and boat maintenance costs, all of which are charged per foot. The marina might charge you $15 per foot/per month for a dock slip, and the boatyard will similarly charge you per foot to haul and store the boat. Divers charge per foot for bottom cleaning, as do detailers for annual compounding and waxing of the hull.

When it comes to budgeting, there are two rules of thumb. 

• Always pick the smallest boat you can comfortably live on.
• If you have an amount budgeted for your boat purchase, spend half on the boat and save the other half for outfitting and maintenance.

As you’ll see below, boats can be grouped by price and size. When you go up in size, you go up in price—often by a lot.

The size of the boat is a factor of your budget, but also of how big a boat you can handle. Most people believe this means driving it and maneuvering it, which is true to some extent. But a good training captain can teach you what you need to know to drive any size boat in just a few sessions. 

No, the size of the boat you can manage refers more to how much maintenance you want to do. The bigger the boat, the more complex and plentiful its systems. There’s more to break on a bigger boat, and more things broken means more time fixing things.

Catamarans compound this by doubling a lot of the systems. Two engines, two saildrives, two hulls to wax, two hulls to bottom paint—you get the idea.

Another factor you should consider early on is getting insurance. Yacht insurance has gotten harder and harder to get in recent years. If you’ve never owned a boat and have no experience, you might be forced to get something small (think an under 30-foot daysailor) to get some experience on before you move up. It’s also difficult because many underwriters won’t write policies for liveaboards. 

As a general rule of thumb, most people will find boats under 35 feet too small to live on full-time. Most of these vessels don’t even have standing headroom. There is often only a “wet head,” one where you take showers while sitting on the toilet.

Boats 35 to 40 feet are good for solo travelers or couples who don’t mind living in small quarters. The beds will be small and accessed only from one side, as in a v-berth or a Pullman-style berth. If there is one, the second bunk is likely only for the occasional guest. 

You’ll get better accommodations when you move up to 40 to 45 footers. The second bunk may be in its own stateroom. The main suite will have an island-style berth that can be accessed from both sides—a huge upgrade for most couples. The head will likely have a separate, enclosed shower. This size sailing yacht makes a good liveaboard sailboat for most boaters.

Boats bigger than 45 feet are best for bigger families. If you often travel with kids or guests, these are the boats for you. They’re extremely spacious and make boat living easy, but the extra maintenance and cost may not be worth it.

The List — Best Sailboats to Live Aboard

All lists, whether found in internet blogs or international sailing magazines, have issues. There’s no one list to rule them all because there are simply too many different boats out there. And everyone uses their boat differently, so the “best” for you might be a terrible choice for me. Different boats for different folks, so to say.

So, what’s the deal with this list? It’s made from personal experience of having seen a lot of boats out cruising. And it’s a list that tries to put aside the fantasies—Oysters and Gunboats are pretty in magazines, but like Ferraris, not many of us will ever own one. So let’s look at some practical boats that fill each size category. 

For every boat on this list, a dozen or more could’ve been included. Use these models to research brands and see which sizes suit your needs.

Boats under 35 feet tend to be best suited for solo travelers or couples comfortable living in small spaces. As always, coastal cruisers in this class have much more space than bluewater boats do. Catamarans in this class are also coastal cruisers—you need more length and volume to get real bluewater performance out of a cat. No matter which type of boat you’re looking at here, storage space on this size of liveaboard boat will be limited.

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Coastal Cruiser Under 35 — Catalina 34/35

If you want to move aboard, you’re on a budget, and you want the most space you can get, it’s really hard to beat an older Catalina. Starting with the Catalina 30, these beamy boats have a surprising interior volume. They make great first liveaboards.

Bluewater Sailor Under 35 — Panda/Baba 35, Tashiba 36

The famous yacht designer Bob Perry drew these Taiwanese-built boats, all tracing their lineage to the older Tayana 37 . They’re updated slightly and built by different yards, but all full keels with cutaways and built for bluewater cruising. They all have gorgeous teak joinery and are comfortable and forgiving at sea. 

Catamaran Under 35 — Gemini 105MC

The Gemini 105M and 105MC were arguably the most popular cat models ever. They’re American-built, with a single diesel engine and a narrow beam that allows them to be parked in a standard boat slip. In the US, this means many more marina choices if that’s how you roll. The boat has centerboards and kick-up rudders, so the board-up draft is a scant 18 inches—gunkholing perfection. 

While some Geminis have crossed oceans, they aren’t made for it. They have average (sometimes below-average) build quality and fiberglass work. However, they’re perfect coastal cruisers and capable of heading into The Bahamas.

The Gemini should be on your shortlist if you’re looking for a cheap catamaran .

Runner Up: PDQ 32

Are you looking for a small cat with better build quality? They didn’t make many of them, but the PDQ 32 is what you seek. It’s an attractive small catamaran with a wider beam. It came with twin outboards in wells, but the LRC (long-range cruiser) option had inboard diesels.

Forty feet is the sweet spot for most cruising couples—big enough to be comfortable and carry enough provisions but small enough that handling and maintenance are manageable. This class of boat has a lot of excellent choices in both coastal cruiser and bluewater boats, making it a good size range to find the perfect affordable liveaboard sailboat.

The catamaran group from 35 to 40 feet has a few very popular choices, but they are right on the edge of being too small for most cruisers. Counterintuitively, these cats are perfect for couples who don’t mind downsizing and traveling lightly. These shorter cats are prone to hobby horsing and don’t provide as comfortable a ride in bluewater as slightly longer cats do. 

Coastal Cruiser Under 40 — Islander Freeport 36

The Islander brand is no longer around, but these California-built production boats from the 1970s and 80s were well-built and well-liked. The I32 and I36 were very popular cruising boats designed by Bob Perry. The Freeport 36 is a before-its-time European deck salon with enormous windows. The swing-down swim platform is another bonus for a boat from this era, as are the Pullman-style berth and forepeak-located head (some layouts). If you can find one in good condition, these boats make excellent liveaboards. 

Bluewater Sailor Under 40 — Passport 40

Yet another boat from the desk of Bob Perry, the Passport 40, is a sharp-looking aft-cockpit bluewater cruiser from one of the best yards in Taiwan. They feature a long fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder. Everything about this sloop is just right for long-term cruising.

Catamaran Under 40 — Prout 38

The Prout 38 traces its heritage back to the earlier Prout Snowgoose. The boat is still being made, now under the Broadblue brand. It’s a sturdy British-built cat made for serious offshoring. While it lacks some of the open feeling that newer charter boats have, it more than makes up for it with its robust and high-quality build.

Runner Up: Leopard 40 (2005-2009)

This early L40 (don’t get confused with the newer ones built around 2020) was designed by famous multihull designers Morelli and Melvin. It’s got more of the things you might expect from your typical charter cat: a sliding salon door, galley-up layout, and a huge walk-through cockpit.

While this seems a small step up from the size of boats above, prices increase rapidly above the 40-foot mark. At this point, the boat’s gear needs to be bigger and heavier, from all the lines and rigging to each block and winch. Engines are now larger four-cylinder diesels, and there’s much more hull area to clean and paint. 

A 45-foot coastal cruiser has enough space to keep a small family happy for short trips or a couple happy for any length of time. These boats usually have island berths in a spacious master bedroom, so no more crawling over each other just to go to the bathroom! Bluewater boats in this class are a little smaller inside, making them just right for most couples doing a long-term cruise.

As far as catamarans go, the 40 to 45-foot range is the perfect sweet spot for most cruising couples. A spacious interior plus excellent seakeeping abilities make these top picks. There are tons of boat choices out there, and most of the best cruising catamarans come from this size group.

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Coastal Cruiser Under 45 — Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS

Jeanneau is part of Groupe Beneteau , but their boats often have a more refined finish than Beneteaus. The DS stands for “deck salon.” They feature larger windows that let in more light and have better visibility than a standard cruiser. This is especially welcome if you’re attracted to the living space in a catamaran but need something smaller and more affordable. 

The 42DS also has an enormous island berth, plus a huge twin-helm cockpit with lots of space for entertaining.

Bluewater Sailor Under 45 — Hylas 44

The Hylass 44 is regularly picked as one of the best offshore cruising boats. It’s a center cockpit boat designed by German Frers.  It has a wonderful layout with tons of living space and a large, usable galley. The aft cabin has a large island berth with an en suite head. 

Catamaran Under 45 — Leopard 42/43 (2001-2006)

These early Leopard charter cats are highly sought after on the used market. Like all charter cats, the best finds are the “owners versions” with one hull dedicated to the master stateroom with en suite head and shower. The Leopard 42, which came out in 2002, had a soft canvas cover over the cockpit and was updated to the Leopard 43 with a hardtop. 

Above 45 feet is another big price jump. For beginners, these big boats will require some training and experience before you head out on your own. 

Related: Best Boat for Beginners

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Coastal Cruiser Under 50 — Beneteau Oceanis 473

This big Beneteau came with either 2, 3, or 4 staterooms. Finding the right layout is as important as finding the right boat. The two-stateroom version has enormous berths and lots of storage, perfect for couples with occasional guests or families of three. Most have the standard keel with less than a six-foot draft, making this fin keel/spade rudder boat a rare find. They were built from 2000 to 2005.

Bluewater Sailor Under 50 — Hallberg Rassy 46/48

Hallberg Rassys are well-regarded boats built in Sweden, mostly designed by German Frers. These are high-end boats of the best quality, so don’t expect to find one available cheaply. They’re gorgeous, however, and make wonderful world cruisers.

Catamaran Under 50 — Leopard 46/Moorings 4600 (2006)

If you want a big catamaran, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2006 Leopard 46. Where modern Lagoon and Leopards have tall profiles with tons of windage, this is one of the newest, largest boats that still have single-level living. It has distinctive hull chines that increase living space without increasing wetted surface and plenty of sail area for good performance. In true Leopard fashion, all lines are led to the helm for easy short-handed cruising despite the boat’s large size.

Boats in this class are borderline yachts based on their sheer size. If you were to charter these boats, they’d usually come with a crew. That size means they’re more expensive and more of a handful to manage daily. 

Coastal Cruiser Under 60 — Irwin 54

The Irwin brand is long gone, but many examples are available on the used market. They were known especially for their large center cockpit ketches, like this 54-footer. This is a spacious, big water boat that certainly meets the qualifications of most bluewater boats. They can go anywhere, but they may need maintenance and refit given their ages. 

Don’t get to lured by the low prices of these boats. You’ll have to lay out some serious cash to get one ready to cruise long-range. But if you aren’t opposed to some hard work and projecting, the Irwin can get you a lot of boat for not much money.

Bluewater Sailor Under 60 — Amel Super Maramu 2000 (53′)

Made famous by the Delos YouTube channel, the Amel is a French-built brand of high-quality bluewater boats. Today, this brand’s new models look like many others—wide sterned, flat-bottomed sloops. But the Maramus that made them famous were unique—ketch rigged and ruggedly built, designed to take a cruising couple anywhere. Electric winches were standard on everything to keep such a large boat easy to operate.

Catamaran Under 60 — Privilege 585

Privilege is the French-made catamaran that you don’t hear enough about. Unlike Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot, these are beefy cruising boats ready to take you anywhere. Their construction and fit-and-finish are first-rate, as is the joinery down below. 

Living on a sailboat is an adventure—it’s not for everyone. Finding the right boat is an important part of doing it successfully, but it’s not the only step in preparing for the lifestyle.

You should also consider checking my post on liveaboard catamaran options, to make sure you research thoroughly enough!

What makes a great liveaboard sailboat?

Everyone’s priorities for a liveaboard sailboat are different—a bluewater cruiser looking to sail around the world might pick a very different boat from someone who lives full-time dock life. In general terms, you need to find a boat that is safely capable of taking you where you want to go and has enough living space to be comfortable while doing it. 

Sailing catamarans are some of the most popular liveaboard sailboats because their living space is unmatched. Most are also bluewater-capable cruisers that can go pretty much anywhere. 

What is the best size sailboat to live on?

The size of the boat you’ll be comfortable on long term is a personal choice that depends on your personality and the number of people you’ll be traveling with. Solo travelers may be content with a sailboat around 30 feet, while most couples are comfortable on something around 40 feet. Forty-five to fifty feet is more realistic if you often have guests or kind on board. 

With all of this in mind, however, it’s really important to remember that the costs of buying and maintaining a sailboat increase exponentially with length. Getting the smallest boat you are comfortable living on is always better because that will be easier to manage and keep in the long run.

What are the negatives of living on a sailboat?

People live on their sailboats differently, so it’s difficult to narrow down the biggest negatives. Everyone struggles with the small living space that a boat affords. You’ll have to downsize your possessions to the absolute minimum you need. And getting personal space away from your spouse or family is pretty much impossible on a small boat. 

Why are sailboats so expensive?

New boats require a massive investment in time and resources to produce. The nicer the boat, the more time and skill it takes to build, which makes costs soar. Some production companies, like Beneteau, have found ways to reduce production costs and keep the price of new boats more reasonable. But these boats pale compared to other yachts in terms of overall quality. 

Older used boats can be found pretty cheaply. In fact, it’s often possible to find free or nearly-free boats that are on their way to the junkyard or dumpster. The key is understanding how much work and money it will take to get these boats ready to go again. 

Is it a good idea to live on a sailboat?

Living on a boat is an amazing way to experience seaside living or traveling the world by water. But it’s also a unique, out-of-the-ordinary lifestyle choice that’s not without challenges. 

Before you move onto a sailboat, you’ll want to research the topic carefully and talk to some folks who already to it. Many people start with occasional boating, spending a week or more onboard to try it out. With a little experience, it’s easy to see if it’s something you could do for the long term or if it’s best to keep a land house and enjoy the water occasionally.

Can you live comfortably on a sailboat?

Many people live comfortably on sailboats, but a lot depends on the size of the sailboat and your tolerance for living in a small space. Even the largest sailboats can feel cramped, while some folks love the cozy feeling of living on the tiniest boats. 

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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Cost of Living On A Sailboat (Monthly Breakdown)

The cost of living on a sailboat full-time is approximately $1,880 per month or $22,560 per year.

Please keep in mind that the cost of living on a sailboat can vary depending on your specific location, the condition of the vessel, the size of the boat and your boating experience.

The cost of living on a sailboat can be broken down into 9 monthly expenses including:

• Boat Marina Fees
• Boat Insurance Cost
• Boat Maintenance Fees
• Fuel Expenses
• Grocery Costs
• Boat Gear Costs
• Entertainment Costs
• Internet Costs
• Miscellaneous Costs

Below is a cost of living on a sailboat table summary.

1. Boat Marina Fees

The first cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the marina fees/slip fees.

The marina costs for a sailboat are approximately $10 to $20 per foot per month.

For example, a sailboat owner with a boat size of 30 feet will typically pay between $300 and $600 per month in slip fees to stay at a marina.

A marina will charge a boat owner on a per-foot basis based on the length of the vessel.

The size of the boat and the location of the marina will have a large influence on the price charged to boat owners with marinas in Florida typically being the most expensive in America compared to other locations.

Paying marina fees gives boat owners access to boat cleaning services, electricity, internet access, pump-out services and facilities, waste removal services and a marine store.

Some boat owners prefer anchoring which is free of charge. Anchoring can be the best option during warmer months from April until November when marina facilities are needed less.

Boat marina costs can be reduced by mooring in cheaper marina locations, only using the marina when necessary or anchoring the boat off the coast away from the marina.

2. Boat Insurance Cost

The second cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the boat insurance fee.

The cost of sailboat insurance is approximately $55 per month or $660 per year.

This is an approximate cost for the average sailboat owner living onboard their vessel in America.

According to Progressive , the annual Progressive boat insurance policy cost for the insurance policies they issued to boat owners in America ranged from $250 to $700 per year.

To get an accurate boat insurance cost for your specific sailboat, contact marine insurance providers for quotes.

The cost of boat insurance will vary based on the size, location and condition of the sailboat as well as a boat owner's experience and claims history.

Typically, the boat insurance cost will be 1% to 4% of the total retail value of your sailboat.

Boat insurance is the most expensive in locations that suffer from hurricanes like Florida and Texas.

Boat insurance costs can be reduced by browsing insurance providers, using cheaper sailboats, using the boat in lower-risk areas and increasing your boat experience.

3. Boat Maintenance Costs

The third cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the maintenance cost.

The average cost of sailboat maintenance is $250 per month or $3,000 per year.

A sailboat's maintenance cost can vary based on the condition, size, age and location of the sailboat as well as the boat owner's experience with repairing and maintaining the boat.

Boat maintenance cost includes paying for spare parts, cleaning supplies, boat paint, engine services, repairing fridges, electronics, lines, cookers, windows, seats, toilets, deck materials etc.

Boat maintenance costs can be reduced by using second-hand parts, manually repairing the sailboat yourself and treating the boat with care.

4. Fuel Expenses

The fourth cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the fuel cost.

Sailboat fuel costs approximately $150 per month or $1,800 per year.

Sailboat fuel costs include paying for diesel or gas for the boat engine and buying propane fuel for sailboat heating and cooking while living onboard.

The factors that affect the sailboat fuel costs are the location, weather, size and condition of the boat as well as the frequency of use.

In the winter, sailboat fuel costs tend to rise whereas they are cheaper in the months from April until September.

To reduce the fuel costs of a sailboat, use the sails more often rather than the boat motor. Sailboat fuel costs can also be reduced by only traveling when it is the optimal time for the current which can make a large difference in fuel efficiency.

5. Grocery Costs

The fifth cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the groceries cost.

The cost of groceries when living on a sailboat is approximately $450 per month or $5,400 per year.

Grocery costs include paying for food, drinks, bathing supplies and kitchen cleaning supplies.

The grocery costs remain the same year-round. To reduce the grocery costs when living onboard a sailboat, boat owners can choose to catch fish by fishing from their boat. However, this will only cause a small reduction.

A saltwater-to-freshwater converter can be used to get a fresh supply of drinkable water without having to spend money on buying drinks. This will only cause a small reduction in costs too.

6. Boating Gear Costs

The sixth cost to consider when living onboard a sailboat is boating gear costs.

The approximate cost of boating gear when living on a sailboat is $100 per month or $1,200 per year.

Boating gear costs include paying for gear like sailing sunglasses, sailing jackets, swim gear, fishing gear, sunscreen, wetsuits, sailing hats, fire blankets, and general boating accessories.

The boating gear cost is the most expensive in the winter months when extra sailing clothing is needed to keep warm.

To reduce the cost of boating gear, take good care of your current boat gear to ensure it lasts longer and purchase high-quality boating accessories that will last for a long time.

7. Entertainment Cost

The seventh cost to consider when living onboard a sailboat is the entertainment cost.

The cost of entertainment when living on a sailboat is approximately $200 per month or $2,400 per year.

Entertainment costs include paying for tv subscriptions, board games, dining out, trips to the cinema, etc.

The entertainment costs will not change throughout the year.

To reduce entertainment costs, find free entertaining activities to do rather than spend money for entertainment.

8. Internet Costs

The eighth cost to consider when living on a sailboat is internet costs.

The cost of the internet when living on a sailboat is approximately $100 per month or $1,200 per year.

Internet costs include paying for a 4G/5G connection or satellite internet connection. It includes paying for a wi-fi router to connect to the sailboat too.

To reduce the internet cost on a sailboat, anchor the boat at marinas with a Wi-Fi connection included in the slip fees.

9. Miscellaneous Costs

The ninth cost to consider when living on a sailboat is the miscellaneous costs.

The miscellaneous costs when living on a sailboat are approximately $125 per month or $1,500 per year.

Miscellaneous costs will typically remain the same throughout the year without much change.

Miscellaneous costs include costs associated with buying items like boat rugs, personal care items, boat care basics, coolers, boating decor, cooking utensils etc.

To reduce the miscellaneous costs, reduce the number of general boating items purchased and ensure the items that are purchased are of good quality so they last longer.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost Of Living On A Sailboat

Below are the most commonly asked questions about the cost of living on a sailboat.

How Much Does A Large Sailboat (Over 50ft) Cost To Live On?

The approximate cost to live on a large sailboat (over 50ft.) full-time is $3,200 per month or $38,400 per year.

What Is The Most Expensive Cost Associated With Living On A Sailboat?

The most expensive cost associated with living on a sailboat is the marina slip fees which are a monthly cost of $10 to $20 per foot of boat size.

How Can The Cost Of Living On A Sailboat Be Reduced?

The cost of living on a sailboat can be reduced by using the sails instead of boat fuel to power the boat when traveling, mooring the sailing vessel in a cheaper marina or anchoring outside a marina, browsing for cheaper marine insurance policies, ensuring care when using the vessel to keep repair costs low, downsizing to a smaller sailboat and keeping entertainment costs to a minimum by finding cheaper or free entertainment alternatives.

Every product is independently selected by editors. Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission.

What Life Might Look Like on the World’s Biggest Yacht

On a Tuesday morning in September, a six-foot-long plastic model of a boat sat on the second floor of the Explorers Club, looking a little like a beached Orca, sleek and out of place in the tweedy boardroom. The tiny yacht had traveled to East 70th Street from Los Angeles and, before that, made stops in Monaco and Zurich, Cannes, and West Palm Beach — a prop to entice buyers who can spend $10 million on a cabin in the world’s biggest yacht. If it gets made. The boat will be called the Ulyssia and it’s the passion project of Frank Binder, a billionaire from the Merck clan with a thing for boats (he once owned a shipyard in Monaco). Lenny Kravitz, his friend, is onboard to help design interiors. (“He’s a genius.”)

Binder has been doing a world tour to find other buyers — who might be hard to meet. Maintenance hovers around 3 percent a year, or $300,000 for that $10 million one-bedroom. It’s a big ask, especially for a boat that, if he does get recruits, won’t launch until 2028. To help, Binder brought on two former executives from the World , the luxury liner that was the first — and only — to prove rich people want to live … at sea, all year. (It launched in 2002, is still sold out, and has yet to snag on an iceberg or go bankrupt.)

Renato Chizzola , a senior vice-president for the Ulyssia who worked as the general manager of the World for five years, spoke to Curbed about the terrors of elephant seals and why he once hired Israeli snipers to come onboard.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. 

What did your job on the World look like?? 

I was in charge of lifestyle, expedition, everything — even the kitchen. You have a captain who’s the master of the vessel, and he ultimately will have the last word on safety, security, where we go, where we can’t go. But then you also need to have somebody who has grown up in a galley carrying luggage. I’m 60 in October. When I was 27, I said, “Okay, how can I see the world without having money?” So in 1993, I was hired on the Queen Elizabeth II , then went to hotels, cruises, and in 46 years I traveled to 186 countries. I was allowed to live onboard and basically extend any service, any dream that a resident had.

What’s the difference between this superyacht and the World ? 

The World is now 23 years old. She was created in the late ’80s. She looks like a cruise ship. And the  Ulyssia is a yacht — the designer says this is his masterpiece.

We never had many amenities on the World . Here, we have a deli. We have a library with a card and games room. We have a table-tennis room. We have two paddle-tennis courts all inside, a multipurpose sports deck up there where the helicopters are, two hangers, two submarines to go down to the ocean, seven restaurants.

Then, we have this inflatable marina off the back of the boat. Imagine we’re near Bermuda. It’s a beautiful day. The sea is calm. We stop and we inflate this — it takes an hour — and we have tenders. You can go diving right there off the ship. The sea is yours. This marina is something the World could never ever have done, because there’s no space in the boat to keep that. The World was more elderly, a bit elderly retired. This is way younger. Why? Because we have so many amenities and offer adventure. Here, we are offering fewer apartments with more space. The balconies are huge. Luxury, for them, means space, time and getting whatever they wish, whenever, wherever. Freedom.

Freedom , in a contained location — 

Yes, and in a safe environment, completely protected against any danger. If a resident says, “I want to bring my family there, I want to be safe, I want to have no worries,” safety needs to be core to us. They want the freedom to do what they do at home — to run around with suits, jewelry. And if they are smart enough to say, “I want to go and see real scenarios, not luxury hotels,” they can go places where there’s no luxury and see how the world really works. That’s what this community wants.

Sounds like a security nightmare. 

We will hire ex-Mossad physically, to be on the ship. On the World , we partnered with Marine Guard, one of the world’s best safety and security companies . It provides technical and physical support. And whenever we went to critical places — for example, when we went through the Gulf of Aden, I brought in Israeli snipers to come on the boat. Nobody, no pirate on earth can come in past them. Then on shore excursions, we have every form of security that you can imagine. Satellite images. Images underwater, over water. When we went to Antarctica, to the Northwest Passage — meeting with the Inuits, the Aborigines — you need people who know them. You need people who safeguard you. In the Antarctic, you are only allowed to go with Zodiacs to the beaches. You need people who know that, who know the sea lions, the penguins. We bring them onboard — 20 or 25 people who know everything about every area. And when we do expeditions, we bring on EYOS, one of the greatest expedition leaders in the world, which goes to places like the Titanic .

Is this, like the Titanic , experimental in any way?

No, there are similar yachts. But in four years, when she will hopefully leave port, she will be the greenest yacht of this size ever built. And at that time, we may build for whatever is available in terms of fuel, whether it’s methanol or nuclear. There are vessels already going nuclear, military vessels.

But isn’t this all risky? 

It’s the opposite. You will see more and more environments like this at sea. Why? Because you can escape anything! If there’s an outbreak in New York, a big virus, you just won’t go there. If there’s a war there, you just don’t go there. If there’s a storm, you don’t go there.

So this will be a way for the global elite, basically, to pay to avoid any problem.

Is it going to be a one percent community? Yes, obviously, but they need to do good around the world, otherwise they cannot come to the community.

Imagine the following. We will have a medical center onboard. We have MRI machines. We have a dentistry. Our doctors, when we go to the west coast of Africa, to Senegal, we can have our doctors go out and help. And as we go around the world, we will help to map the ocean floor. We’ll have tools available to measure and send these to oceanic institutions that then take this data. So we are helping to make the world a better place. And that’s the legacy.

How are you going to gauge whether the people who want to live here also want to do good? 

There’s a very tough background check before being allowed to buy. So can it be that a Colombian drug lord or a Russian weapons dealer comes and says, “Oh, I’m going to take ten?” No, that can’t happen. We’re not a community for people from mainland China who don’t speak English and want to spit around. Or aggressive Russians. We are not a community for sheikhs from any Arab countries. And I have nothing against the Chinese and Russians. I love everybody. I’ve been everywhere. But they just don’t fit here, and they won’t come. We want like-minded golf players, tennis players, joggers, bikers, F1 drivers.

We will have roughly 30 to 35 percent Europeans, 30 to 35 percent North Americans, including from Canada, possibly a few from Mexico City, a few from São Paulo. Then we have about 20 percent from Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan. Then we expect to have about 10 percent of people from all over, we don’t know where. It could be anywhere.

They’ll need a certain amount of money to get into this boat and I assume, therefore, that you can’t be that picky. 

No, we can’t. But we try to be. It’s a balance. We meet them three, four, five, six times. We invite them, show them something, then they say, “Oh, I trust these people. I believe in them.” It’s a slow process.

Can a buyer get kicked off?

Oh, absolutely.

What’s the justice system?

There’s a board that’s voted in and we have our chairman on the board. Almost all of the members are people who have either been on yachts, have their own yacht, or have led organizations.

If people have their own yachts, why would they sign up for this? 

They might have a beautiful yacht of a hundred meters, but they can’t hire all these education guides, explorers all the time. We have 22 guest suites. Imagine we’re coming to Japan. Blossom season. We bring an ex Japanese prime minister onboard, maybe a three-star Michelin chef. We bring them on, let’s say, three weeks before. And they lecture. We can have experts speak about anything. Volcanoes, health and wellness, food and beverage, politics, archeology.

And they have you, who’s been to 186 countries. 

Exactly. So when I do speak to people who want to buy and invite them for lunch or a coffee, they listen because they know, Oh, this guy has been there. You don’t need to tell them something that you think can happen. You can actually tell them a story. When I went to Antarctica the last time, in 2009, on the way back to the Zodiac, I am walking and these big elephant seals — those are the big guys, like three tons and ten feet long — and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there’s a big sound like MWUGHOWUGH and a big one came up, out of the sand. I stood there frozen. These are moments when you think, Is this really happening to me? How fortunate, how lucky am I to be able to experience moments like this? And all the wealthy people say the same.

• rich people
• the global elite

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California yacht with fireworks, ammo onboard sinks after bursting into flames.

A luxury yacht that fire officials say was loaded with “1,000 rounds of unspent ammunition and fireworks” has been captured on video sinking at a  marina in California  after bursting into flames. 

The Los Angeles County Fire Department says the incident involving the 100-foot-long vessel happened Thursday night and two people onboard managed to escape without injuries. 

“According to [the] boat owner, 1,000 rounds of unspent ammunition and fireworks [were] onboard,” the department wrote on X, before adding that the boat became “fully submerged.” 

Video taken at the scene showed firefighters spraying the boat with hoses as the flames engulfed multiple decks.  

After  part of the fire  was extinguished, two people can be seen standing on a dock and watching the smoldering yacht go underwater. 

“I saw it fully engulfed in flames and like many of us living here heard an explosion and saw fireworks coming off it, and more flames and then walked down here and captured video of it,” local resident Lynn Rose told NBC Los Angeles. 

The  yacht was identified  by the website  Boat International  as The Admiral, which it says was last listed for sale in 2018 for nearly $1 million. 

The ship has four cabins – each equipped with flatscreen televisions and en suite facilities – the website adds. 

The Los Angeles County Fire Department says it is reviewing the cause of the fire. 

Coast Guard crews that arrived on scene installed around 2,000 feet of boom to contain nearly 4,000 gallons of diesel that leaked from the yacht during the fire, according to  NBC Los Angeles.  

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What Is A Good Size Sailboat To Live On?

These days it seems like everybody is interested in buying a boat and sailing away from all the craziness of this world. So, what is a good size sailboat to live on?

For a sailboat to be considered as a liveaboard, it needs to be at least 30ft. Anything smaller and the boat will be cramped for anyone other than a solo sailor. However, the larger the boat, the greater the cost of ownership. The ideal size sailboat to live on would be 35-45 feet for most people.

There is an almost overwhelming number of sailboats on the market. Therefore, it’s necessary to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in your sailboat. Determining what size your sailboat needs to be can be a challenge and it’s different for every sailor. A single person might be able to get by on a 30 footer while a family of six would need a boat more in the 50 ft range. One must also take into account how much gear they intend to stow onboard. If you’re into SCUBA diving or kite surfing, the gear will need it’s own dedicated space. The key is to find a boat in that sweet spot of ‘big enough without being too big’.

I’ve always been able to stay below 40ft with my liveaboard boats. However, gear has always been kept to a minimum and guests are rare and far between. As I get older, I find myself more interested in having the comforts of ‘home’ on board. A washing machine, freezer, and two heads has started to find its place on my priority list, which undoubtedly requires a 45+ ft boat length. There is no one answer for ‘What is a good size sailboat to live on?’. It all depends on you, what is on your list of necessary comforts, and what you’re willing to do without.

Table of contents

‍ The Best Boat Size For You

There are a plethora of websites selling sailboats online, as well as countless brokers willing to help you find your new boat. Having some idea of your ideal length will help in narrowing down the search. Here are some tips to help you identify your sweet spot in boat lengths.

Get On Board

Boat shopping is an exciting activity, and while you’ve inevitably looked through boat listings online, physically getting on a boat is important. I recently viewed a 38ft catamaran which looked spacious and gorgeous in it’s pictures. However, once on board it was clear that the pictures had deceived me. I found it to be cramped, honestly.

Prior to the viewing, I would have said with confidence that a 38ft catamaran would have more than enough room for my family’s liveaboard needs. Actually getting onboard the boat was an eye opening experience.

Before you make up your mind about what size boat you need to be shopping for, get on a few different boats of various lengths. You may find that you will need less boat than you thought.

Out On The Water

Smaller boats are much more reactive to the sea state than larger vessels. This means that in 4 foot seas, a 30ft boat may be very uncomfortable, while a 45 ft boat would be a far more pleasant ride. The longer the vessel, generally the less rocking you’ll encounter.

If you’re planning on living on your boat in a marina or a very protected anchorage, then sea state may not be something that you need to consider. But if you’re planning on cruising on your boat, it’s smart to take into consideration how it feels in rough seas. If possible, take potential boats out on the water to get a feel for how they rock and roll in different waves.

The beam (width of a boat at its widest point) of a boat will greatly affect how much it rocks. A very wide 35ft monohull can sit almost as steady as a catamaran. If you value comfort over speed in your vessel, I recommend a wide boat. It may not get you there as quickly as possible, but if you were trying to get there fast you’d be shopping for a motorboat.

Interior Accommodations

Number of cabins.

Privacy is something to be valued while living on a boat. While most vessels in the 35-45 foot range have a dinette that converts into a sleeping space, no one wants to sleep in the middle of a shared living space for long. If you’re planning on living on your boat full time, I recommend that you purchase a vessel that allows for privacy.

I have always prefered center cockpit sailboats as they provide the greatest level of privacy. Center cockpit sailboats have an aft cabin separate from the main living space of the boat. Usually the aft cabin has its own head, or bathroom, as well. For families, this setup is ideal.

My 30ft sailboat is a center cockpit, so I may be a bit biased.

Creature Comforts

If you’re hoping to have a washing machine, dishwasher, watermaker, freezer, or stand up shower you’re likely going to need to look at 40ft and above. These sorts of luxuries take up quite a bit of space and are almost never found on a boat under 40ft. While you can certainly live on a sailboat without any of those items, they can greatly improve your comfort while onboard.

I personally have none of the comforts I listed above on board my boat and my family has lived happily on board for the last 3 years. However, we’ve mostly traveled in protected waters and have not crossed any oceans. As our cruising grounds grow, so does the length of my ‘wants’ list. You will likely find that your first boat will not be your last as your needs grow and change.

Tank And Storage Space

Another aspect in determining a good size sailboat to live on is the ‘behind the scenes’ space. How large is the water tank? Fuel tank? Holding tank? If you’re planning on living on board your boat close to a marina then you may not need your tanks to be large. You will be able to fill your water and fuel regularly and have pump outs as needed. However, if you’re planning on being in remote anchorages or sailing long passages, large tank size may be high on your priority list.

A 30ft boat will naturally have small tanks as there is simply less room for the tanks to take up. My 30ft sailboat has a 40 gallon water tank, 30 gallon fuel tank, and 19 gallon holding tank. We can go about a week before we need to fill our water tank and get a pump out. This is one reason why my sailboat would not be a boat in which to cross an ocean.

While I could install a watermaker, there is also limited storage on a 30ft sailboat and a watermaker requires a dedicated space. Storage is precious on a small boat and we’ve not been willing to sacrifice storage for a watermaker on this boat.

A larger sailboat naturally has more storage space. This leads to larger tank size and more amenities. If your needs require that you are away from civilization for extended periods of time, I would recommend a vessel in the 40-50ft range. The tanks will be sufficient for long term cruising and there will be room to add additional tanks if needed.

Disadvantages Of A Large Boat

While most of us feel that more is better, this philosophy doesn’t necessarily translate to boats. There are obvious disadvantages like cost. A larger boat is going to cost more money to purchase. Maintenance is also going to be more expensive as there is simply more boat to maintain. The generally accepted amount for yearly boat maintenance is 10% of the boat's value.

Also, a larger boat has larger tanks. It will cost more to fill a 100 gallon fuel tank than a 30 gallon fuel tank. It’s always prudent to keep your fuel tanks as full as possible as this decreases the amount of ‘sloshing’ that can stir up particulates within your fuel tank and clog your fuel filter. So you’re looking at a hefty fuel bill at fill-up time.

A larger boat will likely have a larger engine. This means greater fuel consumption and increased cost. A larger engine will also be more expensive to maintain as it’s parts will cost more than a smaller engine.

Dock space will cost more, as well. Dock space is charged by the foot, so if a marina charges $1.50/foot, that’s a difference of $25/night between a 30ft boat and a 50ft boat. Storage fees are higher for larger boats, too.

The costs of cruising permits for foreign countries also charge by size. For example, the Bahamas charges $150 for boats up to 35ft and $300 for boats over 35ft.

Navigating a 45-50ft boat is more challenging than a 30-3ft boat as the turning radius is wider on a larger vessel. They are also slower to react to speed changes due to their increased weight. If you are hoping to navigate in tight marinas or anchorages, having a larger sailboat is a disadvantage.

Larger Sailboats also have deeper drafts (how deep the hull goes down into the water). This can limit where you’re able to cruise. Most of the Florida Keys are very shallow and deep draft boats are prohibited from cruising the majority of that area. Some vessels have adjustable drafts so that they can enjoy the stability of a deep keel and lift the keel to enjoy the calm of a shallow anchorage.

Disadvantages Of A Small Boat

While it’s not a good idea to buy a boat that is larger than you need, it can also be a mistake to purchase a boat that is too small for your needs.

Despite the fact that small boats generally cost less and are easier to maneuver, they do have their downsides. There is less storage, less living space, and less amenities. That means you’ll need to purchase supplies more often as you will not have room onboard to store them.

A 30 ft boat is limited in when it can travel on the open ocean. A 50 ft boat would likely be able to handle 5-10 ft seas without much difficulty. However, a 30ft boat could become swamped easily in seas that size. Even in 4-5 ft seas, a 30ft boat can become a pretty uncomfortable place depending on the spacing of the waves.

A 30 ft boat is generally too small for dinghy davits, as the weight of the davits and dingy will affect the boats ability to handle waves. A boat over 35 ft is necessary if you intend to have dinghy davits on board.

Smaller boats are generally slower than larger sailboats as they have smaller engines. Travel time increases at slower speeds.

How To Calculate Your Ideal Size

There is no one answer for what is a good size sailboat to live on. Most cruisers have sailboats in the 35-45 ft range, but there are those that feel that less is more. And alternately, there are plenty of cruisers out there who have far more boat than they need, but exactly as much boat as they want.

My family of 3 (+2 dogs!) have fully enjoyed our 30 ft boat. We’ve cruised it around the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and all along the coast of Florida. It’s been ideal for us as most of our cruising grounds have been in shallow waters with a great deal of protection. As my son grows along with our desire to increase our travels, it’s clear that we need a bigger boat. I’m boat shopping right along with you!

You just have to get on board some sailboats and get a feel for the right sort of length and design for you. Boat buying can be a fun yet daunting experience. The more boats you view, the more effectively you can narrow down your future sailboat needs.

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Beth lives on board her 1983 30ft S2 sailboat with her husband, 6 year-old son, and her two fur babies. She has been sailing and boating for most of her life. Beth has been blessed to experience cruising in the Great Lakes, the Bahamas, and in Alaska. She loves to travel and adores living on her tiny boat with her family.

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