An alternative way of life
Living on a sailboat means choosing a different way of life. Life on board has nothing to do with life on land, in a classic home. By living on a boat, you opt for a life always in motion: at the mercy of winds, waves, tides and currents. The ship's environment is always changing.
You have to adapt to a reduced habitat and make do with the bare minimum: on a boat, there is no room for accumulation! If in a house or an apartment, it is easy to have household appliances for example, living on a sailboat restricts the possibilities.
With family or friends, living spaces are shared by all, and it is difficult to have privacy. Outside, some mooring areas are very crowded and the neighborhood can be very close.
The right equipment
At anchor, comfort really depends on the boat. Energy autonomy is not to be taken lightly! To live comfortably, efficient batteries are essential. Solar panels and windmills are the best allies to recharge them. On board, a voltage converter is also very useful.
As far as fresh water is concerned, it is essential to think about the storage capacity: large tanks allow you to be more autonomous and to space out the refuelling. As in sailing, all resources must be saved as much as possible to last over time!
To stay connected, it can be interesting to install on your boat a relay antenna to capture the WiFi network available in the surroundings. Otherwise, a phone package including data is usually enough, with a shared connection.
Outside, good quality awnings allow you to go out in all weathers, and to be less visible from your neighbors.
Daily back and forth
To live aboard, it is essential to have a working dinghy, a reliable outboard motor or strong arms for rowing!
The dinghy is used to get to land to go to work, to take the children to school, to get the supplies on board, to collect the mail that has arrived at the post office box, to manage the laundry, to unload the garbage cansâ?¦ Without a little organization, the repeated trips back and forth between the boat and the land can quickly become restrictive.
When the dinghy is the main means of travel, it is very valuable. You have to think about securing it when you put your foot down. Choosing an unattractive boat, or camouflaging a brand new motor, can be a good idea. If you disembark at the port, you may have to pay a fee to leave your boat at the dock.
A key word: anticipate
When you have your home on the water, all the little things of everyday life take on another dimension!
While the constraints on land require organization, flexibility is also necessary. During unfavorable weather conditions, you may be prevented from disembarking or forced to stay on board to ensure the safety of the ship. A flexible schedule allows you to reach the boat in case of gale force winds.
It is also possible to arrange to have a crew member on board at all times, and to be able to react quickly in case of problems. Even if you have chosen a well-sheltered place, if you live at anchor you must always be ready to leave.
