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From: fred gerbstadt (no email)
Date: Thu Aug 26 1999 - 10:01:16 EDT
I lived aboard COOCHI for 2 years while cruising the Caribbean. I loved
it; my wife tolerated it very well but doesn't want to do it again. Here
is my observations on living aboard (NOT tied to a dock in a well protected
harbor... if this is what you want just stay in a house!):
First the CONS of a boat compared to a house.....
Houses are usually dryer, safer and more comfortable than boats.
Weather in a boat is more sever in its effects than at home. Consider a
thunder squall at night. In a house you can just roll over in your dry,
warm bed and think, " Hmmm, seems to be stormy outside. ZZZZZ ". In a
boat you are outside checking the anchor and considering moving to the lee
of the point. Why is it always at 2AM?
As for safety, I can point to the fact that in two years the injuries
included two broken fingers on my wife and numerous small cuts and bruises
on us both (some call them "boat bites" but I never heard of "house bites").
In the same period while living at home my wife had one broken finger and
one broken toe (getting out of bed, tee hee). That's about a tie on
safety. But I think the potential on a boat for serious injury is higher
although with some care it is acceptable, IMHO. The potential of injury at
home is also great ... but most of us are more familiar with life at zero
degrees of heel.
Comfort is subjective. I don't need as much as many do. But having
limited water is not subjective or a comfort. Carrying water to your boat
for a shower or the laundry is a challenge.
I don't believe that the costs differ enough to be compelling one way or the
other.
The PROs of a boat
Boats are romantic! Especially sail boats. Very few houses are romantic.
Boats can go to exotic places. ( at least more exotic than Philadelphia...
I spent a week there one day!)
Living aboard is challenging. If you doubt this, just review all the notes
in this list pertaining to equipment failures/installations and how to solve
vexing problems unique to life aboard. What is life without a challenge?
Footnote:
My wife may sail and live aboard again under certain conditions: No major
ocean crossings (I have yet to make an intercontenential ocean crossing...
see my earlier note on crossing the Atlantic!). I agree with her that 747s
cross seas faster and easier than sail boats. Also I have to agree to run
20 miles per week with her to keep fit. The rowing ashore and running is
easy but getting enough shower water to support this activity is
problematic.
FRED
COOCHI, lying in N Chesapeake.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Campbell <>
To: <>
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 1999 11:31 PM
Subject: lv-ab: Live aboard decisions
>Hello all,
>I am new to the group and would like some honest opinions. My husband
>so desperately wants to buy a bigger boat and live aboard but I just
>can't convince myself this is for me. Can you give me the pros and cons
>(I will expect more pros than cons from all of you) of living aboard?
>Appreciate the input.
>
>Sincerely,
>Leann
>
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