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(no email)
Date: Fri Aug 27 1999 - 16:21:42 EDT
I'm really amazed at all of this. I'm not sure how many people out there actually liveaboard but this thread has made it sound pretty...well, negative.
My wife and I (and dog and cat) have lived aboard for th past 4 years. We both came down to Florida after having lived in large land based houses up north. Neither of us had lived aboard before. We live on a 32 foot sailboat.
Living aboard isn't easy? It's one of the easiest things I've ever done. Never before had I lived such a simple, fulfilling lifestyle. I lived in one very upscale neighborhood in Minneapolis for 5 years - I didn't know a single neighbor by name. In our marina, I know everyone. Several people have become lifelong friends - we've stayed in touch even after one goes cruising for a while. Never in my 37 years have I ever had friends like this before - and they run the gamut from young professionals to senior citizens. Any one of which I could count on for anythhing. The transient lifestyle tends to make quick friendships - but they tend to last.
I get up in the morning and there will be manatees or dolphins outside the boat. Michelle an I watch the sun set over the bay from the cockpit at night. Absolutely it's alot of work but it's meaningful - your boat has the spirit that you instill in it - the amount is up to you.
It's a very simple and quiet lifestyle (or not - again, it's up to you). Your life isn't cluttered up - it can't be. Trust me, it's not a sacrifice to give up what the shopping mall says you need - to me, there is no sacrifice - living in this environment is a privilege.
We aren't camping and I've never understood the comparison (ok - maybe the head draws that out). Working on it and learning, we've created a very comfortable home - we can untie and be sailing in minutes or we can make a last minute invitation to someone for dinner or drinks aboard.
We are taking off to go cruising for a while in November - Although most of our experience is at the dock, we have cruised (both coastal and blue water) and we've always made it a point to keep our boat in cruising mode - nothing is aboard that won't go with us. Again, Neither one of us can think of a sacrifice (OK OK OK - closet space).
Good luck with your decision - it's only difficult if you allow it to be. The only caveat that I know of is don't wait too long to try it - I've noticed that the choices carry more baggage with age.
Fair Winds!
Mitch
Aboard S/V Hetty Brace
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