Lived on a boat for a decade sailed around the world from age 9 on, guess who's job it was to check the anchor was set every time ........ Downsides are definitely outweighed by the upsides , i will forever remember waking up at anchor on an uninhabited island in French Polynesia , swimming ashore while staring at stingrays and fish at like 7am and helping myself to fresh fruit on the island and just sitting on the beach for an hour eating away .
@bajamus69 yes lol, some ports you sure as he'll don't wanna get in the water if that be for wildlife or temperatures, there are definitely worse things about living on a boat especially as one as small as I did. Only bird baths, all laundry by hand, cleaning the bilge, engine repairs at sea, being constantly wet and cold in any storm, scraping the Hull the list goes on and on but the anchor thing poped into my head first.
Good to keep it real. I'm going. Already bought the boat 2 mo ago and I'll go through hell or high water before admitting that it was a mistake. I'm perfectly willing to lie to myself for the rest of my life. On we go!
I’m sure you’ll love it. This doesn’t change anything for us, we love our life and realise how blessed we are, but we rarely show any ‘bad bits’ so thought we should at least address some of the things we found genuinely challenging, as newbies on the water. 😬
@@CadohaAdventures Yes, it's a good episode to make; also for you to level with yourself. Now, I'm currently renovating my apt and selling almost everything and I'd like to point out that apt/house can have a lot of problems as well. I've been at it for 8 months on weekends and I'm darn tired, but the boat is waiting...so...
@@islandman9619 sounds likes man with a plan! I’m sure you’ll take to it well and have a blast. If you’re happy to work, then that’s half the battle won 👌🏼⛵️
Very accurate! I would add that the way to avoid (or minimize) these downsides is to: (i) don't buy too big a boat (a 40 ft sailboat requires 2x the maintenance of a 30 ft sailboat); (ii) don't buy too new a boat (unless it is an exceptional boat). Modern production boats have a fraction of the build quality of older boats; (iii) regardless of your education and background, learn every aspect of your boat systems; (iv) recognize that the best advice comes from old time cruisers, not dockside mechanics, who never go to sea and just want to bill you for their time; (v) cruise in a low cost location (like Mexico or Central America); (vii) when you have the opportunity, buy used parts from boat exchanges and/or other cruisers. The probability is that it is of better quality than any new part. I have been full time cruising for ten years now and have seen many give up. The few, true, long term cruisers, are exceptionally versatile and cruise in well built, 1970's or 80's boats, 35 to 39 ft long, living on the hook in out of the way places. They are also very willing to guide new cruisers, provided that they are willing to listen and learn.
I’m new to the idea of living on a houseboat/yacht, but there’s just something about it I can’t shake. I was very disappointed to read you mention the 2x maintenance cost for a 40’. I was starting to love the look, space and comfort/stability and 38-40 was my number, but I certainly don’t want to bite more than I can chew. The boat will be a big expense for me, I don’t have 40k to throw around after that. I am as scared as I am excited. I have SO much to learn, thanks for the comment.
@thegatesofsleep If you have a deep personal drive to do it, then go for it. I was running a business at the time but couldn't focus on it, as the only thing I really wanted to do with my life is get on the water. I dont regret my decision one bit. I should add that some expenses are location specific - boats deteriorate far more slowly in fresh water than sea water. Similarly, boats in the northern latitudes deteriorate more slowly than in the tropics. Of course, the biggest expenses are marina fees (and the insurance that marinas insist on), so if you can avoid those you are already ahead.
Totally agree with everything you're said. We've been living aboard full-time for 3 years now enjoying it. It was tough initially. We brought a steel Ketch. Its a great yacht. Brought it as is where is. Very risky but it came with a survey report which was positive on the vessel. Motor was dead when we brought it due to salt water ingress. After inflated costs by mechanics to repair it. Decided to managed all the parting out myself. I dismantled the engine piece by piece. Ruined my wife's lovely thick beach towels in the process getting the heavy 6 cylinder engine block out on deck(she still hasn't forgiven me) Took the entire engine in pieces to an engine builder had them sand blasted the motor. It came up like new. The motor was fully rebuilt with new pistons rings. Bottom end crank was fully reground. Over hauled the gearbox and heat exchanger unit etc. While the engine was out built a I beam gantry to install the big motor back below deck. Bolted the gearbox to the engine. Did most of the prop alignment. Have since, completely re wired the ships 240v and 12v myself. Put an electric anchor winch in with 1.280kws of solar and 3x enerdrive DCDC chargers. 2x 60amp enerdrive Smart chargers A victron phoenix 3k inverter-100amp charger. 400amps of lithium in the front forward anchor well linked with 400 amps lithium for the domestic battery bank which are both linked via a 4 way isolator switch. This allows me to run all the domestic 12 equipment of either battery bank. It was a huge undertaking something I'd never done before. Am still suffering PTSD from the stress, hahah. I am fortunate to possess skills which allowed me to do 95% of the work saving me a lot of money. We recently got our yachts passport so we are getting ready soon to set sail over seas. Am not here to blast my horn or say what a smart guy I am. Others think that when they see what I have done. Its more about identifying the risk. A yacht carries risk its whether you can manage the risk. Being fully reliant on tradies to perform work on your yacht is not good. I was shocked at how many complaints I received from others about bad workmanship taking your money and running leaving you worse off. Learning to do as much of the work yourself will enable to you manage it more effectively. I do love living aboard full-time. The peace and tranquility is awesome. Along with the comradery of others living near by. I highly recommend live aboard life on the anchor or mooring to anyone and not living in a marina fulltime.
People often only discuss beautiful aspects of a liveaboard, but the truth is that there are many unappealing aspects as well. I appreciate your honest evaluation of the difficulties of life on a boat.
Ive long had an obsession with sail boats and have been giving serious consideration into buying a used boat for $50-$150k rather then buy a small house. Ive been trying to educate myself on all the practical considerations of boat life before I make a commitment to either and these sorts of honest videos help provide food for thought and sometimes some direction. I've always enjoyed working with my hands and dont see any issue with performing maintenance beyond my limited knowledge. im creeping up on 50 and fear if i put it off to much longer that my window will close and ill never get to live this dream, im so keen to own my own ketch but we'll see.
It’s incredibly rewarding in so many ways but also the work is close to never ending, depending on what you want to do with your boat I suppose. I know plenty of people who do next to no work on their boats and just live on them, then I know others who actually want to go out exploring on theirs and that involves much more effort, and money 😬
Learn about boat repairs! Be physically fit! it is worth it! Be prepare to do boat projects on a regular basis so they don’t pile up! My hubby, cat and I sailed our previous boat for three years. All worth it. We are starting circumnavigation in January 2023 ! Do it !
My friend - I've built, lived on, and sailed deep sea, two big boats - a 42' and 50'. Get it into your head that there are two kinds of living on a boat. One - u live moor to a pontoon, with running water and electric. All u have to get used to is the cramped space and the damp. Two - u anchor up a river, or in a harbour. You'll need to get used to the cramped space, the damp, hauling water and food from the land in your dinghy in all kinds of weather, and being isolated. I urge you MOST STRONGLY to try living for a year on the type of boat u want, in the situation u want, before u buy. Handling, maintaining, fuelling, victualing, and living on a boat is tough, and expensive. Unless u have a free mooring in the bay of a tranquil mediterranean island, with excellent shops and friends just a short row away ....
I have lived on a 30ft boat, but never sailed out. liveaboard slip.... used the marina for shower and electricity etc... but even tho I have not sailed out. learned a lot. Save tons of money tho! since I didn't really need to fix and add stuff.
No, no no. Step one is evaluating your wife's T and A. Is it worthy of youtube? I say start with something 5000 pounds max. Mentioning a boat's capital cost illustrates your ignorance.....capital is nothing compared to operating expenses. Cash and lots liability insurance and overcome any lack of experience. Just buy it. -Captain S/V Lady Tickler
I been living on a moored vessel for near 3 years, i down graded from a 35 foot aft deck cruiser with 240v gen set to a 34 foot clipper all 12v & gas, I have my 3 little dogs and were more than happy. I loved watching your video, great work 😇
I can eliminate all five.... I gonna skip the sail boat and live on a C-Dory 22. I don't care about limited space. I embrace tiny. I'm gonna limit my travels to the intracoastal waterway of Florida, which is PLENTY. I have a lot of cash and no pets. The ICW has an endless number of shallow anchorages with ZERO chance of slipping anchor...... Thanks for this clip. It gives me more confidence than I already had.
This is probably the best honest explanation of what living on a boat is like.living aboard at the dock is totally different,you have power and water and can drive to town in your car.The being able to work on and fix things that break is very important.Also you’re going to get caught in bad weather and storms.Very good information 👍👍
I’ve got plenty of sailing channels I’ve followed for years. Never a patron, never bought a thing. Watched these three for a couple weeks,…my Rottweiler gets walked with a Cadoha leash and I check the date on a cadoha calendar every morning. 👏👏👏👏👏
I once read an article that described a boat as " A hole in the water into which you pour most of your money " . I found it amusing but guessed it to be true. So unless you're loaded you have to learn to be thrifty. best wishes from Yorkshire England.
I’m so glad I watched this. I’ve begun learning and getting things in order for my intended sailing journey at the end of next year. I intend to buy a smaller 35ft boat to live on and get my experience up around the uk all of next year beginning in march, while completing as many training courses and taking part in as many mile builders as possible while saving hard to buy a bigger yacht towards the end of the year for the big voyage. But one of the things that has puzzled me the most is caring for my dog which I’ve promised myself will be the first thing I do once I’ve moved onto the boat. I have so many questions as I’m sure you can imagine and videos such as these are helping so much.
I am 18 years living aboard at anchor. I can't imagine giving it up. Had a dog for seven years. Taught him to go aboard. Never had to go what you went through.
Glad it’s not too hard to watch and I guess we all have our own challenges with a life on board and it’s probably good that more of us share the realities, to at least try and give some kind of balance 😬🤞🏼⛵️
The funny thing is... having lives years and years in a large 5th wheel rv, I can say that pretty much all of these points directly apply to RV living as well XD. Obviously, it's a lot easier being on land, but these points are the same. You basically become an electrician, plumber, repair man, etc. Every time we traveled, things broke, like slides and the underbelly and so on. We also had to let our dog AND cat out several times a day when traveling. Also finding RV parks that fit our rv, were cheap, and that had reliable restrooms, electricity and plumbing took a lot of time to find. We also had to give up reliable internet, a nice shower, big beds, and most of all any space for the whole family. But the payoff, for me at least, was well worth it. We wen tall over the US, from the Keys in Florida where we scuba dove, to the massive redwoods in Northern California. I really hope I can get a live aboard sailboat someday. I already had my dream of RV living, now I want to live my dream of living on a sailboat.
8 years blue water sailing. No marinas. 57' three mast schooner, just two of us. Those were the days. Glad we did it when we did. In the days before internet and just got gps near the end. Proper sailing, proper navigating. No push button sailing. Big anchors, big engine, seven sails, 26 tons she was a dream.
I've been a liveaboard for 12 years now. There's an old expression, "everything on a boat is broken, it's just a matter of when you find out" 😜 I stay at anchor 100% of the time. Having the right dinghy for the job is critical. Inflatables are not a good choice. Try and make it look as crappy as possible. To avoid it being stolen. Good luck, have fun 😊 If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
In the late 1970's friends of my father retired and decided to do a 2 year trip to Greece and back. He was a hydrofoil engineer. His wife had been a test pilot in WWII. They also had money. Father and I were part of the trans Atlantic crew. What he learned was living on a boat coat much as owning a house if not more and they did most of the maintenance. Note: He appealed to the US Tax people, the IRS, to be a able to deduct the costs since the boat was their home. The appeal was denied.
Some good news, if you keep fixing stuff properly, emphasis on properly, eventually the mean time between failures will start to increase. Our boat was 15 years old when we bought it, and for the first year we were finding problems that were made during manufacture, and no one had noticed (including several surveyors). Then there was rewiring all the stuff that several previous owners had put in, in most cases by "professionals". Eventually 6 years down the line, stuff has finally stopped breaking, we went two season along the south coast without anything breaking. In contrast the first season we broke down nearly every time we left the marina. Another bit of advise, in a previous life I was in the navy, (not the fighting sort) where we had a store of "insurance spares", things like the starter motor, brushes/regulator for the alternator, we now do the same especially after watching your starter motor problems. Add in a few items like your diesel dipper, we did the same but made our own, added two more auto bilge pumps, and other key items, plus lots of temperature, level and pressure monitoring (Cerbo GX) so that we do not need to do engine checks when underway, all helps to improver overall reliability. Oh and a level alarm for every section in the bilges, exhaust gas temperature alarm, and a strainer to catch bits that fall off the impeller.
I certainly hope I'm fixing things properly, so at this rate, in a few years time, you're saying we may have a trouble free season or two? Now that would be a fine thing! 😂🙏🏻⛵️⛵️⛵️
@@CadohaAdventures You work all looks better than the "professionals", it was them I was having a dig at. Don't get me going about some of the work I had done in a yard.
Greetings from British Columbia! My first ‘live aboard’ was a Wharram Tiki 26 that my partner and I built in an Oxfordshire barn, then launched on the Tamar in Cornwall. We lived aboard, on and off, for 5 years. We had a sturdy deck tent and I will readily admit our life was a long term camping experience. However, nothing broke and our mooring in a somewhat muddy creek cost us nothing. Once we were over the initial cost of building we worked a little and sailed a lot. One summer (1990) we had a 3 month trip to the Hebrides and according to my journal, the total cost was just under $1,000! My first live aboard here in BC was a 33’ cold moulded sloop with very simple systems. I now have a 30’ C&C, built in 1981. It’s basic but comfortable though I still spend several weeks a year maintaining. It has a wood stove for heat, an unpressurized alcohol stove and a stern hung barbecue for cooking. The latest upgrade is a Dometic refrigerator. My wife and I have a house a days drive away and spent a lot of the summer on the boat. It’s just too cold and wet here to have fun afloat in winter. In summary, operating costs increase exponentially with the size and complexity of the boat. Do your own maintenance and stay away from boatyards as much as possible. Sail more and work less! Great, honest, video and the UK clips brought good memories flooding back.
Hello David, I'm considering buying a sailboat in B.C. myself. If you're ever available for a chat and don't mind being asked a few questions let me know! No one in my family knows anything about sailing lol
Thanks. I did a 3 year road trip from NYC to and a round South America . A simple standard 2wd Toyota Hilux. Gas’s cooker, bed jn the back, shower on the roof . Costing about $1200 a month. Drove 110,000 miles and crossed 36 borders
I was born in a Sailing Peninsula town in S America......but doesn't mean I was 1 of 'em. After watching U guys .....& if I had enough $$ for break downs...still ...as U say.....won't sleep 100% deep. And being in a paradise place......U never know when a Storm pass by & catches U @ the wrong time of the day. So.........my decision is....I will get my Lightning ......w/a little Motor.....& enjoy a day sailing.....& @ the end of the day......get back home & sleep well on my own bed listening the Sound of the Bay. Thnks for the "5 not to Sail & live aboard" Lucky .....U made it. Have the best time outhere....!
Greetings from Key West! Thank you for showing some of the challenges and trade-offs that the live aboard cruising life can demand. This is perhaps the most honest look at this lifestyle I've seen on YT. Liked and subscribed! I've been living aboard and cruising si ce 2004 and my only regret is that I didn't start sooner. :-)
I had a 25 foot Catalina with a dock to return to. Maintenance and cost is scaled by how much luxury you desire. Simple and easy costs less. Not counting the decline of our environment, if you carry basic needs, it can be a lot of fun. Crab traps and cold brew, stopping in at an old marina, talking with travelers and locals. It all depends on what you wish to do and where you want to go. One thing is for sure, as long as the wind blows, you can go wherever you like. Then again, stuck on a calm hot day out in the middle of nowhere, can be misery. Definitely need company to take turns so you can sleep and share the experience. Nice video, Thank you.
Having been on both sides on this equation, life on a boat is far and away preferable. You get to choose your neighbours; You aren’t tethered anywhere indefinitely; It’s far, far less expensive; It’s a far more rewarding experience; The people you meet are far more congenial; It’s far safer than life in a city. I lived in Vancouver, and in a tiny village in Nova Scotia. They were identical experiences: No one wanted to know me, and my neighbours were absolutely awful. However, when I was a liveaboard in a marina, we were all comrades, and they wouldn’t even pause to weigh the matter for a second if you needed a hand.
Really enjoyed this video Dom. We are off to look at a boat next week with a view to living on board. We are 55 and 60 and if we don’t do it now, we never will. This is exactly the kind of info we need. Much appreciated
I spend large chunks of time aboard with my dog and she won’t toilet onboard either. Only two breaks a day is optimistic - particularly if you have an older dog and/or they’ve eaten something they found under a rock last time you were ashore! 😱 My sweet lady is nearly thirteen and has a bit of arthritis and dodgy knees so we have to be careful about jumping and running and she does need to go ashore at least four times a day IN ALL WEATHER at all hours of the day and night. I constantly have her in mind when checking the forecast and if it looks like bad weather coming we make a visit to shore so she’s comfortable waiting out the blow. Getting her into the bouncing dingy from the bouncing boat, in the dark, single handed, is a challenge - but it’s those trips rowing to shore at 0200 in the quiet of the night when the wonder of a sky full of stars leaves me breathless, and the trails of phosphorescence left by my oars delight me. Then I thank my little old lady for that experience as we snuggle back in bed with a hot water bottle 🥰.
All good points. Been seeing a few videos like this pop up and I just don't understand why. I mean, yes, there are challenges to living on a boat, but they are just different from the challenges of owning a home. Your furnace might break down, a pipe might burst, the roof might develop a leak, and lots of things can and do go wrong with a house. The same goes for a boat or a van or a tiny house or a remodeled bus etc. Change takes commitment and effort, especially when it comes to learning the different ins and outs of a new lifestyle, because that's what it really is that makes it so hard... it's a lifestyle change.
@little-wytch What the guy didn't mention was that the costs you have on a sail boat you have them on land too... For instance: if your A/C at home stops working you 'll pay some good money to the technincian who is going to come to fix it; same goes for your dishwasher, etc. Needless to mention that even when nothing brakes down, you still pay a mortgage which is hard to be less than 1.000 bucks in our days or a rent which is a couple of thousands easy, plus bills. So, compared to land life, living on board is a lot more cheaper.
@@jaydefuca4153 This is true, but also not as extreme of a difference as you might think. You know how when you fly anywhere, you can't bring your own water or a soda past security or such? They say it's for security reasons, and some of those reasons may even be security-based, but really, it's so you can buy a $5 soda from a vendor on the other side of security that would have only cost you $2 at the grocery store. The same is relatively true when you live on a boat. The cost of anything in a marina is way more than anywhere else and the cost of anything designed for boats is also higher. I call it niche market syndrome. The industry expects that if someone has a boat, they are rather wealthy, so they charge higher prices. Some mark-up is justifiable of course, for making a tech that won't fall apart as easily when exposed to salt-water spray or making something better suited for a DC power environment than AC, but still, the actual mark-up is explosively too high. There are ways around that for some things, and it's still better than renting or mortgage, but it does have its own downsides too. The point I was trying to make in my comment was that any lifestyle or living situation is going to have challenges that are unique but still rather relateable to others situations. The only question anyone needs to ask themselves is; "which lifestyle would be best for me?"
Where to start from... you are going to get bored of me but I 'll give it a try secretly hoping you won't@@little-wytch: I know where you come from when you talk about the madness that defines airports. I travelled a lot (63 countries so far) and I can tell you that some rules that have to do with safety have nothing to do with reality. Lived long enough to understand how and why laws are made and I feel sick of the double standard attitudes of those in power, that they turn the laws they created into oppressors. And you know what outrages me? When you "find ways around things" (as you correctly mentioned) and they can't do anything about it and then, they try to hunt you, fight you, crucify you and if they get no result then make a fool out of you... I was on a sailboat many years ago and I have established my own rules and manners. Marina visits were only for a serious need. All my purchases were made out of local markets and super markets. Same way I used to compare fuel prices to decide where I 'd fuel, same way I compared everything on what concerns prices, before I decide where to buy things from. I excluded all blood sucking expenses like insurance; since when it comes the time for them to pays us, they will turn things around in order not to. On board a sailboat if you know how to manage your income and ALWAYS put aside some money every week out of your paycheck for "rainy days" and do things right (and the way I did them, it worked) then you can't compare expenses for onboard living comes cheaper. So, belive me when I say you can have an affordable living and when the time comes for me to go back to sea, I 'll keep the same... recipe. Most likely I made you dizzy writing so many things, but you see... in our days it is difficult to find someone to talk in a civilized manner, exchange ideas, happily agree, politely disagree and at the end feel good with the conversation you had and you gave me that chance and I thank you for it. Ready to listen to your thoughts whenever you care to share them with me. I wish you health, hope and fair seas to your dreams.
@@jaydefuca4153 It seems that someone, either out of spite or error, reported my previous reply and so it got removed. Instead of repeating the whole thing, I'll just say you didn't bore me or make me dizzy. It was very interesting and that's the last I'll say about it. I wish you the best when you get back to sea. :)
SHAME on ALL those who reported your comment yet this is one more proof we live in a RACIST world where freedom of speech applies only to those that they set the standards (and being honest with you, I fight those guys and I will always be a thorn on their way). As you can see, it wasn't during the dark ages that they used to burn... witches; it still happens today: they "burn" whoever goes against their rotten ethics and the fake legacy they try to establish for the new generations. Can you try and re-send me that message? (if you have the time of course, if not I 'd understand). It is pity that in our days I can't find people to have a normal, honest and polite conversation. Either I am getting too old or by refuisng to lower my quality, Ι see this world as if it is too small to fit me the way it is structured in our days. I 'd be more than happy and more than anything else very interested to hear what you had to say. Honestly I would!
15 years accumulated blue water sailing, every point is right BUT once one gets over themselves and perfection, there grows a self reliance and incredible sense of adventure. Amazing # of people try it, give up quickly. Such is fantasy. But those who stick with it, life is changed for ever more. Wud add to anchor worries: the boat next door! I got in the habbit of snorkling down and checking "the other's" anchor. It paid off several times and actually saved another's boat when a norther swept thru the anchorage for 3 days.
Great video, untill recently I was a live-aboard here California for about a decade. I made my living as a 100 ton captain. I always tell people every good thing you hear about living on a boat is true but so are all the bad things, that and get clear on the difference between a luxury and a necessity (not easy to do in the advanced developed world.) It really is about the journey, the little moments that are undescribable, and living closer to the real world. Happy sailing, loved the video.
Having lived aboard for a couple of years it sometimes stuns me how "unprepared" people are for the realities. Sure there has been surprises even for me but it is always so sad to see someone giving up the life because they have failed to: A) consider the downsides beforehand B) unable/ unwilling to adapt and find solutions. I have to say I would probably gone nuts in my 26 footer if I would have continued to live on it but would still have done it, but thankfully now have a 39 footer with plenty of space for comforts and makes it viable to stay on anchor year around.
@@CadohaAdventures BC, Gulf Islands in the winter near a marina with services. Wood stove does a lot but still need to install a diesel heater for the colder season. Also I want to have hot showers on my boat so planning to install one of those cheapish propane shower units in my soon to be ex rode locker that is just next to the wet head and can be accessed via a hatch, then it is going to be in a separate well ventilated space but easily accessible and I can warm up the head and my "bedroom" with the diesel heater (remote control) if I wake up during the night etc. An electric blanket under your duvet turned on 20-30 min before you hit the hay does wonders on colder nights :)
A boat is a hole in the water in which you throw money. If you realise that, you can start dreaming about the fun part. I bought my first boat back in the eighties, and we still have a boat. I used to sail, but as I grew older I changed to a motor yacht. Mind you, I don't live on our boat. I love spending the summer meandering around and visiting places. But I love the luxury of a house too much :-) I would advise people who dream about living on a boat to buy an affordable one to start with, and use it for the holidays. If you maintain it well enough, you should be able to sell it for about the same price. By that time you will know what your permanent live-aboard boat "must" have, and you will have a pretty good idea of the perks and drawbacks of living on a boat.
Hello, this is a brilliant little video and in all honesty makes me want to sail even more. I have three questions. 1. How do you guys stay at anchor over storm periods? What do you do to avoid storms and silly question but do you even try to avoid storms? 2. How difficult is it to sail to a different country, is migration laws strict, who do you contact to sail to a different country, do you need visas, what is the general process and cost? 3. Any particular sailing routes you follow, do you ever sail with other yachts (especially through more turbulent sea areas)? Cheers.
Visas are the same if you arrive by your own boat or by airline. Storms, avoid at all cost, watch the weather, get the weather warnings, learn from other yachties about reading the weather. Sailing routes? Choose your own, navigate whichever path you like. Anchor advice was given in the video and was good, there's apps you can get that tell you if you are moving outside of a pre-determined 'circle' and will sound an alarm. If you haven't sailed before, then join a yacht club and learn. Skippers often look for crew for races and you can get crew positions for a race-day - that's a good way to learn. You can do it, just get right into it.
Me and the wife are working on the same 😃 staring with a small 27” Catalina not living now but getting ready slowly to sail! Plan in 10 years to be living on a way bigger and heading down South American.
Just subscribed - the most sane video on sailing i have come across- lived on a yacht and cruised for 13 years and 40 000nm later endorse all you said- thank you
Watching some of your videos genuinely makes me consider packing up making RUclips sailing content - because you are so bl**dy good at it. This is definitely one of those.
I've managed now for almost a year in a sailboat 26 footer up north here in Norway, the winters can be brutal and my macgyverisms have saved me many times but i signed up for this, you learn as you go, it's impossible to micro plan for everything. One of the toughest things for me wasn't keeping the heat in the winter but handling the condensation, i had to insulate quite a bit but it's mostly good now. I love living this way, everyday is an adventure.
Compared to a house/apartment/unit the comparison wanes quickly. Things break in houses constantly, yards need maintenance, and then there’s the never ending crap people accumulate. Houses cost a fortune, including insurances, rates, etc. In a house you can’t sleep because of neighbours, traffic, thieves and scoundrels. In a house pets can be a problem, and councils make it harder all the time. Bottom line for me - boat life is cheaper, easier, less worrisome and more pet friendly than ‘house life’ ever was.
Fair, although my only counter thoughts to that would be that over the course of 20years our house has probably quadrupled in value, and I’m not so sure that our boat will do the same 😬🤣⛵️ But the boat will hopefully give you a lifetimes of priceless stories to tell instead 🙏☺️⛵️
Just came across your channel and happy that I did. I have been working towards my own boat for a few years now and always love watching others following their dreams! Hope to meet you on the water one day!
Glad to hear you’re working towards your dream, it’s an amazing spot to be in, however big or small it may be, to find yourself actually living your dream! Very best of luck with it and your future adventures! 👌🏼⛵️
I lived on 2 boats in London. Boat#1 was an old wooden one that leaked so I would never sleep too well listening to the drips, when the boat listed over the drips would increase meaning time to get up and pump out (it didnt end well!). Boat#2 was a new steel hull that took years to fit out but ended up being great. The most common question from people was "isnt it cold in the winter?". It had a solid fuel stove and was actually very cosy. Like the dog I timed my shore breaks (the office/pub) in preference to the boat.
We are a blue collar sailing family of 5 on a 38ft classic mono~hull. We can say it is definitely a challenge. We will also tell you after thousands of miles together I LOVE all this quality time together.
I had a 27ft lifting keel for a few years in the Solent and enjoyed very much repairing everything and then learning to sail in it but you are spot on. Boats ownership cost a lot 25 years ago (the purchase price wasn’t the bad bit!). I also remember stopping at anchor around Greece on a sunsail boat once and in the middle of the night we woke up (fortunately) to find the boat drifting and a whole bunch of other boats doing the same. We all ended up motoring about each other trying to reset anchor in the pitch black and then staying up all night cos we didn’t trust it, incredibly stressful but also funny at the same time. Never slept much at anchor after that and tended to use marinas.
Most everything you said makes sense- being a mechanic, breakdowns, land comforts.., but setting TWO Anchors (main and stern) or a Med-Style Stern Tie-Off will help you sleep better! It does me as I'm a Single-Hand Sailor sailing in the Great Lakes (much like sailing in England)! If I had a 'Pet' it would be a Parrot- dogs/cats are land animals- but I do like Hank!
Once Hank has gone to the happy hunting ground in the sky, I don't think we'd get another pet for life on a boat, well, probably not. Hank does kick us up the backside and makes us find all the very best walks we can when we land somewhere, so maybe without him, this adventure wouldn't be half as packed with all the sights we've seen?
@@CadohaAdventures I think yer right, a Freudian slip, obviously hanks toiletry requirements pretty fussy but you get two adventures a day and every day you have a sense of purpose to get hank to land, plus there's more pubs in land 😊
One thing for certain is to have a very good sense of maintenance and knowledge, proper constant inspection and maintenance will help you avoid 90 percent of the tragedies, I am currently developing a channel were sailors can go for rapid advice when in need of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other shipboard needs just for those reasons.
This is the first of yours that I'm watching, so I'm not too caught up on your previous videos, but I'm pausing at about 45 seconds in to just say that in 33-ish years of turning wrenches, I've never seen an electric motor fail that way. That's definitely a new one to me. OK, this looks good. Back to the video!
We had a mechanic onboard that week too, helping us bring the boat home, and he too said he’d never seen a starter motor do that in his entire life. That was the start of things to come 🤣⛵️⛵️
Many boating podcasts often discuss beautiful aspects of a live a board, but the truth is that there are many unappealing and down right dangerous aspects as well, seems everything breaks and the best reason to stay on land. I appreciate your honest evaluation of the difficulties of life on a boat. Once I thought it would be fun but after watching many videos, it is not for me. Maybe for a few weeks on a charter sail only.
Thankyou for your thoughtful reply. Having raised three children and not having turned my back on them I have watched and helped them grow into well rounded adults with children of their own. Our farm was a menagerie of animals and birds small and large. All of which except for the goldfish lived where animals should, outside. The goats and cows for meat and milk, the chickens for eggs, the dogs to guard and the parrot to warn of poisonous snakes. Happy to admit that dogs provide people with much needed company, but not prepared to have them in my home, on my couch or sleeping in my bed. Sail on and a good video, thanks.
Sorry, I wasn’t suggesting you personally did, but I know we’re all on a spectrum of responsibility and/ or emotional attachment to things. I have no doubt that some people could drop their dog as soon as it became in any way inconvenient, but we just couldn’t possibly do that. If that limits exactly where we can go while Hank is still with us, then so be it, we have still been blown away by all the amazing anchorages we’ve ‘discovered’ so far and I’m sure we still have plenty more within reach to fill up several dogs lifetimes ☺️😬🙏🏼
And this is why I’ll likely opt to be a weekender on a 30 footer. But I live in the Great Lakes region, so it’s not like I’ll need to travel long distances anyway, so a liveaboard wouldn’t be necessary.
Having your pet aboard seems to add to the challenges tenfold!! Like an awkward toddler, only pooing in the kitchen corner rather than the potty or toilet. Interesting video and I enjoyed watching.
Fascinating and a good wake up call to those thinking about starting out on a boat. All too often You Tube vids show just the positive. This one is balanced👍👏
We’re as guilty of it as anyone else, and felt inspired by the handful of channels who did dare to share the ‘bad bits’ and so felt we should do the same and share what we’ve found most difficult to adjust to. This won’t change things for most people, but perhaps for someone it could be the difference between them not making a costly mistake for them personally? Either way I hope it helps give some semblance of balance 🙏⛵️
Thanks for this one, Dom. I've done quite a bit of sailing, but I've never been live-aboard and, quite honestly, I wouldn't want to. For all of the reasons you suggest, plus a couple you didn't mention! Great video. You and Carley are doing a really good job on the video side of things - you've gone from pretty amateur to some amazingly professional work and I always look forward to your videos. One suggestion - get away from the UK. Everything costs more here!
all very true!... and fairly true for those of us who live on land too! i can tell you that some of the expenses for my home make my sailboat look like a very cheap alternative. the only reason i can afford both is that my boat lives in my front yard and we tow it to where we want to launch. fun!
Left long enough even older dogs can learn to do their business on board. We were in an anchorage on the northwest corner of Vancouver Island in BC tied to a storm mooring with sustained winds of 35 to 40 knots for 2 days. It was not safe to lowere the dinghy and go to shore. Our 10 year old dog finally gave in after 24 hrs and did both on board. We then managed to keep him ‘trained’ and for the most part the pees were on board until he passed last spring
Hank had gone on deck once, and only once and it was when he hadn’t gone for a long time, towards the end of our crossing of Lyme bay, but I was a horrible ordeal to see him stress out about it so much, that’s why we wanted to train him to be happy to do so before we did another ‘long passage’ with him again. 🙏☺️🤞🏼🍀
When I had my boat there was always someone holding their hand out for cash, and I am very technical/mechanical and can fix most things. In England the marinas are an utter bloody rip-off and in fact they have stopped many people of modest means from having a boat at all, whereasin the 70's there was much more access to swinging moorings which you could afford.
Yes, England is a massive rip off, I know someone with a 40' yacht in the cheapest marina on the South Coast who pays a huge £5K bill per year just to park an probably takes it out sailing 3 times per summer. What I have noticed in his and other marinas is people abandoning boats cause they don't want to pay the fees and after a few years the marina just breaks the boats up as they are beyond saving due to neglect. At the same time the number of big shiny new yachts is increasing, ie the rich are getting richer and fewer options for the the normal working woman/man. Given the option I would not buy a decent yacht unless I could live aboard and most certainly somewhere warmer and cheaper than the UK. But wife says no, she has 12 hours of TV to watch per day.
Great down to earth video & love to see your pet enjoy the lifestyle, you just can't put money on that enjoyment & great to see a channel from people from England (GB). That's what's always stopped my learning to sail is the cost, now you see videos of people renovating boats saying how "great it is" but not explaining the reality. I could never afford a home of my own & wondered if this could be an option but if I can't work I can't fix & I don't have the skills to earn money in other countries or on board to fix stuff. It seems a great way to live partly outside of the system but the reality could be different. You both are very lucky to have realised & live both sides & you have to have a partner who is supportive of the lifestyle. I wish when I was younger I would've given it a try & advise anyone if you think of doing it just do it as time really does pass by so quickly but always be protective of wildlife & our environment, never be the destroyers. Make life what you want it to be & enjoy your life especially in these testing times.
Well done - good video with good points. I know it’s a different construct but I love sailing and crunched the numbers and decided my best option was chartering for two reasons. The boat would spend a huge proportion of its time in a south coast marina and on the opportunities I had for sailing it - I did not want to be grovelling around in the bilge fixing it - while the window for sailing reduced. I still spend a lot of money but it’s all on sailing.
This was an excellent episode and really well thought out the five reasons. Going out with a dog is a 24/7/365 endeavor on land, but I can imagine that Hank is the captain of your boat and thus decides your next anchorage. Cheers and fair winds.
@@CadohaAdventures Yes your doing great on the repairs, necessity, is a matter of fact on the water, as 20 feet off the dock and no power, is a very lonely place to be . Keep going and having fun .😀Chief mechanic .
I can relate to your point about sleeping at anchor. I'm always worried I'll drag anchor especially when I have rocky shores nearby. However I do it for the love of the sea and the freedom of sailing anywhere in the world. Great video!
Thanks for another great video. Have been following you some time. Great stuff you make. Like when it's realistisk not all to romanticized. Sailing and living on a boat is tuff but rewarding. I live and sail on my Moody 36cc Zenseb and has been for the last 6 years and would never trade it for a life on land. You are right about your five facts but there are 1000+ good reasons to keep on sailing. Stay safe.
Your video made me want to go and sail the world even more. This is the first time watching one of your videos, thanks for sharing I look forward to watching a lot more.
Just buying our first boat and the laundry list of small items that the survey pulled up makes you think...(luckily all the big ones have been done- new rigging, mast/boom, prop, windows resealed, headlining, new nav gear/ VHF, new engine, new electrics, new tiller/autopilot). All this for the price of a second hand car, but we expect to spend £££ on upgrades/repairs over the next year or so (hopefully ones we can take to the next, bigger boat) Thanks for the videos and the reality check (a bit late for us), and we hope to meet you out there one day (maybe when you're back in the Isles of Scilly, our dream destination...this summer? ) 👍
@@CadohaAdventures You can't buy time...or the experiences you've had...yet...Elon's AI is working on that ! Thanks for the journey and for the links you've made (I'm now following your fellow Warrior 'lovers'...) and I'm learning a lot 👍
I am currently looking at buying a 30 foot yacht and tbh this video kinda helped me decide i should try out the live abroad lifestyle. the points you made about things always braking and repairs needing to be done kinda excites me as i love tinkering. I lived in a caravan for over ten years travelling so hopfuly the water will be kinder to me then land was haha
Good point, although non of them really convinced me not to buy a boat. I'm actually planning to move my life permanently on to the sea in the next 2 years. Its just me and my boy, Dennis, a now 2 years old black labrador who loves water, and swimming and he always with me wherever I go, so, I can't imagine my sea captain life without him on my side. I'm already good with DIY, as I'm a professional carpenter, joiner, cabinet maker, with decent knowledge about dc electrician, plumbing, and basic mechanist knowledge, and also love hiking and camping, so downsizing never was an issue for me. My biggest question is what boat I shall get. I have a family in the Guadeloupe, so I need to sail across the Atlantic every now and then, and relatively safe. I know sailing across the Atlantic can be very challenging, and I need minimum 30ft long boat, and because I'll sail solo, it can't be bigger than 40ft. I'll live on a boat, and will have a dinghy, and if possible, maybe even some light weight enduro motorcycle, like the ktm 350 or so. What boat you guys would suggest? I don't mind working on it, if it need some tlc or whatnot, it actually would be better in a way that I could turn it into mine for my taste. My budget will be under £10k and possible another £7k for upgrade it.
You can get a condensate pan for a commercial air conditioner or a kiddie pool and put sand or turf squares from a place like Home Depot or Lowes in it and you pet will probably use it. Keep it on deck? Edit: it may not be good for all the time, but, it should really help.
Always been fascinated about this kind of lifestyle... Non of the reasons really bothers me... except the money factor, other than that I'd be wiling to adapt. Well hopefully one day. Great video guys, wish you smooth seas!
I have to agree with you on all this points. I have done it part of my live. It has it's awesome moments and it has it's terrible moments when you ask yourself why am I doing this. For me it is an addiction though. Have been through numerous boats , all kinds. But then you sit at home looking at boats and want to go back. Definitely adventure and I think it's best when you are younger.
More often than not we anchor in places that many people don’t, and so we have the places to ourselves a lot of the time, but yes, when we are in a crowded spot then that can be scary. 😖
Absolutely spot on !!! And as a positive ? We sometimes have to ask ourselves which day of the week it is. Also, if it is bad weather or it was a stormy night with not a lot of rest, we get up in the morning, look at each other and say: 'it still beats standing in a traffic jam and sitting in an office all day long' 😀👍 Btw, glad to hear our pets are not the only ones who refuse to do anything onboard while underway.
learning to be an mechanick, electrition, sailmaker etc I find that super motivating. View it like that "your¨re a character learning new skills" haha 😍😍😎🤓 I byed a Colin archer 32 fot, I could not sail, could nothing about everything. Ive only sailed a dingy when I was young. I learned so much after just one year living in it. Everything from Electricion, wood, sewing, motor, rigging and sailing. And all I met in the sailing community so far is very helpful. 🙏 Sleeping in a sailboat when its storm its quite frighting, and noicy but its only in oktober to desember, after that its okey to sleep. In that period of time of the year I like to use ear plugs, its not the most comforting but it helps when its a festival all around you, red wine also helps! 😅😂🍷🤭 Unfortionaly I had to sell the boat - BUT on the positive side I am currently saving up to buy a new one haha! 🤫🤩😎
I've been living on an actor about 25 years in the same spot haven't slept on Shore in about 15 years. Except one night for a hurricane. Waking up even a mile from where you started out is a shock. And you're looking for an escaped dinghy in the dark with the big boat is the worst. Good luck out there you make it look easy.
1 I've been around old Land Rovers all my life, they constantly need fixing 2 Land Rovers are money pits 3 you should see the size of our bathroom, it's not much bigger than yours and we do enjoy camping so creature comforts are limited with a tent 4 sleep happens due to exhaustion, as you said anchor alarms and light sleeper helps 5 we don't have any pets 6 living with your partner in a small space 24/7 7 creative cooking with two hobs or open fire or BBQ on the beach 8 being out of your comfort zone, be riding out a storm to adventure to new places and learning new skills guess that makes us partially suited to boat living ?
Even though it was a "Reasons not to video" I got caught up in the breath taking landscape. I've definitely added the UK to my bucket list. All valid points but as I spent most of Friday in bumper to bumper traffic just the thought of anchoring anywhere where there isn't a lot of people sounded like a slice of heaven.
I mean these challenges are exactly that for us, a test for us but not the end of the world. We very much love our new life on the water and like you would take an empty anchorage over traffic congestion all day long! 😁🙏🏻
I'm trying to decide if I live on the road & buy new landcruiser troopy and do the rooftop conversion. $130k Or spend the same amount on a sailboat mono hull. I've been living on the road for 4 months now and I've met alot of sailboat owners who are doing it full time. Starting to be convinced it's what I should spend my money on.
Well how about renting a boat and staying on it for a couple of weeks during the winter to see how you like it? If it's fun at the worst time of the year then perhaps you'll really like it during the nice months of the year? ☺️🙏🏼
Good video, guys ! Yep, I learned the hard way, and you right. Everything breaks in a sail boat and is expensive to repair. Me never again. However, I'm working on my captain license to enjoy other people boats. Thanks, mate and ahoy..
Thanks guys that’s so informative, it’s good to be honest it’s not all sunshine and happy days out on the ocean. Sometimes it’s down rite awful, it’s a risk versus reward situation. One must weigh the value of each and decide if it’s rite for them.
These challenges haven’t personally changed things for us, but perhaps for someone thinking about making this move, there may be some subjects that give them pause for thought?
Cats love boats 😅 that mitigates all of your pet issues right there. Ive just purchased a 30ft fibreglass sailboat from a dear friend's estate. I have lived on a moored powerboat for 2 years during my schooling days, am ecstatic to venture into the world of sailing. I'm flying in and out of camp for 2 weeks at a time so need to bear that in mind for storage while away, but the possibilities for marine adventure around Vancouver Island on my weeks off is just too good to pass up! Thanks for the video!
One thing that will mitigate many of the problems you talk about is boat size(more accurately, displacement). Unless a person has "deep pockets" it is a good idea to think long and hard about the "perfect" boat for yourselves. And then choose one that is 5~15 feet shorter. For example a 40' boat costs more to own and operate than a 30' boat. Remember operational cost and boat size are in an exponential relationship. A 40' boat, being 33% longer than a 30', does not cost 33% more to operate than a 30' boat. It cost more like 100~250% more to own and operate.
It takes work to make most any dream come true. If you love the water and adventure and have the skills to watch a video and fix your boat you’re good. You wont regret it. I’ve been going almost 4 years. I’m in the San Juan’s islands now. Haha
Dom you are the David Attenborough of RUclips. I just love your videos, the thought that goes into them and the honesty you give us. I often go back in time with your videos and wow haven't you gone to the top of the class in putting them together. BEST RUclips channel ever. Cheers
Ha ha, I am many, many, many leagues bellow the mighty Attenborough, but I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos and I’m also glad that my efforts behind the scenes to make them (hopefully) more watchable seems to be paying off 😁🙏⛵️
Check out all of our favourite and documented anchorages here, on our website: www.cadoha.com/britishanchorages
Lived on a boat for a decade sailed around the world from age 9 on, guess who's job it was to check the anchor was set every time ........ Downsides are definitely outweighed by the upsides , i will forever remember waking up at anchor on an uninhabited island in French Polynesia , swimming ashore while staring at stingrays and fish at like 7am and helping myself to fresh fruit on the island and just sitting on the beach for an hour eating away .
Is that supposed to be a downside?
@bajamus69 yes lol, some ports you sure as he'll don't wanna get in the water if that be for wildlife or temperatures, there are definitely worse things about living on a boat especially as one as small as I did.
Only bird baths, all laundry by hand, cleaning the bilge, engine repairs at sea, being constantly wet and cold in any storm, scraping the Hull the list goes on and on but the anchor thing poped into my head first.
Yep life isn’t always easy but you pay for what you get! Everywhere
Oh the horror 😯😯 you poor thing lmao 😅
@@canadianbacon8220 I know i really struggled but i made it through 😅😅.... somehow.
Good to keep it real. I'm going. Already bought the boat 2 mo ago and I'll go through hell or high water before admitting that it was a mistake. I'm perfectly willing to lie to myself for the rest of my life. On we go!
I’m sure you’ll love it. This doesn’t change anything for us, we love our life and realise how blessed we are, but we rarely show any ‘bad bits’ so thought we should at least address some of the things we found genuinely challenging, as newbies on the water. 😬
@@CadohaAdventures Yes, it's a good episode to make; also for you to level with yourself. Now, I'm currently renovating my apt and selling almost everything and I'd like to point out that apt/house can have a lot of problems as well. I've been at it for 8 months on weekends and I'm darn tired, but the boat is waiting...so...
@@islandman9619 sounds likes man with a plan! I’m sure you’ll take to it well and have a blast. If you’re happy to work, then that’s half the battle won 👌🏼⛵️
Amen brother ✅ 🎉✨🌊💨⛵️🏝👙🌞✨
Hold Fast and don't complain seems to be a sailors life.
Very accurate! I would add that the way to avoid (or minimize) these downsides is to: (i) don't buy too big a boat (a 40 ft sailboat requires 2x the maintenance of a 30 ft sailboat); (ii) don't buy too new a boat (unless it is an exceptional boat). Modern production boats have a fraction of the build quality of older boats; (iii) regardless of your education and background, learn every aspect of your boat systems; (iv) recognize that the best advice comes from old time cruisers, not dockside mechanics, who never go to sea and just want to bill you for their time; (v) cruise in a low cost location (like Mexico or Central America); (vii) when you have the opportunity, buy used parts from boat exchanges and/or other cruisers. The probability is that it is of better quality than any new part. I have been full time cruising for ten years now and have seen many give up. The few, true, long term cruisers, are exceptionally versatile and cruise in well built, 1970's or 80's boats, 35 to 39 ft long, living on the hook in out of the way places. They are also very willing to guide new cruisers, provided that they are willing to listen and learn.
I’m new to the idea of living on a houseboat/yacht, but there’s just something about it I can’t shake.
I was very disappointed to read you mention the 2x maintenance cost for a 40’. I was starting to love the look, space and comfort/stability and 38-40 was my number, but I certainly don’t want to bite more than I can chew. The boat will be a big expense for me, I don’t have 40k to throw around after that.
I am as scared as I am excited.
I have SO much to learn, thanks for the comment.
@thegatesofsleep If you have a deep personal drive to do it, then go for it. I was running a business at the time but couldn't focus on it, as the only thing I really wanted to do with my life is get on the water. I dont regret my decision one bit. I should add that some expenses are location specific - boats deteriorate far more slowly in fresh water than sea water. Similarly, boats in the northern latitudes deteriorate more slowly than in the tropics. Of course, the biggest expenses are marina fees (and the insurance that marinas insist on), so if you can avoid those you are already ahead.
Totally agree with everything you're said. We've been living aboard full-time for 3 years now enjoying it. It was tough initially. We brought a steel Ketch. Its a great yacht. Brought it as is where is. Very risky but it came with a survey report which was positive on the vessel. Motor was dead when we brought it due to salt water ingress. After inflated costs by mechanics to repair it. Decided to managed all the parting out myself. I dismantled the engine piece by piece. Ruined my wife's lovely thick beach towels in the process getting the heavy 6 cylinder engine block out on deck(she still hasn't forgiven me) Took the entire engine in pieces to an engine builder had them sand blasted the motor. It came up like new. The motor was fully rebuilt with new pistons rings. Bottom end crank was fully reground. Over hauled the gearbox and heat exchanger unit etc. While the engine was out built a I beam gantry to install the big motor back below deck. Bolted the gearbox to the engine. Did most of the prop alignment. Have since, completely re wired the ships 240v and 12v myself. Put an electric anchor winch in with 1.280kws of solar and 3x enerdrive DCDC chargers. 2x 60amp enerdrive Smart chargers A victron phoenix 3k inverter-100amp charger. 400amps of lithium in the front forward anchor well linked with 400 amps lithium for the domestic battery bank which are both linked via a 4 way isolator switch. This allows me to run all the domestic 12 equipment of either battery bank. It was a huge undertaking something I'd never done before. Am still suffering PTSD from the stress, hahah. I am fortunate to possess skills which allowed me to do 95% of the work saving me a lot of money. We recently got our yachts passport so we are getting ready soon to set sail over seas. Am not here to blast my horn or say what a smart guy I am. Others think that when they see what I have done. Its more about identifying the risk. A yacht carries risk its whether you can manage the risk. Being fully reliant on tradies to perform work on your yacht is not good. I was shocked at how many complaints I received from others about bad workmanship taking your money and running leaving you worse off. Learning to do as much of the work yourself will enable to you manage it more effectively. I do love living aboard full-time. The peace and tranquility is awesome. Along with the comradery of others living near by. I highly recommend live aboard life on the anchor or mooring to anyone and not living in a marina fulltime.
People often only discuss beautiful aspects of a liveaboard, but the truth is that there are many unappealing aspects as well. I appreciate your honest evaluation of the difficulties of life on a boat.
It’s particularly difficult when you start with a complete dumpster fire of a boat. Like these two did. That thing is hot trash all day long
Ive long had an obsession with sail boats and have been giving serious consideration into buying a used boat for $50-$150k rather then buy a small house. Ive been trying to educate myself on all the practical considerations of boat life before I make a commitment to either and these sorts of honest videos help provide food for thought and sometimes some direction.
I've always enjoyed working with my hands and dont see any issue with performing maintenance beyond my limited knowledge. im creeping up on 50 and fear if i put it off to much longer that my window will close and ill never get to live this dream, im so keen to own my own ketch but we'll see.
It’s incredibly rewarding in so many ways but also the work is close to never ending, depending on what you want to do with your boat I suppose. I know plenty of people who do next to no work on their boats and just live on them, then I know others who actually want to go out exploring on theirs and that involves much more effort, and money 😬
Learn about boat repairs! Be physically fit! it is worth it! Be prepare to do boat projects on a regular basis so they don’t pile up! My hubby, cat and I sailed our previous boat for three years. All worth it. We are starting circumnavigation in January 2023 ! Do it !
My friend - I've built, lived on, and sailed deep sea, two big boats - a 42' and 50'. Get it into your head that there are two kinds of living on a boat.
One - u live moor to a pontoon, with running water and electric. All u have to get used to is the cramped space and the damp.
Two - u anchor up a river, or in a harbour. You'll need to get used to the cramped space, the damp, hauling water and food from the land in your dinghy in all kinds of weather, and being isolated.
I urge you MOST STRONGLY to try living for a year on the type of boat u want, in the situation u want, before u buy. Handling, maintaining, fuelling, victualing, and living on a boat is tough, and expensive. Unless u have a free mooring in the bay of a tranquil mediterranean island, with excellent shops and friends just a short row away ....
I have lived on a 30ft boat, but never sailed out. liveaboard slip.... used the marina for shower and electricity etc... but even tho I have not sailed out. learned a lot. Save tons of money tho! since I didn't really need to fix and add stuff.
No, no no. Step one is evaluating your wife's T and A. Is it worthy of youtube? I say start with something 5000 pounds max. Mentioning a boat's capital cost illustrates your ignorance.....capital is nothing compared to operating expenses. Cash and lots liability insurance and overcome any lack of experience. Just buy it. -Captain S/V Lady Tickler
I been living on a moored vessel for near 3 years, i down graded from a 35 foot aft deck cruiser with 240v gen set to a 34 foot clipper all 12v & gas, I have my 3 little dogs and were more than happy.
I loved watching your video, great work 😇
That is awesome! glad you enjoyed the videos 😁🙏🏻
I can eliminate all five....
I gonna skip the sail boat and live on a C-Dory 22. I don't care about limited space. I embrace tiny.
I'm gonna limit my travels to the intracoastal waterway of Florida, which is PLENTY.
I have a lot of cash and no pets. The ICW has an endless number of shallow anchorages with ZERO chance of slipping anchor......
Thanks for this clip. It gives me more confidence than I already had.
Yep.KISS. But humble doesn't sell and RUclips is about making paper money.
@@bmoretinker
And that is a VERY good point.... Flash sells.
I prefer practical over flash, but flash sells.
This is probably the best honest explanation of what living on a boat is like.living aboard at the dock is totally different,you have power and water and can drive to town in your car.The being able to work on and fix things that break is very important.Also you’re going to get caught in bad weather and storms.Very good information 👍👍
I’ve got plenty of sailing channels I’ve followed for years. Never a patron, never bought a thing. Watched these three for a couple weeks,…my Rottweiler gets walked with a Cadoha leash and I check the date on a cadoha calendar every morning. 👏👏👏👏👏
I once read an article that described a boat as " A hole in the water into which you pour most of your money " . I found it amusing but guessed it to be true. So unless you're loaded you have to learn to be thrifty. best wishes from Yorkshire England.
I think we’ve made peace with dying poor, but hopefully rich in stories 😬🙏⛵️
I’m so glad I watched this. I’ve begun learning and getting things in order for my intended sailing journey at the end of next year. I intend to buy a smaller 35ft boat to live on and get my experience up around the uk all of next year beginning in march, while completing as many training courses and taking part in as many mile builders as possible while saving hard to buy a bigger yacht towards the end of the year for the big voyage. But one of the things that has puzzled me the most is caring for my dog which I’ve promised myself will be the first thing I do once I’ve moved onto the boat. I have so many questions as I’m sure you can imagine and videos such as these are helping so much.
I am 18 years living aboard at anchor. I can't imagine giving it up. Had a dog for seven years. Taught him to go aboard. Never had to go what you went through.
Glad to hear it 👌🏼
Every sailing channel has a 'why not to do it' episode, and yours is the best I've watched.
Glad it’s not too hard to watch and I guess we all have our own challenges with a life on board and it’s probably good that more of us share the realities, to at least try and give some kind of balance 😬🤞🏼⛵️
The funny thing is... having lives years and years in a large 5th wheel rv, I can say that pretty much all of these points directly apply to RV living as well XD. Obviously, it's a lot easier being on land, but these points are the same. You basically become an electrician, plumber, repair man, etc. Every time we traveled, things broke, like slides and the underbelly and so on. We also had to let our dog AND cat out several times a day when traveling. Also finding RV parks that fit our rv, were cheap, and that had reliable restrooms, electricity and plumbing took a lot of time to find. We also had to give up reliable internet, a nice shower, big beds, and most of all any space for the whole family. But the payoff, for me at least, was well worth it. We wen tall over the US, from the Keys in Florida where we scuba dove, to the massive redwoods in Northern California.
I really hope I can get a live aboard sailboat someday. I already had my dream of RV living, now I want to live my dream of living on a sailboat.
Sounds like an awesome adventure and I wish you all the luck in the world with your next one! 🙏⛵️
8 years blue water sailing. No marinas. 57' three mast schooner, just two of us. Those were the days. Glad we did it when we did. In the days before internet and just got gps near the end. Proper sailing, proper navigating. No push button sailing. Big anchors, big engine, seven sails, 26 tons she was a dream.
I've been a liveaboard for 12 years now. There's an old expression, "everything on a boat is broken, it's just a matter of when you find out" 😜
I stay at anchor 100% of the time. Having the right dinghy for the job is critical. Inflatables are not a good choice. Try and make it look as crappy as possible. To avoid it being stolen.
Good luck, have fun 😊
If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
In the late 1970's friends of my father retired and decided to do a 2 year trip to Greece and back. He was a hydrofoil engineer. His wife had been a test pilot in WWII. They also had money. Father and I were part of the trans Atlantic crew. What he learned was living on a boat coat much as owning a house if not more and they did most of the maintenance. Note: He appealed to the US Tax people, the IRS, to be a able to deduct the costs since the boat was their home. The appeal was denied.
Some good news, if you keep fixing stuff properly, emphasis on properly, eventually the mean time between failures will start to increase. Our boat was 15 years old when we bought it, and for the first year we were finding problems that were made during manufacture, and no one had noticed (including several surveyors). Then there was rewiring all the stuff that several previous owners had put in, in most cases by "professionals".
Eventually 6 years down the line, stuff has finally stopped breaking, we went two season along the south coast without anything breaking. In contrast the first season we broke down nearly every time we left the marina.
Another bit of advise, in a previous life I was in the navy, (not the fighting sort) where we had a store of "insurance spares", things like the starter motor, brushes/regulator for the alternator, we now do the same especially after watching your starter motor problems.
Add in a few items like your diesel dipper, we did the same but made our own, added two more auto bilge pumps, and other key items, plus lots of temperature, level and pressure monitoring (Cerbo GX) so that we do not need to do engine checks when underway, all helps to improver overall reliability. Oh and a level alarm for every section in the bilges, exhaust gas temperature alarm, and a strainer to catch bits that fall off the impeller.
I certainly hope I'm fixing things properly, so at this rate, in a few years time, you're saying we may have a trouble free season or two? Now that would be a fine thing! 😂🙏🏻⛵️⛵️⛵️
@@CadohaAdventures You work all looks better than the "professionals", it was them I was having a dig at. Don't get me going about some of the work I had done in a yard.
Greetings from British Columbia! My first ‘live aboard’ was a Wharram Tiki 26 that my partner and I built in an Oxfordshire barn, then launched on the Tamar in Cornwall. We lived aboard, on and off, for 5 years. We had a sturdy deck tent and I will readily admit our life was a long term camping experience. However, nothing broke and our mooring in a somewhat muddy creek cost us nothing. Once we were over the initial cost of building we worked a little and sailed a lot. One summer (1990) we had a 3 month trip to the Hebrides and according to my journal, the total cost was just under $1,000!
My first live aboard here in BC was a 33’ cold moulded sloop with very simple systems. I now have a 30’ C&C, built in 1981. It’s basic but comfortable though I still spend several weeks a year maintaining. It has a wood stove for heat, an unpressurized alcohol stove and a stern hung barbecue for cooking. The latest upgrade is a Dometic refrigerator. My wife and I have a house a days drive away and spent a lot of the summer on the boat. It’s just too cold and wet here to have fun afloat in winter.
In summary, operating costs increase exponentially with the size and complexity of the boat. Do your own maintenance and stay away from boatyards as much as possible. Sail more and work less!
Great, honest, video and the UK clips brought good memories flooding back.
Wow. To build and enjoy your own boat must have been a great adventure. Well done .
Hello David, I'm considering buying a sailboat in B.C. myself. If you're ever available for a chat and don't mind being asked a few questions let me know! No one in my family knows anything about sailing lol
Oh wow what an adventure, well done sir.
Thanks. I did a 3 year road trip from NYC to and a round South America . A simple standard 2wd Toyota Hilux. Gas’s cooker, bed jn the back, shower on the roof . Costing about $1200 a month. Drove 110,000 miles and crossed 36 borders
@@jacobjorgenson9285 wow, fantastic, well done !
and owning a house, and living in a tiny apartment, and living in a cabin in the woods, and living in the desert, and living in a van, pick your pain
Nothing worth having is without some struggle I guess 🙏🏻😁
Main difference is that a leaky cabin won’t sink
I was born in a Sailing Peninsula town in S America......but doesn't mean I was 1 of 'em. After watching U guys
.....& if I had enough $$ for break downs...still
...as U say.....won't sleep 100% deep.
And being in a paradise place......U never know when a Storm pass by & catches U @ the wrong time of the day.
So.........my decision is....I will get my Lightning
......w/a little Motor.....& enjoy a day sailing.....& @ the end of the day......get back home & sleep well on my own bed listening the Sound of the Bay. Thnks for the "5 not to Sail & live aboard"
Lucky .....U made it. Have the best time outhere....!
Greetings from Key West! Thank you for showing some of the challenges and trade-offs that the live aboard cruising life can demand. This is perhaps the most honest look at this lifestyle I've seen on YT. Liked and subscribed! I've been living aboard and cruising si ce 2004 and my only regret is that I didn't start sooner. :-)
I had a 25 foot Catalina with a dock to return to. Maintenance and cost is scaled by how much luxury you desire. Simple and easy costs less. Not counting the decline of our environment, if you carry basic needs, it can be a lot of fun. Crab traps and cold brew, stopping in at an old marina, talking with travelers and locals. It all depends on what you wish to do and where you want to go. One thing is for sure, as long as the wind blows, you can go wherever you like. Then again, stuck on a calm hot day out in the middle of nowhere, can be misery. Definitely need company to take turns so you can sleep and share the experience. Nice video, Thank you.
Wise words indeed ☺️🙏🏼
Having been on both sides on this equation, life on a boat is far and away preferable. You get to choose your neighbours; You aren’t tethered anywhere indefinitely; It’s far, far less expensive; It’s a far more rewarding experience; The people you meet are far more congenial; It’s far safer than life in a city. I lived in Vancouver, and in a tiny village in Nova Scotia. They were identical experiences: No one wanted to know me, and my neighbours were absolutely awful. However, when I was a liveaboard in a marina, we were all comrades, and they wouldn’t even pause to weigh the matter for a second if you needed a hand.
Really enjoyed this video Dom.
We are off to look at a boat next week with a view to living on board. We are 55 and 60 and if we don’t do it now, we never will. This is exactly the kind of info we need. Much appreciated
I spend large chunks of time aboard with my dog and she won’t toilet onboard either. Only two breaks a day is optimistic - particularly if you have an older dog and/or they’ve eaten something they found under a rock last time you were ashore! 😱 My sweet lady is nearly thirteen and has a bit of arthritis and dodgy knees so we have to be careful about jumping and running and she does need to go ashore at least four times a day IN ALL WEATHER at all hours of the day and night. I constantly have her in mind when checking the forecast and if it looks like bad weather coming we make a visit to shore so she’s comfortable waiting out the blow. Getting her into the bouncing dingy from the bouncing boat, in the dark, single handed, is a challenge - but it’s those trips rowing to shore at 0200 in the quiet of the night when the wonder of a sky full of stars leaves me breathless, and the trails of phosphorescence left by my oars delight me. Then I thank my little old lady for that experience as we snuggle back in bed with a hot water bottle 🥰.
All good points. Been seeing a few videos like this pop up and I just don't understand why. I mean, yes, there are challenges to living on a boat, but they are just different from the challenges of owning a home. Your furnace might break down, a pipe might burst, the roof might develop a leak, and lots of things can and do go wrong with a house. The same goes for a boat or a van or a tiny house or a remodeled bus etc. Change takes commitment and effort, especially when it comes to learning the different ins and outs of a new lifestyle, because that's what it really is that makes it so hard... it's a lifestyle change.
@little-wytch What the guy didn't mention was that the costs you have on a sail boat you have them on land too... For instance: if your A/C at home stops working you 'll pay some good money to the technincian who is going to come to fix it; same goes for your dishwasher, etc. Needless to mention that even when nothing brakes down, you still pay a mortgage which is hard to be less than 1.000 bucks in our days or a rent which is a couple of thousands easy, plus bills. So, compared to land life, living on board is a lot more cheaper.
@@jaydefuca4153 This is true, but also not as extreme of a difference as you might think. You know how when you fly anywhere, you can't bring your own water or a soda past security or such? They say it's for security reasons, and some of those reasons may even be security-based, but really, it's so you can buy a $5 soda from a vendor on the other side of security that would have only cost you $2 at the grocery store.
The same is relatively true when you live on a boat. The cost of anything in a marina is way more than anywhere else and the cost of anything designed for boats is also higher. I call it niche market syndrome. The industry expects that if someone has a boat, they are rather wealthy, so they charge higher prices. Some mark-up is justifiable of course, for making a tech that won't fall apart as easily when exposed to salt-water spray or making something better suited for a DC power environment than AC, but still, the actual mark-up is explosively too high. There are ways around that for some things, and it's still better than renting or mortgage, but it does have its own downsides too.
The point I was trying to make in my comment was that any lifestyle or living situation is going to have challenges that are unique but still rather relateable to others situations. The only question anyone needs to ask themselves is; "which lifestyle would be best for me?"
Where to start from... you are going to get bored of me but I 'll give it a try secretly hoping you won't@@little-wytch:
I know where you come from when you talk about the madness that defines airports. I travelled a lot (63 countries so far) and I can tell you that some rules that have to do with safety have nothing to do with reality. Lived long enough to understand how and why laws are made and I feel sick of the double standard attitudes of those in power, that they turn the laws they created into oppressors. And you know what outrages me? When you "find ways around things" (as you correctly mentioned) and they can't do anything about it and then, they try to hunt you, fight you, crucify you and if they get no result then make a fool out of you...
I was on a sailboat many years ago and I have established my own rules and manners. Marina visits were only for a serious need. All my purchases were made out of local markets and super markets. Same way I used to compare fuel prices to decide where I 'd fuel, same way I compared everything on what concerns prices, before I decide where to buy things from.
I excluded all blood sucking expenses like insurance; since when it comes the time for them to pays us, they will turn things around in order not to.
On board a sailboat if you know how to manage your income and ALWAYS put aside some money every week out of your paycheck for "rainy days" and do things right (and the way I did them, it worked) then you can't compare expenses for onboard living comes cheaper. So, belive me when I say you can have an affordable living and when the time comes for me to go back to sea, I 'll keep the same... recipe.
Most likely I made you dizzy writing so many things, but you see... in our days it is difficult to find someone to talk in a civilized manner, exchange ideas, happily agree, politely disagree and at the end feel good with the conversation you had and you gave me that chance and I thank you for it. Ready to listen to your thoughts whenever you care to share them with me. I wish you health, hope and fair seas to your dreams.
@@jaydefuca4153 It seems that someone, either out of spite or error, reported my previous reply and so it got removed. Instead of repeating the whole thing, I'll just say you didn't bore me or make me dizzy. It was very interesting and that's the last I'll say about it. I wish you the best when you get back to sea. :)
SHAME on ALL those who reported your comment yet this is one more proof we live in a RACIST world where freedom of speech applies only to those that they set the standards (and being honest with you, I fight those guys and I will always be a thorn on their way).
As you can see, it wasn't during the dark ages that they used to burn... witches; it still happens today: they "burn" whoever goes against their rotten ethics and the fake legacy they try to establish for the new generations.
Can you try and re-send me that message? (if you have the time of course, if not I 'd understand).
It is pity that in our days I can't find people to have a normal, honest and polite conversation. Either I am getting too old or by refuisng to lower my quality, Ι see this world as if it is too small to fit me the way it is structured in our days.
I 'd be more than happy and more than anything else very interested to hear what you had to say.
Honestly I would!
15 years accumulated blue water sailing, every point is right BUT once one gets over themselves and perfection, there grows a self reliance and incredible sense of adventure. Amazing # of people try it, give up quickly. Such is fantasy. But those who stick with it, life is changed for ever more. Wud add to anchor worries: the boat next door! I got in the habbit of snorkling down and checking "the other's" anchor. It paid off several times and actually saved another's boat when a norther swept thru the anchorage for 3 days.
Great video, untill recently I was a live-aboard here California for about a decade. I made my living as a 100 ton captain. I always tell people every good thing you hear about living on a boat is true but so are all the bad things, that and get clear on the difference between a luxury and a necessity (not easy to do in the advanced developed world.)
It really is about the journey, the little moments that are undescribable, and living closer to the real world.
Happy sailing, loved the video.
Very true words indeed. Glad you enjoyed the video there, Patrick ☺️🙏🏼⛵️
Having lived aboard for a couple of years it sometimes stuns me how "unprepared" people are for the realities. Sure there has been surprises even for me but it is always so sad to see someone giving up the life because they have failed to: A) consider the downsides beforehand B) unable/ unwilling to adapt and find solutions. I have to say I would probably gone nuts in my 26 footer if I would have continued to live on it but would still have done it, but thankfully now have a 39 footer with plenty of space for comforts and makes it viable to stay on anchor year around.
Amazing, you stay on anchor year round?! Where in the world are you spending most of that time? 😁⛵️
@@CadohaAdventures BC, Gulf Islands in the winter near a marina with services. Wood stove does a lot but still need to install a diesel heater for the colder season. Also I want to have hot showers on my boat so planning to install one of those cheapish propane shower units in my soon to be ex rode locker that is just next to the wet head and can be accessed via a hatch, then it is going to be in a separate well ventilated space but easily accessible and I can warm up the head and my "bedroom" with the diesel heater (remote control) if I wake up during the night etc. An electric blanket under your duvet turned on 20-30 min before you hit the hay does wonders on colder nights :)
@@daturave fair play to you, that is hard core right there!
A boat is a hole in the water in which you throw money. If you realise that, you can start dreaming about the fun part. I bought my first boat back in the eighties, and we still have a boat. I used to sail, but as I grew older I changed to a motor yacht. Mind you, I don't live on our boat. I love spending the summer meandering around and visiting places. But I love the luxury of a house too much :-)
I would advise people who dream about living on a boat to buy an affordable one to start with, and use it for the holidays. If you maintain it well enough, you should be able to sell it for about the same price. By that time you will know what your permanent live-aboard boat "must" have, and you will have a pretty good idea of the perks and drawbacks of living on a boat.
Hello, this is a brilliant little video and in all honesty makes me want to sail even more. I have three questions. 1. How do you guys stay at anchor over storm periods? What do you do to avoid storms and silly question but do you even try to avoid storms? 2. How difficult is it to sail to a different country, is migration laws strict, who do you contact to sail to a different country, do you need visas, what is the general process and cost? 3. Any particular sailing routes you follow, do you ever sail with other yachts (especially through more turbulent sea areas)? Cheers.
Visas are the same if you arrive by your own boat or by airline. Storms, avoid at all cost, watch the weather, get the weather warnings, learn from other yachties about reading the weather. Sailing routes? Choose your own, navigate whichever path you like. Anchor advice was given in the video and was good, there's apps you can get that tell you if you are moving outside of a pre-determined 'circle' and will sound an alarm. If you haven't sailed before, then join a yacht club and learn. Skippers often look for crew for races and you can get crew positions for a race-day - that's a good way to learn. You can do it, just get right into it.
Good honesty.we have been at it 6 years and you are spot on, but would not stop. Jungle Jim living the dream.
Me and the wife are working on the same 😃 staring with a small 27” Catalina not living now but getting ready slowly to sail! Plan in 10 years to be living on a way bigger and heading down South American.
I have seen lot of sailing videos, but i subscribed only few . Now its your channel ,because the voice is clear enough to understand..thank you.
Welcome aboard, matey. Glad to hear I’m doing the Queens English, justice 👌🏼
Just subscribed - the most sane video on sailing i have come across- lived on a yacht and cruised for 13 years and 40 000nm later endorse all you said- thank you
Welcome aboard mate, nice to have someone else here (and by else I’m referring to other commenters not myself) with a wealth of experience ⛵️🙏😁
Watching some of your videos genuinely makes me consider packing up making RUclips sailing content - because you are so bl**dy good at it. This is definitely one of those.
Ha ha, thanks, I’m just happy they’re not too cringe to watch 🤣⛵️🙏
I've managed now for almost a year in a sailboat 26 footer up north here in Norway, the winters can be brutal and my macgyverisms have saved me many times but i signed up for this, you learn as you go, it's impossible to micro plan for everything. One of the toughest things for me wasn't keeping the heat in the winter but handling the condensation, i had to insulate quite a bit but it's mostly good now. I love living this way, everyday is an adventure.
Compared to a house/apartment/unit the comparison wanes quickly. Things break in houses constantly, yards need maintenance, and then there’s the never ending crap people accumulate. Houses cost a fortune, including insurances, rates, etc. In a house you can’t sleep because of neighbours, traffic, thieves and scoundrels. In a house pets can be a problem, and councils make it harder all the time.
Bottom line for me - boat life is cheaper, easier, less worrisome and more pet friendly than ‘house life’ ever was.
Fair, although my only counter thoughts to that would be that over the course of 20years our house has probably quadrupled in value, and I’m not so sure that our boat will do the same 😬🤣⛵️
But the boat will hopefully give you a lifetimes of priceless stories to tell instead 🙏☺️⛵️
A good friend once cautioned me that owning a sailboat is like standing in a cold shower tearing up $100 bills.
A common well-known axiom. Used for more than half century.
Just came across your channel and happy that I did. I have been working towards my own boat for a few years now and always love watching others following their dreams! Hope to meet you on the water one day!
Glad to hear you’re working towards your dream, it’s an amazing spot to be in, however big or small it may be, to find yourself actually living your dream!
Very best of luck with it and your future adventures! 👌🏼⛵️
This made strangely nostalgic for my vanlife days. I know this is far superior but still....
I lived on 2 boats in London. Boat#1 was an old wooden one that leaked so I would never sleep too well listening to the drips, when the boat listed over the drips would increase meaning time to get up and pump out (it didnt end well!). Boat#2 was a new steel hull that took years to fit out but ended up being great. The most common question from people was "isnt it cold in the winter?". It had a solid fuel stove and was actually very cosy. Like the dog I timed my shore breaks (the office/pub) in preference to the boat.
We are a blue collar sailing family of 5 on a 38ft classic mono~hull. We can say it is definitely a challenge. We will also tell you after thousands of miles together I LOVE all this quality time together.
I had a 27ft lifting keel for a few years in the Solent and enjoyed very much repairing everything and then learning to sail in it but you are spot on. Boats ownership cost a lot 25 years ago (the purchase price wasn’t the bad bit!). I also remember stopping at anchor around Greece on a sunsail boat once and in the middle of the night we woke up (fortunately) to find the boat drifting and a whole bunch of other boats doing the same. We all ended up motoring about each other trying to reset anchor in the pitch black and then staying up all night cos we didn’t trust it, incredibly stressful but also funny at the same time. Never slept much at anchor after that and tended to use marinas.
I can imagine an anchoring experience like that would lead to a lifetime of sleeping with one eye open, when you’re at anchor in the future 😳
Most everything you said makes sense- being a mechanic, breakdowns, land comforts.., but setting TWO Anchors (main and stern) or a Med-Style Stern Tie-Off will help you sleep better!
It does me as I'm a Single-Hand Sailor sailing in the Great Lakes (much like sailing in England)! If I had a 'Pet' it would be a Parrot- dogs/cats are land animals- but I do like Hank!
Once Hank has gone to the happy hunting ground in the sky, I don't think we'd get another pet for life on a boat, well, probably not. Hank does kick us up the backside and makes us find all the very best walks we can when we land somewhere, so maybe without him, this adventure wouldn't be half as packed with all the sights we've seen?
@@CadohaAdventures I would get something easy like a goldfish. Or maybe even a pirate bird, not that *they're* easy.
@@CadohaAdventures I think yer right, a Freudian slip, obviously hanks toiletry requirements pretty fussy but you get two adventures a day and every day you have a sense of purpose to get hank to land, plus there's more pubs in land 😊
One thing for certain is to have a very good sense of maintenance and knowledge, proper constant inspection and maintenance will help you avoid 90 percent of the tragedies, I am currently developing a channel were sailors can go for rapid advice when in need of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other shipboard needs just for those reasons.
Sounds like you’re building a great resource. Be sure to let us all know how to find it 👌🏼⛵️☺️
This is the first of yours that I'm watching, so I'm not too caught up on your previous videos, but I'm pausing at about 45 seconds in to just say that in 33-ish years of turning wrenches, I've never seen an electric motor fail that way. That's definitely a new one to me. OK, this looks good. Back to the video!
We had a mechanic onboard that week too, helping us bring the boat home, and he too said he’d never seen a starter motor do that in his entire life. That was the start of things to come 🤣⛵️⛵️
Many boating podcasts often discuss beautiful aspects of a live a board, but the truth is that there are many unappealing and down right dangerous aspects as well, seems everything breaks and the best reason to stay on land. I appreciate your honest evaluation of the difficulties of life on a boat. Once I thought it would be fun but after watching many videos, it is not for me. Maybe for a few weeks on a charter sail only.
Thankyou for your thoughtful reply. Having raised three children and not having turned my back on them I have watched and helped them grow into well rounded adults with children of their own. Our farm was a menagerie of animals and birds small and large. All of which except for the goldfish lived where animals should, outside. The goats and cows for meat and milk, the chickens for eggs, the dogs to guard and the parrot to warn of poisonous snakes. Happy to admit that dogs provide people with much needed company, but not prepared to have them in my home, on my couch or sleeping in my bed. Sail on and a good video, thanks.
Sorry, I wasn’t suggesting you personally did, but I know we’re all on a spectrum of responsibility and/ or emotional attachment to things.
I have no doubt that some people could drop their dog as soon as it became in any way inconvenient, but we just couldn’t possibly do that. If that limits exactly where we can go while Hank is still with us, then so be it, we have still been blown away by all the amazing anchorages we’ve ‘discovered’ so far and I’m sure we still have plenty more within reach to fill up several dogs lifetimes ☺️😬🙏🏼
And this is why I’ll likely opt to be a weekender on a 30 footer.
But I live in the Great Lakes region, so it’s not like I’ll need to travel long distances anyway, so a liveaboard wouldn’t be necessary.
Sounds like that's a nice balance for you there, we'd love to check out the Great Lakes ⛵🙏🏼
Nicely done. The reasons are very credible and having your pet on board as part of the sailing experience just adds to the adventure.
Having your pet aboard seems to add to the challenges tenfold!! Like an awkward toddler, only pooing in the kitchen corner rather than the potty or toilet. Interesting video and I enjoyed watching.
Fascinating and a good wake up call to those thinking about starting out on a boat. All too often You Tube vids show just the positive. This one is balanced👍👏
We’re as guilty of it as anyone else, and felt inspired by the handful of channels who did dare to share the ‘bad bits’ and so felt we should do the same and share what we’ve found most difficult to adjust to. This won’t change things for most people, but perhaps for someone it could be the difference between them not making a costly mistake for them personally? Either way I hope it helps give some semblance of balance 🙏⛵️
Thanks for this one, Dom. I've done quite a bit of sailing, but I've never been live-aboard and, quite honestly, I wouldn't want to. For all of the reasons you suggest, plus a couple you didn't mention! Great video. You and Carley are doing a really good job on the video side of things - you've gone from pretty amateur to some amazingly professional work and I always look forward to your videos. One suggestion - get away from the UK. Everything costs more here!
Certainly something to be said for a hot bath at the end of a long day and your house not getting washed up onto rocks in a storm 😁⛵️
Thank you for the heads up on living aboard and critter responsibilities.
all very true!... and fairly true for those of us who live on land too! i can tell you that some of the expenses for my home make my sailboat look like a very cheap alternative. the only reason i can afford both is that my boat lives in my front yard and we tow it to where we want to launch. fun!
So true!
What a definite needed video especially when people like me fantasize about the life
I hope it was at least some help 🙏☺️
The fantasy is best.
Left long enough even older dogs can learn to do their business on board. We were in an anchorage on the northwest corner of Vancouver Island in BC tied to a storm mooring with sustained winds of 35 to 40 knots for 2 days. It was not safe to lowere the dinghy and go to shore. Our 10 year old dog finally gave in after 24 hrs and did both on board. We then managed to keep him ‘trained’ and for the most part the pees were on board until he passed last spring
Hank had gone on deck once, and only once and it was when he hadn’t gone for a long time, towards the end of our crossing of Lyme bay, but I was a horrible ordeal to see him stress out about it so much, that’s why we wanted to train him to be happy to do so before we did another ‘long passage’ with him again. 🙏☺️🤞🏼🍀
When I had my boat there was always someone holding their hand out for cash, and I am very technical/mechanical and can fix most things. In England the marinas are an utter bloody rip-off and in fact they have stopped many people of modest means from having a boat at all, whereasin the 70's there was much more access to swinging moorings which you could afford.
Yes, England is a massive rip off, I know someone with a 40' yacht in the cheapest marina on the South Coast who pays a huge £5K bill per year just to park an probably takes it out sailing 3 times per summer. What I have noticed in his and other marinas is people abandoning boats cause they don't want to pay the fees and after a few years the marina just breaks the boats up as they are beyond saving due to neglect. At the same time the number of big shiny new yachts is increasing, ie the rich are getting richer and fewer options for the the normal working woman/man. Given the option I would not buy a decent yacht unless I could live aboard and most certainly somewhere warmer and cheaper than the UK. But wife says no, she has 12 hours of TV to watch per day.
Just had a quote for a 42ft boat in Chichester at £7500+!!!! I am currently in south of France for £3800 in a very nice modern marina near Marseille.
Great down to earth video & love to see your pet enjoy the lifestyle, you just can't put money on that enjoyment & great to see a channel from people from England (GB).
That's what's always stopped my learning to sail is the cost, now you see videos of people renovating boats saying how "great it is" but not explaining the reality. I could never afford a home of my own & wondered if this could be an option but if I can't work I can't fix & I don't have the skills to earn money in other countries or on board to fix stuff. It seems a great way to live partly outside of the system but the reality could be different. You both are very lucky to have realised & live both sides & you have to have a partner who is supportive of the lifestyle. I wish when I was younger I would've given it a try & advise anyone if you think of doing it just do it as time really does pass by so quickly but always be protective of wildlife & our environment, never be the destroyers. Make life what you want it to be & enjoy your life especially in these testing times.
I sure like to listen to someone with a real command of the language. Thanks for your videos. Direct honesty is so refreshing. Cheers.
Well done - good video with good points. I know it’s a different construct but I love sailing and crunched the numbers and decided my best option was chartering for two reasons. The boat would spend a huge proportion of its time in a south coast marina and on the opportunities I had for sailing it - I did not want to be grovelling around in the bilge fixing it - while the window for sailing reduced. I still spend a lot of money but it’s all on sailing.
Makes perfect sense. Time is so precious after all, why not maximise as much of it as you can doing exactly what you enjoy doing?
This was an excellent episode and really well thought out the five reasons. Going out with a dog is a 24/7/365 endeavor on land, but I can imagine that Hank is the captain of your boat and thus decides your next anchorage. Cheers and fair winds.
HANK IS THE ADMIRAL , Lady skipper and Navigation Officer and Dom is Go,ffer to the higher ranks . They really have fun .
Ha ha, I am the mere deck hand who likes to think of himself as at least the chief engineer.
"She canny take any more Captain!"
@@CadohaAdventures Yes your doing great on the repairs, necessity, is a matter of fact on the water, as 20 feet off the dock and no power, is a very lonely place to be . Keep going and having fun .😀Chief mechanic .
I can relate to your point about sleeping at anchor. I'm always worried I'll drag anchor especially when I have rocky shores nearby. However I do it for the love of the sea and the freedom of sailing anywhere in the world. Great video!
What about setting out motion detection alarms or weighted lines to an alarm system ( cheap window alarms )
Thanks for another great video. Have been following you some time. Great stuff you make. Like when it's realistisk not all to romanticized. Sailing and living on a boat is tuff but rewarding. I live and sail on my Moody 36cc Zenseb and has been for the last 6 years and would never trade it for a life on land. You are right about your five facts but there are 1000+ good reasons to keep on sailing. Stay safe.
These reasons haven’t changed anything for us, we love living on the water, but it may help inform someone else’s decision out there.
Every reason listed is absolutely correct. Well presented & tyvm for providing the truth & a reality check for ppl.
Your video made me want to go and sail the world even more. This is the first time watching one of your videos, thanks for sharing I look forward to watching a lot more.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Earl and welcome to our humble little vlog 🙏⛵️
I just cant believe what some folks are prepared to do for their dogs, that one HUGE cost! Loved your insight, thank you.
Repairing stuff is a pain, but delivers huge satisfaction and security too !
The more you figure out how to fix yourself the more satisfying it is for sure ☺️🙏
Just buying our first boat and the laundry list of small items that the survey pulled up makes you think...(luckily all the big ones have been done- new rigging, mast/boom, prop, windows resealed, headlining, new nav gear/ VHF, new engine, new electrics, new tiller/autopilot). All this for the price of a second hand car, but we expect to spend £££ on upgrades/repairs over the next year or so (hopefully ones we can take to the next, bigger boat)
Thanks for the videos and the reality check (a bit late for us), and we hope to meet you out there one day (maybe when you're back in the Isles of Scilly, our dream destination...this summer? ) 👍
I think we've made peace with the idea of dying poor, but hopefully we'll get to our graves rich in life experiences 😁🙏🏻⛵️
@@CadohaAdventures
You can't buy time...or the experiences you've had...yet...Elon's AI is working on that !
Thanks for the journey and for the links you've made (I'm now following your fellow Warrior 'lovers'...) and I'm learning a lot 👍
I've been watching you for three years!?!? Where has my time gone? Another great video, well done and looking forward to this summer's exploits...
Time flys, hey? Feels crazy to think about that as it feels like we only bought the boat last year! 😳⛵️
Brilliant Video 😎
I believe No 1. Is Have a Great Partner sole-mate, friend or family to be able to live and keep love on a boat 🙏
100% agreed, for us, having a partner in crime enjoy the adventure with you is what makes this the great life that it is. 😁☺️⛵️
*soul-mate.
Absolutely! This is as critical as the refit and equipment lol. 4 friends and I never even made it out of the slip on our pipe dream.
This is a great video guys!! Love this.
I am currently looking at buying a 30 foot yacht and tbh this video kinda helped me decide i should try out the live abroad lifestyle. the points you made about things always braking and repairs needing to be done kinda excites me as i love tinkering. I lived in a caravan for over ten years travelling so hopfuly the water will be kinder to me then land was haha
I hope it’s kinder to you too. Very best of luck with your adventures ⛵️😁🙏
Good point, although non of them really convinced me not to buy a boat. I'm actually planning to move my life permanently on to the sea in the next 2 years. Its just me and my boy, Dennis, a now 2 years old black labrador who loves water, and swimming and he always with me wherever I go, so, I can't imagine my sea captain life without him on my side.
I'm already good with DIY, as I'm a professional carpenter, joiner, cabinet maker, with decent knowledge about dc electrician, plumbing, and basic mechanist knowledge, and also love hiking and camping, so downsizing never was an issue for me.
My biggest question is what boat I shall get. I have a family in the Guadeloupe, so I need to sail across the Atlantic every now and then, and relatively safe. I know sailing across the Atlantic can be very challenging, and I need minimum 30ft long boat, and because I'll sail solo, it can't be bigger than 40ft. I'll live on a boat, and will have a dinghy, and if possible, maybe even some light weight enduro motorcycle, like the ktm 350 or so.
What boat you guys would suggest? I don't mind working on it, if it need some tlc or whatnot, it actually would be better in a way that I could turn it into mine for my taste. My budget will be under £10k and possible another £7k for upgrade it.
You can get a condensate pan for a commercial air conditioner or a kiddie pool and put sand or turf squares from a place like Home Depot or Lowes in it and you pet will probably use it. Keep it on deck? Edit: it may not be good for all the time, but, it should really help.
Thanks for the tips!
Always been fascinated about this kind of lifestyle... Non of the reasons really bothers me... except the money factor, other than that I'd be wiling to adapt. Well hopefully one day.
Great video guys, wish you smooth seas!
I’m sure it’s possible to do it much cheaper than we are, especially if you’re willing to have a go at most things yourself 🙏☺️⛵️
I have to agree with you on all this points. I have done it part of my live. It has it's awesome moments and it has it's terrible moments when you ask yourself why am I doing this. For me it is an addiction though. Have been through numerous boats , all kinds. But then you sit at home looking at boats and want to go back. Definitely adventure and I think it's best when you are younger.
Great topic and coverage. I might add to the anchorage....worried about OTHER peoples boats dragging into YOUR vessel !
More often than not we anchor in places that many people don’t, and so we have the places to ourselves a lot of the time, but yes, when we are in a crowded spot then that can be scary. 😖
Absolutely spot on !!! And as a positive ? We sometimes have to ask ourselves which day of the week it is. Also, if it is bad weather or it was a stormy night with not a lot of rest, we get up in the morning, look at each other and say: 'it still beats standing in a traffic jam and sitting in an office all day long' 😀👍
Btw, glad to hear our pets are not the only ones who refuse to do anything onboard while underway.
Great video, and Hanks an absolute dude. Look forward to seeing more of your travels 🙏🐕🦺
learning to be an mechanick, electrition, sailmaker etc I find that super motivating. View it like that "your¨re a character learning new skills" haha 😍😍😎🤓
I byed a Colin archer 32 fot, I could not sail, could nothing about everything. Ive only sailed a dingy when I was young. I learned so much after just one year living in it. Everything from Electricion, wood, sewing, motor, rigging and sailing.
And all I met in the sailing community so far is very helpful. 🙏
Sleeping in a sailboat when its storm its quite frighting, and noicy but its only in oktober to desember, after that its okey to sleep. In that period of time of the year I like to use ear plugs, its not the most comforting but it helps when its a festival all around you, red wine also helps! 😅😂🍷🤭
Unfortionaly I had to sell the boat - BUT on the positive side I am currently saving up to buy a new one haha! 🤫🤩😎
I've been living on an actor about 25 years in the same spot haven't slept on Shore in about 15 years. Except one night for a hurricane. Waking up even a mile from where you started out is a shock. And you're looking for an escaped dinghy in the dark with the big boat is the worst. Good luck out there you make it look easy.
So true ! The maintenance never ends ! The expenses never stop !
I'm trying to guess how old you guys are but I'm having a tough time because you look amazing- clearly living on the water is good for the soul
Carly is very young, I’m (Dominic) just about to turn 41 ☺️⛵️🦞
1 I've been around old Land Rovers all my life, they constantly need fixing
2 Land Rovers are money pits
3 you should see the size of our bathroom, it's not much bigger than yours and we do enjoy camping so creature comforts are limited with a tent
4 sleep happens due to exhaustion, as you said anchor alarms and light sleeper helps
5 we don't have any pets
6 living with your partner in a small space 24/7
7 creative cooking with two hobs or open fire or BBQ on the beach
8 being out of your comfort zone, be riding out a storm to adventure to new places and learning new skills
guess that makes us partially suited to boat living ?
Number 6 is much more of a test for Carly than for me, poor woman 😂
@@CadohaAdventures I'm sure Carly makes it known that you should go stand on the bow for a little while ;)
Even though it was a "Reasons not to video" I got caught up in the breath taking landscape. I've definitely added the UK to my bucket list. All valid points but as I spent most of Friday in bumper to bumper traffic just the thought of anchoring anywhere where there isn't a lot of people sounded like a slice of heaven.
I mean these challenges are exactly that for us, a test for us but not the end of the world. We very much love our new life on the water and like you would take an empty anchorage over traffic congestion all day long! 😁🙏🏻
As a florida native I cant imagine living without AC
I'm trying to decide if I live on the road & buy new landcruiser troopy and do the rooftop conversion. $130k
Or spend the same amount on a sailboat mono hull.
I've been living on the road for 4 months now and I've met alot of sailboat owners who are doing it full time. Starting to be convinced it's what I should spend my money on.
Well how about renting a boat and staying on it for a couple of weeks during the winter to see how you like it? If it's fun at the worst time of the year then perhaps you'll really like it during the nice months of the year? ☺️🙏🏼
Good video, guys ! Yep, I learned the hard way, and you right. Everything breaks in a sail boat and is expensive to repair. Me never again. However, I'm working on my captain license to enjoy other people boats. Thanks, mate and ahoy..
Thanks guys that’s so informative, it’s good to be honest it’s not all sunshine and happy days out on the ocean. Sometimes it’s down rite awful, it’s a risk versus reward situation. One must weigh the value of each and decide if it’s rite for them.
Couldn’t agree more. Although after this weekend of boat work, I wish I’d have added ‘number 6’ teak decks! 🤯🤯🤯
Fantastic and every point 100% correct, but every bit worth suffering the negatives. John G. Aussie.
Agreed, it is a very rewarding way to live your life and hard work feels good when you get a result at the end of it 😊
Nice video guys with some well thought out comments on life as a livaboard. Andy UK
These challenges haven’t personally changed things for us, but perhaps for someone thinking about making this move, there may be some subjects that give them pause for thought?
All good advice. My advice would be to never let the negatives of whatever you choose in doing prevent the positives in enjoying your life.
Great advice there too 👌🏻⛵️
Cats love boats 😅 that mitigates all of your pet issues right there.
Ive just purchased a 30ft fibreglass sailboat from a dear friend's estate. I have lived on a moored powerboat for 2 years during my schooling days, am ecstatic to venture into the world of sailing.
I'm flying in and out of camp for 2 weeks at a time so need to bear that in mind for storage while away, but the possibilities for marine adventure around Vancouver Island on my weeks off is just too good to pass up!
Thanks for the video!
One thing that will mitigate many of the problems you talk about is boat size(more accurately, displacement). Unless a person has "deep pockets" it is a good idea to think long and hard about the "perfect" boat for yourselves. And then choose one that is 5~15 feet shorter. For example a 40' boat costs more to own and operate than a 30' boat. Remember operational cost and boat size are in an exponential relationship. A 40' boat, being 33% longer than a 30', does not cost 33% more to operate than a 30' boat. It cost more like 100~250% more to own and operate.
We’re currently saving up for the new dragonfly 40. I hope to take delivery of her in 2065 🤣⛵️
@@CadohaAdventures So soon?
It takes work to make most any dream come true. If you love the water and adventure and have the skills to watch a video and fix your boat you’re good. You wont regret it. I’ve been going almost 4 years. I’m in the San Juan’s islands now. Haha
Dom you are the David Attenborough of RUclips. I just love your videos, the thought that goes into them and the honesty you give us. I often go back in time with your videos and wow haven't you gone to the top of the class in putting them together. BEST RUclips channel ever. Cheers
Ha ha, I am many, many, many leagues bellow the mighty Attenborough, but I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos and I’m also glad that my efforts behind the scenes to make them (hopefully) more watchable seems to be paying off 😁🙏⛵️