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Steve
 
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Default ??? about living on a houseboat

Generally you won't find any state or federal restrictions on living aboard
your boat. The restrictions come from local or municipal authorities who
like to feel they are responsible for possible sewage waste/discharge.

Often times the marinas only own or lease the land and a few feet of water
front, while the water that their docks are on leased from the state, port
authority or DNR, etc. Generally these leases stipulate and restrict the
manor in which the waterfront will be used.

If you only want to see what it would be like to live aboard for a season or
a year, I wouldn't bother to ask.. If there is not restriction in your
marina lease/rental agreement, then give it a try.. If you run around asking
the authorities, I doubt you will ever find one person willing to say "no
problem, go for it". In fact you question, alone could be enough to cause
the beaurocratic wheels to start rolling or a search of old statutes that
could support their prohibition.

My experience. "Sneak-Aboard", live aboard until someone makes a comment,
then just play their game with a old camper in the parking lot..

The last strict marina I was in put in a computerized gate card system and
monitored the 'goings and comings' to determine who might be living aboard.
Last time I checked, they had abandon this but were relying on 'dock
snitches' and had prohibited staying in RVs in the parking lot..

Living aboard is great. I'm 'sneaking aboard' now even though my house is
only two mile away. I plan to spend the winter aboard (or until the marina
manager tells me "no more")


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions