Another thought on the Live Aboard question.

While living aboard, amongst a Live Aboard community in San Diego, I noted
that the "newbie" live aboard tried to retain too much of their land based
belonging and life style. All seemed to end up with a rented storage unit
larger than their boat. I even knew of one fellow who finally gave up the
"life on a mooring" in the first winter and sneaked in and lived in his
storage unit, where it was warmer and drier.

As the years go by and the Live Aboard becomes more seasoned and realistic,
they would dispose of many or most of their stored stash of gear and
clothing. Partially because the cost of a storage unit in SD could easily
cover about 1/4 the cost of moving into a marina slip from the
moorings/anchorage.

A few die hards, retained there shore ties and 'stuff' and over a few year
time had spent much more on storage fees than the 'stuff' was worth..

What I recommend to the newbie, is to store their gear in a low cost storage
or rent a friends garage for a max of one year. At the end of that time,
make the choice. If your going to continue living aboard, then get rid of
all but the personal family items (pictures, etc.). If you have antiques,
sell or 'loan' them to a family/friend for safe keeping.

Bottom line, avoid the extra monthly expense and realize early on that much
of this 'stuff' can be replaced if and when you move ashore again.

The fact that you insist on retaining the lawn mower means you are not fully
committed to the Live Aboard life and will never settle for the sights and
sounds and pleasures of life on the water.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions

"richard" wrote in message
ups.com...
Alice and I are thinking about buying a boat to live on. We live in an
apartment now in Boston, which is being sold. We would have to be out
next Sept. We would like to live on a boat for a winter to check it out
before we buy one. We are not talking about this winter but next.
Currently we own a 25 ft powerboat which we use a lot. Any ideas how we
might get the experience of living aboard in the cold winter before we
buy about?