Richard,

Tell me I misread this, please!

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.

You have never tried living aboard a boat yet on the first attempt
you want to do is during the winter in Boston? This winter, turn off
all your heat and move into your bedroom, open the windows. And
that's just the begining of your misery