Brien Alkire wrote:

My wife and I took up sailing just last June. We started with dinghies and
then took the usual sequence of ASA classes. We don't own a boat, but we've
been sailing consistantly ever since. To make a long story short, the
sailing bug has bitten us hard.

We're now considering a dramatic step. We're considering selling our
townhome, buying a boat and living on it. We have no children and don't
need much space. We work near the marina (the townhouse is an awful
commute). I'd say we are about 60% serious about it.

Would anyone like to share opinions or their experiences in living aboard a
sailboat? What did you miss about living on shore? What did you wish you
had considered before you made the move?

I'm sure I'll have many detailed questions as we work through this decision.

Some basics: we sail in So Cal. We enjoy coastal cruising at the local
islands. We're not interested in any bluewater stuff in the near term,
though we both earn lots of vacation and that could be interesting later. I
enjoy racing but the boat would be strictly for a home and for local
cruising. I don't know what kind of boat yet, but my preliminary thoughts
are on a 10-20 year old boat in the 38' to 45' range, and something that
holds value (as boats go).

I'd say you're in a perfect place to try it. Dockmate a decade ago had a
low-level job, but sunk the "rent" into a 45+' quality cruiser -- far
more than he could have afforded if he had lived on shore and kept a
boat. The Chesapeake is CHILLY in the winter, but 3 heaters kept him
toasty those winters he didn't have a girlfriend onshore.

South CA is far more benevolent, and the housing costs CONSIDERABLY
higher than the MD eastern shore, so I'd go for it in a NY second. (boy,
am I mixing a bunch of things!)

When our dockmate was laid off, he sunk the 6 months of unemployment
into the kitty and final commissioning and then headed south with his
current girlfriend. We didn't see them for a few years. Saw him and his
boat last season (when we visited our old marina), both well worn, but
haven't debriefed him on the experience.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/