Wow! That sounds awesome to live on the boat for so long!
I know it's not for everybody, but better than my present situation. And thanks for the advice... gonna save all the pointers and bring them with me when I'm ready to make the buy... have been reading some of the chats here too, and see that people often get stuck with a money pit. I feel lucky that I'm also handy with mechanical stuff as well as with a saw and hammer... and have access to people who can fabricate just about anything...
So I'm sure it'll go alright, as long as it stays afloat and keeps the rain off my head! At least when I'm inside.