Man of Leisure

[Cal28]

Originally Posted by BubbleheadMd

So far, life aboard has been very agreeable.


Some of the things that I think make life aboard successful (so far), and not a pain-mission:

Standing headroom.
Any kind of toilet in case you don't want to trek to the bath house in a driving rain.
Keep posessions to a minimum. Don't "swim" in your stuff. Keep the cabin clear of clutter to avoid that "hemmed in" feeling.
Don't just sit on the boat like a prisoner. Go for walks, meet people.
Go sailing.
Help others with boat work. You can learn and/or teach something.
Eat well. It's good for morale.
Wi-Fi
Smartphones
Laptops

It's kind of an amalgam of the right frame of mind, plus modern technology. I imagine that this might have been more difficult 20 years ago.

BubbleheadMD

Been living aboard for 3 years ... sounds like you've found many of the same things that has made it a wonderful adventure for me ...

the last 2 months I've stripped the Cal and trying to put her back into shape ... so I can enjoy it even more ...

best of luck ... and enjoy every moment ...

[BubbleheadMd]

Here are some new things I'm discovering about living aboard:

For the last 2 weekends, I've been invited to spend the entire weekend at friends' homes, away from my boat. By the 3rd day, I'm a nervous wreck. All I want to do, is get back and check on my boat, my home. Even when the boat wasn't my home, I never went more than a week without going down to check on her.

When I leave the boat on a long weekend, I secure all seacocks, hatches and electrical systems. I unplug shore power and stow everything. I still freak out. Also the truth simply is, the boat is my home and after awhile, I simply want to be in my own home, no matter how nice and comfy my hosts' bed may be, and no matter how nice their water pressure and private shower might be.

Second new discovery:

It's after Labor Day and already, Fall is "barging the line" with much cooler temps and drier air. The A/C is stowed away and I'd better get a blanket and sweat pants down to the boat! I did sleep the Sleep of the Gods last night though. No A/C, hatches open with screens, and the stars above me.

Dinner last night was pizza and wine. Sort of "ghetto fabulous".

[MikeinLA]

Congrats, Bubble, sounds like you're having a ball! I made it to the boat show last fall in Annapolis and the first words out of my mouth when I stepped off the parking lot bus was, "I want to live here", so I definitely envy you. I'll throw out an idea for your consideration, something I did when I lived aboard many moons ago. I built a set of dock steps with a lid and concealed within was a Norcold freezer which I ran off the dock power. It was great being able to reach in for frozen veggies, meats or ICE CREAM without having to run to the store. Oh, and what they say about women and boats is true. It's like it's on their bucket list or something. Get yourself an oil lamp, definitely a deal closer.

Have fun, Mike

[ParadiseParrot]

Bubble put in a web cam....your getting bipolar.