just be low key

starcresttoo · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2004

thats what the dockmaster told me word for word.its not a live aboard marina but there are no harbor nazzis.just dont be too obvious.why are liveaboard frowned on so much?besides,what if I worked midnites and came down to my boat every day... how would they know?as soon as they reopen the marina on the lake I am going back

HRomberg · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2004

Boating is an aesthetic thing, and some live aboards can look pretty unappealing. Some folks live aboard because it''s inexpensive, and some of them get an image as "riff raff". Non-maintained boats, with a trailer park look aren''t what folks want to see when they go to the marina for their very expensive monthly boating fix. That translates into a financial penalty for anybody who has any of the less appealing types at his marina. Money talks.

Those that understand what the benefits of live-aboard types can be often do what yours does so they have an out if someone who lives aboard becomes a problem, but can allow the ones who don''t cause problems to live in peace. It''s not a bad deal.

sailnaway · #3 (**permalink**) 11-20-2004

Hromberg hit the nail right on the head rigth now our boat looks like the tax man is comming. We are doing allot of work to her at the dock which is cheeper than the boat yards aroung this neck of the pond.My wife is a teacher and the guards of the non live aboard marina see her every morning and wave to her I stay below most of the time working on as many projects as I can below but the cockpit gets cluttered with all the stuff I pull out to do the work.I try to dress like a Yachtsman but when I have been in the bilge I look like some whino in my best boat rags.So low key may be an understatement but we do stay aboard allot.

TrueBlue · #4 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004

starcresttoo,

The dockmaster was doing you a favor by turning his back and suggesting that you "just be low key". I''m not a liveaboard, but up here in the Northeast we have two sets of marina friends who are. During (our) boating season, we socialize with them at the marina & cruise destinations and are often invited to their boats for winter gatherings. Using clues from these relationships, I can assume why marina owners may prohibit living aboard.

One of the obvious reasons being, the management''s increased risk of being hit with stiff fines from the environmental police ("harbor nazis"). Direct head discharging when the weather is too snotty, or when inconvenient to trudge to the restrooms, is common with liveaboards. Small plastic bags are typically stashed by the heads for containing used toilet paper . . . avoiding the telltale evidence floating near the "violator''s" vessel.

Other considerations may be, excessive usage of water & electricity (although sometimes metered), increased garbage disposal and due to prolonged electrical discharge, a greater risk of corrosion to adjacent metals through electrolysis.

I suppose some liveaboards do so out of financial necessity, since this can be done for less expense then living ashore. Consequently, at some marinas this may result in a trailer park aesthetic to the liveaboard''s floating home. However, my direct experience has only been with sailors who have complete freedom to choose how and where to live. Therefore, this observation is purely conjectural. ;-)

Steve

deryk · #5 (**permalink**) 11-22-2004

Well Steve from also living in the North East, I can understand why the marinas might not like people to be living aboard, but in the warmer climates, as long as the boat is clean and presentable and leaves the dock periodically it should be able to use the pump out facility, to avoid Direct head discharging...which is kinda disgusting of a thought to do while at your slip.

Now I dont liveaboard, but think about it for the adventure of being able to cast off. I used to work in the technology industry and have been layed off a few times and if I did live aboard it would be fun to be able to slip away and not have to pay rent on an apartment... perhaps a romantic dream but feasible.

deryk

TrueBlue · #6 (**permalink**) 11-22-2004

Hi deryk,

I also have romanticized living aboard, but only during the mild weather months, one reason for my recent new boat purchase (Nauticat 33). Next Spring, I will move aboard with my first mate, only for 7-8 months, moving back to our land dwelling for the winter months. I suppose that qualifies the boat as a summer cottage (IRS breaks).

Having central Espar diesel heating will help take the chill out of the cabins, but not the decks.

Being from N.E. as well, you know for obvious reasons that a winter enclosure is necessary for each liveaboard vessel. Once erected, leaving the slip to cruise 3 miles offshore to discharge the holding tank(s), or get pumped out, is not an option. Therefore, as disgusting as it seems, heads ARE discharged in the slips when the mercury gets low.

Sad, but in my exposure to N.E. winter liveaboards, very true. Liveaboards at my marina are currently rallying for management to implement a year round pump-out boat. A sound solution to a vile problem.

Steve

deryk · #7 (**permalink**) 11-22-2004

Hi Steve,
I guess the only immediate thought that comes to mind is for campers they have a portable waste tank that they can wheel to their pump out station. Maybe something like that is an option ...pump it from your waste tank into the portable and wheel it to the pump out area... I mean whats involved a small macerating pump and some hoses?

Im still wanting to head to a warmer climate... some of the stoves for boat heating are kinda sharp looking, but I prefer to worry about it bein too hot then too cold lol.

Good luck with your new boat and adventure
deryk