newbee to live aboard newbee to seattle need help

[tacojohnston]

Just got word from my company that I am moving to Seattle. Really want to give living aboard a try. Just me, no pets, occasional girl friend. Really need to hear from some locals on marinas (close to Beoing Field) and everyone on boat size/make model. The boat will be my second home, I will keep a home for all my land stuff that I will go to some of the weekends but its a ways away. The biggest advantage I'm hoping for is the joy of sailing on the weekends that I spend in Seattle and hopefully similar cost to an apartment. All thoughts are welcome, local comments/contacts are greatly appreciated.

Taco

[roborider]

Wow, having lived in the Seattle area for many years.......i believe living on a boat there is going to be tough in the winter. I'd get a boat with a pellet stove and buy lots of sweaters. Recently snowed there!!!
Robert

[winddancer88]

I think it's a great idea. Winters here are generally mild, with the occasional cold front blowing in from the north (as it did the week before last, brrr..).

[sailormomma]

We've lived aboard in Seattle going on 8 years and it's been wonderful. It's definitely a little tougher during the winter months, but since getting a diesel furnace last year, it's been pretty nice. We've lived aboard in Tacoma and now at Shilshole Bay marina in Seattle. We love Shilshole and the Ballard area. My husband works out of SeaTac and it's not too bad of a commute. I doubt they have any slips right now, but it's always a good idea to check subleases. They are doing a major renovation of the marina and may have slips open when it's completed. When we purchased our boat, we just started calling all the marinas, first asking if they had slips and then asking if they accepted liveaboards. It was hard to find one, but we finally did.

Good luck in your search.

Angela
S/V Ghost
www.ghostsailors.com

[hellosailor]

IIRC it is well north of Seattle proper "The Plant is 30 minutes from downtown Seattle. " and driving time in Seattle is worth money. There are many houseboats in Lake Union, that might be an option. But the question is also, do you want to live aboard a boat that you will use for boating? Power or sail? Or do you want to live aboard a houseboat? It's a big difference. With sailboats, your best bet is probably to contact area brokers, tell them you want a boat WITH a liveaboard slip (they sometimes are sold that way) or a boat and a liveaboard slip, and take advantage of their local knowledge.

And, of course, check out the commuting time to your plant versus the waters you'll have available for sailing in. Don't neglect that some area waters have faster currents than some boats.

[tacojohnston]

First for those of you who replied, Thank You! I probably need to be more specific about my intentions and what I need.

I hope to live aboard a sailboat, not interested in houseboats or power, I'm not making any judgements just they are not for me.

The bigest info I'm looking for is:
a) slips that allow liveaboards and have vacancies
b) what sailboats work well as liveaboards in Seattle
c) what equipment do I need for the boat

Ron

[tacojohnston]

Where is IIRC and do they have a web site or phone number?

[hellosailor]

"IIRC" = If I Recall Correctly.

Not a place with a phone #.

What equipment...wow, ask a simple question? A heater for sure, you'll find threads about the pros and cons of various heaters and winter living issues in the different sections.

Buying a (first time?) boat, moving aboard, and living aboard in winter all at once can be a big plunge if you've never done it before. Or gone winter camping, or stayed in an RV during the winter...anything similar would help. You certainly won't wake up toasty warm and dry in the mornings without some extensive prep on the boat, expect to make some compromises.