Looking for liveaboard in Hawaii or other "paradise-like" location

Millhouse · #1 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011

Ahoy! I would like to experience liveaboard life firsthand before making the investment(?) of buying a boat. Preferably on a nice modern 40'+ sailboat in Hawaii, or any other location that would be considered highly desirable. I am happy to maintain the boat as needed and take care of it as if it were my own (and I take very good care of my things!).

Open to locations, dates, rent, depending on circumstances.

I am also very open to you still using the boat as you wish, with me as a first mate, as I would like to further my sailing skills and experience (I have taken ASA courses through the bareboat charter (ASA103) level.) So this would be ideal for you if you like to sail when you can, but your boat sits in the slip the majority of the time. (if not you, maybe your neighbor at the marina?)

I am 39 years old, professional, non-smoker, respectful and considerate.

Robert

Millhouse · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2011

crickets.... tumbleweed blows by...
Oddly enough, my mailbox hasn't been flooded with offers to inhabit anyones 50+ foot luxury sailing yacht. I'm shocked!
Anyone?

vega1860 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011

I live aboard, currently in Hawaii. I lived on my boat in Hawaii for 20 years, took off cruising and am presently (Temporarily) back in Honolulu. What you want is possible, but not easy. I know of a few people who have the sort of arrangement you are looking for - living on a boat belonging to someone else. You will have to put yourself in the right place at the right time to take advantage of a boat owner (Who has a live-aboard permit) with a need for a caretaker. You will have to earn trust and credibility in the local marina community; no easy thing. It would take time and you cannot do it by remote control. You will have to go there and do some networking.

ValentinaKai · #4 (**permalink**) 01-30-2012

Aloha,
Re: Living Aboard in Hawaii
It's a great life, but it comes at a price! In many ways Hawaii is laid back, but not for boaters and specially not for liveaboards, unless you are rich and go to one of very few exclusive private marinas in a fancy boat.
You wouldn't expect it in an island state, but the situation for boaters here is unusually complicated. We'd like to help you avoid pitfalls that caused us a lot of trouble. The State Small Boat harbors are cursed by a maddening set of rules, long waiting lists for limited spots, and restrictions on the number of liveaboard permits. Some harbors don't allow living aboard at all. The ones that do are not all safe - there's lots of criminal activity in most.
For temporary arrangements, boat owners are not allowed to rent out accommodation. If they rent to you, they are breaking the rules and you are being placed in a false position. Don't accept reassurances from people who want you to pay for their moorings. You can be caught and charged with trespass, and go to court!
Please watch out and master the rules before buying a boat. You may end up having nowhere to put it or yourself!

ValentinaKai · #5 (**permalink**) 01-30-2012

P.S. Sorry our post seems so pessimistic. There are lots of good people here in the state harbors too, and willing to help you with Aloha. People have been really nice to us. Also, the island is gorgeously beautiful.
It's just that we care. People with Paradise dreams should be protected from being misled or cheated. Private marinas may allow renter/liveaboards. State harbors really don't. As boat owners, when our stayaboard permit ran out, we were shouted out of our boat in the early hours by the Harbor Police (!) and given a citation, and told we could not remain on our boat for the rest of the night. A renter would be even more vulnerable.
Please, Millhouse, pursue your dream safely and make sure you don't have that kind of problem.
Good luck and Aloha

tomperanteau · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValentinaKai

Aloha,
Re: Living Aboard in Hawaii
It's a great life, but it comes at a price! In many ways Hawaii is laid back, but not for boaters and specially not for liveaboards, unless you are rich and go to one of very few exclusive private marinas in a fancy boat.

You should stay in touch with Vega. He and his have learned how to live there and sail in and out, doing very well for themselves. He has quite a few videos on Youtube under his nick. Watch them. They are from his voyages.