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Living on a sailboat

4K views 29 replies 21 participants last post by  carl762 
#1 ·
anyone ever camped out on the water ?
 
#3 ·
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "camped out" but what would you consider all the thousands of people living aboard to be doing? Of course many of us have boats that are pretty "homey" with many of the conveniences that make living aboard pleasant, such as water, cooking, beds and shelter from the weather.
I've known a few small cat sailors who have tent like structures over the deck as their living quarters and galley at anchor, with the bunks in the hulls, but that's a pretty hard way to go, even in the tropics, and you will most likely NOT get a woman to endure that life too long.
 
#4 · (Edited)
If it is nice out, I will pull a cabin berth cushion out of the cabin and onto the cockpit seat in order to sleep out under the stars. Nothing quite like it, much more comfortable than a tent, and you can be rocked to sleep with a full view of the stars and moon.

When I was a kid, my dad rigged a boom tent with a light nylon tarp so we kids could sleep out in the cockpit, even though there was enough room for us belowdecks in the forepeak.

I still like to use some camping gear on my boat for the sake of convenience: sleeping bag, propane stoves, battery-powered laterns, collapsible water bags, plastic utensils, etc.

In addition to "The Dove" by Robin Lee Graham, I read "Tinkerbell" when I was a kid, about a Cleveland man who sailed a 13' daysailor across the Atlantic Ocean, after building his own cabin on it. Before he took the trip, his family did some boom tent camping on the boat on the Great Lakes. Just goes to show you do not have to have a large boat to have fun. Sometimes, simple is better.
 
#7 ·
is living aboard a formosa 41 considered camping out??
why do folks consider living on a boat camping out??
i do everything i used to do in a house on my boat--and have since 1990. is that camping out?/
i hate camping out. i prefer luxury to a degree and i provide that for my self on my boats.
only thing i do not have is a fridge. that will be settled sometime in next 2-3 years, as i can afford it.
camping out--kinda brings to mind a macgregor 26 in zihuatenejo with a tent on beach.....
 
#11 ·
Think I'll get some ice cubes out of the fridge, some Margaretta mix, rum, melon liquor and tequila from the bar, and mix a green coconut margaretta in a cocktail glass - yep, on the camper/boat. Whoops, the AC just kicked on, gotta' check the email, and I'm working on a new song on the keyboard. Imagine that. All while campin' out. ;)

Cheers,

Gary :cool:
 
#12 · (Edited)
We click on "living on a sailboat" and we're asked "anyone ever camped out on the water?" ...What is the OP talking about?... which are we talking about here? Sailing a small boat somewhere with a tent and sleeping bag? Anchoring out and sleeping outside in the cockpit? or living on a sailboat somewhere with more modern conveniences down below?

Living on a sailboat doesn't mean that you are camping on the water. Camping on a sailboat is like camping in your backyard behind the porch, it's not really camping. (In the sense of in the wild, out there, on ground) You can pretend though, I guess. Even small boats have porta potty's or something, foot-pump sink, etc.

Maybe be more specific and this thread will go somewhere.
 
#13 ·
Well, I camp on my 23 footer at least twice a week, then have to go home and do the work thing.

I have the boat outfitted quite nicely, but it's basically camping. No fridge, cable or shower. I'm usually very comfortable.

Can't wait to get to the boat on Friday.
 
#15 · (Edited)
I have been living on my 41 year old 32feet boot for about 3 months total now. Its the same is living on a similarly old campervan with the lack of luxuries (no shower, microwave, refridgerator, airconditioner etc) and maintanance needs. I assume living on a brand new boat is similar to living on a brand new campervan :D

there is of course the difference between being docked and being anchored, espescially if you have no motor dinghy but a sea kayak like me that always guarantees a wet ass if you go anywhere off of your boat.

And for real camping, you can put a hammock between your forestay and mast :p
 
#21 ·
I was a boyscout long enough to get 7 year round camping awards in upstate NY, Yes that included winter camping every month. Even doing weekends on my Chrysler 22 didn't feel like the camping I did as a scout more like hanging out at a motel. Moving up to the Chrysler 26 gave the feeling of hanging out at home on the weekends with the ability to sail instead of drive. In fact its what motivated us to move aboard our current boat 2 years ago, and its been far from camping even though we have been living on the hook.

Not tring to feed any trolls, just thought it might be good info.
 
#25 ·
What part of upstate NY? I live near Syracuse.

Brad
s/v KIVALO
 
#23 ·
Campin out,,,hmmm

My boyscout leader was an ex Army Ranger from Vietnam. We built lean-toos, srtarted fires from scratch, made soup out of roots and berries.

I hardly view us camping on our boat. Ice cubes, over, hot shower, rocking bunk what was George Jefferson line..."moved on up to that deluxe apartment in the sky"

Dave
 
#27 ·
At some point The boat size $ and amount of gear must meet. How much (stuff) does it take to be happy? When are you unhappy swimming in (stuff)? with a boat so big you need crew you do not have. I am not ready to leave land yet. I am not sure life aboard is right for me. I have been camping. I want to take longer trips. It is nice to see a thread like this even if it was a troll. I am not all that sure what you all call a troll? Any way at a site with live aboards I expect "it is the best" when they post what it is like. It may be the best to live on your boat? Just some radom thoughts from me . I have enjoyed reading this thread. Checking out more threads like this. The book thread is a good one. Regards, Lou
 
#26 ·
I'm from a small town called Greene 20 miles north east of Binghamton and if you remember the winters in the 70's you will understand when I say I have never woke up with 3 or 4 feet of snow on or around my boat like we did while camping in tents.
 
#28 ·
I consider what I do camping out.

I have no desire to have air conditioning, a water maker, refrigeration, etc.

I think boats can be just right, like in the three bears.

Sometimes more is just more.

Expensive complicated boats own you.

Money spent on a boat is money that could have gone into a cruising kitty.

Just one person's opinion, everyone chooses for themselves. :)
 
#29 ·
This one is just right for me for now a C-22 It is on my level or what I hope is my level. Check back in a year more or less lol. We will see? We have so many boats and gear we can try. It is nice to see how others camp or live to see if we can enjoy the same or see its not for us. This last summer I spent a few nights on a Catalina 22 and then decided to buy one. I will try to find a few more free days to sail and camp. An off day on the water is better than the best day at work. Best regards Lou.
 
#30 ·
Tonite, with a dead ship's battery, it will be as primitive as it gets. Gotta resolve that problem tomorrow.

In the meantime, have a killer new Mountaineering LED lamp, a new bottle of lamp oil, plenty of propane, and new portable power for the netbook, charging the iPhone. Kindle is charged, bringing plenty of chow and will share a bottle of whiskey with a fellow Captain to start celebrating the holidays.

It's going to get down to freezing tonight.
 
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