Hobbies And Interests
Boat Maintenance and Operation
It is critical that anyone contemplating boat living learn the basics about caring for their new home. Ongoing boat maintenance is a major responsibility for boat owners. A wet boat is the perfect growing environment for mold. Keeping the boat sealed and leak-free is mandatory. Mastering boat operations to ensure passenger safety is a separate, but equally important consideration. During a storm, knowing how to handle your boat can mean the difference between life and death. The Coast Guard offers classes on boating safety.
Boat Selection
Deciding which boat best suits your needs is one of the most important decisions faced by anyone contemplating living on a boat. One recurring opinion seems to be that "less is more" when selecting a boat on which to live. The bigger the boat, the more everything costs, including maintenance, docking, energy and fuel expenses. Calculating space requirements is challenging but very important. Deciding on the type of boat is a decision best determined by how you'll be using it. Anyone planning on ocean sailing and long trips must select a seaworthy boat built to withstand high winds and bad weather conditions. If fuel expense is a concern, a sailboat is hard to beat with its main fuel being wind power.
Docking or Mooring Choices
Finding a suitable dock slip or mooring option may not be as easy as expected. Mooring is quite inexpensive and allows boaters to tie up to a cement block that keeps the boat anchored to one "home" spot. In some areas there is a waiting list for a dock slip. These costs vary widely and can be significant. There are also legal considerations. Not all docks allow people to live on boats. Some bays do not allow moorings or anchoring in a bay. It is crucial that anyone considering boat living thoroughly research docking and mooring options. Without thorough research, when it is time to sign the marina lease agreement a boater might find that living aboard a boat is not permitted. This is the case on many Georgia lakes. Living aboard your boat is prohibited. Breaking the Marina rules can result in heavy fines and losing dock slip privileges.
Energy Options
Few boaters want to give up all the luxuries of home. Boaters interested in living dockside have little to worry about since there are electrical hookups available with water, laundry facilities and bathrooms with showers. Many of the docks also provide wireless connections for Internet usage. Most cell phones also have coverage close-in. For seafarers looking to live out at sea or anchored to a mooring, the energy situation is more complicated. Many boaters rely on solar and wind energy for most of their needs. Investigating energy solutions is imperative for providing a comfortable and functional lifestyle in your new home.