To some people, it’s the ultimate freedom: to living on a boat
means flexibility, travel, and a life of adventure. But living on a boat also
comes with some doses of reality. If you want to do it right, it helps to know about
these challenges sooner rather than later. Here are some tips on how to live on
a boat full time.
Before You Start, Try
A “Preview”
One great way to get adjusted to living on a boat full-time?
Try it for a night. If you’re already convinced that you want to move to a boat
full-time, then trying out a boat for a night can be a great way to see what
sorts of challenges of routine living you hadn’t considered. For others who are
early in the process, the preview can help make the ultimate decision.
Stay Docked For A
While
It may be tempting to start off your life of adventure as
soon as possible, but living out on the sea can be far more intimidating than you
first thought. Without a direct source of water or power, you’re often at the
mercy of the elements—at least until you can find a safe marina. To get
adjusted to your life, you might want to consider staying docked for a while,
especially as you learn more about your boat and what it can handle.
Create An Emergency
Preparedness Kit
Emergency preparedness is important no matter where you keep
your home. But when your home is surrounded by water, it should be an even
higher priority. Here are some things to consider:
- A first-aid kit including seasickness tablets
and rehydration salts - A basic boat marine repair kit
- Backup communications systems
- Portable power / extra batteries
- Adequate life preservers
- Distress flags
- Reflective tape for items that need to remain
visible - Hull plugs
- Desalinator
- Buoys
- Sunscreen
There is a lot that can go into a boat’s emergency
preparedness kit—and it never hurts to have redundancies, either. In this case,
stick to the motto: “Better safe than sorry.”
Maintain Cleaning &
Repairing Equipment
Your boat is more than just a mobile home—it’s a home with
unique exposure to a marine environment. As such, it’s going to require a
little more attention than other types of homes. That means maintaining a high
level of cleanliness and repair readiness.
Start with the right cleaning
supplies for your boat. Items like Boat Cleaner and Mildew
Remover might not seem important on a brand-new boat—but they’ll
come in handy. You might also want to consider a wide range of caulks
and sealants—especially those that fit your boat’s specific
materials.
In short, having a boat for a home will be a major
challenge—but it can also be incredibly rewarding. You can minimize those
challenges by keeping the right equipment and boating products with you.
When you do it right, your reward will be a fulfilling home and a life full of
adventure.
