At some point in all our lives, we’ve wanted to escape and get away from it all—whether it means taking time backpacking in Europe or sailing around the world. But for many, this doesn’t have to be just a pipe dream. Living on your sailboat is easy and can be inexpensive if you know the right places to moor your new sailable home.
But what should you do before considering moving aboard your boat? What makes those locations the best to head in your new sailable home? Read on to find out more.
What to Do Before Becoming a “Liveaboard”
There are a few things you should consider before moving aboard your boat—becoming a “liveaboard.”
If you haven’t sailed much yet in your current sailboat, it’s best to get as much experience behind the wheel of your boat as you can. Knowing the ins and outs of your current setup is key before you even think about moving aboard permanently and knowing the idiosyncrasies of your boat will only improve your upkeep and understanding of how your boat works.
As you learn to sail, or if you’re already an avid sailor, also start learning how to fix things for yourself. Just like maintaining a house or property, knowing what goes into your boat and what maintenance it may require, along with any financial cushions, will help prepare you for things to come. Make sure you consider the wiring and plumbing on your boat—those tend to be the highest ticket fixes.
You’ll also have to consider taking care of your sails or protecting against corrosion, along with adding insurance coverage, especially if you are planning on both living on your boat and sailing. Depending on your location, both docked and around the world, make sure you are insured and stay away from areas that may have pirate activity.
You also need to consider not just your location, but what kind of place you are mooring your boat. A marina will have access to electricity or water, whereas if you’re simply using a mooring buoy, you will have to live off the grid in most situations. At a dock, you can walk off your boat, while on a mooring buoy, you will have to use a dinghy to head to shore.
Some of the other compromises include that many smaller boats do not have hot showers or laundry. While you can get those with bigger boats or at marinas, you can’t always bank on having them at the ready.
You also have to think about the weather in your area—whether it’s snow or hurricanes, they could easily affect your living plans in a negative way. Factor that into your decision-making list before moving onto your sailboat.
What is Your Budget?
Now that you have the boating experience to consider living on your boat, it’s important to consider what your costs may be. While it varies from person to person, it can range from a couple of hundred dollars a month to $2,000 depending on boat size, rent, utilities, etc.
Some of the liveaboard costs include insurance, as mentioned before. While it ranges based on location, annual costs usually come in somewhere around $800 to $2,000 per year, depending on whether you are sailing in local waters or headed out into the ocean. Not that most boatyards and marinas will require you to have insurance to even moor there.
Speaking of moorage, you will have to pay about $500 to $700 per month, based on your location. It breaks down to water, electricity, maintenance, property taxes, and mortgage.
Cheapest Places to Live on a Boat
1. Green Bay, Wisconsin
If Great Lakes living is more your speed, moving out of the coasts and heading inland may be best for you. Most of the marinas in the area are located very close to the city’s shops and restaurants, giving you easy access to the area. The area around Green Bay is best for fishing, and if you’re looking for a mooring station rather than a marina, you can find one for as low as $150.
2. Corpus Christi, Texas
One of the best up-and-coming locations for sailors, you can experience both the culture of the area and the wildlife by mooring your home here. Access is great when living in Corpus Christi as well—if you’re looking to head to South America, it’s a great place to start. The lower taxes and access to the Gulf make Corpus Christi wildly popular for liveaboards. Slips start at $150 per month for smaller boats, while larger boats can enjoy a slip at just $250 a month.
3. Chesapeake Bay Area, Maryland
The Chesapeake Bay region may be very popular for tourists, but it’s also a great place to moor your boat year-round. Because of the wide array of options for marinas, you can choose to be close to Baltimore or closer to Virginia Beach, based on your personal choice. Marinas start around $300 per month, and if you wish to be closer to a larger city, could cost up to $700 per month. Consider looking at Virginia or Maryland for your marina—laws tend to be better for liveaboards in those states.
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4. Newport Area, Rhode Island
Newport may be considered the sailing capital of the world and is a popular East Coast vacation destination, the area is also a great and inexpensive place to live on your boat. Newport proper is expensive, but areas such as Wickford start at $500 at their marinas. Jamestown, which sits across the bay, also provides more inexpensive options if you’d like to stay on the East Coast.
5. Tacoma, Washington
While one of the most expensive on this list, it still is economical if you’re looking for something along the Puget Sound. Costs usually come in at around $500 per month for a spot. If you want to look for something close by without the cost that is associated with Tacoma, Bremerton is located nearby and also has more inexpensive marinas.
6. Tampa Bay, Florida
Tampa Bay still remains as one of the best places to live on your boat. Although prices vary, it is possible to find a decent marina in the area at around $500 per month. Note that there have been reports that insurance and laws concerning liveaboards have been a deterrent for some people wishing to live in Florida. Understanding that before you move to the Sunshine State may save you a lot of headaches!
7. San Francisco Bay, California
One would think rents would be high in California, but areas around San Francisco Bay sport some of the most inexpensive harbors in the United States. Oyster Point Marina has been reported to have a monthly rent plus liveaboard fee costing $550 total. Because the further inland you go, the cheaper the marinas tend to get, checking out San Rafael and Vallejo are also very good options to moor your new home.
8. Long Island Area, New York
While no one expects the Long Island area to be on a list of cheap locations to live in, there are areas that you can find relatively inexpensive marinas in the NYC area! Its location makes it great for traveling up and down the East Coast, and you’ll have plenty of locations to pick from if you decide to moor your boat here. For an average-sized slip, you’ll pay about $600 a month. Compare that to rent prices in Long Island, where you’ll pay $850 to $4,000 a month for rent, according to Zillow.
Whether you find your home on the West Coast, the East Coast, or the waters in between, you’ll find the perfect place to moor your boat and call home. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and you have the entire coastline of the United States at your fingertips—and beyond!
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.