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Pier Pressure

If you feel at home on the water, you could consider actually making the water your home. Some people, called liveaboards, live on large motorboats, sailing boats, or converted barges full time. Life on one of these boats has many advantages. It can save you a lot of money compared to living in a traditional house. It can also be a fun and unique adventure, especially if you travel using your floating home.

To start, the freedom you have when living on a boat is unequalled. You have the choice to moor your boat in different bodies of water, including lakes, rivers and seas. With the right boat, you can explore the world from the comfort of your own home. You’ll even get personalised views of new coastlines and cities from your perch at sea.

You also learn an enormous amount from living on a boat. As a liveaboard, you get a hands-on education in boat maintenance. And you can pick up special skills and hobbies like fishing and scuba diving. Your spot on the water also gives you special access to fascinating marine wildlife. People living on boats share stories of close encounters with sea creatures, from starfish in tidal pools to seals popping up next to the boat!

However, you will have to adjust to the special challenges of being a liveaboard. For example, it can be hard to find privacy in such a small space. Additionally, you will need to get used to owning fewer things, since there will be less space to store them. Activities like showering, doing your washing and connecting to the internet might happen a lot less frequently than you’re used to. Finally, living on a boat presents weather-related challenges. A strong storm could easily damage your boat. Even if the damage is not dangerous, it will still require immediate repair work to keep your home in good shape.

Despite these unique challenges, living on a boat can be an unmatched experience with the right preparation and mindset. If living on a boat sounds interesting but also intimidating, think about the support you may find on your adventure. One of the most-cited benefits of being a liveaboard is the wonderful community of people you will be joining. Liveaboards docked at the same marinas look out for each other and help each other out. One liveaboard notes, ‘There’s a deep feeling of respect and community amongst boaters. For me, it’s truly a community where I feel that life is worth living.’ Living on a boat puts you right in the middle of a connected community of people with similar interests.