Wondering if anyone has insight on what its like living on a boat. Wife and I have been talking about it for a couple of days. We’re 90% sure that its just talk, but we’re intrigued by the idea. Thoughts?

Seems like there are two ends of the “living on a boat” continuum. At one end, there’s the boat tethered to dock, never moving kind. At the other end is 24/7 adventure, seeing the world one port at a time kind. If it’s the adventure one you’re referring to, there are a bunch of excellent videos on YouTube.

Find one for the right price and it works. The sea ray 340 behind me was found for a great price and upgraded. They stay there every weekend of the season and only live 8 miles away. Another one on our dock stays there some weekends and he is just over a mile or so from the dock.

We’re thinking a 50-60’ on a large lake like Texoma or PK, or Table Rock. My concern is winters. We would live there full time year-round. Many marinas shut off water during the winter. Maybe this means we would need to port in Houston and go salt water. I don’t prefer the salt life.

I worked with a couple that lived on joe pool in a 60'. they loved it!

Property tax problem solved.

for the ot gtg that you know will happen.

tablerock would be cool but winters would suck bad. texoma would be my choice since they have all kinds of slips on both sides of the lake. I will bet there are some with water yr. round.
only problem I see is coe lake may not allow yr. round occupancy, sra on fork won't allow it on waterfront within leaseback space (so I have been told).

like living in a travel trailer, get ready to downsize your life in a big way unless you opt for one of the houseboat type, cabin cruiser will suck for storage space.

Nowadays, lots of people retire to cruise ships. All inclusive, change ships, no taxes....$100,000 per year....

I like the idea, but would probably go with a motor home rather than a boat. Kinda accomplish the same thing, just more options than a boat.

If you like working on boats, all the time, go for it! I looked into it earlier this year. The people I talked to were constantly fixing things. One of them had a $250,000+ houseboat too. Things always break down.

Years ago I was in a sailing club and there was a couple in the club that had circumnavigated the globe, twice, in their sailboat. I think they had a 40 or 42 footer.
They had some interesting stories. If you deep water sail, fresh water is a tight commodity. Also, port/slip fees around the world have different rules and can get expensive.

A buddy has a sailboat he keeps on Grapevine at Scott's Landing. There is a guy there who is a Pilot for AA and he lives aboard a 40 foot sailboat there when he is in town and isn't flying.
Biggest problem the past few years has been the fluctuations in lake levels.

My next home will be built on pontoons, It will never see the water , but it won't be taxable.

MO

Have thought through a number of factors-
What if we just don’t like it as much as we thought we would?
Water conservation will be a challenge.
Frequent waste water dumps.
No property taxes!!!!
Insurance may be a problem or too expensive.
Some Marinas may restrict year-round living.
Working on a boat all the time probably same as working on my 55 year old home all the time.
No grass to mow.
Limited storage- cancel the Costco card and Amazon Prime account.
Storms, winter weather, lake level fluctuations.


We’re thinking a Chris Craft or Hatteras cruiser vs. Gibson or MYacht houseboat. Used, under $100k. At least 50’.
Slips are $1,000 or less, depending on where.