Liveaboard Yacht Living Quick Links
- Liveaboard Yacht Living – Introduction
- Liveaboard Yacht Living – The Pros
- Liveaboard Yacht Living – The Cons
- Liveaboard Yacht Living – The Best Type
- Liveaboard Yacht Living – The Cost
- Liveaboard Yacht Living – Tips
Liveaboard Yacht Living – Introduction
So, you’re considering swopping “regular” life for the exhilarating world of yacht living.
Life on the water can seem idyllic. Exotic locations, interesting new people, exploring port after beautiful port – you’d have to be nuts not to grab such an opportunity with both hands, right?
But heavenly as it may sound, yacht living comes with its own unique set of considerations.
Most yacht owners only live on their boats for limited periods, enjoying shortish “water holidays”.
Don’t get us wrong; to live on a yacht is incredible. But it would be wise to investigate all aspects of this unique lifestyle before giving up your brick-and-mortar abode to make your vessel your permanent home.
Let’s take a look at some of the upsides of yacht living.
Liveaboard Yacht Living – The Pros
You’ll get to live the laid-back dream.
Living a tranquil life on a liveaboard yacht is the stuff of many people’s fantasies.
Going to bed under the stars, being woken up by seagulls and dolphins cavorting mere metres away and feasting on all the fresh seafood your heart desires – the list is endless.
Ocean living is blissful. Think freedom, simplicity, a life lived close to nature as a member of the global sailing community, with “family” and new friends awaiting you in every port.
An unexpected bonus of liveaboard yacht living is that it entails quite a bit of maintenance and physical chores, which will keep you fit and active. That can only be a good thing, right?
Unless you plan on dropping anchor in your Knysna 550 and settling down permanently in a marina, you will have the incredible opportunity of travelling the world on your own terms, staying on as long as you like and lifting anchor to explore new places whenever you feel ready to move on.
Yacht living is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. How many people get the opportunity to live on the ocean, close to the elements and surrounded by all kinds of fantastic sea creatures?
The places you’ll go! The things you will see! The stories you’ll get to share!
If you have an adventurous spirit, you and liveaboard yacht life might be a match made in sailing heaven.
Now, let’s explore some of the downsides of yacht living.
Liveaboard Yacht Living – The Cons
You’ll have to be able to live in close proximity with your liveaboard companions for extended periods, so make sure that you pick them well.
Have a look at our blog about the characteristics of a good sailing buddy.
It outlines all the essential qualities to look for in a liveaboard yacht companion.
As a rule of thumb, a somewhat laid-back, handy, considerate person with a great sense of humour is an excellent start.
Out on the ocean, it is not that simple.
If you live on a yacht permanently, you’ll have to be pretty organised – and that means learning to plan ahead.
Did you forget to stock up on some food basics?
Just popping down the road for a pint of milk is not that simple when your home is a liveaboard yacht on the open sea. Transporting your shopping bags from the shops to the dock to your boat is also not as straightforward as it may sound.
Things can get rough, as living on a yacht, you will be much closer to the elements than in a regular house. When the wind is howling, and swells are enormous, it can seriously interfere with your good night’s rest.
In stormy conditions, the size of your vessel will determine your level of comfort. The bigger the boat (and the more hulls it has), the less it will be at the mercy of the elements. The base specifications of the models in our range are ideal for weathering most storms. Have a look at our vessels here.
Things landlubbers take for granted, like wi-fi and TV signals, can become luxuries once you set sail from a port. Thanks to satellites, you might still be able to connect to the internet via your smartphone when out on the open sea.
Nature will get close when you live on a yacht. You will encounter a fair amount of furry and feathered creatures, including feral harbour cats, cheeky seagulls, curious seals, rodents galore and many other animals of all shapes and sizes. Closer to shore, mosquitoes will become a familiar sight.
Excellent refuse management on your liveaboard yacht will go a long way to keep these critters at bay. Try to be tolerant and remember that most of them are merely acting on instinct and trying to keep their tummies full.
Liveaboard Yacht Living | The Best Type
What’s the best type of liveaboard yacht for yacht living?
The short answer? A Multihull.
The best boats to live on, like double- and triple-hull catamarans, are stable in rough sea conditions. They also offer separate living areas in the hulls (think privacy, a necessity if your boat is your permanent home).
What’s more, on a multihull, the above-deck area will be spacious too, which means breathing space and room to move.
Apart from the stability of a multihull, picking a boat with all the necessary kitchen, sleeping and bathroom amenities will also be wise.
A well-equipped galley, a washing machine and air conditioning will also ensure a much more comfortable yacht living experience.
Knysna Yacht Company specialises in customising the interior of multi-hull yachts. This is excellent should you wish to add high-end finishes to your yacht.
Liveaboard Yacht Living | The Cost
It’s a simple fact of life. Boats you can live on aren’t cheap.
Buying a catamaran is a substantial financial investment. Liveaboard sailboats could easily cost the same as a luxury home and, with add-ons and luxury amenities, it can be even more expensive than that.
However, yacht living can also be quite a minimalist lifestyle and many yacht “liveaboarders” claim their living expenses on a yacht are lower than when they lived in a conventional home.
Consider shared yacht ownership to lower your costs even more. It is a great option for those who desire a yacht but cannot carry the full financial responsibility that is associated with sole ownership.
Here are a few tips and recommendations before you swap land life for yacht living.
Liveaboard Yacht Living – Tips
1. Yacht living means being hands-on and capable of quickly taking care of any matter that may require your attention.
It’s a fantastic way of life, but, unless your yacht has a dedicated crew, it is not a lifestyle for the lazy.
Living on a yacht, and having some technical or mechanical know-how will save you a ton of money, too.
2. All marinas aren’t equal. Some are like run-down trailer parks, and some are like luxury glamping sites.
The internet is a fantastic resource. Research your docking place well before you drop anchor and be sure to meet your prospective neighbours before deciding to stay on in a marina for an extended period.
3. First-aid training is essential if you are planning to swap land life for yacht living.
You need to be sufficiently prepared if you – or one of your guests – suddenly fall ill or get hurt while out on the ocean.
A well-stocked first-aid medical kit should complement any first-aid training.
4. For all the exhilaration of yacht living, there are also some grudge expenses. Even the best bluewater sailboats have to pay their fair share of administrative costs, such as global marine insurance, which is typically about 1.5% of the value of your boat annually.
There are also anchoring and mooring fees, customs, cruising permits, border control and other types of bureaucratic expenses to contend with.
5. Steer clear of the pirates, mate. Sad but true – certain parts of the world’s oceans are not exactly safe. Before lifting anchor and setting sail on your liveaboard yacht adventure, do your research to see where around the globe modern-day pirates and other unsavoury types may be lurking.
6. Be open to joining the global sailing community – online and in person. By making friends with other liveaboard yacht ocean adventurers, you will tap into a wealth of information, expertise and support from all over the world.
If you’ve ever asked yourself “What should I know before living on a yacht full time?”, we hope these tips will be useful to you.
Why not join our community forum for even more information about yacht living? Fellow yacht owners are bound to offer you great advice.
Yacht living may not be for everyone. But for those who are adventurous and well-prepared, it can be the experience of a lifetime.
