Living on a Yacht?

Yes, however most of the marina's are not suited for liveaboards.....ie. they don't have shorepower and such, they're mostly geared to smaller boats.

I assume the beauty of living in a yacht is the never ending views. One night you could be in Cabo San Lucas, another in La Paz. Before you know it you are in the Bahamas! Crete!
I think that to get also a better understanding, is that you will no longer spend extra hard earned money as you would on vacations, hotels, etc. Unless of course the cost of living on your boat is higher then that in a nice hotel.

That's the dream. The reality for most though is to stay in one place for anywhere from a few months to a few years. It costs bucks to cruise and it's hard to hold a job if you cruise. Maintaining a boat isn't cheap either. The views however generally beat the heck out of those in a concrete jungle.

I remember reading a post of an yf user whom stated working online. As in, controlling his business trough the internet. That would be ideal, however, I have no idea of the cost of satellite internet access at this moment, yet back then he stated a $2000 monthly fee.
The internet will set us free

Many do either f/t or p/t. Everything from plans to equipment has been rather extensively covered and available using the Search button.

Oh absolutely, thanks for the tip.

Houseboat, Housebarge, Floating Home, Cottage

I've been giving quite a bit of thought to this idea of a floating home, cottage, vacation spot...whatever you would like to call it. Originally it started with my relocation possibility to Thailand. and wanting a cottage down near the shore as the home is far up north....and the mobility to move it along the shore to different locations.

The idea of a 'floating home' became reinforced this year with all of the flooding that occured in Thailand, and the thoughts that some floating homes might survive even better than those built on elevated platforms as many there are. In other words you might build your floating home and anchor it on a beautiful pond in such a manner that it would not slide away in a flood, but would rise and fall with the water table. And it wouldn't require the traditional foundations that can be problematic in water side residences. You might even be able to move it from that real estate it some question of property ownership arose (as can happen in Thailand and other countries of the world).

I shall attach to this subject thread a 'boat related' cottage/house that might be built on a floating platform,...a lighthouse theme. Then I will reference this other subject thread where I began discussions on a Bali or Thai themed cottage / houseboat.

I'm also plan to visit the northern Fla (St Augusine) area this Christmas for a look-see in to what possibilities exist there for a 'floating home'.

Don't remember seeing any in the St. Augustine area, but this will give you a good idea of how far you can go (from up on the Erie Canal).

This is on the Erie? Where, please?

I believe it was west of Lk. Oneida on the north side, just before it opens into the lake.

Kind of an older topic, but a good one and I'm new. My work has a new project in the Dominican Republic. So in the coming months I'll be part time on that Island. Don't like the idea of buying property within a foreign country. Second not a fan of the available properties for sale on the island or hotels, etcetera. I'm all ready a life long boater. Part time living on a boat just makes sense. Not DR bashing, its just not my kind of place. Bonus, can leave on trips to better islands.

I've also considered this for my main home base of Vancouver, BC. Our real estate is insanely over priced. I don't like condos, tried that once when younger. But its hard to give up my house. Selling my Washington State property because like the DR, not a fan of that state. But over the last few years, work also has me in it. So boat living for that area is also simular appeal.

Sounds like you've got a good plan. Have you considered the time and $ to get the boat from the PNW to DR and visa/versa?

Yes. Its not about living less expensive. More about getting tied up in real estate locations that I don't like. WA portion though is 50/50. Would be a fun trip moving back and fourth though. Summer its hard to beat the Pac West for cruising around and scenery. More of a condo that can be moved.

I think it would be cheaper and you'd have better accomodations renting in these countries then trying to ship a "house-boat" or even a yacht around to live in. It would probably take you 2 months to get your yacht from the PNW to the DR between the shipping delays and such.......While the floating houses may make sense in a few places, most they do not. Usually the dockage is more then renting a more accomadating apt or house.

If you can afford it........Do it....Sounds fun......You only live once....

Maybe ironic that HGTV is airing an episode of Homes International and its on the DR. The people are looking at a 1 bedroom and bath 912sg ft house on beach for $220,000 U.S. Filmed in 06. The thing about the DR that concerns me is the lack of building code enforcement. So the last thing you want is to go low end and this place needs huge TLC. Second place featured was 2 miles away from beach, 1800 sq ft 2 bed and bath villa. $265,000. This place you can see why low end small places are cheap to build and this one also had bars on the windows and doors for security. New high end start at about $400,000 to $1million. Third world country, so you want gated and 24/7 security and that means HOA fee's.

The big difference for me is that the DR is not by choice. So I don't want to be tied to it. The extra expense .80 per ft a day dock rate, plus boat being closer to a million purchase price. All the added expenses are worth it!

For North America living, well waterfront condos, HOA fee's, plus property tax, etcetera. Makes a 60 to 80 ft under a million Broward, Hat, etcetera look like a pretty good option.

For North America living, well waterfront condos, HOA fee's, plus property tax, etcetera. Makes a 60 to 80 ft under a million Broward, Hat, etcetera look like a pretty good option.[/QUOTE]


HERE....HERE.......I'm on the same page with ya....(I'm not one to post alot)But this place (North America and North America Mentality is out of hand and getting worse) Taxes,Gov,Health Care,Pointing Fingers....Right***Left***Im ready to get ride of this Anchor (House) and float around.As long as you have internet your set......Just my 2cts...

i did the waterfront condo thing for about 10 years... nice at first, great view (1900 sqft, 11th floor over biscayne bay), full services (valet, concierge, gym, pool, marina, great security, etc...)... after a while, the nearly $1000 HOA maintenance fee and the 2" thick rule book became a burden.

sold the **** thing, sold my 39 express, bought the hatt and moved aboard!

only regret was not having done it earlier... 8 years and still loving it!

that said as mentioned before, you need to have teh right year round weather and a nice marina otherwise it can be a pain. if you can find the right marina in the DR, great... otherwise.. rent something.

fully agree on buying property in most foreign countries..

Was doing some online research. Found this on the U.S State Department website:

Good argument against buying a place. I've also looked at places and well sub standard materials and workmanship are also the norm. I'll be in the DR sometime in the next 10 days and plan on checking on marinas. Most of the rates are at .80 per foot a day or around $20 per foot a month. With reasonable electric and water rates as well.

Also checked Vancouver for floating homes--we have a few areas that have them. Average size 1000 to 2000 sq. ft., 3 bedroom are $400,000 to $600,000CDN and includes moorage. The ones that don't include are $120,000 to $300,000 CDN asking priced. Average moorage $600 to $800 per month.

A few of our marinas in Vancouver do not permit live aboard moorage!