6 Things We HATE About Living on a Boat

Great message to the unaware, stay the course. Many’s years of water taxi experience here, my advice to boaters when they ask me if I know a good mechanic is yes I’m looking at him or her. Learn to be your own mechanic not only will it save you a lot of coin but it might just save your vessel and the lives aboard.

I like hearing about the negatives of the lifestyle I'm looking at getting into

The constant maintenance is always the biggest issue when we are cruising. We've learned that youtube is your friend when doing your own work. The other invaluable thing is having a sea daddy somewhere you can call and ask questions. My old harbormaster, who I became good friends with, saved me so much time and money so many times, by being able to call him and tell him what was going on. Half the time, he could talk me through the fix.

Fantastic video! I love your straightforward honesty. It is so refreshing to hear the reality versus the fantasy. One thing I find troubling is the constant depreciation of any boat. It is technically a home on the water, but depreciates unlike a waterfront condo or home. It is still hard to resist the allure.

My name is John and my wife and I run our own business called “Marcum’s Marine Service’s” and I specialize in do work on vessels that are docked or moored, I am so sorry about your experiences and those experiences are making it harder for someone like me who truly enjoys working on boats and doing projects or maintenance that makes the owner more comfortable and love their boat even more.

I love how straightforward you both are! SO refreshing! The info and experiences you have the balls to share are all helping me prepare to take the leap. I am grateful!!

Your air conditioner got crabs 🦀 🤣

I was thinking about your air conditioning problem. If you could install an auxiliary inlet tube extending 1-2 meters below the surface (preferably with a strainer), you could reach much cooler water when you’re anchored / docked.

You guys are pretty cool, thanks for the video. You have a lot of style! I pretty much have had the same experiences as you and agree with your assessment. I've lived aboard for 11 years now and have slaved away at maintenance including the war on water - which can be won by the way, although there are no shortcuts. The better the boat's build you start with the easier however. Living aboard has a ton of potential benefits, but it has mega risk as well. Thanks for shedding light on some of the drawbacks!

Love you guys, good content and right on with the good and bad. Had a 32' Carver Mariner up north, we used to live on it on weekends, like a second home. Wife passed away and I sold the boat. Living in Florida now and seriously thinking of purchasing another boat to liveaboard, don't know if my new wife would like it as much as I would. What Marina do you recommend? Seems like you've been around the block. I also can do a lot of maintenance myself. Hoping to hear back from you. God Bless.

Great video - I second the insurance! I smacked a grey whale last year, which did some significant damage to the running gear (I have a 37 Bertram) and thru hull. The boat had to be hauled out, but sat on the chalks for a couple weeks. When it came time to settling, not only did the screw me on the repairs 3k for a 10k bill, I had to pay the yard fees. It was really a catch 22. We took on water so the boat needed to be hauled out, but the mechanic and yard couldn't get to it for a few weeks!!! Ugh!!!

Wow....This was very informative...I’m learning so much about boat living just by watching you guys!!! Keep sharing your experiences I love it!!!!!!

I think you all are super kool to do this video, I've always looked at the fun side of boating but never thought about creatures clogging up plumbing, substandard A/C, continuous maintenance or insurance cost. I'll consider charters for the fun side and continue living life on land. I liked and subscribed.

Hi there I have a dry sail boat and it's old from 1973 no leaks problems we take her out every 3 years for a hull check and clean repaint and overall inspection to make sure it stays dry inside

I never caught up with maintenance on our 30' Carver. We now have a 20' lake boat. I can keep up with it. Salt water works on the boat 24-7.

Great video, love how you get straight to the point without dancing around for 5 minutes. I've been thinking about retirement in the very near future and that I would love to have a boat to live on for 6 months of the year and then live back at home the other 6 months. Hoping to be a snowbird with a boat. Any help by you and your followers is greatly appreciated. Toying with the idea of keeping the boat on the St John River by Seaford. Interested in the idea of either putting the boat on land or leaving it in the water while I'm home during the summer months?

First let me begin by saying I really enjoy all your video's. Now specific to this video. I spent a year on my 1972 Hatteras 45C in LA and found your comments about the integrity or lack of in the marine industry pretty much the same on the West coast. I have now moved the boat south and keep her in Ensenada Mexico. Big difference. If work is not good or made right they don't work for long. Much smaller community down here. Not to mention Labor costs are much much more reasonable. Thanks for your insights.

Insurance would be a good topic as my wife and I are retiring and purchasing a liveaboard and look to staying around the Ft. Meyers area, just haven't decided on staying at a marina full time or anchoring out, will be a learn as we go process but need teaching along the way, which is why we enjoy your videos...there are a lot of sailing videos but not enough with motor vessels.

Agreed to all on your list. Finding quality, reliable, dependable, reputable and honest service folks, especially for the diesels, is frustrating. I have learned to do almost everything myself because of it. My bilges stay dry, but I am in a covered slip 🙂 Great videos, a 480 may be next for me.

Boat maintenance never ends. Always something to do. As far as keeping bilge dry, I use one of those homedepot bucket top shop vacs that helps save space and has multiple uses. It can be used to inflate things quickly too!. Insurance wise - I have used BoatUS insurance for eternity. They have never let me down and I’ve had some major losses - Including destroyed outdrives, theft, and total storm loss. Thanks guys. Great episode with Team Wiff! What happen to your old jingle? I used to whistle that over and over to myself lol.