Who lives on a boat?

[nic salsus]

I'm making a big move to get out of debt and start having more fun with my life. The loft should be sold in a matter of days and there's an excellent chance tomorrow I'll be making an offer on this:


What's your experience living on a boat and playing bass? I'm all ears for any advice.

[Boguszewivz]

Never actually lived on a boat, but I do think it would be pretty badass for so many reasons, awesome party venue, change of scenery, chance to see many many different places/things, and if you don't like your neighbour you just pack up shop and leave.

[kesslari]

I had good friends who were liveaboards a long time back, and I spent a fair bit of time there (one was my girlfriend at the time).
Space is definitely tight. At the time I couldn't see living on a boat (as a musician) - the environment is rough on instruments. I think I would need a storage space for an amp and cab, at the very least.

[jellymax]

could be good. do your research though beforehand. also, is that a wooden
hull? wooden hulls are not the way to go, fiberglass hulls have fewer issues i am told...

[modbass]

Ive lived/worked on boats basically my whole life until last year when I started studying/playing bass full time. Im a licensed Captain and was first mate on super yachts. Storage is tight and even a setup with laptop, bass, headphones gets cumbersome. Especially if you have other people on board. The environment is extremely rough on a bass. The constant change of moisture screws with the neck, everything rusts, strings die pretty quick, and if your bag doesnt stay absolutely dry you get mold. I wouldnt want to roll an amp down the doc for fear of it going into the water. (happens very easily).

Sorry to be a downer, i was around boats for a long time and perhaps got bitter. I'm very happy to be on dry land.

But as far as sailing goes and living on a boat, thats awesome!! Nothing better than a boat to rock you to sleep at night.

[Bassamatic]

I lived on a boat for a while and loved it. The feel of the ocean rocking you and the sound of the lines hitting the masts at night put me right to sleep. I also met some really neat people.

However, I would not want to have a good bass or amp on a boat. The constant dampness will destroy it pretty fast. We make some marine audio products and they are designed to be sealed in their plastic cases or the damp air, especially salt air, will kill it right quick.

ALSO - there is constant maintenance on a boat - it never stops, so be prepared.

[rosanne]

I've lived on a boat and also on a barge/raft type thing, and like Gio S I loved it. But I didn't play bass then. It would not be at all suitable for bass. Besides the dampness issue there is the constant motion of the boat to deal with. I did have a bassist friend who lived on a boat but he only lived on it a few months.

By the way be sure you know what you're doing. I knew a couple who built a boat to sail around the world - they died off the coast of South America.

[nic salsus]

All good points but you're not scaring me off yet! That Nauticat 33 is a bomber little boat.

What I'm wondering about that seems pertinent to this forum are sound system and electricity issues. I need to build an efficient system that works well as a stereo and a practice amp. I'm also interested in solar and/or wind power so I'm not totally dependent on running the engine to charge the batteries. Even if I could find live aboard moorage around here I don't plan on living at the marina. The equipment is out there but the choices are still pretty baffling to me. I know I'll probably end up fussing with it for years but I still want to try to nail it the first time.

[JoZac21]

First off, I just read this entire thread, and I've always wanted to live on a boat, or join the Navy (sadly I can't, long story)... but no matter how hard I kept trying... no matter how much I tried to stop my self from doing it... I can't help myself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8F3UE9qFsg

sorry...

[60's Bluesman]

ive always wanted to live on a boat. keep us posted nic

[JehuJava]

I'm a Chief boatswains mate in the coast guard. Let me see your registration, your life jackets, your fire extinguisher, your sound producing device, your functioning blower (I assume inboard gasoline engine), your placards, your flares if your offshore, your lock on your installed toilet overboard discharge, your oil free bilge, etc etc. Gets pricey outside of general boat maintenance, slip fees, electric and water hookups if you plan on getting underway ever.

[JehuJava]

Hit me up if you have questions on federal regulations on boating requirements.

[MNAirHead]

My brother did this for years.. I'd stay with him for a few weeks at a crack..

Was a fun time consuming time.. it would chew up my gear in a weekend.

[Implosion]

Who lives on a boat?

He lives on a boat

[gttim]

Start reading the Travis McGee Mystery Series by John D. MacDonald.

Plan to spend a lot of time performing maintenance on your boat. Much more than a house or condo/loft.

Enjoy it if you do it. I would love to do it if I had a chance.

[rosanne]

Forgot to mention that I lost everything I owned when the boat sank during a furious storm. Lucky I wasn't on it - I was in the hospital having a a baby. All that said, I really did love living on a boat.

[bassybill]

Our alto sax player lives on a boat. Great fun to crash out on there after a gig. To live on full time? Never! Way too many negatives for me I'm afraid. But as always, different strokes...

[Thor]

The prerequisite to boat living is getting rid of everything
you own.

I checked out that line, it's a very nice boat built by
Siltala in Finland. They have been doing wonderful designs
for years.

Find a place ashore for your good gear and use a beater on the boat.

That one may be 4 or 5 grand high, based on comparative
offers. The boat market is very weak, you will need to buy
it right if you need to hop out of it without too much damage
on the other side. I'd start maybe 10k lower that asking price
but you may have boater types up there that can give you a
better assessment of the market.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by nic salsus

What's your experience living on a boat and playing bass? I'm all ears for any advice.

I lived on a 35 footer on the Snohomish River for a while. I was able to keep my rig at the local music store where I was a tech -- no way it's would've survived that particular live aboard situation.

I knew several other liveaboards around Seattle, mostly down around Northlake, and storage units and ripoffs were both pretty common themes, unfortunately. We had a pretty intimidating Doberman guarding the ranch, plus a guerilla mooring site that minimized security problems.

The actual part where you're cruising around Puget Sound can be amazingly fun though. Especially if it's someone else's boat...

[Phalex]

The Front's the Bow and the Back's the Stern. Get em right or you go out the little window in the side!!!!!