Moving Aboard: Transitions

People move onto boats for a surprising variety of reasons: to live close to nature, to go cruising and see the world, to save money, and more.  The practical aspects of the transition were, in many cases, easier to manage than the emotional.  (Contributions are listed in alphabetical order by blog name.)

Image from here.

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Topic Coordinator: Jaye (Life Afloat Archives)

Buying a house, says Phil (The Anthology of A Cenoura) is basically deciding where you want to live for the rest of your life.  Having a sailboat-cum-bachelor pad is so much freer:

• Living On a Sailboat

Alan (Art of Hookie) had some false starts in his journey to find the perfect boat, and it involved living on the hard for over 700 days.

• Boatyard Pirates (click on the link above his photo to read the article)

Courtney (Courtney Kirchoff: A Novelist) didn’t need a lot of planning and things fell into place rapidly:

• Why I'll Be Living Aboard a Sailboat

Chris (From Land to Liveaboard) decided he needed to simplify his life ... and moving aboard was just the way to do it:

• Simplify

"[Y]ou only get one life to live and wouldn’t you love to do something extraordinary with it?" asks Jessica (Matt and Jessica's Sailing Page) as she answers questions

• Just Cause I Know You'll Ask

Two Naval Academy grads blogging as 007 and Octopussy (s/v Octopussy) answer the call to adventure in two parts

• Call to Adventure and 
• Call to Adventure Part Deux

As roadblocks to their dream keep appearing, Cheryl (Mid-Life Cruising) is maintaining her focus and positive attitude.

• The Emotional Toll of Reaching a Goal

Suzanne (Orbis Non Sufficit) found her priorities changing after just six weeks aboard:

• Doubling Down 

Jennifer (s/v Perry) moved aboard a month ago.  The downsizing aspect of the move was easier for her than it was for Matt.

• Wait, I Might Need That Later!

Tammy (Plodding To Paradise) discovered that figuring out the essential gear to move aboard the boat is fairly straightforward, but it took the sentimental pieces to turn it into a home.

• The Price of Playing and 
• Buddha, an Ashtray, and a Mouse in a Red Gingham Dress. 
• Sometimes, you just need to frame the decision differently: Getting Naked.

Monica (Savannah) played a game to help her son figure out how to get rid of things

• Keep or Sell; 
• but as The Process Continues found that finding a new home for the family dog was a bigger hurdle.  
• It took them ten years, but they are finally living aboard. One Step Closer...

A Caribbean cruise - and the desire to hang out in warm weather - inspired Diane (Sea Casa) and husband Paul:

• Transitioning from Land to Sea: Our New Life

Jesse (s/v Smitty) was shocked to learn how much trash they'd accumulated, when they did their ...

• Basement Purge Part I followed by their
• Basement Purge Part II - Ebay and Craigs List

Another Tammy (Things We Did Today) sees moving aboard as the beginning of a life that makes them happy.

• Why This? Why NOW?

A job layoff prompted Tim (Tim & Kathy on Carina Liveaboard Blog) to move aboard.  He warns that his blog is not very current, but he answered some questions in an

• email interview.

“Nothing is guaranteed,” realized another Chris (Vacilando) after Sept 11. 2001:

•  We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

Claudia (Vitamin D) is another woman who found her attitude toward her possessions changing as she prepared to move aboard:

• Musings About Moving On

Brittany (Windtraveler) posts about both the practical, and the emotional, aspects of moving aboard:

• Moving Onto a Boat 
• Letting Go

Topic coordinator Jaye first wrote about people living "On the Cusp of a Dream" in an article for the Annapolis Capital in 2011.


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Newly added posts:

Sarah (Blue Water Dreaming) is willing to trade the continuity, security and shelter of her possessions for the ability to be spontaneous.  She's just not sure

• Where to Start?

Kelley (Sailing Chance) and Jason are trading the hustle and bustle of New York City for an opportunity to experience the simplicity of life afloat.  After cruising the Caribbean, they intend to open an eco-hostel, she said in an

• email interview

Jeff (s/v Echo) talks about the mixed feelings and changes as they entered the next chapter of their lives.

• Almost Ready

Chris and his wife (San Juan Sufficiency) have three big reasons they're cutting their land ties.

• Why Live Aboard?

Brianna (On the Horizon Line) is reminded that launching a new life - however wonderful - comes with fear and loss.

• Tears and a Rainbow
• Saltwater Cures All?

Karen and Jim found that many people asked them questions about "how" they were going to make living aboard and traveling work, but few people thought to ask "why:"

•  Why Are We Doing This?

Deciding to be a liveaboard while sitting in a car with a cup of Starbucks coffee (Cruising aboard S/V Blondie-Dog):

• A Not So Nostalgic Day Trip to Fort Myers Beach and the Fort Myers City Marina...

Nancy (Tidal Life) admits to butterflies in her stomach as she prepares to move aboard, but sees it as a good sign.

• Closer to Living Aboard: The Last Few Days on Whidbey

We got so many submissions for this one that we started a second post! Click here to read More Moving Aboard Transitions.

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