Living Aboard

As I experience my first storm as a live-aboard, I can't help but feel some what excited for this adventure.  I have managed to pack my clothes on board as well as a few other items to making being a live-aboard more comfortable (ie computer, etc).  I still have yet to fix the minor leak over my bed (though I had sealed it good enough last time, but apparently not), so I will have to manage to fix that at some point when his series of storms happen to past.  Little remains in the house I have called home for the past 2 years, stuff that I don't want to give away or throw away and plan on storing at my parents.  Some will in fact be sold.

On Friday, 2 of my buddies, Travis and Steven, are coming down and we are going to set sail to Cape Charles for the weekend.  It should be a good time.  Also I will hopefully have my first video in my video blog series done in the next week or so for your enjoyment.

Becoming a Live-aboard

Yes, I am becoming a live-aboard starting next week.  With my girlfriend accepting a job in New Orleans, and me not quite ready to make the move, this is what I've decided to do.  I've sold off some of my possessions, thrown junk away that for some reason I kept, and am donating clothes that either no longer fit or that I haven't worn in some time.  Still have lots to go through, but it will be worth it in the end, to get rid of stuff that clutters my 1700 square foot house that I've been renting for the last 2 years or so.
Moving onto the boat will be quite an adjustment.  I've lived in small spaces while overseas, but we shall see.  I've installed a portable Engel refrigerator onboard, purchased an over-the-hatch air conditioner and am in the process of getting a memory foam mattress topper (with water proof cover made).  I am hoping not to spend too much time at the marina, but we shall see how busy things get for me.

Things I think/know I will miss:

1. Long Showers, I only have a limited amount of water on board at a time for shower, washing dishes, etc.  If at the marina I have shower facilities there, so it will be like Iraq and I'll have to either take "ship" showers or will walk to the marina facilities.
2. Space, I know I will have limited space, and will have to adjust by being "space conscious"...I am not the best at this.
3. My big TV and surround sound system.  I enjoy it, however, I will have my laptop and small computer monitor on board (yes I'm bringing my PS3 and playing it when hooked to power), and also have a small speaker and subwoofer setup.
4. Microwavable Meals, I'm not the best cook, I'll have to learn
5. Refrigerator space, can't keep cases and cases of beer, so will have to ration and wait for things to get cold.
6. Grocery shopping for a month in advance.  My fridge is either a fridge or a freezer, not both.  I elect to use it as a fridge, so won't be able to keep meat for very long.
7. Brewing beer on a whim, or enjoying many hobbies (this will require planning)
8. Cable TV

Things I think/know I WON'T miss:

1. Space, yes I posted this on the miss column, but I think I will enjoy not having material possessions and not impulse buying.
2. Yard work, yea you knew that was going here.
3. Neighbors, I don't really care for neighbors, they can be annoying.  Of course where I am at, I am surrounded by live-aboards, but it seems to be different....we shall see.
4. Boredom, now I am mobile and can pick up and go somewhere exciting.
5. Microwavable Meals, yea I posted this as well on miss column, but I expect I will eat more healthy and lose weight.
6. Unexpected solicitors knocking on your door at 8am on a sunday or while you're eating dinner....it gets annoying.
7. Cable TV...shocker also on miss, but I am expecting to save tons of money.  I will have a wifi extender and will be able to hopefully watch netflix and the maybe 6 TV shows I watch, I'll download off of itunes.

Major Questions I am already getting asked:

• How can you afford to do this?
• How can you afford to pay $1000+ dollars in rent, plus utilities, plus food, plus cable, etc. etc.  My slip fee is around $1800 a year plus electric (which isn't much.)  I don't have much fuel cost (because it's a sailboat)
• Don't you have to be rich to own a sailboat?
• Common misconception and I was there.  You can buy a 70s/80s era sailboat for less that $10,000.  Mines a 1975, the 70s and 80s were some of the best years for sailboats.
• Are you crazy?
• Maybe a little, but it's something I want to do
• Are you keeping your car and motorcycle?
• Of course, I'm still going to have some land life, at least for now
• Where are you keeping your car and motorcycle?
• At the Marina
• They'll let you do that?
• Uh, yes how else would you get to your boat.....
• What if you don't like it?
• Then I'll set fire to my boat and live out of a cardboard box.  No, I'll just move into an apartment/house like I've been doing now.
• Fuel is expensive, you won't be going out much.
• Wind is free, it's a sailboat, only need a minimal amount of fuel
• Can I come along when you sail?
• Sure, just let me know.  I have a max of 4 people I allow on the boat at any time (5 maybe if I like ya) and to spend the night, no more than 3 (or 1 couple and 2 others)
• Will you teach me to sail?
• Not really, I'm still a beginner and no where near qualified, but I'll show you what I've been taught.  
• Can I be your first mate lol hahaha?
• Actually that's already taken by my best friend.
• I was kidding!?!?
• You better be.
• Can you take me fishing?
• No.
• Why Not?
• It's a sailboat, I only have one rod on board and that's for me.
• Oh you're going to such and such, are you going to sail there?
• Not everywhere I go, will I be sailing, especially North Dakota (someone asked me this)
• Are you some sort of pirate or something?
• Yes.