6 Things to Know Before Buying a Liveaboard Boat

As some of you know, the process of buying our liveaboard boat was fraught with difficulty, delays, and unnecessary stress. We sold our home on April 29th-- packed up, said our goodbyes, and hit the road for DC-- mistakenly thinking we were going to close on the boat on May 9th. No big deal, right? We had made arrangements to spend the intervening week with Mark's family. 
Except we didn't close on May 9th. Or May 10th. Or May 11th. Or even May 20th for that matter. Somehow, our marine lender kept delaying, with last-minute requirements for additional paperwork. Talk about utterly infuriating! Not only were the delays causing us to needlessly spend money on interim housing, but we were also so worried that the seller would back out of the deal. Every day, I was worried-- searching for back up apartments and biting my nails over the dog. What on earth will we do with Solo? Where will we live with a pitbull? These thoughts kept roiling in my mind. There may or may not have been one or two sobbing shower breakdowns. 
Fortunately, the seller stuck with us-- and over a month after selling our house, we finally closed on the boat on June 3rd. Sheesh! Talk about a process!
So today, I wanted to share a few things that I wish I had known before jumping into this liveaboard process. If you have ever considered living on a boat or know someone who is considering it, make sure tha they read this list first! It has been a really cool experience thus far, but man-- what an ordeal. Without further ado...

Six Things to Know Before Buying a Liveaboard:
Be prepared to struggle finding financing. Before the recession, banks gave out loans liberally. Thus, it was no big deal to go take out a marine loan and buy your liveaboard-- even though boats are depreciating assets. Fast forward to 2016, however, and no one-- I repeat NO ONE-- wants to finance a liveaboard. Even though we both have good credit and the amount of money we needed was so small (less than most cars!), we couldn't find any marine lenders or banks who would loan it to us. After weeks of searching, we finally did find financing with this bank, but even that was incredibly difficult. 
My suggestion? Either purchase the boat while you still have a land address or purchase a boat cheap enough that you don't need financing. 
Be prepared to pay for haul-out and a marine survey.  I can't stress enough the importance of this part of the buying process. While having the boat captained, hauled out, and surveyed can be pricey, the expense is worth it. You should walk away knowing everything-- big and small- that is up with the boat. Our seller was pretty honest, so we didn't have any surprises, but I still appreciate the peace of mind that came with having the survey done. After receiving the report, I felt like we had a good idea of what we were purchasing. 
Be prepared for the whole process to take a really long time.  As i mentioned earlier, our closing date was delayed again and again for over a month. At first, I thought that it was just us or something about the boat. But after talking with a few other liveaboards at our marina, I found out that closing delays are just par for the course with buying a liveaboard. Prepare yourself going in that this thing could take a while. Even after you get the boat, documenting it with the Coast Guard ... that also can take awhile. 
Be prepared to find interim housing if you're selling your home to move aboard.  My advice in this vein would be don't buy a liveaboard boat if you don't have anywhere to go while you wait. just don't. I think my stomach is more ulcer than stomach at this point. If you absolutely have to sell your home in order to move onto a liveaboard boat, budget for interim housing situations. 
Be prepared to seriously pare down your belongings. Before we sold out house, I went through every room and seriously looked at every single thing I owned. Was the item useful or just decorative? Was it an heirloom? Did I actually like it? If it wasn't used or wasn't sentimentally valuable, it was sold, donated, or pitched. Literally we pared down our belongings to two truckbed loads. (A few things, like antique pieces I couldn't part with, went into storage.) Even so, I still feel like we have too much stuff for the boat's storage capacity. I have to say though, there's something really refreshing about getting rid of all the excess stuff you own, the stuff you don't need or use or even really want. 
Be prepared for some things to be really different-- like the toilet, for example.  Oh. My. Goodness. This was almost a deal breaker. (It's about to get real people, so just brace yourselves.) We have an electric toilet... which essentially is like going potty on a garbage disposal. It. Was. Horrifying. I nearly leaped onto the bed to get away from the scary grinding loud horrific beast that had revealed itself to be lurking in the seemingly innocuous potty. I am not exaggerating when I say that I had to pep talk myself to use the restroom. All that aside, you will eventually get used to the weirdness of a boat's bathroom. It's been two weeks now, and I am getting over my potty phobia. Just be aware that boat bathrooms may look like an RV restroom, but they are a different creature entirely. 
And most of all, be prepared to have some fun!  It's going to be an adventure from start to finish, but you can say you did it. 

Boat Inspiratons

Today, I am super excited to share some of my decor ideas for our liveaboard boat. I don't plan on doing all of this at once-- I am sure it will be a gradual process-- but I have put together a few idea boards that showcase the vision I have in my head. 

I definitely want to incorporate nautical elements, without going overboard. (Ha! No pun intended.) The color palette will be a blend of blues and grays with hints of citrus incorporated to give an unexpected twist. And if you know me, you know it will be colorful! 

For the galley (kitchen): I'm thinking white cabinets, a rope rug, and a playful table runner. Also, don't you just love that "Welcome Aboard" pillow? 

Luckily, the previous owner left a lovely grey velvet loveseat in the living room. It's very similar to the one pictured above. I think it will go perfectly with a white-and-blue rug, colorful toss pillows, and a clear acrylic coffee table.

I've never been one to shy away from pattern and color in a small space, but I do think its important to keep furniture streamlined when working with a limited floorplan. A clear coffee table would provide a landing surface while still being light on the eyes.

Finally... the cabin (aka bedroom) inspiration board. I'll probably use my current duvet but accent with navy blue. I would love to try my hand at knitting a super chunky or giant yarn throw blanket. Winters on a liveaboard boat can be pretty cold, so I'll have the perfect excuse to layer on the texture. 

Also, I just have to buy these goofy pillow cases for our forward cabin (the guest room). I mean... you're all singing that song in your heads, after all. Don't deny it. 

Want to shop any of these looks? 

Click below for sources! 

Etsy sources: Whale wall hook Crab pillow  Nautical hardware Starfish table runner  Nautical Rope Rug "Welcome Aboard" pillow "I'm on a Boat" pillow Coral watercolor print velvet pillow
Other sources: Yacht bedding (coral)  oversized knit blanket

Welcome Aboard!

After almost two months of negotiations, delays, and nail-biting stress, I'm happy to share that we finally (major emphasis on finally) own our liveaboard boat!
She is finally ours! Bought and paid for... and in our name. 
It was such a long, arduous process, but I am so relieved to have our own "home" again. Even if it does float. I'm so excited to make it our own and to try my hand at decorating a yacht. I can't wait to share my ideas with you! 

Adveturing in D.C. and A Boat Search

Did you happen to catch last week's post Would You Live on a Boat? 

In it, I introduced you to the concept of liveaboards, turning a houseboat or yacht into your primary residence. Although more common in cities like Seattle or St. Pete Beach, our nation's capitol happens to boast one of the largest liveaboard communities. Located on the Waterfront, the floating neighborhood is docked at Gangplank Marina, where Sunday mornings consist of a "Captain's Coffee" and neighborhood cookouts are the norm. Not to mention, the metro is right there ready to take you wherever you need to go. Other than the simple face that your house is, well, floating, it sounds pretty ideal. 

So this weekend, Mark and I decided to take full advantage of the fine weather (60 degrees in February! What!?) and made the trip to DC to see Gangplank Marina for ourselves. We looked at two houseboats and one motor yacht in order to get an idea of what these boats really feel and look like. As it turns out, houseboats and yachts are surprisingly roomy. Most had more square footage than your average DC studio, along with at least two decks, washer/dryer in unit (or in boat), and a party barge at your disposal. 

We had so much fun meeting a few of the locals, who were all too friendly and welcoming. I have to say, the whole idea is appealing. Other than the idea of storm-tossed water or occasional mechanical trouble, why not make your home on a boat? The fact that the marina is less than 10 minutes from Mark's work is a huge plus as well. Mark and I left feeling pretty excited!

After checking out Gangplank Marina, Mark and I headed to Capitol Hill for lunch at one of our favorite lunch spots: Good Stuff Eatery. While their hamburgers aren't the absolute best I've ever had, their herb-coated french fries and thick creamy milkshakes are worth every penny. 

I then dragged Mark to the Botanical Gardens, one of my favorite spots on the National Mall. I never get tired of the colorful blooms, the orchid display, and the trickling water features. I feel like I could find a bench and sit there all day, reading or writing or simply people-watching. 

So do you know anyone who currently lives or once lived on a liveaboard? We'd love to know if so! Also, what are some of your favorite spots in D.C.? We're always open for suggestions on good restaurants or pretty locations. 

Curious about the DC liveaboard community?

Gangplank Marina

600 Water St SW

Washington, DC

Facebook | Website

Would You Live on a Boat?

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Would you live on a boat?
By now, most of us have heard of the Tiny House Movement, the evolution from large homes and hefty mortgages to smaller homes and sustainable, within-your-means living. This nationwide movement has been fueled in large part by young couples seeking to unburden themselves from financial debt and high housing costs. And hey, that's not a bad goal. Who would say no to being debt free? 
Some Tiny House dwellers have taken to the water, choosing to live on houseboats, sailboats, or even yachts. There's even a term for this sort of lifestyle: "liveaboard."  It's waterfront living without the hefty waterfront property price-tag. Plus, houseboats and yachts tend to have slightly more space than your traditional tiny house. Imagine spending a warm summer morning feet propped up on your boat deck, a mug of coffee in your hand. Again I ask: who would say no to that??

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As it turns out, Washington D.C. has its own liveaboard community, the largest on the East Coast. It's called Gangplank Marina and is located on the Washington Channel. Within walking distance of the nation's major monuments, the marina contains 309 slips of which roughly 100 contain liveaboards. A tight-knit community of likeminded boaters, the marina offers escape from the high rent and hubbub of citylife. 
Each morning, you awake to the gentle lap of water in the channel where birds dip and play and curious catfish bob to the surface. In spring, D.C.'s famous cherry blossoms coat the marina with a delicate pink blanket. Does this sound perfect to anyone else?

image source Since learning of this unique community, Mark and I have been researching everything we can about liveaboards and houseboat communities. Living aboard is not without it's unique challenges such as boat upkeep, slip fees, and my personal favorite: shoveling snow off your boat to insure it doesn't sink in winter. Yikes! 
Gangplank Marina has a long wait-list of houseboat owners looking to relocate to the nation's capitol. A wait-list made even more challenging by the building of a huge waterfront development called the Wharf. Some houseboat owners fear the the Wharf will overshadow their precious marina, jacking slip costs and disturbing their slice of paradise. But where there's a will, there's a way. People circumnavigate the obstacles by purchasing a boat already in located in the marina and so set up their floating home.
So would you do it?  Would you forsake life on land and try a liveaboard? I think I would!