house yacht living

Living On A Houseboat: The Pros and Cons

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If you just recently purchased a houseboat or are in the market for one you have probably heard about people who live on their boat full time. The people who do this (often known as liveaboards) are a special breed. 

Living on board a boat certainly isn’t for everyone but if it’s something you have considered or simply want to know more about than this article is for you! In this article I will list the pros and cons that you will experience while living on your houseboat. 

Hopefully knowing some of the pros and cons will help you make a more informed decision or just help you have more information at your fingertips. 

Benefits Of Living On A Houseboat (The Pros) 

1.saving money.

Living on board a boat will often be far cheaper than renting or owning a traditional home. There will be less expenses and the original purchase price is often far cheaper than what you could ever purchase a house for. 

Not only will you save money on the purchase but you will also save money on the monthly expenses. That is of course assuming you aren’t paying a normal dock fee for every night. 

With a traditional home you will have to pay for gas, electricity, water, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and more. 

With a houseboat you will often only have to pay for the fuel for the boat/generator, the water (assuming you don’t have a system that will pull it from the lake or river) and boat insurance, and yearly registration. You can often save multiple hundreds of dollars a month by living on board than you would renting a home. 

2. Leisure At Your Fingertips

This one could be a pro and a con to be honest. If you are retired then being able to fish from your couch is probably an amazing benefit. If you are still working, whether from home or a normal 9-5, it will be difficult to have to tear yourself away when the fish are really biting or the scenery is particularly beautiful. 

Being able to enjoy amazing views from your windows and deck is one of the biggest pros of living on a houseboat . Having your everyday life feel like you are on vacation while also saving money? Who doesn’t want that?

That leisure does come at a cost however. You will certainly become quite spoiled with your daily views and visiting other people for the holidays will make you want to go back to your home on the water! 

All kidding aside being on vacation 365 days a year is one of the biggest attractions for people that choose the houseboat life. 

3. Less Upkeep

Now don’t get me wrong, of course things will break on your houseboat and need repaired just like with a traditional home. One of the big reasons a houseboat doesn’t require as much upkeep is that there are less things to break! 

With a house you have all sorts of integral systems that can be quite complex to repair. On a houseboat those systems are often quite simple. 

For example your septic system in a house can get tree roots that grow into it causing you to have to hire someone to dig up your yard. With the septic on a houseboat it all goes to one tank and then just has to be pumped out at a marina. 

Another thing that keeps the upkeep down on a houseboat is simply the size. With many houses running into the thousands of square feet and an average houseboat only being a few hundred it’s quite obvious that you won’t have to do as much work on a smaller property. 

Even if something needs painted or stained it’s only a small amount of square feet that needs it instead of thousands with a house!

4. Less Cleaning

Just as mentioned above with upkeep since there is a much smaller area that you will live in the cleaning that needs done will be much faster and easier too. Of course you will still have dishes, laundry, etc. to do but carpet vacuuming, window washing, and even dusting will be far easier with the smaller vessel. 

Since you are living on the water most of the items on board will probably be a lot easier to clean than traditional furniture pieces or kitchens. Nothing beats saving time on cleaning and watching the sunset or fishing instead! 

5. The Great Community 

If you’ve never been a part of a boating community you probably looked at this benefit and thought I ran out of things to write lol but this is actually a huge plus. Having a group of people that you regularly dock with means you can easily make friends no matter where you stop. 

Whether you are there for a few days or a few months you will be sure and find many like minded people who love boating and can help you with the best things to do and places to go in each new area you visit! 

The Negatives Of Living On A Houseboat (The Cons) 

1.the size .

Size really is everything nowadays and living aboard a houseboat means downsizing especially when compared to most modern sized homes. With many people’s homes running 2,000-3,000 sq foot and larger downsizing to a houseboat that is 5-600 sq ft can be quite a shock. 

If you are downsizing that much you will have to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. The last thing you will want to do is be mad or upset about getting rid of your stuff or to feel cramped in a houseboat. 

2. Only Live On The Water

This can certainly be a pro or a con but for the sake of argument I will put it in with the cons. Living in the water can certainly be amazing but one drawback is you almost HAVE to stay on the water or near it all of the time. 

Most people who live on a houseboat won’t have a car so every place they do will have to be close to the water or they will have to pay for a taxi or Uber. That will seriously limit the places you can visit in each town you dock at. 

Unfortunately it isn’t like an RV where you can tow your vehicle and unhook when you want to visit places away from shore. You either walk or pay for a ride. 

3. The Weather

Living on a houseboat you are susceptible to all of the whims of the weather where you are at. If you are planning on boating down the Mississippi but it is closed because of flooding, all you can do is wait. 

If there is a major storm headed to your location you will often have to leave the boat and find a safe shelter. Moving your houseboat to safety sometimes isn’t possible and even if it is possible it’s guaranteed to be quite a hassle. 

Another thing you have to deal with or plan around is the cold. Living on a houseboat when it is below freezing is absolutely NO fun so avoiding the cold is a great plan, but what if a cold front quickly blows in? You have to figure out how to deal with it or move your boat unnecessarily anytime a cold front might pass through. 

4. Holiday season 

Around the holidays people will often have family and friends come over for parties etc. When you live on a houseboat that is difficult if not impossible as there isn’t much room for family to gather and being on the move can make it difficult for people to plan to visit you. 

Granted being in a warmer location for the holidays can certainly be nice but having a bunch of people on a 500 sq ft boat isn’t many people’s idea of a good time. 

5. Doesn’t Work Well With Families 

Unless you are retired than living on a houseboat can be difficult for anyone with a family. Not only will you not have much space for your family to spread out but you will also have to worry about your kids getting wet all the time. 

Imagine trying to get the kids ready for school while having to worry about those that are already ready playing in the water! Not only is the kids playing in the water or getting dirty an issue but if there are still one or two adults working a 9-5 job that can also cause issues as there normally isn’t much parking nearby. 

Living on board a houseboat can be great for retirees or single people but living on board with a family won’t be ideal. It can quickly wear on everyone’s nerves and once everyone starts getting annoyed with each other it can go downhill fast! 

Living on a boat has many more pros and cons than just the ones mentioned here but I hope the ones I have listed will help you with making the decision for you and the ones you love. 

As Always, 

Happy Boating

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Matthew Robbs

I love the outdoors and especially spending time with my family. Whether on a boat or at the beach, my happy place is near the water.

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• Historic Homes & More

16 Charming Towns Where You Can Live on a Houseboat

Make a houseboat your main digs or your home away from home in one of these liveaboard-friendly towns., head for the water.

Motivated by a desire to ditch their rent or mortgage payment, reduce their carbon footprint, or simply enjoy killer views and fresh air, some homeowners choose to swap their landlocked lodgings for houseboats. When they do, they flock to certain towns that, by virtue of their marinas, amenities, and attractions, are ideally situated for a floating existence. Whether you plan to live on your houseboat seasonally or become a year-round liveaboard, these towns offer everything you need to live your best life on the water. 

Related:  10 Space-Saving Ideas to Steal from Houseboats

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Sausalito, California

Otis Redding famously sang of “sittin’ on the dock of the bay” in this Northern California town where more than 400 houseboats line numerous marinas and harbors. Sausalito sits on Richardson Bay, which has sheltered houseboats for more than a century, although the eye-popping pink, blue, and red counterculture icons the town is known for date to the postwar era. Today, houseboat communities like Galilee Harbor continue to attract an eclectic mix of residents. If you’re curious but not ready to commit to life on water, check out the Sausalito Floating Homes tour, held every September.

Related:  The Big Cities with the Best Parks Hiding in Them

Fort Washington, Maryland

Not surprisingly, this town overlooking the Potomac River, the fourth-largest river on the Atlantic coast, draws fans of the floating life who want to moor a mere half hour from the U.S. capital. The Fort Washington Marina is one of the most popular houseboat communities in the area. Sharp-eyed cinephiles might recognize it as the filming location for the 1950s Sophia Loren-Cary Grant flick "Houseboat." Although the marina is open only from May through October, it offers houseboat owners more than 200 boat slips and new concrete docks for vessels up to 60 feet.

Portland, Oregon

Portland contains the largest houseboat community in the country, with some 1,400 floating homes in the area. Moorages run up and down the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, just a short drive to North Portland’s speakeasies and food carts. As a bonus, Oregon imposes no sales tax, so you'll save a bit when you buy a houseboat.

Piermont, New York

With skyrocketing real estate prices in the Big Apple, some residents have headed 30 miles upriver to this village on the western edge of the Hudson. It's become a hub for houseboat dwellers thanks to its proximity to bohemian lounges, art galleries, and restaurants, and its extensive pier overlooking Tallman Mountain. Some marinas, including Tappan Zee Marina, rent slips by the day, season, or all year.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Although this southern resort town is best known for its natural geothermal springs, it’s also a hot spot for houseboat enthusiasts. Lake Ouachita, the largest in Arkansas, attracts vacationers who just want a floating hotel for a weekend as well as liveaboards who long for year-round views of the Ouachita Mountains and Ouachita National Forest. Brady Mountain Resort & Marina offers 650 boat slips, some of which accommodate boats up to 100 feet long.

Shasta Lake, California

Waterfalls, well-maintained trails, and a Mediterranean climate make the eponymous man-made lake in this Northern California haunt an ideal spot to stow a houseboat. At 4.6 million acre-feet, Shasta Lake is the largest reservoir in the state. As you'd expect, it offers a wealth of mooring points, but Bridge Bay Marina is noteworthy for its central location, easy access from the interstate, and slip rentals for transient as well as long-term visitors.

Page, Arizona

A portal to Glen Canyon National Park, the town of Page sees 3 million visitors each year, but it's home to only 7,200 residents, among them a thriving community of houseboat dwellers on the 24.3-million acre-foot Lake Powell. The lake is lined with marinas, including Antelope Point, a Navajo-nation owned and operated marina rife with amenities. 

Related:  20 American Treasures to See Now—Before They Disappear

Branson, Missouri

The country shows that line West 76 Country Boulevard transformed Branson into a top destination for music lovers. But it’s the 3.5-million-acre-foot Table Rock Lake that makes the mountain town in the Ozarks a hit with houseboat owners. The fishing- and paddleboard-friendly reservoir that hugs Table Rock State Park is home to a number of marinas, including the park’s own, which leases both transient and year-round slips to houseboat owners and offers amenities like a dockside restaurant and a store with boating essentials.

Demopolis, Alabama

The Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers played an important role in the history of Demopolis. The area was initially settled by French expatriates who later moved up the the Warrior River. Americans purchased the land they left behind and over time transformed it into a major river port and lumber town. Today, an impressive collection of houseboats moor at the juncture of these two rivers. The Demopolis Yacht Basin and other marinas welcome both seasonal houseboat dwellers and liveaboards, and offer easy access to nearby campgrounds, restaurants, and the town's Greek-Revival-style house museums.

Fort Myers, Florida

The 156-mile Okeechobee Waterway, which extends from Fort Myers on Florida’s east coast to Stuart on its west, has long been a magnet for maritime enthusiasts. But while some are content to sit by the water watching the barges and private vessels bob along the cool currents, others prefer to be part of the action. For those who long to be on the water, the municipal marina, Fort Myers Yacht Basin, borders the downtown district and offers rental slips and docks for transients and liveaboards alike along with an on-site ship store and restaurants.

Brunswick, Georgia

The mainland port city of Brunswick, which is considered part of the Golden Isles of Georgia, was a booming shipbuilding center during World War II, producing 99 ships—primarily cargo ships—for the war effort. Today, the seaside town lures boating enthusiasts with three bordering rivers and an inland waterway. On the East River, marinas entice liveaboards with rare amenities like a dog park, yoga classes, and parties for every major national holiday.

Annapolis, Maryland

America’s sailing capital is an alluring anchorage for houseboat owners. Its attractions include the U.S. Naval Academy and the quaint row houses of Historic Annapolis as well the country’s largest estuary, Chesapeake Bay, and its famous lighthouses, maritime museums, and dock bars. If you need a place to berth your boat, Eastport Yacht Center and other full-service marinas located just off the bay rent out monthly and annual slips to transients and liveaboards.

Friday Harbor, Washington

Drop anchor in the waters off this seaside town, the commercial hub of the San Juan Islands, and you'll be able to wake up to the sight of majestic whales and orcas as well as enchanting old-growth trees. Year-round, you can park floating pads up to 80 feet long at the Port of Friday Harbor, in close proximity to area galleries, ship stores, and theaters.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

In this resort town and barrier island off South Carolina’s coast, houseboat enthusiasts can hop off their vessels to explore diverse ecosystems ranging from beaches to salt marshes, inhabited by white-tailed deer, the occasional alligator, and birds like the great blue heron. While you’re getting the lay of the land, moor your houseboat at area facilities like the Palmetto Bay Marina, the town's oldest, which offers both transient and long-term slips.

Corpus Christi, Texas

This seaside community overlooking the Gulf Coast not only boasts sandy beaches and endangered species like the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, but also has the only major downtown marina on the state’s coast. The marina is just a skip away from area restaurants, museums, and nightlife, and it offers 560 slips, open to both transients and liveaboards.

Huddleston, Virginia

Although home buyers targeting Huddleston can choose from quaint cottages and vacation retreats overlooking Smith Mountain Lake, the best views of the 1.1-million-acre-foot reservoir dubbed the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains” may be from the lake itself. Such prime water views can be yours if you dock a houseboat at one of the lake's many marinas, including Mitchell’s Point Marina & RV Park, which offers year-round docking leases. If you're struck by a sudden longing for land, just head to the north shore of Smith Mountain Lake for a picnic or hike along miles of trails.

Virginia State Parks via Flickr.com

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Livable Yacht

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Glass house at sea

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ARKUP 40 boasts panoramic 7.5-feet, floor-to-ceiling, impact windows, and a modern interior that integrates you with the water and sky. Each floor plan has been carefully designed to optimize space while maintaining a house-like feel while at sea. We’ve disrupted the yachting world and its confined spaces.

Indoor living space : 660 sqft Bedrooms : Studio, 1, or 2 Bathrooms : 1 or 2 Ceiling height : 7.5 ft Luxury Kitchen : Häcker Kitchen w/Miele appliances

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Rooftop lounge.

Imagine a 360° rooftop on the water from sunrise to sunset. Perfect for entertaining, sunbathing, and fun! No yacht can offer this rooftop feel. The standard configuration offers two embedded seating areas. Upgrade your lounge with a nautical decking, summer kitchen, or a hot tub.

Rooftop area : 660 sqft Embedded seating : 14-person capacity Solar awning : optional Optional features available

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Power, propulsion & navigation.

Arkup’s pioneering green-tech systems make ARKUP 40 Solar-Electric Edition the most affordable, new-age green vessel on the market. ARKUP 40 base model comes in a stationary version, non-propelled and connected to shore power.

Propulsion: electric or none Speed : up to 8.5 kts Range : up to 500 NM Draft : 2′ 6″ 

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Folding decks.

Enjoy a seamless indoor and outdoor experience with our folding deck options. Made of polypropylene and utilizing a hydraulic motorized system, these decks are perfect for lounging or sports, like launching your paddle board or jumping into the sea. There is nothing like being connected to the water, and our oversized decks allow you to flow into it.

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Arkup has brought its renowned anchoring and stabilizing technology to ARKUP 40 with its motorized retractable pilings (spuds). You can choose from a free float with a regular anchoring system, or 4 spuds for complete stability and the ability to lift off the water. This provides next-level safety, comfort, and stability over the water.

Spuds quantity : none or 4  Spuds material : stainless steel Spuds length : 22 ft  Spuds anchoring depth: up to 17 ft 

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Combine up to four ARKUP 40s with different floor plans to create the exclusive floating island of your dreams. The Diamond Island offers a naturally formed pool at the center, while the Star Island provides more privacy and stunning panoramic views from each unit.

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Combine multiple ARKUP 40s to create the exclusive floating island of your dreams.

A pool is naturally formed at the intersection of the vessels letting you soak up the sun and take a dip.

This configuration provides more privacy and stunning panoramic views from each unit.

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We have designed additional options for you to personalize ARKUP 40 per your needs. Choose from the following options and make ARKUP your dream liveable yacht to enjoy our unique lifestyle on the water in total comfort and luxury. You can multi-select all options desired in the configurator (scroll down).

Tinted or frosted window film

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Built-in smart sound system indoor & outdoor (main & upper deck)

50″ mirrored TV embedded  in kitchen backsplash wall  

Marine satellite dome

Starlink Roam satellite internet connection

Smart remote AC control system

24″ Washer and Dryer Combo

Summer kitchen (Sink, ice maker, BBQ, hose bib, electrical outlets) 

Hot tub (4 people) 

Composite nautical decking 

Sunbrella cushions for 14-person seating areas (bow/aft) 

Removable rain shields for bow and/or stern

GPS + chart plotter

Removable safety railing for exterior decks (wrap-around)

Detachable outdoor shower for aft deck

Desalination unit (40 gph water maker)

Hybrid heat pump, water heater

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They moved into floating homes and houseboats — and discovered a world of adventure and hidden expenses

• Forget buying a home on land — some people are heading for rivers and lakes instead.
• They're investing in floating houses, houseboats, and narrowboats.
• While the lifestyle has perks, it's not necessarily cheaper than owning a house on land.

Moving into their 360-square-foot floating home a year ago was a dream come true for Sarah Spiro and Brandon Jones.

The house, located on Fontana Lake in North Carolina, has loft-style interiors with high ceilings and windows all around.

"I just love that no matter what you're doing, you can look out the window and have this super peaceful view — even if you're just doing dishes," Spiro, 27, told Business Insider.

Spiro and Jones spent $90,000 building their floating home and say it would have been difficult to buy a house on land for that price. They pay a $5,000 annual mooring fee for their floating home.

Now, they can't imagine returning to life on land.

"I guess it depends on the person, but for us, we would never go back," she said. "It beats living on land."

Embracing life on the water

Living on water is big on social media, where it's spawned popular hashtags like #houseboat and #narrowboatlife , and helped push creators like Adam Lind of @adam.floatinghome to extreme visibility.

It's also a part of the alternate living movement that sees people choosing to stay in tiny houses , homes on wheels , or other forms of housing over traditional brick-and-mortar homes.

National data on the number of people who live in floating homes, houseboats, and narrowboats is hard to come by as there isn't a single authority responsible for tracking all these housing forms across the US.

However, regional data suggests the lifestyle is still quite niche.

In 2023, there were 70 floating home sales reported on the Regional Multiple Listing Service, or RMLS, which covers the Portland area and a significant part of northwest Oregon, Portland Floating Homes real-estate broker John McPherson told BI.

In the case of houseboats, US inventory is highest in the cities of Portland and Seattle, with an average of 47 and 23 monthly listings in 2023 respectively, per data provided by Realtor.com.

The cities with the next highest houseboat listings are Scappoose, Oregon, Sausalito, California, and Johns Island, South Carolina — each had between five and 10 houseboat listings per month in 2023, per data from Realtor.com.

Comprehensive data on the trend abroad is similarly hard to find.

The Canal & River Trust, which looks after 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England & Wales, told BI there are about 34,760 boats along its waterways. Of those, 21% describe themselves as "liveaboard."

A punishing housing market is driving people to alternatives

Elizabeth Earle lives in a narrowboat that she bought for £35,000, or about $44,000, in 2022. She previously told BI's Jordan Pandy that the lifestyle was the least expensive way for her to buy a home in the UK.

"The price for a house in England is a bit ridiculous at the moment," Earle, 34, said. "Even if you're able to save £200 a month, how on earth are you going to save £20,000 towards a mortgage? It feels so unattainable compared to how our parents did it."

Earle's comments echo true across much of her generation around the world.

Millennials are saddled with debt, struggling to build up their net worths , and getting priced out of cities. Some are moving in with their parents because they can't afford to live on their own.

Houses are also getting more expensive . In the US, most major forecasts predict that home prices could rise between 1.4% and 4.1% in 2024.

And while millennials might be suffering the most in the real-estate market, people of all ages are among those seeking out a life on the water.

"What I have observed is that a lot of buyers seem to be in their 40s, 50s, or 60s. Some are in their 70s," McPherson said.

Related stories

It's often people who are downsizing and want to do something specifically for themselves now that they're older — which is enjoy the river, the views, and boating, he added.

"Housing has become increasingly unaffordable for many Americans because of historic high prices coupled with mortgage rates approaching 8%," Daryl Fairweather, Redfin's chief economist, told BI. "This is mainly due to the intense housing supply shortage in the US — we're short millions of homes, which is driving up costs."

A recent survey by Realtor.com also found that more than half of potential home buyers were second-guessing their plans to buy a home, Hannah Jones, a senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com, told BI.

"The relatively high barrier to homeownership may push would-be buyers towards renting for longer or seeking out  alternative living arrangements  to save money for a home purchase," Jones said.

Hidden costs

But if slashing expenses is the goal, life on the water might not be the answer.

"I wouldn't say that owning a floating house is much cheaper than owning a typical house on land, but it is a much lower-priced alternative to owning waterfront property in Portland," McPherson said.

Home insurance for a floating house tends to be about double what it is for a regular house on land, McPherson said. Most floating-home owners also have to pay a monthly fee to either rent or maintain the slip their house is in.

Additionally, the float — the part of the floating house that's equivalent to a foundation — deteriorates over time, McPherson said.

"Depending on what needs to be done, maintenance could cost around $10,000 or so," McPherson said. If a float is too old, it needs to be replaced — and it's not a do-it-yourself kind of job.

"Currently, to replace a float it could cost approximately $80,000 to $130,000 — or even more, depending on the size of the house and what exactly needs to be done," he said.

Laura Woodley, 35, took out a loan to buy a narrowboat in the UK in 2020. Her repayments cost about £650, or $810, a month.

"Many people think that I'm living on a boat to save money, but I actually spend more than I did when I was renting, although I now live alone instead of with roommates," Woodley previously told BI.

A boat license, heating expenses, and maintenance costs add up to roughly another £425 a month — and that's without emergency payments.

"A couple of winters ago, half of my chimney fell off, and my heating broke, and I had to pay £700 to fix it," Woodley said. "Living on a narrowboat is not as simple as having a set of fixed monthly expenses like you would if you lived in a house."

Value in the lifestyle and the community

Money aside, the lifestyle has perks.

"It's a very serene and calm way of life compared to downtown," Kate Fincham, 35, told BI . Her houseboat is moored in Bluffers Park Marina, about 30 minutes from downtown Toronto.

"There are lots of woodlands and trails by the water, and two beaches as well," Fincham added. She spends her summer mornings kayaking on the lake.

Lily Rose, 32, lives on a houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle with her husband Dylan.

"Having ducklings and goslings pay us visits in the late spring and early summer months has been a big highlight of our time on the houseboat," Rose said.

"We enjoy taking our paddleboards out for a quick lunch break during the week or cruising down to the south end of Lake Union in our little 11-foot Boston Whaler to watch the Duck Dodge sailboat races in the summer," Rose added.

For Fincham, there's value in the community and freedom she's found through the houseboat lifestyle.

"I think it's always kind of inspiring for people to think, 'Oh, I don't have to save up to buy a condo,' or whatever. There are alternate avenues and ways to live, too," Fincham said.

Houseboat life has helped her bond with her neighbors.

"The neighbors, we're all very close, and there are always activities and game nights, movie nights, or people going for dinner together," she said. When she lived in a house downtown, she barely knew the people who lived around her.

"You need to be able to roll with the punches," Fincham said. "Sometimes it's not the easiest way of life, but I always think, for me, it's the best way of life."

Watch: Inside the most expensive neighborhoods of Singapore, home to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew

• Main content

6 Popular Boats For Full-Time Living (Affordable Options)

It’s a big investment to get a boat you can live in full time.

Here are some of the more affordable boats out there that we can fully recommend.

Hang with us as we guide you through some of the most popular and affordable boats for full-time living.

Table of Contents

Don’t Get “Sticker Shock”:

If you are choosing to live aboard a boat in you will need to brace yourself for the expense.

While this article is showing you “cheap” or “inexpensive” boats to live on, you should not be comparing them to other boats.

We are not talking about small boats here, but boats you can live on, remember.

Daily use boats do not afford the luxuries that a live-aboard boat can. This makes them more expensive. When looking at live-aboard boat prices, you will want to compare it to traditional living expenses. All choices for live-aboard boats are expensive and you will most likely be looking for a used, possibly even a “project” boat.

If you are looking for a new boat, or even a luxurious used boat you will need to be prepared to spend $100,000 or more depending on the size and type of boat you want.

An Affordable TRAWLER You Can Live On

A trawler is an inexpensive option that allows for generous space. Trawlers are also durable and can take large amounts of use. 

The wider hull of a trawler allows for roomy interiors that include bigger kitchens, more spacious sleeping areas and more room. This boat is also stable and accessible. This makes getting on and off the boat much easier.

They also have less draft than boats with deep hulls like sailboats and lower clearance on top for bridges.

Some cons of a trawler include noisy engines that are slower moving. They also consume large amounts of fuel.

Trawlers also will need maintenance just like any other vessel and can often be older, so they might require more maintenance up front.

1. Albin North Sea Cutter

North Sea Cutters made by Albin are large, spacious and elegant. These boats offer multiple comforts and sleeping areas.

Depending on the year you select, you could have multiple cabins and many places that convert into sleeping areas. You can purchase a used Albin boat that costs anywhere from $20,000 to over $200,000. These prices vary depending on space, age and amenities offered.

Models older than 2000 will often range between $20,000 to $80,000 and they can get more expensive from there.

An Affordable YACHT You Can Live On

2. beneteau swift trawler.

These boats can be swift, fuel efficient, and stable. They offer a spacious deck as well as spacious living quarters.

They often come with more than one cabin and enough room to move around and house more than one person.

The Beneteau Swift Trawlers are more expensive than the Albin models and will likely cost you more than $100,000.

If you are looking for a brand new Beneteau, you could be looking at a base price close to or even over $500,000.

So you definitely want to get a used model if you are looking for a cheaper alternative here!

2 Affordable SAILBOATS You Can Live On

Sailboats can be a relaxing option for your live-aboard vessel. Sailboats come with an open deck and oftentimes have plush cabins situated in their hull.

Some of the appeals of a live-aboard sailboat are that you will spend less money on gas. They are also quieter than their motorboat counterparts.

If you choose to live-aboard a sailboat, you will want to make sure that you have a motor available in case you do not have a cooperating wind.

3. Island Packet 35

These boats are smaller than the trawler options and are better suited to housing smaller families.  They have one main living and sleeping quarters so there is not a lot of privacy offered. These will be ideal for a couple. 

These are very popular choices among sailing cruisers and they were designed with sailing in mind. They are very user-friendly sailboats.

The prices on an Island Packet range close to $100,000.

You will be looking for a used vessel, though, as these were not manufactured after the mid-1990s.

4. Cabo Rico 38

Cabo Rico boats were designed with luxury in mind and it is reflected in their prices.

Older models from the 1980’s and 1990’s range between $80,000 and $100,000 while newer models that were made in the early 2000s can easily reach over $300,000.

The main goal of these boats was to increase the appeal of their aesthetic.

Like the Island Packet, these boats are more ideal for smaller couples. This boat also has an abundance of clever storage spaces that will help you maximize the space that you have. 

Affordable MULTI-HULL Boats You Can Live On

Multi-hull catamarans can be either double or triple hulled.

The benefit of a multi-hulled vessel is the stability offered as well as the possibility for separate living spaces.

A catamaran offers a wide and spacious deck, however, the living spaces in the hulls are generally smaller than they would be on other vessel types.

The major disadvantage of a multi-hull option will be price. Because the construction of these boats is similar to building two separate boats, you should expect to pay more. If you want to live on a multi-hull vessel you could be looking at spending $100,000 or more.

Like a sailboat, you might consider a used catamaran.

In addition to a higher purchase price, these boats also might require two slips in a marina which can make them more expensive.

5. Lagoon 380

The Lagoon 380 is a smaller catamaran which is not the most common. The Lagoon 380 is the smallest catamaran in the Lagoon fleet.

Unlike some other inexpensive options, these are still being produced which offers you the chance to buy new, which means that you will be more likely to customize your boat.

This boat comes with a full bath and a large queen-sized berth or the chance to instead get four cabins. Stowage on this boat is impressive and it comes with many lockers and storage space.

The boat truly is impressive for its small size and will be comfortable for living in. The price of this vessel can range from $170,000 to over $200,000 depending on the year and the options available.

Other Lagoon options can be more expensive but are also great live-aboard vessels.

6. Leopard 44

If you are looking for a more luxurious catamaran, then you will want to look at the Leopard 44. 

The most inspiring part of the design of the Leopard 44 is the inclusion of two cockpits. This allows sailors to change where they steer based on the position of the sun and adds additional comfort.

This boat also provides edging on the surfaces so that you can feel where the boat ends. Attention to detail was key when crafting the Leopard 44. 

Like most catamarans, this vessel is also spacious and provides comforts and amenities that will be useful when living on board.  These include multiple berths and cabins that are well suited to housing more people.

The average price for this vessel is higher than the Lagoon 38 can range between $280,000 and $400,000.

Affordable HOUSEBOATS You Can Live On

If you plan on living aboard a boat without doing a lot of traveling, a houseboat might be ideal for you.

These allow for plenty of space, but are bulky and are not very efficient so they are generally used for living while moored and never actually venturing out on the water.

The most common form of houseboats is built onto pontoon boats. These boats can even offer full enclosures on the deck with plenty of windows and light.

Another downside to a houseboat is their price. Because these boats offer the most space and comfort they are pricey.

Houseboats can offer anything from multiple rooms to decks. They are essentially a house that floats.

Houseboats are often custom designed and are not generally offered as a part of a fleet or boating line. Prices also range wildly and could be anywhere from $30,000 used to over one million dollars.

When looking at houseboats you also have to consider location as a decision that needs to be made.

Houseboats are not designed to move so in addition to the expense of the boat, you are also often looking for a permanent place to put it, and that can be more costly than a marina or other available options.

What About The Bigger Yachts?

Even more expensive than the multi-hull vessel is the luxury yacht.

This is not an inexpensive option. These are the most expensive choice as they are essentially floating hotels.

For this reason, we have opted out of listing options for the luxury yacht, but they are an option that is available for consideration.

So How Do I Choose The Right Boat?

It is most important to choose your boat based on desired lifestyle, budget, and skill level.

If you do not want to worry about learning to sail, then you should look into the power boat options. 

You also want to make sure you pick the appropriate size.

If you plan to go down rivers often, you might not want a boat that is too wide or too tall. This can make river navigation tricky and stressful.

You also want to make sure that while you are conscious about how the size of your boat is external, you allow for enough space internally.

No matter what type of boat you choose you will be giving up some luxuries and living a more minimalist lifestyle. You need to look at what your minimum size requirements will be and start there.

Another thing that is extremely important when choosing is the condition of the boat. Because these types of boats are so expensive, you will most likely be looking at used options.

This means that you will want to get your boat fully inspected before you buy it.

Much like you would get an inspector for your home, you are able to hire marine inspectors who can see things on your vessel that you can’t.

The most important places of consideration are the hull and the engine.

Even a tiny hairline crack in the hull can expand and get worse over time. These are also the most dangerous because you are less likely to see them and get them taken care of.

A marine inspector will also be able to give you a rundown on the vessel and this might help you plan for future expenses and even to negotiate a better price.

In addition to this, when buying a used boat you want to make sure you do not buy a boat that is exactly your budget. You will want to save at least %10 of your budget for possible issues and immediate maintenance needed.

Maintenance will be an ongoing expense that you will have to plan for in order to maintain the integrity of your boat.

Is It Possible To Live On A Boat Full Time?

Living on a boat full time is completely possible if you know what you are doing.

Where to Moor Your Boat:

One of your most major considerations will be where to keep your boat. Many places require marinas to have a liveaboard license and many of the places that do have long waiting lists that could last years.

If you know you want to live aboard a boat full time you will want to start checking into places right away. It would also be wise to not close a deal on a boat until you know you have somewhere to put it.

You will also want to consider the location of where you are mooring your vessel.

If you choose to dock your boat in a marina you will be more likely to have 24/7 access to both electricity and water. This is not true if you choose to live at anchor or on a mooring bay.

This can make a big difference in the comforts afforded while you are living on your boat.

Another consideration to make is the ease of getting on and off your vessel. If you do not moor in a marina you could be relying on a dinghy to get on and off your boat and this can quickly become a hassle, especially if you are transporting things with you as well.

Live-aboard marinas often provide more comfort to you, such as cable, Wi-Fi, or even laundry.

Marina’s do come with a higher cost, so you will have to decide if this is worth it to you.

Comfort Issues To Consider

One major challenge of living on a boat is space. Even with a spacious boat, you will always be living in close quarters to your boat-mates.

Depending on the size of boat you get, you could be asking your partner to move every time you want to move to a different room or area of the boat.

This can quickly get annoying and you will want to make sure that you and your partner both understand the reality of the situation.

Even if you plan to live alone you can be looking as small and confined spaces.

One good way to know if you can handle the day to day challenges of a liveaboard lifestyle is to try it out first. There are plenty of ways to rent a boat to test the waters before you take the plunge.

Another challenge is living without the comforts that most people have every day. Most liveaboards that are affordable do not have hot showers or laundry. 

They also usually have small kitchens and bathrooms with small amounts of storage space. If you are a person who likes to have everything and minimal living is not something that sounds appealing, living on a boat is likely not for you.

To keep your space comfortable, you might want to also consider a dehumidifier to keep your humidity in check.

Important Safety Considerations

One major thing to make sure you plan for is safety. Like all boats, you will need to have the proper life preservers and flotation devices. This is a legal requirement on all water vessels.

In addition to the proper flotation devices, you will want to make sure you have all other required safety equipment.

This includes a fire extinguisher, a carbon monoxide detector in all enclosed areas, a flare, an emergency kit, and a first aid kit.

You should also have anything needed to repair unexpected maintenance issues. Depending on where you are, you will want to make sure you can deal with any issues that might arise until you can get to help.

In addition to the standard safety precautions, living on your boat comes with a few more.

If you are planning to live on your boat, and travel, you will want to make sure you are confident in your abilities and your boat itself before you get too far away from shore. It is wise to spend a few months cruising near land and shores before you attempt any long trips.

You also need to ensure you have the proper communication equipment on board.

Depending on how far from shore you get, you might not be able to communicate using traditional methods such as a cell phone.

A cell phone will be less effective the farther away from shore and any cell phone towers you get.

You should be sure to have satellite communications, a marine radio, and a Ham radio on board.

You will also want to make sure you regularly get your boat inspected and perform any routine maintenance. A boat that is fully functioning and well maintained will be the safest.

How Much Will Living On A Boat Cost Me?

Despite the large upfront cost, living on a boat can be cheaper than living in a traditional manner.

Costs that come with a live-aboard boat can include, but are not limited to:

• Insurance: Just like with a home, car, or daily use boat you will need to pay for insurance. The live-aboard insurance rate will be higher than just recreational boating insurance. This insurance can sometimes compare to home insurance.
• Moorage: Like insurance, live-aboard moorage is more expensive than traditional insurance. You will also need to go to a marina that holds a live-aboard license.
• Mortgage Payments: If you cannot pay for your boat out of pocket, which is likely, you might have to make loan payments on it. Depending on what you spent on your vessel this could be costly.
• Maintenance Costs: After your initial purchase you will still need to spend money on boat maintenance. This expense will vary based on the age of the boat, how often you perform regular maintenance, and how you use the boat itself.
• Utilities: Based on how you have decided to live on your boat, you might have utilities or additional costs with the marina. This will likely still be less than you would pay in a traditional living situation.
• Provisions and Entertainment: Just because you don’t live in a traditional manner, you will still need to buy traditional items such as food, toiletries, and entertainment. If you live completely without the comforts you are used to, your experience will not be very pleasurable.

Most importantly while looking at expenses, you need to make sure you are budgeting and stick to it.

If you are not able to afford your lifestyle, you will not have a lot of immediate options.

If you choose to travel while you sail, budgeting will be even more important. Traveling often does not allow for a traditional job and you do not want to overspend if you do not have any money coming in.

If you know this is the lifestyle you want to live, you might consider going all in. Many people sell their homes in order to live this lifestyle.

What Boat Should I Get For Full-Time Living?

Before you buy a boat to live aboard, you need to be clear about your needs.

There are a lot of options to choose from and this is not a decision to rush through. One of the first things that you need to decide when picking a boat is whether you want a motorboat or a sailboat.

A Sailboat Or A Motorboat?

Sailboats are not just appropriate for ocean living, they are also good for lake, river, or bay living. Sailboats are quieter than motorboats and are generally more economical because they use less gas.

One issue with sailboats is that they require more skill to handle and they might not be ideal for a singular person.

Like any boat, you will want to ensure that you are choosing the right size. If you plan on using your sailboat in a river, you will want to think about the required clearance when it comes to bridges.

Motorboats with ample cabin space can also be ideal for full-time living on a lake, river or bay.

These boats are often very spacious and easy to handle. Unlike sailboats, you do not have to take classes or training to be able to maneuver or handle the vessel. Motorboats that you can live aboard can range from trawlers to yachts to certain types of catamarans .

Motorboats do not rely on the wind and this can make them ideal for a boat you want to do both living and traveling on.

The issues with motorboats is that you will need to consider gas and other expenses that come with running an engine.  They are also louder than sailboats and often their engines are placed close to living quarters. This can make sleep difficult if you are moving.

Below are some inexpensive boat options that would be perfect for full-time living .

What Are The Benefits?

Even though this all might seem very expensive, there is a large list of benefits as well. 

Living on a boat can be cheaper than living in a traditional home, especially in high priced areas.

The main reason that you should live on a boat is the freedom and adventure that comes with it.

You would be able to take your home on vacation with you or just pick up and go to a new location.

You are also more likely to meet adventurous and like-minded individuals who will most likely have interesting stories to tell. 

One of the best parts about living out on the water is the views that you will see. There is nothing quite as beautiful as waking up to a sunrise over the water.

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Dan Duryea & Family: At Home

Dan Duryea may have been a villain on Hollywood's Silver Screen, playing roles so mean and despicable that the public actually believed him to be a heel in real life, but the reality was that he was actually a nice, quiet family man who enjoyed two hobbies: boat building and gardening.

The Duryea's house was a two-storied Mediterranean-style home at 7621 Mulholland Drive, Hollywood, California. Mulholland Drive was a highway bisecting Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. Dan and Helen Duryea planted roses, lilacs, peonies and a host of other flowers. By the late 1950s, Dan estimated that there were 175 rose bushes around their Hollywood Hills home.

Dan tried to keep his home life as simple as possible for the sake of his sons. He was active in the PTA, and he was a leader in the Cub and Boy Scouts (of which his boys were members). The Duryea's seem to have always had a dog. In 1947, it was Cocker Spaniel named "Jerry". In 1955 it was a "pooch" named "Blackie". Dan's boys were never allowed to see their Dad's films while they were growing up, because he didn't want them to get the wrong idea about him.

Press Photos and Candid Shots

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Caption: AT HOME WITH A MOVIE MERCHANT OF MENACE. Presenting the Dan Duryea family, walking down their front drive to meet you. They are Mrs. D. (the former Helen Bryan, a non-professional); Dick, age 3; Peter, age 6 and daddy Dan. The cocker spaniels bring up the rear. Dan's proud of that smooth lawn; keeping it that way helps keep him slim and trim. After dinner the Duryeas lounge in the living room which is spacious and livable. Antiques and extravagance are conspicuous by their absence. The room is the kind that the youngsters can enjoy, and even the dogs feel at home. Dan Duryea rates with the most fearsome movie merchants of menace (witness his performances in Woman in the Window, Scarlet Street , etc.) but at home his family just doesn't believe it. He's a good husband, father, neighbor and taxpayer --- which might be disillusioning, but surely is true. The Duryeas dwell in a large house on Mulholland Drive, hilltop highway bisecting Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. Two-storied and Mediterranean in style, the house commands views in both directions and was purchased shortly after Dan foresook Broadway for Hollywood. Since Dan personally landscapes and maintains his property and lives much the same life as his young sons, here's a revealing glimpse of a top-bracket movie 'villain' at home, photographed candidly during the brief interim between his latest pictures, Universal's Black Angel and White Tie and Tails .

Caption: Dan has his own ideas about script-writing and sometimes sits down at his typewriter to rewrite a scene. Books in the background are mostly home and gardening guides, with a few photography manuals thrown in. He never reads detective stories --- they keep him awake nights. Such is the life of a movie menace at home.

Caption: Dan Duryea, The Hunk of Skunk, demonstrates being tough to his wife and sons, Peter and Dick. (Pete on left, Dick on right.)

Caption: (Photo 1) Though Dan Duryea, Universal-International star, rose to fame as a tough guy on the screen, he is a softie as far as his cocker dog, Jerry, is concerned. Jerry never fails to show his appreciation for favors done. (Photo 2) Dan Duryea and his wife, with sons, Peter and Dick, greet Donald Duck after the Walt Disney Fantasy number in the 1950 Ice Capades at the Pan Pacific.

Caption: In front of the cameras Dan Duryea is usually a very wicked man, but behind the camera in this picture he plays a role more natural to him, a proud and pleasant father of two husky sons. On the left is six year old Richard and on the right, ten year old Peter. The boys don't see many of the pictures that have made their father a famous star, but they have enjoyed visiting him at the studio.

Caption: Dan Duryea, Universal-International star, is not exactly a gentleman farmer, but he spends much of his spare time landscaping his hillside home that overlooks San Fernando Valley. Dan has built four large terraces on what used to be a steep hill on the back of his property.

Caption: Although slippers and pipe are missing, Dan Duryea, Universal-International star has a favorite chair, the only piece of furniture he brought with him from the East. It has been recovered and rebuilt (a compromise to his wife). Nevertheless, Dan says he never feels at home unless he is in it.

Caption: Dan Duryea watches while his wife, Helen, tempts their pet pooch, "Blackie", with a tidbit at their home in Hollywood. The popular star of films and television is best known for his screen "bad man" roles.

Here are three fun pictures of Dan Duryea and his sons, Peter (8 years old) and Dick (6 years old). These photos were taken in 1947, at a Hollywood "playground," on a Saturday morning when the trio was out having some fun. Dan's sideburns were for his role in the 1948 film, Black Bart (which he was filming at the time).

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