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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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11 Must Haves You Need to Live on a Boat
Imagine waking up every day to dip in the ocean and watch the sunset as the waves change their course.
Living on a boat is a completely alternative lifestyle and can be rewarding in some ways.
While the open ocean is exciting, it’s not without challenges. Before you claim your boat as a full-time residence, you need to do some preparations.
The question arises: What do you need to live on a boat? From humidifiers to cooking pots and storage bins, I have made the perfect ‘living on a boat checklist’ for you.
Key Takeaways
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- Living on a Boat: Embracing life on a boat is an adventurous and alternative lifestyle that requires specific essential items to ensure comfort and efficiency.
- Top 11 Must-Haves: Essentials like shore power cords, dehumidifiers, handheld vacuums, and potted herbs are vital for maintaining a cozy and organized boat life.
- Space and Minimalism: Space is limited on a boat, so decluttering and choosing multi-functional, compact items is crucial.
- Boat Size Considerations: A 30-foot boat is ideal for solo living, while a 50-60-foot yacht is better suited for a family of five.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Living on a boat can be more affordable than living on land, with significant rent and transportation cost savings.
- Challenges: Despite its allure, boat living has limited space, storage issues, and managing essentials like water and power.
What Do You Need to Live on a Boat: Checklist
Living on the water can change your needs and create new ones out of the blue. What is essential for living on land might be utterly useless on a boat, and vice versa.
Apart from that, your everyday life will revolve around a few quality items that will make it much more comfortable.
Since a boat has little space, you must declutter your kitchen essentials, tools, and clothing. Keeping things minimum will make cleaning more manageable and give you more living space.
If you are wondering, “What do you need to live on a boat?” check out my top 11 picks to take on board that will make your daily life easier.
What is it called when you live on a boat?
Imagine waking up to the gentle sway of the water, the sun rising over the horizon, and your cozy cabin filled with the sounds of nature! Living aboard a boat, whether a sleek powerboat, a majestic cruising sailboat, or a charming houseboat, transforms everyday life into an exhilarating adventure.
But what makes this lifestyle even more exciting are the life aboard boat items needed to make your floating home comfortable and efficient. From solar panels to keep you powered up to compact kitchen gadgets and clever storage solutions—these essential live aboard boat items ensure you have everything to make life on the water a dream come true!
1. Shore Power Cord
No matter your location, shore power is essential for running technology like your laptop. But you can’t go for any old power cord lying around.
You will need a heavy-duty power cord, such as the Camco PowerGrip Marine Extension Cord, which is durable and weather-protected. The PowerGrip also has an adjustable cord organizer and a carrying strap handle for easy handling and storage.
Before plugging in the cord, check for damage or corrosion. This will reduce the risk of complications or accidents.
2. DeHumidifiers
A boat is prone to dampness like anything. The humidity gives rise to mold and mildew in the wet areas of your boat, and you don’t want that.
You can’t escape dampness on water, but you can manage it with dehumidifiers. You will need a couple of them for each area.
Use a simple and affordable moisture absorber for small areas of your boat, such as the DampRid Refillable Moisture Absorber. It manages excess humidity and keeps the musty smells out of the boat. It is also fragrance-free and won’t leave behind any strong odors.
An electric dehumidifier is the best option for larger spaces with more humidity. It will ensure that your bedding, clothes, and other fabrics remain undamaged, especially if you have a cabin shower.
3. Head Torch
A head torch can be handy when trimming the sails or moving around at night. You can light the headlamps to go out at night and then switch them when they are not needed to save energy.
A good option is the Everbeam H6 Pro Head Torch, which can run up to 30 hours in red and 10 hours in white light. It is also waterproof and can withstand humidity, making it suitable for extensive use.
4. Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
A vacuum cleaner is one of the many things you will use multiple times throughout the day. A handheld vacuum can clean every nook and cranny of your boat and keep it hygienic.
A lightweight and cordless vacuum, such as the Black & Decker Handheld Vacuum, will remove fine dust and debris from tight spaces around the boat.
It comes with a brush tool for picking up any more significant spills from the floors.
5. Curtains
Curtains are essential to a boat, especially when the afternoon sun is shining on your head. They can offer some shade in the day and some extra privacy.
You can buy a pair of curtains or DIY them for your windows.
6. Storage Bins/Dock Boxes
You know what I am talking about if you have seen one of those nylon storage boxes. They are great for holding things, easy to clean, and fold flat for storage.
The quality ones, like the Amazon Basics Storage Container, are exceptionally durable and keep your stuff safe.
Dock boxes are ideal for oversized items like chairs and fishing gear you won’t need daily. They can help you make the most of your deck space and serve as sheds for your boat.
7. E-Book Reader
With limited storage space, you can only carry a few paperback books. You can always sell or exchange guides when you move to new cruising grounds, but you won’t always find your favorites.
You can keep paper copies of boating books and use an eBook reader for the rest. It takes up less space, and you can read comfortably in the evenings and at night.
With an e-reader onboard, you can read a new book every week.
8. E-Cloth
Using paper towels on the boat can be expensive. Storage and waste factors add to the cost, quickly making them a poor choice.
Solution? E-Cloths are durable microfiber cloths that are amazing at cleaning and produce zero waste. The E-Cloth Microfiber Starter Pack is non-toxic and requires only water to clean surfaces.
9. Cooking Pot
When you live on a boat, cooking is your hobby. And for that, you will need cookware.
You want high-quality cookware, such as the Magma 7-Piece Nesting Cookware Set, that can be stored easily. The set is non-stick, durable, and easy to clean. It comes with a Bungee Storage Cord for convenient storage.
10. Whistling Kettle
You can’t keep separate pots for everything. A kettle is a multi-purpose vessel where you can boil water for tea or coffee, prepare soups, and heat water for dishwashing or bathing.
Go for a stainless steel kettle with a stay-cool handle. The Mr. Coffee Flintshire Stainless Steel Whistling Tea Kettle is lightweight and portable and can be used on the stovetop or electric coil range.
11. Potted Herbs
Having potted herbs onboard can make all the difference in your everyday meals. It lets you get creative and bring a fresh vibe into your living space.
Green onions, rosemary, thyme, basil, and mint are just a few options. These herbs can elevate the flavors of any meal, and you can always store them for later use.
What size boat can you comfortably live on?
Waking up every day to the gentle sway of the ocean, the sun rising over the horizon, and the limitless freedom of the open sea! A 30-foot sailing yacht is the perfect floating home for a single adventurer. Compact yet cozy, this size boat can comfortably live on while offering suitable practicality and charm.
You can easily manage the boat single-handedly and enjoy all your essential amenities in a snug but functional space. However, if you’re a family of five dreaming of life on the waves, you must think bigger! A much larger yacht with multiple cabins, expansive common living spaces, and extra storage is essential.
Think of it as your floating mansion where everyone has their nook! So, what size boat can you comfortably live on for a family? It’s likely something in the 50 to 60-foot range to ensure everyone has enough space to thrive. Whether small or large, each yacht offers an incredible lifestyle filled with adventure and endless horizons!
Is it cheaper to live in a boat than a house?
Imagine waking up to the gentle rocking of the waves, sipping your morning coffee while watching the sunrise over the horizon. Living on a boat can be cheaper than living on land, and the savings are incredible! We discovered how much more affordable this lifestyle can be when we released our Great Loop Expense Reports.
By cutting out hefty rent payments and eliminating car-related costs, living on a boat allows you to channel your finances into making unforgettable memories. Our year-long journey around the Great Loop showcased the true potential of this budget-friendly lifestyle. Embrace the adventure, embrace the savings—because living on a boat can be cheaper than living on land, and it’s worth every penny!
What are the disadvantages of living on a boat?
Living on a boat may sound like an adventurous dream, but let’s explore its disadvantages! First, limited space can be a real game-changer. Imagine trying to store all your belongings in a space the size of a studio apartment! Storage and organization become a daily puzzle.
Plus, managing potable water and energy can turn into quite a challenge. Running out of freshwater or dealing with power issues could damage your maritime lifestyle. So, while the sea offers freedom, the disadvantages of living on a boat certainly include significant sacrifices in comfort and convenience.
Wrap-Up
What do you need to live on a boat?” you can enter your boat well prepared.
Even though everyone lives a little differently on a boat, this is a checklist of everything you won’t regret buying.
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