Guide to Living Aboard - part 2

Can you live in a marina?

If you are visiting a marina, you can normally live on your boat for some months. Not all marinas allow you to live permanently on a boat for reasons that include:

·       Government zoning regulations. This can range from a complete ban on living aboard to a season ban during periods such as the tropical cyclone season

·       Insufficient shore facilities (showers, toilets, rubbish disposal, car parking…) to support a 24/7 community

·       An impression that “floating houses” brings down the prestige of a marina or yacht club

When you do liveaboard, most developed ports will require your boat to be fitted with black/grey water holding tanks and adhere to a tank pump out regime. Also check that your insurance policy covers permanent occupation.

Living costs?

Costs should be looked at in terms of trade-offs between living onboard verses ashore. Typical items to look at include:

·       Marina fees can include gated community like security, free freshwater to the boat, inboard facilities such as heads, showers, a laundry and off-street parking

·       In a marina you would normally pay for the electricity you use, but if you have good solar panels in sunny climates, shore electricity may not be required

·       Unlike buildings, boats also need to be slipped every 12-24 months for underwater work

·       Boat insurance costs are likely to be higher than insurance on a rented apartment

·       The price for a marina berth depends on the location, season, and length/width of the boat. Compared to monthly fees for a cruising boat, permanent liveaboard slips generally cost more due to the limited amount of liveaboard berths available

Non-cost items include:

·       A sense of community and mutual assistance between those living aboard

·       Reduced space for your personal items and less personal space if sharing with others

·       It can be hard to get deliveries or receive mail

·       Limited storage leads to a need to shop more frequently

·       In cold or rainy conditions, a boat can feel quite confined

If you have any questions, Yacht Services (Asia) has specialists in yacht charter, ownership and management. Contact us at any stage and we will be happy to assist.