Full-Time Houseboat Living - an early retirement, year round boaters dream.

by Capt. John
(Galveston, TX)

Houseboat Living - it doesn't get any better than this.

You're looking at full-time houseboat living because of early retirement, or simply want to live a year round boaters dream?

If living aboard a houseboat full-time appeals to you (and I know it's not for everyone) then I simply can not encourage you enough.

I have always been a "big" boater... And by that I mean that I have never owned a boat that could be trailered (except for a dinghy or two). Living on a boat (and especially a houseboat) is just one of the most enjoyable and pleasant life styles one can ever imagine.

In my case, I was involved in a forced early retirement incentive - offered by my employer of 22 years. At the time, my monthly cost of living required that I take home $6,000 a month - just to keep the roof over my family's head, eat and live.

My only debt was my mortgage, as my wife and I always paid all our bills and the total amount on our credit cards every single month.

When I was "forced" into early retirement - I didn't know what I was going to do... So, I did what any level headed boater would do - I packed up the family and we all went cruising.

That's when it hit me... All my adult life, I dreamed of the day I could live and cruise full-time on my boat. Now, suddenly, the opportunity was here.

We sold the house, the cars, and held the Grand Daddy of all garage sales - and watched our $6,000 a month cost of living drop to a few hundred (the cost of our insurance, boat fuel, and what we ate).

That was 15 years ago. Currently, I cruise around America's Great Loop - stopping, staying, or cruising with changes in mood and weather.

So, think not "how much" you need to live on your boat - but "how little". Life is sweet when your living aboard.

Capt. John



Reply - Answer
Well Capt. John, welcome to the houseboat forums, and I would like to thank you personally for sharing such a powerful story of your forced early retirement, and how it helped you make the decision to spend your life aboard.

I also agree with you about how little it takes to live a great life on a boat, especially compared to living life on land. Anyways, you can only bring so many pairs of shoes, books or tupperware :)

You mention that it's not a lifestyle choice for everyone, as my wife and I know since we have friends that think we are nuts and not in touch with reality because we love living on a houseboat. There is no other place in the world that WE would rather be :)

I am sure that you're story will touch many of our readers, and may even inspire them to share what they love about houseboats, or what helped them get started in houseboating.



Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their life on board, or houseboat living experiences. Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.


Thanks again for sharing, IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com

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