living on a sailboat in the philippines

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8 Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Philippines to Moor Your Boat In

FoodfindsAsia.com | 8 Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Philippines to Moor Your Boat In | Filipinos’ history as a maritime people date back to prehistoric times. In fact, the Philippines’ basic sociopolitical unit today, the barangay, traces its etymological origins to the balangay , the ancient outrigger boats that were used by precolonial Filipino communities to explore and conquer islands this side of the Pacific. As a people belonging to a seafaring culture, it’s no wonder that modern Filipinos are taking a retrospective look at their glorious past as Austronesian mariners and are developing a renewed love for the ocean and marinas as present-day yachtsmen.

Today, Philippine marinas look to accommodate more and more yachts and other pleasure watercrafts as the years go by. In 2017, an ASEAN Briefing op-ed piece named the Philippines as a country with high potential in yacht industry growth. The natural beauty of the Philippine islands and its fantastic bays, combined with a growing interest in leisurely sea travel, can explain the spike in yachting activities throughout the country.

Are you part of the demographic that’s become enamored of the yachting lifestyle? Do you want to know where in the country you can berth your watercraft? Leading sailboat and motorboat authority Europa Yachts is happy to enter the conversation, and recommends the following locations for discovering the Philippines through yachting. Here is a short list of clubs and marinas in the country, organized by island region.

Manila Yacht Club and Marina, Manila, Metro Manila

Established in 1927, the Manila Yacht Club and Marina is one of the oldest yacht clubs in all of Asia, and is nestled in the scenic Manila Bay. It is also near other well-known landmarks in the city, such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the headquarters of the Philippine Navy, and the US Embassy. Facilities in the marina include a launching ramp and a fueling center, and the club itself is host to a restaurant and gorgeous function rooms. The Manila Yacht Club only welcomes visitors who arrive by boat, and it charges an initial security deposit of USD 750 upon arrival. Club membership is mandatory for medium and long-term mooring of boats.

Subic Bay Yacht Club, Zambales

The Subic Bay Yacht Club, which was founded in 1998, upholds itself as the country’s premier yacht club. It operates in the deepest bay in the country, and can host vessels well beyond 50 meters in length. Already benefitting from the innate beauty of the Zambales mountains surrounding it, the club hosts a number of other attractions, including its luxury accommodations, swimming pools, and its own movie theater, bowling alley, and nightclub. Those who venture outside of the club’s premises can also shop for well-priced imported goods at the Subic Freeport Zone, engage in water sports , or sign up for diving excursions.

Punta Fuego Yacht Club, Batangas

Peaceful Punta Fuego is a mecca for those who love the sport of sailing. As per its official website, the Punta Fuego Yacht Club aims to serve “a dynamic and vibrant community of boat enthusiasts and yacht owners.” This it does by playing host to a diverse population of watercrafts, from large catamarans and mono-hull yachts to small boats. Non-members of the club may use the berths for up to 3 weeks, and can refuel at the marina’s fueling station. The yacht club offers other amenities such as locker rooms, shower rooms, Internet facilities, a chart room, and a restaurant called Barracuda Bar, which serves delicious fares. Outside of the yachting crowd, Punta Fuego Yacht Club also caters to those wishing to celebrate weddings, conferences, and corporate events in their opulent quarters.

Puerto Galera Yacht Club, Oriental Mindoro

Further south, yachtsmen may moor at the Puerto Galera Yacht Club in Oriental Mindoro, an island location that’s home to tourist attractions like the Sabang Wreck dive site, lively beachfront resorts, and the Malasimbo Music Festival. Puerto Galera Yacht Club has been in operation for almost thirty years and lends services such as refueling provisions and yacht repairs from its marina. Boat owners also enjoy optimal convenience if mooring here, as they can also shop for spare parts in the nearby Batangas port.

Busuanga Yacht Club, Puerta del Sol Bay Marina, Palawan

Beautiful Palawan is a bucket-list destination for many, especially those who dream of cruising its crystalline waters. Accommodating the yachting community in this island province is the Busuanga Yacht Club, which promises secure mooring amidst breathtaking white-sand beaches. Here, each vessel will benefit from a typhoon-safe harbor, easy refueling, and direct access to transportation hubs like the New Busuanga Airport. Adjoining this marina is the Puerta del Sol Bay Resort, which offers luxurious accommodations to visitors. When not atop the deck of a boat, travelers can also explore the lagoons and freshwater lakes of Coron, go shipwreck diving, or relax in the hot springs of Maquinit.

Iloilo Sailing Club, Arevelo, Iloilo City, Iloilo

Iloilo Province is home to some of the country’s most beautiful old-world architecture, a flourishing ecotourism industry, and delectably fresh seafood cuisine. What will round off an unforgettable visit to Iloilo, however, is an excursion to the Iloilo Sailing Club on a leisure watercraft. The club accepts visitors and encourages membership in the case of medium and long-stay mooring. It also hosts a number of amenities and activities, including a dinghy storage, a beach bar and restaurant, and classes for those who want to learn about sailing. In recent months, the Iloilo Sailing Club has also been a convenient meet-up point for big maritime events, such as the Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta and the Seafarers’ Job Fair.

Cebu Yacht Club, Mactan Island, Cebu

The historic Mactan Island in Cebu was the site of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines. Now known as a commercial hub that hosts a prolific furniture and musical instruments industries, Mactan is also the location of the Cebu Yacht Club, an institution that is beloved by the locals. Aside from being an ideal spot to restock on much-needed fuel and supplies, the Cebu Yacht Club is also a trusted club to commission for boat repairs. There’s a good vibe in this club for everybody, as it sports both luxury accommodations and a waterfront strip of restaurants that laid-back diners can frequent. MINDANAO

Holiday Oceanview Marina, Samal Island, Davao del Norte

The Holiday Oceanview Marina is a major attraction of Samal Island in Davao del Norte Province, one that welcomes Filipino and foreign yachtsmen alike to moor within its premises. The space is quite roomy, in fact, with 56 berths that can fit vessels up to 15 meters in length. The club also has a boat ramp that can accommodate boats up to 18 meters in length. The well-guarded and weather-safe marina is a gateway to some of Mindanao’s finest attractions, such as the Pearl Farm, Hagimit Falls, and Giant Clam Sanctuary.

There’s no better way to discover the Philippines from end to end than getting onboard a seaworthy vessel and going on a long cruise, with stops in some of the most beautiful places in the country. Find a safe harbor in any of these major clubs and marinas, and participate in the renaissance of sailing in the Philippines.

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Things to Consider When Living on a Boat Full-Time | Live on a sailboat | Sailboat Life | Liveaboard

Alex Morgan

1. Your Household: Who’s Living on the Boat?

Living on a boat full-time is a unique and adventurous lifestyle choice that can be incredibly rewarding. Whether you are a digital nomad or thinking of living, considering living on a boat. It’s crucial to carefully consider who will be sharing this maritime adventure with you. The dynamics of your household play a significant role in sailing lifestyle.

Singles: Solo Adventurers of the Sea

For singles, living on a boat full-time can offer unparalleled freedom and self-discovery. You have the entire boat to yourself, and decisions are yours alone to make. It’s an opportunity to embrace solitude, self-sufficiency, and the thrill of self-reliance.

Couples: Navigating Together

Couples embarking on the boat living journey must consider the challenges and joys of sharing a confined space. While romantic sunsets and cozy evenings afloat can be truly magical, there will also be moments when you’re in each other’s personal space 24/7.

Families: Raising Sailors

For families with children, boat living offers a unique opportunity for bonding and education. Kids growing up on a boat learn valuable life skills early, from navigating to problem-solving. The rewards of watching your children grow up with an appreciation for nature and self-reliance can be immeasurable.

Pets: Companions Afloat

Don’t forget about your furry or feathered friends. Many boat owners bring pets aboard. While pets can be excellent companions, it’s essential to consider their safety and comfort on the boat.

Multi-Generational Crews: The Extended Boat Family

Some adventurous souls choose to share their boat with extended family members or friends. This can be a delightful way to create lasting memories and strengthen relationships.

Tailoring Your Boat for Your Household

Each household dynamic requires different boat layouts, amenities, and storage solutions. When selecting a boat, consider the number of cabins, sleeping arrangements, and common areas. For example, families might prioritize spacious living areas, while solo adventurers may focus on compact and efficient layouts. Regardless of your household composition, communication, adaptability, and a shared love for the water will be your greatest assets in making boat living a harmonious and fulfilling experience.

2. Necessary Space for Full-Time Boat Living

When you decide to embrace the full-time boat living lifestyle, you’re not just choosing a unique way to live; you’re also embracing a more minimalist and compact way of life. On a boat, space is at a premium, and every inch must be carefully considered and utilized to ensure comfort and functionality.

The Significance of Space Management

Effective space management is key to enjoy sailing and making boat living enjoyable and sustainable. Unlike traditional homes, where you can spread out and accumulate possessions, sailing around demands that you prioritize the essentials and make the most of your limited square footage.

Here are some important considerations for living aboard a sailboat:

Multifunctional Furniture: Invest in furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes. For example, a dining table that can be converted into a bed or storage ottomans that double as seating. These space-saving solutions help maximize the utility of each item.
Vertical Storage: Make use of vertical space by installing shelves, hooks, and storage compartments on walls and bulkheads. This allows you to store items like dishes, clothing, and personal belongings without cluttering valuable floor space.
Declutter Regularly: Minimalism is a cornerstone of boat living. Regularly evaluate your possessions and remove items you no longer need or use. A clutter-free boat not only feels more spacious but also reduces the risk of accidents.
Compact Appliances: Opt for compact, energy-efficient appliances and fixtures. Choose a smaller refrigerator, a stovetop with multiple burners, and space-saving bathroom fixtures to make the most of confined spaces.
Outdoor Living: Boats offer the unique advantage of outdoor living spaces. Use the cockpit or deck for dining, lounging, and socializing to expand your living area without adding interior clutter.
Stowage Solutions: Explore creative stowage solutions, such as under-bed storage, hidden compartments, and ceiling hammocks for storing items like clothing, food, and gear.
Mindful Decorating: Choose light colors and minimalist decor to create a sense of openness and brightness. Mirrors can also give the illusion of more space.
Reduce Redundancy: Prioritize multipurpose items and avoid redundancy. For instance, one pot that can be used for various cooking tasks is more practical than a collection of specialized cookware.
Organizational Systems: Implement efficient organizational systems for cabinets and drawers. Use bins, dividers, and labels to keep items easily accessible and orderly.
Personal Space: Ensure that each member of your household has a designated personal space or storage area. This helps maintain boundaries and reduce clutter.

By embracing these space management principles and adopting a minimalist mindset, you can create a comfortable and efficient living environment on your boat.

3. Other Basic Necessities for Full-Time Boat Living

Living on a boat full-time is an adventure that requires a unique approach to life’s basics. From cooking meals to maintaining hygiene, here’s a closer look at some essential aspects of daily life when your home is a floating oasis.

Cooking Aboard: Galley Essentials

The galley, or kitchen, on a boat may be smaller and less equipped compared to a conventional kitchen, but it’s where culinary creativity thrives. To make the most of your boat’s galley:

Compact Appliances: Invest in marine-grade, compact appliances like a two-burner stove, oven, and a small refrigerator. These appliances are designed to withstand the rigors of marine life.
Provisioning: Plan your meals carefully and stock up on non-perishable and canned goods. Limited storage space means fewer trips to the grocery store, so efficient provisioning is key.
Seasickness-Friendly Recipes: Opt for easy-to-make meals that won’t cause seasickness, as boat movement can affect cooking. Simple recipes with minimal prep work are ideal.
Outdoor Cooking: Utilize the grill or cook meals on the deck when weather permits. Grilling seafood you’ve caught yourself is a delightful part of boat living.

Hygiene and Sanitation: Compact Bathrooms

Boat bathrooms, known as heads, are typically smaller and require thoughtful usage:

Marine Toilets: Marine heads are different from household toilets, so familiarize yourself with their operation and maintenance.
Water Conservation: Freshwater is a precious resource on a boat. Be mindful of water usage, especially when showering. Many boaters opt for quick, efficient navy showers.
Waste Management: Learn how to properly handle waste, including blackwater and greywater. Compliance with marine sanitation laws is essential.
Laundry: Access to laundry facilities may be limited. Consider compact, portable washing machines, and get familiar with laundromats at marinas.

Adapting to Compact Living: Mindset Matters

Living on a boat full-time requires an adaptable mindset:

Downsizing: Embrace minimalism and pare down your belongings to the essentials. Simplifying your life is liberating and makes boat living more comfortable.
Routine Maintenance: Regularly maintain your boat to ensure it stays in good condition. Learn basic boat maintenance skills or hire a qualified marine technician. You should be equipped with lots of tools which would come in handy if you choose to move on sailboat
Weather Awareness: Be weather-savvy. Weather conditions can impact your plans and safety. Stay informed and be prepared for changing conditions. Life at sea can be a bit of a challenge specially in long-term sailing means being aware of wind and waves at all times.
Community and Support: Connect with other liveaboard boaters and join boating associations. Saying goodbye to friends is tough, the boating community is often welcoming and provides valuable support and advice.
Adaptability: Flexibility is key in boat living. Living in a very small space, one has to be prepared to adjust plans and adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

3. Your Budget: Navigating the Financial Waters of Boat sailing

Embarking on a full-time boat living adventure is not just a lifestyle change; it’s a financial commitment that requires careful planning and consideration. Here, we’ll dive into the financial aspects of boat living, helping you chart a course for a budget that keeps your dreams afloat.

Understanding the Costs of Boat Living

Before setting sail, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with living on a boat full-time. These costs can be broken down into several categories:

Boat Purchase: The initial cost of acquiring a boat can vary greatly depending on the type, size, age, and condition of the vessel. Whether you buy new or used, this is often the most significant upfront expense. You should buy a boat which is capable of long-term sailing and matches your cruising lifestyle.
Maintenance and Repairs: Boats require ongoing maintenance and occasional repairs. Budget for routine maintenance, haul-outs, engine servicing, and unexpected repairs.
Marina Fees: If you plan to dock your boat in a marina, you’ll need to budget for slip fees. Marina fees vary widely depending on location, amenities, and boat size.
Insurance: Boat insurance is essential to protect your investment. Factors like the type of boat, coverage, and your boating experience can influence insurance costs.
Fuel and Utilities: Factor in the cost of fuel for propulsion and onboard generators. You’ll also have utility costs, including electricity, water, and sewage pump-out fees.
Provisions: Budget for groceries, cleaning supplies, and other essentials. Living on a boat often means less storage space, so provisioning efficiently is crucial.
Safety Equipment: Invest in safety gear like life jackets, fire extinguishers, and emergency signaling devices. These are non-negotiable expenses for responsible boat owners.
Personal Expenses: Don’t forget about personal expenses like health insurance, entertainment, and leisure activities. Boat living should be enjoyable, so allocate funds for fun too.

Budgeting Strategies for Boat Living

Creating a budget for full-time boat living requires a different approach than budgeting for a land-based lifestyle. Here are some strategies to help you navigate your financial waters and keep the boat in good condition.

Detailed Expense Tracking: Keep a detailed record of all your expenses for the first few months to understand your spending patterns and identify areas where you can save.
Emergency Fund: Build an emergency fund for unexpected boat repairs or other unforeseen expenses. Having a financial safety net is crucial.
Frugal Living: Embrace frugality and minimalism. Reduce unnecessary expenses and focus on what truly matters to you.
Maintenance Fund: Set aside a portion of your budget for routine boat maintenance. Regular upkeep can prevent costly repairs in the long run.
Alternative Docking Options: Explore cost-effective docking options, such as mooring balls or anchorages, which may be more affordable than marina slips.
Liveaboards’ Communities: Join liveaboard communities and forums to gain insights from experienced boat dwellers. They can provide tips on budgeting and cost-saving strategies.
Periodic Assessments: Review and adjust your budget regularly as your circumstances change or as you gain more experience with boat living.

4. Do You Need Permission? Navigating Legal and Regulatory Aspects of start living sailboat life

As you prepare to embark on the full-time boat living journey, it’s vital to understand that living on the water comes with a set of legal and regulatory considerations that can vary by location. Navigating these waters is essential to ensure a smooth and lawful experience.

Understanding Marine Regulations

Marine regulations are in place to promote safety, protect the environment, and maintain order on the waterways. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Boating Licenses: In many regions, you may need a boating license or certificate of competency to operate a vessel. These requirements can depend on the type and size of the boat.
Navigation Rules: Familiarize yourself with the International Rules of the Road and any local navigation rules specific to your area. These rules govern the safe operation of vessels and prevent collisions.
Environmental Regulations: Proper disposal of waste, sewage, and graywater is essential to protect the environment. Comply with local regulations for sewage pump-out and waste management.
Anchoring Regulations: Some areas have restrictions on anchoring, including designated anchorages, time limits, and distances from shore. Be aware of these regulations when selecting anchorages.
Permits and Licenses: Depending on your location, you may need permits or licenses for various activities, such as fishing or collecting seafood.
Boat Safety Equipment: Ensure your boat is equipped with the necessary safety equipment, including life jackets, fire extinguishers, and emergency signaling devices, to comply with safety regulations.

Permissions for Living Aboard

Living aboard a boat full-time may require additional permissions, which can vary by location and type of waterway. Here are some considerations:

Marina Rules: If you plan to dock in a marina, understand the marina’s rules and regulations for liveaboards. They may have specific requirements and fees.
Anchoring Permits: In some areas, you may need anchoring permits to stay in anchorages or mooring fields. Research local anchoring regulations and obtain the necessary permits.
Zoning and Liveaboard Regulations: Investigate whether there are zoning laws or liveaboard regulations in your chosen area. Some jurisdictions have restrictions on full-time boat living.
Mooring Fields: If you’re considering a mooring field, find out if there are waiting lists, fees, or specific regulations governing mooring usage.

Research and Compliance

Before casting off, take the time to research the specific regulations and requirements in your intended cruising area. Here’s how to navigate these waters effectively:

Local Authorities: Contact local maritime authorities or harbormasters to obtain information on local regulations and permits.
Online Resources: Use online resources and boating forums to gather information from other boaters who have experience in your chosen area.
Boating Associations: Join boating associations or clubs, as they often provide guidance and resources on compliance with regulations.
Stay Informed: Regulations can change, so stay informed and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.

Remember that compliance with regulations not only ensures your legal standing but also contributes to the safety and sustainability of the marine environment. It’s an essential part of responsible boat living that allows you to enjoy the journey while respecting the waters you call home.

5. Best Boats to Live on a sailboat: Finding Your Cozy Floating Home

Choosing the right boat for full-time living is a pivotal decision on your journey to becoming a liveaboard. The type of boat you select can significantly impact your comfort, lifestyle, and overall experience. Here, we explore various boat options that make excellent floating homes for full-time living.

Tugboats and Trawlers: The Comfortable Cruisers

Tugboats and trawlers are well-known for their stability, spacious interiors, and long-range capabilities. These boats are often favored by liveaboards for several reasons:

Ample Space: Tugboats and trawlers have generous living areas, making them comfortable for couples or families.
Efficiency: They are known for fuel efficiency, which can be a major cost-saving advantage.
Stability: Their full displacement hulls provide a smooth and stable ride, even in rough seas.
Storage: Tugboats and trawlers often come with substantial storage space for provisions and personal belongings.
Comfort: Many feature all the amenities of a home, including a fully-equipped galley, spacious cabins, and even a washer and dryer.

Houseboats: The Waterfront Homes

Houseboats offer a unique blend of a floating home and a cruising vessel. They’re essentially floating houses, with the following advantages:

Spacious Living: Houseboats are known for their generous living spaces, making them ideal for families or those who crave room to spread out.
Stability: When properly moored, houseboats provide a stable, house-like environment.
Scenic Views: Wake up to stunning waterfront views right outside your window.
Customization: Many houseboats can be customized to fit your preferences and needs.
Community: Houseboat communities often have a strong sense of camaraderie, providing a unique social aspect to boat living.

Yachts: Luxury Afloat

For those seeking the utmost in luxury and comfort, yachts offer a premium full-time living experience:

Elegance: Yachts come in various sizes, but even smaller ones often feature high-end finishes and amenities.
State-of-the-Art Technology: Modern yachts often include advanced navigation systems, entertainment centers, and climate control.
Crew Options: Larger yachts may have space for a crew, offering a luxurious, worry-free lifestyle.
Sailboats: Embracing the Wind: Sailboats are a favorite among adventurers who appreciate the romanticism of wind-powered travel
Environmental Friendliness: Sailing is an eco-friendly option, as it relies on wind rather than fuel.
Simplicity: Sailing encourages a simpler, more mindful lifestyle, with fewer mechanical systems to maintain.
Affordability: Smaller sailboats can be more affordable both in terms of purchase and maintenance costs.
Connection to Nature: Living on a sailboat provides an unparalleled connection to nature, as you harness the wind’s power to move.

Floating Homes: The Unique Abodes

Floating homes are fixed, house-like structures located in marinas or on the water’s edge. They offer a unique blend of land-based living with a waterfront lifestyle:

Stability: Floating homes are permanently moored, providing a stable living environment.
Land-Like Amenities: They often come with all the amenities of a traditional home, including utilities and sewage connections.
Community: Floating home communities can be tight-knit and social, akin to neighborhood living.

Choosing Your Cozy Floating Home

Ultimately, the best boat for full-time living depends on your personal preferences, budget, and lifestyle. Consider factors like size, layout, maintenance requirements, and whether you want to cruise or stay put in one location. Take your time to research, visit boat shows, and consult with experienced liveaboards to find the perfect vessel that will make your boat living dream a reality.

6. Living Aboard: Safety Considerations for liveaboard sailor

Living on a boat full-time offers a unique and adventurous lifestyle, but it also comes with specific safety considerations that are essential to ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience on the sailing boat. Here, we explore key safety aspects that every liveaboard should prioritize.

Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): Life jackets are your first line of defense in case of an emergency. Ensure that you have enough PFDs on board for every member of your household and that they are easily accessible.

Fire Safety: Fires on boats can be catastrophic due to the limited space and the proximity of flammable materials. Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in critical areas of your boat. Conduct regular fire drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of a fire.

Emergency Signaling Devices: Have emergency signaling devices such as flares, a whistle, and a VHF marine radio on hand. These tools can be crucial for summoning help in emergencies.

First Aid Kit: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential. Ensure it includes supplies for treating common injuries and ailments that can occur on a boat.

Man Overboard (MOB) Procedures: Develop and practice MOB procedures regularly. Invest in MOB recovery devices like life rings with lights and throwable flotation devices.

Weather Awareness: Stay informed about bad weather conditions in your area. Sudden storms and changing weather patterns can be challenging for boat dwellers. Access weather reports and carry a weather radio or app to receive updates while on the water.

Safe Navigation: Navigation is a critical aspect of safety. Understand the rules of navigation, maintain accurate charts, and know how to use navigation equipment like GPS, depth sounders, and radar.

Anchoring Safety: Proper anchoring is crucial for a secure night’s rest. Ensure your anchor is appropriate for your boat’s size, and regularly inspect the anchor and rode for wear.

Dinghy Safety: If you use a dinghy for transportation to and from shore, make sure it’s in good condition and equipped with safety gear. Wear PFDs when using the dinghy.

Electrical Safety: Electrical issues can pose a significant safety risk. Regularly inspect your boat’s electrical systems for frayed wires, loose connections, or other hazards.

Marina and Dock Safety: Pay attention to safety guidelines at marinas and docks. Follow rules for securing your boat, handling lines, and using power and water connections.

Emergency Plans: Life on a boat can be challenging sometimes, develop emergency plans and communicate them to everyone on board. Include procedures for medical emergencies, fire, man overboard situations, and abandon-ship scenarios.

Stay Sober: Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time, which can be dangerous on a boat. Consume alcohol responsibly and designate a sober skipper when needed.

Continuous Learning: Keep improving your boating knowledge and safety skills. Consider taking boating safety courses and staying updated on the latest safety practices.

Insurance and Documentation: Ensure your boat is adequately insured, and keep important documentation such as registration, insurance policies, and contact information readily accessible.

Stay Calm Under Pressure: In high-stress situations, it’s essential to remain calm and collected. Practice mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques to stay level-headed in emergencies.

Community Support: Connect with the boating community and develop a support network. Fellow liveaboards can provide assistance and guidance in challenging situations.

Boat Maintenance: As a boat owner, it’s a must to clean and properly maintain your boat. Please refer to this article to learn more about boat maintenance.

Safety is paramount when living on a boat full-time. Prioritize preparation, learning to sail, and vigilance to fulfil your dream of sailing and enjoying the freedom and adventure that boat living offers while ensuring the well-being of yourself and your loved ones. For more articles, visit sailawayblog.com

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Sailboat Living: 10 Things To Know Before Moving On Board

Sailboat living can sound like the dream life, and in many ways it is.

Beautiful sunsets, the freedom to travel with your home, dolphins and crystal clear seas are all a huge part of the sailboat lifestyle , but anyone who tells you it’s an easy life has obviously never really lived on a sailboat!

There are times when sailboat living can feel more like a nightmare than a dream, and no matter how much you prepare there will always be a few troublesome scenarios that you just can’t predict.

However, with a little forethought and a lot of planning, there is a lot you can do to make the transition of moving from a house to a sailboat a relatively easy one.

If you’re prepared to put in the hard work now then we promise you will reap the rewards in the future. As we learnt the hard way, we’ve put together the top 10 things that everyone should know before they move onto a sailboat so that sailboat living for you can be 98% dream and only 2% nightmare!

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#1 A Sailboat Is Never Complete

a tiny cat looking at a set of tools used for sailboat living

Learn this lesson fast!

Don’t expect to finish boatyard work and stop working. A sailboat breaks. Constantly. Some days it will feel as though your to-do list is endless because unfortunately, it is.

This was one of the things Adam and I were prepared for before we moved onboard our sailboat. After living on a boat in the UK we understood the crazy amount of work that has to go into maintaining something that’s constantly working.

I think a good way of looking at it would be to think of it as a house and a car combined. It has all the working parts of a house – the pipework, the electricity, the leaky windows etc.

It also has all the working parts of a car like an engine, the tires could be the sails, the lines, and all that goes along with them.

Add to that the fact that you’re putting it under huge amounts of stress at all times, in some extreme weather conditions, and you can see why things constantly fail!

a boatyard that a sailor is living in at sunset

Adam and I spent the first few months of living aboard feeling as though we were just sailing from anchorage to anchorage to find chandlers so we could fix things. We made friends with some full-time cruisers who quickly put a stop to that!

They explained how if we actually wanted to enjoy time on board then we had to give ourselves time off the boat work. The broken things we could live with could wait a few days while we enjoyed a new destination.

Find out how much new sails cost

We now try to only do one or two days of boat work a week, which leaves us with a weekend ‘off’ when we’re working our jobs for three days. This suits us perfectly, but you’ll need to find a pattern that works for you to make sailboat living more enjoyable!

A bonus of living onboard is that you do have the extra time to dedicate to keeping the sailboat in tip-top condition.

Many weekend sailors find themselves with a long list of jobs at the end of the season, but (depending on how cheap/how lucky you get when you buy your boat!) if you get some jobs done every now and again through the season you’ll keep the long stints to a minimum.

#2 Sailboat Living = Tiny Space Living

Think of sailboat living as living in a glorified tent and you’ll be (partly) prepared! There is nothing glamorous about sailboat living!

You’ll be getting changed in tiny spaces where you may or may not be able to stand. You’ll be squeezing into the toilet or squeezing past people to use the kettle. It’s a juggling act, even when all your belongings are stashed away neatly.

Add to that the fact you’ll probably be ripping open cupboards every other day to find that essential item that was placed under all the other essential items and it becomes pretty hard to manage!

Our top tips for managing space onboard your sailboat are to downsize before you move in and to prioritise sailboat storage. It might be a hard thing to do to start with, but you’ll be so thankful you gave up all nonessential items before you even moved aboard.

It’s amazing how quickly you can fill a boat when you live on it! We have loads of handy tips on how to maximise limited space in our post on sailboat storage ideas – check it out before you start sailboat living!

#3 Water, Water, Everywhere But Not A Drop To Wash In

a calm sea with a sailboat cutting through the water

Get used to living frugally. We don’t necessarily mean your finances (though it is possible to live on a budget on a sailboat, check out what we spend monthly here).

Things like water and electricity are limited on a sailboat, especially if you’re spending the majority of your time at anchor.

Unless you have a sailboat watermaker (which we highly recommend splashing out on!) you need to get used to using as little water as possible . It’s not always easy to find when you live on the sea.

Get used to taking sea showers and washing dishes in saltwater. You can always rinse in freshwater, and washing in the sea really isn’t too hard once you’re used to it!

Set your sailboat up with a good way of making electricity as soon as you move aboard. You’ll want decent amounts of solar power and possibly a wind generator too, especially if you’re planning on spending time in countries that don’t see very much sunshine or spending winters at anchor.

You’ll also want to make sure you have a good battery bank for storing it over night, and you may even want to consider getting a small generator if you rely on power for things like charging laptops to work from.

#4 The People You Meet Will Be A True Highlight

The sailing community is what makes sailboat living. They are the most giving and generous community of people we have ever met and the best memories we have are the ones we spent with other cruisers.

It’s not always easy to meet other sailors while you’re living at anchor, so our advice is to make the effort and say hi where ever possible. People are always happy to share a drink or dinner, and a salty tale or two!

Meeting other sailors is also the very best way to learn more about sailing life. No matter how long people have cruised for they always have an experience worth sharing and learning from.

#5 The Weather Controls Your Life In Sailboat Living

sailboat living at sunset in an anchorage

We check the weather twice a day, every day. It may seem obvious that the weather is important on a sailboat, but until we moved aboard we didn’t realise quite how much it would affect our lives.

You might be desperate to move the boat and explore somewhere new but find you have no wind to sail. Or you might fall in love with an anchorage and want to stay but be forced to move because of a change in the direction of the wind.

We’ve had to leave beautiful anchorages in the middle of the night because an unpredicted storm had blown through, or been stuck in places we don’t like because the wind has meant it’s the only safe place to be.

The positives of being governed by the weather is that you’re so much more in tune with it. You get up when the sun rises, you notice subtle changes in the temperature and you learn to read the wind and clouds.

Before you move on board you should start checking the weather and anchorages around where you plan on sailing. It makes life easier if you’ve scouted out the best places to be in different weather conditions.

Check things like whether there are safe anchorages for different wind directions or whether you’ll need to use marinas (and how much they’ll be!), and check if there are any ‘bolt holes’ you can use as safe havens in the event of unexpected storms.

You’ll feel more confident and comfortable if you have all this information to hand when you start sailboat living.

#6 Sailboat Living Means Leaving Your Privacy On The Dockside

You’ll be sharing a tiny space with your crew and they will quickly learn literally everything there is to learn about you. And you them.

Before you move onto a sailboat make sure that you’re happy with sharing everything with the people you’re sailing with. I don’t mean you have to tell them about your childhood (though night passages can be pretty dull!) but be prepared to share what you eat, when you toilet, potentially what you throw up.

Expect to be walked in on while you’re changing or showering. Understand that boat toilets break – a lot – so no matter how careful you are you might well end up elbow deep in someone else’s last nights dinner!

#7 Learn To Work As A Team – Quickly

Sailboat living requires a huge amount of team work (unless you’re planning on living alone of course). You need get into a very different mindset when you live and work with the same person or people day in, day out, and when you depend on them (quite literally) to survive.

One of the biggest reasons that people quit at sailboat living is because they fall out with their partners, or call it a day before they do. Sailboat living is hard on relationships, but it can also make your relationship better and stronger if you’re prepared to work at it.

There are lots of things you can do to prepare for this change and I’ve put together a whole range of tips to help you with spending too much time with your partner .

Ultimately, one of the best things you can do is know that this isn’t going to be easy, no matter how strong your relationship is on land. Be prepared for this as a couple, and be prepared to work hard on your relationship when the tough patches come!

#8 Nature Is Incredible

learning to freedive while living on a sailboat

I know, I know, we all know nature is incredible. But sailboat living brings you so much closer to it in so many different ways.

You see things you’d never get a chance to see on land. Every time you jump in the sea you find new sea creatures, either from snorkeling or finding them clinging on to your hull, or washed up on deck.

You see turtles, whales and rays. Birds come to find rest on your boat while you’re on long passages and dolphins swim beside you as you make waves for them to play in.

a man and his cat watching the sunset from a sailboat

Then there’s the sunrises and sunsets, and the endless starlit skies. The thunderstorms that you’re suddenly a part of, when before you could hide inside brick walls. The constantly changing sea and sky, and the sun and wind. You become part of it, and you depend on it, and you’re terrified of it.

Sailboat living makes you feel like you’re part of the nature around you rather than just a lucky spectator. It’s certainly changed the way I see the ocean and the weather for the better and I have a new found respect and healthy fear of it’s power and awe.

#9 Prepare For Sleepless Nights

Before we set off cruising full time I had no idea how little sleep I would get. There are so many different things trying their hardest to ruin a good nights sleep on a sailboat.

Firstly, the weather. If it’s windy, you’ll be half awake all night just watching the anchor and wondering if this will be the night it pulls out and you drag into some rocks.

You’ll be waiting for the wind to shift slightly so that you’re no longer protected from the sea. And even if you’re super happy with your anchoring set up, the wind through the halyards makes a very disconcerting noise!

If the weather is calm that doesn’t mean the sea will be. You can never predict whether the anchorage you arrive in will be the rollyest place on the island, so you’ll spend a good few nights just rolling around all over the place trying your hardest to stay in your berth.

Then there’s the heat (or the cold, depending on where you sail). It can be unbearably hot inside a sailboat, so consider buying a decent hammock and sleep under the stars instead.

But if you decide to sleep outside you’re going to want a mosquito net, because those things are FIERCE. Never have I ever experienced so many sleepless nights due to a buzzing in my ears and painful bites all over my legs.

If you can find a comfortable set up with your hammock and mozzie net then sleeping outside on a sailboat is one of the most magical things ever. The stars are brighter than you could ever imagine, and there are shooting stars a plenty. The stillness of a calm night at anchor is one of the very best things about sailboat living.

If you’re sailing with a baby you can expect even less sleep – make sure you’re prepared for that!

#10 Sailboat Living Is More Difficult Than You Could Imagine (But Totally Worth It)

a couple and their cat on a sailboat at sea

Difficult sounds bad, but that would be inaccurate when describing sailboat living. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the best. And part of what makes it the best is that it’s the hardest. Does that make sense?!

Sailboat living can feel like a constant battle at times. You have to trek for an hour to find the gas to light your oven to make a cup of tea in the morning. You then have to go back again because you forgot the tea bags. Things break and need fixing. You can’t sleep because of a storm. You can’t leave the boat for days because the winds up and you’re scared the anchor might pull out.

I think people run away to sea to find freedom, but like everything freedom can be defined in so many different ways.

Sailboat living takes away your freedom of easy access to food and water. It takes away your freedom to step out of your front door into relative safety. At times it even takes away your freedom to run and walk.

What it does give you is freedom from monotony. Freedom from daily routine. It gives you the freedom to travel where you want (if not when you want) and the freedom from material possessions.

It doesn’t matter what you wear on a boat, it doesn’t matter how flashy your boat is or how much you smell! At the end of the day, out on the sea, it’s just you surviving. And in a way, that’s the most free I’ve ever felt.

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15 comments.

I’ll be moving on a sailboat with my girlfriend this (still very new) year and I discovered your blog via Pinterest. We’re also writing weekly blog posts about our journey. Your writing is excellent, and I’d like to follow you on your mailing list. But it seems your form does not work. Fix it maybe? 🙂

Ah that’s strange! I can see people are still signing up, will have a look into that! Thanks for letting me know. Thanks so much for reading along. Where’s your boat? I’m so excited for you – those first few weeks aboard are the best!

I can’t seem to sign up for more. The web page has an error on my Android. Bummer.

Can you please add my email address to your email distribution list?

Thanks, Steve

So glad to come across you guys, finding out as much as we can before we take that leap. We are a couple coming to the end of a army career. The last 2 years will be in Kenya Nanyuki. Posted in June. Then we plan to get the dream sailing boat and travel. I am doing all my home work trying to find out as much as I can before we do this. Looking forward to reading about you both and tasking in everything any thing that we will I’m sure be incredible useful. Thank you Sandy

Sorry for the late reply, I’ve only just noticed your lovely comment. I hope you’re getting further along with your dream – would love to hear about it! If you need more help we’ve put together a huge guidebook detailing everything we’ve learnt, from the very beginning of the journey through to buying the boat and eventually living aboard and making it all work. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook

That’s really nice post. I appreciate your skills. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for the honest truth in this article. Doing all the research possible before following our dreams and in your footsteps 🙌💕⛵⚓

Thanks so much for your kind comment and really pleased we could help! Keep us updated on your journey, you won’t look back!

Wow! I am on a boat reading this while my partner is away for the first time in months, and it made me feel less insane and like there are tools to help us live our dream of minimalist sailboat life.. Thank you so much for your wise words and good tools..

I’m so pleased it helped and excited for you starting this journey! You won’t regret it, and we’d love to hear more when you find the perfect boat and move aboard! If you need more help we’ve put together a huge guidebook detailing everything we’ve learnt, from the very beginning of the journey through to buying the boat and eventually living aboard and making it all work. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook

Pingback: How To Downsize Your Wardrobe For Boatlife | Two Get Lost

Any suggested reading on preparing your land life (home, insurance, anythin really) for departure. Sell the home or rwnt, thinks like that. Want to start preparjng a year ahead and struggling to make a plan..any blogs ir reading suggestions would be appreciated!

Hello, thanks for reaching out. First off – congratulations! You’re obviously set on your plan to move aboard and it will be amazing (and lots of other things too!!) We actually cover all this in part one of our guidebook. We go through everything we had to consider before moving aboard, things like whether to sell or not to sell, what to do with all your things, even little considerations like what to tell family and friends. We’ve included tick lists for planning the change in lifestyle. You can find it here. https://twogetlost.com/guidebook Part 2 is for after you’ve bought the boat – getting the boat ready for living aboard and all the other things that come along with living at sea. I hope it helps and please do let us know how you get on – perhaps we’ll see you out here soon!

It’s helpful to understand that when living in a sailboat, the weather controls every aspect of our lives. Not long ago, my wife and I decided to invest in a sailboat because we love the sea and nature. We’d like to buy one this year, and maybe in the future, we’ll need to read carefully your advice about living in a vessel.

All About Sailing In The Philippines

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Post Date – Updated:

The Philippines is an island archipelago filled with clean water, beautiful sandy beaches, and many islands. For these reasons, it is a lovely place to go sailing.

The Philippines has long been a sailors’ paradise for cruising and learning to sail a sailboat. With over 7000 islands, there are many places that you can explore within the Philippines. It can be an area that can get many typhoons, so to cruise or sail the Philippines, you need to understand the best time to go there.

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In the past, there have also been some sailors who have been kidnapped, so there are parts of the Philippines that you should avoid.

We highly recommend the Puerto Galera Yacht Club , which is located outside Manila. It is easy to get to Manila’s capital city, with beautiful beaches, coves, and water for sale.

Philippines And Sailing

The Philippines has long been where many sailors look to go sailing. The Philippines has over 7000 islands , so there are many sandy and beautiful beaches to explore as long as the weather is good.

When I went sailing in the Philippines, I loved it because of how warm the water was. It was a great place to sail around some islands, even on a dinghy, because if you fell off into the water, it was not cold but a pleasant temperature. Also, exploring the sandy beaches is a lot of fun.

The Philippines has beautiful scenery and beaches; most people know and speak some English . The Philippines is considered one of the cheapest places in the world to cruise and sail.

If you have a larger boat, there are also many good areas for anchoring your boat throughout the island.

The weather, sand, beaches, and warm wind make the Philippines an ideal place to sail many times throughout the year.

The Philippines has two major seasons: the Northeast Monsoon, from November to April each year, and the Southwest Monson, from May to October. One of the main worries about people sailing in the Philippines is the weather.

Tropical storms can strike the Philippines anytime, so if you are sailing around the Philippines, you must understand that you may experience severe weather and be prepared for it.

The most severe typhoons will usually happen between June and November. So, if you can avoid that time of the year, you will have a higher chance of not being hit by severe weather.

Safety has always been a concern for those sailing in the Philippines. Safety is something that the sailor should be concerned about in the Philippines, as there have been reports of several kidnappings and sailors being killed when a ransom was not paid.

When I was sailing in Puerto Galera, there was a lot of talk about four sailors – two Canadians (John Ridsdel and Robert Hall), one Norwegian (Kjartan Sekkingstad), and one Filipino woman (Marites Flor) who were kidnapped from a supposedly secure Holiday Oceanview Marina in Davao City in the Philippines on September 2015.

All four were the Puerto Galera Yacht Club members I was sailing with.

They took their boat down to Davao for some maintenance and repairs; it was supposed to be a quick trip, and then they would return to Puerto Galera again. But they were kidnapped off their boat in the middle of the night, in an area that many considered a safe harbor or area.

The sailors were taken by Abus Sayyaf, a military group based on Basilan Island in the Philippines. The group kidnapped many people, especially foreigners and sailors, to demand a ransom.

Only two of the four survived the ordeal after spending years in captivity. Both Robert Hall and John Ridsdel were beheaded.

This tragic incident highlights that if you sail around the Philippines, you must do your homework and fully understand the risks and where. Most of the Philippines is very safe and does not have these military groups operating, but there are some areas where it is not safe to sail or travel as there is a risk of being kidnapped for ransom.

Puerto Galera Yacht Club Philippines

If you are looking for a great club to join, we recommend the Puerto Galera Yacht Club in Puerto Galera outside Manila. You can get to the club by taking a bus or taxi from the airport and then doing a short boat ride to the Puerto Galera area.

I took some of their sailing classes a few years ago, which was a great experience. It was a great experience with a great club filled with many fun sailors worldwide.

The club also welcomes any cruising boats passing through the area to join with them.

One of the great things about the club area is that it is located in one of the world’s rarest and most beautiful natural typhoon shelters. Beautiful beaches and coves surround the club with great warm water, perfect for sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

If you want to learn to sail or go sailing in the Philippines, the Puerto Galera Yacht Club is a safe and beautiful place to visit. The club has a great team of sailing instructors, some even the national Philippines sailing team.

Here are some things that the Puerto Galera Club offers and why we recommend it for sailing enthusiasts who want to learn to sail on the beautiful islands of the Phill[pppines.

Sail Training Programs – The sail-training program is for sailors of all ages to learn the basics of sailing. The great thing is you can sail about Puerto Galera’s safe and clean waters . They offer 3-day courses at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels. These introductory courses are taught on a dingy.
Yacht And Dinghy Combination Sailing Course – The club also offers some 2 days, 3 day, or even 5-day courses that may combine sailing with a Dinghy and Yacht. This includes all the fundamental sailing theories to more advanced techniques and learning.
Regattas – The club has some sailing regattas—one of their most famous regattas is the Easter Regatta which takes place in April each year.
Yacht Rentals And Courses – The club also offers some yacht rentals where you can rent a boat either per 1/2 day or full day.

I have taken sailing courses at the Puerto Galera Yacht Club in the Philippines, and I highly recommend it as a great club and venue to learn to sail. The area is breathtakingly beautiful with warm water; the club has a great group of people and individuals running and operating this sailing club.

The area offers excellent waters to learn to sail or cruise around and enjoy the Philippine islands’ sand, sea, and fun. Puerto Galera is a safe part of the Philippines to learn to sail.

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Anita L Hummel

My Cruiser Life Magazine

Living on a Sailboat – Cruiserlife Reality, Pros & Cons Of Boat Life In 2023

What could be more romantic or inspiring than living on a sailboat? Maybe you dream of traveling and “sailing off into the sunset.” Or maybe you dig the sailing lifestyle and are looking to join a community of like-minded people. For some, it has been a lifelong dream. Or perhaps you’ve landed here because you’re out of options, and life on a sailboat sounds cheaper than land-based obligations and a good way to save money.

The dream of sailboat life, can you live aboard any boat, sail or power.

Price Range

Monohull or Catamaran

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The truth is, many reasons bring people to move onto a sailboat—or any kind of boat. If you’re unfamiliar with boat life, think of boats as floating RVs or campers. They attract all sorts of people, from wealthy travelers to people making ends meet. And just like with RVs, they range from palatial yachts to cramped, dingy things you can’t get away from fast enough.

Buying a sailboat to live on has grown in popularity in recent years and has boomed during the coronavirus era. While the global pandemic certainly slowed world travel, it has pushed more people to work from where ever they like. With unlimited data cell phone plans, you can take your boat nearly anywhere and still be connected with the world.

The first question to ask is, “What sort of boat do you want to live on?” Boats come in every shape and size to suit every boater. As a result, the choices can be overwhelming when you first consider the lifestyle.

All boats represent compromises. The vessel designer made compromises to fit all the things in the boat that they could. There are compromises in performance in favor of more creature comforts, or vice versa.

Likewise, you’ll make compromises when you purchase a boat. You may find that the vessel of your dreams is out of your budget, so you compromise with a smaller boat or one lacking some features. You may opt for a stout bluewater boat built for ocean crossings. If that’s the case, you will invariably compromise on some liveaboard comforts that cheaper coastal cruisers might offer.

What the boat needs to have for you to liveaboard is entirely up to you. Is your idea of the liveaboard lifestyle all about downsizing and living simply? Or is living aboard a means to an ends—a way to slowly travel the world comfortably while taking “home” with you? Do you live for the passion of actual sailing, or is sailing just a cheap way to move from place to place?

In other words, before you go boat shopping, you must narrow down your goals for the vessel. Next, we’ll look at some of the features that will make how to live on a sailboat easier, but remember that nothing is mandatory.

Buying a Sailboat to Live On

If you’re wondering whether or not sailboat life is right for you, start by thinking about what the perfect setup would be like. Chances are you have some preconceived notions of what living on a sailboat is like. And chances are there are ways that it could be like that, but there are also ways that it could be completely different.

Before you dive too deep into the lifestyle, don’t pigeonhole yourself into looking at only sailboats. There are tons of powerboats that you can get for similar prices as used sailboats. And motorboats have a few advantages over sailboats, especially for living aboard.

The most common types of powerboats you’ll see people living on are trawlers or cabin cruisers. First, the design of these boats means that their hull shape is better able to accommodate living space. They’ve got wide sterns and bigger interiors. They also usually have large windows and a nice view out of the living area, something most sailboats lack.

The only thing that a powerboat can’t do is sail (obviously), and most people don’t cross oceans in them. But most people who buy sailboats to do those things never actually do them! So again, it all comes back to being honest with yourself about what you want to do with your boat. If you’re after comfortable living space and the ability to travel anywhere along the coast, a trawler should be high on your list.

Early morning, fishing boat returning home from sea near the mouth of the St. John’s River in North Florida.

Price Range

You can’t go boat shopping (or even dreaming!) without at least some idea of your budget. You can spend anywhere from $1,000 to well over $10 million buying a sailboat. You have to narrow it down a bit!

Here are a few pointers to guide you. If you browse for a boat on Yachtworld , you can get a pretty good idea of a particular make and model’s nominal value.

These are brokered boats, so the list prices seldom equal the sale price. But it provides a good way to analyze the market. Some will be priced very high because they are newer, have newer upgraded engines, are better maintained, or are otherwise “better.” By eliminating those, you should be able to estimate the average value of a particular make and model.

You may find listings that look like bargains because they are priced lower. Chances are, these are project boats. Project boats require “elbow grease” or “DIY skills” to restore. A project boat is always a losing proposition because it will usually take many more dollars to get it ship-shape than it would cost to have just bought the kept up boat to begin with.

Here’s an example. Say you’re shopping for one of the best liveaboard sailboats , like a Catalina 30, and the average price is around $18,000. Then, one day while browsing Craigslist, you see one listed for $5,000. A bargain, right? Well, it should be no surprise that the $5,000 boat “needs a little work.” But what you might not realize is that it probably needs $20,000 or more worth of work (and even that number is if you plan on putting in your own elbow grease).

The moral of this story is pretty simple—plan on paying the average price for a sailboat. Of course, there might be some bargains out there. But generally, if you want a functional, livable boat, it will cost you some cash.

Catamarans are popular choices for liveaboard boaters, especially if you plan on anchoring or traveling a lot. These boats have expansive living spaces that feel much less crowded and claustrophobic than typical boats. Even sail cats ofter raised salons with wrap-around windows and lots of fresh air flowing through.

On the flip side, it can be challenging and expensive to find a dock or repair facility in some parts of the world when you need one. So if you plan to live at a dock on a catamaran, start your search by finding the dock first. Catamarans are too wide to fit in regular slips, so marinas must put them on the limited number of bulkhead or t-head docks they have.

Catamarans are expensive, and it’s generally not good to stretch your budget when buying a boat. If you do, you’ll have less money in the back to travel or spend on upgrades and repairs. So if the catamaran lifestyle appeals to you, double-check your numbers to ensure you can afford to do it right.

white and black sail boat on sea during daytime

Being a liveaboard boater does not mean you must spend your life tied to a dock. You could travel regularly from your marina home base. Or you could travel and not have a home base. It all depends on how you organize your life and your obligations.

If you intend to live as off-the-grid as possible, that should be considered when you go boat shopping. Some boats are easy to set up that way, and others are not.

If you spend a lot of time away from docks, you must come up with a plan to get some necessities. Some things are easy, and others are more difficult. You’ll have to answer questions about how you will get electrical power, fresh water, pump outs, fuel, and groceries.

Electrical Power

At a dock, you can plug in with a large extension cord and enjoy unlimited power just like you would in a home. Since all the power arrives through the one big cord, there might be some inconveniences, like you cannot blow dry your hair, make microwave popcorn, and brew coffee all at once. But generally, you’ll have outlets that work and plenty of power to run air conditioners, heaters, cooking appliances, and whatever else.

Away from the dock and unplugged is another thing entirely. Some boats have generators that will run 24/7 to maintain the same comforts. But generators drink diesel fuel and are noisy and smelly. Most sailors who live off the grid prefer to use solar panels and a large bank of batteries to power what they need. In all but extreme cases, however, this means that some power-intensive conveniences like air conditioning and heaters are not viable options.

Fresh Water

Docks will supply city or well water for use onboard. In some cases, you plug in a hose for unlimited supply, but on most boats, you simply fill up the water tanks whenever you need to.

Away from the dock, you’ll have to rely on the tanks alone. When they get low, you’ll need to visit a dock to refill them. Any marina will let you fill up, but most boaters combine it with a trip for fuel or a pump out.

Some boaters catch rainwater and put it in their water tanks. Others carry jerry cans of water from shore in their dinghy. And on ocean-going boats, you can install water-making systems that desalinate seawater and make it potable.

If water goes in the boat, it must come out, right? It is illegal to dump your toilets overboard in most parts of the world unless you are far offshore. So boats are equipped with a holding tank—the boat equivalent of the RV black water tank.

To empty the tank, you visit a pump out station. This is simply a pump that takes the tank contents and puts them in the local sewage treatment system. It is far more ecologically responsible than dumping it.

The size of your holding tank is a significant limiting factor on most liveaboard vessels. On average, a 20-gallon tank will last a couple about one week of full-time living aboard. So plan on a weekly trip to the pump out dock. You can just use the marina’s facilities as often as possible if you live at a dock. That will extend your time between pump outs considerably.

Some places have pump out boats that will come to you. This is common in busy mooring fields or anchorages like those found in Florida. Some are provided by marinas, and others are done by local cities or counties. Interested in liveaboard marinas in Florida , visit our guide!

Living aboard doesn’t burn any engine fuel. And it’s usually easy to find gas or diesel fuel docks when traveling.

But you’ll also occasionally need cooking fuel, usually propane. You may also need fuel for your heaters during winter. Boat heaters work on diesel, propane, or solid fuels.

Finally, you’ll need a plan for groceries. For example, if you live at a dock at a marina, you might keep a car there and live like you would if you had an apartment.

If you don’t have a car or are traveling, you will start looking for grocery stores near marinas. Walking distance becomes important, as do marina loaners cars or Uber.

You can make a lot of upgrades and modifications to make the boat you choose, but it’s not possible to fundamentally change the boat’s characteristics. If you’re thinking about living on a boat full time, you need to consider the living spaces and whether or not you and your family can comfortably live there.

Salon, Cockpit, and Staterooms

You’ll spend most of your time in the larger spaces, like the cockpit and salon. The cockpit is like the outdoor patio, and the salon is like your living room and dining room combined. Do these areas have enough space for everyone to lounge comfortably? What about regular everyday things like reading a book or watching the tv?

Designers make boats comfortable and safe while boating, but it’s only recently that they’ve emphasized the livability aspect of their designs. As a result, many sailboats have small cockpits that are safe at sea but cramped for day-to-day life. Likewise, settees and lounges might not be engineered for comfort so much as use in rough seas.

A common complaint that people have about boat life is the shape of the beds. Staterooms on small boats usually have v-berths, vee-shaped cushions in the bow. These can be very difficult to get in and out of, especially for couples. They nearly always involve getting trapped inside and having to climb over your partner to get out. Island berths, which stand in the center of the stateroom and can be accessed on either side, are a great upgrade.

Galley and Head

And then there are the functional parts of the boat like the kitchen and bath (or the galley and head in boating terms). Kitchens will be much smaller than even efficiency apartments. Expect a simple gas range and small oven at the most. Some boats will have a microwave, but not all. Refrigerators are small, and on sailboats, they are often awkward top-loaders. The biggest problem you’ll find with most boat galleys is a lack of counter space and storage.

The head is another place to analyze what living aboard would be like. Smaller boats have “wet heads.” That means that if you want to have a shower, you’ll sit on the toilet, and everything will get wet. The opposite of a wet head is a separate shower stall, which is a great upgrade if you are living aboard full time.

Pros and Cons of Life on a Sailboat

So now you’ve got some ideas about what makes up life on a sailboat—or at least a look at the variety and sorts of boats that you can liveaboard. What would make you want to take the plunge, and what would give you pause? Here are a few pros and cons to the liveaboard lifestyle.

Living on a sailboat provides an amount of freedom that people with houses can never know. Don’t like your neighbor? Change slips or move to a new marina. Sick of this town? You and your house can be in another state in a few days.

Not being tied down means you can organize your life to travel more. For example, if you aren’t tied to a local job, you could spend summers staying cool in New England and winters in Florida or The Bahamas. Or if you’re entirely untied, head off into the sunset for the Caribbean or an around the world cruise.

2. More Time On the Water

It only follows that you must like the water if you’re looking at boat life. Many people feel a special connection to nature from being near the sea, be it at the beach or on a boat. Boats provide you with endless million-dollar waterfront views that can change as much as you want to travel. You’ll enjoy your morning coffee with a whole new crowd—pelicans, dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees may be in your backyard every morning.

3. Romantic, Slow Paced Travel

Even if you don’t cruise, there is a romantic connection to travel in every boat. Arriving in a new town by boat is unlike any other travel experience. Every town looks like the same strip malls and chain stores by car. But by boat, you can see towns like an explorer, viewing each historic waterfront and finding all the best dive bars and cruiser hangouts.

With the right sailboat, you can travel nearly anywhere in the world. Some people dream of completing a circumnavigation, while others stick to seasonal cruising. Whatever your goal, sailboats might not be the fastest way to travel, but they are certainly the most romantic.

4. Small Space Simple Living

On the one hand, boats and RVs are the mobile equivalents of the tiny house. If the idea of downsizing your possessions and valuing experiences more than material goods appeals to you, living in the small space of a liveaboard boat might be right for you.

It might seem counterintuitive because boats are pretty complex and expensive items. But downsizing is a relative thing, and no matter how fancy the boat is, chances are the people living on it downsized their lives to get there. Boats themselves are complex, but they also prevent you from being burdened by many non-essentials.

5. Sailing Community

Finally, the sailing and boating community is full of interesting and fun people. Everywhere you go, you’ll meet boaters that come from a wide range of backgrounds who have similar interests to your own. The community is supportive and known for fun get-togethers over cocktails or pot-lucks.

1. Difficult to Find Liveaboard Marinas

If your goal is to live on a boat and stay in one place, you might find it’s hard to get a marina or anchorage that suits you. Marinas are businesses, and each one is operated to suit a particular crowd. Some welcome liveaboards while others do not. Sometimes it’s the marina policy, and other times it has to do with local city or state regulations.

However, if you are traveling on your boat as a cruiser, you have little to worry about. Travelers and voyagers are always welcome, and transient slips at marinas for up to three months are usually readily available.

2. Small Spaces

Wait, wasn’t “small living” a pro of living on a boat? It was, but it can suck too. Cramped spaces, storage limits, and small living get old and frustrating after a while. No matter how hard you try, you’ll wind up collecting too much stuff that you have no room to store. Downsizing is a process, not a one-time event when you live on a boat.

And then, there are the problems that stem from sharing a small space with your partner or family. Boats offer very little in terms of private space. Even if you get off the boat everyday and travel, living together so closely for any length of time will test any relationship to the breaking point.

3. Constant Maintenance Costs and Fixing Things

Boats are constantly breaking. They float in an acidic solution 24/7, are subject to constant motion and vibration, and are full of explosive substances and toxic chemicals. Sometimes it seems like they are willfully trying to self-destruct and take you to the bottom of the ocean.

Of particular note regarding crew morale are those ever-constant maintenance issues related to the toilet plumbing. Marine heads stink—but literally (sometimes at least) and figuratively in their design and function.

Engine problems are also a big concern, primarily for their expense. A new engine can easily cost more than you paid for the entire boat!

Repairs on boats slow down after the first year of ownership once you handle everything the vessel needs. But by then, your time will be full of preventative maintenance tasks to keep it all working well. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

4. It’s Really Very Slow

If you’re buying a boat to travel, you might be shocked at how little traveling you can get done. Boats travel at the whim of the weather, which often means sitting in port and waiting for better conditions. There’s a lot more sitting and waiting than actually sailing. If you’re coming from the land-based road world, this is a stark contrast to hopping in your car and driving off whenever you feel like it.

Even when you do travel, moving between five and seven miles per hour is slow. What can be done in one day in a car now takes you three to four 24-hour days of constant travel.

5. Sometimes, It’s the Worst

Maybe that’s mellow dramatic, but experienced sailors will understand the sentiment. But sometimes, it just seems like the weather or entire ocean is trying to kill you.

Then, there’s the constant inconvenience of it. Just getting a cold beer out of the fridge might involve clearing the countertop, opening the lid, taking out two top shelves, and leaning down at the very bottom to find the last bottle. Then, there are marina wifi problems, seasickness in rolly anchorages, and boat parts lost in the mail or stuck in customs.

Like many choices you make in life, living on a sailboat is not about the boat or the place. It’s all about your attitude. Is it an adventure or a nuisance? Of course, everyone experiences inconveniences once in a while, no matter where they live. But boats make everything seem more dramatic, causing you to doubt your choices at the first signs of discomfort.

It’s hard to describe both the pleasure and the dispair that living on a boat can provide. It’s been said that for every low-low, like a back-flowing toilet, there are high-highs, like the perfect sunset with dolphins dancing just for you.

From my observations, most people who move aboard give it up after their second or third year. Unfortunately, many don’t make it past year one, which is always the hardest due to the steep learning curve.

The best advice is to try sailboat life before you buy into it. Charter a boat or take some sailing lessons. Find friends with boats who will take you out and share their stories with you. Do research, go to boat shows, and try it out in any way you can before taking the plunge. And no matter what you do, remember to enjoy and savor the adventure!

Is living on a sailboat worth it?

I think so, and many others do too. But living on a sailboat is not for everyone. Boats range from luxurious yachts to cramped, floating tents. No matter what size boat you choose to live on, there will be times when you doubt that it’s worth it.

All boats are cramped and uncomfortable at times. Life revolves around the weather, the boat, and staying safe. Sometimes it means getting out of bed at 2 am to move the boat in a storm, and sometimes it means not joining your friends at the beach party because something broke and you need to fix it.

It’s impossible to answer whether or not living on a sailboat is worth it to you—only you can make that call. This is because sailboats offer not only a way to travel but a way to completely change your life.

Can you legally live on a boat?

Yes, you absolutely can live on a boat. But depending on where you want to live, it can be challenging to find marinas or anchorages that will allow you to. There is nothing inherently illegal about living aboard a boat, but liveaboards are frowned on by many dockmasters and local governments. However, you can find liveaboard marinas, and many have lovely, welcoming communities of people who love their vessels, the water, and the sailing lifestyle.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

Best Sailing Destinations in the Philippines [Cruising Guide to the Philippines]

Having 7,641 islands, the Philippines can become one of the most powerful sailing destinations in the world. However, there is one big problem. The lack of boating infrastructure.

The Philippines has always been on the bucket list of sailing enthusiasts because it has the best ground in Asia. But unfortunately, they couldn’t because of a lack of infrastructure. The number one concern of the boat owners is; where will they put their boats, or where will they have them repaired if they encounter problems or a place to refuel.

As of now, there is a list of potential best sailing destinations in the Philippines that would make your sailing & cruising experience a very memorable one.

Table of Contents

Boracay is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. With its famous white sand beach, a lot of local and foreign travelers are going crazy just to stay on this wonderful island. Its clear and blue waters are also one of the reasons why people love going here.

Puerto Galera

A beautiful town on the island of Mindoro, Philippines, Puerto Galera is popular for its stunning beaches. There are a lot of beaches and islands to explore here that would make your sailing tour unforgettable. Its light to moderate sailing breezes is guaranteed.

A lot of you might know and probably heard about one of the most popular islands in the Philippines. And that is Palawan . Consisting of three main destination islands, Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron, Palawan surely has a lot of beautiful beaches that sailors can go to. Each main island has a variety of beaches and other smaller islands that you should explore!

Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines, it’s not surprising that Cebu is boasting of numerous beautiful beaches and islands. The aquamarine water and breezes will complete your sailing bucket list.

Sailing in Bohol can be the most exciting one! You can get the chance to see dolphins and visit different islands. There are cruises, sailing, and boat trips available in Bohol for those interested to try.

Subic has a Subic Sailing Club. They offer classes for those who want to learn how to sail. You can also rent a boat if you don’t have your own. Sailing in Subic Bay is just the same as the other sailing destinations in the Philippines. Offering great views of the ocean, one can have a nice experience here.

Even though the Philippines is not yet the ideal place for sailing enthusiasts to do sailing, we can surely feel that it is becoming popular nowadays. With the presence of yacht clubs, boating tours, and sailing lessons, the Philippines will soon dominate the world of sailing.

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Best Sailing Destinations in the Philippines [Cruising Guide to the Philippines]

About the Writer

Written by Two Monkeys Travel - Contributor

Two Monkeys Travel Group – Community Travel Blog is a travel blog and website. We quickly grew into a valuable source of inspiring travel stories, advice, itineraries and travel guides, with the aim of demonstrating how to live a sustainable life of travel, whilst living your own definition of success. If you'd like to contribute and write a guest post, contact us at [email protected]

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How to plan the ultimate island-hopping adventure in the Philippines

In this archipelago of over 7,000 islands, bamboo boats can take you almost anywhere — a neon-streaked city, an underwater shipwreck or a forest village where fireflies twinkle with the stars

Filipinos have long referred to their country as a pearl. And yes, you can find pearls here — but that’s not the only reason why. It has everything to do with the Philippines’ natural riches: among them, jade-green rice terraces, looming limestone mountains and sunsets so vivid they seem to set the sea ablaze. Add to this the country’s cities, with oceanside skyscrapers, a diverse street food scene and charming, mini-bus-like jeepneys, and you have the makings of a world-class break.

Because the Philippines has no mainland to speak of, most trips here tend to involve hopping between some of its 7,641 islands and islets. Those craving a more laidback beach getaway are well catered for: in popular destinations like Palawan, bangkas (bamboo outrigger boats) line up by the shores, ready to whisk you to your choice of sandbar. Some are backed by barefoot bars, some are famous for snorkelling, while others are reclaimed by the water at high tide.

But the best visits to these islands include time spent inland. Filipinos flock to the cities of the Central Visayas, where ancestral houses and museums tell tales of national heroes — revolutionaries whose names are uttered with a reverence usually reserved for saints. On less frequented landmasses like the Bicol Peninsula, on Luzon island, you’ll find forests crisscrossed with streams and dotted with crystalline lagoons, and villages built from bamboo and wreathed in woodsmoke. Motorised tricycles putter from one of these villages to the next, carrying anything from chickens and pigs to an entire family of eight.

Diving opens up a whole new world beneath the waves, too, where coral chapels house congregations of angelfish and wrasse, while shoals of silvery sardines dance above. Some sites are frequented by bigger beasts — barracudas, manta rays, whale sharks and thresher sharks — and advanced diving credentials can bring them into view, while also giving access to the Philippines’ renowned shipwrecks. Down at those depths, you might discover creatures such as the ghost pipefish, which make their homes in the banks of black coral. And, who knows, perhaps you’ll find a shining pearl or two.

Itinerary 1: Central Visayas

Start: Mactan • Finish: Apo Island Distance: 183 miles • Time: 16 days

The Philippines can be divided into three areas: Luzon, the biggest, northernmost island, home to the capital, Manila; the Visayas, an archipelago scattered at its centre; and Mindanao, the second-largest island to the south. The Central Visayas are the heart of the country, with as much culture and history as leisure and adventure.

Begin on Mactan island. Lapu-Lapu City is named after the 16th-century chief who ordered the killing of explorer Ferdinand Magellan, whose arrival paved the way for Spanish rule. To learn more about the country’s past, cross the 5.5-mile Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway to Cebu island, where history looms large in both Catholic churches and capiz shell-encrusted ancestral houses.

Reserve about a week for both. Then, the real island-hopping begins, with fast and frequent ferries making transfers easy. Take one to Bohol island; once there, drive straight to Tagbilaran city, on Bohol’s southern shore, and across a bridge to Panglao Island. After a couple of days recharging on Panglao, retrace your way to Bohol to explore its limestone hills. Beyond lies Negros island, where Dumaguete city is the jumping-off point for discovering Apo Island.

1. Mactan Seaside resorts line Mactan’s southeastern shore — as do dive shops , positioned to make the most of a vertiginous reef wall that’s home to sea snakes and green turtles. Lapu-Lapu City, which covers most of the island, is the Philippines’ guitar-making capital: take a tour of Alegre Guitar Factory , which sells instruments made from tropical wood.

2. Cebu Ferdinand Magellan spent his final days on Cebu, one of the region’s biggest islands. This is where you’ll find Magellan’s Cross, planted by the explorer after his arrival, and the Santo Niño de Cebu. While they were still on good terms, Magellan gifted local tribespeople this carved wooden image of the baby Jesus, now housed in the Basilica del Santo Niño. It’s honoured every January during Sinulog , a folk dance festival.

3. Panglao Island There’s a beach to suit every visitor to Panglao . While most like to party on Alona, the local favourite is Dumaluan, a quiet stretch of powdery coral sand. If neither appeals, take a boat trip to the round island of Balicasag. On the way there, you may spot bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins.

4. Bohol Bohol’s undulating Chocolate Hills are one of the Philippines’ most photographed sights, but they’re not the island’s only attraction. Spend the night in a nipa palm hut in the forest village of Loboc, paddleboarding by day and firefly-watching by night.

5. Dumaguete This university town sits on the east shore of Negros, an island known for its tangy inasal (barbecued chicken). Try it at Jo’s Chicken Inatô, then head to Lab-as Seafood Restaurant for liempo kinilaw, vinegar-cured tuna chunks topped with crispy pork belly. Spend the evening bar-hopping along Rizal Boulevard, sampling rums made from Negros sugarcane.

6. Apo Island This coral cornucopia is one of the country’s best-loved dive spots . Beginner-friendly sites include the Chapel, where moray eels slither among sea fans and leather corals. For experienced divers, Coconut Point has schools of trevally and the occasional hawksbill turtle.

Itinerary 2: Palawan

Start: Puerto Princesa • Finish: Coron Town Distance: 310 miles • Time: 14 days

Although a map might convince you it’s one giant mass of land, Palawan is a quintessential island-hopping destination. Around 1,780 islets are scattered around the shores of Palawan Island — the archipelago’s biggest by far — ranging from jagged peaks to blinding white sandbars. But it’s the sea itself, and what lies within, that truly dazzles.

The best place to start is the provincial capital of Puerto Princesa, on Palawan Island. It faces Honda Bay, a smattering of islands that sink and reemerge with the ebb and flow of tides. Riding a bus through Palawan Island’s interior, you’ll find bamboo villages full of crowing cockerels, set against the silhouette of indigo mountains. It’s a fine taster for the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which draws visitors from the Cabayugan River’s brackish mouth into a shadowy cathedral of caves.

Palawan’s northeastern tip is a limestone wonderland, its chiselled karsts attracting climbers, kayakers and photographers. From here, take a multi-day boat trip to Coron Town, your last stop and base for reaching the waters of Coron Bay. It’s a world-renowned wreck-diving destination: Japanese warships lie in shallow graves, with coral and sea turtles claiming their rusting hulls.

1. Puerto Princesa Palawan’s capital is your base for the first few stops of this itinerary. Pay a visit to the Palawan Heritage Center, an interactive museum that houses both ancient artifacts and modern arts and crafts. In the evening, head to the seafront Baywalk promenade, where you’ll find a variety of laid-back, family-owned restaurants and bars. Don’t miss the Palawan honey-infused beer at Palaweño Brewery , the Philippines’ first female-owned craft brewery, a 20-minute walk into town.

2. Honda Bay The islets in Honda Bay, north east of Puerto Princesa, are blessed with biodiversity. On an island-hopping day tour from the city, operator Corazon Travel & Tours will have you swim among horned sea stars, damselfish and iridescent wrasse, pausing for a picnic lunch of freshly caught fish. On the larger islands, coconut vendors ply their trade on many beaches and will gladly hack open a freshly fallen fruit for you to drink from.

3. Mount Magarwak The beginner-friendly trek up Mount Magarwak — a cluster of hills between Honda Bay and the taller peaks of Puerto Princesa — is best done as a half-day trip from the city. Most guides will pick you up before sunrise; this way, you’ll reach the summit in time to see the sun’s first golden rays skim the bay below. On the way up, you’ll encounter native ironwood and katmon trees, as well as some of Palawan’s 445 species of butterfly.

4. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park In this national park on the western coast of Palawan Island, an underground river winds for five miles through a mountain. Small-boat tours from the nearby village of Sabang take you up to its halfway point, gliding through echoing caves where bats chatter overhead. Although most travellers will visit on an organised day trip from Puerto Princesa, it’s worth staying overnight in Sabang to explore the surrounding forest, home to endemic species such as the Palawan peacock pheasant and Palawan porcupine.

5. El Nido This town is the base for visits to the Bacuit Archipelago — 45 craggy limestone outcrops that rise from the sea like mountains. To escape the day-trippers, it’s worth booking a tour through an operator such as Tao , which takes you to Coron Town for several days of snorkelling in the furthest-flung islands, eating and sleeping by the sea in bamboo huts.

6. Coron Bay During the closing stages of the Second World War, the US Air Force launched a surprise attack on 12 Japanese warships anchored in Coron Bay, sinking them in a matter of hours. Their wrecks — particularly that of the Okikawa Maru, with its cavernous propeller room and resident population of neon nudibranchs — are now popular locations for experienced divers .

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China coast guard flexes its might against the Philippines in disputed waters as journalists watch

In this image made from video provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4, center, is hit by two Chinese coast guard water canon blasts, causing injuries to multiple crew members as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and multiple Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

Western Command chief Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos of the Philippine Navy gestures as he talks to reporters in Palawan province, southern Philippines on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, after the Unaizah May 4 was hit by Chinese coast guard water canon blast on Tuesday during their resupply mission at South China Sea. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4, left, is hit by two Chinese coast guard water canons as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 is hit by two Chinese coast guard water canons as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine coast guard personnel on a rubber boat pass by a Chinese coast guard ship after conducting medical treatment to injured crew members of Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 which got hurt during a water canon incident in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Chinese coast guard crew members take pictures as they block the path of Philippine coast guard BRP Sindangan while it tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and multiple Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine coast guard personnel alight from resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 after treating injuries on multiple crew members as their ship was hit by Chinese coast guard water cannon blast, while it tries to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and multiple Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A Chinese coast guard boat moves near the Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 (in green) after it was hit by their water canon blast causing injuries to multiple crew members as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and multiple Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4, center, is hit by two Chinese coast guard water canons as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 is hit by Chinese coast guard water canon blast causing injuries to multiple crew members as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and multiple Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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ABOARD BRP SINDANGAN (AP) — It was a heart-pounding moment far out in the disputed South China Sea: One of at least five Chinese coast guard ships aggressively approached and sideswiped a Philippine patrol vessel, creating a loud, jarring noise that sent its Filipino crew scrambling to lower rubber fenders to cushion the boat’s hull.

As the high-seas faceoff unfolded Tuesday, two Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons against a smaller supply boat carrying a Filipino admiral and his sailors. The high-pressure spray shattered the boat’s windshield and mildly injured the admiral and four sailors with glass shards and splinters of debris.

“That’s very concerning and very worrisome,” Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos later told reporters, after witnessing firsthand the Chinese actions against the supply boat Unaizah Mae 4, which he was aboard.

As the highest-ranking Filipino military commander overseeing the disputed waters, Carlos joined the trip to ensure that any confrontation would not spiral out of control, the navy said.

Western Command chief Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos of the Philippine Navy gestures as he talks to reporters in Palawan province, southern Philippines, after the Unaizah May 4 was hit by Chinese coast guard water canon blast during their resupply mission at South China Sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

It was the latest showdown in one of the world’s most hotly disputed waters that many fear could descend into a larger conflict that puts the United States and China on a collision course.

Tuesday’s hostilities off the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal lasted about five hours starting after dawn and were witnessed by two Associated Press journalists. The journalists were invited to join the trip aboard the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Sindangan , which was sideswiped by the Chinese coast guard ship in a tense and dangerous moment they caught on camera.

The Philippines adopted a strategy last year of exposing China’s increasingly assertive actions in the disputed sea by embedding journalists on its coast guard patrol ships. Manila said the “transparency campaign” aims to pressure China to abide by international law, including anti-collision regulations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a press conference on the sideline of the National People's Congress in Beijing, Thursday, March 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

It has publicly released coast guard videos and photos of dangerous Chinese actions against Philippine forces, including the use by China’s coast guard of a military-grade laser that temporarily blinded Filipino crew in an incident last year that angered Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The campaign has sparked a war of words with Beijing, which has accused the Philippines of hyping up the disputes and allowing itself to be used as a pawn in U.S. efforts to contain China’s rise.

Aboard the BRP Sindangan, the journalists witnessed up close how a mission to deliver food, water and other supplies to a long-marooned warship was partly thwarted by a Chinese blockade of at least 26 ships, including coast guard and suspected militia vessels.

They caught on video and camera how the Chinese ships shadowed, surrounded and blocked the two Philippine coast guard ships and two small supply boats carrying Filipino sailors to the disputed shoal.

Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 is hit by two Chinese coast guard water canons as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing's aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4, center, is hit by two Chinese coast guard water canons as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing's aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A Chinese coast guard boat moves near the Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 (in green) after it was hit by their water canon blast causing injuries to multiple crew members as they tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and multiple Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing's aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims in the resource-rich and busy waterway, where a bulk of the world’s commerce and oil transits.

Beijing claims almost the entire sea, a key global trade route. In the last decade, China has turned barren reefs into seven islands that now serve as missile-protected island bases, including three with runways, that have bolstered its capability to fortify its territorial claims and patrols.

In response, Washington has been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific, including with the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries at odds with China in the disputed sea.

After China effectively seized another disputed atoll, the Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines, in 2012, Manila brought its disputes with Beijing to international arbitration and largely won. China, however, rejected the 2016 ruling of the U.N.-backed tribunal that invalidated its expansive claims on historical grounds and continues to defy the decision.

Filipino officials said the latest confrontation was particularly serious because of the injuries sustained by its navy personnel and damage to their vessel.

Philippine coast guard personnel alight from resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 after treating injuries on multiple crew members as their ship was hit by Chinese coast guard water cannon blast, while it tries to enter the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and multiple Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing's aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine coast guard personnel on a rubber boat pass by a Chinese coast guard ship after conducting medical treatment to injured crew members of Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 which got hurt during a water canon incident in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing's aggression at sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

“The systematic and consistent manner in which the People’s Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions completely negates any of its calls for peaceful dialogue and de-escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Jonathan Malaya, a spokesperson for a Philippine government task force dealing with the South China Sea disputes, told a news conference on Wednesday, using the Philippine name for the long-troubled waters.

China blamed the Philippines for the hostilities.

“China has unwavering determination and will in safeguarding its legitimate rights. The Philippines’ attempt of making infringements and provocations will not succeed,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said Wednesday in Beijing.

After the U.S. repeated a warning that it’s obligated to defend the Philippines, its longtime treaty ally, in case of an armed attack, Mao urged Washington “to refrain from using the Philippines as a pawn to destabilize the South China Sea.”

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the latest incidents demonstrated China’s “reckless disregard for the safety of Filipinos and also for international law,” and that China was interfering with “lawful Philippine maritime operations.”

Filipino officials said they would continue to assert Philippine rights in the disputed sea.

“We continue to view with great alarm the continuing dangerous maneuvers and dangerous actions,” Marcos told reporters Wednesday in Melbourne, Australia, where he attended a Southeast Asian summit that had the territorial disputes high on its agenda .

Associated Press journalist Jim Gomez contributed to this report from Manila, Philippines

What It's Like To Live On A Sailboat

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Have you ever wondered what living in a sailboat would be like? Well, it may be quite easy to glamorize the idea of living on a sailboat full-time. However, this is a very unique lifestyle that brings forth a mixed bag of adventures and challenges. Although you never really know what each day might bring, living on a sailboat requires a lot of preparation, organizations, and an aptitude to take up whatever the waters throw at you.

Choosing to live on a sailboat is not for everyone. It’s a unique way of life that requires a particular lifestyle that would be a step too far for what most of us are used to. But the fact that you’ve even been thinking about it might well mean that you’re one of the few folks out there who find the oddities of living on a sailboat appealing.

It will, however, require you to change your lifestyle, make a few compromises and living on a sailboat could be splendidly rewarding. There are also a lot of things to consider such as the type of boat you purchase and to where you’ll moor it. You’ll, of course, have to carefully think about leaving your comfortable status quo to live on a sailboat. In essence, living on a sailboat is great and offers a very unique experience but it’s not perfect.

So, what is it like living on a sailboat? Well, let’s find out.

Table of contents

Financing Living on the Water

Unless you have huge sums of money stashed away and you’re completely happy living off it, you’ll have to find ways of financing this lifestyle. While many people might tell you that you’ll have reduced expenses when you decide to live aboard your sailboat, this is far from the truth. In addition to the cost of buying the boat itself, it would be a very wrong move to assume that you’ll be saving money by moving aboard your boat.

Here are some of the expenses that you may have to deal with while living on a sailboat.

Boat mortgage payment
Boat insurance
Food and water
Waste management
Boat maintenance

While you should carefully manage these expenses by coming up with a budget and sticking to it, you’ll need to work if you do not have huge sums of money stashed somewhere. You should also keep in mind the boat maintenance will always cost over the roof if you do not have the expertise to do it all by yourself. This is because marine parts and labor is usually more expensive.

Unless you are a millionaire, living on a sailboat would only be perfect if you can work from the boat. Whether you’re self-employed or a freelancer, you’ll need to create time and work to sustain this lifestyle and pay the bills that come with it . In essence, living on a sailboat is not all about wines, grapes, and beautiful sunset as always depicted in the movies. It also involves putting in some hard work to finance and maintain this unique and truly rewarding lifestyle.

The Beauty that Comes with Living on a Sailboat

In today’s life, everything out there seems to be fast-paced, uncompromising, demanding, and even more stressful. It seems almost impossible to take a break from it all, slow down and savor the best that life has on offer. Fortunately, living on a sailboat can offer you some form of sanctuary from the breakneck hassles of everyday life.

In addition to the sense of freedom that it gives you, living on a sailboat brings you close to nature as you’ll get more up close and personal with some of the most amazing creatures in the world while exploring some of the best places on earth. You’ll spend most of your time living next door to whales, dolphins, sharks, tuna and many more. That’s not all; you’ll learn to embrace the best and the worst that Mother Nature has on offer. From the beautiful sunsets and basking on the sun to heavy storms and high winds, these will become normal parts of your life. We must, however, admit that it’s much better than the daily hassles that come with living a typical lifestyle on land.

As such, let’s highlight some pros of living on a sailboat.

It’s a Relaxed Lifestyle – The sense of freedom and the chance to explore some of the best places and things in nature is perhaps one of the main attractions to this thrilling liveaboard lifestyle. Although there may be an endless trickle of things to do while on the boat, this lifestyle is generally casual, laid-back, and of course, independent.

It’s an Active Way of Life – Normally, we always strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle by watching our diets and going to the gym. And given that exercise is an integral part of wellness, you’ll never lack it while out there on the boat. Whether it’s about cleaning or maintaining the boat, there are endless projects when living on a boat. The best part is; you’ll be fixing things, exercising, and staying healthy in glamorous places!

A Deeper Sense of Community and Safety – It would be far-fetched to proclaim that living on a sailboat is very safe, especially if you’re planning to sail or moor in areas that are prone to piracy. However, living on a sailboat is much safer than living on land. This is because there are limited chances of being targeted by crooks, getting involved in road accidents or even being a victim of burglary and such negative vices.

More importantly, boat life is widely associated with boat lovers; a boating community that is willing to share and help one another. While you may not share necessities and become that close, the overall philosophy and approach to this lifestyle remain the same across the board and the sense of togetherness brought about by the love of this unique lifestyle will always be evident.

You’ll Embrace Nature – Whether it’s the sight of a flying dolphin, the beautiful sunset or the melodious sound of swans hovering around your boat, living on a sailboat is one of the best ways to connect and embrace nature. You’ll never lack something to bring a smile on your face. You’ll also have to deal with thunderstorms, high winds, and in some cases, noisy and full-of-life neighbors.

We all love to plan about things although we generally do not stick to the plan. So if you’ve always had difficulty in sticking to the plan, living on a boat could give you a perfect excuse not to stick to one. In most cases, your plans will change due to weather conditions. You may have to wait for days on end to venture out or go to the shore to resupply, especially when the winds are high and there are huge storms.

What does this mean? Living on a sailboat will more often than not mean that you throw most of your plans out of the window. This is part of this unique lifestyle and you’ll get used to it. Again, maintaining routine will become almost impossible and so you’ll learn to let go, make compromises, and feel more stoic about certain things in life that you initially thought you couldn’t do without.

With that in mind, let’s look at some cons of living on a sailboat.

A Slow Pace of Life – Your life aboard will become pretty slow and this can be quite frustrating if you’re used to the fast-paced city life. The projects are many and the chores may take up more time. For instance, going for groceries would mean that you lock up the boat, ensure that the dinghy is ready and then row to the shore just to get to the nearest store!

Bad Weather and Wildlife – Living on a sailboat means that nature plays a huge part in your life and huge storms, heavy rains, and cold nights may sometimes become the order of the day. Additionally, you may have to deal with bugs such as mosquitos, as well as other unwanted visitors such as seabirds.

Lack of Space – Even though living on a sailboat can be perfect for minimalists, it can be challenging for most of us since it would mean that you have to do away with most things that you’ve always needed in your life. This is because a fairly-sized boat will never have as much space as your house and this can be a big issue. You’ll, therefore, not only have to be very tidy but you’ll also have to bring necessities only.

Seasickness could be a thing – Living on a sailboat is perhaps not a good idea if you’re prone to seasickness. You’ll be spending most of your time on the water and so it wouldn’t make any sense to embrace this lifestyle only to become seasick.

Tips for Living on a Sailboat

If you’ve been thinking of living on a sailboat, keep the following tips in mind.

Don’t Buy a Boat that You’re still Going to Fix – Fixing and maintaining boats can be very expensive. As such, avoid buying a boat that still needs to be fixed to work perfectly. This can cost you huge sums of money and may ruin your dream before it even begins.

Get a boat that You can Manage – Unless you’re a billionaire with endless pockets, it’s always advisable to go for a boat that you can easily manage. It’s best to go for a small boat that will not require crew members and huge maintenance costs. Again, smaller boats can perfectly fit in marinas, are easier to handle, and tend to be a lot cheaper.

Look at your slip options – Believe it or not, the cost of renting a boat is often cheaper than the rent of any given house in the coastal area. It’s, however, important that you carry out thorough research and find out whether living on a sailboat is the right lifestyle for you in terms of finances, your work, and your family.

Embrace the minimalist lifestyle – Living on a sailboat means that you’ll only have room for essentials. As much as it seems like a luxurious lifestyle, fairly-size boats have very small spaces. You should, therefore, make sacrifices, become tidy, and embrace the minimalist way of life.

Living on a sailboat is a perfect lifestyle that presents both sides of the coin: the bad and the good. While it is a tremendously rewarding experience that gives you the freedom to explore some of the most exotic places in the world, it has its fair share of challenges. This is a unique lifestyle that’s not meant for all. Well, you’ll have to make some sacrifices, deal with bad weather, while also enjoying the best weather and the best that nature has to offer.

In essence, sail away from the comforts of your home, catch the wind, explore, discover, learn, and you’ll never regret it.

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Things to Consider When Living on a Boat Full-Time | Live on a sailboat | Sailboat Life | Liveaboard

1. Your Household: Who’s Living on the Boat?

Tailoring Your Boat for Your Household

2. Necessary Space for Full-Time Boat Living

The Significance of Space Management

3. Other Basic Necessities for Full-Time Boat Living

Cooking Aboard: Galley Essentials

Hygiene and Sanitation: Compact Bathrooms

Adapting to Compact Living: Mindset Matters

3. Your Budget: Navigating the Financial Waters of Boat sailing

Understanding the Costs of Boat Living

Budgeting Strategies for Boat Living

4. Do You Need Permission? Navigating Legal and Regulatory Aspects of start living sailboat life

Understanding Marine Regulations

Permissions for Living Aboard

Research and Compliance

5. Best Boats to Live on a sailboat: Finding Your Cozy Floating Home

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Choosing Your Cozy Floating Home

6. Living Aboard: Safety Considerations for liveaboard sailor

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Living on a Sailboat – Cruiserlife Reality, Pros & Cons Of Boat Life In 2023

Table of Contents

Monohull or Catamaran

Buying a Sailboat to Live On

Price Range

Electrical Power

Fresh Water

Salon, Cockpit, and Staterooms

Galley and Head

Pros and Cons of Life on a Sailboat

2. More Time On the Water

3. Romantic, Slow Paced Travel

4. Small Space Simple Living

5. Sailing Community

1. Difficult to Find Liveaboard Marinas

2. Small Spaces

3. Constant Maintenance Costs and Fixing Things

4. It’s Really Very Slow

5. Sometimes, It’s the Worst