where do you search for how to live on a boat, I heard it was cheap rent?

Question

this is for marina del rey

Answer 1

I live aboars a sailboat in Boston. The easiest way to find out where you can live aboard is to decide where you want to live, then look up marinas in the yellow pages (not boatyards - not the same thing and generally not conducive to liveaboards) or a cruising guide, and start calling the general information number to ask if they allow liveaboards, whether it's seasonal or year-round, and what the per-foot rate is. In some marinas, you have to spend a year as a 'transient' before you get a full year contract. In boston, expect to pay 6500 to 8500 / year for a 40' boat.

But the slip rental is only part of it - you *do* have to have a boat. Rule of thumb - expect to pay 5% of the purchase cost of a boat in maintenance every year, if you actually use the boat for more than just living aboard.

It's a great lifestyle and it can be an inexpensive way to get 'waterfront property.' I've been living aboard for 4 years now and I love it.

Answer 2

It's cheap, but no in marina del rey or any other prime spot. Figure 5 % of the new purchase price of the boat yearly for maintenance. Then there's the cost of a marina..... ... on a mooring it will be cheaper, but where will you shore access? Local municipalities are beginning to be very tough on liveabords everwhere. They will give you a very hard time, unless you can demonstrate compliance with head pumping and polution requirements. In the end it will not be cheaper than a modest apartment, but definitely a lot more hassle. If you love boats however, it's worth it.... but otherwise.... stay a landlubber.