There’s a lot to like about living aboard, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
In our latest “Tipsy Tuesday” video we thought it’d be fun to flip the script and tell you some of the things we dislike about boat life. In no particular order, here we go…
Boat Life 👎
#1 Marinas
We have a love-hate relationship with marinas. Why? Because we’ve had some terrible experiences with knuckle-head dockmaster’s and marina staff that have made a lasting impression on us.
Marinas aren’t cheap! So, to pay a lot of money and get grief from the staff is enough to push you to leave sometimes… and we have. It’s apart of liveaboard life I guess, but not a pleasant one.
#2 Water
Not the kind you drink, but the kind that gets inside the boat from leaks. There are leaks above and below the waterline. Both are bad. We’ve yet to have a boat that has no leaks – no matter how much work we put into preventing them!
It’s inevitable, and exhausting to say the least. Chasing leaks can be a full-time job. Or, you can just be okay with the less serious leaks and realize this is just another unpleasant part of boat life.
#3 Maintenance
It’s cruel and unusual. Even though our engine room is much more accessible than our previous boat, some areas are still impossible to work in. I’ve found myself wedged between the engine and the fiberglass hull on more than one occasion, and if my gut was any larger, I wouldn’t fit.
Maintenance comes in a variety of forms I’ve learned. There’s:
- At dock maintenance
- On mooring maintenance
- At anchor maintenance
- Boatyard maintenance
- Maintenance underway
- Rooftop maintenance
- Underwater maintenance…
You get the point. There’s an endless amount of maintenance that never goes away.
#4 Marine Contractors
While the maintenance sucks, it’s best to suck it up and do it all yourself. The few times we’ve called in a “professional” we’ve regretted it.
Funny story – On our first boat, Wiffersnapper, the mechanic we had glance over our engines before our first voyage forgot to tighten down a hose clamp. So, as soon as we pulled off the dock, we blew a hose with freshly added coolant all over the engine.
When we called him to tell him about it and ask how he can remedy his careless mistake, he threatened to “meet me in the parking lot.” True story.
#5 Marine Air Conditioners
Ugh, they’re the worst. Their effectiveness relies on the temperature of the water, which renders them even less effective in warm water, when you need it most!
Not to mention the clog of barnacles and debris that we have to flush every week. Last week I actually flushed a crab out of the system. A whole crab! Moving on…
#6 Insurance
Tiff’s favorite topic. She literally hates marine insurance. And for good reason, we’ve had some crappy dealings with terrible insurance agents and EXPENSIVE policies.
When RumHaven turned 20 years old, our insurance premium doubled. Each year they seem to cover less but charge more. It’s the wild west. Especially if you live aboard and keep your boat in Florida all year.
In The Video
You can feel the passion in our voices. Go on and watch the video…
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