Living on a Sailboat: A Journey of Discovery and Challenges

Living on a sailboat comes with enticing prospects, but it can present unexpected challenges. Carly Miller shares her experience.

Setting Sail: The Beginning of an Adventure

In 2024, Carly and her partner, Guy, returned to their East Village apartment with stories from London. They pondered their next destination. The notion of living on a boat emerged as Guy, a seasoned sailor, had always desired boat ownership. Carly found this a thrilling adventure to embark on. They both had remote jobs and Guy’s startup afforded them the opportunity to make this dream a reality.

A month later, they moved onto a 38-foot sailboat with their dog, dreaming of savings, views, freedom, and nature. Their main aim was to cross the Pacific Ocean.

Unforeseen Costs and Efforts

They believed boat living would reduce expenses, eliminating New York City rent. Yet, boat expenses were plentiful. An amusing yet insightful remark they heard was that “boat” stood for “Bust Out Another Thousand.”

Issues arose swiftly; a $1,000 alternator needed replacement. A plumbing failure left their toilet unusable for two months until they hired professional help. The broken autopilot, unaffordable to replace at $3,000, necessitated steering manually, complicating work and travel. Additional costs included fuel and marina slips, sometimes exceeding $100 nightly. These expenses and tasks quickly accumulated.

The Stress of Being on Water

Carly expected serene peace from living close to nature but found relaxation elusive. She had to be vigilant, consistently monitoring weather conditions, wind, and currents to make safe sailing decisions. Waking every hour to check the anchor added to the stress.

A sedentary lifestyle at sea arose from unpredictable weather conditions confining them to their boat. Moreover, Carly felt isolated within the sailing community, where decisions often deferred to Guy, and social acceptance felt unequal.

Isolation and Family Distance

Distance compounded feelings of solitude. When a family dog passed, Carly was in the Bahamas, unable to return in time to bid farewell. Despite reaching remote locales, the idea of needing a quick exit in emergencies added anxiety.

The Rewards and Realizations

Sailing itself held magical moments, such as peaceful dawns spent watching dolphins. The quiet beauty of sailing, driven by the wind and rhythmic ropes, was euphoric and irreplaceable.

However, boat ownership was a challenge. After a year, the couple decided to leave the boat in the Bahamas to visit family in Portugal and friends in Hawaii. Though plans to explore further were initially made, Carly realized her longing for routine and stability.

Eventually, they returned the boat to New York City. Although there is some regret in not crossing the Pacific Ocean, Carly looks forward to potentially joining a crew in the future. For now, she embraces a stable life on land with contentment.