How easy or difficult was the first year aboard?

[Bobobolinsky]

I'm living aboard and refitting at the same time. Happy enough, though getting a little tired of musical bunks, everytime I want to do something.

[SHUG]

Two big mistakes in first year a liveaboards:
(1) made out a detailed itinerary saying where we would be and when
(2) we had twenty visitors in that first year probably because of (1)

"Make firm plans but stay flexible"

[elioti]

the 1st year has tobe the easiest one, you have loads of money and generally no idea, by the 2nd year you're getting into it or ran out of money and back ashore. I'd say the 2nd year was the hardest, once you realise you're not on holiday and have to settle into the new lifestyle. By the 3rd year you're relaxed and really enjoying it, by the 4th year you're wondering why you didn't do it ealier in life, bye the 5th year you're wondering what all the fuss is about. By year 6 you're those odd folk who live aboard in the marina....especially if you have not moved.

like it!

[chinita]

By year 6 you're those odd folk who live aboard in the marina....especially if you have not moved.

Funny that. Only a couple of days ago i was told by a nice young lady (with a cold) that the reason i never get a cold is that i don't socialise with the rest of them (first year liveaboards that is).

I agreed, and stuck my head back into a rather good book.

[jonic]

The real dream started for us when we arrived in the Caribbean.

It is so removed from Europe you feel you have stepped into a secret world, and pinch yourself every day that this is now your life.

[ukmctc]

Funny that. Only a couple of days ago i was told by a nice young lady (with a cold) that the reason i never get a cold is that i don't socialise with the rest of them (first year liveaboards that is).

I agreed, and stuck my head back into a rather good book.

ah yes.....a good book, who needs to socialise

[chinita]

ah yes.....a good book, who needs to socialise

Great, i will put your name down for this lot then:

http://www.secretocean.eu/AlmerimarV...l%20Events.htm

[ChrisE]

Unlike others I believe that you need to push yourself in the first year so that quickly understand whether you are up for it or not.

We ended our year understanding that there was no way we we were going to carry on as we had had enough of the cruising life.

That's us, others may feel different.

[nathanlee]

Did you have problems in the first year and did you find it does take some adjustment or was it easy?

Did you find life easier after the first year?

I would be intrested in hearing your views.

Year One: Bought boat, got used to it, did huge adventure. Loved it.

Year Two: Bought another boat for bigger adventure. Ran out of money, sold boat, moved back on to original boat. Disappointed.

Year Three: Did major refit on original boat in effort to make it's 21ft vaguely comfortable. Disappointed.

Year Four: Bought a 31 footer in an effort to actually be more comfortable. Major refit needed. Too much time in London for work. Disappointed.

I'm hoping that at some point, I'll realise that year one was the reason for all this, and go back to it.

[Barnac1e]

Unlike others I believe that you need to push yourself in the first year so that quickly understand whether you are up for it or not.
We ended our year understanding that there was no way we we were going to carry on as we had had enough of the cruising life.
That's us, others may feel different.

So rare to see such honesty, thank you Sir! It is a welcome antidote to the chorus of "Love It", "Never Looked Back" that flood these fora and make us summer-only, part-time liveaboards nurse our guilty consciences.

A long and leisurely cruise through fourteen countries of the Windward and Leeward Isles in 2009/2010 convinced me that, despite being in paradise, I was not cut out for permanent lotus-living. Especially a few days anchored in English Harbour watching one of the more impecunious (whose ranks I would probably have to join) eke out their existence as they strived to keep their boat afloat and the provisions coming in.

You are so right, it is not for everyone, but too few seem to admit it.