Don Stonehill A lifelong outdoorsman, “Stoney” began his love for boating with his high school freshman year shop project...building a boat. Don graduated from college with a degree in broadcast journalism and electronics technology and has completed a 36-year career in broadcast radio and television. For 14 years, he and his wife Joanne owned a boat shop, which they sold in 1986. Don and Joanne have lived aboard a Hunter 42-foot sailboat for more than 10 years on Lake Union in Seattle. Don and others organized the Liveaboard Association of Puget Sound when the government said they could no longer reside on protected waters. As chairman, Don and others were successful in achieving their goal of ensuring that liveaboards are still permitted to reside in waters of the Pacific Northwest. The group now enjoys a good and informative relationship with governmental bodies, and works for the benefit of boaters nationwide. Don & Joanne’s sons, Gary and Mike, and their families live in Sacramento, California.
Afterwords
Thank you for taking the time to read The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat. It has been our pleasure to bring it to you.
Please take some time to visit http://www.paracay.com for tons of additional resources on boating and the marine lifestyle.
Also, please visit http://www.livingaboard.net for copies of the cost spreadsheet contained within Chapter 6. And don’t hesitate to e-mail me at [email protected] with your comments, questions, and greetings. I’d love to hear from you.
Live smart and safe, and may your seas be fair.
Mark Nicholas
and all the great folks at
Paradise Cay Publications, Inc.
About the Author
Mark Nicholas has lived a bit of the Renaissance life, traveling the world, practicing law, playing music, and now writing books.
Originally from the small coastal town of Bayville, New Jersey, Mark grew up in and around the water, sailing small boats for years. With only a rudimentary knowledge of the inner workings of larger boats and boat mechanics, Mark moved aboard his 33-foot Hunter Marine sailboat The Morning Fog,in Boston Harbor.
The Fog turned out not to be a competent liveaboard boat, requiring major sacrifices in every aspect of her design. Expenses skyrocketed and whole systems needed to be rebuilt. Through this experience Mark learned an unbelievable amount—things that someone should have told him, and lots that no one might have ever thought to tell him. He wanted to write a book that, had he read it, might have helped him make better decisions and save thousands of dollars.
Mark is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law. He currently practices law in Los Angeles, California. He is also a voting member of the Recording Academy; has released two CDs as a musical recording artist; and has engineered, produced, and provided technical and consulting services to many other artists, musicians, and filmmakers.
The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat is Mark Nicholas’ first book.
A home is meant to be lived in.
Index
A
acceptance of yacht 69
accessories 35
add-ons 41
aft-cockpit 53
AGM 171
air circulation 195
conditioning 51, 204
temperature 193
alarm 170, 173, 186, 225
alcohol 247
stoves 221
alternator 133
amenities 49, 153, 166, 182-183
ammeter 169, 173
amperage 169, 170, 173
anchor 51, 135
alarm 180
scope 180
windlass 182
anchoring 83
antenna 156, 159, 177
antifreeze 210, 231
Atrac3 156
autopilot 135, 176, 179
B
backups 15
ballast 25, 53
balsa wood 128
battery
banks 169
charging 4, 52, 132, 170
monitor 133, 173
types 171
Bay Conservation Development Commission 245
beam 20, 21, 24, 53
bedding 132
Bed and Breakfast Afloat 268
belts 217
Big Sail 101
bilge 211, 220, 224, 239
cleaner 239
fan 223
pump 6, 118, 170, 222, 224, 238
float switch 225
bimini 132, 204
Birch, Chris 46, 115, 123, 137, 167, 187, 261, 267
Birch Marine, Inc. 267
black water 237
blizzard 189
Bluewater Cruiser 263
boardings 244, 249
boat
delivery 44, 55
identification 55
modifications 71
motion 7, 89, 96, 126, 142
boat (cont’d)
search 54
size 45
use 50
boating under the influence 247
boats
aluminum 31
composite 31
ferrocement 31
fiberglass 39
luxury 54
steel 31
wooden 31, 40, 76
boat payment 106
Boat US 118, 154
bottom painting 113
bowsprit 22
brightwork 54
broadband 165
broker 55, 59-62
BT Rum Tango 167
bubble wrap 195
budget 43
Buffett, Jimmy 265
bugs 41
BUI 247
bulkhead 158
bungs 217
buoy 177
burst hoses 135, 210, 230
buyer’s agent 61
C
cabin 142
lights 184
cable 41, 159
coaxial 164
TV 108, 165
self-tracking dish 152
candles 131, 184
canvas covers 201
capital appreciation 99
carbon dioxide 191
carbon monoxide 191, 199, 212, 233
detectors 212, 219, 234
poisoning 234
car registration 242
car stereo 155
cell phone 15, 107, 133, 161, 165
center-cockpit 39, 53
center of gravity 38, 53
central air conditioning 205
central heat 51, 121, 200
CE classification 27
chain 180
charger 41
chart 135
chartplotter 35, 51, 121, 135, 154, 178, 258
children 139, 143-145
child abuse 146
chill 128
city water 229
system 210
cleaning 148
climate 189
closing 79
clothing 131
coastal cruising 50
Coast Guard 79, 181, 219, 234, 237, 241, 244, 249, 265
cockpit 52
comfort 46, 51, 52, 129, 131
commissioning 112
communication 52, 135, 161
satellite system 41
companionway 141, 150
compressed music 156
compressor 168
computer 131, 153, 157, 158, 160, 172, 178, 196
condensation 8, 48, 50, 128, 155, 187, 192, 196
configuration 52
Constitution Marina 268
cookware 131
cooler 167
cooling 204
cost
adjustment 73, 75
association fees 99
cold-climate 115
depreciation 99
estimating 95
initial 101-103
monthly 105-109
offsets 100, 121
operating 43, 115
opportunity 99
property interests 99
savings 47, 121
seasonal 110
share certificates 99
special assessments 118
spreadsheet 97
startup 41
surcharges 96
taxes 96
counterbalance 38
courtesy lights 184
cowls 191
Cox, Tom 268
curtain burners 221
cushions 52, 131, 132
customer service 42
customizing 42
Customs Service 241
D
dampness 8, 190
davits 183
deck 36, 52, 132
decommissioning 113, 132
dehumidifier 194
delivery 44, 103
Densler, Sam 213
Densler, Tara 138
depreciation 40, 99
dessicant 196
dew point 192
dial-up service 162
diesel 212
dinghy 83, 115, 182-183
direct discharge valve 237
discharge seacock 238
displacement 21, 24, 53
ditch kit 175, 181
dock 189
boxes 90
cart 133
lines 135, 206, 217
obstacles 232
safety 232
safety lines 189
docking 147
documentation 80, 103
dodger 132
Doty, Robert 57, 268
down payment 31, 77, 97, 102
draft 20, 24
drinking water safety 235
drugs 247-248
dryer 183
DSL 162, 164
ductwork 201
DVD 131, 160
E
e-mail 159, 161, 164, 245, 264
electric wires 36
electrical repair kit 217
electronics 32
Emerson, Greg 269
engine 211
maintenance 38
problems 74
entertainment 116, 152, 155
EPIRB 51, 136, 181
equipment 51-52
equity 43
etiquette 134
evaporator 168
excise tax 111
exhaust 233
exits 218
F
fader 156
family 145, 147-148
fans 131, 190
fees 106, 111, 114, 117
fenders 206, 217
fiberglass 39, 127
filter 174, 217
financing 77-78
finger pier 189, 207
fire 93, 197, 209, 218
detection 218
escape obstacles 218
extinguisher 136, 181, 219
suppression system 218
fittings 208
flares 136, 181
flashlights 184
floaters 15
float switch 225
flow gate 228
foam 195
core 128
foot of the main 25
forced air heater 200
forfeiture 251
foul-weather gear 181
freezing water 211
fresh-water pump 170
system 210, 228
fuel 115, 127
capacity 26
cost 39
efficiency 39
fumes 127, 191
furling line 118
furniture 47
G
galley 52, 57, 131, 141, 149, 226-227, 232
garbage 239
gasoline vapors 223
gas tank 199
gate valves 227
generator 52, 168, 171
Gently With The Tides 266
global positioning system 176
government
boardings 245
oversight 241
regulation 241
GPRS 165
GPS 51, 121, 135, 154, 176
gray water 211, 238, 253
H
halyards 127
hammock 51, 132
handheld radio 135, 163
hands-free lights 184
hard disc player 157
harnesses 146, 181
hatch 52, 128, 159, 205, 218
haul 44, 68, 113
head 49, 52, 185, 226-227, 232
headroom 26, 46, 52, 53, 129, 142
headsail 96, 118
health certification 254
heat
central 197, 200
exchanger 174
exhaustion 190
forced-air 197
radiant 197
stroke 190
tape, electric 231
heaters 197. 199, 200, 223
heating 194
system 132
bulkhead 233
dangers 209
heat gun 5
Helms, LeAnn 138
high-water alarm 225, 226
holding plate 168
holding tank 4, 5, 26, 49, 90, 127, 185, 211, 237
horn 135, 181
hose 49, 217, 226
burst 135, 210, 230
fittings 217
hot tub 153
hot water heater 174
hull 36, 44
speed 23, 53
humidity 189, 190
reducing 194
Hunter Marine 28, 269
Hunter Marine Passage 23
hurricanes 189
I
ice 115, 117, 208
bubblers 211
icebox 167
icy dock 207
impeller 71, 217
improvements 45
inboard gasoline engine 223
incinerating heads 185
infants 144
instant hot water heater 175
insulation 128, 193
insurance 44, 76-78, 106
international law 254
International Marina Institute 268
International Marine 266
Internet 15, 108, 110, 131, 147, 154, 161, 164, 264
inverter 41, 52, 154, 158, 168, 172
iPod 157
Island Packet 46, 53
isolation 144
J
jackline 181
Jackson, Rob 256
jib base 25
jib height 25
Johnson, Norm 269
K
kitty litter 149
knife 217
L
landline 161
lantern 131, 154, 184
laptop 131, 153, 157, 172, 178
Latitudes and Attitudes 263
launch 113
laundry 133, 183
machines 52
laws 242
layout 129
lazarette 71
lazy jacks 35, 133
leak 41, 224, 226
leak (con’td)
finding 192
propane
testing for 220
Levant, Jessica 259
lien 44, 80
lifelines 146
lifeline cushions 51
life jackets 136, 146, 181
life preservers 136
life raft 51, 218
lighter 133
lights 184
listing sheet 21, 22
ListServs 147, 264
liveability 38, 47
liveaboard
definition 246
regulations 246
Liveaboard Association of Puget Sound 246, 271
Liveaboard Magazine 263
LOA 21
lockers 49
lubrication 211
LWL 23
M
macerator 226, 236
mail 48
maintenance 7, 112, 148
main luff 25
man-overboard 181
drill 148
system 136
marina 83
alternatives 83
amenities 84, 90
atmosphere 87
bathrooms 90
costs 93
marina (cont’d)
culture 91
differe
nces 84
dock boxes 90
garbage disposal 92
guidelines 88
laundry facilities 90
location 83, 88-89, 91
management 86
rules 91, 245
safety 93, 189
security 92
services 92
showers 90
well protected 206
marine heads 185
mast height 25
matches 133
mattresses 52
metal bars 146
mildew 236
Mini Sail 101
MOB 51, 181
modem 164
moisture 129, 132, 134, 151, 155
moisture-proof container 196
mold 8, 127, 191, 235, 236
mooring 83, 115, 148, 180
motion 7, 96, 126, 142
detector 186
MP3 156
music 156
N
navigation 176-177
equipment 51
lights 181
necessary force 250
netting 146
night watch 179
no-discharge zone 185
no-wake zone 247
noise 126, 139
non-skid plates 131
O
odors 9, 127, 139, 191, 201, 215, 223, 235
odor treatment 185
oil-filled heater 197, 223
Old Woody 100, 104, 110
operating costs 43, 115
operating while intoxicated 243
opportunity cost 99
overall length 21
P
Palm Pilot 161
parking 109
partners 140
Passagemaker 263
performance yachts 123
permanent marker 133
pets 149-151
pillow 129
plumbing 36, 118
repair kit 217
Pocket PC 161
portable air conditioning 205
ports 52, 128, 205
power 132, 169
boats 37-38, 53
system 52, 154
Practical Sailor 263
preapproval letter 31
preparation 125
privacy 139
Procter, John 270
propane 197, 209, 212, 219
bubble 221
detection system 255
leak 220
propane (cont’d)
tank 220
propeller shaft 226, 229
property interests 99
provisions 135
pump
bilge 170
fresh water 170
purchasing a boat 65
acceptance of yacht 69
accessories 35
broker 55, 59-61
closing 79
The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat Page 24